Communication skills go a long way in helping you crack your interview. Even though most jobs don’t require smooth talking skills, getting through the interview often does. You don’t have to answer every interview question perfectly, but you can improve your interview skills. Here are a few interview skills that will help you.

1. Do your background research.

At times your interviewer may be more keen on getting information about your past or present organization. So dig deep before you go for the interview. Your professional expertise is important but at times your background is also a matter of importance. Research yourself and your background.

2. Be soft to everyone.

Do not be rude to the receptionist or cut someone off in the parking lot, or yell at the office boy. These things happen, and they can ruin your chances. Good organizations will never  hire the person who is rude to the receptionist or barista.

3.Have a positive Body Language

They say that 93% of your communication happens through your body language so keep it positive and confident at all times . For example lean in or sit up straight to show you’re interested. Keep eye contact so you look honest, but don’t  stare, because then you look aggressive. Don’t nod too much. Yes, you want to show agreement, but too many nods and you start to look plastic and fake.

4. Keep your  language Clean.

Do not under any circumstances use foul words in an interview. If the interviewer is using foul words , you can feel  tempted to do so but be calm and control your language. You need to use words that express your actual feelings and ideas.

5. Customize and read your  resume.

Do not get off guard  when the hiring manager asks you  a specific question about an accomplishment on your resume.  Don’t make that mistake. Refresh your memory, especially old jobs. And customize your resume as per requirements of the current job.

6. Prepare for standard questions.

Most interviews will have routine questions. Lots of interviewers are going to ask you to “tell me about a time when …” followed by something appropriate for your area and this particular job. You should have great answers prepared for that.

7.Dress Up Professionally.

Yes, people judge you by what you’re wearing. Dress up neatly and professionally for your interview. Have a clear face and a neat haircut. The brand you wear is not important but how you wear it is important. Do not give an interview in in-formals.

8. Prepare your questions.

Don’t ask questions that could be answered by looking at the company website. Do ask questions about the challenges of the position, what success looks like, and how this position fits in with the organization’s goals. Remember, you want to look like you’re really interested in succeeding in this position, and you need this information to do so.

9. Never badmouth your former employer.

You’re most likely going to be asked why you’re looking to leave your current job (or why you left your last job if you’re unemployed). Don’t lie, but don’t be super negative either. “My boss is very bad. He is a jerk,, plays favorites, and speaks foul.” These things may all be true, but you don’t come out looking good. Figure out how to explain why you’re leaving or  why you got fired, what you learned from it, and how this all means this new job is a great fit.

10.Thank the Recruiter before you leave.

Its always nice to thank the interviewer for the opportunity to be interviewed. Last few words of appreciation go a  along way in building your positive image. Every interview is a learning opportunity. 

In the recent scenario various multi-national corporations are adopting the practice of conducting ‘Virtual Interviews’ which not only helps them save time but also helps them save resources. This method of interviewing allows the company as well as the candidate to interact using web conferencing software or some instant messaging programs. But this process of virtual interview presents numerous challenges for the interviewee. Being in a face to face interaction, one is able to present themselves in a better manner and also the companies are able to carry out a detailed personality assessment, which cannot happen  in case of a virtual interview. Also, for some people this system is completely new and all the traditional tips of acing a face to face interview, such as maintaining a solid eye contact, fail during a virtual interview. Lets go throught tips which can help one in acing a virtual interview.

1. Be All Prepared –Half an hour before the scheduled time make it sure that you have all your devices and gadgets in order. Check your computer’s inbuilt microphone and webcam,ensure that sufficient lighting is present in the room and your video is clear and correct. This small preparation will go a long way to prevent any glitches during the interview.

  2. Scan  your surroundings- While appearing for a virtual interview make   sure that you either have a blank background or else you have something that depicts your professional nature as well as behavior. A messed up  or noisy background will only portray a negative image.

3. Dress Up Professionally-Do not take things  easy just because you have been given the liberty to interview from the comfort of your home. Dress the same way you would dress for a face to face interview so that you look professional. Do not wear in-formals. Sport a clean look and haircut.

4. Have a Proper Eye Contact-Many may miss this , but yes you ought to maintain eye contact with the interviewer for longer than you would in a face-to-face situation. Do not  look into the eyes of the interviewer instead try to look into the camera lens  You can practice  this aspect in advance with your friends or family.

5. Have a Confident Posture at all times-During  your virtual interview make sure that you establish a bond with the interviewer through your positive body language as well as facial expressions. Try to fit in your head and shoulders in the camera view. Sit straight and relaxed  and speak while leaning forward as this gives an impression of you being interested in the conversation. Make sure that there is always a smile on your face and do not  look here and there during the complete interview session.

6. Practice the Virtual Handshake– During a virtual handshake, you don’t need to wave at the interviewer. Instead, you need to nod a 10 degree forward in the interviewer’s direction. You might think of this as a modified version of Japanese bow, but it, in reality, is a warm, professional gesture. As soon as you see the video of the interviewer before striking a conversation greet him with this virtual handshake.

7. Respond, Do Not React-Virtual interviews are one of the best mediums to test a candidate’s composure and calmness, especially the ones where you need to answer questions randomly thrown by software with a time limit in which you have to answer. Do not panic, think and answer. Don’t be over eager to reply ,take time  and then respond in the best possible manner. Think and speak.

8.Be Authentic-Do not manipulate during the interview. Be honest and showcase your real personality. Faking your self during the process will only create future issues for you ,if you get selected. Do not compromise on your integrity.

In this century entrepreneurship is the dream of most aspiring people. There are many things a women should know before beginning your journey as a entrepreneur.

