It's your first job interview and you are excited, nervous and slightly afraid -- afraid you will not get the job, but even more afraid you will make a fool of yourself.

I know the feeling and, though it will lessen with every interview, it will never totally go away.

So what do you do?

Cram up on everything you should have read, but haven't?

Try to predict what the interviewer will ask and then mug up the answers?

Consult your horoscope to help decide whether you are really destined for the job?

Make a pact with God to pray more if you get the job?

Well, there are ways to beat the stress to a certain extent, by preparing both subject-wise and personally for what is going to be an experience of a lifetime.

After all, you may go through the interview process many times but the first interview is always unforgettable.

It's OKAY to be nervous You are not alone -- most people find the event stressful. The secret lies in getting over that feeling or, at least, not letting it vercome you. Don't feel nervous because you are feeling nervous! Just remember, feeling nervous is natural -- acknowledge it, accept it and move on. Doing this is not easy, but it is not impossible Be prepared The first three rules of doing well are: i. Know your subject. ii. Know your subject. iii. Know your subject. We were once looking for persons to sell sprinklers for agricultural use. One of the interviewees was very nervous; he stuttered and mumbled incoherently when I asked him some general questions. He was quite unimpressive and I was about to write him off. Then, I asked him about sprinklers. He sat up erect, his voice became audible and his diction, very clear. He gave wonderfully articulate answers to all my questions -- he was an expert in his subject and that knowledge gave him confidence in a way that even he was not aware of. Know, understand, apply ~ Knowing your subject when you are just out of college means knowing what you have been taught in college. It also means knowing a few things related to the subject/s that are not necessarily found in textbooks. Furthermore, it means you have really understood, assimilated and at least tried to apply the knowledge to some practical use. For example, if you are a student of political science, you should not only know there was an election held 10 days ago, you must also be able to analyse what took place then. It shows you are thinking and applying your knowledge to what is in front of you. ~ However, don't start cramming at the last minute; it only makes you more nervous. Sure, you can brush up your knowledge, but if you think you are going to learn the whole college curriculum in five days time, forget it. ~ Being prepared also means having done your research on the company and the job. The Internet or magazine articles are good places to start. This will make enable you to give answers that are relevant. Think before you leap Don't rush into something and then tie yourself in knots. It is okay to take a few seconds to think and formulate your answer, especially to important qualitative questions. This shows you are thinking and not just spurting out answers at random. However, when asked for you birth date, answer instantly! Remember, even for complicated answers where you need a few moments to think, don't be silent for too long or the interviewers will wonder whether you know the answer at all! Quick tips ~ Mock interviews A mock interview is a great way to anticipate questions as well your own responses to them. ~ Make a note of where you falter. ~ Get a friend to play the interviewer or rehearse in front of the mirror. ~ What if an interviewer is extra nasty to you? Or asks you particularly contorted questions? Take it in your stride. There are times when people try and stress you out to see how you manage under stress. In most cases, how you answer a question is more important than the answer itself. The important thing is to keep your calm and answer in a matter-of-fact tone. ~ What if you do not know an answer? If you have absolutely no clue, it is better to say so than give a really farfetched answer and look foolish. Be sure not to do this with every second question though or you will certainly look ignorant. On the other hand, if you are reasonably (but not 100 percent) sure or you know at least some information and can make a knowledgeable guess, go for it. You could always preface your answer with a comment indicating you are not an expert or that you know a little but not everything about the subject. Again, if you do this once too often, you will be labeled a 'bluff master' (Interviewers have been known to ask bizarre questions to which there are no answers just to find out how honest the person is. For instance, is Abracadabra a place in New Zealand or Australia?!) . The trick lies in figuring out which questions you can afford to take a guess on and to which questions you need to honestly confess ignorance. In any kind of job, there will be situations where it is imperative that you be sure of the facts and there are situations where you will not be 100 percent sure. More often than not, this is what the interviewer is trying to gauge. Last but not the least -- to minimise this situation, try and know most of what you need to know about the interview, your job profile and the company. Don't believe rumours When people come out of the interview, they share their experience with you. Don't get carried away by everything they say. Your experience is going to be different and, though you can learn a few pointers, don't take what they say as the gospel truth. Each interview is unique. Remember, this is only your first interview -- there is always the next time. Good luck! REGARDS, RAHUL

