Your CV has done its job by getting you shortlisted for the big interview. Now it's time to impress the interviewers. We tell you how...
You finally get an interview with the company you have been dreaming of working for ever since you heard it offers stock options and the best career opportunities in the market.
Wondering how you are going to ace that interview? The answer can include wearing your lucky suit or the good luck talisman that got you through the job interviews in the past.
Then there are prayers — you can burn candles and incense sticks, chant mantras, beseech the higher powers to grant your wish. Or you can take some pointers from professionals in the business.
Experts say that acing your interview is not just about having the right qualifications. There are other factors that range from your attire to asking appropriate questions.
The most important thing, says Bernie Luby, Legal and Communications Manager for recruitment consultancy, Clarendon Parker, is creating the best first impression in a potential employer. Dressing smartly is a good way to start, says Luby, as is arriving on time or even a little early if possible.
Be polite to the people who greet you at the interviewer's office including the security personnel, receptionist and secretary, says William Buck, International Director for recruitment consultancy, Macdonald and Co. He says doing this can work in your favour as many interviewers seek the opinions of their front office staff.
Buck also emphasises the importance of demeanour during the interview. "Sit comfortably. Do not slouch or lean forward and be careful with your body language. In particular, do not fidget. Maintain eye contact as much as possible without staring.
Listen carefully to the questions and give concise (not necessarily brief) answers. If you suspect the interviewer wants more information, offer it by saying 'Would you like me to go on?'. If you have prepared your answers, you should not have any nasty surprises. Be yourself because if you have to put on a performance to get the job, it probably is not right for you anyway," says Buck.
Several other elements can also play a part in helping an interviewer decide if you are the one for the job, and that can happen in the first 15 minutes of your meeting.
For Ranjit S. Gurkar, General Manager, Brother Gulf, a leading multinational company, there are certain qualities that are 'mandatory' and others that are classified as 'desirable'. "For example, if the candidate is being interviewed for the position of a call centre operator, voice, modulation, clarity of speech and fluency in a given language are mandatory. Within the first 10 minutes of the interview, a candidate should be able to meet the criteria, or the interviewer might be compelled to politely terminate the interview session. For the benefit of both parties, such instances can be minimised by asking candidates to call in for a telephone interview."
Emotional intelligence
Another important point that could work in your favour is emotional intelligence. Mukund Menon, Head of Talent Acquisition Group for IT company, Satyam Computer Services Ltd, says emotional intelligence is very important for middle and senior level roles since they are expected to manage multicultural and diverse teams and collaborate with stakeholders. Being emotionally intelligent is advantageous in managing conflicts and mentoring staff.
Luby says that candidates who show genuine interest in the company, the position and future development of the role are more likely to proceed to the next stage than candidates who do not engage the interviewer and ask questions. However, ultimately, it is all about which candidate has the skills that best fit the needs of the role and whose personality will best align with the culture of the company.
Asking the right questions
Just as interviewers question you to find out if you are the right person for a specific job, you must also determine whether your potential employer will provide the opportunity for career development that you seek. So ask them questions, but make them pertinent.
Some questions you could ask, says Buck, include how you would fit into their team, when would you be expected to join (if selected), to whom you would report, challenges facing the company, if the company has a record of promoting from within and why this position has become vacant. You could also ask about training programmes offered by the company.
Luby says you should avoid asking about salary, holidays, bonuses or anything else that might make you seem more interested in the compensation than the company in the early stages of your interview process. "You should, however, know your market value and be prepared to specify your required salary or range."
Avoid misrepresentation
Lying about your credentials on your resume or not being adequately prepared can spoil your chances of landing the job. Menon says that providing vague or long answers and presenting a resume that does not correlate with an applicant's professional experience can cost a qualified candidate a great opportunity.
At the end of the day, the key element to getting the job rests on how confident you appear. Never sell yourself short.
Be direct and forthcoming and enthusiastic at the prospect of working with the employer. It can go a long way in winning you the position you covet, if you have the right skill sets and experience for the job.
How to ace an interview
Luby says that in addition to research, punctuality and enthusiasm, you should be ready to answer a wide variety of questions. "Some job interviewers are more adventurous than others and may ask questions that catch you off-guard, but remember that often there is no right or wrong answer, it is the way you justify your answers that counts to the interviewer."
You should practise your answers to general questions that you think will be asked. There are also some technical questions that you should be able to discuss with ease so that the interviewer will find you to be knowledgeable and eloquent. Practice in front of the mirror and watch your gestures and mannerisms as well.
Luby also suggests arriving early for the interview. This will ensure you have time to catch your breath, gain composure and get comfortable.
It is a competition
During the interview, listen carefully to the interviewer, and only once they have finished their question should you consider your answer.
Stay relaxed even though you may feel under pressure if you really want the role. "Getting the role you want is a competition, so you need to set yourself apart. Show that you are eager and willing to learn new things in order to take on additional responsibilities as time goes on, as it illustrates that you are taking the long-term view."
Buck says that most interviews follow a fairly standard format. First, the interviewer will make a general statement about the position and the firm. Then he will ask you questions and, finally, he will answer yours.
During the first part of the interview, you should allow the employer to have his say, so stay alert and interested. What the interviewer tells you now can give you clues about what you should ask when it is your turn. The interviewer will then try to find out more about you than is shown on your CV — your experience, attitude and whether you will be satisfied with the position.
"Avoid 'yes' and 'no' answers, as they do not give you a chance to sell yourself. Watch for opportunities to turn a negative answer into a positive one. If you go off at a tangent, watch the interviewer to be sure he is still interested and responding positively.
"It is a good idea to watch for the unexpressed motive behind a question. Some employers may ask you questions that they know you will not be able to answer, as they want to see how you respond to difficult situations. So try to determine what the interviewer really wants to know."
He also advises collecting your thoughts, making notes and calling your recruitment consultant to give them feedback.
Send the employer a letter/email expressing your interest in the position within a day or two of the interview.
Thank him for the interview and if there was a subject of the discussion or an aspect of the company that impressed you, mention it briefly. Your follow–up letter/email is another subtle opportunity to sell yourself.
Dos and Don'ts
- Do make sure you know in advance whom you are meeting with and familiarise yourself with the location. Get a map
if possible.
- Do greet the interviewer by his or her title and surname. If you are not sure how to pronounce the name, ask the interviewer to repeat it.
- Do shake hands firmly.
- Do wait until you are offered a chair before sitting. Sit upright in your chair and look alert and interested at all times.
- Do be a good listener as well as a good talker.
- Do smile.
- Do look the interviewer in the eye.
- Don't wear your sunglasses, either on your face or on top of your head.
- Don't have your mobile phone turned on. (If you need it switched on to trace calls, put it on silent, and not on the
'vibrate' mode.)
- Don't make offensive remarks about your current or former employers.
Courtesy: Bernie Luby, Legal and Communications Manager, Clarendon Parker/Compiled by Neesha C Salian
