Clothing, body language and manners
count big time for interviews. After all,
interviewers are regular people like the
rest of us, easily impressed by good
behavior and just as easily offended by
inappropriate behavior.
Below are tips on how to act before,
during and after interview, to avoid
offending interviewers and increase your
chances of landing a job.
Before Interviews
Do your homework: Research the
company before you interview, as your
interviewer will likely ask what you know
about the company and why you want to
work there. It also helps you to formulate
questions about the company, and
interviewers typically expect you to have
such questions.
With a friend, relative or by yourself,
practice answering the other common
questions interviewers ask.
Neatly arrange and carry your papers and
work samples in a nice briefcase or
portfolio. This makes you look organized
and professional.
Practice good hygiene, comb or brush
your hair, and dress appropriately. Even if
you know what the company dress is
business-casual, dress up anyway. It
shows professionalism and respect.
Dress conservatively and avoid bright,
flashy colors. If you’re a male, wear a
business suit and tie (or at least a blazer
with a pressed dress shirt and slacks), and
polished dress shoes. Get a professional
haircut or trim. If you’re a female, wear a
business suit (or at least a dress blouse
and long skirt or pants), with polished,
low- to medium- heeled dress shoes and
minimum jewelry. Style your hair tastefully.
For some of you younger folks, facial
jewelry, paganish attire, purple-streaked
and liver-colored lipstick may be cool for
hanging out in espresso cafés and music
stores, but they are not yet acceptable for
interviewing in most corporate
environments.
While it not be in your country or origin,
body odor is offensive in most of the
countries. Wear underarm deodorant
when interviewing.
Don’t wear strong perfume or cologne.
Fragrance is a matter of personal
preference and your interviewer might
not like your choice. It’s best to have no
smell at all. A few minutes before the
interview, a little breath spray might not
hurt, but don’t wreak of it or use it during
the interview.
Unless otherwise instructed (e.g., to fill out
a job application), arrive about ten
minutes early for the interview. This
shows that you are eager and punctual.
But don’t’ be too early, as it might be an
inconvenience for your interviewers.
Definitely don’t be late.
Don’t bring uninvited guests, like pets,
children or significant others.
Turn off your cell phone, pager and other
devices that might interrupt your
interview.
During Interviews
Smile, offer a handshake immediately,
introduce yourself, and say something like,
“I’m pleased to meet you.” or “I’ve been
looking forward to talking with you.” Be
sincere, not phony or cool, and put the
homeboy greetings and another
contemporary coolness on a back burner.
While “Dude? Wassup?” might be cool
among your young friends, it’s likely not
among corporate interviewers. Take the
polite, conservative route.
Reed the mood. If the interviewer is
formal, then you probably should be, too.
If the interviewer is casual, then follow
along while remaining courteous and
professional. In either case, try to appear
to be relaxed, but not too relaxed. It’s not
a good idea to like put your feet up on the
interviewer desk!
Wait to be told to take a seat or ask if may,
then say thank you. This shows good
manners.
If it’s possible, bring your chair closer to
the interviewer’s desk, like you’re ready to
dive right in. This shows confidence. But
don’t invade the interviewer’s personal
space.
Sit with good posture. If you don’t know
what to do with your hands, keep them
folded in your lap. This is another
indication of good manners. Avoid
crossing your arms over your chest, as it
subliminally demonstrates a closed mind
to some.
Even formally- trained interviewers are
regular people like you, so they’ll expect
you to be a little nervous while sitting in
the hot seat. Still, try to avoid obvious
signs like fidgeting.
Maintain eye contact with the interviewer.
Avoid staring or you might make the
interviewer uncomfortable, but don’t look
away too often either. To some, failure to
maintain a comfortable level of eye contact
indicates that you are lying, reaching for
answers or lacking confidence.
Don’t eat, drink, chew gum or smoke, or
even ask if it’s ok. But if the interviewer
offers coffee or other beverage, it’s ok to
accept. It’s probably better to say no
thanks to snacks (unless you are at an
interview meal), so you don’t accidentally
drop crumbs in your lap, be forced to talk
with your mouth full, and all that other
stuff your mom told you not to do with
your food.
Speaking of witch, if you are attending an
interview meal, do follow all the good
eating manners your parents taught you.
For example, put your napkin on your lap,
don’t order anything complicated and
messy to eat like ribs or crab legs, avoid
bad-breath foods like garlic and onions,
chew with your mouth closed, keep your
elbows off the table, and order only
moderately-priced items from the menu.
Definitely don’t order cocktails. Let your
interviewer pick up the tab and be sure to
thank him or her for the meal.
Typically, you’ll negotiate salary, benefits,
perks and such in a follow-up interview.
Regardless, don’t bring it up until it asked,
yet be ready to discuss it an anytime.
Benefit and perks are usually a package
deal, but salary isn’t. There are lots of
salary surveys on the Internet you can
research to have a figure in mind.
After Interviews
Immediately send a thank-you letter to
each of your interviewers. Sending thank-
you letters is professional and courteous,
and will help to make you stand out in the
minds of the interviewers. Besides, many
interviewers expect it. Email is perfectly
acceptable these days, and the quickest
way to get your thank-you letters in front
of interviewers. Avoid Internet informal
stuff, like emotions (e.g., happy faces),
shorthand and acronyms (e.g., u foe you
and TIA for thanks in advance). Whether
you send it by e-mail or regular mail,
observe professional business-letter
standards.
Be prepared to attend two or three
interviews at the same company. If you’re
called back for another interview, it means
that they’re interested in you. But they’re
also narrowing the competition, so keep
up the good work!
If you don’t hear from your interviewers
in about a week or 24 hours or so after
they said you’d hear from them, it’s okay
to call or send letters of inquiry, asking
about your candidate status. One round of
calls or letters is sufficient. Don’t pester, as
the squeaky wheel doesn’t always get the
oil in this case. If they’re interested in you,
they’ll contact you without prodding, but it
doesn’t hurt to make sure your candidacy
didn’t fall through the corporate cracks. It
also shows that you really want the job
and are eager to start. If, after you prod
them a tad, you still don’t hear back from
them, write them off and concentrate on
the next job interview.

Where government job dey with fat pay and package! And stress-free, jst get a signature of a powerful godfather on Ur CV, chikena....Interview tips ma foot!!! Na this one una dey take fool hopeless nigerian graduates! Upon following all tips, den go tell U say, den see better candidate...