Boost Your Interview Skills!
You may have all the skills, experience and every information about your prospective employer.
But you still need to prepare for your job interview. Presenting yourself in an interview needs careful and planned preparation. You only get one chance to make the cut! You are either in or you are out. There are no second chances. Here are some strategic approaches to help you brush up your interview skills.
There’s nothing quite like preparation!
You need to be ready and organized for your interview. Read through the job details. Read about the prospective employer, gather as much information from your recruitment consultant or from your own sources. Visit the Company website and that of their competitors as well. Find out all about the the skills required for the position.
Dress Right
An interview is a formal platform. So dress the part. It is important to do groundwork about your future employer. What is the culture of the Company? The position you are applying for too makes a lot of difference. It is important to be well prepared as far as your attire goes as also to be well groomed.
Be there on time
Make sure you reach the venue of the interview well before time. Ideally you should be there at least 15 minutes before the scheduled time. This will help you be more calm and collected.
Project Confidence
Stand or sit gracefully. Don’t slouch. A firm handshake and eye contact gives the impression that you are poised and assured. Your body language can create a great first impression. So don’t lose out on this front. Try not to give the impression that you desperately need the job. You know you are qualified for the job. All you need to do is convince your interviewer of this both verbally as well as non-verbally.
Keep your ears open
Your interviewer will keep sharing some or the other information about the job, the Company, your location…absorb all the information. Listen carefully. Grab any opportunity to use the information to your advantage. Your interviewer will appreciate this.
Over familiarity breeds contempt
The interview is a professional platform. It is not a social tete-a –tete! One needs to use appropriate language during the interview. Getting over-friendly, talking too much, volunteering extra information, over enthusiasm, over-confidence, being politically incorrect or too reserved – all these are big no nos. Watch how your interviewer talks – his or her style should give you an idea of how you need to behave. While it is important to appear eager and interested in the interview and the Company, balance is key.
Be Focussed
If you are being asked a question, do provide a specific answer. The interviewer is perhaps testing your knowledge, judging you on your past behaviour or wanting to know how you would fit in the Company culture. This maybe the only opportunity for you to make a lasting impression. If you need any additional information or have any questions, ask your interviewer. You not only appear eager about what is going on in the Company, you might also get a clear impression whether the Company is right for you.