INTERVIEW SPECIAL..................... Interview techniques

Interview techniques

The point of an interview is to scrutinise, judge and critically analyse a person. We ask interviewers what their spying eyes are really looking for

In an interview, you definitely do not want your first impression to be your last. And since there are no second chances to making a good first impression, it is vital that you do it right before an assumed perception about you is formed. Every detail, from your handshake to your posture, reveals the little nuances of your personality, and since interviewers need to evaluate who you are after spending only a fraction of a day with you, they rely on their observation of these details. "During an interview, the interviewee's body language, gestures, posture, facial nods, eye contact, appearance and expressions play a vital role in the selection process. The ability to understand and use non-verbal communication is a powerful tool that can help a job seeker to connect well with the interviewer, express what they really mean and build a better understanding during the interview process," says Ram Chandran, general manager - HR, Handiman Services Ltd.

Silent miscommunication
"You may flaunt the perfect resume, but if you walk in to an interview without any energy or confidence, no one will grant you a second thought," says Ravikumar Dondapati, director - global staffing and resourcing, Geometric Limited. A limp handshake, a slouched posture, wavering eyes, scruffy attire and a drawling voice are easy give-aways. The knowledge you have is useless if not delivered well. It is essential to infuse enthusiasm into your disposition. "We are not looking for all the right answers, but for people who will put in effort to answer all the questions. There might be times when you don't know the exact answer, but if you apply your knowledge and try deducing an answer, it gives us an insight into what you do know and your ability to explore and seek solutions," believes Dondapati.
One must also have a keen sense of observation. Your ability to understand the company and its culture reveals perceptiveness. "It doesn't make sense to turn up in a full suit if your interviewer is casually dressed, or vice versa. One must appear presentable, but apart from that, it is important to pick up on the culture of the organisation and present yourself accordingly. If you observe your interviewer dressed in a pair of jeans and a T-shirt, you can safely discard your tie and coat," advises Ruth Singh, head HR, Emkay Global Financial Services.
Beyond words
One might wonder why these aspects matter to begin with. "Well, companies are always looking to grow vertically and horizontally. To have employees who can take on different roles and handle dynamic situations is a boon. When a company transitions from small cap to mid cap to global, they need managers at every level. Hence, a person's confidence and an ability to lead matters a lot. One can gauge these traits in such a short period of time only by observing the person's behaviour," says Dondapati. Hence, it's extremely important to be on your best behaviour and reveal your true personality through your body language as well as words. "In an interview very often the interviewer has made up his/her mind in those first crucial seconds. He/she has evaluated whether the candidate is worth pursuing. The first impression in most cases will not land you the job but will definitely decide whether the interviewer wants to spend more time in getting to know you," reveals Singh. So, go prepared to be scrutinised and be ready to put your best foot forward.

- Tanya Thomas asc 120220