During the Interview

Points to remember

• Drink water, take a deep breath and say to yourself “I will do well in this interview”

• Switch off your mobile phone before you enter the room

• As soon as you enter the room, smile, shake hands with the interview (if possible) and say your name

• Make eye contact with the interview/s and show confidence

• Smile and give regular feedback

• Try to be less formal but avoid being too familiar.

Body Language• Do not show disinterest or disregard , at any time.

• Distribute your attention to all interviewers, if there are more than one.

• Be attentive at all times and show genuine interest in the interview.

• Sit up straight in your chair – don’t slouch and don’t sit at the edge of the chair, either.

• Keep your feet flat on the ground, slightly apart - maintain a 90 degree position – ankles, knees, waist, elbows, shoulders and even chin.

• Always watch for signals and give positive signals, yourself.

Answering questions• Always wait for the interview to complete the question and

listen carefully.

• Let the interviewer talk as much as he/she wants to because that would give you time to think and shift the pressure off you.

• Always address the prompt – start by repeating the main part of the question and even end your answer by reinforcing it.

• Don’t talk too much or too less.

• Try to answer most questions in about 1 – 1 ½ minute.

• Don’t hesitate to clarify a question or repeat/ rephrase it.

Language hints

• Use sentence markers and make lists. • Explain with examples and analogies.• Use simple and effective words and phrases.• Be precise and to the point – don’t ramble and dodge the

question. • Speak slowly and clearly – don’t talk too fast.• Don’t say anything negative or controversial.• Show confidence, not arrogance.• Be assertive, not rude.• Show humility, not passivity.

Final Pointers

• Take time to answer the question asked – it’s better to give an appropriate answer after thinking than to rush with an inappropriate one.

• Be calm and confident at all times – it helps the interviews make a better judgment of you.

• Give examples of your skills and explain how you demonstrated them – don’t just list them.

• You can use a bit of humour to lighten the situation, but don’t try to be funny.

• Be ready with appropriate questions to ask the interviewer/s, at the end of the interview.

• Thank the interviewer/s at the end of the interview.