Personal Interview

In this article we focus on the 'in-room process' and understand the secret of walking out as a winner.

Pleasant Disposition
There is no better way of beginning the interview process than with a warm greeting to the panelists. A cheery greeting coupled with a sunny disposition is a very effective ice-breaker.

Leading the Interview
Typically, any interview starts with an open-ended question about you such as, "Tell me/us about yourself." The interviewer is keen to know a little about you. Also, this is the time he is going to pick up basic data about you and give a direction to the process. This is a golden opportunity that has to be grabbed by you. You need to identify which areas would you want to be questioned on and need to include these areas in your introduction. To do that, you must be clear about your strengths, weaknesses, career goals, the reasons for your interest in the organization or career and how you can make a difference.

Communication Skills
Most 'remarkably good' interviewees have always been keen listeners. A keen listener has a still mind with no 'turbulence' and is not unduly concerned about his/her performance. As a result of being an 'exceptional' listener, one is able to not just respond appropriately to the interviewer but also to pick up subtle signals that the panel sends through its own body language.

Articulation Skills
As a young manager you must appreciate the difference between what may be termed as 'up market and jargon-ful English' and sound articulation skills. Do not be unduly worried about not having a fancy vocabulary. You must be able to articulate the most complex concepts in the most lucid fashion.

Body Language
If there is dissonance between what you say and what your body says, a seasoned interviewer will be able to make you out. You will be thought of as a person that lacks conviction and confidence. One need not be concerned about one's body language as long as one is honest in whatever he says.

Eye Contact
Another important sub-component of the body language is the eye contact between two individuals. Do you look straight into the eyes of the interviewers? Or do you give furtive looks? What is your response if a panel member acts 'unfriendly'? Do you escape eye contact with him or confront him and convey confidence? As you know, a candidate who constantly avoids eye contact with the panel does so either he is being dishonest or lacks confidence.

Honesty, At Any Cost
One basic and unquestionable fallout of understanding the body language is the issue of honesty. You cannot orchestrate you body language as per what you are saying. But you can make a strong body language impact by being honest.

Reasoning Skills
Reasoning skills are always seen as very critical to the success of managerial jobs. And as a potential manager, your ability to make decisions based on strong reasoning skills are seen through a microscope in the interview. These could be tested through a variety of questions based on the data provided by you or your bio-data. Any stance taken on an issue without sound reasoning would make you appear opinionated or as one who does not think deep about issues.

Confidence Personified
An interviewer is perpetually looking for a silently confident person who has no airs about him. Assertiveness combined with politeness makes you a sure winner. But this is easier said than done. There aren't many challenges in our professional lives for which the above saying is not true.
All the best.