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Interview Tips

This document provides guidance for job seekers on preparing for and excelling at interviews. It discusses resume checklists, types of interviews, how to research the employer and position, effective interview attire and preparation techniques like mock interviews. During the interview, it recommends establishing rapport, exchanging information professionally, addressing different question types, and proving your skills align with the job. Mistakes to avoid and questions to ask at the end are also outlined to help interviewees make the best possible impression.

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Ankur Khanna
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75 views28 pages

Interview Tips

This document provides guidance for job seekers on preparing for and excelling at interviews. It discusses resume checklists, types of interviews, how to research the employer and position, effective interview attire and preparation techniques like mock interviews. During the interview, it recommends establishing rapport, exchanging information professionally, addressing different question types, and proving your skills align with the job. Mistakes to avoid and questions to ask at the end are also outlined to help interviewees make the best possible impression.

Uploaded by

Ankur Khanna
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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FACING INTERVIEWS

Fresh out of College!!!!!!


WHERE NOW?? Confused about your Resume & Interview??????

OBJECTIVE
Resume Checklist p p p Understand the concept & purpose of the interview Learn how to prepare for your interview Develop strategies and techniques for a good interview

Resume Checklist
Your resume is the first interface you have with your f f y y employer Few Things to Remember: g always be factual and honest in your CV. be concise- try to keep y y p your CV to no more than two pages of p g single sided A4. try to focus on aspects of your career, qualifications, skills, etc. that are di l relevant to the particular organization and h directly l h i l i i d job. use a standard font of (Times New Roman or Ariel) and font size (10 or 12 pt.). provide relevant references; You can either include a statement such as reference available on request.

THE INTERVIEW
Any face-to-face contact with anyone who has the A f t f t t ith h h th authority to hire or supervise a person with your skills Types of Interview (a few of them): Panel Interview/ Board Interview Candidates are interviewed by two or more individuals. You can obtain employers name prior to interview and use them d i the conversation h during h i One-On-One Interviews Candidates are interviewed by one person. These tend to be more informal informal.

Second Interviews These happen after the initial interview and is generally conducted by middle or senior management. These interviews include more in-depth questions. Telephone Interviews Have a copy of your resume and any points u want to remember to say, nearby. Convey your enthusiasm verbally. Group Interview Employers b l bringing several candidates together in a group l dd h situation to solve a problem are testing your ability to work in a team environment. Remember use the skills to be the best team player.

Before The Interview


Prepare
Know Yourself Know the Position Know the Company/Organization- why?? Your Atti Y Attire

Practice
With a Friend Mock Interview

Yourself
Know Your:
Skills Be able to back up! Accomplishments Qualifications Interests I t t Personality

Know how these make you a strong candidate for the position

The Position
Know the specific job responsibilities & how you could fulfill them Know why you want the job If you are changing careers, be able to tell p y you qualified for this employer how y are q position (transferable skills)

The Company
Know its goals, mission, needs, products, services, reputation, etc. How can you support the company reach its goals and mission? Research via:
Internet company web page Print resources trade jou i t esou ces de journals, newspaper, etc. s, ewsp pe , e c. Current Employees informational interviews p y Your alumni in the company

WHY.. about the employer/job?

Your goal is to show the employer why you are the p y yy best person for the job Relate your strengths and experience to the job

Your Attire
The purpose of your clothing is to project an image of professionalism

GENERAL GUIDELINES: Apparel should be clean and neatly creased Apparel should fit well and remain in place while sitting and/or walking. Choose professional apparel. Keep your look simple and successful

Practice
Mock interview with a career counselor Practice with a friend i ih fi d Important to try out your answers out loud

The Interview Process


Introduction Small talk; pleasantries Establishing Rapport Education; work experience; extracurricular activities g Information Exchange Skills; abilities; ideas; goals yp Q Types of Questions Answering Style Prove you can do the job

Entrance & Introduction


Arrive at least 15 minutes before the scheduled interview time Knock, ask for permission to enter and then wait for a while before you actually sit down Have the right attitude as an interviewee requires a lot of patience and reading between the lines. lines Note facial expressions and the tone of the words; look out if the interviewer is trying to give you the lead Try and take cues from the tonal variations, facial expressions and thrust of questions from the interview panel.

