INTERVIEWS

The conversations with a purpose

The interviews are strategic conversations with a purpose. Your goal is to persuade the employers that you have skills, background and ability to do the job, and that you can comfortably fit into they organization.

You can strongly influence the job interviews outcome if you realize that interviews are not an objective processes in which the employers offer the jobs to the best candidates based on merit alone.

Interviews are rather highly subjective encounters in which the interviewers offer jobs to the qualified persons whom they like best. Therefore try your best in applying the following top pointers for winning interviews.

SMILE - A friendly face is more pleasant then a grim one.

BE READY TO SHAKE HANDS - Be alert and quick to respond to the interviewer both at the begriming and at the end of the interview. If the interviewer offered to shake hands at the beginning, then you offer at the end. Remember, if the interviewer offers to shake hands, part of the decision to hire or not may be based on your response and the warmness of your grasp.

MAINTAIN EYE CONTACT - If you don't, many people feel that you are lying or not dependable. Do not wear dark glasses or baseball cap.

CONSIDER EACH INTERVIEW A CHALLENGE - Be enthusiastic about working for that employer and about the job. It would help to learn some things about the business before the interview.

DON'T SIT DOWN UNTILYOU ARE INVITED TO - If you have a choice, don't sit across the room. Sit as near the interviewer's desk as possible and face the interviewer.

SHUT THE DOOR ON YOUR TROUBLES - Try to avoid discussions about family or financial problems. Think about what you can do for the employer and why they should hire YOU.

LISTEN TO THE INTERVIEWER - Consider your answers carefully and be sure you understand the question. Don't be afraid to ask the interviewer to repeat the question if you did not understand it.

DO NOT ASK SPECIFIC QUESTIONS ABOUT SALARY OR BENEFITS UNLESS THE EMPLOYER BROACHES THE SUBJECT FIRST.

BE ATTENTIVE TO BODY LANGUAGE - Avoid raising barriers. Don't cross your arms across your chest. Don't place anything on the desk between you and the interviewer. Avoid the appearance of withdrawing from the interviewer.

BE CALM AND POISED - Avoid nervous habits. Don't cross your legs and keep the free foot moving... don't play with your fingernails... keep your hands off your moustache, beard, hair... don't play with jewelry... don't tap your fingers on the chair arm or table... SIT UP, don't slouch... avoid aggravating speech habits such as 'eh!', 'yeah' or 'you know' etc.

DON'T SMOKE - Unless you are invited to.

DON'T CHEW GUM - Ever!

THANK THE INTERVIEWER - be pleasant and thank the interviewer for their time. Repeat your interest in the job before you leave and explain that you are hoping to hear from them soon.This last impression is almost as important as the first impression. SMILE.

Job Interview Info

Now to finalize your job search, if you received an invitation to a job interview, prepare yourself for a typical job interview questions, look at job interview tips and other job search skills.

Check the job interview tips do's and don'ts.

Find out why people are not hired for available jobs.

On an international job interview page you will find useful info on how to behave on and dress for an interview in many countries.

Follow up the job interview with a thank you letter. Employers regard this as an indication of your final interest in the position.

Good luck with your job interviews