Top trick for job:How to impress any interviewer?

A good resume will get you a foot in the door. But once in, it’s the interview that will seal the deal for you. Which is why it’s important that you are fully prepared about how to present yourself when you go in to meet a prospective employer.

One important thing to remember is that the interviewer isn’t only looking at your professional qualifications, but also your soft skills. The fact that they have called you for an interview means they already believe you have the basic qualifications for the job. Now they want to ascertain whether you actually know the job, and whether they would like to work with you or not. You will now be marked on aspects like your personality, conduct, maturity, integrity and resourcefulness.

While interviewing is largely a subjective exercise, there are some commonalities that all recruiters tend to favour. Which is why it’s important that you:

Pay close attention to your appearance

The first thing interviewers notice is how you are dressed. Dressing for an interview usually depends on the industry you’re in. If you are in, say, the media or the entertainment industry, it is okay to turn up in smart casuals. For most other sectors, however, a formal dress code is necessary. Dressing shabbily or inappropriately will earn you massive negative points.

Project likeability…

Interviewers want to see if you can be part of a team. Along with your professional skills, they will also evaluate you for your likeability, emotional quotient, agreeability and ability to remain calm under pressure. Above all, they will want to see whether you fit into the company culture.

…and the right attitude

We have all heard the pithy phrases that go around about the importance of having the right attitude at work and they are all true. That is why interviewers place a premium on attitude during an interview. They want to see that you have the temperament, drive and enthusiasm for the job, as well as a solid work ethic.

Highlight your resume with anecdotes

The interviewer will ask you questions about your career trajectory to evaluate how the job fits in with your overall career plan. In keeping with the trend of the behaviour interview, which is becoming increasingly common these days, they will also ask you questions regarding how you tackled different work situations in the past. They will expect sensible answers which show maturity, grace under pressure and an ability to think things through. Of course, if you have a fun (but appropriate!) anecdote to throw in and break the ice a little, by all means use it.

Watch your posture and body language

A good part of communication takes place through non-verbal means. So mind your body language. Interviewers will compare what you say to them with what your body language seems to convey. Take care to appear pleasant and enthusiastic at all times, smile and don’t forget to maintain eye contact. Maintain a good posture at all times since slouching may convey a casual and laidback attitude.

Show them integrity

Integrity is an important virtue and interviewers will no doubt want to gauge whether you have professional integrity or not. Integrity refers to the ability to be honest at all times, especially to yourself. Interviewers will assess you for your professional maturity, objectivity and your ability to be honest with yourself.

Display your knowledge and intelligence

Interviewers will want to know how much you know about the company and the role you will be expected to play. While they know that you have the basic qualifications for the job, they will now test your intelligence and professional competence. They will also expect you to know something about the company to assure them that you have thought through your decision of applying for the post. But remember, don’t get carried away showing off how smart you are. Which brings us to the next point.

Demonstrate an ability to listen

While the objective of an interview is to get the candidate to talk, it is also important to listen. Pay attention to the interviewer’s questions and answer candidly without evading any of the questions. While it is okay to keep your answer short or shift to a related topic while answering, don’t steer clear of the question since the interviewer will immediately catch on. Be polite and let the interviewer speak when he wants to.

Are you suited for a startup or a corporate job?

There was a time when scoring a first job in a big corporation was considered an early career triumph. Today, times have changed, and so have perceptions of success. “I want to promote those who have the courage to fail,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi said at the launch of the Start-Up Action Plan in January 2016.

India is transitioning from a 9-to-5 work culture to a start-up environment, where employees are consciously forgoing stability in exchange for the promise of accelerated growth. According to Nasscom, start-ups accounted for 80,000 jobs in 2015 while the number of active investors in start-ups more than doubled from 220 in 2014 to 490 in 2015. The media is awash with stories of how bright young IIT and IIM graduates are leaving well-paying jobs to turn entrepreneurs.

As a new graduate looking for work, you need to ask yourself – are you ready to take risks or are you more comfortable with safe rewards?
Here’s how to know whether you are suited for a corporate job or start-up:

Are you set on a career path or are you still looking?
Unlike in established companies where responsibilities are clearly defined, employees in a start-up are expected perform several roles at once. With fewer people on the team, everyone is expected to pitch in wherever needed. This can be great when you have no idea what you want in a long-term career. Learning first-hand what you enjoy doing by performing multiple tasks will help you arrive at a more focused job description later on.

However, if you already know the role you aspire to or career path you wish to take, a corporate job may be more suitable. With its structured workflow and specific deliverables, you’ll be able to hone your skills without being sidetracked with additional responsibilities.

What do you need to succeed?
In a start-up, chances are your boss won’t have much more experience than you do. You’ll be thrust into a leadership position before you’ve had a chance to be mentored yourself and may need to rely on your instincts and self-learning to master the tricks of your trade.

In a corporate job, on the other hand, you’ll have a great deal of handholding in the early years.

So ask yourself – how do you learn best? If you’re comfortable with trial-and-error, you may not need a corporate job to succeed. On the other hand, if mentoring and systems will help you advance into the position you want, a big company may be your best bet.

Do you want to make an impact…now?
Do you find it frustrating when you’re not involved in decision-making processes? That’s what happens when you start at the bottom in a strictly hierarchical corporate structure. In a start-up, owing to its size and newness, you’ll be given more authority and visibility.

Are you a risk-taker?
Start-ups are risky because you’re building something from nothing. If the company receives funding, salaries will be raised and you may inch towards your market rate. However if the start-up doesn’t do well, you’ll be out of a job when the company runs out of money. It’s disheartening, but remember – you are in the early stages of your career, so it will be easier for you to move on.


A corporate job, on the other hand, involves little risk. So if you don’t have the stomach for uncertainty, this may be the right choice for you.


Are you flexible about pay? 
Compensation is a key differentiator in the start-up versus corporate job debate. Many start-ups offer intangible perks, such as flexibility and a unique culture, in place of a steady income and benefits. And while the likelihood of you being offered equity or ownership of the company is higher with a start-up, to make a financial killing, you need to be among the first few employees. Who could forget Infosys, who is well known for making its early employees millionaires, so much so its drivers, electricians were among the few who made it big.


Conclusion
As a new graduate joining a start-up, you’ll be guaranteed a multi-dimensional role whereas a corporate job will set on you on the straight and narrow. Both paths can lead to success; you need to decide which way to go based on your career goals. Will you flourish in an out-of the-box kind of set up, or are you more suited for a structured work environment? Your personality, work style and career needs will determine what’s best for you.

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