Interview Tips Precaution

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For your first few interviews your background is important - your
school, the medium and the place you studied in, all serve to give
the interviewer an idea about you. Carry a copy of the bio-data that
you have already sent, and the interview letter. Keep the extra copy
with you, just in case. Show the interview letter to the
receptionist/interviewer to establish your credentials, but keep this
letter with you. This gives you, for your future reference, a time
and date record of your interview, gives the official address of the
company for further correspondence and clarifications, and may give
you the name and designation of the person you are to report to.

Carry everything you need for the interview in a neat folder - do not
have loose papers cascading to the floor because you are desperately
hunting for the degree certificate, while the interviewers drum their
fingers impatiently. And don't carry your papers in a plastic or
cloth shopping bag either: invest in a good folder, plastic or even
leather.

Incidentally, don't feel shy or hesitant about calling up the office
and getting details about location, landmarks/bus routes/other
information to help you reach the venue of the interview. Again, if
it is not a "mass" interview, where lots of people are being
interviewed on the same day, and you do have a genuine difficulty
about reaching on the scheduled day/time, many employers will re-
schedule if you ask them nicely enough. The reverse is also true: a
good impression is created if you take the trouble to inform the
interviewer that you can/will not attend the interview. If you are in
the same town go and "case the joint" - see where the
office/interview center is, and how long it will take you to get
there.

Always arrive at least fifteen minutes before your scheduled time -
that gives you time to catch your breath in case you climbed the
stairs too fast, allows you to compose yourself and not be too
nervous, and to check out the competition. If the interview is in the
offices of the company itself, this also allows you to get a "feel"
of the company. See how comfortable you feel, how efficient the
interview process is. Says a lot about what the rest of the company
is.

Think about the following points. Do any of them apply to you?

Oversell

Trying too hard to impress; bragging; acting aggressively.

Undersell

Failing to emphasize the fact that you have related skills; discussing
experience using negative qualifiers (i.e. "I have a little experience...").

Body Language

It is easy to create a negative impression without even realizing that you
are doing it. Are you staring at your feet, or talking to the interviewer's
shoulder? Be aware of what your actions say about you.

Lack of Honesty

The slightest stretching of the truth may result in you being screened out.
Negative Attitude

The interview is not an opportunity for you to complain about your
current supervisor or co-workers (or even about 'little' things, such as
the weather).

Lack of Preparation

You have to know about the organization and the occupation. If you
don't, it will appear as though you are not interested in the position.

Lack of Enthusiasm

If you are not excited about the work at the interview, the employer will
not assume that your attitude will improve when hired.