FREE online courses on Interviews - PREPARE YOURSELF FOR THE D-DAY - Keep your cool

 

You can train yourself to look forward to a job interview with a mental attitude of pleasant anticipation rather than fear. Though a little nervousness is a good thing, as it will make you taut, attentive and wanting to do your best, too much of it can show in the blanching of the face, trembling of the fingers, coldness of hands, a stammer in speech and the mind going blank. All this can ruin the interview.

 

Even if you are too casual and take the interview call lightly by asking for a change in the date or time, this will definitely go against you in an evaluation of your sense of purpose, seriousness about the assignment and in general, about your total attitude

 

 

A little nervousness is a good thing but too much of it can ruin the interview.

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Dress appropriately for the occasion

 

Often interviewers like to see a person dressed fashionably, but with a quiet moderation. Fingernails and moustache (if any) should be properly trimmed. Your footwear must be well polished and reasonably quiet, with neither the squeak of leather nor the stiletto jabs of high heels.

 

Bad breath and body odor can be very offensive. So don't forget the brush and use the mouthwash before attending an interview. Body odor can be overcome by using pleasant deodorants especially under armpits.

 

 

It is often true that when you are successful or somewhere in the higher rungs of the commercial hierarchy, you can take liberties with the way you dress. People will still listen to you and want to be with you. However at the entry point of a career, any major variations from the dressing norms are looked upon with some incredulity.

 

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Your papers should be in order

Always carry your important papers/documents in the proper sequence in a neat folder.

 

·         You must have the following with you;

 

·         A cutout of the job advertisement

 

·         A copy of your application

 

·         A photocopy of the filled in printed form

 

·         The interview call-letter.

 

·         Copies of certificates (degree certificates, leaving certificates from previous employers) and proof of other achievements (company newsletters, sales bulletins).

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Don't be late

 

If the interview is in a different town, then try to reach the destination a day or half a day earlier and get to know the geography of the place, the bus routes and location of the office.

 

Even if the interview is in the same town where you live, it is prudent to go on a check visit to the interview venue sometime in advance. Perhaps you can go even up to the reception room. Knowledge of the time it takes, the route, the location, even the face of the receptionist will give you a certain confidence, which will show through in the interview itself.

 

On the day of the interview, start well on time and arrive at the venue at least half an hour before the appointed time. This will give you time to collect your thoughts and relax. Reading a book may help to take your thoughts away from the immediate encounter and help you remain calm.

 

If many candidates have been called and the disposal is quick, try to meet one or two candidates, who are on their way out, to find out about the interview environment, the kind of person the interviewer is and the kind of questions being asked. This will help you to be better prepared for the encounter with immediate, relevant and other candidates' hands-on experience.

 

 

Find out in advance how to get to the interview venue. It won't do to get lost.

 

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Avoid faux pas like

 

·         Walking hurriedly with your folder towards the interview room.

 

·         Entering the room without knocking

 

·         Not shutting the door behind you

 

·         Greeting your interviewer/interviewers too brightly or loudly.

 

·         Taking a seat without being invited to do so

 

·         Placing you folder or briefcase squarely on the table. In fact you must keep the folder on your lap till you get the opportunity to show it.

 

 

Shaking hands unless the interviewer offers his hand.

 

·         Slouching in your chair, crossing your legs in a manner, which gives the impression that you are the interviewer.

 

·         Asking for permission to smoke. Never drink or smoke before an interview. Interviewers have sensitive nostrils and they will detect the faintest tinge of gin, or beer or nicotine on your breath. This is a sure way of spoiling your chances. You will be out on just the first impression.

 

·         Playing with the pen, pencils or other items on the interviewer's table, perhaps unconsciously out of nervousness, but inexcusable nevertheless.

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