DO’s
- Dress appropriately. Your clothes must not indicate a casual attitude towards the interview. If you are unsure, simply opt for formals.
- Personal grooming and cleanliness need to be impeccable.
- Get good sleep a night before the interview. You don’t want to look lost or tired.
- Reach the interview location well before time. Take a few minutes to see directions to the place the day before and reach there relaxed.
- Make sure you get the interviewer’s name and the pronunciation correctly. Use a title (Mr. or Ms.) while addressing them in the conversation.
- Maintain eye contact throughout the interview. This doesn’t mean you keep staring into the interviewer’s eyes, but it is certainly important.
- Listen to the interviewer’s questions patiently. Don’t rush to answer.
- Wherever possible, be ready with examples and supporting statements for what you say about yourself and your past experience.
- Answer in a precise manner. Avoid sharing too much information, unless asked for.
- Save your wisecracks for later. It’s good to be pleasant, but you shouldn’t come across as not serious about the interview process.
- Be thorough with your resume. You must know each detail. This is easy when you cite facts and don’t talk in the air.
- Go through commonly asked interview questions. You may have prepared these several times, but it’s still advisable to run through them before every interview.
- Own up to your mistakes. Don’t make excuses to cover the choices you’ve made.
- Be prepared with insightful questions to ask the interviewer. It is important to understand the role, the values and culture of the organisation before you decide to accept the offer.
- Research the company, the interviewer, and the opportunity.
- Make sure you understand the next step in the hiring process. Ask the interviewer if there is no clarity.
- Remember to smile. Exhibit positive attitude and have a friendly expression.
- Make notes of your discussion, for future reference.
DON’Ts
- Don’t be late for the interview. In fact, reach 10 minutes prior to the Scheduled time.
- Do not carry oversized bags or coats.
- Don’t chew gum or smell of smoke.
- Don’t show signs of anxiety, like tapping your foot, or drumming your fingers. Don’t keep adjusting your clothes, or hair.
- Don’t slouch. Sit upright in the chair.
- Don’t appear too desperate to get the job. You can express your interest by subtly saying that you look forward to working at the company.
- Don’t go overboard with respect. Use Sir or Ma’am in moderation.
- Don’t falsely state details about past experience or salary.
- Refrain from using slang and phrases. Answer in well-constructed sentences.
- It is absolutely not acceptable to badmouth your present or past employer, or co-workers.
- Do not take phone calls or reply to messages at any point.
- Don’t keep looking at the watch. It may appear as if you want to get done with the interview quickly. Let it progress at its own pace.
- Don’t try to brag or dominate the conversation.
- Don’t talk about compensation and monetary benefits unless the interviewer brings it up. If he doesn’t, wait till the hiring process.
- Don’t forget to thank the interviewer.