Work on Interview Skills, Take better jobs

FARMAN ALI  

Interview is one of the most important parts of the recruitment process. It shows your communication skills to an employer, or a recruiter, and even the smartest and the most qualified graduates needs to prepare for a job interviews. Selling your skills during interviews can take you very close to getting hired.

Being an HR professional, what I see in the graduates from Gilgit Baltistan is that we are not effective communicators. It seems that during our time at school, we kept ignoring the lessons about grammar, which is hurting most of us now.

Using the following approaches, one can prepare better for a job, according to my experience.

Proactive Approach

If any employer contacts you for a job interview, then it means that you are potentially fit for the job. So, before appearing in the interview it is crucial to do some homework. You will need to go through our resume, to make it best fir for your profile and the requirements of the job. Additionally, it is very important to search the company profile in advance. Knowing about the company’s work, vision, missions, achievements, and also failures (if any), is vital for telling the recruiter that you know your stuff and have come prepared. I would suggest all new graduates to visit www.indiabix.com for better interview tactics.

Be professional and look professional

Always keeps this in mind that your first impression is the last impression. Don’t lose the opportunity by wearing non- professional dresses and speaking non-professionally, irrelevantly. Always try to invest a bit on these two core themes, to increase your present-ability. It doesn’t mean investing in expensive merchandise, or not sounding natural when speaking, but it means that you are serious about the stuff and your personality is presentable. This is important especially for jobs in the corporate sector, although other fields may not necessarily be an exception. A lot of this also depends on the organization’s culture, but cleanliness, tidiness and fit-for-job kind of dresses always help.

Avoid overselling yourself

Some of the candidates lie during their interviews and try to become over confident. If you are going to say something, you better back it with a solid proof.

Know yourself

Your are representing yourself in a job interview and for this knowing yourself is quite necessary, i.e your skills, weakness, strengths etc. By knowing yourself you will grab a better command on what to speak and what not to speak in interview.

Time Management

Time management is very crucial while coming for an interview .Always try hard to reach the interview place just in time and avoid the habit of being late.

Some of Do’s and Don’ts for an interview are as under

Do’s

• Do take a practice run to the location where you are having the interview
• If presented with a job application, do fill it out neatly, completely and accurately
• Do bring extra resumes to the interview
• Do greet the interviewer & do shake hands firmly
• Do wait until you are offered a chair before sitting.
• Do make good eye contact with your interviewer(s)
• Do show enthusiasm in the position and the company
• Do stress your achievements.

DON’TS

• Avoid controversial topics
• Don’t ever lie. Answer questions truthfully, frankly and succinctly
• Don’t say anything negative about former colleagues, supervisors, or employers
• Don’t answer questions with a simple ‘yes’ or ‘no’. Explain whenever possible. Describe those things about yourself that showcase your talents, skills and determination. Give examples
• Don’t inquire about salary, vacations, bonuses, retirement, or other benefits until after you’ve received an offer
• Don’t bring up or discuss personal issues or family problems
• Don’t say your past history, hence it is available in the C.V. itself

After Interview

Thank them for calling you for the interview through a verbal conversation and Indicate that you look forward to hear from them.

The contributor works in the HR department of an International NGO. He belongs to the Hunza Valley.