What not to do in an interview In this tough job market, any face time you get with a hiring manager is absolutely invaluable. Make sure youre on your best behavior and avoid these interview goof-upsLast week I had lunch with a colleague who had recently hired someone for a part-time position for her office. My colleague was interested to observe the wide variety of people who applied for a low-paying, part-time position. She was even more intrigued by one candidates behavior during the interview. (Also read: What not to say in an interview)Apparently this candidate had called on her way to the interview to say she was en route. Based on her supposed whereabouts, the candidate should have arrived 10-15 minutes early. Somehow, she actually arrived 40 minutes latewithout offering any explanation as to why. As if her tardiness werent bad enough, this candidate then proceeded to scroll through and reply to e-mails on her Blackberry during the interview! I know what youre thinking: Yeah, thats what happens when you interview college students. Not so! This badly behaved candidate was an administrator in her 50s, looking for an additional job to earn a little extra money. My colleague was stunned someone of this ageand at this stage in her professional lifewould act so poorly in an interview setting. So, in case it needs to be said: Show up for every interview slightly early. Between 5-10 minutes is perfect. If you get there anymore than 10 minutes early, hang out in your car until its closer to your appointment time. Interviewers dont like to feel rushed into talking with you. On the other hand, leaving yourself extra minutes will still allow you to arrive on time if you happen to miss a turn, get caught behind a school bus, or find yourself waiting at a railroad crossing as a 3-mile-long freight train moseys its way toward Montana. Set your cell phone to silent or turn it off. If your vibration mode is as loud as mine, its too loud for a quiet interview setting. If youre like the woman above and cant keep your hands off your crackberry, leave it in the car. Many people consider it bad form to even be looking at your cell phone while youre waiting to be called in. (Also read: 10 mistakes that can ruin any interview)If something truly crazy occurs that causes you to be late, apologize profusely. There is no easier way to get off on the wrong foot with a potential employer than to give them the impression you dont value their timeor youre not worth hiring in the first place because youre not dependable and inconsiderate. In this tough job market, any face time you get with a hiring manager is absolutely invaluable. Make sure youre on your best behavior! Jessica Holbrook HernandezCareer Exper10 mistakes that can ruin any interview Most candidates only receive one opportunity to make an impression on a potential employer. Make sure the one you leave is as positive as possible by keeping these tips in mind during your next interview. Your cover letter and resume has made a positive impression on a potential employer and theyve called you in for an interview. Now you need to ensure the employer stays impressed with you and your potential in their organization. (Also read: Tips to face job interviews confidently)Theres an old saying first impressions count and there is no better instance of the truth to this than the impressions made during an interview. A variety of factors are in effect. It may include the way you are dressed, how you communicate, your personality, and a number of other considerations. It takes a lot to develop a positive impression, and conversely requires very little to leave one that does not work in your favor as key decisions are made for the new talent they need to bring on. (Also read: First impressions: Youve got 30 seconds to make the right one)All the time invested into planning and preparing becomes obsolete with these mistakes commonly seen with some job candidates. Arriving late. Everyones time is value. Show respect and do not waste other peoples time. If there is an unexpected delay, at the very least, give a call to apologize and inform your contact of your expected arrival time. Jumping into the discussion of pay and benefits. There will be a time for this discussion generally not in the first interview, unless it is approached by the employer. You do not want to appear as though all you care about is what is in it for me. At the same time, approaching the topic of salary is especially risky. You may end up putting yourself in a position where you are asked to present a desired salary and fall under what the company had anticipated. Learn more about the position and conduct research before going into discussion of salary. Answering a cell phone. Show respect by letting your employer know this interview is more important than any call you have. Turn off your cell phone. If you forget and it rings, apologize and turn it off. Talking bad about your previous or current employer. Regardless of the reality of the situation, never talk bad about your current or previous employer(s). It brings to question if you will do the same with this potential employer in the future. Being brief or hiding from questions or talking too much. Just as you want to learn about the employer, the employer wants to learn about you. At the same time, you dont want to be the only one talking throughout the interview. Learn to listen and have a balanced conversation where you both have a chance to receive information and ask questions. Not asking questions. Regardless of how thorough the interview discussion is, when asked, Do you have any questions for me?, always have a question. When you do not have a question, it may come across as though you are not sincerely interested in the opportunity. Dressing inappropriately. Your appearance includes not just what you wear but how you groom yourself. Employers will not be impressed with a sloppy appearance. You need to appear and dress the part of what is expected of the position. Being unprepared. Conduct research so you have at least a general sense of the type of business the company is in and what the position you are applying for is about. You will be able to better tailor your communication during discussion and questions with the employer. Lying. False information can lead to an immediate disqualification and exemplify your weaknesses. Being inattentive. Carefully listen to what the interviewer is saying and show you are attentive. You do not want to appear disinterested and come off as inattentive. It is not a desirable characteristic for any position. (Also read: Being a good listener in interviews) Most candidates will only receive one opportunity to make an impression. Make sure the one you leave is as positive as possible by keeping these tips in mind during your next interview.