IF U R THRU WITH DIS.....NO ONE CAN PREVENT U FROM CRACKING THE INTERVIEW

Interview Tips

Typical Interview Questions :

An interview is to judge which candidate is best suited for the position. The employer will design questions giving him information required for the desired post. The following set of questions will help you to make the best presentation for the interview.

The questions are divided in the following sections:

A) Opening Questions

1. Tell me something about yourself?
2. What are your hobbies?
3. Which is your favorite subject? Why?
4. How did you hear about this opening?
5. How did you prepare for this interview?
6. What was the last book you read? Summarize your learning's?

B) Personality Questions

1. What are your strengths?
2. What are your weaknesses?
3. How would your colleagues describe you?
4. How would your boss describe you?
5. How would you describe yourself as a person?
6. Who has influenced you in life? How?
7. Narrate 2 of your achievements?
8. How do you plan to overcome your weaknesses?
9. Can you tell me the toughest decision taken in life?

C) Career Questions

1. What are your career goals?
2. What is your ambition in life?
3. What might make you leave this job?

D) Leadership

1. What according to you is important for a team member?

E) Position related questions

1. What do you know about our company?
2. How can you contribute to our company?
3. Why have you applied for this position?
4. How can you contribute to this position?
5. What do you look for in a job?
6. Why are you looking for a change?
7. Which other positions have you considered applying for?
8. Where do you see yourself 5 to 7 years from now?

F) Decision making Questions

1. Why should we hire you?
2. Do you believe in compromising business ethics to get your work done?
3. Are you ok working for 12 to 15 hrs a day?
4. Who plays an important role in deciding your career?

G) Job Assessment

1. How do you weigh job satisfaction?
2. What might make you leave this job?
3. What is your role in the current job?
4. Why not continue the same job?
5. Describe your ideal job?
6. What kind of people are you able to manage?

H) Concluding Question

1. Would you like to ask any questions?

Questions you can ask the Employer:

1. How many employers work in this organization?
2. What according to you is the most difficult problem one would face in this position?
3. Which is the most successful product of this organization?
4. On what parameters is once success measured in this company?
5. What will be my salary package?

The above questions are only interview guidelines. Some of the questions may not be appropriate for your interviewing situation.

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Most frequently asked Interview Questions

• Why have you selected to join us?
  I always longed to work with a company. I am familiar and whose products I have used and trusted.
  (Narrate briefly how you can prove your statement. Do good research on the company before facing the interview)
• Where do you want to be in 5 years?
  I would like to be frank. Judge me from the work and I am sure you will put me right where I want to be.
  Note : Do not over ambitious and speak in a way that you are not satisfied with your current job which you have applied for.
• Describe your ideal career?
  Talk of what you enjoy most your skills and natural talents. Do not specify your goal and any job title.
• Tell me something about yourself
  Do not just repeat what you have given in your resume. Be ready with the answer, a talent or something you did out of the ordinary. You can sound it as unique or give it a touch of your personality.
• How did you apply for the job?
  Be specific and give a straight answer of how you came to know about the vacancy. If it was advertised specify how you came across it.
• Why do you want to work here?
  Have a research done about the company / organization
  Give just one or two reasons why you are interested. You can add these points (1) company's reputation(2) desire to join the specific field of interest.
• Don't you think that you are over qualified for this job?
  (This question is put to you to puzzle a candidate. Be calm and answer the question with a positive and confident approach)
  Answer in the negative
  My experience and qualification will just help me to do the job better. Moreover I am at establishing a long term relationship which my qualification will favor me to handle more responsibilities and help me to rise to your expectations.
• What competition do you see if you take up this job?
  When you answer, clearly show that you have researched carefully and acquired more in-depth knowledge about the company.
  Enumerate some positive and negative traits of the company and their competitions.
  Feel confident to show that competition is not an unexpected one.
• What would you do if our competitor offer you a job?
  Show your confidence in the company's worth, stress the point 'I would say No' by pointing out some qualities you found out in your research about the company.
• Why are you leaving your current job?
  You should give two or three reasons for leaving.
  Lack of challenge, focus on the limitations etc. Point out your ambition to prove your worth confidently.
• What salary do you expect?
  (This is a tricky question to be answered carefully. Interviewers often accept people with realistic financial goals.)
  If you mention a salary that is low it shows that you are not up to the mark. If you mention too high you have ruined a chance to get a job. So the best is to ask for the salary they offer and then show your capacity, how your experience and qualification rate with what is offered.
• What interests you most about the job?
  (Show how you believe that you are most suited to the post. If you can find out an earlier experience it would be fine.)
  If you have experience, you can quote some similarities from the past and how you achieved success.
• What is your dream job?
  Make the question a chance to display your aptitude that fits the job you have applied for. Display how your skills can be put into suite the challenges and modern trends.
• Why should we take you?
  This is often the concluding Question( Some tips to the answer)
  
