Interview Skills

whenever you go for an interview, you are quite confused about preparations for an interview or you may need some basic skills for interview. this would help you a lot.

There are some easy steps that you can take that will increase your chances of success at interview.

COMMUNICATION:

First, remember that a job interview should be a process of two-way communication. Not only are they a tool for employers to use to evaluate you, but they are also an opportunity for you to assess the job, the organization, and to see if there is a “fit”.

The keys to a successful interview are preparation and practice. The following suggestions will help you prepare for an interview:

SELF-EVALUATION:

It is important for you to think about yourself and your past experiences in order to be ready to articulate what you have to offer an employer.

Consider the following topics:

• How your present and past experiences relate to the position.
• Your current and future career goals.
• What skills and expertise you have to offer.
• The skills that you would like to develop or improve.
• Location, salary, and lifestyle priorities.
• Kinds of people and the environment you prefer.
• Past experiences you want to highlight such as volunteer work, hobbies, travel.

 

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Before the Interview:

• REACH THE COMPANY:

A company’s website is an excellent place to begin. It usually gives you information on whether it is international or domestic, what its revenue is, how many locations it has, and the nature of its major products. Most companies are very proud of their websites. Don’t be surprised if one of the first questions interviewers ask when you arrive is, “Have you have had a chance to look at our websites?”

• PRACTICE INTERVIEW:

Write down a list of possible questions that you think may be asked, then have a friend act as an interviewer and direct them to you in a practice interview situation. Don’t stop until you feel comfortable answering each question. Practicing beforehand will make you feel more comfortable and relaxed during the interview.

• DRESS PROFESSIONALLY:

In today’s environment, wearing a suit isn’t always necessary. Contact the HR manager of the company or your recruiter, and find out what the dress code is for the company at which you are going to interview. Then dress one level above.

EXAMPLE

For instance, if it is business casual, men can wear dress pants, dress shirt, and a sport coat. Women can wear a pantsuit, dress, or a skirt and blouse. Visual impressions are very important. Therefore, if in doubt, always dress on the conservative side.

• ARRIVAL:

Try to arrive at the interview location a little early. This gives you time to determine where you need to go and will give you a few minutes to collect your thoughts. DO NOT arrive late. Nothing destroys your chances at impressing an employer more than arriving late and offering no explanation. If you learn at the last minute that you are going to be arriving late at the interview, call and let the interviewer know. Interviews understand that things can come up suddenly. You are never considered late if you call and make them aware of the fact.

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During the Interview:

1. FIRST IMPRESSIONS:

First impressions take only thirty seconds. Establishing rapport, direct and sustained eye contact, a firm handshake, a warm smile, good posture, and introduction yourself in a confident manner are important ingredients. A well-groomed, professional appearance is critical. Greet the interviewer with a firm handshake, whether it is a woman or a man. (No one likes a weak handshake.) Always maintain eye contact while shaking hands.

2. SMILE:

A smile donates confidence in a candidate. Try to smile often. Also, don’t be afraid to use some hard animation while answering questions. This suggests enthusiasm in a candidate.

3. BODY LANGUAGE:

Use good posture, and look the interview right in the eye. Sit up straight. Never slouch.

4. SPEAK CLEARLY:

Don’t mumble. It portrays a lack of confidence. Speak with assurance. This indicates confidence.

5. LISTEN BEFORE ANSWERING:

Allow the employer to begin the interview, but be prepared with some opening statements or questions such as, “I understand that this position involves…,” or “What are you looking for in a job candidate?” make sure you understand the question. If not, ask the interviewer to clarify it. Don’t be afraid to take some time to think before answering. Interviews are impressed with someone who thinks out an answer before speaking.

6. GIVE BRIEF ANSWERS:

Make your answer concise and to the point. Rambling tends to suggest that you really don’t have the answer to the question(s) asked.

7. PREVIOUS EMPLOYERS:

Never, ever say anything negative about your present or previous employers. No matter how much you may have disliked someone, find a way to give your experiences a positive spin.

8. BE TRUTHFUL:

Don’t lie when asked about something you haven’t done. The next question will be “tell us about it.”

9. KNOW YOUR RESUME:

Be prepared to talk about every fact that is on your resume. Many people embellish their accomplishments on their resumes. Avoid this, since the only point of reference an interviewer has about you is the resume you provide to him/her beforehand.

10. KEEP THINGS AT A PROFESSIONAL LEVEL:

Sometimes near the end of an interview, the two parties start feeling comfortable with each other. Don’t let this comfortable feeling lead you to tell them something about yourself that they really shouldn’t know. Always keep things at a professional level.

11. LOOK FOR SOMETHING COMMON:

This is something that has given an edge in the past. Try to find a common bond between yourself and your interview. If you are being interviewed ion an office, look at how the office is decorated.  Look for something you can identify with. Is his/her college diploma hanging on the wall? If so, make a quick comment about it: “Did you attend Penn State? I attended the University of Michigan. What a great football conference.”

COMFORTABLENESS: 

Interviewers sometimes feel more comfortable with people with whom they have something in common. This approach has helped several candidates obtain a position over another qualified candidate. Above all, be sincere.

After the Interview:

• BACK IN TOUCH:

Ask the interviewer when she/he expects to get back to you on her/his decision.

• GET EVERYONE’S BUSINESS CARD:

Before you leave, be sure you get the business cards of all the people with whom you visited. If you cannot do that ask a secretary for their names and e-mail, addresses.

• THANK THE INTERVIEWER:

Verbally thank the interviewer for taking the time to interview you, before leaving. Within a day, send thank-you letters to all of the interviewers with whom you spoke. This does not need to consist of a written letter sent via snail mail; e-mailed thank-you works just as well.

• DO NOT GIVE UP:

Sometimes, within ten minutes of the start of an interview, you will know that the job is not one you want to pursue. If you begin to feel this way, don’t give up on the interview. Continue to interview as if the job was the most important thing in the world.

PRACTICE:

This provides you with the practice for your next interview, which may be for your dream job! Not all interviews will lead to offers of employment, but, if you approach every interview as if it’s the most important interview you ever had, you will come out a winner!

Additional Tips For Interview:

• Focus on presenting a positive, enthusiastic tone.
• If you are asked to describe a weakness, mention lessons learned, and steer away from negative descriptions.
• Think about three or four key points that you want to make about your personal characteristics, skills you have learned, and relevant experiences that demonstrate that you could perform the job well.
• Find specific, rather than general, examples from your experience that illustrate important points about yourself.

FOCUSING:

• When answering questions, focus on experiences that demonstrate flexibility, adaptability, responsibility, progress, achievements, creativity, initiative, and leadership.
• If the employer signals the end of the interview and ask you for questions, and you haven’t discussed some key points, say: “There are a couple of points I would like to mention.”

After the interview, write a brief thank you letter. Express your appreciation for the opportunity to interview and learn about the organization, re-confirm your interest, and re-emphasize how your background and skills might be of interest to the organization.

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