How to Prepare and Face an Interview |
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The following
suggestions are advisable when faced with an interview:
1) Dress appropriately – A well dressed and
groomed appearance can do wonders for that first impression. Now is not
exactly the time to make a fashion statement so a tastefully chosen
professional outfit, with suitable accessories like a hand-bag or brief
case should be fine.
2) Posture and Carriage - The way in which the
candidate carries himself while walking and sitting tells the interviewer
about your confidence. Good "carriage" and posture have to be
developed over a period of time and are essential in distinguishing a
shoddy and careless attitude from a sharp and alert one.
3) Be confident - Self confidence, or the lack of
it, is observed through your behavior, right from the way you sit to how
you speak. Good manners and proper behavior are obviously necessary.
Suitable greetings for the time of the day and other formalities must be
known to the interviewee; for example, sit down only after being told to;
elbows must not be put on the table; the brief case or bag should be kept
on the floor beside the chair and do not play with any of your accessories
or clothes. Nervous movements betray show a lack of confidence and
concentration.
4) Mental Preparation - The candidate should be
well informed about current events, domestic and international, and topics
of general interest. Regular reading of newspapers, listening to radio and
TV discussions, participating in group discussions and general reading
habits are helpful activities in developing the required mental status for
an interview.
Information about the organization, its directors, turnover, share
capital and other relevant information which are available in its annual
report, is expected of candidates by public limited companies. A candidate
must know as much as possible about the prospective employer company.
5) Go back to the books - The candidate should also
possess adequate knowledge in the subjects studied during graduation and
professional examinations. A reasonable revision of the subjects can solve
the purpose. Several general questions and biographical questions are
usually asked by the interviewers and candidates should be well prepared
to answer them.
6) No guessing games - In situations where the
candidate does not know the answer to a question it is always better to
state ones inability to answer than to make a guess. No one is expected to
know everything; admitting that one does not know the answer reflects
honesty.
7) Be clear - A candidate must have clarity of
purpose and determination enough to want to know his prospects in the
organization. He/she must be able to ask questions about the nature of
duties, employee benefits, future prospects and other things which he may
want to know about the organization before taking any decision.
8) Know your own worth - It is advisable to talk
about salary without appearing to be bargaining and without being driven
or defeated. This requires careful prior thinking; if possible this topic
should be discussed with the family and with experienced elders or
friends. It is useful to assess ones training, experience, proved ability,
as well as needs, in order to quantify ones worth. It is, of course,
necessary to know the payments made for similar positions or work in other
companies.
9) At the end, candidate's are usually not sure when to leave. If the
interviewers indicate that the interview is over, collect your bag, wish
them and thank them for their friendly attitude and leave. Some
candidates, due to nervousness, seem to be in a hurry to leave and forget
to wish or thank the interviewers. Always remember that your parting
movements are also closely observed so hurried and frantic movements may
betray an earlier composed attitude.
In order to succeed in an interview each individual must make an honest
self-assessment and find out one's areas of strength and weakness.
Knowledge of one's deficiencies is useful in overcoming weaknesses and
unconscious bad habits of posture or speech can be improved by effort.
Shortcomings which cannot be overcome can be accepted and acknowledged so
that they do not lead to depression and embarrassment when others notice
them. Therefore, coming to terms with oneself and knowing how to deal with
one's faults, and how to make the best use of one's knowledge and skills,
is another vital element in preparing for an interview. |