This is life…

Dreading to take a job interview? Heres some help April 8, 2010

I was recently browsing a popular website, and came across a question asked by some one “How do I prepare for a job interview?”

A very valid question, a question which many of us face at some point of time.

More so if it is for your first job or if you are preparing an interview after a long time (which means we got rusty in this business )

So I wanted to list out some tips for such candidates

Giving an interview is not just a single activity. It is series of several activities, all of which will contribute on how you face the interview, since these activities would consciously or subconsciously effect the interviewer.
Some of the most significant steps are :
Pre-Interview
1) Resume Preparation: This is the single, most important (and most misinterpreted) activity. They make a sexy resume, but no relevant matter in it. Your resume/CV is representation of yourself to the interviewer/screener before you are called for an interview. It must be a representation of all you have done in a way he expects. It will form the basis on which you would stand out from the other “crowd”.

Most importantly do *NOT* include any keywords that is not true. Nothing more embarrassing than not able to answer questions on a topic you said you knew. This one question may throw you off track and miss out on all the strong points you were able to put across.
Resume preparation activity in itself warrants a seperate blog, and I would do so at some later time.
2) Research : Research regarding
a) What you want your future role to be, would it be lateral growth, vertical growth etc.
b) Research regarding the organization and role you applied for. Believe me there is nothing more annoying to an interviewer to invest time in a candidate only to find that his/her expectations/qualifications are different from the one he/she has applied for.
3) Generic questions : Try to have answers to generic questions like “Tell me about yourself”, “What was the most challenging thing in your previous job”, “Where do you see your self x years down the line”, “Why are you changing” “What do you expect in next job” etc
4) Confirmation : Always get confirmation from either consultant/HR whether the interview is on for the scheduled date and time. Also, if you are unaware of the location make sure you get your driving/reaching details right.
On Interview date :
1) Dress : Very important yet not given much importance by many potential candidates.  Your appearance makes the first (and lasting) impression. Dress in something formal and comfortable. I once had a candidate walk in wearing denims, music player earphones hanging around the neck etc. This sends out a very “casual” signal. Unless the job requires such an attitude, the candidate might be in reject category before he/she is asked any question.
2) Punctuality : Plan to reach atleast 45 mins before the interview time. Being late for an interview not only sends out a wrong message, but also puts the interviewee in defensive and hence hampering  his/her performance.
3) Breaks : Take all the required breaks (bio, water, coffee) *before* the interview. Plan for the interview to extend at least 1.5 hours (or more in some highly technical areas). It wouldn’t help your cause being uncomfortable and unable to concentrate in front of the interviewer, would it?
4) Switch off/Silent mobile/cell phone : Nothing more annoying than getting a call in between of serious discussion
During the interview :
1) Greetings : Greet *all* the interviewers. If it is a permissible local custom, shake hands. Try to get their names and designations (might help later)
2) Questions/Answers : Be a good listener, listen and understand the questions asked. You may ask them to repeat/clarify any question if need be. Questions need not be answered immediately, you may take some seconds before answering the question. Any questions you have, not related to the question asked, should be saved for end. Try to be in control of the interview, give answers in such a way that you stress more on topics that you are strong at, prompting the interviewers to probe more in that area.

3) Non verbal communication : Maintain eye contact with interviewers, try to use gestures wile giving answers. Do not hesitate to use a book and a pen (you must have a pen yourself) where ever required, you may also use white board if the room has one.All this is observed and noted

4) Be honest : This is very very … important. Interviewers with experience can easily see though dishonest answers and this would hamper your chances more than giving an honest answer.

5) End of Interview : After the interviewers are done questioning, you should ask questions you have prepared during your research and get more clarity regarding the role. This also sends out a positive note that the candidate is serious.

6) Greet/Thanks : At the end of the interview, greet/Thank all the interviewers for their time, using their names (if you remember them).

After the interview :
Follow up : You might have to follow up for the results ( might not be required in most cases). Give the company enough time to decide and then follow up.

Each aspect noted above, is a big topic in itself and is a part of interview process.