Interview Skills
Interview Skills
INTERVIEW SKILLS
(1) obtaining certain information from the candidate which he/she alone
knows and can be gathered only by a face-to-face interaction;
A recent survey confirms that employers say the most common deficiency
among job candidates is that they don’t know much about the company. If you
are preparing for an interview, you can find a lot of information about many
companies, including links to their Web sites (and information about products
and services) online.
If the company is small and doesn’t have a web site, try to learn more
about the industry in which it is situated so that you can speak intelligently about
current trends and problems in that industry. However, even small companies
usually have a Web site these days, so it is better if you go on the Internet and
find out more about the company.
Show your courteous side during the course of the interview and the
use of words like ‘thank you’ or ‘please’ is recommended.
Meet the interviewer as an equal. His/her job is to find the best person
for the job and you are there to grab it. So, feel confident and be relaxed.
Sometimes the interviewer asks confusing questions. At this point of
time maintain your cool and try to answer them with clarity.
Be on your toes throughout the interview.
Make sure that when you speak, your voice should be clear and loud
enough for the interviewer to hear.
You should be a good listener, so be attentive when the question is put
across to you. If you are still not able to hear the question, then request
the members to repeat it by saying, ‘I beg your pardon.’ Don’t start
your answer until you have understood what is being asked.
Your answers should be balanced and intelligent but you should be
quick with your reply. You can help the interviewer form a proper
judgement about you only by giving your best.
Be calm throughout the interview. Present yourself as a person who is
confident and ambitious.
In case there is an interview panel, look at all the members while giving
your reply. Do not look at a particular member of the board.
Look at the board member directly when you are answering a particular
question from him/her.
You should be very comfortable during the interview and not give out
‘negative vibes.’
Change your facial expression according to the demand of the situation.
If you are being asked a serious question, adopt a serious expression.
Do not leave any opportunity to thank if you are being praised for the
response you have given.
❖ Leave the chair only when the interviewer asks you to leave.
❖ Do not forget to thank the chairman and other board members after the
interview. Sometimes the interviewer extends his/her hand after the
interview.
❖ Do not let this opportunity go by. Give a firm handshake as it shows
your confidence.
❖ After you get up, put the chair in its proper place with elegance.
After the dos here are some don’ts which you should take care of.
To be able to deliver your best, make sure you have a good sleep.
So, it is important that you don’t remain awake late in the night before
the interview day.
Make sure you don’t eat too much at breakfast as it can make you
lethargic and uncomfortable.
Don’t forget to close the door behind you as soon as you enter the
interview hall.
Don’t forget to ask for the permission of the interviewer before coming
in.
Don’t forget to wish the board or the interviewer according to the time
of the day.
Don’t sit down without having the instruction of the interviewer to do
so.
Don’t initiate in an interview. It is the interviewer who starts the
conversation.
Don’t be fast when you speak. Each and every word coming out of your
mouth must be clear and loud enough for the interviewer to hear.
Don’t go extravagant with your gesticulations. Behave normally and be
relaxed.
Don’t act emotionally to earn the favour of the interviewer.
Don’t interrupt the interviewer. Once the interviewer is through with
what he/she has to say, start making your reply.
Don’t start any unruly debate. Be very measured in your responses.
Don’t ignore the questions put across. If questions are directed at you
by two or three members consecutively, answer each one of them.
Don’t provide your interviewer with replies that are not correct. If you
do not know something or are not sure about it then say it. But be polite,
like you can say, ‘Sir, I am sorry but I do not know about it.’
Don’t tinker around with your hair, cuffs or buttons, else the
interviewer will be forced to believe that you are nervous.
Don’t change your argument; rather you should support your case with
logical reasons.
Don’t be of the same opinion on each and everything that the
interviewer says. If you have logical reasons to support your answer
then tell the interviewer so. But be very gentle in your disagreement as
well. You can say, ‘I beg to differ sir….’
Don’t try to impress the interviewer by giving a reply which pleases
him/her and is biased. This will depict you in a bad light.
Don’t act in an immature way by raking up politically controversial
issues. D0 not try to gain the favour of the interviewer by taking a stand
against or in favour of any particular community.
Don’t give up. Don’t change the topic until it is changed by the
interviewer.
Don’t miss the opportunity to thank the interviewer if he/she praises
you.
Here’s a list of questions that you should consider your answers for when
preparing...
Screening Interviews
One-on-One Interviews
This is the most common interview method and involves you and the
interviewer alone in a private office. Once you are face-to-face with the
interviewer your dress, appearance, non-verbal communication skills and other
Visual factors, as well as your verbal communication skills will come into play.
Panel Interviews
Serial Interviews
In a serial interview you Will meet with several people throughout the
day, usually back-to-back. One person will interview you, then pass you to the
next person, and so on throughout the day. Serial interviews are physically and
mentally tiring because they can often take the entire day.
Lunch Interviews
Group Interviews
Stress Interviews
Review your CV
Your CV has highlighted your skills, set you apart from the K majority
of applicants and got you an interview. So, review it thoroughly before the
interview takes place and be prepared to talk about all aspects of your career,
education and personal interests.
The more you know about your potential employer, the better your
chances of getting a job. Find out about the company’s history, its main
competitors, its role in the community and its organisational goals and values.
Prepare answers to competency-based questions
You will always be asked if you have any questions at the end of an
interview. For some interviewers, it may simply be the final item on their
checklist This is a big opportunity for you to impress your interviewer and to find
out more about the company. However, it is therefore essential that you prepare
insightful questions that will show the recruiter that you have done your
homework.
