Interview Advice

Tips before you go for an interview

Be all set and well researched and keep all the examples prepared.
Think of some usual interview questions before you plan to go for a real one and also prepare for you answers in your mind, you can either memorize it or jot it down in a piece of paper and study it well. Recall the questionnaire you were asked in your previous interviews and how you gained experienced out of them. Take 3 odd situations where you successfully handled the questions and 3 more situations where though you couldn’t handle the question well but you are still proud of your responses. Keep such situations saved well in your brain so when the time comes you can use it. Most questions are usually behavioral based so you can easily relate the entire question. Take ample amount of time to prepare for the upcoming interviews and try varying your answers.

While you select the experiences to share try maintaining the hierarchy given below:

• School work/group projects
• Religious groups/affiliations
• Work Experience
• Extra Curricular Activities
• Take copies of your portfolio or resume

Once you plan to take your portfolio, you need to make few demo questions and answers to them, highlight the questions which you would like to know about the organization. This will make you look Controlled, equipped and trained.

• Know the trade well for the company you are going to join

Do your research. Learn the job account and carry out thorough investigation on the organization. Be recognizable with the website of the organization. Think the need why you need the employment and what makes you interested in serving for the particular company. It is equally important in your part to know the name of your interviewer.

• Pre decide your attire for the occasion

Its best suggested for you to wear something formal preferably a suit. But make sure your appearance turns out to be real impressive for the interviewer. The clothes you wear should be clean, ironed, and well fitted. Get good haircuts and manicures, so that you look good for your interview. Do not haste while getting ready the day of your interview. Because FIRST IMPRESSIONS COUNT!

• Set up questions you are going to through at your interviewer

Plan few considerate questions that you should ask about the organization, the questions should not be very confidential neither very casual. Salary usually is not discussed in first meet, but you can definitely enquire about commissions and benefits if you will receive any. You should also know the exact date of them notifying you of your hiring (this shows your interest in getting the position)

• 10 minutes early arrival in the venue would make the interviewer delighted

That shows how punctual and interested you are for the job, and that gives you the opportunity to get calm and compose before you actually hit the room. Be very considerate to the receptionist because they are also asked about their opinions at the time of selection. It is also suggested that you know the place well where you are going for the interview so that the search for the address and parking doesn’t eat much time. Take a complete idea of the place and how long it will take from your location. A complete knowhow of the area would not only save your time but would also save yourself from taking extra stress. In case if you don’t get the venue exactly it’s never too bad to dial them up and ask for the exact address to avoid any unforeseen circumstances, or if you are stuck in traffic jam or crashed into wrong avenue, you should immediately inform the office about your late arrival, and if needed apologize. You could possibly ask for a different time of interview.

DURING THE INTERVIEW

• Leave a good impression

Begin by introducing yourself –make confident eye contact, give a solid handshake, and a warm smile.

• Talk less and Listen more

Sit confidently facing the interviewer but make sure you chair isn’t uncomfortable or its situated directly towards the sunlight, and if it is then change the seat initially itself so that your rest of the time is spent in comfort and ease. Look into your posture. Look at the interviewer eye, but do not start staring! Sit up straight and stiff. Control frequent use of “uh”, “um”, and “like”; they are disturbing to the Interviewer. It is perfectly tolerable if you take your time to think about an answer. There’s nothing wrong in asking for clarification or ask the interviewer to repeat the query once (a maximum of twice).

• Shun anxious mannerisms.

Make sure you don’t show nervous mannerisms such as clicking your pen, jingling change in your pocket, playing with your hair, cutting your nails, struggling around in your chair, etc. Control these behaviors. Nervousness can strike anybody but keeping calm at those situation matters the most.

• Speak evidently and frankly.

Use correct grammar and keep your tone friendly and warm. Make sure no profanities are used or inappropriate language even slangs are a complete no-no while giving interview. Never Reply in just "yes" or "no" to a question. Always explain and enlarge on your answers, but be careful not to sound boring and monotonous. Be apt and honest. Always know that the purpose of the interviewer is to getting to know you better and more hence try to highlight your strength as much as possible. Make sure to put together your answers in a way that is easy to pursue and comprehend. Try using the STAR (Situation Task Action Result) method. This way will help you bring a detailed, brief and absolute answer

• Be optimistic and passionate

If you wish to outshine all the contemporaries you have in the interview room, then you need to bring out that sheen in you which will make others fade away. Doesn’t matter how appealing your resume looks if you do not draw the interviewer attention you will fail in getting the job position too. Let the interviewer know that you are eager to get the position and that you are positive in your talents.
Let them believe that you are the chosen one for the job.

• Act gracious but professional

Be sure to radiate a positive, attitude – mind your etiquette.

• Ask questions.

Ask sensible questions pertaining only to the job.

• Remember to interview them as much as they are interview you!

AFTER THE INTERVIEW

• Express gratitude to the interviewer and ask for a business card.

Give the interviewer warm greeting. Convey the strong sense of how interested you are in the position and give them he hint that with the business card you will contact to send a thank you letter or follow up with them if you need to.

• Send a letter saying thank you

Sending thank you letters via email is very common these days, but a customary handwritten note will be remembered by the interviewer.

• Follow up with the company.

It is appropriate for you to give them a call or send an email asking about the status of the position just to emphasis how interested you are for the job position.