You have looked hard for a job and got an appointment letter on your hands .. what is the next step ?? Getting through an interview. This is the gateway to a secure job.
Interview has a lot to do with communication skills.You have to convince the interviewer that you are the right person for the job. Thats it.
The basic things which is a ’’must have’’ in order to be successful in interviews are
1. Personality : A pleasing personality with a good sense of dressing. Dressing has to be subtle and understated yet elegant. Cleanliness is important.
2. Research : Research about back ground information about a company is important. You have to know about the company . Many a times a question is asked like ’’ What do you know about this company ?’’ If you are blank, maybe it will seem that you are not interested enough.
3. Diplomacy : You have got to cultivate this quality. When you dont know something, deviate diplomatically saying that you dont know this but you are an avid learner... dont hide your weaknesses and yet dont put your weaknesses glaringly upfront.
4. Initiative : This is what most interviewers look for. You are at liberty to ask question related to your job profile and the company. You might also let them know that you are not scared to take initiatives when it comes to learning new technology ... and taking new responsibilities..
5. Your experience : Your experience must be worth relating. I mean that you must have something concrete to talk about when it comes to your job profile. Even if you are faking your experience ( yes many do, specially in the software industry and get away with it... how ??), you must be very thorough with the knowledge of the faked experienced... I am not suggesting that you fake .. but if a situation occurs, be very detailed about what you have written. Faking is a big risk because if you get caught and you will ultimately you will not be able to work anywhere... Its worse than having a police record....:):)
6. Control : Self control is very necessary. Dont let your nervousness show.. This will give the interviewer to harass you... be cool and well the best way to get over your nervousness is to ask questions and taking control of the interview.. this will hold good for experienced people... Do it very diplomatically... this will be done effectively if you have done your research well..
7. Market yourself : Don’t hesitate to bring forth your achievements in your professional field in the course of the interview e.g. you can talk about how you played an important role in clinching a deal, or how you were awarded for beng the best programmer in your previous company, a little establishment of your character is allowed..:):).
You can put forth ideas as to what you could do for the company if they recruit you.. for example... You can tell that along with being a developer you are a Quality Management specialist. So the company will have double benefit in recruiting you.
8. Confidence : Dont show your desperation whatever be the circumstances.. this will result in a compromised salary and position... you are of equal worth as an individual as the employer of that company... I know that a jobless situation for some reflects on their attitude ..
dont let that happen to you... confidence can carry you a long way... mind you not over confidence...
9. Jack of all trades ??: Dont try and portray that you are a Jack of all trades and then they will expect you to be master of every trade... Focus on what you know well and what you have hands on experience ... You might say that you have knowledge and you can work on it given the time , opportunity and the resources.
These are the basic points which you have to take care of. Sometimes the interviews are very short and sweet so you have to be crisp and clear and very convincing.
Sometimes you might have to go through a series of interviews like for example in a software industry in well known companies, there are three levels of interviews.
Aptitude, Technical and HR.
For Aptitude you need a good general knowledge. Sometimes you get technical aptitude tests for which you need to prepare .. Usually going through the MBA entrance test books can get you through... :)
In the technical interview you have to concentrate on what you know.. The interviews are extremely technical.. sometimes there may be panel which may ask you questions on your technical subject... for this you have to be very prepared. You have to study and burn a little midnight oil as the questions they ask might be something very basic ...the idea is to fluster you and confuse you... This makes one feel like one is back to college or something
The final round is usually the HR interview... which gauges your personal and communication skills.. nowadays .. just being an expert or a nerd does not help... you got to be a smart nerd :):)....
I dont really know how it works for non IT companies.. Maybe my friends in MS will write something on that...:):)
Well thats it from me .. Hope you all find it helpful.