We would like you to go through all of this and identify areas where you may be going wrong. If you can correct it yourself- great!. If you need some help,you may consult the ITDOCTOR for a specific tip. Please feel free to contact him, it would be absolutely confidential.

• PREPARE-

  the first step in any interview. Go for an interview with a determination to get the job.That is half the job done !

• Know your Interview venue, the time and the Company's full name. Pronounce the name correctly !

• If you feel you have shortcomings in communication, seek professional help. Today communication skills are paramount in getting a good job. A strong communication skill would mean more than 50% of the job done. You could contact ITDOCTOR at greatITcareer.com for help.

• Read about the company before attending the interview. You could find the Company profile in greatITcareer.com or get it from other sources.

• Prepare a list of questions you want to ask the interviewer. This will give you and the interviewer an idea of how best you will fit each other.

• Relax. Do not be negative. Visualize yourself as an employee of the company you are attending the interview for.

• Be ready to answer the question, "Tell me about yourself." The answer to this seemingly simple question should be extremely well prepared. The answer you give for this question should be made with the objective of telling the interviewer how valuable you would be to their company. Prepare at home. Rehearse it with a Senior colleague !

• Be yourself. Do not put on what you are not!. The interviewer will see through this in no time.

• Know the work/projects done by you , VERY WELL!. All interviewers expect you to be thorough in your work. So prepare in detail about the various projects done by you as well as your current work. This is one of the most important evaluation points in your interview.

• It is your job to let the interviewer know as much as he or she possibly can about your skills, abilities, experience and achievements. If you think the interviewer has not got a good idea about you, pose them yourself diplomatically and answer them.

• BODY LANGUAGE-- it conveys 65 % of what you want to communicate. Keep eye contact with the interviewer. Walk and sit with confidence. Do not slouch, walk tall. Show interest and enthusiasm. Speak with a well-modulated voice and clear tone.

• Be cautious about Salary matters. Be careful before you answer about your salary expectations. You may end up asking too less or too much. Try and find some information on the salary range offered in the company from the Interviewer or through somebody working in the company or your placement agency. Try and keep this as the last point for discussion. Prove your worth to the interviewer before answering this question !!

• Do not talk bad about your previous employer/colleagues. Try and be positive about all including yourself.

• Tell us something about yourself ?
• Tell us in detail about your current work ?
• What is your role in the project ?
• Why are you leaving your present employer?
• How soon can you join us ?
• How long do you plan to stay with us ?
• Will you guarantee your stay with us for at least ___ years ?.
• Will you sign a bond / submit your certificates as security for the contract period??
• How was your most recent job performance evaluation?

• If you were to stay with your present employer, what would your career track be over the next two or three years?

• When is your next salary review?
• Can you give us references?
• How do you update your professional skills ?
• What do you know about our company ?
• Why would you be attracted to our opportunity?
• What salary do you expect ?
• Give us your salary break up ?

• Dress smartly. Do not wear casuals. Wear shoes, have them polished ! .
• Arrive on time or a few minutes early. Late arrival for a job interview is never pardoned.
• At the interview site when you are presented with an application, do fill it out neatly and completely.

• Don't rely on your application or resume to do the talking for you. Interviewers will want you to speak for yourself.

• Appear energetic and confident as you walk. Smile! Shake hands firmly. Be genuinely glad to meet the interviewer.

• Be a good listener as well as a good communicator.
• Wait until you are offered a chair before sitting. Sit upright, look alert and interested at all times.
• Look at interviewer in the eye while speaking.
• Make sure that your good points come across to the interviewer in a sincere manner.

• Stress on your achievements. Be positive. Speak as if you are determined to get the job you are discussing. Never close the door on opportunity. Show enthusiasm.

• Don't forget to bring a copy of your resume! Keep several copies on hand.
• Don't smoke, even if the interviewer does and offers you a cigarette.
• Do not chew gum.

• Don't answer with a simple "yes" or "no." Explain in detail whenever possible. Describe those things about yourself which relate to the situation.

• Don't lie. Answer questions truthfully and frankly.
• Don't speak bad about your previous employers/colleagues.
• Do not answer more than what is required for a question.
• Do not get into any controversial discussion. When controversy comes in, be a listener than a speaker.

• Don't rush into salary negotiations. Prove your worth and get the interviewer interested in you before talking about salaries.

• If the interviewer asks what salary you want, indicate what you've earned but inform him that you're more interested in opportunity than specific salary.

The interviewer constantly assesses you and looks for negative traits in you. You have to guard yourself against displaying any negative trait.

• Poor Personal appearance which is not professional.
• Lack of enthusiasm -- indifferent attitude.
• Very aggressive or egotistical behavior.
• Very negative outlook.
• Lack of confidence ; nervousness.
• Stressing too much on Salary rather than a career.
• Evasiveness; making excuses .
• Lack of tact, maturity and courtesy.
• Speaking poorly about previous employers.
• Poor in holding long conversations.
• Lack of commitment.
• Failure to ask questions about the company/position.
• Asking what the company can do for you persistantly.
• Ill prepared for the interview. Having no knowledge about the company or their operations.
• Inability to express self clearly: Poor voice diction, grammar

Telephone Interviews are completely different from the normal eye to eye contact interviews. This type of interview presents new problems for job seekers. The employer doesn't have any idea of your body language or your appearance. What they have is your voice, words, and, importantly your presentation.
We suggest the following to help you succeed in the telephone interview.

• 9 out of 10 a telephone interview is never on time. You can be taken by surprise at any time and be expected to perform. Therefore when you are expecting a telephone interview sometime during the week, keep a notebook with job related information in it near the phone. This should include a copy of your resume which was sent to the interviewer and all other correspondences with the interviewer.

• Note while you talk. It will help as future reference.
• Prepare questions you might want to ask employers.

• First impression matters. When you pick up the phone learn to be courteous. Say Hello and not some other short syllabled expression like "hi" or "ya". Practice phone manners.

• In your absence if the phone call is received by your family make sure that they answer it well. A rude/poor response from your family could mean that you will not be called again.

• Teach all your family members to note down the callers name and other details. Keep a pad and pencil handy by the phone.

• Do not eat, smoke or chew as you talk over the phone.

• Your telephone voice and manners should project confidence as well as competence. Good grammar is essential. THIS IS IMPORTANT !!!

• Keep a copy of your resume and references, close to the phone so you can quickly refer to these documents as needed.

• Telephone interviews may involve talking to two or more people over a speaker phone, so attentive listening skills are particularly important.

• When the employer ends the call, thank him or her for the interview, express your interest in having a personal interview, and ask if you should send additional information.

• Ask for the callers name and contact numbers/e-mail ids.

• Do you use verbal props like "Uhh's" or "err's"? Do you use throw-away phrases such as "basically", "frankly"..."to be honest"..."actually"...etc? Eliminate these NOW !

• Speak slowly and clearly over the telephone as the caller may not understand your accent.