6 tips for following up after the job interview It has become a necessity in todays times to use the most effective methods of following up after a job interview to score some easy points with the recruiter and secure a job. If youre not using the best, most effective methods of following up after a job interview, youre missing out on the chance to score some easy points that just could push you over the top and out of the unemployment line. Make sure youre going above and beyond to impress interviewers and secure the job. Here are some guidelines for the perfect interview follow-up strategy. Sooner is Better In a recent CareerBliss Poll asking how soon people follow up after a job interview, 39 percent of respondents said they do it the next day. Good answer, according to Career Expert, Vicky Oliver. Oliver, author of 301 Smart Answers to Tough Interview Questions, said the best time to reach out after an interview is within 24 hours. The 61 percent of poll respondents who said they wait two to three days, a week or never follow-up should take note. If youre incredibly lucky, Oliver said, the interviewer will hit the e-mail back to you saying she/he really enjoyed meeting you and voila! now youre in the running! These rules apply even if an executive recruiter helped you land the interview. The 3-Paragraph Rule Your follow-up e-mail should be short, sweet and personalized. Generally, a good rule of thumb for the length is three paragraphs, with no more than two to three sentences in each paragraph. First Paragraph: Briefly thank them for their time and reiterate your interest in the position. Second Paragraph: Discuss a couple of your strengths and how the company would benefit if you were hired. Consider using bullet points to break up your text. Third Paragraph: Include any points of clarifications you might have. Include answers to questions that you werent able to answer during the interview, or add new info about yourself that was left out of the interview. But, remember, keep it brief. Oliver suggests indicating your next point of contact by saying something along the lines of Look forward to hearing from you within the next two weeks. If no date was set at the interview, either ask for one or specify you will loop back to them for a decision in two weeks. Splurge on the Good Thank You Paper Sending a hand-written thank you note via snail mail adds a charming touch, and further showcases your gratitude for their time. Go all out for this gesture. Practice your handwriting. Splurge and spend the extra money for high-quality paper it will show prospective employers you value their time, and also will speak well of your attention to detail. Double Check Their Names Candidates should double check the spelling of the interviewers name, his or her title, and the address of the company, Oliver said. While youre at it, dont forget to spell-check the entire letter both e-mail and snail mail. These steps may seem obvious, but all too often minor spelling and grammatical blunders get through, making the candidate look careless. Avoid Follow-up Faux Pas After you have written your notes, double check to ensure that you have avoided these common mistakes: Repetition Negativity Cheesy emoticons and exclamation points Informal language Grammar/spelling errors Dont Call Them, Theyll Call You Usually, toward the end of an interview, hiring managers will indicate a general time for when they will contact you. If this was not addressed, be sure to ask them to give you an idea in your initial follow-up e-mail. Only call the employer if that date has passed. Call any time before then and you will come off as desperate and bothersome.Reference check, Indian shtyle The smarter recruitment leaders know the importance of informal network reference checks. These seasoned recruiters are reaching out to the signatories for direct confirmation of candidate reputations. The newly appointed human resources (HR) head had a task at hand. One particular business head was just not making the cut. His peer feedback had negative written all over it, whether it was domain knowledge, teamwork or organizational persona. Subordinates chafed at his high-handedness, my way or the highway mannerisms and insecurity. And the business heads boss felt he was cutting corners, only managing perceptions and not being entirely truthful with the facts. All in all, prospects for the business head concerned were pretty bleak in the organization and the New Broom HR head had been called in to wield the proverbial axe. And that was what led him to pore over the docket of the employee in question. The biodata, still crisp, confirmed the hire was new. Indeed he had been in the organization a mere six months. On the face of it, it was an impressive rsum. The previous employment dates tallied meticulously with the corresponding service certificates, the academic qualifications seemed solid, and finally the reference letter from his previous boss seemed strong. Strong team player, great inter-personal skills, delivers on the promise, said the testimonial. In fact, it was quite a testimonial. Bottom line: a no kinks message totally out of sync with the reality on the ground.This was when the HR head realized that the referee was actually known to him and picked up the phone for a seemingly nonchalant chat about the business head concerned. The referees refrain should come as no surprise to any seasoned HR professional. Of course, I gave that reference letter. But you know I had to do that in the formal communication, dont you? But since you are my friend, let me tell you this. We were actually really glad to see him go. He was such a nuisance. Full of politics. He continually went above my head to my boss, isolated his team from the rest of the organization, has no depth And I fear some of his earlier experience details may be all fictitious. But write about it in the testimonial that I cannot do. Welcome to the world of reference checks, Indian shtyle. The smarter recruitment leaders know the importance of informal network reference checks. They are not taken in by formal organizational testimonials which eulogize candidates when in reality they are nothing but great outplacement Trojan Horses. Wielding their mobiles with ease, these seasoned recruiters reach out to the signatories for direct confirmation of candidate reputations. Forget the famed six degrees of separation, they are past masters in making the connections at much less the number. Interviews themselves are goldmines for seasoned campaigners for future reference checking. They are constantly checking for referencing leads Which batch from IIT are you? ; Where did you do your MBA? ; Did you know so and so?; Oh, so you worked in...; Did you know...? Was he your boss? (Also read: What are recruiters looking for?) And so go the barrage of questions! And so it is the Who you know that is filed away for future use, much more than the What you did, quite contrary to what all the great interview questioning styles teach you to do. Oh, we do probe for achievements and attitude, collecting the examples or STARS, as they are euphemistically called in recruiting parlance. But it is the Whos that really interest us. Because remember, with them comes the chance to do the sacred reference checks, the actual backbone of senior- and mid-level recruitment. And who can blame the HR for the reference-check obsession, given the number of fictitious biodatas in circulation. But the zeal for robust reference checks can border on the realm of thoughtlessness. Current employers are sometimes pinged carelessly to suss out candidate reputation without so much as a by-your-leave. Many times this happens even before the interview has even happened. Which is why the adage leaking like a proverbial sieve gains particular relevance in the context of a rsum which, with a gentle tap of a finger, finds itself winging its way into the wide, wide Internet. There are of course the professional reference checkers. While their reference-checking etiquette may at times leave much to be desired, this industry is now galloping in India in no small measure due to the mandatory reference checking prescribed by headquarter mandates for multi-national companies and even customers. Their green/red/yellow clearances on the education, employment, credit and criminal checks are awaited with bated breath. And in a hand-to-mouth situation, especially in the service industry, between prized recruitment and ASAP deployment of scarce talent, a Red on a reference check means a red-in-the-face manager explaining to a furious client why an employee had to be suddenly pulled out of an assignment. Talking of consulates, they have indeed set new benchmarks for reference checking. State-of-the-art technology provides for direct-from-college and direct-from-company information uploads for credential checking, totally ruling out the need for Reference Checker Middlemen. Finally, the matrimonial reference checks. Many a professional manager, in his time, gets a call from an acquaintance checking out a team member or a colleague for a marriage alliance. How is his character? and What are his prospects? are the questions most commonly posed. While many an expat manager may go green around the gills with the question, the savvy Indian counterpart will take it in his stride. Armed with a few discreet checks, he gets back with the relevant details. It is of course a different matter that the checked out employee is also usually given a sneak heads-up by his or her manager and so alls well with the prospect as much aware of the check as the checker That is par for the course, because we are, after all, like that only. (Also read: Ways to pass the social recruitment test) So, why dont you tell me about yourself? Its a question most interviewees expect and yet the one they find most difficult to answer. Follow these four easy steps to ensure your response grabs the interviewer's attention. So, why dont you tell me about yourself is the most frequently asked interview question. Its a question that most interviewees expect and the one they have the most difficulty answering. Though one could answer this open-ended question in a myriad of ways, the key to answering this question or any other interview question is to offer a response that supports your career objective. This means that you shouldnt respond with comments about your hobbies, spouse, or extra curricular activities. Trust me, interviewers arent interested.Interviewers use the interview process as a vehicle to eliminate your candidacy. Every question they ask is used to differentiate your skills, experience, and personality with that of other candidates. They want to determine if what you have to offer will mesh with the organizations mission and goals. If answered with care, your response to the question, So, why dont you tell me about yourself? could compliment the interviewers needs as well as support your agenda. This is a question you should be prepared to answer as opposed to attempting to wing it. (Also read: Tips to face job interviews confidently)Follow the four easy steps outlined below to ensure your response will grab the interviewers attention. Provide a brief introduction. Introduce attributes that are key to the open position. Sample introduction: During my 10 years of experience as a sales manager, I have mastered the ability to coach, train, and motivate sales teams into reaching corporate goals. Provide a career summary of your most recent work history. Your career summary is the meat of your response, so it must support your job objective and it must be compelling. Keep your response limited to your current experience. Dont go back more than 10 years. Sample career summary: Most recently, at The Widget Corporation, I was challenged with turning around a stagnant territory that ranked last in sales in the Northeastern region. Using strategies that have worked in the past, I developed an aggressive sales campaign that focused on cultivating new accounts and nurturing the existing client base. The results were tremendous. Within six months my sales team and I were able to revitalize the territory and boost sales by 65%. Tie your response to the needs of the hiring organization. Dont assume that the interviewer will be able to connect all the dots. It is your job as the interviewee to make sure the interviewer understands how your experiences are transferable to the position they are seeking to fill. Sample tie-in: Because of my proven experience in leading sales teams, Craig Brown suggested I contact you regarding your need for a sales manager. Craig filled me in on the challenges your sales department is facing. Ask an insightful question. By asking a question you gain control of the interview. Dont ask a question for the sake of asking. Be sure that the question will engage the interviewer in a conversation. Doing so will alleviate the stress you may feel to perform. Sample question: What strategies are currently underway to increase sales and morale within the sales department? (Also read: Questions to ask the interviewer)There you have it a response that meets the needs of the interviewer andsupports your agenda. (Also read more on: Tell me about yourself)When broken down into manageable pieces, the question, So, tell me about yourself? isnt overwhelming. In fact, answering the question effectively gives you the opportunity to talk about your strengths, achievements, and qualifications for the position. So take this golden opportunity and run with it! Over-qualified or under-qualified? Handle it Worrying that you are over qualified or perhaps under qualified for the job at hand? Remember, the interviewer is there to be convinced about your suitability for the job and that is precisely what you need to do. Here is how. Over qualified or under qualified - here is help to get you qualified to answer this bouncer. When you get thrown this question, dont view it as asign of defeat, but just one more hurdle to cross. Remember, the interviewer is there to be convinced about your suitability for the job and you have to clear his doubts and convince him, whether you over-meet or under-meet the requirements, here is how you can handle the situation. Handling the OverQualified Question: Its up to you to make the interviewer view this as an advantageous situation rather than a drawback. Commitment: The main concern behind this question in an interviewers mind is how soon will you get bored of the job and quit, as you are too qualified for it be it in terms of knowledge, educational qualifications or years of experience. What you need to do here is to convince the recruiter of your commitment to the job. You can tell him you are looking for a long-term commitment in this particular area as you love to work in this field and it is your passion. Immediate Contribution: You have the great advantage of already knowing your job well and can begin to contribute almost immediately; whereas a lesser qualified person would have a longer learning curve. You can say as you are so well qualified you would be willing to extend yourself to other related areas and contribute there as well and you are sure you will get new learning opportunities on this job itself. Interest: Also mention the fact that it is not the money and the title that is important but the work profile that interests you. It is the kind of work you would be happy doing and that is why you are here. Your extensive experience/qualifications only make you better fitted for the job. (Also read: The art of self-motivation)

