INTERVIEW ZING FOR PO: Body Language and Presentation

We will be discussing the importance of body language and the best way to introduce yourself to the panel. Candidate's body language and introduction plays an important role in creating an impression in the interviews. How you present yourself, how you talk to them , how you keep them engrossed, etc. Your impression at the entry point in the interview is of utmost importance.

Behaviour scientists and communication experts have concluded that it takes ten seconds to form the first impression and it takes another four minutes for the impression to undergo a change of 50% towards positive or negative side.

Important Things to take care of before entering the Room:

• Prior to entering the room, adjust your attire
• Before entering, enquire by saying,"Please may I come in".
• If the door is closed before you enter, make sure you shut the door behind you softly.
• On entering the room face the panel confidently and wish the members.
• If the members of the interview board want to shake hands, then offer a firm grip first maintaining eye contact and smile. Always make sure that your hand shake is firm and it fits well in the other persons hand.
• Sit down only when asked to do so by the Panel. If the interviewers are standing, wait for them to sit down first before sitting.
• An alert candidate would diffuse the tense situation with light hearted humour and immediately set rapport with the interviewers.

Note: We understand that many of you students face an issue regarding confidence, face trouble in having a conversation, or are not comfortable in initiating a conversation, get butterfly in your stomach when you face an interview.

Well that's because you have a set image about the panellist in your mind, you are scared of their judgement and are not very sure about your own self.

So how to deal with this situation?

Trick is to have a formal conversation just as you would have with your uncles and aunties, not thinking of what they would think of you. remember the members of the panellist are not from another planet, rather people like you and me, have had similar journeys like you from a student to now esteemed bankers. 

• So  prepare your answers to all questions possible before hand, 
• Teach yourself to talk to the point and without beating around the bush. 
• Be smart with words. 
• Once you are prepared, have faith in your self. 
• Last but not the least, once in the interview room, forget about all your inhibitions and just go ahead with full confidence (but stay away from overconfidence, be humble always).

FOLLOW THE SEE PRINCIPLE -

S-SMILE

note: does not mean you start smiling and giggling unnecessarily.

E-EYE CONTACT

note: its very important that you maintain eye contact with the interviewers. While talking look at all the panellists, they should feel that your are involving them in your conversation.

E-ENTHUSIASM

note: be enthusiastic while telling them about yourself, you should not come across as dull, or lazy. Remember you are there to sell yourself.

ENERGY AND ENTHUSIASM:

The interviewer normally pays more attention if you display an enthusiasm in whatever you say.

You should maintain a cheerful disposition throughout the interview i.e. a pleasant countenance holds the interviewers interest.

Again don't over play your enthusiasm part, rather it should look effortless.

HUMOUR

A little humour or wit thrown in the discussion occasionally enables the interviewers to look at the pleasant side of your personality. If it does not come naturally do not force it.

Injecting humour in to the situation doesn't mean that you should keep telling jokes. It means to make a passing comment that , perhaps, makes the interviewer smile. Basically just be yourself, make your self comfortable and the others too. 

EYE CONTACT

You must maintain eye contact with the panel, throughout the interview. This shows your self confidence and honesty.

Maintain interviewees while answering, tend to look away. This conveys you are concealing your own anxiety, fear, and lack of confidence.

Maintaining an eye contact is a difficult process. As the circumstances in an interview are different, the value of eye contact is tremendous in making a personal impact.

relaxed, thoughtful, caring, or concerned look

normal blinks, genuine smile, relaxed mouth

Have an eye contact while speaking to someone or listening to someone.

VOICE:

Resonant, firm, pleasant

Select the appropriate pitch according to the audience

BE NATURAL:

Many interviewees adopt a stance which is not their natural self. It is amusing for the interviewers when a candidate launches into an accent which he or she cannot sustain consistently through out the interview or adopt mannerism that are inconsistent with his or her personality. Interviewers appreciate a natural person rather an actor. It is the best for you to talk in natural manner because then only you appear genuine.

BODY LANGUAGE:

• Walk into the room with energy (does not mean you start galloping like a horse)
• Sit straight comfortably without craning your neck. Do not slouch. Shoulders straight neither drooping nor elevated
• Look attentive, keen and interested. 
• 
  
  

  As you sit across the interviewer(s), look confident and relaxed.
• In most cases the interviewers themselves will try to put you at ease.
• Talk clearly, maintaining a pitch that is comfortably audible to the person(s) around. 
• Do not get overexcited even while describing your achievements and strengths. 
• Listen to the queries attentively, constantly maintaining polite eye contact with the interviewers. 
• Nod your head to show that you are listening, interjecting appropriately with ‘Yes Sir/Madam’, absolutely, definitely etc. 
• Lean forward a little as you speak and backward as you listen. 
• Do not touch your face, or shake your legs. 
• Keep your arms either on your sides or in your lap. Do not fold your arms, as it is a sign of rudeness. 
• Use short simple sentences while talking.
• Do not make unrealistic tall claims during 
  the interview. 
• Never get too arrogant or aggressive in front
   of the interviewers. 
• Do not show your disappointment and disinterest. 
• Maintain your
  

  poise till the end. 
• Always thank the interviewers as you leave.
• Animated hand movement- Whenever you talk it is always good to use your hands to express yourself, it is a sign of self surety and confidence. Then again it does not mean you start throwing your hands all over the place. Slight movements, thats it
• Basically the whole idea of giving these tips is to make you realise the importance of being yourself, being human and not stiff as a robot. Practice remaining calm and composed.