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Business Communication: Interviews

The document provides guidance on preparing for and conducting oneself during a job interview. It discusses different types of interviews, researching the employer, proper grooming and attire, preparing responses to common questions using the STAR approach, questions to ask the interviewer, nonverbal communication techniques like eye contact and posture, and tips for making a positive impression. Key recommendations include dressing professionally, practicing answers to anticipated questions, researching the company, maintaining confidence and enthusiasm, and focusing on what value you can provide the employer.

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SHREYA MAHESHWARI
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© © All Rights Reserved
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
58 views

Business Communication: Interviews

The document provides guidance on preparing for and conducting oneself during a job interview. It discusses different types of interviews, researching the employer, proper grooming and attire, preparing responses to common questions using the STAR approach, questions to ask the interviewer, nonverbal communication techniques like eye contact and posture, and tips for making a positive impression. Key recommendations include dressing professionally, practicing answers to anticipated questions, researching the company, maintaining confidence and enthusiasm, and focusing on what value you can provide the employer.

Uploaded by

SHREYA MAHESHWARI
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Business Communication

Interviews
Types of Interviews

● Campus interviews: Held


at the institute’s campus

● Onsite interviews: Office


of the potential employer

● Telephonic interviews:
Over the phone
Telephonic Interviews
◻ Have your notes organized, highlighted,
and within easy access

◻ Without non-verbal communication, be


aware that it is difficult to “read” the
interviewer

◻ Make sure your voice conveys enthusiasm

◻ If more than one person on the other end,


have them identify themselves when
asking their questions
Preparing for the Interview

Prepare well by

◻ Being mentally prepared

◻ Researching employers

◻ Dressing appropriately
Appearance Matters a Lot!

◻ Dress appropriately

◻ Make a good first impression

◻ Pride in yourself implies pride in your work

◻ Show your creativity in your work, not in your


appearance

◻ Be well groomed and clean


Don’t Forget the Details

◻ Nicely styled hair

◻ Apply natural, clean looking


face/makeup

◻ Clean your fingernails

◻ Avoid heavy jewelry

◻ Iron your clothes

◻ Avoid strong perfumes or


colognes
Mental Preparation

Understand your:

● Skills, strengths, weaknesses, attitude

● Likes and dislikes

Review your resume thoroughly


Practise Your ‘Soft Skills’
◻ Greet people with a firm
handshake

◻ Stand up to meet people

◻ Practice your dining etiquette

◻ Remember ‘please’ and ‘thank


you’

◻ Be good at chatting and small


talk
Researching the Company
What do you need to know?

◻ Age of the company ◻ Locations/length of time there

◻ Services or products ◻ Size

◻ Competitors within the ◻ Number of employees


industry
◻ Sales/assets/earnings
◻ Growth pattern
◻ New products or projects
◻ Reputation
◻ Culture and values
◻ Divisions and subsidiary
Research Tools
◻ Internet

◻ Human resource (HR)/public


relations (PR) division

◻ Network of contacts and friends

◻ Journals, magazines, newspapers


Acknowledge your Nervousness

◻ Be composed

◻ Advance preparation reduces


nervousness

◻ Practice answering the worst


possible question they could
ask

◻ Practice positive visualization


and relaxation techniques
Attitude

It separates winners from losers

◻ Be enthusiastic and eager

◻ Practice good eye contact

◻ Smile
◻ Walk with confidence
◻ Sit up straight
◻ Adapt to your surroundings
Powerful Positive Words
Use words such as

accomplish, accommodate, achieve, attain, challenge, energy,


enhance, enthusiastic, excellence, fulfill, goal, opportunity,
passion, passionate, perform, perseverance, satisfy, strength,
strive, succeed, success, talent, vitality

Avoid extreme words such as

always, extremely, never, no one, every one, entire, completely


Professional Image for Women

• Best choices

• Salwar kameez in soothing colors

• Trousers and full-sleeved shirt

• Saris

◻ Wear polished, low heeled shoes

◻ Use minimal accessories


Professional Image for Men

• Best choices

• Business suit, dark colors (blues, greys,


browns), white shirt

• Trousers , full sleeve shirts, tie, belt,


shoes

◻ Button your jacket when you stand

◻ Wear polished shoes

◻ Socks: Appropriate colour and length


Employers Notice Good Manners

◻ Be in time for the interview

◻ Treat the receptionist with respect

◻ Use Mr or Ms unless they ask you to use first names

◻ Don’t sit until you’re invited to


What to bring to an interview

◻ Several copies of your resume

◻ Your portfolio, if applicable

◻ New notebook and a nice pen

◻ Briefcase or leather folder

◻ Names, addresses, and phone


numbers of references
Interviewing Techniques
Tell Us About Yourself
Create a 60-second sound byte by including:

◻ Geographic origin

◻ Reason for choosing major

◻ Educational background

◻ Two or three strengths relevant to the position

◻ Specific expertise and accomplishments

◻ Perceived ability to contribute to company

◻ Career goals
Behaviour-based Interviewing

◻ Previous behavior predicts future behaviour

◻ Examples show the meaning you have made of education and


experience

◻ Provides insight on how your mind works


Types of Interview Questions
◻ Experience/credentials: Quantifying features of background

