The most important thing to remember before going into any interview, is be prepared. Preparation can make the difference between getting an offer and getting rejected.

Preparing for the interview:-

• Identify who you are meeting. Make sure you know their title and whether you will be working for them directly.
• Research the job - find out what the job entails. If you have been given a job description, make sure you have studied it, so that you are fully aware of the position, if asked.
• Research as much as you can use company brochures or websites. Most companies today have a Web Site and they expect you to have researched their company.  If going for a marketing/sales/finance position - research company products and the company potential (e.g. Annual review report and so on)

Final Preparations:-

Make sure you know what you're going to wear. Know the culture of the organization for which you are interviewing and dress accordingly. A business suit is always best. Be certain that your clothing is clean and well pressed.

Know the location of your interview. Always plan to arrive at the designated office 10 minutes in advance. Allow ample time for traffic, the possibility of getting lost, and parking difficulties. Bring extra copies of your CV in a folder or portfolio. Bring a small notebook for notes, but keep note-taking to a minimum.

During the Interview:-

1. Be able to answer standard questions, such as:-

• Why are you interested in this field?
• Why are you interested in this company?
• Why are you interested in this position?

2. Be prepared to discuss anything on your CV. Also, be prepared to answer difficult questions, such as:-

• What are your strengths and weaknesses?
• How do you cope with pressure?
• What makes you a good team member?
• Where do you see yourself in five years?

3. Prepare questions to ask. Examples of these could be as follows:-

• How does the position fit into the organizational structure?
• How much scope (autonomy, flexibility, career growth, responsibilities) is there within this position?
• What is the company's managerial style/culture?

NEVER ask about salary or benefits, that's our job!

During the Interview:-

• Smile and make eye contact.
• Relax and be friendly.
• Be positive and enthusiastic.
• Think about your body language.

The interview is your chance to make a good impression and to stand out from the crowd, so make sure you're fully prepared and good luck!

The difference between a Resume, CV and Bio-data
 
People use the words Resume, C.V., and Bio-data interchangeably for the document highlighting skills, education, and experience that a candidate submits when applying for a job. On the surface level, all the three mean the same. However, there are intricate differences.
 
"Resume" is a French word meaning "summary", and true to the word meaning, signifies a summary of one's employment, education, and other skills, used in applying for a new position. A resume seldom exceeds one side of an A4 sheet, and at the most two sides. They do not list out all the education and qualifications, but only highlight specific skills customized to target the job profile in question.
A resume is usually broken into bullets and written in the third person to appear objective and formal. A good resume starts with a brief Summary of Qualifications, followed by Areas of Strength or Industry Expertise in keywords, followed by Professional Experience in reverse chronological order. Focus is on the most recent experiences, and prior experiences summarized. The content aims at providing the reader a balance of responsibilities and accomplishments for each position. After Work experience come Professional Affiliations, Computer Skills, and Education
 
"Curriculum vitae" is a Latin word meaning "course of life". Curriculum Vitae (C.V.) is therefore a regular or particular course of study pertaining to education and life. A C.V. is more detailed than a resume, usually 2 to 3 pages, but can run even longer as per the requirement. A C.V. generally lists out every skills, jobs, degrees, and professional affiliations the applicant has acquired, usually in chronological order. A C.V. displays general talent rather than specific skills for any specific positions.
 
Bio-Data, the short form for Biographical Data, is the old-fashioned terminology for Resume or C.V. The emphasis in a bio data is on personal particulars like date of birth, religion, sex, race, nationality, residence, martial status, and the like. Next comes a chronological listing of education and experience. The things normally found in a resume, that is specific skills for the job in question comes last, and are seldom included. Bio-data also includes applications made in specified formats as required by the company.
 
A resume is ideally suited when applying for middle and senior level positions, where experience and specific skills rather than education is important. A C.V., on the other hand is the preferred option for fresh graduates, people looking for a career change, and those applying for academic positions. The term bio-data is mostly used in India while applying to government jobs, or when applying for research grants and other situations where one has to submit descriptive essays.
 
Resumes present a summary of highlights and allow the prospective employer to scan through the document visually or electronically, to see if your skills match their available positions. A good resume can do that very effectively, while a C.V. cannot. A bio-data could still perform this role, especially if the format happens to be the one recommended by the employer.
 
Personal information such as age, sex, religion and others, and hobbies are never mentioned in a resume. Many people include such particulars in the C.V. However, this is neither required nor considered in the US market. A Bio-data, on the other hand always include such personal particulars.