INTERVIEW Skills

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INTERVIEW Skills
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What is an Interview?

• A formal meeting in person, especially one
  arranged for the assessment of the qualifications
  of an applicant.

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Types of interview

• ONE to ONE Interview

• PANEL JOB Interview

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Preparation

• Before you walk into any interview, you should
  know as much about the company and the position
  as you possibly can.
• In todays world of mass communication, theres
  no excuse for lack of research search the web or
  go to the library.
• Discuss about the position with concerned people,
  they should be able to provide that information
  for you.

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The Interview Psych Technique

• The night before the interview, spend some time
  with a friend or family member, have mock
  interview
• Use correct words, sentences and paragraphs.
• The purpose is to put you in the right frame of
  mind for the interview, so that you truly believe
  you are the best possible candidate for the job.

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Your job is to sell me on you

• Before you can possibly convince me as the
  interviewer that you are right for the job, you
  have to believe it yourself.
• Remember, you are all alone once the interview
  starts. No one will sell you if you dont sell
  yourself.
• Once you have sold me on you, I will sell you on
  the position and the company, but not until then.
  So dont expect the interviewer to tell you why
  you are right for the job. That is your job.

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Interviews are always stressful

• The best way to reduce the stress is to be
  prepared
• Take time to understand some of the standards
  when it comes to interviewing questions.
• Take the time to review the standard interview
  questions you will most likely be asked.

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Guidelines for the Interviewee

• Be prepared for the interview
• Just as the interviewer has to plan out the event
  in advance, so has the interviewee to be prepared
  for it. Be prepared for the unexpected.
• Have a presentable appearance
• Everybody appreciates a pleasant personality.
• As in the case of a presentation, so in an
  interview, the concerned persons appearance is a
  part of the message.
• Show interest by making effective use of body
  language
• Eye contact with the interviewer shows ,
  interviewee genuinely interested in the event and
  keen to participate in it.
• Sit in a correct, confident posture, straight,
  balanced and not stiff in the chair offered.
• Hands be neatly locked in lap or comfortably
  placed on the arms of the chair.

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Guidelines for the Interviewee

• All the questions must be correctly and
  completely answered
• Since the primary aim of an interview is to
  exchange information it should be done
  effectively.
• If the interviewee is not clear about a suitable
  answer to a question, there is no harm in
  admitting it
• One must never try to bluff. Be honest.
• Be polite
• Politeness is indispensable in every situation.
• Avoid talking too much
• Avoid making boastful statements. The interviewer
  is intelligent enough to find out the
  interviewees intelligence and suitability for
  the job.

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Guidelines for the Interviewee

• Avoid criticism
• Do not criticize the previous employer or anybody
  else
• Negative statements are looked down upon.
• Do not forget to thank the interviewers
• For having spared time for you
• Granting an interview is indeed a favour.
• Do not hesitate to ask
• Any questions to seek clarification regarding the
  company profile, service conditions etc
• It will not only satisfy your curiosity but also
  give the interviewer an idea of your confidence
  and interest in the organization. But only
  towards the end of the interview and when you
  feel you are likely to get the job.

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1- Tell me about yourself.

• It seems like an easy interview question. Its
  open ended. I can talk about whatever. Right?
• Wrong.
• What the hiring manager really wants is a quick,
  two- to three-minute snapshot of who you are and
  why youre the best candidate for this position.
• Use an example or two to back it up. Always point
  back to an example when you have the opportunity.
• Tell me about yourself does not mean tell me
  everything. Just tell me what makes you the best.

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2- Why should I hire you?

• The easy answer is that you are the best person
  for the job. And dont be afraid to say so. But
  then back it up with what specifically
  differentiates you.
• For example You should hire me because Im the
  most suitable person for the job. I realize that
  there are other candidates who also have the
  ability to do this job. Yet I bring an additional
  quality that makes me the best person for the
  job--my passion for excellence. I am passionately
  committed to producing truly world class results.
  For example.
• Are you the best person for the job? Show it by
  your passionate examples.

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3- What is your long-range objective?

• The key is to focus on your achievable objectives
  and what you are doing to reach those objectives.
• For example Within five years, I would like to
  become the very best engineer your company has on
  staff. I want to work toward becoming the expert
  that others rely upon. And in doing so, I feel
  Ill be fully prepared to take on any greater
  responsibilities which might be presented in the
  long term. For example, here is what Im
  presently doing to prepare myself . . .
• Then go on to show by your examples what you are
  doing to reach your goals and objectives.

