Do’s And Don’ts For Your Job Interview

You have taken the effort of carefully putting together the best resume you could put together. You have searched for and applied to various relevant job opportunities.

Your resume has been shortlisted and you have received some callbacks. You have recognized the suitable opportunities and you have secured the job interview.

Now it’s time to knock it out of the park. Here’s our list of do’s and don’ts to give it your best shot.

Do’s:

• Read as much as you can about the organization you are interviewing at. This will help you to understand the culture of the organization and the qualities they are looking for in an employee. During the interview, you can highlight how you fit into these qualities.
• Envision yourself doing great at the interview and securing the job. This would make you feel more confident about excelling at the interview.
• Reach the interview venue early. This would show your sincerity about the job and make a good impression on the interviewer.
• Smile, especially during the initial greeting, as it would set the tone for the interview. In addition to making you more likable, it gives off a positive and confident vibe which is welcome in any workplace.
• Offer a firm handshake. It shows that you are confident and positive. Try to avoid getting too aggressive with the handshake though. Practice with a few people to understand the ideal firmness you should put into a handshake.
• Be adequately confident, but not overconfident. If you have achieved things worth selling to the interviewer, do so with enough humility. Hiring managers look for people who not only have achieved things in life but also are willing to learn.
• Be aware of your non-verbal signals. Do maintain eye contact with the interviewer, but do not get into a staring contest, as it will be perceived as a challenge to the interviewer’s authority. Also, sit up straight, but not too rigidly.
• Take your time to answer. Everyone out their wants to answer and comfort themselves by speaking as much as possible. Isn’t it just better to hear out the question first and answer properly? In case you do not know the answer to a question, just say so. An honest response always more respected than a cooked-up answer.
• Keep your phone switched off or on silent mode throughout the interview. This shows you respect the time the interviewer has taken out to conduct your interview.
• Keep your energy levels high. Speak with enthusiasm. This will tell the employer that you are excited about this potential job.

Don’ts:

• Dress in casuals, even if the workplace follows a casual dressing code. Dressing casually for an interview might suggest a casual attitude. Therefore, you should wear business attire.
• Invade the interviewer’s personal space. The interviewer will remember you making them uncomfortable. You should keep yourself about 4 to 5 feet away from the interviewer and not touch anything on their desk unless asked to do so.
• Treat the support staff as if they’re beneath you. The support staff may tell on you, especially if you have mistreated them to that extent. You’d rather not take that chance for no reason, right?
• Discuss controversial topics like politics and religion or get. There is a fair possibility of this discussion leading to a disagreement, not something you’d want during an interview.
• Fidget. Even though it is normal to be nervous at an interview, fidgeting is a clear sign that you have issues handling the pressure. The journey to the top of the corporate ladder is full of tests of nerves. A clear display of your jitters sends a clear message to your potential employer that you cannot hold your own in situations of high pressure.
• Lie or make up about your education or achievements. It is very easy for employers to verify your information. Once you’re exposed, apart from your job, you also lose your reputation. You just won’t be able to get away with it.
• Use verbal pauses like “um” and “ah” as the interviewer could perceive this as your lack of knowledge and/or confidence in responding to the question.
• Speak ill of a former employer. It does you no good and only makes you look bad. If you’re asked why you left your last job, respond with something positive like, “I am exploring opportunities for better/quicker growth”.

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This report/news/ranking/statistics has been prepared only for general guidance on matters of interest and does not constitute professional advice. You should not act upon the information contained in this publication without obtaining specific professional advice. No representation or warranty (express or implied) is given as to the accuracy or completeness of the information contained in this publication, and, to the extent permitted by law, CEOWORLD magazine does not accept or assume any liability, responsibility or duty of care for any consequences of you or anyone else acting, or refraining to act, in reliance on the information contained in this publication or for any decision based on it.

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