The truth about interviewing is that most initial interviews only last about 5 minutes. Oh, sure, the actual interview always takes longer than that. 20 minutes. 30 minutes. Sometimes even an hour. But the interview is usually over in 5 minutes or less. If you have not convinced the interviewer by the 5 minutes that you are the right person for the job, it can hardly be possible for the interview to continue. In the interviews, you will have noted many critical aspects — your appearance, your dressing, your handshake, your personal presence, your eye contact, and most importantly, your personality. Notice that I didn’t mention anything about your course work, or your work experience. That is what got you to the interview in the first place. But it is the “soft factors” that will take you to the next level. Having taken the right courses, having good grades (critical!), and having related work experience are all important selection criteria. But they mean nothing if you are not a person fit for the company. The truth is that most interviewers are seeking individuals who are able to personally present themselves well in a face-to-face interview. They are seeking to recommend those who will be a good reflection upon themselves and their selectivity. So, most interviewers naturally focus on specific “critical success factors” during an interview.