◻ Behavioral: Judging future behavior on the basis of past


behavior

◻ Leading: Checking consistency

◻ Probing: Getting more information on a particular topic

◻ Blind: Checking sportiveness/originality of ideas


Answer Questions using the Star
Approach

◻ Situation

◻ Task

◻ Action

◻ Results
Star Approach

Situation

◻ Give the situation for your answer

◻ Choose a professional example from your job experience,


course work, volunteer work, or student activities

◻ Set the stage so the interviewer can relate to your answer


Star Approach
Task

◻ Explain the task at hand

◻ Dwell on the positive; do not blame or point fingers


elsewhere
Star Approach

Action

◻ Describe the action you took to resolve the problem or bring


about the success

◻ Explain your role in the action

◻ Identify specific skills you used


Star Approach

Results

◻ Explain the results

◻ Provide details, amounts, success

◻ Apply these results to the position for which you are


applying
Star Provides an Outline

◻ Helps you answer completely so you give enough


information

◻ Lets you know when to stop

◻ Allows the interviewer to see you as a problem solver and


decision maker
Difficult Situations
Tricky Questions

◻ Imagine you are dead. You’ve lived a long


happy life. What would your obituary say?

◻ How will you want people to remember


you when you’ve gone? (family, friends,
etc.)

◻ What is your ideal organization?

◻ What is the one question you don’t want


to ask me?

◻ What is the salary range that you expect?


Questions You can Ask

◻ Could you describe a typical day at work for me?

◻ Is there on-site training for new employees?

◻ Does this position involve travel?

◻ Are there opportunities for continuing education?

◻ When will I learn my status?

◻ What are the typical opportunities for advancement in this


position?
Listen Carefully

◻ It is important to understand
the questions correctly

◻ Ask for clarification

◻ Do not be afraid to ask if you


can take a few seconds to
think about your answer
Do’s and Don’ts
Do’s

◻ Research the company ◻ Have a good attitude, be


positive
◻ Prepare for tough questions
◻ Show confidence
◻ Greet interviewer
enthusiastically ◻ Be professional

◻ Focus on what you have to ◻ Follow up with a note or


offer, not what you want phone call

◻ Know your rights as an


interviewee
Don’ts
◻ discuss salary, benefits, or vacations until an offer is
made

◻ display personal habits, i.e. smoking, chewing gum,


tapping a pencil, stretching, or jiggling a foot

◻ Lie

◻ get too chatty about non-job topics

◻ blame others or disparage employers


Kinesics at the Interview
◻ Eye Contact

◻ Facial Expressions

◻ Postures

◻ Gestures

◻ Space-distancing

◻ Voice

◻ Time
Eye Contact

◻ It is important to look at the


interviewers

◻ By looking at them directly you are


sending a signal of trust

◻ While answering a question look first at


the person who posed the question, but
take turns looking at the others

◻ When you want to emphasize, look at


the questioner

◻ Maintain sincere, continuous eye


contact
Facial Expressions

◻ Have a true, genuine smile

◻ Look relaxed

◻ Be cheerful, dynamic, and


enthusiastic

◻ While narrating, use appropriate


expression

◻ Don’t show your dislike even if you


don’t like some questions

◻ Practice your expressions


Postures

The posture should show interest but still come across as relaxed:

◻ Sit up straight at the beginning with back


against the back of the chair

◻ Don’t slouch or hang sideways; don’t sit


at the edge

◻ Can change during interview


(turning shoulders, leaning forward)

◻ Emphasize by tilting head a little


Gestures
◻ Keep to a minimum

◻ Let your hands lie loosely on your lap or


place them on the armrests of your chair

◻ Support your words with appropriate


gestures

◻ Add hand movements slowly during


interview; pay attention to your
interviewers

◻ Tune your movements to those of others

◻ Don’t shuffle with your feet or kick


against the leg of the table

◻ Don’t drum with your fingers or click


with a pen
Space

◻ Given a choice, select a seat from


where you can see all interviewers

◻ Don’t bend keeping both your


hands on the table

◻ Recognize the boundaries of


personal space

◻ If the interviewer pats you, accept it


gracefully
Voice

◻ Do express yourself clearly with a strong


voice

◻ Adopt a moderate pitch

◻ Articulate well, don’t mince words

◻ Keep appropriate pace, volume

◻ Bring in modulations

◻ Your voice should exhibit your


confidence, not arrogance
Time

◻ Arrive well before

◻ Your attitude towards time will


send non-verbal messages

◻ Keep in mind the interviewers’


time too; be precise and direct in
your answers
Ten Most Common Reasons for Rejection

● Arrogance

● Apathy

● Uninhibited nervousness

● Evasive answers

● Lack of concentration

● Lack of crispness

● Lack of social skills

● Lack of firmness

● Inadequate quantitative skills

● Unsuitable personality
Evaluate/Retrain
Review your performance:

◻ How did you do overall?

◻ What were your strengths?

◻ What needs improvement?

◻ Develop a follow-up chart for tracking

REPLAY

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