Interviews are the first direct communication between the potential employer and the candidate. The performance of people during the interview can determine whether or not they get the job. There are many skills required to get the job and these might be technical and other additional skills.
Special training for interview and additional interview tips will help in clinching the interview by impressing the company.
The need for special skills
Since there is a lot of competition amongst people for the available vacancies, there is a need to excel all round for the potential employers to choose the candidates. Acing the interview is not limited to the technical skills alone, and is often a combination of effective communication skills and the ability to solve problems by creative thinking. There are many additional skill requirements including team spirit and this can be bettered by training with special faculty.
The preparation
Even the most confident people should prepare specially for the interview. Those who have experience in their field may be required to prepare for interviews if the situation demands it. Understanding the technical and other skill requirements of the job is an essential first step.
Making the impression
An interview is essentially the chance to make a good first impression. It is also the first chance for people from the company and the candidate to meet each other and put forth the best of their talents. This requires training and extra tips from special faculty.
Understanding non-verbal communication
Be it in the postures or gestures, there are a lot of things other than actual words that might influence the outcome of the interview. These are called non-verbal communication methods and they have equal importance at par with the technical skills. The non-verbal gestures and postures might influence the employer into prolonging or quickly ending the interview.
Dressing right
Making a good impression is also about dressing right. Following the accepted codes for the company and interview setting will make the employer feel better about the candidates and their preparedness. Dressing formally for the interview projects the image that you are serious about the job and take the interview seriously too.
Listening and talking right
The first essential skill that is most helpful in an interview is to be able to listen and read the signals from the interviewer and phrase further answers accordingly. There must also be limited talking because rambling might lead to inadvertently letting go more information than is essentially required. Finding the right balance between listening and talking clearly must be maintained to give the impression to the interviewer that the candidate is prepared. The talking must be limited to concepts pertaining to the interview or the company. It is best to refrain from a stony silence or discussing political, religious or patriotic views or any other sensitive topic during the interview.
Understanding formalities
Though the rules of an interview have been slightly relaxed over the years, it still is a formal setting. The interview room is the place to make an impression and get the job. It is better to respond to the level of comfort that is emanating from the interviewer and allow the interviewer to set the tone of interaction. It is a momentary? skill and can be learnt only by analyzing the postures and gestures of the interviewer.
Using the best language
The interview room is a place to show off your technical and communication skills with some modesty. There is a need to use professional language during the interview and it is not the right place to use slurry words or slang words. This is also a place to avoid conflicting or strong views on any controversial topics. Though the interviewer or company might be friendly to the candidate, expressing the views on controversial subjects has to be avoided at the workplace, especially during the interview.
Don’t sidestep questions
Sidestepping or avoiding questions that the interviewer asks might be taken as a sign of not knowing the topic or not having the confidence enough to answer the questions properly. Most questions from the interviewer are aimed to understand the candidates and their mindset better. The questions must be treated as a chance to express one’s skills and abilities.
Interact and ask questions
An interview is a place to interact with the interviewer. Like they would ask the questions to the candidates, it is also a chance for the candidate to ask the interviewer questions like whether they are not comfortable with the resume or if they have any objections with the candidature. This is also a chance for the candidate to know more about the company.
Make them want to hire you
A combination of technical skills, body language including a pleasant manner, the right postures and gestures should make the interviewer want to hire the candidate. The candidate must be able to present this demeanor without appearing desperate for the job.
Dr. Mitalee Shome is a top English Language Expert, based in Mumbai, India. Dr. Mitalee is a PhD in English literature, with over 30 years of rich and varied teaching experience. For all your interview skills learning requirements, please contact us at English Expert India.