Taking on the Under-Qualified Challenge: Here the recruiter may be concerned about your lack of experience in one particular area, eg you have great creative skills, but your edit skills are not so strong. If you didnt fit the bill at all, you would not be at the interview in the first place. So, be assured first that the interviewer is only concerned about a particular area and wants you to convince him you are capable of managing. Dont take it as a fatal flaw question and lose your nerves or get defensive. So how do you handle this question? Deeper Experience: When the interviewer asks about your lack of experience / qualification in a particular area, agree on the importance of this qualification. Then find ways to explain how your experience is greater than what the resume may indicate. If there is a qualification you lack, show how your experience makes up for what just a degree may indicate in terms of knowledge in this area. Or if you lack in years of experience, showcase how your shorter stint in the area has been a deeper one with a steeper learning curve enabling you to handle more in a lesser period of time. Overall Strengths: You should also have already done your homework in matching the job requirements to your job skills when preparing for the interview (as discussed in a previous article - 'Underlining your strenghts').Now showcase your strengths and other qualifications as relevant to the job at hand, and show them how a combination of your strengths make you suitable for the job; lack of certain knowledge/qualification notwithstanding. This tactic helps shift the focus away from what you lack, and puts you in a stronger light, highlighting a combination of your strengths that match just fine with the job need. So, all in all, its a matter of how you handle the question and convince the recruiter. Be sure you are well aware of what the job profile entails beforehand, so you are accordingly prepared with answers that project you as the best candidate. (Also read: Top ten interview questions)Finally speak with conviction and have a enthusiastic and energetic attitude, that shows the recruiter you are truly interested in the job at hand.

Top 5 proactive and unique job interview strategies The amount of work it actually entails to find a job in todays web 2.0 world can be overwhelming. Read about some strategic and creative ways to stand out during the hiring process once you have landed the interview. It can be overwhelming to think about how much work it actually entails to find a job in todays web 2.0 world. If you are very serious about it, you have likely educated yourself in all the various facets of a job search and become well-equipped to go out and tackle the task. But, so have many others. Once a company narrows down the candidate pool to a group of people they want to meet, and you are one of them, its time to start thinking about your next steps. Only one person can be chosen in the end. When all things are equal, what makes you stand out? Finding strategic and creative ways to land job interviews is half the battle. Once you are chosen for an interview, its not always going to be enough to arrive early, smile at the right times, answer the questions properly, ask the right questions, and then conduct all the proper follow-up tasks. Chances are you are going up against other candidates who will also be doing those same things. Now is the time to go that extra mile. (Also read: How to ace an interview - the checklist) The best proactive strategies are somewhat subtle in nature and just flow with the rest of the process. The following are the top five strategies 80% of candidates do not utilize: Confirm your interview. If you have at least a few days between when you set up your interview and when it actually takes place, use the extra time to your advantage. Call or e-mail to confirm the interview, and let them know you are really looking forward to it. Not very many candidates do this, yet its these little acts of professionalism that matter. Develop a rapport with the people who interview you. Typically interviews (including phone interviews), start out with some small talk. Dont just answer questions asked of you, ask them questions too and get a lighthearted conversation going! Ask them how they are doing and maybe share a lighthearted story. Try to help take the rigid formality of a job interview down a notch so that the conversation can flow easier. If any of the interviewers share something of some level of significance, be creative and use that information in further communications. Your thank you letter to that person could briefly mention something that had come up. For example, if an interviewer mentioned that his or her child was sick, why not briefly mention in your thank you letter that you hope his or her child is feeling better? Who wouldnt appreciate that? (Also read: 3 Ways to build rapport and ace the interview) Ask if you can have a tour of the office/building/plant, etc. This is especially effective if the company has a manufacturing facility and you can ask a lot of questions about their products and how they are made. Regardless, this is a great way to show that you have strong interest in the company. While on the tour, bring up several things that you know about the company (you have done your homework, right?) and ask questions about them. Take notice of things you see and either compliment them or ask questions about them. Make it clear you are interested in the job and the company and not whats in it for me? Try not to ask questions or makes statements that make it clear that you are only interested in how this job will affect you. Employers want individuals who care about the company. If it doesnt come up in the interview, ask if you can learn about the companys values and mission statement and talk about how it aligns with yours. The values and mission statement are (or should be!) a very important part of a companys culture. So few people ask about this stuff! Ask about how your job fits into the department and in the company as a whole. Show interest in what the company actually does. If you spend most of your time talking and asking about all the things that pertain to you, you will not be impressing anyone even if you provide otherwise good answers to the questions. Send personalized thank you letters to every person who was in the interview. Personalized means personal and unique to each person who was in the interview. Make it different than the othersreference communication items that are specific to that person if you can. This is a great approach, different from just sending a standard copy/paste thank you letter to them all. Many candidates do send separate e-mails to each interviewer but the content is the same. Thank you e-mails can and will get forwarded to others at times and when some were forwarded to me, I found it to be very impressive if the content was different from the one I received. Handwritten ones are a great idea as well. Its more personal which is a nice touch. If you can spare the time to go all out, hand write them and drop them off the same day or the next day, you should go for it! Its little things like this that break you apart from the masses and help you really stand out. Sure, some of these are a little extra work. But if it helps you get the job, isnt it worth it?

5 Tips to prepare for unexpected job interviews Have you ever been through an unexpected interview? How can you perform well in these interviews without any preparation? Well, the only thing you can do is prepare for the basic things that all interviewers will ask. Imagine what will happen if a recruiter calls you with an interesting opportunity requesting for a quick interview. It is an unexpected interview and you do not know what to say. So, it becomes important to be prepared for interviews all the time. Here is a list of basic things that you can be ready with in case an unexpected opportunity comes knocking: Introduction: Every recruiter would want to know details about you viz. what have you been doing and what is your educational background. Create a small write-up that has details about your personal and professional background. It should be small and precise giving all the required information withinthe shortest possible time frame. (Also read: 'So, why don't you tell me about yourself') Value proposition: Now, why should a company hire you? The recruiters would want to know it too. They would want to know the value add that you can do to the organisation. So, create and memorise a 30 second script that talks about your skill set and experience. It should clearly be able to bring out your values and the advantages that you can bring to the company. Since you may not know what exactly the recruiter is looking for, try to keep it generic to your field of work or the one you aspire to join. Achievements: Your previous achievements help the recruiter analyse whether you match the job requirements or not and what they can expect from you. Be prepared with a list of around 5 achievements that showcase the different skills you possess and tell the recruiter about them when he/she asks about it. You can also talk about your accomplishments if the recruiter asks you to quote examples that show your ability to handle different situations. Common interview questions: There are some common interview questions like why do you want to leave your current job, what are your strengths and weaknesses etc that every interviewer asks. Prepare for these questions so that you are ready with answers when the questions come up. (Also read: Top 10 interview questions) Research and knowledge: One of the most important things is having knowledge about your area of work or the field you want to move into. Put in some time to research about the different companies that offer these roles and what are the main responsibilities the role entails. This will help you understand what a recruiter will generally look for. Your research and knowledge helps you answer the interviewers questions in a better manner.True, it is not possible to be always prepared for an interview without knowing the specifics. Try to avoid an unexpected interview as much as possible and take some time to prepare better. But, in cases where it is not possible, be prepared with the basics at least so that you can perform better than others who are not prepared at all.Closing an interview right How well you fare at the interview is important, but closing an interview properly is equally crucial. Read on to find how closing an interview right can work as a catalyst for your being chosen. Have you ever given a thought about the importance of closing an interview properly? Surprisingly, closing an interview right can work as a catalyst and boost your chances of getting selected. So while interview is all about how well you talk, closing an interview right is about leaving an impression on the interview. Read on to understand how you can do it.

