Crack your interview (without cracking under)

Meeting prospective employers can be a nerve-wracking experience. From asking the right questions to picking a right belt, this guide can help you make the best impression.

Whether you're giving your first interview or the umpteenth one, there's always a bit of "How do I crack this one?" going on in your head. An interview is a daunting task — it's a power game that is always tilted towards the interviewers. But you can tip the balance a wee bit and create a favourable impression on the panel. Being in a city that has as many challenges as opportunities, here's some special advice for today's Mumbaikars.

Choose your kind of job

Mumbai has an amazing array of options when it comes to job roles. So even before you walk in for an interview, think about what work you want to do. Just because you are an IT grad doesn't mean that you have to be a programmer. You could work in an e-learning agency creating technical training modules. You could be a content writer, writing niche content for tech companies. Or, you could completely change your field and get into event management if that's what you really enjoy doing.

Partner at Ernst & Young, Devendra Parulekar strongly suggests that you reflect and find your strengths. "Trained interviewers practise the art of funnelling, where they start asking a broad range of questions and then explore the three-four areas you consider your strengths. So know what you're good at. If you're a fish, don't attempt to climb a tree."

Do your homework

Almost all companies in Mumbai have a website. Read up about the company you'd like to work in. If you want to join the finance team, find a senior in their finance department on LinkedIn. Writing to somebody in particular (john.doe@company.com) rather than to a generic email address (careers@ company.com) increases your chances of getting a reply. Doing your homework on a company and its job profiles will not only help you bag an interview but will also impress your interviewers.

Plan for the silliest things

Which Mumbaikar hasn't faced the wrath of Mumbai traffic? Use Google Maps to plan your travel a day in advance. Consider factors like time of day, rain, festivals, transport strikes, waiting for the elevator and the possibility of a security check at the venue. If you're taking a train, allot time to freshen up at your destination. As a rule, you should be at the waiting lounge of your interview venue at least 10 minutes before time.

"Plan to deal with rain, wind or hot weather, because there's a chance that the interview will happen outdoors. Being prepared will help you focus on the interview," says Tristan Fernandes, a content writer who once had a job interview at an outdoor cafe.

Dress appropriately

Are you wearing shorts and chappals because it's a startup? Don't be so sure. If you get the chance, ask the person coordinating your interview what the dress code is. If you're not sure, be on the safer side by wearing formal or semiformal attire, based on your judgement.

Khushbu Merchant, a KPMG senior and corporate blogger, says, "If you're getting interviewed by an MNC, wear a suit to your interview. If you're a woman, blend it with a female touch. That makes an impression that you can stay in touch with your feminine side and still kick some a** at work."

Use an air-conditioned cab service to get to your interview to look your freshest. Avoid travelling by train during rush hour, if possible.

Answer questions carefully

When Akhil Parekh decided to settle in India after working in North America for nine years after his Masters, he realised that the interview styles in the two regions were very different. "Apart from technical skills, people here also focus on personal aspects. 'Are you married?', 'What do your parents do?', 'How much student loan do you still have to pay off?' This is the kind of stuff nobody asks you in North America. But in India, they probably do so to gauge how stable your background is."

In Mumbai, where job hopping is easy, companies want to make sure that you'll stay put for a while. Having greater personal and financial stability decreases your chances of looking for a job elsewhere anytime soon, giving your interviewers confidence in you.

Ask the right question

At the end of an interview, your interviewers may tell you to ask any questions you have. Don't say "Nothing" because that speaks very little of your thought process. If you draw a blank, at least ask where the job location is — many companies have a central hiring team that hires across the city (or country). So while your interview may be in Malad, the actual job may be based in Vikhroli.

Leave with clear next steps

Before you get up from that chair, ask your interviewers what the next steps are. Will you get a call back? How many days will they take to make a decision? Don't be too pushy and blackmailing the panel by telling them you have another offer on the table is not okay.

So, there you have it. Jobs are calling. Where's your CV?

Source | Mumbai Mirror | 27 August 2015