Interview skills

Interview skills
Basically, interview is a conversation between two people i.e., the interviewer
and the interviewee. The interview should not be a one-on-one conversation like how
the reporter interviews a celebrity for television. There are different kinds of face-
to-face interview, telephone interview, sequential interview, panel interview,
behavioral interview, stress interview, exit interview and technical interview.

Face-to-Face Interview

It is a process to check whether the applicant is suitable for the job or not. During the
interview process, the interviewee’s body language i.e., eye contact, hand gestures,
sitting postures, facial expressions, handshake will be analyzed. Body language in a
job interview can, unbelievably, make the difference between getting a job or not.
Here are some handy hints to ensure your body language.

Make eye contact

When a person looks directly into your eyes while having a conversation, it indicates that they are
interested and paying attention. However, prolonged eye contact can feel threatening. On the
other hand, breaking eye contact and frequently looking away might indicate that the person is
distracted, uncomfortable, or trying to conceal his or her real feelings. This doesn’t mean stare
blankly at your interviewer, but strive to hold eye contact for a few seconds at a time.
If you’re faced with more than one interviewer, be sure to make eye contact with all of them.
Address the person who asked the question, then hold eye contact with the other interviewer
for a few seconds, before returning your attention to the first interviewer.
Blinking rate :
Blinking is natural, but you should not blink too much or too little. People often blink more
rapidly when they are feeling distressed or uncomfortable. Infrequent blinking may indicate
that a person is intentionally trying to control his or her eye movements.

Don’t Slouch
Sitting hunched forward, or lounging with arms and legs everywhere has the effect of looking
a little too relaxed. You don’t want to sit there tightly clutching your fists in your lap, but you
also don’t want to portray a casual, not really bothered attitude.
From the moment you arrive in the reception area, you need to keep your posture perfect.
Always be aware of your body position and avoid angling yourself towards the door, it’ll
look like you’re planning a quick escape! Sit up straight and lean forwards a little when
you’re asked question, it gives a sense of curiosity and engagement.
  Crossed arms might indicate that a person feels defensive, self-protective,
or closed-off.
 Standing with hands placed on the hips can be an indication that a person is ready
and in control, or it can also possibly be a sign of aggressiveness.
 Clasping the hands behind the back might indicate that a person is feeling bored,
anxious, or even angry.
 Rapidly tapping fingers or fidgeting can be a sign that a person is bored, impatient,
or frustrated.
 Crossed legs can indicate that a person is dominant and superior.

Do: Use your hands

Touching your fingertips together suggests authority but, as with all things, use it in
moderation. Keeping your palms facing up is a sign of openness and honesty, so keep them in
your lap. Try not to clench your fists or wave your hands around to make a point, it will make
you seem nervous and unpredictable. Don’t bite your nails. It indicates that you are nervous.

Don’t: Touch your face

 Do not play with hair or excessively touch or rub their noses can seem dishonest and
untrustworthy.
 Try to avoid rubbing your head or neck, it can give the impression of being bored or
disinterested.
 All your personal gestures should be open and expressive.
 Keep your shoulders relaxed and facing the interviewer to ensure they’re always
involved in what you’re saying.
Body language about nose
The nose, which is right in the middle of the face, can send a certain amount of body
language.
Flared nose :

When the nostrils are widened it allows more air to be breathed in and out and readies the
person for combat. In a related sense, this can indicate the person is experiencing extreme
displeasure.Flared nostrils may also indicate that the person is making an internal judgment
about something.
Wrinkled nose :

The nose can be wrinkled by pushing up from the mouth, pushing the cheeks or pulling
from the top. This happens when a bad smell is detected. It can also appear with
a metaphoric bad smell is thought about, for example when somebody else suggests a
 distasteful idea (see: even language uses bad-taste metaphor!). Card players may
do this, for example, when they are dealt a bad hand.
Another variation is when the person is thinking about something but is not
satisfied with their own ideas.
Sniffing nose

Aside from when a person has a cold, sniffing can indicate displeasure or disgust. This may
also happen on one side, with the mouth twitching up as well.
Don’t touch your nose

Touching the nose can indicate that the person has detected a bad smell. It is also common
signal from a person who is not telling the truth.
Rubbing the finger alongside the nose can indicate disagreement. It may also be a semi-
suppressed nose-scratch related to lying.
Pinching the bridge of the nose can show the person is evaluating something, usually
negatively and with some frustration.
Fiddling with the nose or pressing it down can just be a habit when the person is thinking.
Do Smile
Smile and nod where appropriate, and laugh when the interviewer does. You want to show
you have a personality and you’re paying attention to what’s being said.
It goes without saying that you should listen attentively and try not to interrupt. Focus on
keeping your tone of voice even and polite. Too soft and you’ll seem timid, too loud and
you’ll seem domineering.