By the end of the interview, you always get a fair idea of how successful it was. If you think that there are chances of you being selected, then go forward to show some proactiveness. Ask the time required by them to make the hiring decision and remember to bring back their business card. Closing an interview powerfully and with the right attitude can fetch you some brownie points. In most cases, it is the interviewer who signs off an interview. Break the rule and instead ask whether they have any concerns or doubts regarding your profile. This is a fantastic chance to show your honesty and positivity. You can dispel their fears and apprehensions withsome intelligentquestion. As asking questions shows that youhave more than just a passing interest in the job, answering questions in the right manner also shows your forthright nature. Never be mum on questions like "Why are you interested in the company?" and "What can you offer? These are usually the ending questions of the interviewer. (Also read: Why do you want to work here?)

Do not let discouragement reflect on you. Not even if the companydoes not make a move to discuss the salary details or date of joining. Sometimes interview personnel need to confirm it with the office before making any sort of proposal. So keep up with your expression of positivity. (Also read: Tips for negotiating your salary)Conduct a follow up after the interview within a specified period of time. Remember the little points to be observed during the closing process to ensure a call back from them.

Finance and banking: Understanding recruiter requirements There are many qualities that a professional in the finance and banking industry must possess, and as hiring experts confirm, being honest and forthright during the hiring stages, ranks high in the checklist. Whether it is providing information in the resume, answering hiring managers questions during interview or assisting clients with asset management, the sensitive nature of a financial service or banking job places some core values at the top of recruiters candidate screening checklist. These include: Strong ethics Attention to detail Accountability Heres how you can incorporate these qualities in your job search and application and make a positive impression during the selection process: Your resume - honest, factual, straightforward The initial screening of a resume by a recruiter involves framing questions around the information provided by the candidate. As Sandip Mallik- Director, HR, Aviva India says, Depending on the role in question, I spend considerable time reading resumes as it helps me think through the questions that need to be asked during an interview.

Understanding both - the positions requirements and your career aspirations will help you place the right amount of information. Its not only about what you want the recruiter to read about you, but also about addressing questions recruiters may have about your profile. Even small details like experience at varied job locations can be viewed as an advantage from a recruiters standpoint. We look for people who come from finance academic background, preferably MBA, and also for people who have worked on multiple key projects in large banking or financial service companies. Sometimes, even having worked in multiple geographies becomes a preference, says Kamal Karanth, MD, Kelly Services India. (Read Kamal Karanth's complete interview) Include details about your qualifications, experience and skills but only as much as so to build the hiring managers interest to explore your profile further and invite you for the interview round. According to Archana Shiroor Head - HR, Barclays Corporate India, A lengthy, five-page resume does not necessarily mean that one has handled many roles and is quite experienced. It is important for a resume to be crisp and to the point. (Read her complete interview) Forthrightness in presenting details is not just an appreciable quality, but an expected one. Very often, we find that resumes do not have the year of passing covered explicitly in the academic credentials, the work-experience mentioned does not add up to the total number of working years and lastly, the resumes are too long, and tend to miss out on the recruiters attention span, says JM Prasad Chief Human Resources, ING Vysya Bank. (Read his complete interview) Focus on including result-oriented information, achievements or even the potential impact of your work. Interview round - Showcasing preparedness, experience, dependability The sensitive nature of bank transactions make honesty and ethics crucial factors. Itis also imperative todisplay a responsible attitude towards your previous employer. As a job applicant,be perpared to elaborate and consolidate upon the facts that you presented in the resume.Overconfidence or displaying extra smartness is something that puts me off. One should really be genuine throughout the interview. Answering a question before the interviewer has actually finished, shows indiscipline and also desperation to get the job. Boasting about oneself would lead to minus points. One must act in a balanced manner even if he or she has an excellent proven track record and s/he must substantiate achievements with proof that includes certificates or testimonials etc. Finally, if you dont know answers to a question, dont make wild guesses; be honest in sharing that you dont know the correct response, says Sunaina Mattoo, Executive Vice President - Human Resources at Bajaj Capital Ltd. (Read her complete interview)A job hopper Yes or no? While job hopping commonly raises eyebrows over a candidates commitment levels, an honest and forthcoming attitude will land you in good stead with the interviewer. It is facts that recruiters look at, and candidates should be able to provide rational reasoning for their career choices. Frequent job changes can be explained as the need to explore the industry in order to find the right job and organisational culture. As Sandip Mallik, Director, HR, Aviva India, says, Job hopping is a norm in todays day and time. We do not see this as a negative if there are good reasons for every change. (Read his complete interview here)

10 things recruiters wont tell you Recruiters' basic job is to find the right person for the right job and they can assess a candidate's marketability very fast. But the last thing they would tell you is where you went wrong. Check these out to be cautious. Recruiters have one job: Find the right person for the position. Their performance is evaluated on how efficiently and effectively they match top talent to job requirements. Ironically, in the current economy, recruiters are finding their jobs harder than ever. Im serious. Theres too much talent for them to weed through. What used to be finding a needle in a haystack has now become finding a needle in ten haystacks.As a result, recruiters have to determine a candidates marketability much quicker. Translation: candidates must pay even more attention to the power of the first impression factor. People skills, attire, etc. all become more important when competition amongst talent is this fierce. Reality check: Those who are failing to make a good first impression get put in the no pile and are never contacted again. So, if you arent getting called back by a recruiter after either an in-person meeting or talking by phone, theres a good chance that, in addition to the fact you didnt have the right skills, you also might have displayed one or more traits on the I cant market them list. Now, most recruiters wont tell you what you did wrong. Why? For one reason, they arent paid to give you the bad news. Second, they dont want to burn a bridge. And third, as I mentioned, they just dont have the time.And yet, how are you going to fix the problem if you dont know it exists?Ive put together the most common reasons why a recruiter writes a candidate off. You may not like what you read, but the good news is with a little attention and practice, all of them can be improved upon. So, ask yourself, Am I guilty of the following?Top 10 things a recruiter wont tell you Your interview attire is outdated/ messy/ too tight/ too revealing/ too flashy. Your physical appearance is disheveled/ outdated/ sloppy/ smelly/ overpowering (i.e. too much perfume). Your eye contact is weak/ shifty/ intense. Your handshake is limp/ too forceful/ clammy. You say ah/ um/ like too much. You talk too much/ use poor grammar/ say inappropriate things (i.e. swearing) when you answer interview questions. You appear overconfident/ pushy/self-centered/ insecure/ aloof/ ditzy/ scatter-brained/ desperate. You talk too fast/ too slow/ too loud/ too soft. You giggle/ fidget/ act awkward/ have facial tics/ lack expression. You lack sincerity/ self-confidence/ clarity/ conviction. So, how do you fix these? Well, given 93% of communication is non-verbal, I can tell you that many of the negatives above can be improved by focusing on one thing: attitude. If you are angry, fearful, or confused, its going to show. You must find a way to feel good about yourself and your ability to contribute. This comes from knowing your strengths and embracing them. It also comes from doing your homework on a company so you can articulate clearly and with enthusiasm why you would be a great fit for the job. I realize this is easier said than done, but it can be done. I hope Ive convinced you to take a hard look at the 10 reasons above and to commit to finding a way to improve your first impression factor. Its your career. Own your actions and take control of your professional development. I promise, recruiters will take notice.Telephonic interview tips Telephonic interview has emerged as a popular way to conduct the preliminary round during the interview process. Read these tips to make your telephonic interview a success. Telephonic interview implies responding to recruiters queries through phone. It is an effective method to measure a persons communication and listening skills. The process can be automated or non-automated. An automated telephonic interview involves answering a series of standard questions and in a non-automated telephonic interview, there is a direct contact with the recruiter.

