How to Start Interview

You are wrong if you think you will be assessed only by the answers you provide to the interviewer. Your interview starts much before you enter the interviewer’s room. Siva Tayi, who has interviewed candidates for more than 25 years, teaches you how to start interview in his book The Job Interview Coach.

Your interview starts right when you come in and wait for the interview process to begin. So you must treat everyone you come in contact with on the day of your interview politely. If you value yourself highly, do not make it obvious. If not, it may count against you. Once a man, who valued his experience highly, and thought himself to be indispensible to the company, misbehaved with the receptionist for answering his query only after attending a call. He thought he could get away with it, because he was a subject matter expert. What he did not realize is that his misconduct would be reported to HR and that would cost him his job.Always politely greet the person who comes to take you to the interview room. Once you enter the room, walk up to the interviewer with steady strides and greet him/her with a firm handshake. Do not get carried away in getting to know your interviewer at this stage. This is very important because many interviewers, size up candidates on their handshake. If it isn’t firm then the interviewer may presume you are nervous.

Do not sit before you are asked to do so or before the interviewer takes his seat. Not only is this impolite but may send the impression that you are impetuous and make assumptions when you actually should not. Many interviewers make seating arrangements keeping this particular aspect in mind. Before the interview begins always follow the interviewer’s lead.Once seated, maintain eye contact with your interviewer. It is good to wear a smile before the ice breaks. Your looks should convey that you are ready for the questions. However, you should never start the interview. The pregnant silence may tempt you to talk, but remember the interviewer is assessing you. If you jump the gun, the interviewer may draw conclusions about you. You need to be patient even if the eerie silence tends to make you nervous or restless. After all, when you participate in a race, you cannot run on your own volition. You must wait for the command. If not, you will be disqualified.

The Job Interview Coach provides perfect answers to the oft repeated question how to start interview. Remember, a good start can help you seize the initial advantage