The Interview

One of the occasions when you have the most at stake during any single conversation is in a job interview. You have one chance to pitch yourself to a prospective employer and making the best of it is of prime importance.

Before the interview, and in a way to even make it to that stage you need to have a great CV. One that sets you out from amongst the others and highlights your abilities, qualities and personality in the best manner possible. As mentioned in an earlier post, spending time/money on a good resume that exhibits the true 'you' is not an expenditure but an investment. Be very deliberate going about it. You will be surprised how many doors can open or close on the strength or otherwise of a CV.

Going about the interview:

1. Research: Read about the company in as much detail as possible before the interview. Check their website, read news reports from the internet, speak to friends. It always leaves a good impression with a prospective employer that you have come well prepared for the interview.
   
2. Confidence: Be confident. This is something most officers can manage well since we have been through so much of this before. Even if you feel nervous/anxious within (which most of us would) force yourself to project confidence and calm. Right before you enter the interview hall practice deep breathing. It works very well for me. If possible try to imbibe a 'nothing to lose' attitude. It really helps to perk up one's confidence.
   
3. Clarity & Brevity: Please be very clear, concise and to the point with your answers. They don't have to be in the typical crisp armed forces manner but they shouldn't be a long, boring monologue either. That can leave the interviewer very impatient and discourage a dialogue.
   
4. Rehearse: There are some questions which are almost always asked in interviews. It might be a good idea to write down as many as you can remember and rehearse them before the interview.
   
5. Honesty: Be honest about your replies. Interviewers typically have so much experience with candidates that a change in the tone, facial expressions, voice modulations, etc. can give away a lie very easily.
   
6. Pertinence: Be prepared to mention the pertinence your qualifications and experience have to the vacancy you are applying for. Ultimately that is what an employer is looking for, how well you will fit into the profile and deliver results. Match yourself with the vacancy and highlight those points.
7. Points from the CV: Up to 90% of questions in an interview can come from your CV. Please ensure you don't write unnecessary things in it which you will not be able to answer if queried in detail about.
8. Seek Information: The interview is as much about your getting to know the company as it is about the company knowing about you. Don't hesitate to ask questions/queries you may have about the company, profile, etc.
   
9. Follow up: In case you get the phone number or e-mail id of the interviewer, it may be a good idea to follow-up with them after a few days of the interviewer. It displays your interest to the employer.

Watch this video on how to approach the interview. As per the source blog it is relevant to college graduates, but I found it quite relevant to a wider audience as well.