Interview Tips

Interview Gyan of the day

Creating the Right Impact

You probably won’t be surprised when I tell you that interviewers are looking to recruit motivated and enthusiastic people. But you may be surprised to discover that most of your interpersonal impact comes across not in what you say, but how you say it.

Research claims that up to 55 per cent of our communication effectiveness is determined by our body language, comprising of our gestures, movements, and facial expressions.

A lot of candidates talk about trying to ‘be themselves’ during interviews. These candidates say that they tend to warm up only when they get to know people better and that they feel fake in having to ‘act up’ with interviewers. But remember that interviews are a game of sorts: Interviewers want to hire candidates who are energetic and enthusiastic from the moment they meet, so you need to focus on performing as a dynamic and passionate person – even if that isn’t how you normally like to behave until you know people better.

Today’s Puzzle

How many times a day do the hour and minute hands on a clock line up exactly with each other?

Discuss answers below:

Tags: CAT interview, interview, personal interview

Personal Interview after CAT

Interview Tips: group discussion and personal interviews are two big hurdles after getting good percentile in CAT. These interview tips are for students preparing for their GD and PI.

Creating warmth by smiling

Don’t tell anyone, but here’s a little secret: Interviewers often hire the candidate that they like the most rather than picking the most skilled and experienced person for the job. All interviewers are subconsciously affected by factors such as warmth, rapport, and smiling.

Now, too much smiling makes you come across as a manic Cheshire cat. Following these hints generates an impression of warmth and likeability rather than an unhinged personality:

• Smile as you greet the interviewers: First impressions really count. So make sure that you are positively beaming when you first meet the interviewers. Project the impression that you are incredibly pleased to be at the interview.

• Smile when you talk about your strengths or achievements: Smiling would be incongruous when talking about difficult situations at work. But if talking about positive aspects of yourself and your working life, try to add a smile at some point.

• Smile when you leave the room: When you say your goodbyes and thank the interviewers for their time, give them another broad smile to show that you enjoyed meeting them.

Today’s Question

Why is it better to have round manhole covers than square ones?

Discuss below with your answers and explanations.

Tags: CAT interview, interview, Interview questions, personal interview

Interview Tips

Interview Tips:

Using your body language

You can tell a huge amount about what goes on inside a person’s head by how they use their body language. For example, playing with a ring or repeatedly touching your hair are often interpreted as signs of nervousness. A slouched posture or drumming fingers on a table can be construed as a lack of interest. Follow these tips to project the right kind of image:

• Stand and sit up straight: Lengthen your body and hold your spine erect. Maintain a straight posture during an interview. Don’t let tiredness or nerves allow your shoulders to hunch forwards.

• Stop any fidgeting: Don’t give away any hint of nerves by moving around in a restless fashion. Keep your hands clasped lightly in your lap or rest them gently on the table.

• Use your hands to emphasise key points: Hand gestures can make people seem more sincere or credible. So use your hands occasionally to underscore key points to make yourself visually more engaging – for example, by turning your palms up and spreading your fingers to indicate sincerity or counting points off on your fingers.

• Avoid crossing your arms: Some interviewers read crossing your arms as being a sign of defensiveness. So don’t do it. However, contrary to popular opinion, you can cross your legs – so long as you don’t cross your arms across your chest as well.

• Keep your legs still: Avoid crossing or uncrossing your legs or tapping your feet. Such fidgeting can be unnerving.

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Tags: Cat Interview Tips, interview, Interview Tips, Job Interview Tips