Preparing for the interview

With on-campus interviewing upon us, are you ready?

The key to the successful interviewing is no deep, dark secret:  thorough advance preparation will help you to appear knowledgeable and self-confident in the interview.  As you know, the recruiter will take an interest in many aspects of your interview performance. Most important will be your ability to remain collected and self-confident under pressure.

What follows are some tips for interview preparation. Read them carefully; every little bit of information will prove helpful.

Research, Research, Research

There's no excuse for failure to research the company prior to the interview. Thorough advance research on the company will enable you to anticipate and answer many of the questions the recruiter will ask. You will discover the answers to all of these questions by reading the annual reports. Be sure to use every possible source to locate the information you need.

Be Comfortable In Your Interview Attire

After years of your usual campus attire, you may not be used to the feel of the clothes you'll be wearing for the interview.  If suits make you feel uncomfortable, practice wearing your “interview” clothes to class before the interview date itself arrives. 

No matter how silly this sounds, practice introducing yourself. The recruiter will be paying close attention to the way you greet him/her, as well as to the way you shake hands.  After all, these opening gestures, when delivered with ease and confidence, will say a lot about your ability to handle initial contacts with key clients of the company. Practice introducing yourself in front of the mirror, with your friends, or with your family.  The more times you do it, the more natural and confident you will sound.

Remember, the recruiter will come into the BPO waiting room and call your name: you're the one who has to rise and walk toward the recruiter. Extend your hand and give the recruiter a brief, firm handshake. People in business shake hands like people in Hollywood hug and kiss. It's accepted and expected.

Know Yourself

When in the interview situation, you need to strike that perfect balance between being self-assured and confident, but not overconfident.  You will be at an advantage if you are aware of some of the questions most frequently asked by recruiters. The list below will help you get started in your preparation:

• In what kinds of activities have you participated?
• How do you spend your spare time?
• What did you like best/least about your previous positions?
• What are your major strengths? Your major weaknesses?
• What courses did you like best?  Why?
• Why did you choose your major?
• Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
• How have your goals changed over the years?
• Why do you want to work for our company?
• Would relocating bother you?
• How do you handle stress and pressure? Can you give me some examples?
• What can you tell me about yourself that is not on the resume?
• What have been your most satisfying and most disappointing experiences?
• What did you learn or gain from your part-time and summer job experiences?
• Why did you quit your various jobs?

Again, this list is by no means complete. Every recruiter will display a different style and will have his/her own questions to ask. Being prepared means not only anticipating certain questions, but knowing how to maintain good physical presence during the interview. Therefore, please keep the following points in mind:

• Listen To The Recruiter. This is an art that will take time to develop.  You need to listen to what the recruiter is saying and anticipate the response required from you.  It doesn't hurt to pause in order  to formulate your answer.  It's better to take a few seconds to gather your thoughts than to answer immediately and risk blurting out some embarrassing or unintelligent response.
• Appear At Ease. No one wants to talk to someone who appears to be on the verge of bolting.  Relax, and try to ignore the adrenalin that's pumping through your body, making your heart race faster and your hands and face perspire profusely.  Through practice, you can control these unwelcome actions and appear to be perfectly calm and in control.
• Maintain Good Eye Contact. You'll be surprised how the most apparently trivial detail, such as eye contact — can make a great difference in interview success.  Don't try to stare the recruiter down, but be sure to frequently look directly into his/her eyes.  The recruiter should be treated as a participant in a conversation, rather than as a passive observer of your performance.  Eye contact will play a crucial role in giving the interview the feel of a dialogue exchange.
• Don't Be Afraid To Ask Questions. Asking relevant questions about the job and the company will be interpreted as signs of ambition and assertiveness.  However, you MUST avoid asking questions that can be answered by the company research you should have done for the interview.  Appropriate questions include: How much travel is normally expected?  Is it possible to transfer from one division to another?  Can I progress at my own pace or is the work more structured?
• Remember Your Manners.  When you leave the interview, don't forget the basic courtesies, such as thanking the recruiter for her/his time. During the interview, it should go without saying that you will phrase your questions in a polite manner and will remain courteous and friendly.

If you prepare carefully for the interview, you will find the interview itself will not be as stressful and your chances of leaving the recruiter with a favorable impression will increase.  With practice, your interviewing style will improve.  Your goal should be to be able to walk into the interview with confidence and remain relaxed and assured throughout the entire process.

If you find this interesting write me back @ vijesh@muthunagar.com