This document provides tips for acing a job interview. It discusses researching the company beforehand, dressing appropriately, practicing common interview questions, preparing for phone interviews, using contacts, and avoiding common mistakes like being unprepared or inappropriate. Specific guidance is offered on topics like what to wear, handling panel interviews, and interviewing over a meal. The overall message is that thorough preparation, from researching the company to practicing answers, is key to interview success.

1. Success At Interviews

2. Interview Tips
• These top interview tips will help you cover everything you
need to know to successfully ace a job interview.
• From checking out the company to sending an interview
thank you note, these job interview tips cover all the basics
needed for interviewing success.
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3. Check out the company
• Before you go on a job interview, it is important to find out as
much as you can about the company. That way you will be
prepared both to answer interview questions and to ask the
interviewer questions. You will also be able to find out
whether the company and the company culture are a good fit
for you.
• Take some time, in advance, to use the Internet to discover as
much information as you can about the company. Spend
time, as well, tapping into your network to see who you know
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who can help give you an interview edge over the other
candidates.

4. Dress for interview success
• The first impression you make on a potential employer is the
most important one.
• The first judgement an interviewer makes is going to be based
on how you look and what you are wearing. That is why it is
always important to dress appropriately for a job interview.
• In general, the candidate dressed in a suit and tie is going to
make a much better impression than the candidate dressed in
scruffy jeans and a t-shirt. by Vidya Bhagwat
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5. Men's Interview Attire
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Suit (solid colour - navy or dark grey)
Long sleeve shirt (white or coordinated with the suit)
Belt
Tie
Dark socks, conservative leather shoes
Little or no jewellery
Neat, professional hairstyle
Limit the aftershave
Neatly trimmed nails
Portfolio or briefcase
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6. Women's Interview Attire
• Suit (navy, black or dark grey)
• The suit skirt should be long enough so you can sit down
comfortably
• Coordinated blouse
• Conservative shoes
• Limited jewellery (no dangling earrings or arms full of
bracelets)
• No jewellery is better than cheap jewellery
• Professional hairstyle
• Light make-up and perfumeby Vidya Bhagwat
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• Neatly manicured clean nails
• Portfolio or briefcase

7. Interview Attire Tips
• Before you even think about going on an interview, make sure
you have appropriate interview attire and everything fits
correctly.
• Get your clothes ready the night before, so you do not have to
spend time getting them ready on the day of the interview.
• If your clothes are dry clean only, take them to the cleaners
after an interview, so they are ready for next time.
• Polish your shoes.
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8. Improve your interview technique
• Know the Facts
• What You Do not Say
• What You Do Say
• Listen
• Using Non-Verbal Communication to Impress
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9. Prepare for a phone interview
• Prepare for a phone interview just as you would for a regular
interview. Compile a list of your strengths and weaknesses, as
well as a list of answers to typical phone interview questions.
In addition, plan on being prepared for a phone conversation
about your background and skills.
• Keep your resume in clear view, on the top of your desk, or
tape it to the wall near the phone, so it is at your fingertips
when you need to answer questions.
• Have a short list of your accomplishments available to review.
• Have a pen and paper handy for note taking.
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10. Prepare for a phone interview
• Turn call-waiting off so your call isn't interrupted.
• If the time is not convenient, ask if you could talk at another
time and suggest some alternatives.
• Clear the room. Turn off the stereo and the TV. Close the door.
• Unless you are sure your cell phone service is going to be
perfect, consider using a landline rather than your cell phone
to avoid a dropped call or static on the line.
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11. Practice interviewing
• Taking the time to review typical interview questions you will
probably be asked during a job interview will help give you a
framework for your responses and will help calm your nerves.
In addition it will help you answer questions confidently
during the interview.
• Practice interviewing with a friend or family member ahead of
time and it will be much easier when you are actually in a job
interview.
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12. Frequently Asked Questions
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Tell me something about yourself.
What are the most difficult challenges that you have faced?
What are your strengths and weaknesses?
What are your best ideas and how did you get them
implemented?
• How well do you work in a team?
• In which areas do you consider yourself an expert?
and many more……..
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13. Use your contacts
• Who you know at the company you are interviewing with
really does matter. Visit the company's page on LinkedIn to
see who you know who works or used to work at the
company. Those connections may be able to refer you to the
hiring manager or give you a recommendation that will help
your candidacy. The easiest way to find the company page is
to search LinkedIn's Companies section by company name or
keyword.
• If you're a college student ask your Career Services or Alumni
Office if they can give you aby Vidyaalumni who work at the
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company. Then email, send a message via LinkedIn or
Facebook, or call and ask for assistance.

14. Most common interview mistakes
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Dressing inappropriately
Arriving late
Bringing a drink with you
Using your phone during the interview
Not knowing anything about the company
Fuzzy resume facts
Not paying attention
Talking too much
Not being prepared to answer the questions
Bad mouthing previous employers Bhagwat
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15. How to handle panel interview
• To successfully handle a group interview, take time in advance
to prepare. Ask who you will be interviewing with and ask for
their names. That way, you can bring a copy of your resume
for each interviewer and it will be easier to remember who's
who.
• Check the LinkedIn Profiles of your interviewers so you can
get insight into their role at the company and their
background.
• Review the interview questions that are typically asked during
this type of job interview. Be sure to research the company
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ahead of time. The more you know about the company, the
easier it will be to respond to questions.

16. Interview while dining
• Employers take candidates out to lunch or dinner, especially
when they are interviewing for jobs where there is a lot of
client interaction, to evaluate their social skills and to see how
the candidates handle themselves under pressure.
• Things to keep in mind:
– What to Wear
– Mind Your Manners
– Remember Your Table Manners
– Engage in a Conversation Vidya Bhagwat
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17. Assignments
1. Write down the answers to the 50 most asked questions
in an interview.
2. Conduct mock interviews with your trainer.
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