A telephonic interview can happen in three circumstances: When you initiate a call to the recruiter and they show interest. The call from thereon is an interview. A company calls you based upon a previous contact. You have a designated time to talk to a company's representative. How can you make telephonic interview successful?Prepare well Never jump to take an unexpcted and unplanned call. Excuse yourself and ask them to reschedule the call. Keep your resume handy. Rehearse answers related to your accomplishments as it is a commonly asked question and a good way to impress the recruiters. Keep your research materialready to act as reference point. Stay ready to take notes. Ward off anything and everything in the room that can distract. Keep yourself calm in body and mind. Make sure you need no break during the water, not even for getting a glass of water ot attending to nature's call. Turn off call waiting on your phone, warm up your voice while waiting for the call, have a glass of water handy, turn off your stereo, TV and any other possible interruption. Finally, be ready with the answers to the basic questions and to rehearse them in front of the mirror to gain confidence. Perform well Listening skill is a crucial component during the interview process. Comprehend the questions well and give to the point answers. Avoid talking in between and let the recruiter complete his thought or question before you speak. It is important to speak at a slow pace and be clear so that the interviewer can understand what you are saying. Do not use unprofessional language and sound courteous and polite. Thank the interviewer once the interview process is complete. Most importantly keep your tone pleasant as most interviewers are experienced and can easily judge the comfort level of the candidate, so it is important to smile and stay relaxed. Give your best during the telephonic interview as it will pave the way for further interactions.Tips to face job interviews confidently We dread interviews and when we are scared, we bungle. Confidence and preparedness are the only two things that can help you keep cool and succeed at interviews. Here's how. Most of us dread job interviews but its thekey to a successful job.Hence it is important to approachinterviews inthe correct manner and with the right attitude,as that isthe key to success. Thesetips will help you to stay calm and focused instead of being a nervous wreck. Follow these to remain cool and confident in your interview and so achieve success. Go prepared: Find out about the companys vision, goal, products, the work culture and the management from the website. Then from the job description,analyse how suitable you are as a candidate. You cant be prepared for all questions as there will be some googlies and bouncers hurled at you. But there are some common interview questions and if youre prepared for them, half the battle is won. Youll be less tongue-tied and appear more confident if youre ready with the response. You can check out what the interviewer wants to knowfor the same. Be thorough with your CV: You should be familiar with whatever is mentioned in the CV. Read it thoroughly so that youre not stumped by any question regarding your past employment and education. Act confident: Even if you dont feel confident, act as one emanating confidence. Your body language should be accurate and you should be making a positive impact during the interview. Sit straight on the chair and look into the eyes of the interviewer. Remember, youve nothing to lose and go with that mind-set. This causes less palpable stress. Sleep well: A good nights sleep is essential to stay fresh in body and mind. Neverleave the preparation planningfor the last minute. Be ready with your interview dress and keep your shoes polished. Women should clip their nails and remove nail paint if its uneven at places and smoothen it well in advance. Never eat late or have an extradrink the night before the interview as that might leave you with a hangover. Try to remain calm and happy to be successful. Be on time: Travelling to the interview can be stressful, especially if youve to commutea long distance. Try and do a trial run a day in advance so that you know how long it takes to reach there. Thus, you can plan as per your schedule and convenience. Remember, arriving late for whatever reasons is totally inexcusable. Take deep breaths: If youve been made to wait in the reception, have a glass of water and take some deep breaths so that your voice is regulated and you dont seem shaky. Also, prepare for some small talk, like what you would be saying about yourself, etc. This is essentially to break the ice and youre at ease instead of sounding like a diffident person. Prefer mornings to the second half: Mostly you wouldnt be given an option, but in case you are,take themorning slot to an afternoon one. Though it doesnt always matter but youre fresh in the morning and after youre through, you can plan the rest of the day accordingly. If the interview's scheduled in thethe second half, you carry the baggage of the schedules and plans for the entire day as well as the interview stress and come across as jaded. Lastly, it goes without saying,berelaxed and don'tworrytoo much.The job interview is for both parties, ie. both for you and the employer to decide on the respective suitabilities; so go with an open mind and try to be calm. 3 Ways to build rapport and ace the interview While your skills and experience are important elements to securing a job offer, your ability to build rapport that is natural and engaging with your interviewer can greatly impact the impression you leave behind. People hire people they like. So while your skills and experience are important elements to securing a job offer, just as important is your ability to build rapport that is natural and engaging with your interviewer. The rapport you establish during an interview can greatly impact the impression you leave behind. Building rapport occurs in many ways. In addition to having subject matter that you both can relate to, it is also very much about body language. The handshake you offer when you first meet your contact, how you stand and sit, your facial expression and eye contact, to where you place your arms, hands, legs and feet is all part of body language to help establish the confident and engaged impression you want to leave with the interviewer. The more engaged you are and the more similarities the interviewer sees in terms of your body language, the easier it is to establish rapport.Effectively building rapport is what gives many candidates the leg-up in the companys interview process. Even if the candidate does not have as much experience as another candidate, he is seen as more favorable because hes been able to connect with the interviewer in a way that is more relatable and can be seen as fitting along with the rest of the people at the company. Those who do the hiring want to know that the candidate is someone they themselves would enjoy working with. Ace your interviews by applying confident and positive body language with relevant topics that help build effective rapport. You will come out of the interview leaving your contact with the best possible impression for consideration to a job offer. Meaningful topics of relevance to help build rapport during an interview include:Current events on the company and/or industryBefore you go in for an interview, look over the companys website for news events. Most company websites have a section with press releases. Did the company just sign a significant partnership, bring in a key individual from the industry or launch a new product? These are topics that can help build rapport and show you are on top of whats going on at the company or industry. It shows you have a sincere interest in the company. Challenges of the position and challenges the company facesAsking questions about challenges and then turning around the discussion to clearly point out how you may have experience handling the issues is an easy way to show your contact that you have a desire to learn, face problems and bring solutions. Information about your contactEstablishing small talk with your interviewer may be done by asking questions such how she came to work for the company or her experience with particular projects. If you are conducting an interview in your interviewers office, take note of any family photos showing children or locations you may relate you. You may draw up small talk simply by commenting on the beautiful smiles of the children in the photo, asking how old they are, and sharing information on the age of children you may have of your own. You can also ask if a photo was taken at a certain destination and add comment on how it relates to you whether its your hometown or if you went on vacation there recently. Small talk is a time where an interviewer can get a better feel for your personality and a chance to establish a stronger bond by showing how you two may have similarities. Many questions during the interview may be standard and seem a bit rehearsed, so slightly stray from the norm with small talk during the earlier part or latter part of the interview. Theres generally a clear sense of what is expected out of an interview. The employer wants to know how serious you are about this opportunity by your preparedness for the interview and what you can offer to the company through your skills and experience. Now, just let them know you are someone who can work well with the team and you will be on the right path to acing the interview.How to get interview calls You have the required skills but still don't get interview calls. You update your CV regularly highlighting your achievements yet don't get called. The arduous wait for an interview call continues. But why? What is it that is missing in your CV that fails to hook the potential recruiters gettingpast the pile of resumes?These simple resume tipscanhelp get you that elusive call, cutting out the call-wait-period. Have a killer objective that can catch an employer's fancy: YourCV must have a simple, precise yetambitious statement, reading like a win-win situation for you and the organisation, tweaking iteach time you are applying for a job. Remember, the CV should essentially target oneconcerned job.An example of a targeted objective:Senior Software Engineer with 10 years experience in developing leading-edge technologies seeks a leadership role. Use the right keywords in your resume: Identify words matching your skill set and abundantly sprinkle technical jargons if you're a techie. Many employers/job agencies these days, glance through CVs trying to locate the exact words and sometimes when computers do the tallying, it is essential that the right keywords are in place. For more on that check out, Keywords for your resume. Beautify your resume using the right fonts, font sizes, design and lay-out. If you cannot decide on your own after going through the websites extensively, seek professional help. The sole idea is to make it pleasant to the reader, holding his/her attention otherwise its another paper trashed into the bin. For reference you can see Guide to CV preparation and How to write an effective CV. Submit your CV tomajor job sites after registering yourself asthis is an important search tecnhique. There are privacy settings available these days and in case you dont want your present employer to know about your online CV, you can keep it privy. Most fields in the job sites require you to do a copy-paste job from your resume but certain columns like resume title and keywords are vital. This is your chance to write what you want and where you want to go from here in the next 5 years. So, do a deft job to see yourself moving. (Also read: Tips to get your online resume noticed) Update your resume on a regular basis. Focus on trainings taken/imparted, accomplishments and new things learnt, penning down even the smallest achievements. An updated resume is featured higher in the job sites. Even if you do not have much to update, just log in to the account and do minor changes so that the CV doesnt get stagnant in the portal for a long time. Ideally, once every month press the update resume button, so that the CV is in circulation. A follow-up call canseal it in your favour. After sending the CV to a prospective employer, always make a follow-up call. Remember, it's often the conversation that gets you the interview. Your call is suggestive about your initiative and drive as also interest for the job; but never call the HR person or an in-house recruiter. Toget hired, you need to talk with an actual hiring manager; find out who the hiring manager is, before sending the resume and address him/her in the cover letter enclosing your CV. Maintaina list of employers to whom you have sent the resume forfollow-up.Your job search is essentially your headache.Take control and drive the process yourself with the above mentioned steps. You will soon hear the phone ringgetting youthat most awaited interview call.First impressions: Youve got 30 seconds to make the right one The importance of first impressions goes beyond your hiring manager. Everyday work situations also require you to develop positive associations with coworkers, vendors, clients, etc. Here are some tips on the same. Psychology Today says we process small clues, everything from tone of voice to posture, and in a snap we form a larger picture in our minds. This means that hiring managers may draw conclusions, and finalize their opinions, in under a minute. One study found that people shown 20 second video segments of job applicants formed similar opinions to hiring managers who were given 20 full minutes with the applicants. Now thats a snap decision. Beyond the boardroom The importance of first impressions goes beyond your hiring manager. When you get the job youll need to impress your coworkers, vendors, clients, etc. Honestly, its just as important in the non-work world. How long does it take you to make a yay or nay decision when youre introduced to a potential date? The bottom line is that you need to keep your first impression top of mind and walk into each situation prepared for your review. The eyes have it Good posture and strong eye contact are key physical attributes to think about. Dressing appropriately is always high on the list impression triggers. And good personal hygiene? We dont need to mention that, right? Bed Head may be a great line of beauty products, but actual unwashed hair wont cut it. On the flip side of that, too much personal hygiene can be a bad thing. I once interviewed a job candidate whose perfume was so strong I had to keep leaving the room to get fresh air. Relax Take a deep breath. Weve all seen people who come off as stiff or even arrogant in an attempt to make a good impression. Take a breath and try to relax. The more relaxed you are, the more naturally confident youll appear. Be attentive Ask questions and listen to the answers. Making other people feel like the center of attention is a great way to become desirable yourself. People love to talk about themselves, help them out by asking questions and listening to them attentively. Watch your language Were judged not only by what we say, but also by how we say it. In the business world our language is viewed as a sign of intelligence, education and culture. This doesnt mean that being overly formal or sounding like a walking dictionary is a good thing. Its not. But neither is sounding like you didnt finish elementary school. Shake on it You hear this all the time; youve got to have a good handshake. Yet people still struggle with this simple act. Get it right! All the good work youve done can be undone in an instant if you offer a limp, clammy or fingers only handshake. Make your handshake firm and solid. Period. Theres an old saying you only get one chance to make a first impression. Now we know that the one chance comes and goes in an instant.

