By Nina Varghese
Below is a series of essays on interview preparation, interview process and tips for success in interviews. Pieces of the same series include:
The interview process
The formal interview process usually begins with a call for resumes. The next step in the interview process is a resume screen. Most companies have a phone screen inbuilt in their interview process just after the resume screen and before the job interview call letters are issued. If you are reading our interview preparation and interview process pages, it is likely that you have already received the job interview call letter and so we provide you a few tips to handle the next step in the interview process which is the first round of job interviews.
Locate the office & Arrive early
It is important to be relaxed during this critical step in the interview process. Do a dry run the previous day so that you don’t have to search for the office. Door numbers and street names can be totally misleading. It will also give you a fair idea of the time taken to reach the office. Make sure you reach the office with at least ten minutes to spare. The ten minutes will give you time to be relaxed through this critical step in the interview process.
Body Language during the interview process
Remember to smile and stay calm through the interview process. Be relaxed but not casual. Wait to be asked to sit, before you do so. Keep your hands still and do not fidget. Above all, be excited to meet them, though not overly so.
Personal hygiene is very important at all stages in the interview process. Make sure you haven’t bitten your nails through! Dress neatly. Get your hair trimmed and shave well.
Others
In large organizations, the job interviews are often conducted by HR professionals. In this case the interview questions will be structured designed to test specific traits and skills. In smaller firms, it could be a partner who is interviewing, so the interview questions may not be in sync with your resume or interview preparations. In the case of a bad interviewer, try to steer the talk around to answers which would highlight your strengths. Above all be honest and true to yourself. Don’t act or pretend to be someone you are not. Communicate but don’t talk too much. Ask for clarifications if you cannot understand something. Most importantly put your cell phone on etiquette mode. When the job interview is over, thank the interviewers for their time.
Follow up
Call your contact in the company and thank her. You can also send a thank you card or email.