• Don'ts : Do not repeat your resume
  Do not enumerate your experience
• Do's: Prove Your interest
  Be positive in your answer
  Be prepared with confidence in what you are going to say
  Make sure the answer comes from the bottom of your heart.
  
• If you have unlimited time and financial resources how would you spend them
  Even though it is tempting to discuss thing you would do for fun, answer these questions with strict coherence with the job you have applied for.
  Egg: If you are into teaching, touch on your interest in adult literary programmers and other teaching oriented aspects.
• How is your experience relevant to this job?
  Sketch out some similar work which you have done in your previous job. It should be something justifiable by you, even though others may think differently.
  You can even ask some question where you can prove that your experience stands in good strand.
• How could you enrich your current job?
  Design your answer to show that you are still interested in the job and you point out a few instances where improvements can be made. Convince the person that you can be relied on and you will not get bored with what you do with time.
• How many days where you absent from work?
  Give a solid attendance record. But at the same time show you were not responsible . Convince that you are willing to take up responsibility.
  Egg: I was absent 7 days. 4 days due to conjunctivitis and one day due to the death of a close relative and 2 days had to accompany my parents for their check up.
• Tell me about a time you had to deal with an irritate customer, how did you handle the solution?
  The question is aimed at you to hear from yourself how you handle people when others loose their temper. Here the best answer you can give to describe a situation and show how you handled it with maturity and diplomacy.
• How do you manage stress in your daily work?
  You can describe a situation of how you had managed stress in your previous work if you had one or narrate how you can find time in your busy schedule to relax a bit.
• Describe a professional skill you have developed in you?
  It will be better if you be specific with your answer. Narrate some thing you worked for to fulfill your work more efficiently. Describe how you attended a seminar and brought about the changed in your work.
• How do you manage your work to meet dead lines
  Answer the question effectively . Describe in detail how your plan out, set priorities, determine schedules, how you follow out to see the progress and meet the dead line.
• What books you read?
  Do not ever say you have read a book which you have not. Here your suggestion can lead the interviewer to know your taste and interest. It can also hint on how you take your profession.
• What are the most rewarding aspect of you most recent job?
  The best way to answer it is to focus in what you do efficiently, keep in mind the position you are applying for.
• What aspects of this job do you feel most confident?
  Narrate what you are good and match it with the present job requirements. You may ask questions to clear if that particular skill will add benefit to the company
• What can motivate you?
  The Interview expects an answer to know you better .Keep in tune with your job and work you have applied for. Do not beat around the bush.
• Whom do you choose as your reference and why?
  Name the references and how you know them. You can also show that you are a person who care for relationships and how you stand in good stead with them.
• Can we call all your references?
  If you have given your present boss as your reference you can tell that you prefer to call your current boss only after you receive a confirmed offer as he may not like you changing the job.
• Do you have any questions?
  Be prepared to answer this question in advance. List out a few questions you wish to know more about. After you have faced the interview your logic will guide you to ask the question you really want to know more about.
• How do you handle criticism
  Here the interview is on the look out for your accountability and professional character.
  Simply explain a situation that caused a problem and narrate how you faced it and overcame it.
• Tell me about a situation that upset you at work
  Her the interview is trying to find out how you deal with pressure. Be diplomatic and objective with your answer. Prepare the answer so that the answer comes as a smooth reassurance
• Have you ever been fired?
  If the answer is negative, the answer is simple. But if you have been fired, you need to be prepared to the answer the follow up questions that my come up.
  If the termination was for reason beyond your control narrate it. If not do not try justifying yourself. If you had a fault, admit it and convince the interview that you have corrected it.
• Do you change your job frequently?
  Be honest and if you had changed the jobs frequently there could be ample reasons to do so. Put them up as contracts that expired at the stipulated time.
  Be convincing when you say that you long to have a steady and long lasting relationship with the present job you are applying for.
• What is the toughest job you had?
  Avoid making any negative statements especially about your previous employer. Change the question with a positive outlook and answer it with a satisfied remark of your outcome.
• How do you handle tension?
  Answer with ease that in any job and any situation that tension is a part of it. Relax before putting the f act you are very used to such type of works.
• What is your current salary?
  Do not bluff. Be specific on the answer. Do not hesitate to say the benefits you enjoyed in the previous job. It may be verified so never mention the benefits you have not got.
• Will you be willing to accept transfer?
  Tell you preference but do not specify that you will be not willing to work else where.
• What is your weakness?
  Turn the question to a positive one. Simply say that you are a perfectionist and your commitment to output of high quality perfect work. Say this is your weakness

