11 tips and 7 answers to impress your prospective employer.

Any human resource manager will tell you that choosing a candidate is more difficult than being chosen - but the interviewee who sits biting her fingernails before an interview, might think differently.

A resume only gets your foot through the door. Whether the door opens or not is opens or not is dependent on your interview.

What happened with my friends Shernaz and Bernadette who had applied for a public relations job, showed me just how important an interview was. Shernaz had everything going for her when she applied for the position. And yet it was Bernadette who got the job. I realised that Shernaz had not prepared herself for the interview.

Shernaz thought that the interview had gone off extremely well. But she didn't make it. This is where she went wrong - she had a late night party the night before and got home only at 3.00 a.m. The interview was scheduled for 9.00 a.m.

Remember, an interview is one test you can't repeat. If something major comes up - you're sick or you're going to be up all night preparing for a presentation, etc. - reschedule it.

Bernadette, ah, now she had mentally and physically prepared herself well and swept the interviewer, Shamim, who is now her boss, completely off her feet!

Let's see how she prepared herself. First and foremost…

1. Punctuality Counts: - Coming late to the interview almost always turns the interviewer off. If you are unavoidably delayed, call the interviewer and let him/ her know or ask for another appointment.
Be courteous. Follow the lead of the interviewer in when and where to sit and when to get up and leave.

2. First Impressions: - Wear conservative clothes. Be sure your shoes are polished, your nails clean and your hair combed. First impressions last and appearance is what strikes the viewer first. Nothing too flashy, short or tight.

3. Research:- Before the interview, know as much about the company possible. Go into the stores, see products and talk to the salespersons. Ask them what their problems are. Know the market, the client - base and the compensation. Look up the annual report or balance sheets. Check the stock exchange index to find the prevailing share rates so that you know where the company stands. Study anything that will increase your awareness of the company. That way, you will ask intelligent questions.

4. Know Your Worth:- Study the going rate for jobs in your area of skill. Don't ask for more money than is being paid unless there is a severe shortage of personnel with your skills. Asking for an unrealistic salary reflects poorly on your judgement.

5. Learn Then Earn The Position:- Be realistic. Talk about an opportunity to learn and, eventually, contribute, rather than give the impression that you can retire.

6. Listen And Talk: - While at the interview, once you've made your point, shut up. Many interviewees talk so much; they lose the listener's attention. If your new job depends upon your ability to listen, you had better train yourself to listen and not talk.

7. Talking Too Little:- Reveal all about your background. Answer each question fully. Be sure you give all the information requested. Before concluding your response, ask yourself if there is anything else of importance you should convey.

8. Just A Pinch Of Charm: - Charm the interviewer if you can but if overdone, it makes you look superficial. Tasteless humor, clever remarks, coyness, or coquettishness will tend to impress negatively rather than positively.
While chemistry plays an important role in an interview, you can give that chemistry some help. Turn on your antennae. Be so well prepared that you can concentrate on what's going on and what is being said every minute on the interview.

9. Softly Blow Your Trumpet: - Don't be afraid to blow your own trumpet. Nobody else will do it for you. Speak about your accomplishments and what each meant to your employers. Talk about awards won, praise received and contributions that paid off. This is your only chance to let the employer know that you are better than your competitors for the job. Don't be held back by false modesty.

10. Ask Questions: - You can ask questions to help determine what your prospective boss expects and to pinpoint what he or she is looking for in a prospective employee. How does he / she manage? What are his / her strengths in business? Does the boss hire to complement his / her weaknesses or reinforce his / her strengths? People like to be asked questions. You can sometimes open up a conversation and establish warmth and camaraderie that way, too.

11. Courtesy, Always! :- After the interview write a thank - you note to the person or persons who interviewed you. If you do not hear from the company in a week, phone them. But don't make a pest of yourself by frequent follow - up calls. Even if you are rejected, thank the company for its consideration.

Here are some of the interview questions most frequently asked. Practice your answers in front of a mirror, or better still, with a family member or friend.

Job interviews are stressful because being judged is an anxiety - producing experience. If you are prepared for tough questions, the stress caused by the interview will be more manageable. Interviews want to see how you handle yourself in difficult situations.

Here are seven most common questions that an interviewer fields:-

1. Why did you leave your former job?
Never speak badly about your former teachers, colleagues, bosses, or company, even if you left an unpleasant terms. Talk instead about the uncomfortable fit between your career aspirations and the other company. You may be viewed as disloyal if you complain.

2. What are your strengths?
Do not be modest. Talk about your strengths with quiet confidence, and refer to accomplishments as evidence of these strengths.

3. What are your weaknesses?
Remember that some weaknesses - such as being a perfectionist, paying too much attention to detail, or staying after hours until the work is done - can be seen as strengths.

4. What are your career goals?
If you cannot be specific, speak about your desire to do the best possible job.


5. What are your outside interests?
It is important to list at least one, preferably in community affairs. The interviewer is trying to put together as complete a profile of you as possible in a short period of time. Your hobbies are a clue to the kind of person you are.

6. Are you applying elsewhere?
If you are, say so, but do not name the companies. The interviewer will see you as honest and will see the market for your services as competitive.

7. What salary do you expect?
This is a tricky question. Do not answer unless you know how much people at your level are getting and your minimum requirements, so that you will be prepared to accept, decline, or negotiate an offer. Ideally, let the interviewer mention the salary. You can always negotiate or defer the salary issue until you have a firm offer.

Congratulations! You've passed the interview with flying colors. Now what? Well, you have obviously made a good impression.