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4- How has your education prepared you for
your career?

• This is a broad question and you need to focus on
  the behavioral examples in your educational
  background which specifically align to the
  required competencies for the career.
• For example My education has focused on not
  only the learning the fundamentals, but also on
  the practical application of the information
  learned within those classes. For example, I
  played a lead role in a class project where we
  gathered and analyzed best practice data from
  this industry. Let me tell you more about the
  results . . .
• Focus on behavioral examples supporting the key
  competencies for the career. Then ask if they
  would like to hear more examples.

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5- Are you a team player?

• Almost everyone says yes to this question. But it
  is not just a yes/no question. You need to
  provide behavioral examples to back up your
  answer.
• A sample answer Yes, Im very much a team
  player. In fact, Ive had opportunities in my
  project, school and college to develop my skills
  as a team player. For example, on a recent
  project . . .
• Emphasize teamwork behavioral examples and focus
  on your openness to diversity of backgrounds.
  Talk about the strength of the team above the
  individual. And note that this question may be
  used as a lead in to questions around how you
  handle conflict within a team, so be prepared.

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6- Have you ever had a conflict with a senior or
professor? How was it resolved?

• Note that if you say no, most interviewers will
  keep drilling deeper to find a conflict. The key
  is how you behaviorally reacted to conflict and
  what you did to resolve it.
• For example Yes, I have had conflicts in the
  past. Never major ones, but there have been
  disagreements that needed to be resolved. I've
  found that when conflict occurs, it helps to
  fully understand the other persons perspective,
  so I take time to listen to their point of view,
  then I seek to work out a collaborative solution.
  For example . . .
• Focus your answer on the behavioral process for
  resolving the conflict and working
  collaboratively.

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7- What is your greatest weakness?

• Most career books tell you to select a strength
  and present it as a weakness. Such as I work
  too much. I just work and work and work.. First
  of all, using a strength and presenting it as a
  weakness is deceiving. Second, it misses the
  point of the question.
• You should select a weakness that you have been
  actively working to overcome. For example I
  have had trouble in the past with prioritization.
  However, Im now taking steps to correct this. I
  just started using a pocket planner . . . then
  explain them your planner and how you are using
  it.
• Talk about a true weakness and show what you are
  doing to overcome it.

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8-If I were to ask your professors to describe
you, what would they say?

• This is a threat of reference check question. Do
  not wait for the interview to know the answer.
  Ask your professors in advance. And if theyre
  willing to provide a positive reference, ask them
  for a letter of recommendation.
• Then you can answer the question like this
• I believe he/ she would say I'm a very
  energetic person, that Im results oriented and
  one of the best people she has ever worked with.
  Actually, I know he/ she would say that, because
  those are his/ her very words. May I show you
  his/ her letter of recommendation?
• So be prepared in advance (with your letters of
  recommendation, if possible).

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9- What qualities do you feel a successful
manager/engineer should have?

• Focus on two words leadership and vision.
• Here is a sample of how to respond The key
  quality in a successful manager should be
  leadership--the ability to be the visionary for
  the people who are working under them. The person
  who can set the course and direction for
  subordinates. The highest calling of a true
  leader is inspiring others to reach the highest
  of their abilities. I'd like to tell you about a
  person whom I consider to be a true leader . . .
• Then give an example of someone who has touched
  your life and how their impact has helped in your
  personal development.

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10- If you had to live your life over again, what
one thing would you change?

• Focus on a key turning point in your life or
  missed opportunity. Yet also tie it forward to
  what you are doing to still seek to make that
  change.
• Stay focused on positive direction in your life
  and back it up with examples.

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REMEMBER

• In reviewing these responses, PLEASE remember
  that they are only to be viewed samples. Please
  do not rehearse them verbatim. They are meant to
  stir your creative mind and get you thinking
  about how to properly answer the broader range of
  questions that you will face.

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The Most Important Aspect of Interviewing

• What can you do to set yourself apart in your
  interview ?
• The most important aspect of successful
  interviewing is not your experience, your degree
  or your resume. Thats what got you the
  interview.
• The key to successful interviewing can be summed
  up in one word
• PASSION.
• Its your passion for the job that will set you
  apart from the crowd.

