Checking the job out
Before you make an appointment for an interview make sure that the job for which you are attending the interview is the ideal one or at best, satisfies most of your aspirations. It is said that an unsuccessful interview for the right job will lower your morale and waste everybody's time in the short term. And a successful interview for the wrong job will lower your morale and waste everybody's time in the long term. Take time to research the company's profile. Internet is a great way to start your information gathering. Most companies have their own website, though the information provided by the site may be biased in favor of the company. But the basic facts about office locations, number of employees, products, mission and share values will be available. The easiest route in your information hunt is to deal with the company directly by requesting for information to be sent to you if possible.
Crafting your CV
It is always better to fine tune your CV for each individual application. Nowadays it is common for large companies to scan your CV's and do a key word search. So any information regarding the type of candidate they are looking for will be of great use in fine tuning the wording. Multi-purpose CV's are best avoided as they may not enable you to keep it succinct and readable. Unnecessary gaps in your CV may create a negative impression about you in the employer's mind. So if gaps are unavoidable you may need to make the dates a little more vague. If the work you do is technical in nature for IT like example, use a one page summary CV and attach additional sheets to list the technical details like software and applications you have proven experience in. The summary of your achievements and ambitions should be at the top part of the CV while keeping your personal details to the minimum. Your employment details should be listed beginning with the most recent at the top of the order. As for leaving your previous job, keep it as positive as you can, for the employer will want a candidate who is loyal to his company and not a butterfly that moves from one flower to the next.
Forming a practice group
A practice group is an important component of success at interviews. Forming such a group with other job seekers adds motivation to your job pursuit. If you are unable to find anyone to form a group, you can practice by yourself, rehearsing each and every action you will take during the actual interview. Most interviewers believe that a person who can't cope with an interview would be incompetent in a stressful work situation as well. If you have managed to form a practice group your rehearsal activity would be a lot more effective. Prepare a topic you are going to rehearse before your audience. For example, 'tell me about yourself' statement with five positive points. While you present your act before your audience, invite them to heckle or interrupt your flow and ask you difficult questions. Once you have finished with your rehearsal ask them to provide feedback as to how well you did your presentation.
The actual interview
Though there are many qualified candidates for a particular slot, the one who finally grabs it is the one who makes the interviewer feel the most comfortable to interact with. As you enter the interview room, be aware of the surroundings, the feel of the place and the people occupying that space. This will make you less conscious of yourself and at the same time give you advance information about the nature and style of the interview.
Using our senses, particularly our sight and hearing helps us garner useful information. It tells us how the interviewer wants us to communicate with them and the nature of the organization we are dealing with. The more we know about the interviewer the better we are placed in conveying more about our self in the short time available.
Controlling the pace of the interview will help you make a better impression of yourself. If you feel that things are happening a bit too fast and need to slow things down, you can slow the speed of your gestures and voice to a level that helps you convey what you have to without becoming too conscious yourself. The one basic rule about body language in an interview situation is to be guided by the cues the interviewer gives you. Be aware of the personal space, eye contact, touching and posturing of the interviewer and modify your response in a similar manner.
An interview is similar to selling a product. Here you are selling your skills and experience, and the best sellers are those who sell the benefit of the product rather than the product itself. The interviewer is trying to find a person who is best suited to complete a particular task in his organization. And if you were to put across all your good points without regard for the employer's requirements then your sales technique is ineffective. Listening plays an important role in our sales pitch. If you don't listen carefully you may answer the wrong question or give the wrong answer to the right ones. The cues to the benefits you need to sell will be available to you if you listen carefully to what is said by the interviewer.
Asking questions is another important area of a good sales pitch. Asking questions gives you control and breathing space. And most interviewers like to be asked questions because it shows that the candidate is interested in the job. But keep questions related to your pay and other perks at the end. If the interviewer asks you about current events, films or books, mention a few of the recent ones and being prepared before hand about such information is of utmost importance so as to have informed opinion about them. Taking notes during an interview gives clarity to your thoughts as you are not burdened by the information you need to hold in your mind.
Using our senses, particularly our sight and hearing helps us garner useful information. It tells us how the interviewer wants us to communicate with them and the nature of the organization we are dealing with. The more we know about the interviewer the better we are placed in conveying more about our self in the short time available.
Controlling the pace of the interview will help you make a better impression of yourself. If you feel that things are happening a bit too fast and need to slow things down, you can slow the speed of your gestures and voice to a level that helps you convey what you have to without becoming too conscious yourself. The one basic rule about body language in an interview situation is to be guided by the cues the interviewer gives you. Be aware of the personal space, eye contact, touching and posturing of the interviewer and modify your response in a similar manner.
An interview is similar to selling a product. Here you are selling your skills and experience, and the best sellers are those who sell the benefit of the product rather than the product itself. The interviewer is trying to find a person who is best suited to complete a particular task in his organization. And if you were to put across all your good points without regard for the employer's requirements then your sales technique is ineffective. Listening plays an important role in our sales pitch. If you don't listen carefully you may answer the wrong question or give the wrong answer to the right ones. The cues to the benefits you need to sell will be available to you if you listen carefully to what is said by the interviewer.
Asking questions is another important area of a good sales pitch. Asking questions gives you control and breathing space. And most interviewers like to be asked questions because it shows that the candidate is interested in the job. But keep questions related to your pay and other perks at the end. If the interviewer asks you about current events, films or books, mention a few of the recent ones and being prepared before hand about such information is of utmost importance so as to have informed opinion about them. Taking notes during an interview gives clarity to your thoughts as you are not burdened by the information you need to hold in your mind.
Impress with your physical appearance
Creating a strong impression includes your appearance and the tone of your voice. And you need to know what makes your prospective employer nod with satisfaction. The most important rule of appropriate appearance is to concentrate on looking clean and smart. A convincing smile comes with practice and there is no other alternative to practice. And a pleasant voice adds to the aura of a charming personality. Listening to yourself on tape gives you an idea of the effectiveness of your voice. Do ask other people for their feedback about your way of expressing yourself.
Making eye contact is a subtle expression of your confidence. A good interviewee knows how long to hold the gaze and when to look down at the first sign of discomfort. Looking directly at the other person's eyes is best avoided. Most people feel comfortable when you focus on their nose or forehead.
Making eye contact is a subtle expression of your confidence. A good interviewee knows how long to hold the gaze and when to look down at the first sign of discomfort. Looking directly at the other person's eyes is best avoided. Most people feel comfortable when you focus on their nose or forehead.
Ending an interview
On most occasions what the interviewer says and the tone he uses will give you a hint as to whether your interview was a success or not. Whatever be the outcome do not exhibit a negative or downcast image of yourself. When the interviewer feels that he has finished with interviewing you, he will express it by extending his hand for a handshake or by saying that they would contact you at their earliest convenience. If they don't prefer a handshake do not take the initiative of extending your hand. Saying a thank you with genuine warmth is sufficient before you walk out of the interview room.
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