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Conquering Challenges

Introduction :

Challenge- 'a call to try one's skill or strength; a demand to respond or identify oneself.' Yes this is what this section is all about…. proving your strengths and announcing your arrival…. rising above the adversities and showing the world what you are made of.

This section is written keeping in mind the disabled people- people who have a handicap: physical or mental. Some purists out there might not like the words used for the handicap people, but just by giving a different phrase for their impairness the handicap people are not benefiting in any ways. Instead of sitting in the comfort of their home and coining glamorous and fashionable terms, these socialists would do better to do something that would shape the careers of the disable people.

And all you people who suffer from any disabilities- don't let others take pity on you. After all those 'fighting-for- a-cause' are not perfect themselves. The only difference is that, your imperfection is more visible than theirs. So just accept your handicap and do what you believe in. the history is full pf examples of individuals who have stood apart in what they have done, despite of their disability.

Let us share some inspiring stories.

Brilliance personified:

John Nash:
John Nash was a mathematical genius who despite being struck by a disease called schizophrenia, managed to win a Nobel Prize in economics for his work 'Non-cooperative Games', written in 1950 when he was just 21 years young! In 1958 at the threshold of his career Nash was struck by paranoid schizophrenia- a disease in which a person starts imagining and seeing thing and people who are just an illusion. He lost his job because of this illness and was virtually incapacitated by the disease for the next two decades. The disease began to evaporate in 1970s and he returned to what he loved doing the most- mathematics. Nash shared the Nobel Prize in 1994 with John C. Harsanyi and Reinhard Selten for what he described as "his most trivial work"

Helen Keller:
Helen Adams Keller was born on 27 June 1880 in Tuscumbia, a small rural town in Northwest Alabama, USA. The daughter of Captain Arthur Henley Keller and Kate Adams Keller she was born with full sight and hearing. But in February or 1882 when Helen was all of 19 months tragedy struck and a mysterious illness took away her power of sight and hearing. Few years later Helen met different people in connection with her handicap. Among them, Anne Sullivan, who herself was partially blind decided to teach Helen. By age 10, Helen had mastered Braille as well as the manual alphabet and even learned to use the typewriter. By the time she was 16, Helen could speak well enough to go to preparatory school and to college. In 1904 she graduated from Radcliffe College. She then dedicated her life to improving the conditions of the blind and the deaf across the world. She lectured on various topics and she became a symbol or grit and determination not just for the blind and deaf, but also for everyone all over the world.

