Facing a Job Interview
I have been teaching for a decade now. During this period, I have
delivered numerous lectures at various places. One particular topic, on
which I have been asked to deliver lectures, has been, something as
simple as - "How to face a job interview?". I have a lot of tacit
knowledge about it. So, it is time to make it explicit! Here we go:
>> Prepare Well: Before appearing for the interview, prepare well. Prepare a five sentence introduction about yourself. It should include, your name, your qualification and current work designation, at the most -- one sentence about family, and any special qualifications or achievements, which are relevant to the post for which you are being interviewed. Do not boast about the achievements of your father or grand father--the interview is about YOUR CANDIDATURE. E.g. my father is an IAS / MD etc. or my grandfather was a freedom fighter.
Also make sure to study (not merely surf or visit) the website of the company which is going to take your interview. Study the vision, mission, about us, objectives / goals, products / services and all the sections carefully. Also study the latest financial results / annual report of the company, if available.
Apart from these, study the job description of the job (for which you are going to be interviewed) as well as study the website of the key competitors of the firm.
In case you want to do some mock practice, do not do it in front of a mirror--that is not the valid method. Rather, do it in front of your friends or teachers or family -- who can give you timely, transparent and relevant feedback. Or video record your mock session and view it later for generating self feedback. Remember, the best feedback is self feedback.
>> The First Impression is the Last Impression: It is not a secret that the outcome of most of the job interviews depend on the first impression -- THE FIRST IMPRESSION! Dress properly -- I will write another blog on how to dress for a job interview. Also make sure to show the right body sport / body language. A reasonably polite but firm (not too firm--it should not lead to pain in the hands of the interviewer!) handshake is a must.
When you enter the interview premises / room, if the interviewers are taking lunch or tea-- do not occupy chair unless you are told to. You can humbly ask, "May I sit?"
Do not accept tea or coffee as you may spill it over your clothes due to anxiety of interview.
>> Do not beat around the bush: Most of the interviewers hate it. Be logical in your arguments and build your arguments in the logical sequence. Try your best to find out what the interviewer is exactly looking for in your candidature. Ask questions if you do not understand something or paraphrase the contents.
>> Do not "over market" yourself: True, an interview is a time to market yourself. But be reasonable in marketing yourself. Do not claim a skill unless you have a proven track record of having demonstrated that skill in real life. For example, if you claim, I have leadership skills--substantiate it examples like how you (preferably successfully) worked as a CR in college or a team leader in current job.
>> Do not get carried away: I have always maintained a friendly interviewer is more a challenge to the interviewee than "not so a friendly one". Friendly interviewers tactically try to find out "real" you by making you feel friendly. He/She is not wrong in doing it --it is his/her duty. But, sometimes, the interviewee may end up making drastic statements. In short, however friendly is the interviewer - you - as an interviewee / candidate must not lose your attention and stay focused. Does not mean you should not smile. In fact, people who smile naturally are always appreciated.
>> When you do not know an answer to a question: Especially, if you do not know an answer to a technical question, accept that you do not know. Do not bluff. If you feel that you are not sure, but you might know the right answer, then you may humbly ask, "Sir / Madam, I am not sure about the right answer. But, if you permit, I would like to try."
>> "You Attitude" : Always try to justify you candidature keeping in mind the needs of the interviewer. Show the "You" attitude in your answer. It does not mean you should be submissive or apologetic without valid reasons.
>> Thank the interviewer. Even if you are selected or not, it is a fact that interviewer invested some time in your interview. Thank him / her for that. If possible, do write a mail in 24 hours to the HR or interviewer of the company thanking them for conducting your interview. It is a good impression management technique.
>> Follow Up: If you do not get result of interview in seven to fifteen days, you can follow it up with a mail of inquiry about result. Avoid following up more than twice, even if you hear nothing. Over communication is unprofessional.
>> Prepare Well: Before appearing for the interview, prepare well. Prepare a five sentence introduction about yourself. It should include, your name, your qualification and current work designation, at the most -- one sentence about family, and any special qualifications or achievements, which are relevant to the post for which you are being interviewed. Do not boast about the achievements of your father or grand father--the interview is about YOUR CANDIDATURE. E.g. my father is an IAS / MD etc. or my grandfather was a freedom fighter.
Also make sure to study (not merely surf or visit) the website of the company which is going to take your interview. Study the vision, mission, about us, objectives / goals, products / services and all the sections carefully. Also study the latest financial results / annual report of the company, if available.
Apart from these, study the job description of the job (for which you are going to be interviewed) as well as study the website of the key competitors of the firm.
In case you want to do some mock practice, do not do it in front of a mirror--that is not the valid method. Rather, do it in front of your friends or teachers or family -- who can give you timely, transparent and relevant feedback. Or video record your mock session and view it later for generating self feedback. Remember, the best feedback is self feedback.
>> The First Impression is the Last Impression: It is not a secret that the outcome of most of the job interviews depend on the first impression -- THE FIRST IMPRESSION! Dress properly -- I will write another blog on how to dress for a job interview. Also make sure to show the right body sport / body language. A reasonably polite but firm (not too firm--it should not lead to pain in the hands of the interviewer!) handshake is a must.
When you enter the interview premises / room, if the interviewers are taking lunch or tea-- do not occupy chair unless you are told to. You can humbly ask, "May I sit?"
Do not accept tea or coffee as you may spill it over your clothes due to anxiety of interview.
>> Do not beat around the bush: Most of the interviewers hate it. Be logical in your arguments and build your arguments in the logical sequence. Try your best to find out what the interviewer is exactly looking for in your candidature. Ask questions if you do not understand something or paraphrase the contents.
>> Do not "over market" yourself: True, an interview is a time to market yourself. But be reasonable in marketing yourself. Do not claim a skill unless you have a proven track record of having demonstrated that skill in real life. For example, if you claim, I have leadership skills--substantiate it examples like how you (preferably successfully) worked as a CR in college or a team leader in current job.
>> Do not get carried away: I have always maintained a friendly interviewer is more a challenge to the interviewee than "not so a friendly one". Friendly interviewers tactically try to find out "real" you by making you feel friendly. He/She is not wrong in doing it --it is his/her duty. But, sometimes, the interviewee may end up making drastic statements. In short, however friendly is the interviewer - you - as an interviewee / candidate must not lose your attention and stay focused. Does not mean you should not smile. In fact, people who smile naturally are always appreciated.
>> When you do not know an answer to a question: Especially, if you do not know an answer to a technical question, accept that you do not know. Do not bluff. If you feel that you are not sure, but you might know the right answer, then you may humbly ask, "Sir / Madam, I am not sure about the right answer. But, if you permit, I would like to try."
>> "You Attitude" : Always try to justify you candidature keeping in mind the needs of the interviewer. Show the "You" attitude in your answer. It does not mean you should be submissive or apologetic without valid reasons.
>> Thank the interviewer. Even if you are selected or not, it is a fact that interviewer invested some time in your interview. Thank him / her for that. If possible, do write a mail in 24 hours to the HR or interviewer of the company thanking them for conducting your interview. It is a good impression management technique.
>> Follow Up: If you do not get result of interview in seven to fifteen days, you can follow it up with a mail of inquiry about result. Avoid following up more than twice, even if you hear nothing. Over communication is unprofessional.