What do IT recruiters seek in an interview candidate? Take a look at few core areas that interviewers investigate closely so as to determine a candidates alignment for a role, along with how IT job seekers commonly lose marks in the selection process. While all interviews require prior preparation, a technical interview calls for additional efforts to ensure that you secure the IT job that is right for your expertise, know-how and experience.What are some core areas that interviewesrs look at closely so as to determine a candidates alignment for a role, and where do candidates commonly lose marks in the interview selection process? Some IT recruitment experts lend their views on how some key qualities help them distinguish the right candidate from the remaining applicants. A problem solver, not theoretical expert Candidates brush up the fundamentals in the specific language or programme, but hiring managers of today look beyond a candidates ability to merely remember the specifics of a programme or language; rather assessment questions are designed to test the candidates ability to come up with practical solutions to troubleshoots and follow the most effective methodology. For example, it is routine to be given a coding problem to solve. A written test and group discussion are elimination rounds for interviews for most IT organisations. Tests have sections that address a candidates comprehension, analytical and numerical abilities, says Sujitesh Das, Head - HR, Microland. (Read his complete interview)Being the only means to gauge a freshers subject knowledge and prospects with the company, assessment tests are of particular importance to organisations when conducting campus recruitments, A written test is primarily administered while sourcing for fresh talent from campuses to assess their communication skills, analytical skills, attitude and ability to handle complex situations, says Sucheta Shetty, VP - HR, TAKE Solutions.(Read her complete interview)A strong communicator of skills listed in the resume Very often, candidates fail to clear interviews due to inaccurate or incorrect information provided in their resumes. Interview panel focuses on key traits and behaviour, which a candidate must demonstrate to succeed in the position being interviewed for. Sometimes, candidates end up discussing about areas in which they have little knowledge and experience. Too much of self-talk can also be seen as a negative attribute if the role needs a good team player, says Ajit Chouhan, Senior HR professional, Technology & IT. (Read his complete interview) Thus, recruiters look for concise responses from candidates after they have that remain focused on the topic in question and fully comprehended the questions requirements and gauged the amount of information that is needed to be conveyed. A well prepared candidate Another mistake that can affect a candidates chances is being unprepared with questions for the interviewer and also answers to questions interviewer might ask to gauge his/her keenness for the role. Recruiters, in fact, expect applicants to carry out research on both the role and the company applied to. Most of the times, a candidate has sufficient time to prepare for an interview. Having a fair idea about the competitors, business, etc is very important. It also shows to the interviewer that one has taken time out to prepare for the interview, says Sujitesh. Researching a prospective employer gives candidate sufficient inputs about the organisations culture, vision and employee expectations. Besides, it demonstrates to the employer that the candidate is genuinely interested in working for the company. "It has become a norm wherein both the candidate and the organisation conduct a detailed research as one inappropriate selection will cost both. It enables both the candidate and the company to understand the fitment, not only in terms of expertise, but also in addressing issues like that of cultural alignment," says Sucheta. Top 10 interview questions Your best weapon to mastering that job interview is to thoroughly prepare and practice your answers to the most commonly asked questions by employers. So develop answers to these 10 most asked questions and get set to go. It can be easy to convince ourselves that the job interview doesnt matter so much, as long as our resume is outstanding, our dress is impeccably professional, and that we are nice people. After all, nice people do win in the end, dont they? Unfortunately, this couldnt be further from the truth. Even though the resume, attire, and likeability factor all play a part in an employers decision to hire someone, the answers that you provide to the questions during the interview will demonstrate what the employer is most interested in: your confidence, skills, and knowledge of the job. Your best weapon to mastering the job interview is to practice, practice, practice your answers to the most commonly asked questions by employers. The most certain way to sabotage your chances to win over a potential employer is to try and wing the interview. Your answers can appear aimless and without direction, making you look unprepared or worse, unqualified. Prepare yourself by developing answers to these 10 most commonly asked questions: 1. Tell me a little something about yourself. This is probably one of the most dreaded questions of all time. We quiver and sweat in our seats wondering what the employer really wants to know. Hey, relax! For starters, this is a great opportunity for you to sell yourself to the employer. Talk about your key accomplishments and strengths and how these factors will benefit the employer in the desired position. Write down ahead of time what you plan to say; perfect it; then practice it every chance you get. (Also read: Tell me about yourself) 2. Why do you want to leave your current job? This question is basically a wolf in sheeps clothing. It appears harmless enough, but it can damage your potential in a heartbeat if youre not careful. By all means, keep your answers to this question as positive as possible. Above all, do not dwell on how much you hate your current boss! The interviewer wants to hire a team player to the position, not a negative and vindictive hater. (Also read: Why did you leave your last job) 3. Are you still employed and if not, why not? If you are, great, but if you arent, you can still use your answer to this question to shine a light on your positive features. For example, if you were laid off or terminated, focus less on the actual termination and more on what you learned from the whole process. Youll look mature and wise in the employers eyes! (Also read: Handling work gaps and job hops)4. Do you have any budgeting experience? If you havent, be honest; but you can answer in a way that shows that you have had some exposure to adhering to a budgeton a project, for example. If you do have budgeting experience, discuss your fiscal responsibility. 5. Have you ever managed anyone? This question is most important to those who are seeking a supervisory type of position. If you have managerial experience, elaborate on how many people you have supervised and what their positions were in the spectrum of the organizational chart. However, if you havent had direct managerial practice, talk up how much you were a part of the decision process of a team project, or how you organized volunteers for a fundraiser. 6. What are your strengths as an employee? To adequately answer this question, you need to be aware of the strengths you possess in the following areas: personality, experience, and skills. Once that information is known, match your strengths to the requirements of the position for which you are interviewing. 7. What are your weaknesses? Obviously, no one likes to admit that they have any weaknesses, especially in front of a potential employer. So what do you do? You can provide ONE trait about yourself that is the least important to the position. Refrain from canned responses such as you are a perfectionist or a workaholic. (Also read: What is your weakness) 8. Discuss how you make important decisions. If you are interviewing for a supervisory role, you definitely want to come across as someone who is able to ask for input from others, yet is comfortable making the final decisions. Also, consider the type of position and company. For example, is it a budgetary role at a financial institution? In that case, you probably will want to emphasize that you exercise great care and caution when making big decisions. 9. Where do you want to be five years from now? Suffice it to say, do not answer this question with, Retired. Keep your answers positive and simple, with just a tinge of ambition. Think along the lines of a motivated versus rat race mentality. (Also read: Where do you see yourself five years from now) 10. What have been the biggest accomplishments of your career so far? Focus on accomplishments that directly relate to the open position. Discuss the challenge you were presented with, your actions, and the end result. Did you streamline processes? Devise a way to increase customer satisfaction? Were you recognized by management for your efforts? The way you answer this question will distinguish you from other applicants since your answer will require you to go beyond the basic job responsibilities. As you can see, the interview is more than just showing up on time in the right clothes. It is your best and only opportunity to convince an employer that he or she should hire you. If you were selected for an interview, consider yourself lucky because you are halfway to the finish line. Make sure you are prepared with relevant and well-thought-out answers to bring in a home run interview. How to handle interviews without getting stressed Facing an interview is often stressful. Here are some ways to help you reduce the stress of facing interviews. This can be done by proper preparation and following these tips during the interview and after. A recentpoll on shine.com reveals that more than 60% peopleare scared of facing an interview. For many, interview is synonymous with stress;you first get stressed over notgetting an interview call and then stress aboutits preparation. Worseis, whenat the time of the interview - you either freeze withpanic orchatter aimlessly, losingyour train of thought.Here are some valuable tips to help you handle the interview process in a stress free way.Pre-interview tips: Practice mock interviews with family/friends or in front of the mirror, so that the actual interview doesnt scare you. Know your resume thoroughly. Be prepared for questions on work experience, job responsibilities and personal attributes. Be ready to prove your credentials with examples. Research thoroughly on the company and industry. Find out the latest news and happenings of the company you are interviewing for and also be aware of trends of that industry.Also be ready with a fewquestions you would like to ask the interviewer, at the end of the interview. Plan your attire in advance. If you are confused about what to wear, stick to the conservative. For more check, dressing up for interviews Visualise yourself brimming with confidence and success in the interview.Practice succeeding in yourimagination and you'll soon be doing it in reality. If you are unwell or not at your best, it is better to re-schedule your interview.

