Interview Tips

Once you are invited into the interview room, the first impressions you make will be hard to shift. As already mentioned, studies have shown that interviewers can make up their minds within the first four minutes of the interview (that is not to say that they do not change their opinions, but you will have to work harder in order to make them do so).

Take a deep breath, calm yourself and enter the interview room slowly and serenely. Dont poke your head around the door timidly to see if they are ready, as this shows your lack of confidence. You do not want to give the impression that you are apologizing for disturbing the interviewer. Walk over to the chair, shake hands if the interviewer offers his/her hand and sit down. (The candidate should not normally initiate the handshake but should be ready to respond.)

Your handshake should be firm, but not gripping or domineering. It is supposed to be a gesture of friendliness. It should make contact with the interviewer, without being limp of seeming as if you are trying to keep your hand in his for as little time as possible. Dont hold on to the interviewers hand for too long or you will appear over familiar. Smile at the interviewer and look him/her in the eyes as you shake hands. Dont give the interviewer a toothy grin. Dont shake hands looking downwards. You should seem self-assured rather than push..

Remember to make yourself comfortable, particularly if your are nervous. Keep you actions deliberate. Look around the office if that makes you feel more relaxed. Take a deep breath, pause and be ready to listen to the interviewer, who will talk first. Usually the interviewer will introduce him/herself. In a panel situation, the chair will introduce the other members of the panel..

Dont chatter instantly just because you are nervous. The interviewer will set the pace and style of your discussion, and at least at first, you should take your lead from him/her. When the interviewer begins the small talk to help you to relax, dont give long descriptions of your travel or what ever he asks you about. This kind of question is only to help you settle in - dont take it too seriously..

Posture:

Sit comfortably but upright without slouching or leaning on the interviewers desk. Sit attentively, leaning slightly forward. Put your arms slightly in front of you. Dont adopt an over-relaxed posture. Try to stay still, without fiddling with your fingers, your hair, or with rings, earring etc..

If you have established good eye contact with the interviewer, the interviewer will feel friendly. Eye contact reflects your confidence. Dont avoid their eyes altogether or stare. Look at the interviewer as he/she talks and glance at him/her as you speak. If you are addressing a panel, address the questioner for most of the time but glance at other members of the panel too..

Recapturing The interviewers Attention :

Watch the interviewer for evidence that he/she is listening. If not, vary the pace of your speech, or stop for a moment. Generally all that is needed is a slight pause. Signs that the interviewers attention is wandering may be due to your rambling or verbal diarrhea. Curtail whatever you were saying and ask if they require any further information. Look at the interviewer and smile. A sure sign that the interviewers attention is wandering is if you just get an 'I see' or 'indeed' response as you are speaking, with those familiar glazed eyes! Work immediately to regain the interviewers attention..

Arguments, Arrogance And Anger:

At all costs, avoid having an argument with the interviewer - you wont win. If you give up once the argument has begun you will be seen as a wimp. If you dont you will be seen as argumentative and probably unable to accept authority..

Avoid sarcasm even if you think your interviewer has said something particularly stupid or obvious. Dont correct him or accurse him/her of getting it wrong or of twisting your answers. Say firmly, without being drawn into aggression yourself, that it was not quite what you meant, and explain again. Watch your voice and body language. If you get angry, the pitch of your voice is likely to go up and your expression to harden. This will in turn provoke a more aggressive response from the interviewer..

If you become angry at something that has been said to you, count ten! Try to analyze why the offensive question has been asked before you respond. Take a deep breath and respond slowly and calmly. Dont apologize or be forced into a defensive attitude. Awkward questions do arise at times, the interviewer may have no intention of making you angry or upset. If you ask the interviewer to rephrase the question, the emphasis may be entirely different..

Overstating your claims to fame will not go down well. It is seen by interviewers as arrogance, as is over-informality. This is a classic error in people who are scared to admit their faults or are over-anxious to impress..

Leaving the interview:

Once the interview has drawn to a close, get up, shake hands, thank the interviewer and look him/her in the eye with a smile. Pick up any belongings, walk briskly to the door and leave.

Your clothes should be clean and neat, tidy and conservative. If you have studied the organizational culture, you should feel that you fit in with the others in the company and that you do not stand out unduly. Men should be formal in their appearance preferably wearing dark colored trousers and light colored full sleeved shirt. You may wear a tie if you are comfortable with it. Your shoes should be clean. Woman may wear a light colored cotton sari or salwar kameez. Do not wear the western outfits if your are not comfortable in them. Do not put too much of makeup or jewelry as we are attending an interview and not any function. If you have several interviews for the same post, dont wear the same clothes each time.

You should be freshly washed and have clean fingernails, use deodorant (particularly if you suffer from interview nerves) and a mouthwash. If you know that you perspire in interviews, try not to wear clothing that is tight under the arms and that will mark. Do not go into the interview room smelling alcohol, tobacco or garlic. If you use perfume of after-shave, make sure this is not overpowering or intrusive.

Your hair and beard or moustache should also be neat. No matter how neat your clothes, you can ruin the whole appearance with unkempt, untidy locks..