Stephen Hawking:
Stephen was born in 1942. He has been recognized as one of the greatest physicist ever. He was an awkward schoolboy but he knew all the way that he wanted to make a career in science. In 1958 he and his friend built a primitive computer that actually worked. His knowledge about his subject and his talent help him become the member of the Royal Society at a remarkable age of 32. And in 1979, he was appointed Lucasian Professor of Mathematics at Cambridge, the same job held by Sir Isaac Newton 300 years earlier. His discoveries about the black hole and the big bang theory have certainly been hailed as one of the most important breakthrough in science. All this considering the fact that he suffers from Lou Gehrig's disease (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, a disease that affects muscle control) for which he uses a wheelchair and speaks through a computer and voice synthesizer.

Face your weakness:

These real life stories have inspired many. The courage and determination of these super humans would put any so-called 'normal' person to shame. I bet there would be thousands of such 'normal' people out there who would love to be in the shoes of these great personalities. And in their stories lie the answers to what you people who suffer from any kind of handicap should as a career.

First of all, and as said earlier, stop pitying on yourself. Then determine your strengths- know for yourself what you are good at and pursue that as your career. Yes, it is as simple as that. But one thing that you should guard against is an obstacle. Don't get bogged down by obstacles. These obstacles may be in form of people not recognizing your skills or failure at certain steps. But as the old saying goes- 'winners never quit and quitters never win.' Never stop believing in yourself. If you start doubting your beliefs, you will start believing your doubts. Author Paulo Coelho has famously proclaimed in his best selling novel, 'The Alchemist': "if you want something badly, the whole world will plot it to give it you". It means that if you pursue something whole-heartedly and commit yourself to it, nothing in the world will come in your path. But you need to be realistic. It is quite obvious that a blind man cannot get a job of a pilot and dumb man cannot get a job of a singer. So stop chasing dreams that are mere dreams. Rather realize what you are good at and commit yourself to it. And success shall follow...............

A FLAME OF PASSION CAN IGNITE DIS WORLD......

REGARDS,

RAHUL

INTERVIEW BLUES

Does the thought of going for an interview, make you break into a cold sweat? Most people do badly at job interviews not because they are incompetent but simply because they are just plain nervous.
Job interviews usually have two parts --
technical and HR.
While the technical interview deals with your knowledge in the field, HR tests your personality and presence of mind. Here are a few tips on how to make a good impression at your job interview:
Confidence is the most important aspect. You should appear confident, keep your wits about you and listen to every word of the question. Often, prospective employees usually don't even hear the question properly in their nervousness. Fumbling and stammering (if not a medical problem) will not work in your favour.
While confidence is good, never appear over-confident. This presents you as a pompous and bossy person, definitely not the qualities of a team player.
Never panic. If you don't know the answer to a question, try this old trick -- ask the interviewer to repeat the question. It lets you hear the question again, gives you time to think and eliminates any embarrassing pauses.
Thinking on your feet is very important. In a situation where three or four pairs of eyes are staring at you, it is easy to get intimidated. Practice thinking on your feet by having mock interviews with friends. Quick-wittedness is not something you can learn but mock interviews help you think faster than you otherwise would.
Dinesh Samtani, Divya Pinge and Srilaxmi Pai have only recently started working and are fresh on the job market. Here are some tips they had on how tackle difficult interview questions:

Q: Tell us about yourself.
A: This is possibly the most common question asked; it is the answer to this question that gives your prospective employer the supremely important first impression. Most people tend to talk about their family -- what their parents do for a living and what their siblings are doing at the moment. This is NOT what the interviewer is interested in. Talk mostly about yourself -- your education, previous jobs, achievements, interests and strong points of your personality. Once you're done, give a very brief description of your family.

