The success of your interview depends upon various factors, but most of all it depends upon your body language and your interview etiquettes. The following tips will help you improve on this area and consequently will maximize your chances of success.
Before The Interview
The following are must as far as personal appearances go:
• The interviewer usually notices your overall appearance. Therefore, be careful about what you wear to your interview. Wear what is appropriate for the post and the company.
• If there is no dress code as such, it is better to overdress than be shabbily or inappropriately dressed .
• Do not wear too much cologne or perfume.
• For women, minimal jewelry and make up.
• Make sure your shoes are polished and coordinate with your suit or dress
• Clean and combed hair.
• Clean and trimmed nails
• Arrive at least 10 minutes before the interview starts.
• Put your mobile phone on silent mode, or better still, turn it off.
During The Interview
• Be assertive. Give a firm handshake to interviewers and address each of them by name. This will make a positive first impression on the interviewer.
• Avoid ‘uh’, ‘you know’, and slang. Use your ability to communicate effectively and try to maintain a professional tone while you speak.
• Do not use technical terms or jargons until and unless they are appropriate to the question.
• Speak to the point. Do not talk too much, as you will not receive extra points for that. Be quiet and focus. Listen to the questions carefully and keep your answers to the point.
• Do not slouch in your chair. You should always look attentive and alert.
• Do not squirm or fidget.
• Sit comfortably with both feet on the floor, leaning slightly towards the interviewer.
• Look the interviewer in the eyes. If there are many interviewers, look at the one who is talking. Eye contact is an effective nonverbal communication method and it can make a significant difference to how you present yourself. However, be careful, you just have to maintain eye contact, so do not stare like a snake.
• Some interviewers perceive people with moustaches as being aggressive. Therefore, if you have a moustache, you must consider shaving it off. It might sound funny but it is important. After all, you can always grow it back once you have the job!
After The Interview
• Shake hands with each interviewer and thank him/her by name.
• Send a thank you note after the interview as soon as possible.
Following interview etiquettes and maintaining a right body language make you appear a well-balanced and confident individual. Therefore, following the right etiquette guidelines will give you an edge over others.