Establishing Rapport stablishing appo t


While establishing rapport, first impressions are made and the tone of interview is set A good interviewer will introduce him/herself and him/herself, take the lead Follow interviewers l d if th engage i i f F ll i t i lead- they in informal l talk, then be informal; if they are formal, be formal. Smile and maintain eye contact at all time

Information Exchange nfo mation xchange


Let the interviewer know what you have to offer y Its your chance to learn more about the organization While answering a question, look the interviewer in the eye y Be aware of what your body is saying; Control your nervous habits Avoid closed postures habits postures. Dont look at your watch

Types of Interview Questions


Directive Questions- the interviewer determines the focus of your
answer. eg: What skills do you have that relate to this position.

Non-Directive Questions- the interviewer asks a general question and Q g q

does not ask for specific information. eg: Tell me about yourself.(cover four areas: education, related experience, skills and abilities, and personal attributes)

Hypothetical or Scenario Questions- the interviewer describes a

situation. This is a good way to test problem-solving abilities. In your answer, t try applying simple problem solving model t it gather l i i l bl l i d l to itth information, evaluate the information, etc. eg: Suppose you are working your first day in our laboratory, and a fire at a nearby work situation breaks out What would you do? out. do?

Behavioral Questions- it asks what you did in a particular situation Questions


rather than what you would do. Situation chosen usually follow the job description fairly closely. There is no right or wrong answer, just keep in mind that you should relate the answer to the position. y p eg: Give me an example of a work situation in which you were proud of your performance.

Stress Questions- some interviewers will try to stress you out by


asking not just tough questions but questions at a firing speed. Part of it is intentional to test how you act under pressure. Best technique is keep your calm and answer professionally. eg: Did you ever have a disagreement with a boss? Catch 22: If you answer yes, you are a troublemaker. If you answer no, you are a doormat. Find middle ground

Answering Style Matters!!


Keep your answers focused Include concrete information (examples) Communicate enthusiasm & positive attitude Sell yourself! Always expand. Never answer a question expand with a yes or no.

Prove You Can Do The Job


Employers want concrete examples Identify your skills: adaptive, transferable, and job-related Use data - numbers, volume, %, etc. Emphasize results: what happened as a result of your skills/efforts? Link up what youre good at to how you can help the employer out in this job

What is the Employer Looking For?


Job skills and transferable/adaptable skills Flexibility Dependability p y Teamwork Productivity y Creative Thinking and Problem Solving Organizational Skills & Leadership Skills Communication/Customer Service Ability to continuously learn

Mistakes That Cost People Jobs


Oversell: Trying too hard to impress; bragging; acting aggressively Undersell: Failing to emphasize the fact that you related skills; discussing experience using negative qualifiers (i.e. I have little experience..). Body Language: Staring at feet, fiddling with hands Negative Attitude: Complaining about previous employer/professor Lack of Honesty Lack of Preparation Lack of Enthusiasm

Closing the Interview g


Review your strengths Ask questions Ask for expected timeline of selection process Thank the interviewer for his/her time and consideration If the interviewer offers his/her hand hand, shake firmly.

What You Can Ask?


How this job contribute to the company? What would some of my responsibilities be? Could you tell me the growth plans and goals for the company? What s Whats the criteria your company uses for performance appraisal? W s s e po What skills are important to be success u in this o successful s position?

Final Tips
Know the directions & the estimated time to get there Get there 15 minutes early Bring extra copies of your resume/photograph Be courteous to receptionists Make sure your interview clothes are clean and ready to be worn Get a good nights rest

Dont Give Up..


It takes time and persistence to reach your goal Consider every interview a learning experience

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