Interviews

• Campus interviews: Held at the institute’s campus

• Onsite interviews: Office of the potential employer

• Telephonic interviews: Over the phone

Types of 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

Telephonic Interviews

• Interviews: face-to-face or through telephone

• Psychometric/aptitude tests

• Case studies/In-tray exercises

• Presentations

• Group activities

Job InterviewsModes of Assessment

• Being mentally prepared

• Researching employers

• Dressing appropriately

Preparing for the InterviewPrepare well by

• Dress appropriately and conservatively

• 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

Appearance Matters a Lot!

• Nicely styled hair

• Apply natural, clean looking face/makeup

• Clean your fingernails

• Avoid heavy jewelry

• Iron your clothes

• Avoid strong perfumes or colognes

Don’t Forget the Details

• Skills, strengths, weaknesses, attitude

• Likes and dislikes

Mental PreparationUnderstand your

Review your resume thoroughly

• 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

Practise Your ‘Soft Skills’

• Age of the company

• Services or products

• Competitors within the industry

• Growth pattern

• Reputation

• Divisions and subsidiaries

Researching the CompanyWhat do you need to know?

• Locations/length of time there

• Size

• Number of employees

• Sales/assets/earnings

• New products or projects

• Culture and values

• Internet

• Human resource (HR)/public relations (PR) division

• Network of contacts and friends

• CD ROMs

• Journals, magazines, newspapers

Research Tools

The D-Day

• Be composed

• Advance preparation reduces nervousness

• Practice answering the worst possible question they could ask

• Practice positive visualization and relaxation techniques

Acknowledge your Nervousness

• Be enthusiastic and eager

• Practice good eye contact

• Smile

• Walk with confidence

• Sit up straight

• Adapt to your surroundings

AttitudeIt separates winners from losers

accomplish, accommodate, achieve, attain, challenge, energy, enhance, enthusiastic, excellence, fulfill, goal, opportunity, passion, passionate, perform, perseverance, satisfy, strength, strive, succeed, success, talent, vitality

Powerful Positive WordsUse words such as

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

• 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

Employers Notice Good Manners

• 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

What to bring to an interview

Interviewing Techniques

• 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

Tell Us About YourselfCreate a 60-second sound byte by including:

• Previous behavior predicts future behaviour

• Examples show the meaning you have made of education and experience

• Provides insight on how your mind works

Behaviour-based Interviewing

• 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

Types of Interview Questions

• Situation

• Task

• Action

• Results

Answer Questions using the Star Approach

• 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 ApproachSituation

• Explain the task at hand

• Dwell on the positive; do not blame or point fingers elsewhere

Star ApproachTask

• 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 ApproachAction

• Explain the results

• Provide details, amounts, success

• Apply these results to the position for which you are applying

Star ApproachResults

• 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

Star Provides an Outline

Difficult Situations

• 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?

Tricky Questions

• 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?

Questions You can Ask

• 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

Listen Carefully

Do’s and Don’ts

• Research the company

• Prepare for tough questions

• Greet interviewer enthusiastically

• Focus on what you have to offer, not what you want

• Know your rights as an interviewee

Do’s

• Have a good attitude, be positive

• Show confidence

• Be professional

• Follow up with a note or phone call

• 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

Don’ts

• Eye Contact

• Facial Expressions

• Postures

• Gestures

• Space-distancing

• Voice

• Time

Kinesics at the Interview

• 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

Eye Contact

• 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

Facial Expressions

• 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

PosturesThe posture should show interest but still come across as

relaxed:

• 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

Gestures

• 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

Space

• 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

Voice

• 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

Time

• Arrogance• Apathy • Uninhibited nervousness • Evasive answers • Lack of concentration• Lack of crispness • Lack of social skills • Lack of firmness• Inadequate quantitative skills

• Unsuitable personality

Ten Most Common Reasons for Rejection

• How did you do overall?

• What were your strengths?

• What needs improvement?

• Develop a follow-up chart for tracking

Evaluate/RetrainReview your performance:

REPLAY