Interview skills, be successful always

FacingInterviews

Babu Appat

Interview-What is it?

- Before explaining What is Interviewing

- Let me start the session with a

story?

- Joby B Tech 68%- John B Tech 86%

This story is aboutThis story is about

two persons, Joby and John. two persons, Joby and John.

Both had done B Tech and passed Both had done B Tech and passed out from IET, University of Calicutout from IET, University of Calicut

John scored 86% John scored 86% of marks in the of marks in the

aggregate and Joby aggregate and Joby managed with a 68%.managed with a 68%.

John applied for a new job,John applied for a new job,

but as his self-esteem was low, and but as his self-esteem was low, and he considered himself as a failure and he considered himself as a failure and

unworthy of success, he was sure unworthy of success, he was sure that he was not going to get the jobthat he was not going to get the job

He had a negative He had a negative attitude towards himself, attitude towards himself,

and believed that the and believed that the other applicants were other applicants were

better and more better and more qualified than him.qualified than him.

John manifested this John manifested this attitude, due to his attitude, due to his

negative past negative past experiences with job experiences with job

interviewsinterviews

His mind was filled with His mind was filled with negative thoughts and negative thoughts and

fears concerning the job fears concerning the job for the whole week for the whole week

before the job interviewbefore the job interview

He was sure he He was sure he would be rejected.would be rejected.

Thinking for a long time Thinking for a long time about the interview like about the interview like

this, on the previous this, on the previous night he couldn’t go to night he couldn’t go to

bed in timebed in time

It’s too late when he lied It’s too late when he lied down to sleep and down to sleep and worrying thoughts worrying thoughts

prevented him from prevented him from getting a good night’s getting a good night’s

sleepsleep

On the day of the interview On the day of the interview he got up late, and to his he got up late, and to his horror he discovered that horror he discovered that

the shirt he had planned to the shirt he had planned to wear was dirty, and the wear was dirty, and the

other one needed ironingother one needed ironing

As it was already too late, As it was already too late, he went out wearing a shirt he went out wearing a shirt

full of wrinklesfull of wrinkles

During the interview he was During the interview he was tense, displayed a negative tense, displayed a negative attitude, worried about his attitude, worried about his

shirt, and felt hungry shirt, and felt hungry because he did not have because he did not have

enough time to eat breakfastenough time to eat breakfast

All this distracted his mind All this distracted his mind and made it difficult for him and made it difficult for him

to focus on the interviewto focus on the interview

His overall behavior made a His overall behavior made a bad impression, and bad impression, and

consequently he materialized consequently he materialized his his

fear and fear and did not get the jobdid not get the job

Joby too had applied Joby too had applied for the same job but for the same job but

approached the matter approached the matter in a different wayin a different way

She was sure that she was She was sure that she was going to get the job. going to get the job.

During the week preceding During the week preceding the interview she often the interview she often

visualized herself making visualized herself making a good impression and a good impression and

getting the jobgetting the job

In the evening before the In the evening before the interview she prepared the interview she prepared the clothes she was going to clothes she was going to wear, and went to sleep a wear, and went to sleep a

little earlierlittle earlier

On the day of the interview On the day of the interview she woke up earlier than she woke up earlier than

usual, and had ample time to usual, and had ample time to eat breakfast, and then to eat breakfast, and then to

arrive at the interview before arrive at the interview before the scheduled timethe scheduled time

She got the job because she She got the job because she made a good impressionmade a good impression

She had also, of course, the She had also, of course, the proper qualifications for the proper qualifications for the

job, but so had John job, but so had John with a better scorewith a better score

What do we learn What do we learn from this story? from this story?

Is there any magic Is there any magic employed here? employed here?

No, it is all natural. No, it is all natural. When the attitude is positive When the attitude is positive

we entertain pleasant we entertain pleasant feelings and feelings and

constructive imagesconstructive images

We see in our mind's eye We see in our mind's eye what we really want to what we really want to

happen.happen.

This brings brightness to the This brings brightness to the eyes, more energy and eyes, more energy and

happiness. The whole being happiness. The whole being broadcasts good will, broadcasts good will,

happiness and successhappiness and success

Even the health is affected Even the health is affected in a beneficial way. in a beneficial way.

We walk tall and We walk tall and the voice is more the voice is more

powerfulpowerful

Our body language shows Our body language shows the way you feel insidethe way you feel inside

Thus you better your central Thus you better your central and peripheral traits, and peripheral traits,

transmit a good image, so transmit a good image, so others form a good image others form a good image

about youabout you

That’s the story.That’s the story.How’s it?How’s it?

Read a story a weekRead a story a weekYou’ll improve your You’ll improve your

language toolanguage too

Think PositiveThink PositiveBe ProgressiveBe Progressive

And you’ll always be And you’ll always be successful in all your successful in all your

endeavoursendeavours

Interview-What is it?

- A pre-planned structured meeting between

prospective employee and an employer

- Interviewing is a skill- like riding your bike

- PRACTICE makes you PERFECT

Interviewing is a two-way street

- Interviewer explore and find out whether you are fit for the job

and their culture

- Interviewee ascertain

the employer, the job, compensation offered

and prospects for career growth

Types of Interviews 1

Telephonic: Occasionally used as initial information seeking or screening tool

Teita-Teita: most common interview style where you meet and talk with the potential employer, face to face

Panel or Group: allows many individuals to interview you at once, a filtering technique when there are more number of applicants.

