7 INTERVIEW TIPS

There are many interview tests that are conducted for job
applicants by human resources personnel after the job
applicants have passed the first stage of the interview.
In the second stage of the interview, the human resources
personnel and top management official of the company may be
present and it is at this stage that most job applicants
either make or mar their chances of being employed.
The company interviewer will be interested in testing the job
applicants in the following areas.
1) Dressing:
Dressing is an important aspect of the interview
process. Your dressing will create the first impression
anybody will have of you. When going for an interview it is
advisable to dress properly and this will show a pleasant
personality. You will be addressed according to the way you
dress.There are certain colour combinations that are
appropriate for interview. There are certain colours that you
should avoid. Colours such as red, green, yellow should not
be used to make your suit. Any of these colours will fit for
any interview: ash, black, brown, navy blue. Job applicants
must dress professionally when appearing before any interview
panel. The following should be observed by men:Putting on of
solid colour conservative suit.Long sleeve shirt that matches
the colour of the suit.Good conservative tie should be put
on. Limited use of jewellery Put on dark socks and
well polished shoes.

2) Appearance:
You send out different messages about yourself to the
interviewer in the interview room or office. Ensure good
personal conduct at this stage. Your interviewer will know if
you are afraid, ashamed, nervous, careless e.t.c from the way
you comport yourself.Avoid looking down or up when walking.
Walk and look straight. Look into the eyes of your
interviewer and if you can not look into his/her forehead.

3) Sitting Posture:
When you approach the interview panel and
you noticed an empty seat, don’t keep standing for long if
nobody offers you a seat to sit down. Don’t just sit down.
Ask this question: may I sit down? Sit properly and face the
interviewers. Don’t sit crossing your legs and looking down.

4) Entering the interview hall/office:
It is a good behaviour or conduct to knock before entering
any office whether for the purpose of interview or not. The
knock should be moderate and must not be hard and should be
done not more than three times. Some job applicants move into
interview office without knocking or knocking so hard.
Knocking must not be mild also as this depicts sign of
nervousness or fear. Moderate knocking is good and it must be
at intervals and periodically. After knocking and there is no
response, enter the office and if asked, who permitted you
in, just say politely, I knocked but there was no response
and since people are inside, I used my initiative to come in.
This is part of the interview and they want to know if you
can apply your initiative and defend yourself.

5) Handshake:
Shaking with both hands, hitting hard on the other person’s
hand should be avoided. If the interviewer offers to shake
you, respond the way he/she shakes you. If firmly, responds
firmly and if mildly, responds likewise. When he says, please
to meet you, say please to meet you.

6) Answering Questions During the interview:
Endeavour to answer questions clear and precisely. When
asked questions, answer objectively and avoid trying to
impress the interviewer with unnecessary grammar. Be honest
with the answer you are giving at every point of the
interview.

7) Body movement/language:
Sitting with both arms and legs crossed and head down depicts
lack of proper conduct and should be avoided. Not looking at
the interviewer eye to eye portrays one that is afraid.
Sitting restlessly on the chair that you are giving to sit on
suggests that one is lazy.