Top 20 Personal Interview Tips

Top 20 Personal Interview Tips

A job interview can be a terrible, agonizing, nerve-racking and stressful experience. Or it can be satisfying, pleasurable, enlightening, triumphant and successful experience.

The experience (good or bad) largely depends on how you plan before and after the interview. Here are some crucial interview tips that will help you crack your next interview.

1. Exhibit positive Body language: Maintain a cheerful demeanor throughout the interview. Keep perfect eye contact with all panel members. Be sure to address all members of the panel. Project enthusiasm in whatever you say. Sit straight and keep body still. Use controlled hand movements. Be conscious of your posture and gestures during the interview as 80% of communication is non-verbal.
2. Dress smartly to make a good first impression: Dress smartly for the interview. Also maintaining good personal hygiene is very important.
3. Be on time for the interview: Arrive on time for the interview. Being late can send a negative impact on the interview process.
4. Get a good night’s sleep before the interview: It’s a big day, so you need to get a good night’s sleep before the interview, so that you are fresh and alert.
5. Use proper flow of language: Avoid using slang language. It is not appreciated during interviews. Also avoid frequent use of words such as ‘I mean’, ‘Well’, ‘Fine’, Basically’ and ‘You know’. When asked a question in English answer in English only. Do not use Hindi or other languages in your conversation such as ‘matlab’, ‘ki’, ‘maine’.
6. Learn about the company and current affairs: You need to have good knowledge about the details of the company where you are applying for the job, and also about latest and current news and events.
7. Be natural: Avoid using accent and mannerisms that is contradictory with your personality. You should display gentility.
8. Keep updates with basic fundamentals of your subject: Sometimes the interviewers prefer to ask simple basic question about the subject, so prepare and keep yourself updates with the fundamentals of your subject.
9. Be honest: When you do not know an answer to a question, be honest and say “I do not know”. Never exaggerate.
10. Stay confident and not over-confident: Never boast of your achievements. Too much over-confidence can be misconstrued by interviewers for arrogance.
11. Retain clarity of Speech: Be clear and unambiguous when you speak. Be loud and concise. The interviewer should not strain his ears during the interview.
12. Maintain brevity of Speech: Brevity and conciseness are the traits of a good communicator. Keep it short and simple.
13. Show manners and etiquette: Be human, polite and follow proper etiquette. Follow restrain and do not argue with the interviewer on any topic.
14. Ask appropriate questions: Feel free to ask questions if necessary. Interviewers will appreciate your enthusiasm when asked proper and relevant questions. Few questions such as “What will be my exact role in the company?”,“What will be my key performance parameters?” and “What are company’s future plans?”
15. Be an active listener: Listen carefully when an interviewer asks a question. Never interrupt him/her midway. If you do not understand a question, ask for clarification. Also when asked a question, wait for few seconds and then answer. Do not dive into the answer immediately.
16. Prepare for common questions: You need to prepare for few questions that are generally asked during interviews, such as “What are your strengths and weaknesses”, “Why should I hire you?”, “Where do you see yourself in the next five years?”, “What are your hobbies?” , “What if I don’t give you this job?”and one of the most common question “Describe yourself as a person”
17. Sell yourself: Try to leave the interviewer with at least one thing about you that might be unique from other candidates. Remain positive during the interview. Never speak negative about your previous or current employer or give any confidential data.
18. Don’t waste time: Remember that the first impression you create is very critical. So do not waste time in discussing things that are already in your resume or application. Emphasise on topics that illustrate your character or strengths.
19. Start and end your interview by making a positive impact: Finish the interview, the way you started it – i.e. with confidence, enthusiasm and energy. Shake hands when you thank the interview for the opportunity. When shaking hands, make sure your grip is firm and confident.
20. Follow up with a Thank-you note: Make sure you let the interviewer know how satisfied you were to have the chance to interview with him/her. Immediately after the interview, send the interviewer a thank-you note via email. It acts as a display of appreciation and also lets the interviewer know how interested you are working for the company.

Best Wishes,

Farzad Minoo Damania

Counsellor and Corporate Trainer