Dont's

AFREAK OUT IF YOU DON’T KNOW THE ANSWER:

The interviewer just threw you a big curveball by asking you to do some calculations when you have a phobia of math. Don’t. Freak. Out The worst thing you can do is to clam up when you don’t know an answer, because you won’t be able to think clearly and may throw out a bad answer in panic. Here’s what to do you if you don’t know how to answer a question

DROOP

Drooping shoulders or a slouch will mean that you are not very confident or are too laid-back. Check your posture from time to time without making it very obvious.

TOUCH YOUR HAIR OR FACE:

You may love your hair all right but fidgeting with it or rubbing your nose, head or neck will make you look dishonest, impatient or nervous.

MOVE TOO MUCH:

Too much body movements mean that you are uncomfortable and nervous. Do not tap with your fingers or move your legs every now and then. These body movements can make you look impatient and indecisive.

LOSE YOURSELF IN THE PROCESS:

While it is important to maintain a body language that comes across as positive, it is important not to overdo it and lose yourself. Hence it is important to keep it natural and appear relaxed. YOU are what it matters, so maintain that.

FOLD ARMS:

A folded arm means two things that either you are aggressive and arrogant or you are appearing to be defensive. You should also not cross your legs.

STARE AT THE INTERVIEWER:

It is important to maintain eye contact but too much of it means that you are staring at the interviewer. So, you should know when to look away.

LOOK ALL AROUND:

Do not look around the room or at the artefacts on the wall. It means you are not at all interested in what is going on around and this can act as a disconnection between you and the interviewer. Also do not look up or down while talking because that can give an impression that you are being dishonest and are lying

NOD TO EVERYTHING:

Do not keep nodding all the time, though a few nods are indeed necessary to show that you are in agreement and you are listening. Too much nodding gives an impression that you are hardly listening or that you are trying too hard to please.

KEEP THINGS ON YOUR LAP:

Do not keep anything or your lap, be it your bag or your files. You can hang the bag on the chair you are sitting and you can keep the files on the table before you. There are chances that you might start fidgeting with the items in your lap and that is something to avoid completely.

OVERLOOK SMALL ACTIONS AND GESTURES:

Even small signs should be paid attention to. A slight biting of lips, or wetting your lips with your tongue or even shoulder shrugging should be kept in check. Analyse your usual body language and practise changes before you attend the interview.

Badmouth your old Boss / job:

Maybe you had a boss à la Devil Wears Prada, but your hiring manager doesn’t need to know that. Badmouthing your former employer just gives off negative vibes and detracts from your professionalism

ADDRESS SALARY OR BENEFITS UNTIL THE INTERVIEWER DOES:

OK, so they are very important factors for you, but hold off until you get the job offer. Your interviewer wants to see what you can do for the company, not what’s in it for you.

SOUND LIKE A RECORDER:

Though you should rehearse before your interview, at the job interview, you should not sound as if you have rehearsed too much and that you are just giving rehearsed and practised answers.

LOSE COOL:

Even if the interviewer asks a personal question or appears to be rude, do not lose cool and be calm. May be he is just trying to test you if you can hold your own against adverse circumstances.

KEEP A STIFF FACE:

Your face should not appear too stiff devoid of emotions. You should smile, and give positive responses. Your eyes, the way you look at the interviewer and your face expressions should all look positive.

OVERDO THE APPLICATION OF PERFUME AND DEODORANTS:

This is an important part of the body language. One of the first things that the interviewers notice or smell about you is your body odour. If you have applied a very strong perfume or a strong deodorant, then it appears that you are too much about yourself and that you do not care about others.

LIE

Never, ever lie. Being found out will ruin your chances of getting the job. Plus if you make up something, you may not be able to talk at length about it without slipping up. Generally speaking, honesty is the best policy! Here are some of thecommon lies you need to avoid.

APPEAR OVER-CONFIDENT:

Confidence is important but exhibiting too much of it is something you should avoid. Over-confidence and arrogance are the same. Nobody wants to hire an arrogant candidate but everybody loves a confident person. Understand the difference and act accordingly.

TALK ABOUT YOUR PROBLEMS:

You need the job to pay off your student loans, blah blah. The hiring manager does not want to hear about your 99 problems, and although you’re being honest, it can come off as a pity party. You will be hired based on your qualifications, potential for success, and your fit with the culture. Everything else will be secondary to those factors.

DONT's