Personal Interview
SMILE IS THE MOST EFFECTIVE TOOL IN THE HANDS OF A CANDIDATE TO WIN OVER THE INTERVIEWING OFFICER
- Avoid Staring – For making the right type of eye contact, it is necessary that the candidate should know the difference between eye contact and staring. When a candidate looks into the eyes of his interviewer for long in a fixed manner, that amounts to staring. That is taken as a threatening posture by the interviewer, and is not liked by him. It is, therefore, suggested that for making eye contact, the candidate should for most of the time, look at that triangular area of the interviewer’s face which is formed by his eyes and centre of his mouth.
- Head Nods – A common problem for anxious people is to nod their heads excessively. Be sure that your head nodding is subtle and appropriate to the interviewer’s comments. The candidate should also use appropriate head nods and body tilts, whenever necessary to support the stance he has taken in response to a question asked by the interviewer.
- Misc gestures – Watch out for such unnecessary and unprofessional gestures as tapping your foot, fiddling with a ring or other jewellery, twirling your hair, and drumming your fingers on the chair arm or desk. Not only are these movements distracting , but imply that you are nervous, impatient and/or bored.
- Modulation of speech - This refers to the speed of a candidate’s speech. This also relates to his raising or lowering of voice, speaking certain words will emphasis etc., when a candidate talks in a monotone, he tends to bore the interviewer. That type of performance can hardly help him, in his selection. Non-verbal language, therefore, plays an important role in the interview of a candidate.
- Use of Smile – It is the easiest way and the most effective tool in the hands of a candidate to win over the interviewer. But few candidates make use of it. The habit of smiling can prove very useful to a candidate especially when, in response to a particular question asked by the interviewer, he has to say, “Sorry Sir, I don’t know about this”
- Smile – The smile is the single strongest signal you can send to the IO that you are open for interview.
- Tone it down – Speak distinctly. Don’t mumble. Don’t trail off.