Anand Mittal  
When you apply for a job, there is a lot of effort that you put in. Like preparing the resume, the application letter and yourself. An employer puts in a similar kind of effort. He has to insert one or many advertisements in several newspapers, read through the application letters to short-list the candidates who seem suitable, contact them either through letters or telephones and finally single out a day or more when he has to break free from his daily work and interview all the candidates. This entire exercise involves his time but also a precious resource like money. Then he also invests time in training the new recruit because they take time to get productive. After all this, he discovers that the candidate is not good, then not only is that a burden on the department and a drag on the other members of the team, the additional cost has to be borne by the customers. Excessive training costs, lost goodwill from existing guests and lost future customers are some other irrecoverable costs. Hence the employer has to be very careful and choosy about the candidates he selects. Now when the employer himself has put in such a lot of effort, it is quite natural that he will make sure that the employee that is chosen is the right one. It is for this purpose an interview is organized. If you understand how important an interview is for the employer, it will immediately dawn on you why the interview should be important even for you.

An Interview in Progress
Sometimes it takes more than one interview to result in the candidate getting a job. Some jobs may require you to go through several interviews. Then it is called an interview process. As the case may be, there are three broad stages identifiable in an interview or interview process. The First Part - When you are asked to come in and meet the interviewer, first of all greetings are exchanged. As soon as you walk in the room, your interview begins. Here some impression is formed in the mind of the interviews going by the way you present yourself, the way you exchange greetings and by your general mannerisms. Appearance, stance, eye contact, smile, eyebrow movement, facial features, grooming, type of handshake, firm bottom lip, skin tone, rate of breathing and size of the pupils are a sure give away. People form 90% of their lasting impressions in the first 90 seconds! (The 90:90 judgment] After that you are asked to take a seat and interviewer tries to put you at ease by asking you some general questions like "I hope you did not face any difficulties in locating our address?" Once seated, a whole new spectrum of signals opens up for interpretation. (Hands, legs, feet, wrist, eyes, etc] By subtly changing the way you are sitting to 'mirror' the other person's position, rapport with the interviewer increases. A smile and eye contact about 60% of the time is ideal. More than this indicates over confidence and even insolence and less than this shows nervousness. Next the interviewer asks for your resume [sometimes he may already have your resume, which he may have received through post, but he may still ask for it]. While he reads through your resume, he usually asks you a question pertaining to your life or education or both.

The Middle Part
About 10% of understanding derives from what is actually said with 40% coming from the way it is said and 50% coming from the body language. That is why interviews are very rarely conducted over telephone. A few questions later, he generally understands your background and qualifications. Now the technical questions come up. If you have applied for the post of a Chef, the related questions will be asked. While all this is happening a lot of attention is paid to the way you conduct yourself, how alert you are mentally and of course your intelligence. A lot of attention is also being paid to whether you are calm, composed and confident. Next, the non-technical questions come up. Sometimes some odd question may be asked, specifically to find out how good you are at coping with such odd situations. In the end the interviewer may ask you something in connection with any hobbies that you may have mentioned in your resume.

The Final Part
Finally, questions pertaining to salary and date of joining are asked. If you are informed about how and when you will be notified about the outcome of the interview. Many usually ask the candidates if they have any questions to ask them towards the end of the interview.

Preparing for an interview
A quick look at the following checklist will be very helpful while preparing for the interview:

1.
2. Understand exactly what the job that you have applied for is all about.
3. Brush up your technical skills.
4. Quickly revise the technical and the non-technical FAQs that have to be answered. Take one last look [mentally] at all the accomplishments made by you in their order. It would not be wise to pause and reflect in front of the interviewer.
5.
6. Ensure that you have the right kind of clothes.
7. Make sure you have extra copies of your resume.
8. Carry a bag or a folder that you are comfortable operating.
9. Avoid carrying too much stuff, as this causes one to fumble through too many things unnecessarily.
10. Get to know more about the organization, its main function, name of the person who heads it and the name and designation of the person who will be conducting your interview.
11. Understand the address of the place you have to go. Make any easy estimate of how much time it would take for you to reach there at least 15 minutes early.
Last, but not the least, make sure your personal appearance is at its best.

Interview Etiquette
Following is a list of different things that you should take care of while appearing for interviews:

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* Be very punctual Use words like 'Sir' or 'Madam' [as applicable] to address your interviewer
* Do not sit down unless you are asked to.
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* When you have been asked to sit, thank the interviewer for it. Do not make too much noise while pulling the chair.
* After you sit down, make sure your posture is correct, i.e., upright and formal. You should not slump and appear casual. It is also not advisable to sit on the edge - it indicates nervousness, neither is it all right to sit relaxed back as that indicates over-confidence. Do not smoke a cigarette even if offered.
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* Maintain eye contact with your perspective employer. Nod gently when he is explaining something and listen carefully.
* Start answering only when the interviewer completes the questions.
* Answer all your questions carefully and thoughtfully. Your answers should be direct and honest.
* Give answers that are specific and to the point. Make sure your answer is exactly related to the question.
* Your choice of words for answering general questions should be appropriate. Avoid using jargon or slang. Never use language that is offensive and never say negative things about anyone.
* Your answers should be relevant to the question. Avoid getting into discussions that would lead to conflict of ideas. Avoid rambling on and on without any purpose.
* Do not eat or chew anything like a chewing gum during an interview.
* If you happen to sneeze or cough during an interview, make it a point to excuse yourself.
* If you do not understand anything, you may request the interviewer to repeat the thing again. Your tone should be formal all the time.
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* Talk softly and politely, but make sure you are being heard easily. Your voice should not be very loud either.
* It is all right to accept tea or coffee if offered, unless you just don't have it. Do not ask for anything instead.
* Do not talk about anything related to salaries and holidays.
* Do not fidget with anything [for example tapping the desk, chewing a pencil, cracking knuckles or scratching with pencil].
At the end of the interview thank your interviewer.

Anand Mittal
Jun 21st 2007 06:11