To begin, an interview no matter for any senior or junior position should never be a face-off. This can be said because an interview is a meaningful discussion wherein the interviewer would seek information from you on what you achieved, what you know and how experienced you are. Broadly put, there’s nothing more to an interview. So, for the benefit of candidates who find it difficult, the underlined points can be taken care of for a smooth interview.
1. Be prepared
You can never be fully prepared for an interview because you would never have a clue as to what to expect. It’s like a Cricket pitch – no one would certainly know of the nature of the pitch - would it bounce, turn, keep low or maybe deteriorate over a period of the match. Sometimes even the curator is lost for words after a match, as he would have also been surprised at the way the pitch behaved. Interviews are no different. Often we see that Interviewers themselves are confused and perplexed after few interviews. Even though there are uncertainties in an interview, it becomes vital that you are thoroughly prepared especially of all that is written in your Resume.
2. Be confident
Confidence is the first weapon that you have while attending an Interview. The more positive you are, the closer you get to succeeding. Confidence never comes to a person standing still. It comes from your qualifications, your past experience, your activities, your family background and most of all from your body language at the time of the interview. Do not look at the person interviewing you as God or villain, he is just someone like you. Refrain from negative thoughts and set yourself up for success by thinking positive. However, over confidence could lead you to being branded as brash and arrogant and will never seize favour of the Interviewer.
3. Answer to the point
Never beat around the bush. Get to the point and speak when you are spoken to. These are the main mantras while answering any question asked by the Interviewer. However never make it appear to the Interviewer that you are tired and wouldn’t want to answer any more questions. Be forth coming in your approach.
4. Be truthful
Due to various pressures surrounding your interview, you may want to short-cut a few answers by proclaiming that you achieved something, even though you haven’t or you may confess that you know of something and in reality you don’t. Always remember a lie will have to be backed by another lie and there would be no end to it. On the other hand, the truth will be constant even if you were repeatedly asked the same question by multiple Interviewers.
5. Walk the talk with your values
Ethics and morals are implicit requirements for any job that an organization has on offer. The candidate should ensure that his real picture is on display, especially at the time of the interview. The success of an interview from an ethics perspective would be when values - so talked about during the interview, be actually witnessed by the Interviewer.
6. Never aggravate the situation
Sometimes overconfidence of the candidate can have an immediate negative impact on the interviewer and can throttle one’s opportunity. Typically in an over-confident position, candidates would want to answer the Interviewer’s question even before he can complete the question fully. Displaying an impatient attitude by crude interruption, answering a question with a question and reluctant to answer questions that are repeated, would definitely make the Interviewer think otherwise. What the candidate fails to understand is that these situations could actually be live tests of a candidates attitude, etc.,
7. Watch your body language - it speaks for itself
Very often candidates are oblivious of their actions or habits and this could get them ousted out because of their negative body language. Some examples of demeaning gestures would be – sitting with a laid-back posture, crossed-legs, or any other expression of questioning or challenging nature. The Interviewer would notice these signs and categorise the candidate as one who is not really interested in their organisation or one who assumes that the interview is a mere formality that he is already a part of the organisation.
8. Be well-groomed - it shows your attitude
The most practical disaster in any interview these days is that candidates think nothing of attending an interview with minimum preparation – including that of not being groomed. Often candidates would walk in sporting stubble, wearing slippers and many more indications of being under prepared A few others are over dressed or immodest and would come across as though they were making a fashion statement. Candidates have to realise that to be well-groomed is not a prerequisite only for jobs in the Service or Hospitality Industry but for all jobs as it could well-reflect your attitude.
9. Never jump the gun
Always frame your answers to depict that you continue to work in your existing organisation and you are still being interviewed for the ensuing organization. Refrain from suggesting that the prospective organisation can be better run or your presence can turn the tide. Always remember that until you get your Appointment Letter and you attend your first day at work, you still haven’t got your job.
10. Form is temporary, but class is permanent
Holding on to your composure is very important in an Interview, especially when it is going bad or not as per expectation. Often candidates drop their guard and allow themselves to be shown the door. Be passionate about each interview as it is your brand that you portray. If you have class in you, it will always show.
An employment is a relationship between two parties and hence it is not the end of the road if you were to fall short in an interview. Stay motivated - After all, no one can stop you from attending as many interviews as you desire. Remember, the whole world is your playground and you’ve just got to pick your sport. Get employed with honour.
