These are 5 things you should always keep in mind when facing an HR interview. Although they do not guarantee your success in interview ignoring them can and will make your failure certain.
- Etiquette
These involve your appearance as well as your conduct during interview. Dress appropriately. You should dress formal but take care that you are not overdressed for the job / company you are applying for. You should act polite and professional at all time during the interview. Some interviewers act casual in order to put the interviewee at ease, remember that it is to help you relax and not an invitation to be casual. Some things like checking time during interview, ringing of cell phones, speaking ill of your current / former boss / coworkers, using slang, use of offensive words etc make very bad impression on the interviewer and should be avoided at all cost.
- Preparedness
Lack of preparedness is very easy to detect and makes a bad impression on the interviewer. You should have at least some basic knowledge of the company including its history, mission statement, major products and ongoing projects etc. At the very least you should be aware of the information available on the website of the company. There are some questions commonly asked in HR interview. You are expected to know them and have their answers prepared. Wrong and inappropriate answers to the common, expected questions, also marks the lack of preparedness. It indicates candidates' laziness or lack of interest in the job.
- When Answering Questions
First of all listen carefully to the question and understand what the interviewer wants to know. If you have any confusion, ask for clarification. Do not waste the interviewer's time with long answers filled with irrelevant details. Do not answer in yes and no. Preferably you should give a precise and elaborate when asked. Such answers are sometime called hooker. They prompt the interviewer to ask further questions. Try to avoid answers that may lead to your weaker areas.
Never lie or talk your way around a question you don not know the answer of. Admit that you don't know the answer and then say how you would go about finding the answer.
- Focus of the Interview
Always try to see the interview from the viewpoint of company. Highlight the points that emphasize your ability to perform well in the job offered. Focus on what you can do for the company and not on what the company can do for you. Avoid unnecessary personal details that are not relevant to the job or your performance in the company. Act professional. Avoid the topics of salary and other benefits. First you have to sell yourself and only when you are sold and a job offer is made to you can you start negotiating for salary and other perks.
- Remember
Always appear open-minded, happy, energetic, enthusiastic and interested in job. The interviewer will be unlikely to make you an offer if he thinks you are not going to accept it. Always inquire about the next step in the selection process. Also ask the interviewer if they have any concerns regarding your ability to perform well in the job and try to address those concerns positively. After the interview, be sure to send a follow-up note or polite email thanking them for the opportunity and their time.
The points mentioned above address some common topics neglect of which is responsible for running otherwise good interviews. Most of the blunders made by candidates are related to one of these five points. Always keep them in mind when facing an HR interview.