-Taking on personal development is essential-Attending seminars, courses, trainings can be very productive. Reading business related literature is very useful. Emotional intelligence is very crucial- it helps to handle business, relationships and life better. You can’t control others, but we can surely control how we react to situations.

-In the beginning you may be doing all the work. But gradually a team with same mission and value is required. Team will include your employees, contractors, consultants, chartered accountant, etc.

-It is good to work on your weakness but it is also better to play your strengths. Develop your strengths more.

-Do trial and error to learn from your mistakes early on. In business there may be costly mistakes, and this where coaching becomes important. But do not shy away from making mistakes. A lot of learning comes that way.

-Knowing your financials from the start is the key. The better you have your financial books in order, the easier it is to make decisions. Try to keep your fixed cost lowest possible, initially. Business plans need to be fluid. Having a knowledgeable bookkeeper helps you know where you are heading.

-Initial time can be very draining and tough. Do not give up. At-least be prepared to work on no profit for at-least sometime. It is human tendency to give up too early. Be consistent.

Have a support system for like minded people, who can act as good advisors and stress busters. Talking and discussing problems can help generate very interesting solutions.

Best of luck and be a super success.

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Incomplete tasks are real stressors and can drain out a person emotionally. Procrastination is a habit pattern which needs to be replaced by action. Below given tips can definitely help overcome procrastination and help accomplish more.

-Breakdown into smaller steps-A big assignment can make you feel overwhelmed and confused. Instead of looking it as a monstrous break your task into smaller actionable items. Accomplish one or two sub tasks on a daily basis.

-Manage your time efficiently-Tasks should be arranged in terms of efficiency and importance. Try to club similar things together to save on time.

-Have Deadlines-Commit a specific time limit for each task and set deadlines.

-Do your research before getting started- You will tend to procrastinate less if you have all the necessary information on hand. It will make you more confident.

-Why you should get started today-If you have all the reason why you could benefit by getting it done today, than chances of skipping are far less.

-Reward and Punish Yourself-You can reward yourself by a small nap if you finish the task in time or punish yourself by cutting on your leisure time.

-Be Public-If you make your intentions public about getting the project accomplished, than you will feel more focused. Knowing someone will check your progress, gets you more motivated.

-Do the hardest part first-If you do the unpleasant task first( maybe early in the morning) than getting the rest task completed becomes easy.

-To begin is half done-Start the work, maybe by doing the little things-writing an outline, drafting the introduction etc.

Self love is very imperative for a successful life. If you take good care of yourself, than for sure your productivity will improve, as you are more positive. Higher productivity will in turn make you more confident. Below given list is not exhaustive, it just includes a few time tested habits to improve self confidence and see a better you.

-Meditate Daily-Even a few minutes of meditation done regularly, really impacts your memory, focus and psychological wealth. Sit quietly for at-least 10 minutes daily.

-Stay away from News and Social Media-Never start your day reading toxic news. Avoid media as far as possible. They create unnecessary negativity or deviation, taking away a lot of important time.

-Exercise-It not only improves your cardiac state, physical stamina but also helps in enhancing your brain health. Do it at-least five times a week, may be a brisk walk is all that is needed.

-Be in Nature-It is imperative that we spend time in greenery. It not only makes you disease free but also connects you to the higher power.

-Breath slowly and deeply-Breathing the right way increases your energy very quickly and effectively. Inhale slowly and deeply. Hold on as long you can with ease. Exhale slowly. See how you feel!

-Eat Healthy-Substitute natural food in place of processed one. Eat for health and not for taste. Drink plenty of water.

-Spend Quality time with Family and Friends-Connecting with people you love will enhance your confidence. It improves your overall well being and reduces stress. It improves your overall well being.

– Have Gratitude-Make a list of things you are grateful for. Keep it with yourself and see it when ever you feel low. Counting your blessings is always uplifting.

-Have a Hobby-You can have a hobby at any age. It relaxes you and makes you happy and creative.

-Spoil yourself once in a while-Go for a lavish dinner, a long warm bath, a trip once in a while to break the anatomy.

The leadership which can transform team members into great teammates is bound to succeed under any circumstance. Leaders who inspire the team from the very core are bound to achieve the impossible. Leadership is a perfect blend of following characteristics.

-Total Commitment-A clear plan which is easily understood by all team members is essential. Role understanding and mutual leverage is very important. A goal with a purpose is magical. A purpose is reaching for something greater than yourself. Winners always find a way to move forward towards their goal, mentally, physically and spiritually, every day-they are persistent. Preparation is very essential that good leaders do very meticulously. Basically commitment starts where fun stops.

-Empathy & Awareness- Mostly people work for people, and not for companies. So a leader should have a deeper understanding of each team members. Giving time to know the team members personally is big leverage. Emotions and feelings can be great assets. It is productive to coach than to criticize members. They can easily make out the difference.

-Manage Adversity- A true leader is ruled by hope of success and not by fear of failure. How he stands at time of challenge and controversy is important. He rises up and inspires his team mates to face the challenge head on. Not being a perfectionist he embraces setbacks and challenges as a spring board to future success.

-Mutual Respect & We Mindset-Acting like a team is more important than feeling like a team. Leaders believe in their team mates beyond reason. When respect is given as a gift and not with held as a grade, team mates feel valued, worthy, engaged, free to learn and have more ownership of results. Synergy can only be created if instead of “I”, every thought and process is based on “We”. Getting and giving suggestions always helps.

-Be a Kinetic leader and let go of Ego-A successful leader allows team mates to blossom and develop leadership qualities. He is ready to step into any team mates role at difficult times. For him the success of project is more important than his ego. He is ready to learn and lets others learn too. Giving credit where it is due is very crucial.

-Ownership Of Project- Taking full responsibility of any debacle and giving credit of success to team mates is a prized quality of leader.