How to conduct yourself during an interview

The process of applying for a job and complet- ing an application form to impress an employer in order to win yourself a place on the interview date can be quite tedious and demands your consistency and ability to ex- press yourself properly. When not properly guided, you may mess up along the way and lose hope. At times you may have the right qualification, skills and experience for a job… You may be shortlisted and later on called for an interview, and you thought you did your ultimate best in the interview but unfortunately you were not called for the job.

Well, something might have gone wrong somewhere. Did you mind about your attitude? Have you conducted yourself well? Did you express yourself like a professional in your field of endeavors or you have just unreasonably glorified yourself? Here are some of the ways you should conduct yourself during an interview and get that dream job.

1.Walk care- fully into the interview room; do not wear a scowl or stupid smile when entering the interview room.

2. Greet the interviewers politely, and avoid shaking hands unless the interviewers stretch their hands to you.

3.Do not sit until you have been asked to do so; adopt a natural and upright composed posture when seated. 4. Pay attention to what is being said and do not interrupt the interviewer.

5.When responding give rel- evant answers only and be audi- ble enough for all the panelists to hear you.

6.Do not boast of your capabil- ities and qualifications.

7.If there is something you don’t know, admit it straight- away.

8. If you are being interviewed by someone who does not pos- sess as many degrees as your- self, do not put on airs. Give the interviewers your cooperation and respect.

9.Be calm throughout the inter- view. Do not lose your temper or argue with the panelists.

10.Adopt a positive approach throughout the interview; express your enthusiasm for the job and the company. If you give an expression that you are not interested, you may realize that the interviewer is also not interested in hiring you.

11. Avoid shifting in your seat, chewing fingers, smoothening your hair, adjusting the knot of your tie or playing with the pen or paper. All these are signs of nervousness. Nervousness is your worst enemy in an interview.

12. When you are asked about your previous employer, be frank but do not criticize your former employer. Mention only positive aspects of your former employer.

13. Ask questions where full information has not been pro- vided by the interviewer.

14. When the interview is over do not forget to thank the inter- viewer. You can ask tactfully when the results will be made known to you.

Brisker Magazine Content Team