Interviews are part and parcel of the job application process. There are various types of interviews including the traditional face-to-face interview, phone interview, and video conferencing interview.
Despite the different types of interviews, there are common do’s and don’ts during interviews that you must know in this day and age to secure your dream jobs in Malaysia.
Do’s And Don’ts During Interviews That You Must Know
We will divide both tips equally, starting with the important do’s you must keep in mind to increase your chances of getting hired.
1. Do Deliver The Best First Impression
For face-to-face interviews:
- Always plan your trip to the company (do a trial run if needed!)
- Arrive a few minutes early for the interview (but not too early)
- Prepare all your interview must-have items
- Dress according to the appropriate dress code for the company
For video conferencing interviews:
- Schedule your interview on your calendar
- Make sure your video camera and microphone are working (test it!)
- Light grooming such as combing your hair, washing your face, etc.
- Arrive a few minutes early at the video call lobby
- Don’t forget to smile
For phone interviews:
- Ensure that the connection is stable
- Greet your interviewer as though they are in front of you
- Speak clearly and friendly
- Keep your tone interesting
Good first impressions go a long way. Maintain eye contact and a proper body posture to keep the interview’s momentum going.
2. Do Research on The Jobs Scope & Company Beforehand
Before attending an interview, you should have a good idea on:
- The company’s background and history
- The company’s vision, mission, and culture
- The company’s online presence & news
- The role’s responsibilities and requirements
- The interviewers themselves
All this research and more will give you an advantage in answering the interview questions and show that you are truly interested in the company as well as the job.
3. Do Listen Well
Listening well in an interview is just as important as answering the interview questions themselves. By focusing on listening to the interviewers, you’ll show your attentiveness and translate that into how you answer questions calmly and confidently.
As much as we’d like to jump straight into the answers, it’s often better to be patient, take notes if needed, and then solve all of the interviewer’s question marks one by one.
4. Do Show A Positive Attitude
As mentioned above, you should always keep the interview interesting and interactive. To do so, you’ll need to maintain a positive attitude – keep your posture straight and smile!
A big part of communication is actually on non-verbal cues, such as body language. Maintain timely eye contact, provide suitable hand gestures, and proper intonation when speaking.
Most importantly, keep calm and take it easier. Think of the session as getting to know your potential company and teammates better.
Next up, let’s take a look at some of the don’ts when it comes to job interviews.
1. Don’t Give Off Red Flags
Be careful not to exhibit these behaviours because they could jeopardise your application:
- The impression that you are only applying for the job because of the convenient office location
- The impression that you are only interested in the money
- Any dishonesty when it comes to working experience, documents, and statements
- Any desperation from you for the job position
- Being late for the interviews and when completing company assessments
2. Don’t Over-criticise Your Past Employers
The reason is simple – if you could do it to your past employers, you’d do it to them as well. Speaking badly about your previous employers (even if it’s the company’s competitor) will not bring you any good, it will also make them question your professionalism.
3. Don’t Let It Be One-sided
A big mistake in a job interview is to be completely passive or dominating and make the session a one-sided conversation (regardless of which side). The key is to strike a balance.
Firstly, do not be afraid to speak up and ask questions appropriately. However, you should not dominate the session to a point until the interviewers could not finish their standard questions as well.
The point is to read the room. Always ensure that it’s a two-way conversation – listen when you have to, ask more when you need to, and have fun!
4. Don’t Provide Incorrect Facts
Honesty is the best policy. Never lie about your:
- Skills
- Experience
- Mistakes
- Salary
- Family & background
And more! It’s never a bad idea to be honest as you wouldn’t want your potential employers to find out about your dishonesty down the road and risk destroying your career & reputation.
Do’s And Don’ts During Interviews: Final Remarks
We hope that you’ll remember these crucial do’s and don’ts during interviews, especially if you are a fresh graduate with no interview experience looking to secure your next majestic job in Malaysia.
For more fresh graduate interview tips, feel free to visit our Job Majestic Blog and our Youtube Channel!
