Interview IntelligencE
‘Don't get fidgety and avoid slang’

Amrita Bakshi, a BA-III (French Hons) student of GCG, Sector 11, Chandigarh, recently appeared for an interview for the post of management trainee with the Oberoi group of hotels. She shares her experience of facing the selection team:

"To prepare for the series of qualifying tests and interviews of the National Qualification Exam (NQE), I brushed up my general knowledge and read up newspaper editorials for analytical comments on current topics. I closely followed the US elections that were taking place around that time. I also surfed the Net extensively for information and tips on how to appear in an interview.

Dress to impress

"I was dressed in formal attire — black trousers and white shirt. I had tied up my hair for a neat look and put on light make-up.

"Non-verbal language is a crucial aspect on the basis of which the interviewers judge you. I had learnt some tips on body language during a programme conducted by a training institute earlier. One must stand and sit straight, hold the chin up, not shake the feet or be fidgety. One should give the impression of being alert and not casual.

"One question that put me in a fix related to the French course I'm doing. I was asked: 'If I got a job offer in the French embassy, which would I choose — the hospitality industry or the language line?' I obviously cited my preference for the embassy job.

"Be careful not to use colloquial terms like 'ya' for 'yes' and work upon your body language. Smile and be pleasant and try not to appear nervous even if you are."