Don’t Move about

This includes tapping your fingertips in the arm rest or jiggling your leg up or down. It’s a
sign of boredom and impatience. Keep both feet planted firmly on the floor to avoid the
temptation. It’ll help to keep your posture straight and focused on your interviewer, which in
turn will make you seem more focused.

Hypothetical interview questions

 "If you were the purchasing manager, how would you go about selecting a new automated
purchase order system for the company?"
 "If you were to supervise this department, what's the first thing you'd do to improve
productivity?"
 "Let's say the project you supervised didn't meet the goals you set, how would you respond?"
 "If you noticed a decline in employee morale, what would you do to improve things?"
 "Imagine what this industry will be like in five years. What do you think we need to prepare
for?"
 "If you could start a company like ours from the ground up, what would be your
first steps?"
 "If you were the hiring manager for this position, what qualities would you be
looking for in a candidate?"
 "Let's say you were given a generous budget for employee training. What would you spend it
on?"
 "If you were asked to improve communications across your current company, what steps
would you take?"
 "If you had an opportunity to revise your early career path, what would you do differently?"
 "If you could have anyone in our industry as a mentor, who would you choose and why?"

Telephone interview

A telephonic interview can happen in three circumstances:

 When you initiate a call to the recruiter and they show interest. The call from there on is an
interview.
 A company calls you based upon a previous contact.
 You have a designated time to talk to a company's representative.

Tips for telephone interview

 Never jump to take an unexpected or unplanned call. Excuse yourself and ask for the call
to be rescheduled.
 Keep your resume handy.
 Rehearse answers related to your accomplishments as this is a commonly asked question
and a good way to impress the recruiters.
 Keep your research material ready to act as reference point.
 Stay ready to take notes.
 Keep yourself calm in body and mind.
 Make sure you need no break during the call, not even for getting a glass of water or
attending to nature's call.
 Turn off call waiting on your phone.
 Turn off your stereo, TV and any other possible interruption.
 Have a glass of water handy. Warm up your voice while waiting for the call.
 Finally, be ready with the answers to the basic questions and rehearse them in front of the
mirror to gain confidence.

Questions You Should Not Ask at Interviews

Here are a few questions you should avoid asking at all costs.
1. Can you tell me something about the company?
This clearly shows that you haven’t done your research. If you get to the interview table and
still don’t know about the company, you are just not keen on knowing about the place you
want to work in.
2. Anything that was already answered in the job description.
First read the job description. I have had people ask me questions about people management,
when the job clearly states that it will be an individual contributor role.
3. What is the average time in the role for the next level?
No, this does not say that you are driven or ambitious, it just comes across as
saying you are in a hurry, and maybe hierarchical. You need to prove yourself
first in the role you are applying to.

4. Is there a medical/drug test?

Even if there isn’t, you’ve now raised their suspicion. Why would you be curious to know
about this?

5. What is the salary?

You will typically be told the salary range at the start of your candidature. Don’t be in a rush.
Asking too many monetary questions — whether current role related or future — is a flag to
employers. It sends across a message that you are in it for the wrong reasons.

6. How do you handle poor performance?

Unless this is a contextual question, i.e. you are in HR or are a performance management
expert, this question should not be asked at interviews. You do not want the interviewer to
think that you are overly concerned about poor performance. The next doubt in their heads
will be around your performance.

7. When will you be calling my references?

Either you’ve rigged your references or you are too eager to join. You don’t have to share
information about your references until after your employer has asked you for them.

8. What are the benefits?

There’s time for negotiation and it’s definitely not during the interview. Don’t rush this
discussion. Wait until after you’ve been made an offer.

9. What is your internet usage policy?

However important this may be to you, asking this question at the interview will raise a red
flag about your work ethic. Would you rather use social media than work? Why would the
company’s email monitoring policy affect you?

10. Are there any internal job opportunities?

You are applying for the job you are interviewing for, not future jobs that may open up, so
don’t spend time talking about future opportunities when you are not even sure you’ve got
the current job.

11. Any information that the company may not be comfortable sharing.
Don’t ask about a high profile exit or stock market results or anything that is controversial. It
will make the interviewer uncomfortable, and that won’t help your candidature.