Interviews. Most dreaded and warlike situations for men that even some people would either avoid going for it or wished a recommendation to get placed. However, whatever the phobia is, it simply brings out your weak side. For those who run from face-to-face interactions the possibilities are least but for the man of challenges the opportunities are endless.
For instilling confidence and attitude in a weak-kneed candidate StyleShark lays few basic tactics to feel upfront in any in-person situation. These facts will give you a push in other scenes as well.
Table of Contents
Preparation At Home
Preparing yourself means getting ready mentally and physically. A brief exercise can help you succeed a tough interview.
Practice answers to most common questions e.g.
- Tell us about yourself
- Why do you want to quit your present job?
- Why do you want to join us?
- Mention your one strength and one weakness.
Some of these questions seem easy but if you are unprepared you might slip in the beginning.
Some questions are tricky – “why should we hire you?” Such questions require thought and thorough practice, therefore practice rigorously to refine yourself and eliminate any flaws.
Choreograph Self or Have a Friend Help You
If preparing alone best method is to look in the mirror.
- Read your own lips in the mirror while you rehearse.
- Look into your eyes and check the confidence-whether you are holding an eye contact for few seconds or not.
- Control your facial gestures- don’t twist your face or raise eyebrows in the interview room. Keep from this.
- Don’t touch your nose or scratch your forehead during interviews
- All these actions make you look very crude and unfit for corporate culture.
- Or hold a mock interview- sit across a table and have a pal ask you questions.
Jot down Key points
Always write down important points, questions and key phrases to keep a record and rehearse later. Keep the information handy for next interviews. You may not get a dream job in first attempt. Add on key points through all experiences.
Do Research About the Company
Google the company name on internet and collect reviews about the company. Check out employer’s website and know their profile, goal, global ranking in case of an MNC and its current projects.
Study prospects and benefits the company offers for the employees.
The Interview Day
Be Neat & Tidy
Rise early on the day of interview and have a nice bath to feel fresh and presentable. Shave clean or trim your beard properly.
Wear hair in a tidy manner like a gentleman. Don’t wear your hair pushed-back, its more casual hair style but create a side partition to achieve a formal look.
Dress Code- Dress Sharp
Whether you know or not, there is always a dress code at the interview. Keep a level higher than normal to be safe. Usually a pair formal pants and shirt will suffice you but when you are applying for a higher position like a manger or marketing professional wearing a suit with a tie will be the best option.
However there are other levels of formality; you could also choose to wear a formal vest. At the venue if you discover that you are the odd man out and others are less formally dressed then you could level down and remove your tie or suit jacket.
Perfume
It can be negotiated. Most of the workplaces have strict no fragrance policy. If you know how to wear a subtle scent just squirt few drops. Make sure not to overwhelm yourself with the fragrance. Best advice is avoid Fragrance!
Clean and Polish Shoes
Every detail of your personality counts. Do not leave any stone unturned.
Your shoes are the indicator of your personality type. Brush your shoes clean and give them a glittering polish.
Wear black or brown dress shoes- if you don’t have one, buy a new pair – pick black or white or dark grey colour socks to match with your outfit.
Collect your updated CV, previous experience letter and qualification docs and organized all documents starting from the latest to previous dates.
Always carry a pen and a two recent passport sized photograph of you.
That creates a positive impact on the interview panel and raises the likelihood of selection.
Reach Venue in Good Time
A gentleman is never late– in fact always on time. Wear a watch to help you keep good time.
Over the interview
Approach
When called for you turn approach in a composed manner. Don’t show anxiety you will be assessed for every aspect.
Don’t sit unless asked. If in case you are not asked to sit it might be a trick to check your etiquette level. Don’t wait long –politely ask for the permission to take the seat.
Body Posture and Eye Contact
Stand or sit upright, you don’t want to overdo and look like a pole. Keep your head up make eye contact with interviewer or the panel. Correct sitting position and making eye contact will boost your grit.
Don’t look straight into the eyes longer than usual else you will be staring at the person and that’s a bad impression. Shift your gaze momentarily while listening and answering the questions. When replying to an interview panel look at every person for a second or two. This will make you more consistent and coherent.
Don’t look extremely up/down or side to side. While making eye contact with a person turn your head at the same time. Don’t answer with your head- means in case of a “Yes” don’t nod head- say yes with a brief explanation, likewise for a “No” avoid shaking head, instead say verbally.
Smile
Always keep a positive smiling face throughout the interview. Don’t show your jaws! Smile goes a long way winning hearts and tense situations. Keeping a smiling face means you are happy about the interview and the opportunity ahead. A smile also shows that you are connected with the interviewer.
Hand and Head Gestures
Use precise hand gestures to grab instant attention and make effective communication. Don’t move your hands awkwardly else you will be understood as an ungroomed candidate. Similarly keep your head in right position all the time. Do not tilt your head much to sides or lean backward; however a subtle tilt with an eye contact while listening signals that you are paying attention to the speaker’s words.
Speak the Truth
Never lie about your past career or skills or personal details. Mention the truth if required. A liar will not go far since a big organization will investigate every minute detail before hiring you.
Speak Positive of Former Employer
If asked about your formal employer, be positive. Never speak negative of anyone even if you had a scuffle with your former boss.
Don’t Intercept the Interviewer
Mind cutting in on an interviewer, let the questioner finish before you reply to them even if the answer is a ‘Yes’ or a ‘No’. Interrupting the interviewer in the middle may irk them and put you at the downside.
Questions For The Employer
You may ask about the job responsibilities or employee benefit policies of the company.