Types of Interviews 2

Over a Cup o’ Coffee: used to see how you interact or function in a social setting

Spot Interaction: this allows one to get a tour of the facility, meet the staff, and additional questioning from different employees and/or administration

The Preparation involves: 1

Explore and learn - position, company, and the industry

Examine your potentials, Analyse your strengths and weaknesses

Prepare everything and keep everything ready

The Preparation involves: 2

Material Preparation: Arrange the required materials (Copies of resume, references, portfolio/pen, HHD or personal organizer, breath mints)

Internet based storage of required data

At the Spot

Arrive at the destination in time (Never let your throat go dry for the want of dry run)

Try to arrive 10-15 minutes early at the site to allow you to park and settle.

Ask for directions and where to park

Walk to the interview, use the restroom, or just gather yourself

Greet Warmly, Introduce boldly

Open perfectly, make a good impression in the

beginning itself…... Dress appropriately

Smile Pleasingly Maintain proper eye

contact Firm handshake Remain poised and

confident

Body Language: The signals you SEND

Positive Signals

Leaning forward = interest

Smiling = friendly

Nodding = attentive and alert

Eye contact = curious and focused

Negative Signals

Crossed arms = defensive

Fidgeting hands or tapping feet = nervous or bored

Lack of eye contact = untrustworthy

Leaning back= discomfort

Types of Interview Questions

Standard or traditional-

Targeting your education, work experiences, and

career goals

Sample Questions

Tell me about yourself?

What is your greatest strength? Weakness?

Why did you choose to interview with us?

What did you like most about your last job? Least?

What are your short and long term career goals?


Behavioral Questions

These focus on your actions and/or behaviors in a previous setting.

- Past behavior provides clues to future behavior

Sample Questions

Describe a time you had to make a difficult decision?

Tell me about a time you worked under a deadline?

What do you do when a team member is not pulling his/her weight?

Think about a time you made a mistake. What did you learn from it?


Inappropriate or unethical questions

-

Questions which probe into your private life or personal background

-

Questions about your ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, disabilities, marital status

Sample Questions

How old are you?

Do you have children?

Do you have a disability?

What religion do you practice?

I’ll Give you 3 Minutes

You can ask me 3 Questions

What will you ask?

1?

2?

3?


Questions asked by the interviewee

To enable the employer determine, you are an appropriate fit for the company and position, prepare a list of questions for the interviewer

Sample Questions

What type of assignments can I expect within the first year?

What do you like most about this company?

What is the biggest challenge facing this department right now?

What skills are you looking for in this position?

What is the next course of action?

General Interview Strategies

-Be prepared to talk about yourself and your experiences

-Master the art of storytelling

-Provide specific and concrete examples of your results/accomplishments

-Remain positive, enthusiastic, poised, and confident throughout the interview process


Remember an interview is a formal conversation--avoid filler words like “Um”, “Ah”, “You know” etc.

Avoid indecisive phrases like: “I think,” “I guess,” “probably,” or “pretty good”

Think before speaking, deliver in its proper speed

Avoid long verbose answers--limit your response to 1-2 minutes

If you do not hear or understand a question, ask them to repeat or clarify it for you


Remain calm, relaxed, and be

yourself

Try to focus on the message you are trying to convey--NOT how well you

are doing!

Dressing for Success-Men

Suit-Single or double breasted

Polished shoes

Solid white shirt

Conservative tie

Neatly groomed hair, beard, and mustache

Avoid strong colognes, earrings, and body piercing

Dressing for Success-Women

Sari or Salwar Kamiz

Pant or skirt suit

Pumps with small to medium heels

Light makeup, perfume, and jewelry

Wear neutral color hosiery

FOLLOW-UP

Ask questions which invite a positive response

Request a business card contact details

Inquire about next steps in the process

Thank the interviewer

Never slam the door while coming out.

FOLLOW-UP CONT

Send a thank you note within 24 hours

Letter may be handwritten or typed; e-mail is also acceptable

Tailor each one to the individual.

Final Thoughts

Remember that only 15% of the success of an interview is out of your control

Take some time to reflect

Overall, how well did I do?

What went well? What steps can I take next time to improve?

Suggestions

Conduct a test run the day before the interview

Practice! Practice! Practice!

•Obtain a list of practice interview questions and jot down short answers

• Stand in front of a mirror and rehearse your answers

•Schedule an appointment for a mock interview with Career Services

Get a good night’s sleep-Take rest and be alert for the interview

Be relaxed and be yourself!

After the Interview

YOU WILL GET THE OFFER LETTER IMMEDIATELY

You will get it if you ought to

You may not if you ought not

One thing is sure

You’ll get THE most suitable one alwaysIF NOT THIS TIME

Continuing Education…

Please Visit:

http://interviewskills.webs.com/

http://interviewskills.webs.com/

Interview skills, be successful always

Education

Transcript of Interview skills, be successful always