Q: What are your weaknesses? Or what would you like to change about yourself?
A: Although being honest is always better, make sure that your answer does not project you in a bad light. Saying things like "bad at decision making" or "not punctual" go against you. Always say things that can be converted into a positive. For instance: "I am forgetful but I am now trying to get over my weakness by keeping reminders on my phone and writing what I might forget"; You could even say: "I used to be disorganised but now I carry an electronic organiser to keep my phone numbers, deadlines etc". Never say things like "I don't see any weakness in myself", you might just end up annoying the interviewer.

Q: What are your strengths?
A: Some people might get carried away here and end up boasting. The interviewer is looking for skills that will benefit the company, so base your answer on what the company might want. Being a good team player, leadership qualities, analytical skills are among common virtues employers are looking for. Never lie about your virtues, it will catch up with you sooner or later. As always, honesty is the best policy.

Q: What is the one thing you would like to change about your college/ previous office?
A: Always say things that are not too negative. Complaining about your prior bosses or professors shows you in a bad light. Talk of things that are small but not inconsequential. Srilaxmi, for instance, said that she wanted the library timings to be extended.

Q: What would your prior boss/ professor have to say about you?
A: It is good to be prepared for this question. Ask your professor or boss to write a recommendation letter for you if possible. This is useful to present to the interviewer. State what the person would say and then present the letter as proof. This gives the impression of a well-prepared and confident person.

Q: What do you know about our company?
A: Make sure you do your homework before you appear for an interview. Read up on the company's history, progress report and statistics. A small margin is permissible while stating figures but it is best avoided.

Q: Why should I hire you?
A: It's a safe bet to say that you are the best person for the job. But don't sound boastful or pompous. Base your claims with solid results, tell the interviewer why you stand out among all the others and give examples of your expertise.

Q: Name one thing you want to change about yourself.
A: Here, the interviewer will tempt you to sound negative. Never say that you are perfect but at the same time, touch upon you weaknesses in such a way that they seem insignificant. Name an incident in the past that you faltered in, then show that you have now improved.

Q: Where do you see yourself five years from now?
A: It's good to talk of your progress with respect to the company. The interviewer needs to understand that you are not just job-hopping. Things like you see yourself at a much higher post that the one you are applying for, will work in your favour. Tell them that you hope that this job will make you a better professional than you already are and you will also help the company to improve in the department you are going to be working. Then go on to show by your examples what you are doing to reach your goals and objectives.

Q: Do you think your qualifications make you eligible for this job? What has the course taught you?
A: The interviewer probably knows all about your course pattern and has probably studied it himself/ herself. There is no point in discussing it academically; use a more behavioural approach. Your education has made your basics are clear, you have a strong foundation on which to build a career, it has not only taught you the technical aspects of the job you are about to take up but also made you a better professional are all good responses.

Q: Would you call yourself a team player?
A: The obvious answer to this answer is yes. But the way you support this answer is what makes all the difference. Always keep a few instances of when you showed team spirit in mind. It helps to display your ability. Another way in which this question can be asked is by giving you an actual case. The interviewer puts you in a situation and asks what you will do. It is important to think quick and come up with answers showing that you can bring out the best in others and yourself, believe in organisation, communication and delegation of tasks etc.
The following questions test not your character but your presence of mind. It is important to be alert when faced with these questions, don't take too long to answer:

Q: What part of your body would you hide if you were on the street completely naked?
A: My face, obviously, so no one would know it's me.

Q: What is the colour of the wall behind you?
A: The same as the colour of the wall in front of me. Never turn back and answer this! There is a possibility that the colour might be different but most rooms are painted the same colour. Looking at the interiors of the room you can gauge whether it has a feature (differently coloured) wall or not.
Q: Suppose you have a brother. You go home and open the door and there he is totally naked in front of you. What would u do?
A: I'd pick him up and go put his nappies on him. No one told you your brother's age!

