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Mistakes you should Avoid At the Interview Table

bikram — Sat, 29 Jan 2011 17:22:20 +0000

Interview table is a place where you just can’t afford to go wrong. Don’t let your wrong moves and silly answers mess up the much awaited success. We often unknowingly commit few common mistakes and lose the opportunity forever. After reading this article, be careful next time, while an interview knocks your door. Here are some commonly made mistakes at the interview desk.

Grabbing seat

Often interviewee is extremely nervous while seeing the interviewer for the first time and forgets basic manners by grabbing a seat without recruiter’s permission. You may not notice it, but your interviewer will and find it extremely ill-mannered. Wait for the interviewer to sit and then take your seat with his or her permission. Sit only after you greet the interviewer.

Wandering eyes

Wandering eyes right from interviewer’s tie to shoes, from ceiling to the window is extremely disturbing for the interviewer. It not only reflects candidate’s lack of attention, but also lack of confidence. Look straight into interviewer’s eyes and don’t let your eyes wander here and there. It’s extremely annoying. Look straight into interviewer’s eyes and don’t let your eyes wander here and there. The interviewer may try to find out what are you observing here and there. Make maximum eye contact, but don’t gaze at the interviewer either.

Too much personal talks

No interviewer appreciates personal talk. So avoid it. Even when asked to describe yourself, don’t include too much of personal details like where you were born, where you went for last holiday, what you do in your free time, your relationship status and the like. Even you can avoid too much of personal queries, simply by saying you don’t feel your personal life has anything to do with your professional field. Honesty will impress the right interviewer and he or she won’t intervene into your personal life either.

Fidgeting

Often in nervousness we start fidgeting objects and unknowingly it draws attention of the recruiter. Avoid this habit.

Dumb queries

Just for the sake of asking questions don’t shoot your questions to the interviewer. Ask only smart, interesting and valid questions. Don’t ask stupid questions like ‘Will I get this job?’ or ‘What’s your budget?’ It shows immaturity.

What should be your Body Language at the Interview Table?

bikram — Thu, 20 May 2010 03:08:11 +0000

Your résumé is flawless, your academic record and experience have been good throughout, and you are just perfect for the job. Still every time you are rejected. Have you ever wondered what goes wrong at the interview table? It may be your body language, the non-verbal communication. Even brilliant knowledge is often marred by poor body language; as non-verbal communication accounts for 90% of the message that you send during interview.

If you are not confident enough about your body language take help of the following tips.

Before entering the room, take a look of yourself. Make sure your hands are dry, warm. Shake hands firmly, yet don’t overpower. Sit straight, yet comfortable. Erect posture reflects energy, enthusiasm, and self control. Don’t move quite often. Make yourself feel comfortable. Slouching posture doesn’t reflect a positive attitude. Sitting on edge of the chair is to be avoided, as it reflects nervousness and lack of self-confidence.

Make good eye contact, but avoid staring. Do not let your eyes wander. While answering questions look into the interviewer’s eyes. Even while listening to the interviewer maintain direct eye contact. It makes you appear confident, attentive and pleasant. Avoid aggressive stares, blinking often, wandering eye movements, staring below. Over eye contact can again make you appear bossy, challenging and seductive.

Control your hands by being aware of what you are doing with them. Set them free, loosely clasped in your lap or on the table. Keep hands off your face. Avoid folding hands near chest, it shows defensive attitude and mind blocks. Too much hands movement is distracting. Less of movement makes you look in control, confident and disciplined. Avoid putting hands in pocket.

Place your feet firmly on the ground and avoid fidgeting. Crossing legs are okay, but shouldn’t invite too frequent crossing and re-crossings. Crossing legs at ankles appear smart and professional. Leg movements are distracting. Point knees towards the interviewer.

Speak in a clear, controlled, well-modulated voice. Avoid monotone and same pitch. Breathe properly in-between. Tone should be professional and confident. Don’t let your personal emotions reflect in your voice or words. Smile and nod, but not too loud or often.

Make A Great First Impression

SamElli — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 19:24:47 +0000

Knowing how to make a fantastic first impression is ridiculously important. Not only could this make or break a job interview, but it could also have a huge influence on your candidacy for promotions at your job. By giving a good first impression, you instill a positive memory into everyone meeting you for the first time. Ensuring that when they look back on potential job candidates, you’ll have a warm place in the selection. Not to mention the fact that it’s extremely hard to repair any damage done by making a bad first impression, especially at a job interview.

Work on your body language. You want to have a good healthy natural posture, and to look positive and upbeat. Smile, not a ridiculous fake smile, but a genuine smile that shows you are a positive person. People want positive attitudes in the office, as they make getting work done all the easier. Nobody wants more negativity in the air, and appearing as though you’d only add some is a very bad thing. So make eye contact, keep that smile working, and stay relaxed and comfortable.

Make sure that you’re a friendly and fun person through professional, and appropriate joking or laughing, or conversation. Stay away from politically charged topics that people tend to have strong opinions about, like religion, government, etc. Stick to more simple ideas or topics, or anecdotes about your own life and experiences. Anything to show that you’re an open person, and one that is genuinely interested in communicating with others.

Keep your attire professional, and make sure that you match. You want to choose clothing that’s flattering, as well as professional. Anything to help you look more positive and friendly. Pick an outfit that says you’re a friendly open person. Hardworking, but also a good person to have around, to make the environment more comfortable for everyone around.