I have dreaded the whole process of interviewing a candidate for the selection. We all have, haven’t we? It is one crucible experience we all face in life, Interviews. Whether it is a post of a CEO, or like a personal session with the parents of your loved one, to be chosen for them, for life. It is kind of an interview only, right? The similarities in such diversified scope of interviews are that some points are very much needed to be looked into in every kind of an interview.

I was involved in a research about what the recruiters see in a candidate, apart from the intellectual quotient, to call him/her hirable, in my study in HR(Human Resources). As I aspire to be the person who hires other people, I need to know what already established recruiters swear by in their practice of acquiring hirable individuals. Here are some tips that one shouldn’t be oblivious to or fail to consider while preparing for an interview:

Be thorough with your resume

This is straight-upright important to be thorough with or know your resume with every detail that can be kept in the mind. Most of the recruiters I surveyed consented to ask about the candidate’s resume. Think before putting an element or a factor in your resume.

Question yourself, “What if the interviewer asks me about this? Will I be able to justify or clarify about it?” If the answer is “yes”, then go for it and add it right away. If the answer is “no” or “don’t know” or “maybe”, analyze 10 times before going for it, because it may put you in a risky state in front of the interviewer. And when the interviewer asks you, “Tell me something other than already written on your resume”, be ready for such questions. Being thorough with the resume will restrict you from saying same points written in it.

Restrain from the vague matter

If the interviewer asks you a question that you are not comfortable with to answer, or you don’t know much about it, then, firstly, ask for clarifications, but DON’T EXERT ON ANSWERING! Guessing on answers will lead you to an unknown path which can be right or can lead you to nowhere, plus hamper your impression on the interviewer. Whenever encountered with such questions that you have no idea about, be polite, and accept that you don’t know, and in return be ready for learning by asking for the answer, humbly. For example- If the interviewer asks you a question far away from your specialization, like, “What is the difference between a Resume or a CV?” If you don’t know the answer, humbly accept that you don’t know and ask for such knowledge and always be curious. Just don’t ramble indecisively!

Listen

“The most basic of all human needs is the need to understand and be understood.

And the best way to understand people is to listen to them!” quoted Dr. Ralph Nichols. Listening is that art, which is of utter importance and is garnered by the ones who are patient, and patience is one thing which will give you immense power. Nowadays, listening is regarded as the most important skill that is needed to be learned to work efficiently and communicate efficiently in the corporate world. Tell me one thing, if you don’t listen to the interviewer, why would he listen to you then? So, listen! Listen from your ears, eyes, brain and heart together! Don’t let any sense transmit

Hardiness

There might be instances where the interviewer would deliberately poke you, to know about your emotional stability. You will have two choices- whether to give into your behavioral tendencies like ego, anger, frustration and self-doubt, or, to be resilient and sturdy to your calm nature and deal with difficult situations more maturely. I am sure the latter would impress anybody. This shows your temperament and your capabilities to handle any situation that may arise in the position you are being interviewed for. It is of immense importance to control such emotions when communicating with the interviewer, or for that matter, with anyone else! Avoid showing your resentment! Avoid saying any derogatory remarks! It will destruct your impression and your chances will be lowered of getting selected.

Over Confidence

Who doesn’t like a person who is humble and polite to people? Nobody! People will admire you for your diffidence and modesty, rather than your boastfulness and over-confidence. This nature will shape you from within, for the longer term. And will stay with you in every sphere of life where you meet different sets of people, be it your colleagues, your teachers, your bosses, your in-laws, your parents, and your friends.

Grooming

Proper grooming should be visible in your personality. Your formals should be properly ironed. Your cologne or perfume should not be much bold, it may vex the interviewer because of clashing tastes. Your dress should not be having any stains. Your shoes should be proper business formals type, polished. No chewing of gum. Trust me, it will leave a bad impression or impact on the interviewer. Avoid being nervous, it will lead to sweating, which will be visible to the interviewer, and he/she is keen to notice that.

These tips are for preparation apart from your intellectual preparation. They matter a lot. Remember, to achieve something you want passionately, going an extra mile is the key. With these tips, you will be able to differentiate yourself from other competitors. And, as a result, you will have an edge over them, in the eyes of the interviewer. “What got you here, won't get you there!” This quote simply portrays that the need to improvise is required so much so as to land to your dream life and win all over the way to that dream.