All job seekers, including school or college leavers, those who have been out of work for a while, employees seeking promotion or others about to change their jobs will have to face an interview at any point. As no interviews are predictable, there is no formula that you can follow. Interviews are only face to face situations with other people. All interviews are good practice, and times well spend. The interview gives both you and the interviewer an opportunity to assess each other. It is a two-way process, where you must decide whether you want that job, and the interviewer must decide whether you can perform the required tasks and have the motivation to do so.

The first step to success would be preparing for the interview itself. First think about the job from the employer’s perspective. The advertisement for that job must be read carefully. Analyze whether you have all the requirements necessary for the job. Have you got the right qualifications and the necessary experience? Once you have decided to apply for the post, find out all you can about the organization before applying itself. It is really important that you gather all the information before you get to the interview. You can have access to this information through other people you know in the same industry, from trade journals and some of the gossips too!

You must work out your strengths, weaknesses and other requirements in the light of the demand of your chosen job. You must establish a through knowledge of your plus points and must consider your potential weaknesses too.

Once you are invited for the interview make sure that you remember the time and place of interview. Punctuality is vital for any interview. And while you are waiting, observe your surroundings and try to obtain the maximum information you can get hold of about the company.

Once you enter the interview room, you go through the introductions and the handshake. After the soft talk is over, you might be asked any range of questions. You might be asked about your qualifications, work experience, working style, ambition and personal motivation, your interests, personality, health and your background.

Once you are asked something, you need to think hard, analyze the question and justify your opinion, often quickly. Do not bluff with the answers as many of the interviewers are aware of body language. Get your facts right.
Listening is very important. Make sure you understand what is being asked. Try to make the interviewer talk too and make the interview a two way conversation than a set of question and answers. Be positive and enthusiastic about the job.

What to avoid in an interview

Never volunteer information about your weaknesses unless you are asked about it, though you must be prepared to discuss it in detail if u are asked about it.

Never be over critical of your current (or last) employer. This would irritate the interviewer as he would not believe and would assume that you will say the same kind of things when you leave their company too.

Do try to avoid namedropping. It is not necessary that the person you are citing is known by the interviewer or they might not admire the person you do.

Avoid boasting while you speak about your successes or your strengths and don’t be too modest too. Get the facts right. When talking about your failures, be honest about your mistakes but show what you have learned from them.

Never over- emphasize your skills, but try to match your experience and qualifications with the demands of the job. Make sure to utilize your chances.

Do not lie about your qualifications, as many organizations do check on these. Be honest.

Finally, don’t ask about the salary straight away as it would give the impression that you are more interested in the money part.

Related Posts