Etiquette/Manners
The person before whom you sit and interact with is likely to be your future boss. Even if not so, he will remain your senior. It is, therefore, necessary to observe formal etiquette and good manners of civilised behaviour which this formal occasion demands. Etiquette and manners are the form of decorum which consists of showing respect and attention to a person being spoken to. And here the person is in command who can steer the boat of your career to your aspired destination. So be careful.
All such acts must be curbed which may cause distraction or irritation. The worst case would be to flush out the cigarette pack or tobacco pouch, and still worse would be to throw match stick or cigarette bud and empty tobacco pouch on the floor on not finding an ashtray or a dustbin. If the interviewer asks if you would like to take a cup of tea or coffee, say a polite ‘no, thanks’; unless stated categorically, “Have a cup of tea, Mr. ....”
Body Language
Verbal expressions coupled with non-verbal expressions can lead to greater effectiveness. In other words, body actions should match with what one speaks. If a good relation is to be maintained, a candidate should make optimum use of his various physical movements.
It remains a fact that as a person grows from childhood to adolescence and finally to adulthood, he develops a particular way of behaviour and thinking depending upon various circumstances prevailing in the house, neighbourhood, school and society. It affects his way of walking, talking and other manners to a large extent. These manners may differ from accepted norms of civilised society, in formal and informal situations. For a formal occasion like an interview or group discussion, there have developed some accepted norms which must be adhered to.
During the course of an interview, a candidate should restrict his body movements to the minimum. It gives an adverse impression on an interviewer to make unnecessary body movements, such as, waving hands here and there, changing postures of the body too often, jerking head and shoulders, raising and lowering eyebrows, shaking legs, pouting the mouth,etc. It also includes making unwanted sounds while opening the door or closing it, dragging the chair with a screeching sound. All these movements not only has irritating and distracting effect on the interviewer, they also show disinterestedness and tiredness of a candidate, sometimes to the extent of indifference. A candidate should sit in the chair straight but not stiff.
Whenever a candidate needs to change his posture, he should do it stealthily, that is, at a time when he is not being watched. Changing body posture in a short duration interview should be avoided under all circumstances.
Now, on the other hand, a candidate can also use body language to emphasise or give impetus to what he is saying. A candidate should maintain constant eye contact with the interviewer but it should not be so fixed as to perplex him. It should be such that would show that he is confident enough and what he is telling is true. Head, hands and fingers can be used effectively to make the interviewer pay attention to him. Watch carefully the newsreaders on television to have a perfect idea how you can make most of your gestures. Fingers can be effectively used when someone is making a few points–raise one finger to say the first, two to say the second point, but it should not be overplayed. Similarly, leaning a little forward while listening shows interest and attention. Body language is only an aiding device, but in the final outcome, what will count are the words that the interviewer will evaluate upon.
Ask yourself the following questions. Their answers could be vital for you :
· Do you seek eye-contact?
· Do you look to the right, left or behind the interviewer?
· Are your gestures in accordance with the words you speak? Are you too stiff?
· Do you point your finger at the interviewer? Do you wave your hands?
· Do you feel natural or like a caged tiger?
· Are you yourself?
· Do you create barriers between the interviewer and you?
The person before whom you sit and interact with is likely to be your future boss. Even if not so, he will remain your senior. It is, therefore, necessary to observe formal etiquette and good manners of civilised behaviour which this formal occasion demands. Etiquette and manners are the form of decorum which consists of showing respect and attention to a person being spoken to. And here the person is in command who can steer the boat of your career to your aspired destination. So be careful.
All such acts must be curbed which may cause distraction or irritation. The worst case would be to flush out the cigarette pack or tobacco pouch, and still worse would be to throw match stick or cigarette bud and empty tobacco pouch on the floor on not finding an ashtray or a dustbin. If the interviewer asks if you would like to take a cup of tea or coffee, say a polite ‘no, thanks’; unless stated categorically, “Have a cup of tea, Mr. ....”
Body Language
Verbal expressions coupled with non-verbal expressions can lead to greater effectiveness. In other words, body actions should match with what one speaks. If a good relation is to be maintained, a candidate should make optimum use of his various physical movements.
It remains a fact that as a person grows from childhood to adolescence and finally to adulthood, he develops a particular way of behaviour and thinking depending upon various circumstances prevailing in the house, neighbourhood, school and society. It affects his way of walking, talking and other manners to a large extent. These manners may differ from accepted norms of civilised society, in formal and informal situations. For a formal occasion like an interview or group discussion, there have developed some accepted norms which must be adhered to.
During the course of an interview, a candidate should restrict his body movements to the minimum. It gives an adverse impression on an interviewer to make unnecessary body movements, such as, waving hands here and there, changing postures of the body too often, jerking head and shoulders, raising and lowering eyebrows, shaking legs, pouting the mouth,etc. It also includes making unwanted sounds while opening the door or closing it, dragging the chair with a screeching sound. All these movements not only has irritating and distracting effect on the interviewer, they also show disinterestedness and tiredness of a candidate, sometimes to the extent of indifference. A candidate should sit in the chair straight but not stiff.
Whenever a candidate needs to change his posture, he should do it stealthily, that is, at a time when he is not being watched. Changing body posture in a short duration interview should be avoided under all circumstances.
Now, on the other hand, a candidate can also use body language to emphasise or give impetus to what he is saying. A candidate should maintain constant eye contact with the interviewer but it should not be so fixed as to perplex him. It should be such that would show that he is confident enough and what he is telling is true. Head, hands and fingers can be used effectively to make the interviewer pay attention to him. Watch carefully the newsreaders on television to have a perfect idea how you can make most of your gestures. Fingers can be effectively used when someone is making a few points–raise one finger to say the first, two to say the second point, but it should not be overplayed. Similarly, leaning a little forward while listening shows interest and attention. Body language is only an aiding device, but in the final outcome, what will count are the words that the interviewer will evaluate upon.
Ask yourself the following questions. Their answers could be vital for you :
· Do you seek eye-contact?
· Do you look to the right, left or behind the interviewer?
· Are your gestures in accordance with the words you speak? Are you too stiff?
· Do you point your finger at the interviewer? Do you wave your hands?
· Do you feel natural or like a caged tiger?
· Are you yourself?
· Do you create barriers between the interviewer and you?
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