Facing the interview tips: Timing is important: Don't take on undue stress before a big interview. Arrive just 5 - 10 minutes before the scheduled time. Arriving early makes you worry more and arriving late may find you racing, your heart pounding from the last-minute dash. Ten minutes early is enough to help you catch your breath and acclimatise you. Relax: Only if you are relaxed, can youexude confidence. Show that you're calm, composed and in command during the interview. Breathe deeply and slowly; sit straight without crossing your arms or legs. Your hands and jaws should be relaxed with no clenching.(Also read: Managing your body language) Speak slowly but clearlyand pause for breath. Do not run with your answers, making them look like a practised speech. Be clear, take appropriate pauses, have a pleasant countenanceand dont look grimor tooserious. Facing a tough question: Dont flub or grapple for words. Pause, but dont panic. Not everything can go as per your plan. Tackletough questionsafter taking a deep breath and focus on what is being asked. In case you have absolutely no idea of the answer, be honest to state that and move on. (Also read: What the interviewer wants to know) Post-interview tips: Thank the interviewers and follow up properly. See, tips for an impressive interview closure. Get feedback. Even if you do not clear the interview, ask the interviewer for his or her overall impression and take his feedback. Then you can approach your next meeting with greater confidence.

Prepare, practise and do positive visualisation to succeedin making your dream a reality.Being a good listener in interviews Listening carefully to what the interviewer is saying, not only helps you provide comprehensive answers, but also enables you to ask the right questions and take a well informed decision about the job in question. Sure, you will prepare for common questions asked in an interview, and say the right things that will help you get hired. But have you realised the importance of listening in an interview to be successful? Why is listening important for successful interviews? To fully understand the question being asked, before you begin to answer. A common mistake many anxious candidates commit while trying to make a good impression is to start thinking about the answer while the interviewer is still midway with the question. It is important to have a clear interpretation of the question being asked to ensure that you address every aspect of it, and deliver a direct and specific response. It reflects through your body language. Listening goes beyond keeping your ears open. It also means conveying your attentiveness through non-verbal cues like sitting straight, leaning in a little to show keenness, and acknowledging in time to what is being said. Sloppy body language conveys disinterest and incompetency to the interviewer. Being attentive during the course of the interview shows that you are genuinely interested in the position. Pick up crucial information about the company and role. The interview is a time to not only be evaluated by the company, but also an opportunity to learn about what the hiring manager has to say about the companys work culture, the roles demands, and even red flags related to the job or the organisation. So, listen carefully to the words spoken and also the interpretations of those that arent. Here are some ways by which you can keep your listening skills as sharp as the answers you give: Listen till the interviewer finishes speaking. Do not interrupt. Not only is it rude and will break the flow of conversation, it will prevent you from understanding what the interviewer really wanted to ask. Wait till the interviewer has finished speaking before you take your turn. Listen, comprehend, or ask for clarification. Ensure that you have fully understood the question being put forth; else politely ask for clarification. Another way to make sure that you have noted all the points that you need to address for the question asked, rephrase and spell out the requirements of the question to the interviewer, and only then begin your response to the same. For example, you may say something like Would like me to begin by providing a detailed description of the projects handled, followed by challenges faced and overcome during each? Keep your body language in tune with the conversation. Sit straight while leaning forward slightly, acknowledge by means of expressions and verbal confirmations (yes, I understand, and absolutely) showing an engaged manner. Read between the lines. You can seek additional information from the interviewer to understand the reason for the question being asked. For example, when asked about being willing to work long hours that extend beyond routine work timings, or how good a team player you are, take cues from what is being asked; go ahead and gain clarity about expectations from the role as also the work environment and team culture in the department. To hear what the speaker has to say and also letting him/her see that you follow all that is being communicated while you are being interviewed is a valuable skill that will go a long way in not just landing the job but also in subsequent career advancement. Last minute tips before an interview Enhance your interview skills with these last minutes tips to jet set your preparation for the scheduled interview. Read the points to ensure a positive interaction in the interview. It isnormal to be a tad anxious if not nervous, before appearing for any interview.We tend to soak up all information about the company and the proposed KRA before going for an interview. We do all we can to put ourselves in the best possible light. Some emerge as winners while some fail to win the recruiter. Here are some last minute tips which can further assist you in preparing for an interview. Customizing your answer. Everyone at a subconscious level tries to mould themselves to the job they are being interviewed for. The answers and the resume get tailored according to the job profile. While it is good to customize them, remember, do not give the recruiteran altogether wrong picture of you. Doing it for a couple of hours is manageable, but doing it for 40 hours in a week is hard and tiresome. Even if you do get the job, you will not be able to excel in it, if uninterested. Creating the perfect answer. Some interviewers throw questions such as Tell me about your weak attributes. Answering questions like these can be tricky. It is normally advised to point out a characteristic which can be beneficial to the company, though not as an individual. Do not go overboard however andinclude some honesty in the answer; for example you can say that you tend to go over all details even when it is unnecessary. Such a habit results in loss of time which can be used for something constructive. So also, every question cannot have a perfect answer, but at least give an honest one. Being honest gives thema betterforesight of what you are,and does notset up wrong expectations. Avoiding job gaps. It is okay to mention that you were without a job or had taken a break in the resume. It is easy to cover-up a small time gap, but if the break lasted for a year or more, then it is best to come out clean to avoid embarrassment later. Talking too much about the current employer. Mention your present boss in clipped sentences. Indicating too much ofallegiance to him/heror else cribbing about him/her cancreate misgivings in the recruiter's mind. Do not venture into detailed discussions on your present boss; rather focus on the job you are being interviewed for. 15 Ways to win at job interviews In a job interview, the product you are selling is You. The more you are able to communicate professionalism with personality, distinction and skill, the better your chance of getting the job. 15 tips to get it right. The interview process begins when you accept the interview, and ends when the employer decides to either hire you or look for someone more suitable. The more you are able to communicate professionalism with personality, distinction and skill, the better your chance of getting the job.Before the Interview:Use the 3 Ps - Plan, Prepare, and Practice Prepare for the interview; research the company and prepare questions based on your research. Do mock interviews in order to prepare for all questions, especially uncomfortable ones. (Also read: Tips to answer some typical interview questions) Dress professionally even if the company dress code is business casual. Arrive early! (12-15 minutes before the interview) Give your interviewer a firm handshake. A powerful handshake and a genuine smile will get you off to a good start. Beware of your Body Language; sit erect, stand and walk with confidence, lean forward toward the interviewer. (Also read: Managing your body language) Build rapport - use powerful, effective communication techniques. Be a good listener. Answer only whats asked, in a brief but effective manor. Show enthusiasm and sincere interest. Dont act desperate. Take notes. You may need to refer to them later in the interview. Communicate your skills, qualifications, credentials and the benefits you offer. Demonstrate your accomplishments; how you improve sales, reduce costs, improve productivity, solve organizational problems, etc. Make eye contact. It demonstrates confidence, trust, and power. If you want the position, ask for it - directly. (Also read: Want the job? Then ask for It!)After the Interview: Send a follow-up thank you letter. The letter should state what interests you about the position, why you are suitable for the job, and your appreciation for the interviewers time. Why did you leave your last job? "Why do you want to leave your job?" or "Why do you want to change?" are the most basic questions during an interview but also the trickiest ones; as you can be eliminated from consideration, with a poorly conceived response. Picture this: You are working in an MNC for the last 5 years at a fairly senior position. Youve seen it all and helped the organisation reach the zenith. You like your job but theres hardly anything to challenge you further. You contemplate moving to a new environment with more challenges. Or maybe, you are in a contrastingly different situation: You are a fresher and you have joined the organisation to gain valuable experience. But you are not gaining much;the exposure and your skills mismatch and your talent remains unutilised. You want to move to an area of your core competency. Now, whatever the reasons, whether you are a fresher or a pro; the bigger picture is that you want to move on. But as people frequently change jobs, hiring managers areincreasingly concerned aboutyourreasons for leaving a job andmoving to the next one. So, wherever you go for an interview, the ghost of your present job raises its head withquestions like, "Why do you want to leave your job?" or "Why do you want to change?" and haunts you till yourprospective employers are satisfied with your reasoning. These are the most basic questions during an interview but also the trickiest ones, as you standto be eliminated from consideration, with a poorly conceived response. Willyour answer stand up to the prospective employers scrutiny? Whether you leave on your own will or have been fired, you have to answer and tailor your responseto meet this particular situation. Here are some tips to help you prepare faceeven sceptical interviewers.

