Breaking Ice: I recently read somewhere, "Use hindsight as foresight, to gain insight". I could only laugh, then, at the linguistic acrobatics. To me, ’four sight’ meant it was time to wind up the party and hit the bed, else you could have it on your ’hind side’! Now, why I used that as my opening is because I’m writing this on hindside...oops, I mean, hindsight!
Prologue: A couple of months back, I had this unique opportunity of a ‘Road Show’, sans the journos, mike and posters. 3 of us had to travel to Ooty and then snake our way down to Kanyakumari. No, the idea wasn’t tourism, but to shortlist candidates from Engg Colleges, based on interviews. 30-odd colleges and 500-odd candidates later, we wound up successfully. But, the tour did two things to me. One, it showed me an excellent option for an alternate career (even if I say so!). Next, it urged me to write to write this piece (it isn’t a review!) on How To Be Yourself at Job (& other) Interviews. There is so much talent and so many right people out there. If only each knew what it actually takes to sail through! It’s just a fine and right combination - of speech, language, actions, persona and knowledge. And, like so many others, it’s a fine line to draw. Well, it’s like the quantum of ’hing’ in Sambar! Too low, and you miss the grade. Too high, and you scare folks away!
Brass Tacks: You are there to get that job. Their task - to give the right person the job. No one is seeking or doing a favour. They don’t know you. They need to, if you are to join them. Even in the age of Google, scan and MRI, the fastest way to find things still remains asking questions, and getting answers! Period.
Clothes: An absolute must, unless you are trying for Tarzan! Dress simply, but well. A full sleeved shirt (don’t roll up, please! They won’t be taking blood samples!) and matching trousers, with formal shoes suffice. Maybe, a tie, a blazer, all depending on the job, the comfort and the season! For ladies, as long as the clothes don’t reveal you even before you speak, it’s swell (No pun intended!).
Enter The Dragon: R’ber, the poor sods sit there the whole day, doing the same stuff, in the same position. Even fidelity has its limits! So, you are all set to hit ’Enter’! Take a long breath (exhale too!). A firm knock, and in you walk at your natural pace, with head held high. This is no time to check the shine of your shoes. Meet the eyes looking door-ward. Just a "Hey, looks like some nice people in here" look’ll do great. When you are a few feet away, wish the time of day- be neither schoolboy nor lover! Stay behind the chair for you. If offered a handshake, accept it, and be firm (even ladies). Don’t overdo it, so that the poor guy winces and regrets his absence from the gym! Sit when asked to. Only politicians sit uninvited!
Jitters?: Your evaluation commenced the moment you entered. Don’t fiddle with your file. Sit with a straight back, taking back support from the chair. (Check it has one!) Sit calm and wait. If asked for, offer the file. When you do, turn it around so it is readable to them, and then pass it on. Always speak to the asker, not to the one who smiles most at you. Never do the "Shake It Up" routine with your legs in vibro mode! They may not like Shivmani as much as you do!
Speaking: No shouting, this ain’t the Lok Sabha! No whispers. They may be cute, but right now, they aren’t in the ’Mood’! If you don’t get what is asked, don’t go "Saving Pvt Ryan through mines" across the tabletop! Request a repeat, with a ’Please’. Ditto with your bit. More than one instance of "Sorry?" from them is indicator to turn the volume higher. While speaking, don’t put on that Mel Gibson accent, for Mel’s sake! Be natural, but fluent. Unless you are applying to be an English teacher, it is alright if you can convey yourself fluently, even with occasional help from Hindi. Do not go vernacular, unless they insist on it. Do not fret, finger the nose, ears or other parts of the anatomy, and don’t scare them with creases on your brow! Don’t just listen, hear! Don’t just talk, speak to the person(s).
Actions: Hema Malini may be your favourite dancer. But don’t borrow her hands to the interview, unless the job is as a dance teacher! But, where apt, a small wave of the hand, a nod or such emphatic action is a plus. But, sleepy head rolls are not! Don’t turn into a windmill with your hands. You’ll never generate the power! Nods of the head, a smile and an enthusiastic, interested look add great flavour, provided you time it right. Don’t flash the ’Smiley’ when he spills tea on the table! Remember, they are human, and have emotions. It boosts their self esteem too, when they get true and enthusiastic responses. The idea is to be interested, and come across as interesting.
Knowledge: There is no substitute to this. No nod, smile and gait will get you past this gate! While you are not expected to know the value of pi to the 6th decimal (unless the job is as a Calculator!), you need to be sound. Don’t expect a ’Pass’ without knowing VAT from CST, OS from MS and RBI from SBI, to throw some crudes! Reading a newspaper regularly in more depth than Page 3 certainly helps. The higher your vertical specialization, the more the expected domain knowledge, and the fatter the package. The higher up in the organization you are aiming for, the more you need to know about the world. Think tree climbing! The higher you climb, the more you see the world around. Also remember, the higher you are, the more your backside (hind side, r’ber!) is visible! Bottomline- read up and have your basics right. If you don’t know, say so, simply. You generally won’t get shot! If you think you have a vague idea, state so. If asked to elaborate, do, in a crisp and lucid manner. They are not as dumb as their expressions may lead you to believe!
When they signal ’Over’, acknowledge, collect up your stuff & push your chair back without waking up the building. At close of play, say "Thank You" and/or "Good Day", flash a simple, happy smile and walk out confidently. Close the door behind you, softly.
Amen!: It’s all about interpersonal interaction. Develop the knack of liking to meet people; it eases your ’ice’! Remind yourself that whether the results are this way or that, you gain, from every interview. It is when you are really yourself that the you-fullness spreads out and envelops those around you. Now, despite this, if you aren’t picked Thank God! If it doesn’t allow you to be you, it ain’t the right job for you! And, if you do get picked, you are also richer by the experience.
Statutory Warning: This is just a suggestive piece (now don’t think Bips in D2!). If you find it useful, resize it to fit a personality called YOU, and use it, without any copyright violation! At every interview, tell yourself- "Even they were on this side, once!".
Saans Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, you know!
Good luck up the tree!