You only get one chance to make a first impression, so make the' most
of it When you meet someone face-to-face, over 90% of how you are perceived
is based on non-verbal information, such as your appearance and your body
language. Generally, an impression will be formed within the first minute of the
interview. The clothes that you wear should be appropriate to the job or
organisation so dress smartly and make sure that your outfit is comfortable and
fits well. Don’t wear trainers and keep jewellery to a minimum. Look confident
and enthusiastic.
It may seem like common sense but you need to ensure that you know
the time of the interview, location of the interview and the route to get there. If
possible, Visit the location prior to the interview, name and title of the person you
are meeting and contact number.
While appearing for telephonic interviews, make sure you have your
resume in front of you. Move to a quiet place and keep a pen and paper handy to
jot down address or other necessary details
An individual must be present at the interview venue before time.
Start from your home a little early and allow a margin for traffic congestions, car
problems, route diversions and other unavoidable circumstances. Check the route
well in advance to avoid last minute confusions.
If you do not have own conveyance, book a cab or ask your friend
or family member to drop you right outside the venue. Avoid going by public
transport that day.
Be very particular about your appearance. Follow the professional
dress code for an everlasting first impression. Wear something which looks good
on you. Coordinate a light colour shirt with a dark colour well fitted trouser. Make
sure your shoes are polished and do not make noise. Hair should be neatly combed
and do apply a mild perfume. It is essential to smell good
Enter the interviewer’ s cabin with confidence. Greet him with a
warm smile. A firm handshake says that an individual is confident, aggressive
and willing to take challenges. Do not offer to shake hands if the interviewer is a
female. Do not sit unless you have been told to so.
Make an eye contact with the interviewer. Avoid looking here and
there.
Be honest with the interviewer. Remember a single lie leads to
several other lies. Avoid fake stories. It might land you in trouble later.
Take care of your pitch and tone. Be polite but firm.
Stay calm. Avoid being nervous during interviews. Remember no
one will hang you till death if you do not clear the interview. There is always a
second chance.
One must sit straight for the desired impact Avoid fiddling with pen
and paper. It is important to have the right attitude as it helps you stand apart from
the crowd
Keep your cell phone in the silent mode while attending interviews.
Cell phone ringing during interviews is an offence.
Chewing gum during interview is childish.
Do not fold your resume; instead keep it in a proper folder. Carry all
other relevant documents which you might need during interview. Keep a
passport size photograph handy.
Slangs and one-liners must not be used in interviews. 0 Avoid
cracking jokes with the interviewer.
Once you are done with the interview, do not forget to thank the
interviewer.
The tone of your voice: It should be lively and audible. Cultivate the
ability to speak in a firm, crisp and ringing voice. Make every effort to improve
your diction and vary your voice to bring out important points. Keep a pleasant
expression while speaking and do not rush through your sentences at breakneck
speed.
If a person laughs or change his voice quality while talking are the examples
communication by of body language.
This is the most common interview method and involves you and the
interviewer alone in a private office. Once you are face-to-face with the
interviewer your dress, appearance, non-verbal communication skills and other
Visual factors, as well as your verbal communication skills Will come into play.
Panel, Interviews
When you're asked, "What are your goals?" sometimes it's best to talk
about short-term and intermediate goals rather than locking yourself into the
distant future. For example, "My immediate goal is to geta job in a growth-
oriented company. My long-term goal will depend on where the company goes. I
hope to eventually grow into a position of responsibility."
5. Why did you leave [or why are you leaving) your job?
If an interviewer asks, "Why did you leave (or why are you leaving) your
job?" and you're unemployed, state your reason for leaving in a positive context
"I managed to survive two rounds of corporate downsizing, but the third round
was a 20% reduction in the workforce, which included me."
If you are employed, focus on what you want in your next job: "After two
years, I made the decision to look for a company that is team-focused, where I
can add my experience."
6. When were you most satisfied in your job?
The interviewer who asks, "When were you most satisfied in your job?"
wants to know what motivates you. If you can relate an example of a job or project
when you were excited, the interviewer will get an idea of your preferences. "I
was very satisfied in my last job, because I worked directly with the customers
and their problems; that is an important part of the job for me."
Emphasize what makes you unique when you're asked, "What can you do
for us that other candidate can't?". This will take an assessment of your
experiences, skills and traits. Summarize concisely: "1 have a unique combination
of strong technical skills, and the ability to build strong customer relationships.
This allows me to use my knowledge and break down information to be more
user-friendly."
8. What are three positive things your last boss would say about you?
It's time to pull out your old performance appraisals and boss's quotes to
answer the question, "What are three positive things your last boss would say
about you?". This is a great way to brag about yourself through someone else's
words: "My boss has told me that I am the best designer he has ever had He knows
he can rely on me, and he likes my sense of humour." '
When you're asked, "What salary are you seeking?" it is to your advantage
if the employer tells you the range first Prepare by knowing the going rate in your
area, and your bottom line or walk-away point One possible answer would be: "I
am sure when the time comes, we can agree on a reasonable amount in what range
do you typically pay someone with my background?"
10. If you were an animal, which one would you want to be?
Don't be alarmed if you're asked, "If you were an animal, which one would
you want to be?" Interviewers use this type of psychological question to see if
you can think quickly. If you answer "a bunny," you will make a soft, passive
impression. If you answer "'a lion," you will be seen as aggressive. What type of
personality would it take to get the job done? What impression do you want to
make?