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How can you demonstrate your passion in the
interview?

• Though your enthusiasm for the job and behavioral
  examples of how your passion has had a positive
  impact on results.
• If you can show me, in your words, actions and
  past behaviors, that you have true passion toward
  achieving excellence, you can and will be chosen
  over the superstar. Let your passion for the job
  show through in every aspect of your interview.

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The Second Most Important Aspect of Interviewing

• Another key element to successful interviewing is
  your attitude.
• Attitude is everything.
• If you want to rise above others with better
  experience, better grades, or better anything,
  you will need to work on developing a highly
  positive work attitude.
• The way most employers differentiate at the entry
  level is by candidates attitude and passion
  toward the job.
• Your attitude and passion is what recruiters
  remember when the dust has settled after they
  have reviewed ten, twenty, or even one hundred
  candidatesyou were the one who was sincerely
  willing to put forth your very best effort.

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• You can show your winning attitude in the way you
  present yourself. Incorporate the actual words
  positive attitude , passion for excellence
  and striving to be my best into your interview
  language.
• If you can show me, by words and examples, your
  can do attitude, it is you I will hire

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Interview Dos

• Arrive 15 minutes early.
• Late attendance is never excusable.
• Make your halo effect impressive. Remember that
  first impression is long lasting for the
  interviewing board.
• Clarify questions. Be sure you answered the
  questions the employer really asked.
• Give your qualifications. Stress the
  accomplishments that are most pertinent to the
  job.

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• Anticipate tough questions. Prepare in advance so
  you can turn apparent weaknesses into strengths.
• Conduct yourself professionally. Be aware of what
  your body language is saying. Smile, make eye
  contact, dont slouch and maintain composure.
• Dress appropriately. Make your first impression a
  professional one.
• Listen. This is probably the most important "do"
  of all. By concentrating not only on the
  employers words, but also on the tone of voice
  and body language, you will be able to pick up on
  the employers style.

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INTERVIEWS DONTs

• Do not lack self confidence or appear shaky.
• Poor communication skills are an absolute put
  off.
• Body language must not reflect negatively.
• Do not lack the relevant subject knowledge.
• There is a difference between self confidence and
  over confidence.
• Do not hide background and family history.

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• Do not have inadequate knowledge about the
  company and the industry in which you have
  applied for the employment.
• Do not be improperly dressed or display lack a
  sense of hygiene.
• If the interview board is harsh, do not lose cool
  during the interview.
• Do not reply unfocussed and out of context.
• Thus, answers should be
• as precise as possible.

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• Mental fear
• of the unknown is often what produces the
  physical symptoms of nervousness. In addition to
  preparing yourself physically, you need to
  prepare yourself mentally.
• The best way to prepare mentally is to know what
  may be coming.
• Fear of the unknown can only exist when there is
  an unknown.

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Effective Public Speaking
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Public Speaking The preparation
Cardinal Question Implied
Questions 1 W What? What do I wish to
communicate? 2 W Why? Why should the audience
listen to me? 3 W When? Have I taken care of
the timing of my speech?
When are the listeners most likely to be
interested? 4 W Where? Where have I to speak??
5 W Who? Who am I going to speak to? An
individual ,or several persons, or a large
audience? What
are the interests and expectations of the
audience? H How? How can I best convey my
message? Have I
taken care to prepare my message in the most
persuasive language? Do I need any audio
visual aids to make my speech effective?
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Effective Speaking Techniques

• Be clear and organized
• Answer 5 X Ws and H, the speech will
  automatically turn out to be clear and effective.
  
• Clarity is the very life of all speech and
  writing.
• No listener / reader likes to be caught up in a
  jumble of confused thinking.
• Mental training and logical thinking that come
  from all good education.
• Especially in the world of business, clarity of
  thought is the greatest asset.
• All powerful speakers religiously stick to the
  principle - Be clear.
• Be simple
• From clarity of thought emerges simplicity.
• Simpler the language the greater is the appeal.
• A really effective speaker
• is one who can explain the most difficult or
  complex matter in the simplest language to a
  layman.
• No audience likes to listen to jargon. They can
  be patient only with the simplest language.

