Tips for Successful Interview

ByAnandrahi JS

Every young person has a dream to get job in a big company. And interview for an anticipated post has become a very important step in one’s professional life. Despite trying their best for this moment things go wrong for most of the candidates. Sometimes it is difficult to digest the fact that even very capable people fail in the interviews only because they lack knowledge of basic concept and the art of success which help them to swim through the tides successfully. Here are some great tips to appear for an interview successfully.

1. Prepare Thoroughly

Keep your general knowledge updated regularly. Rehearse answering the expected questions (in front of a mirror now and then). Arrange your certificates properly in an attractive folder. Avoid taking irrelevant documents. You generally need: copies of your educational and experience certificates, bio-data, and application (sent to the company). Be sure you fulfil the requirements mentioned in the advertisements of the company otherwise you may become a laughing stock as soon as your folder is examined. Never push your folder for the perusal of the board until it is demanded.

2. Pray to God

Prayer is great power. Don’t forget to pray to God for success before leaving for an interview. It will definitely boost your confidence.

3. Keep Your Stomach Light

Take light breakfast/meals as it will keep your mind light and you will feel less nervous. A heavy stomach can cloud your mind, leading to nervousness.

4. Be Well Dressed

Wear a dress in which you feel comfortable and confident. It should be clean and well ironed. Avoid gaudy or bright-coloured suits. You have to wear a moderate dress according to the occasion. Polish your shoes, have a hair cut, if needed.

5. Learn To Controlling Nervousness

Nervousness is natural. Even the best of the orators, businessmen or politicians used to get nervous. So there is nothing extraordinary about your nervousness. Moreover, you can control it easily. In fact, nervousness is a form of stored mental energy. The best solution is to use it positively: 1. Concentrate in preparing, 2. Shine your personality (good dress, shoes, haircut etc.) , 3. Eat light food, 4. Pray to god, 5. Act confidently, even if you feel lack of confidence. It is psychological fact that we become what we think and act. So have courage as you have all the positive heat to melt away your nervousness successfully.

6. What To Do At The Place Of Interview

To control your nervousness it is also necessary to reach at the place of interview at least half an hour ago. Take coffee or cold drink and lift up your mood. Talk to the receptionist and other candidates. Ask some questions and enrich your general knowledge. Creating a friendly atmosphere will help you gain confidence. Whenever your name is called enter with a light smile and greet the interviewers. Don’t sit down until you are asked to, and do say ‘thanks’ when you are offered a seat or asked to sit down. Relax and breathe deeply as you need a little more oxygen at this stage. However, you will be normal soon.

7. Speak Correctly and Effectively

A candidate must have command over language, pronounce the words clearly and have a good store of vocabulary. His sentence-making should be grammatically correct. Answers should be in brief and to the point. Lack of fluency, bad grammar, incorrect pronunciation or answering in a hurry without listening to the board properly can surely land you in trouble. Such candidates never get good posts in big companies. Join a good institute to improve your sentence-making, pronunciation and fluency.

8. Be Ready for Expected Questions

Questions are asked from an interviewee to test his ability, wisdom and personality. {Interview-boards of many big companies also have an expert who can understand human psychology, and who is capable enough to read the mind of a candidate by studying his body language). We can divide the expected question in three categories: 1. Questions relating to personal information of a person (family background, interests, education, experience etc.); 2. Questions relating to his knowledge about the work he will be responsible for in the company; 3. Questions to check the personality of a person - his nature, ideology, decision-making & problem-solving ability etc.

9. Don’t Panic

Companies may have different set of questions according to their work culture. However most of the questions are related to the categories of the questions given above. Some irrational questions are also asked by some interview boards. Don’t panic in such a situation. Maintain your self-confidence and answer in a simple and straightforward way. Interview board may be checking your psychological structure. If you get irritated or try to be over smart you will definitely be discarded from the list of expected winners.

10. What Should You Tell About You

Many interview boards ask this question: Tell us about yourself. And most candidates are unaware how to answer this question and how much to speak. Many may say: I am... My father is..., My mother is..., I was born and raised at..., My height is..., I completed my 12th from... etc. There are recruiters who ask more pointed questions: What are your parents, what is your educational qualification, how much experience do you have etc. It is relatively easy to answer such type of questions. When you are asked ‘tell us/me about yourself’ focus on your academic achievements and experience. Also tell about your other achievements or traits which may have an impact on the board or may be helpful for the company. A modal answer: I am graduate of Delhi University. I completed my post graduate diploma in Marketing Management from YMCA. I worked in ABC International for three years as Marketing Executive. I was able to motivate my team in such a way that we mostly achieved more than our target. I always want to do something more for the company I am employed by.

11. Please Don’t Show Cleverness

Remember that every company needs sincere and hard-working employees. Clever cats are kept at a distance. Listen to the board members carefully. Whenever a question is asked from you answer in brief. If you don’t understand a question request the board politely to repeat it. Talk like you are obeying your seniors, giving them all the respect. Speak confidently and clearly. Your voice must be loud enough so that the board may hear and understand it easily. Don’t give any unnecessary information or you may become a big bore for the board. In case, you are unable to think answer of a question, just say sorry. Avoid repeating the same sentence or phrase.

12. Never Contradict the Board

Never contradict the board even if you have a vast knowledge of the subject. Don’t criticise any other community, company or person while giving your answers. Control your emotions. Imposing or an egoist personality is never liked by a board. Humility and politeness are your winning edges. At the end of the interview don’t forget to say the board ‘thanking you very much’. Before leaving move a few steps backward respectfully and come out.

13. Improve Your Body-Language

The importance of body language is yet to be recognised fully. Sometimes body language of a candidate even proves weightier than his/her ability. It will solve this puzzle of your mind: why do some candidates are selected although they are less capable than others in every way? If your body language is negative it will create an artificial distance between you and the interview board. The board will be confused and unable to judge your abilities. A good body language carries your confidence to the board, assuring and convincing them about your ability. They think you will learn fast even if you are less capable at the time.

Your good dress, smile, confidence and good manners convey a language, which effect the interview greatly. Don’t sit on the chair like a hard rock. Sit easily, ready to face the bombardment of questions. If you panic at the first salvo you will lose the game. Instead, feel relaxed and think that you are here to gain experience and learn. Like a shower it will cool your nerves down.

Keep your file/folder on your lap, look straight at the interview board. Don’t hold a pen or key in your hands. Avoid scratching parts of your body like a fool. Don’t touch your hair, nose or shirt’s button again and again. Keep all this nonsense for your home.

Now you are a armed with enough knowledge to face any interview board successful.

Anandrahi (Prominent Writer, Editor and Teacher of English language)
He has trained thousands of persons to get great jobs, improve personality and achieve goals in business.

CEO: News of India Network
Director: LSE-India (for Communication Skills and Personality Development)
Editor: Winners' Delhi News

Books Written: 1. Fire of Success in Your Mind, 2. Think Your Way to Wealth and Power, 3.Speak English and Influence People

For Excellent Articles, Success Books and Copy Writing contact: Email: anandrahi@newsofindia.net, anandrahi@yahoo.co.in

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