• Rule I-Behave as you are: A person facing an interview is generally nervous and does not behave as his or her normal self. He tries to follow the set guidelines that he has been told and in the process becomes very stiff and unnatural. Do not act, be yourself.
• Rule II-Reach the interview site well before time: The early arrival at the interview venue will give you time to understand the office culture, the local etiquette and the expectation of the office and a chance to adapt to the particular environment. Reaching in advance also gives you the time to make yourself comfortable and more presentable by giving you time to freshen up. The settling time will help you to handle difficult situation properly.
• Rule III -Try to know the Organisation/company: The interview board expects you to know what the company is doing and what the industry norms the company is in are. Prepare from all sources such as the internet, company brouchers and other sources, if any. Try to find out the company’s area of operation and expansion /diversification plans for which they are recruiting people.
• Rule IV-Be focused: The purpose of your appearing for the interview is that you are looking for a job. The questions asked by the board will at times derail your prepared answers and will take you to a different direction. Try to be focused about your strength areas and the requirements of the company concerned. Try to be as short and straight as possible while dealing with a controversial issue.
• Rule V-Behave as if you are already in the job: When a person applies for the job of a front desk manager, the interview board will like to see him in that pretext and would judge him keeping that person in the mould of a manager. If he starts feeling and behaving like a manager, half the work is done.
• Rule VI-Be genuine and honest: Never lie to the board members. It is very easy for them to judge the truth or falsity of any statement or claim. Besides, everyone would like to reward your honesty.
• Rule VII-Never answer question about which you are not sure: If you are honest in staying that you do not know the answer, people will appreciate it more than if you guess something absurd.
• Rule VIII-Wish all members before and after the interview: It has been noticed that many candidates do not feel it necessary to wish the members and many others skip it due to nervousness. It does not give a good first impression of the candidate if he does not wish the board members.
• Rule IX-Mind your body language: It is extremely important to mind your body language in the interview as you meticulously plan the words you utter.
• Rule X-Anticipate the probable questions: When we are to appear for an interview we do have a clue as to what questions the board will ask. Say, a person has an education gap of two years mentioned in his CV. The board would like to know what the candidate was doing during that period. Similarly, a housewife applying for a teacher’s post will in all probability be asked about her routine for the day. Well-prepared answers for irritating questions will help you fare better in the interview.
  

Listed below are a few interview don’ts and usual reasons for failure in interviews that every candidate should keep in mind:

• The candidate should not lack self-confidence or appear shaky.
• The hello-effect of the candidate should be impressive to the interviewing board.
• Poor communication skills are an absolute put-off.
• Body language must not reflect negativity.
• The candidate must not lack the relevant subject knowledge.
• There is a difference between self confidence and over confidence. Even if the expectation level of the candidate is high, he should not exhibit arrogance.
  The candidate’s background and family history are important.
• The candidate must have reasonable amount of Knowledge about the company and the industry in which he has applied for employment.
• The candidate must not be improperly dressed or lack a sense of hygiene.
• If the interview board is harsh, the candidate must not lose his or her cool during the interview.
• The candidate must give a focused reply.
• Also, at time, the number of candidates is very large and board members are unable give sufficient time to each candidate for answering. Thus, answers should be as precise as possible.