Dos and Don’ts of an interview
To get a job you will have to go through the interview process, and there are important aspects that you should know about it. Similar to taking an exam, knowing the exam pattern helps you have more confidence to face it. Tips on what to do and what to avoid can help you get the edge in future interviews.
You can skip going for interviews by seeking freelance jobs, but most careers would require you to walk into an office and have a discussion before getting hired. Let’s start off with things you should do when you go for an interview. Get the dress code right to give the right impression. You need to know what to wear because there is no standard solution for all interviews. A construction worker and business consultant cannot opt for the same dress code so make sure you get that right. When you go for an interview, you are telling the interviewer about yourself, and it shows in your attire as well. Dress formally and if you have any doubts then enquire with the HR department about the dress code followed in the office to avoid any confusion. Take several copies of your resume along with you. Carry a folder with you so that the pages don’t get folded, and the corners are crumple free. The HR must have asked for a copy of your resume, and you must have sent it to the concerned person and the HR, but it doesn’t hurt to have a few copies in case the interviewer or interviewers wish to have a hardcopy in front of them. Taking extra copies and not needing them is much better than not having extra resumes and needing them. Be confident but don’t scare the interviewer with your enthusiasm.
Showcase your work with pride and feel free to ask relevant questions in tune with the discussion. Having the right body language is a must to try and impress the interviewer into getting the job or moving one step closer to secure the position.
If you get nervous, just breathe and take things slow. Maintain eye contact and make sure you have a firm handshake. It needs to be just right with a good grip.Don’t crush the interviewers hand but don’t have a weak grip either.
There are a lot of things that can go wrong, but you can manage to correct a lot of them during the interview. An outrageous thing you can do is reach late. Plan ahead and try to reach the office at least 15 minutes before the scheduled interview time. If you arrive too early, then you can revise your strategy one last time but entering late gives a terrible impression.
Now we can move on to things that you must avoid at all costs. Your interview does not end with the interviewer asking questions in a room. Until the moment you step out of the office, you have to stay alert. Don’t get relaxed because you think the interview went well. Don’t be rude to anyone you speak to and leave the office once any and all formalities are completed. Don’t abuse or degrade anyone during the interview. You may have the worst boss at your current or past job but digging up the past especially when you have a bad experience will not help you in the present or future interview. It will make you look like a spiteful employee, and it is also unprofessional.
Keep things simple and give a safe answer if a sore topic is brought up by the interviewer. Don’t go into an interview without adequate preparation. If you are overconfident, then it will show, and you are not winning anybody over with a careless attitude. Make sure you know what the company does before entering the interview room. Find out as much as you can about their work, customers and services. Don’t get nervous if you don’t know the answer to a question.
Be honest and never lie in an interview.
It will catch up with you, and it will be an embarrassing mistake that can also get you fired. Answer questions to your best ability and be yourself. Don’t go overboard with efforts to impress the interviewers. When it comes to salary and other forms of financial remuneration, it would have been discussed briefly with the HR but don’t bring it up yourself during the interview. Concentrate on getting the best impression on the interviewer. When he/she brings it up, then you may present your expectations and discuss it. Don’t be quick to jump on controversial topics either unless there is no way out. Everyone has problems but trying to gain sympathy for those reasons is not going to work for you.
Present yourself as a candidate on merit based on experience, schooling, and qualities. Don’t tell the interviewer about health issues or anything that may be viewed as a weakness.
You will not get a job based on your problems in life so avoid talking about it during an interview for a new job. Lastly, turn off your phone or keep it on the silent setting with the vibration mode switched off. It kills the rapport you have during the interview, and it is seen as a rude gesture when you are in the middle of an interview.