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Effective Speaking Techniques

• Furnish Concrete Details
• Many speakers spoil their speeches by talking in
  abstractions.
• Make speech vivid by furnishing details and
  actual experiences to capture the attention of
  the audience.
• Such attention to speech makes it full of life
  which is the literal meaning of the word vivid.
  
• Make his speech lively and brilliant with
  eye-catching details, humorous anecdotes,
  relevant examples and enthusiastic eye-toeye
  contact with the audience.

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Effective Speaking Techniques

• Cultivate Effortless Grace and Naturalness
• Many things - smiling, going to sleep or
  behaving unaffectedly are done worst when we try
  hardest to do them.
• A cultured person moves and speaks with grace and
  sounds natural.
• When face-to-face with a large, selected
  audience, it is quite natural to be conscious,
  perhaps over conscious, and, for the moment, to
  find it difficult to be natural.
• Devise own ways to look, move and speak with
  grace.
• Practicing to speak in front of a mirror.
• Find a popular anchor / personality and emulate
  his / her style.

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Effective Speaking Techniques

• Enrich Mental Equipment
• Be a learned / well informed person.
• As the old Greek proverb says, Out of nothing,
  nothing comes.
• So, we must remember that for every occasion, and
  for every kind of speech, the best armament is a
  well stocked minda mind stocked / equipped with
  all kinds of information / facts/ figures /
  general awareness / readings in literature and
  philosophy, current affairs, economic and
  political developments, new advancements in
  science and technology, emergence of new business
  organizations and so on.
• Having the right kind of information for the
  right moment.

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Effective Speaking Techniques

• Be Brief
• Excessive information does not mean that one can
  go on rambling or going into unnecessary details.
  
• Quantity of information and quality of speech.
• All that is superfluous must be cut out in order
  to make the speech concise.
• Every word we speak is valuable, and there are no
  words to waste.
• Be informal Informality creates nearness.
• The occasion may be formal but the speaker must
  strive to give his speech a personal touch.
  Establish rapport with the audience.
• Create an impression that will last.

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Effective Speaking Techniques

• Be Enthusiastic
• Making an effective speech is not just a matter
  of doing a duty performing a ritual.
• One has to get into the spirit of the occasion
  with enthusiasm and keen interest.
• No one likes to listen to a dull or monotonous
  speaker. But an enthusiastic speaker gets an
  immediate response.
• Enthusiasm is contagious.
• Mind Non-verbal Language
• Effective use of gestures is a necessary
  component of a speech whether prepared or
  impromptu.
• Eye contact is indispensable.
• Anybody aspiring to be a good speaker,
  also, keeps training himself in voice modulation,
  use of proper word stress and gestures.

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Effective Speaking Techniques

• Facts and Figures are not enough
• If facts and figures had been enough there would
  have been no speeches.
• Anybody can have access to facts and figures.
• They can just be circulated or blandly stated.
• They are just like a skeleton. It is the
  imaginative and effective use of language in a
  speech / writing that breathes life into that
  skeleton and supplies it with flesh and blood.
• Many great entrepreneurs, chairpersons, statesmen
  and scholars are known for their oratory that
  stems from their command over language.

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Effective Speaking Techniques

• Control Emotions, but make an Emotional Speech
• What comes from the heart goes to the heart.
• Every human being is full of emotions. But an
  effective speaker cannot afford to be carried
  away by his own emotions.
• On the other hand, while exercising poise and
  maintaining composure, he can stir up his
  audience to action.
• His job is not just to inform but also to
  convince and influence his audience. That is how
  many speeches become memorable.
• Share Significant Experiences / Expertise with
  Audience
• This will not only give a personal touch to the
  speech, but also confidence to the speaker and
  comfort to the listeners.
• It will make the audience feel important to the
  speaker.

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• All
• the
• best

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Q A FOR INTERVIEW

• No one can predict the exact questions that an
  interviewer will ask, but you can rehearse your
  CV get a good idea of a few important questions
  that the employer is likely to ask.

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Ten Tough Interview Qs Ten As

• Some of the difficult questions you will face in
  the course of your job interviews.
• The answers are provided to give you a new
  perspective on how to answer tough interview
  questions.
• They are provided for you to use as the basic
  structure for formulating your own answers.
• While the specifics of each reply may not apply
  to you, try to follow the basic structure of the
  answer from the perspective of the interviewer.
• Answer the questions behaviorally, with specific
  examples that show that clear evidence backs up
  what you are saying about yourself.