JOB INTERVIEWS/ EMPLOYMENT INTERVIEWS
INTRODUCTION
A job interview/employment interview is a formal and structured conversation between a candidate and an employer to assess the candidate’s fitness for a specific role. It is an opportunity to evaluate the candidate’s skills and experience and to understand whether the candidate’s career goals align with the requirements and mission of the organization/company.
DOS AND DON’TS
DOS
Before the interview, study the company’s vision, products and current trends. Choose a dress that complements the company’s work culture. Arrive 10-15 minutes early to show respect for punctuality. During the interview, listen actively and speak confidently. Respond actively and maintain a positive tone. After the interview, send a thank-you message/e-mail expressing gratitude for the opportunity.
DON’TS
Never be late for the interview. Do not wear an untidy dress. Do not interrupt people while talking. It is better not to mispresent skills and experience. Do not criticize the previous company or employer. Avoid inappropriate gestures and clumsy body language.
PHYSICAL PREPARATIONS FOR THE INTERVIEW
Enough rest, sleep, and hydration will keep you relaxed during the interview. Wear clean, tidy clothes that reflect the company’s work culture. Maintain personal hygiene—trim nails and comb hair. List the materials to be taken for the interview, such as copies of your resume, and arrange them in a folder or file.
PREPARATIONS – BEFORE, DURING AND AFTER THE INTERVIEW
BEFORE
Before the interview, study the company’s vision, products, current trends, etc. Choose an attire that complements the company’s work culture. Arrive 10-15 minutes early to show respect for punctuality. Practice generic questions so that they will be easy for you to answer. Make a list of the materials to be taken for the interview, such as copies of your resume, and arrange them in a folder or file. Maintain personal hygiene—trim nails and comb hair. Enough rest, sleep, and hydration will keep you relaxed during the interview.
DURING
The first impression is the best, so warmly greet the interviewer/interviewers. Maintain positive body language, make eye contact, listen actively, respond confidently, and nod attentively. Showcase your skill sets and experiences as per the job requirements. Ask questions to show your interest in the company.
AFTER
Thank the interviewer/ interviewers for their time and patient listening. Send a thank you message/e-mail to express appreciation for the opportunity. Reflect on your performance for further improvement.
ROLE OF THE INTERVIEWER
An interviewer evaluates candidates by assessing their qualifications and skill sets. He/she also provides information about the company and the demands of the job applied for. It is essential to avoid biases and put candidates at ease, creating a comfortable environment. The interviewer should keep the questions ready and select a chairperson if there is a panel of interviewers. Decide on seating arrangements, whether formal or informal. To get the candidate talking, always ask open-ended questions – how, why, tell me, what, etc. Check the resume to clarify points of discussion. At the end of the interview, thank the interviewer and give details about further communication from the company.
A successful interview is a two-way street, encouraging mutual respect between the employer and the candidate.
WORKS CITED
Yate, Martin. Knock ’em Dead Job Interview: How to Turn Job Interviews Into Job Offers. Adams Media, 2017.
Harvard Business Review Editors. HBR Guide to Getting the Right Job. Harvard Business Review Press, 2020.
Dr Aswathy Aravindakshan is a teacher, bilingual writer and artist with over two decades of experience in teaching English language and literature. She currently serves as Assistant Professor of English at NSS College for Women, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India. Her blog, ashlit.in brings together academic resources, creative writing in Malayalam and English, and visual art. The platform features lecture notes, study materials, poems, reflections, short prose, and a curated collection of her paintings. Through this space, she seeks to foster learning, creativity, and meaningful engagement with literature and the arts.
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