Q: Why are manhole covers round and not square?
A: Because the square cOVEer can fall down if kept vertically along the diagonal.

Q: What is the fastest thing on earth? Why?
A: The mind is the fastest thing. It can be at two places at once and can travel continents in a matter of seconds.

Q: If you were a crayon, what colour would you be?
A: The last thing you want to do here is say any random colour that comes to your head and then give a justification. Think about your best quality, and then associate it with an appropriate colour. For example: "I think I would be blue because I'm very calm and composed at all times. I can keep my head cool in the most stressful situation and take difficult decisions."
These questions are tough but are not really a deciding factor in the interview. Your overall personality and disposition can always convince the interviewer to consider you for the post despite whatever happens in the interview. Calm your nerves and think clearly. Honesty and clarity can impress the employer but a know-it-all attitude is career suicide. Keep these simple tips in mind and you should sail through those nerve-racking interviews!

BE4& DURINGTHE D D-DAY-INTERVIEW

What you should do Before the interview:

a. Research the company.Research the company with whom you are interviewing. Nothing impresses an interviewer more than a candidate that knows about the company. It shows that you have initiative.

b. Be punctual. Get there on time. The importance of punctuality can not be stressed enough. Plan to arrive about 15 minutes early. It shows your regard for the interviewer's time. If you have to wait, use the time to go over your notes.

c. Dress Professionally. It shows that you cared enough about the interviewer and the company to present yourself in a professional manner. In today's work place, most companies do not have a strict code. So if you are one who hates pantyhose or a shirt and tie, relax. This may be the only time you have to do so.

d. Practice. Practice. Practice. Practice makes perfect. All the information that you would have obtained about successful interviewing would be wasted if you do not practice. You can know all the questions the interviewer will ask but if you do not practice, it would be as if you di d not. Have a friend go over the questions with you until you are able to answer them promptly without stuttering.

What you should do During the interview:

a. Give the interviewer a firm handshake. Give the interviewer a firm handshake, even if the interviewer is a woman and you are man. Nobody likes a limp handshake but by the same token do not take the person's hand off either. While shaking, introduce yourself keeping eye contact at all times .

b. Smile. Nothing is worse than an interviewee who looks depressed or indifferent. Would you want to work with someone who is always depressed?

c. Maintain Eye Contact at all times. You are confident about yourself and your capabilities. Relay that. Do not stare out of the window or fiddle with your pencil. The interviewer is talking to you or you to him. Be attentive.

d. Speak Clearly. Do not mumble your words. It portrays a lack of confidence.

e. Respond to your interviewer. If he makes a joke, smile to acknowledge that he made one, even if it was not funny.

f. Listen before you answer questions. Make sure you have understood the question. If you do not, ask him to clarify it. Take a second, then answer.

g. Give brief answers. Answer promptly and intelligently. However, when asked yes or no questions, elaborate.

h. Complete the application thoroughly. For salary requirements put negotiable, unless specified not to do so. Then put the salary range for your profession with your experience.

i. Ask the interviewer questions. Even if he does not ask you "Do you have any questions," ask him anyway.

j. Thank the interviewer. Be sure to thank the interviewer for his time.

What you should not do at all:

It may be obvious to some, that most of the things you should not do are the opposite of what you should. However, some people need reinforcing.

a. Be dishonest. If an employer asks "Do you know about ....? and you do not, say No. If you say yes, the next question is almost always "Tell me about it."

b. Chew gum during the interview. It's tacky and inappropriate. I would recommend that you do not before the interview either. You may forget to remove it.

c. Smoke. Do not smoke, even if the interviewer does and offers you a cigarette.

d. Refuse a job offer in the interview. Don't ever refuse a job offer until you have had the time to think about it. It may be the only one you get.

e. Ramble. Make sure your answers are short and to the point.