Be concise: Give a 2-3 sentences brief and honest response. Rambling may seem that you are trying to justify your reasons. Always be direct and focus your answer based on the future, sounding positive and clear about yourgoals. Dont badmouth your employer:Criticizing your employer is an obvious faux pas showing a lack of maturity that reflects poorly on you. The golden rule to see you through this tough answering is - neverbadmouth your boss or your old organisation, even if the boss was pesky and the organisation meted you a bad deal. Regardless of the reasons, make it a personal issue and speak highly about the place. No potential employer wants to hear your gripe about a prior boss, even if the reasons for leaving are justified. Keep in mind that your interviewer is looking for a positive, motivated and hardworking candidate. Moreover, it raises concerns that you are difficult to get along with. No clichs please: No overused phrases like there is no room for growth. Though its a positive answer as you are ready for more responsibilities, employers may read it as de-motivated. Without statinggrievances, talk about opportunities you're seeking out. Dont raise red flags: Steer clear of citing money or a shorter commute as your reason for seeking a new job. These answers are like alarm bells to recruiters and they might get put off thinking that you are fishing for a counteroffer to win a higher salary. Also, talking about commuting time means you are not responsible enough and non-committal. Prepare well: Any question can throw you off balance during the interview, but the most plausible one of leaving your old company is very pertinent. Experienced recruiters often probe this for a better understanding of you. You will be confident and focused if you script and practice answering this question before it is asked. If your leaving wasn't under the best of circumstances, prepare some answers to keep the employer's interests ahead of yourown during the interview. (Read: Explaining job hops and work gaps) Be up front about a job loss: If you are laid-off as a result of the larger circumstances in the company, emphasize on the overall picture. Try to give the exact number of job cuts, if available. If you are the only one to suffer the misfortune of a job-cut, leave it at that. Dont explain if not asked for, butnever try to do a cover-up act as "You don't want to be caught in a lie." Common interview questions You cannot guess all questions an interviewer may ask, but there are some common questions all interviewers ask. So prepare yourself for the interview, with answers to some of these common questions. Facing an interview is one of the most interesting and challenging aspects of ajob search. In about half an hours time, youhave to convince the recruiter on your key skills, strengths, experiences and how you can be useful to the organization. Apart from job related questions, you may also need to answer questions about yourself. Your ability to answer these questions within the available time will help the employerassess your employability and suitability to the organization. The best way to approach these questions is to prepare for them in advance so that you can answer confidently, without taking up too much time. Some of the generic questions that you may face in an interview are listed below:

Tell me about yourself: Be prepared with information on your education, accomplishments, work experience etc. Make sure to tell them about your background and how you have worked towards fulfilling your aspirations. But, do not go overboard, and try to keep your answer limited to about two to three minutes. (Read more: So, why dont you tell me about yourself?) What do you know about our organization?: Do some research on the company background. Make sure that you know about their products, services and important people in the organization. Your answer to this question will show that you are interested in the job and have done your homework well. What are your key strengths?: Do some research around the profile you are being interviewed for. List the skills and key strengths required to perform the job efficiently and then identify how your strong points map to the required job skills. Talk about at least three points that you think are the most important. What are your weaknesses?: Do not talk about more than one or two weak points. Instead, talk about them in a manner that they look like positives. For example, tell them that you are an impatient person when it comes to winding up work, so when you see a person not being able to complete work on time, you decide to complete it yourself. (Read more: What is your weakness) Why do you want to leave your current organization?: This is a tricky question and the answer will give your employer a lot of information about your personality and attitude towards work. The employers generally ask this question to understand if you are a reliable person or a perpetual job-hopper. Answerit by talking about the new challenges, learning and the opportunities that you see for yourself in the new organization. Do not talk negative about your current organization. It raises suspicion in the minds of the employers about your reliability. (Read more: Why did you leave your last job?)A small window of interview with the employer can get you an edge over the others. Prepare yourself thoroughly and do not forget to wear your smile and attitude to make an everlasting impression. (Also read: 15 ways to win at job interviews)

Instead of trying to build reasons in the air, just say, "Its a career move," without going into the specifics. Always resort to thetruth asit's best to base the answeronreal reasons, putting a positive spin on it. So how you deal with it depends on how you have resolved it with yourself first. The next step after a job interview While there is no one-size-fits-all approach to job interviews, one strategy that works for all is the right process of following up after the job interview. You gave your best in the job interview. But now you have to turn that success of your interview into the next step a job offer. Follow up after the interview is the mantra that sets you ahead of competition. It is a great opportunity for a candidate to showcase his pro-activeness, enthusiasm and suitability. There are ways to leave a positive impression on the interviewer even after the interview. Lets figure them out. Find out about the next step: During the interview or on the follow up email, get information about what happens next in the hiring process. You can politely ask the interviewer when to contact to know the status of your application. By asking this, you have successfully demonstrated your professional attitude to the interviewer. Also, you get a timeline to plan your follow up strategy efficiently.Gather contact details: Ask for a business card of the interviewer before you leave the