Why do people interview?

As part of my everyday work, I conduct at least 3-4 interviews daily for various roles like sales managers, finance managers, recruiters, call center agents, techies and so on. Everyday Ii am astounded by the number of inane replies I get and just the "aimlessness" of the interviewee. Let me make one thing clear - our company isn't looking for superstars - what we look for is people who know their job and are committed to it. People who have a good positive body language and attitudde. Remember what you dont say or dont do is as important as what you say and do - maybe more. After a few years of interviewing, the interviewers get cynical and have already heard all the textbook answers. Some of the most canned ones I have heard are below

Q "Why are you interested in working in a mid size organization like ours?"
A I believe that a small organization gives me more ability to grow than a big one. I would rather be a big fish in a small pond than a small fish in the big pond. (I hear this in 2/3 interviews I conduct). This tells me that the candidate hasn't researched my company and doesn't really have a solid reason for applying. Its just one of the random naukri applications. A great answer would be researching the position and its impact on the organization and convincing your interviewers on how the company and the profile is a fit for what you have done before and how you feel you would add value.

Q 'Why are you quitting your current position?"
A Bad answer one - Personal reasons - now we all have reasons for quitting jibs but personal reasons to me spells you had problems with your new manager
Bad answer two - new management - well how long would you stay w/ a new company then? Organizations look for people who would stick around and not run away at the first hint of change
Bad answer three - Growth - this isnt so bad except it raises the question - cant u grow in your current org? If not, why should i believe you would grow here? This needs concrete supporting details on why and how?
Bad answer four - Everyone is leaving! This could qualify as the most disastrous answer. Tell me why you are leaving, else I feel like you are a follower and not a leader - worse someone who cant make up his mind. Someone actually told me yesterday that she was quitting because her friends left the company.
Understandably this is a tricky question, there is no way to come off smelling of roses here. The best recourse would be to talk of your contributions to the company while you have been there and how a future with the company doesn't align with your future career plans and quickly move on to how the job you are interviewing for is more in tune with your plans. If you have held a job for less than a year or so, you had better have a good story put together.

Q Tell me about yourself
Most often received answer is a family history. Please note teh question is tell me about yourself - restrict it to your education, career history, career strengths. I am amazed by how many people the huge selling point this question is. being an open question, you can use it to steer the interview in any direction you like, You can use this question to talk about your career aspirations and how this position you are applying for ties in to it. Use this question to sell yourself else you are losing out on a huge opportunity.

The above are just a sample i pulled out. There are many more instances but I hope I made my point. Also if you claim to be an expert in any area - ensure that you have more than a laymans idea of what it means. A resume is just a starting point. A beefed up resume might get you an interview but if you aren't all your resume claims to be - chances are you will get creamed in the interview.

Now for the all important dress code. India has been going very casual lately as far as work wear is concerned but that is no excuse to dress sloppily. Find out what the dress code of the company is when your face to face is scheduled. If the company doesn't have an interview dress code find out what the company dress code is. Rule of thumb always go one level up from the company dress code. You want to stand out but not look stuffy or overdressed. If everyone comes in jeans to work, wearing a suit will make you feel self conscious. A formal shirt and pants should do. Also women, if you are wearing western clothes, make sure you are comfortable in it and aren't just projecting an image. Yesterday i interviewed a young lady who kept tugging at her neckline throughout thee interview. Very distracting - esp for the male interviewers.

There are some nuggets of wisdom. Leave me a comment if you have more specific questions and I will do my best to answer them.