Cracking an interview

Cracking an InterviewCracking an Interview

Rohan FernandezSrinivas School of Engineering

I have got to attend a job interview next week. How can I prepare myself?

I have never been to an interview before. What is it all about?

How can I let them know I could actually do the job well?

What will they ask me? How do I answer?

What do I need to take with me? Someone HELP me!

Who can help me? I have no idea what to say or what to do?

How do I dress? Do I have to purchase a new suit for the interview?

How can I do well if I know nothing about it?

What can I ask them about?

Where exactly is this street?Where exactly is this building?

How do I get there?What about the traffic jams?

Will I be delayed?What time must I leave?

Which floor?Which office?Which room?

If I drive there, where will I park the car? Will there be parking space?NOTE THE

DATE of the interviewDAY of the interviewTIME of the interviewPLACE of the interview

AIMS OF THE INTERVIEWAIMS OF THE INTERVIEW

To Elicit Information

To assess the suitability of a person to the job/position

To assess the job / position / Company by the interviewee

INTERVIEW IS NOT A ONE WAY PROCESS:

The interviewer is assessing the Interviewee for the suitability of the job or positionThe interviewee is assessing whether the job is suitable to him with all related perksTherefore, it is a two way process of communication.

VERBAL INTERVIEW:VERBAL INTERVIEW:

Family backgroundCommunication SkillGeneral aptitudeKnowledge on subjectPersonalityPotential to handle the job/to growRemuneration package

Know the EmployerKnow the Employer

Product or Service Sales/Assets Competition History Field Offices Industry Trends

Size Specialization/products Customers/competitors New ventures Projects in the pipeline Chain of Command

Preparing for an interview - Preparing for an interview - Look forLook for

• Company's main products and services and likely new products and services• Its key markets, its position in market and between major competitors• Its financial position / profit / turnover• Its history, reputation and achievements• Arrange all the papers required in a folder : Resume / CV, call letters, degree certificates, mark lists, NSS, NCC, sports / games certificates, experience certificates, references, photographs.

Why Do Candidates Fail In An Why Do Candidates Fail In An InterviewInterview

• Poor grooming• Discourteous and ungraceful body language• Poor manners• Poor diction• Vague responses• Unappealing resume• Monetary benefits-centric approach• Lack of punctuality• Poor waiting hall behaviour

Some Behavioural Some Behavioural "Unfavourable" Aspects"Unfavourable" Aspects

• Lack of personal or career goals• Lack of enthusiasm and confidence• Not owning up responsibility for mistakes• Self-justification, aggressiveness• Lack of emotional maturity• Negative and cynical attitude• Over-reacting to questions• Lacking sense of humour• Complaining about various things and previous employers

Resources for Resources for Researching the Researching the

EmployerEmployer Official website of the company Newspapers/Magazines Advertisements Annual Reports Ex-employees Present employees Direct contact Trade publications & journals

Know YourselfKnow Yourself

Why do you want to work for the firm?What can you do for the company?Your accomplishments/experienceYour strengths/weaknessesYour initiative, goals and attitudesYour responses should be unique and

specific

The Previous DayThe Previous Day

• Confirm the venue of the interview, distance, and mode of transport• Locate the venue earlier• Relax, have good sleep, visualise and pray

The Interview DayThe Interview Day

• Reach the venue at least 30 minutes ahead of the interview• Get familiar with the ambience• Don't carry too much baggage• Report to the authority concerned

Waiting Hall BehaviourWaiting Hall Behaviour• Maintain Decorum• Mingle with others politely• Avoid smoking, chewing, flirting, gossiping, defamatory comments• Greet others present• Switch off the mobile• Relax and visualise• Don’t listen to your iPod, play video games, make cell phone calls, etc. while waiting to be interviewed..

What to Bring to the InterviewWhat to Bring to the Interview Portfolio Copies of your resume List of Professional

References College transcripts Filled out application Two quality pens Notepad Comb or brush Breath mints

Always carry a handkerchief

Keep your teeth clean. You don’t want to put off your interview when you speak.

Don’t eat smelly food like onion, garlic, pickles etc.

Men's Interview AttireMen's Interview Attire

• Suit (solid color - navy or dark grey)• Long sleeve shirt (white or coordinated with the suit)• Clean shaven• Belt• Tie (pattern should be simple)

• Dark socks, conservative leather shoes (well polished)• Neat, professional hairstyle• Limit the aftershave• Neatly trimmed nails• Portfolio file with documents properly organized

Women's Interview Attire:Women's Interview Attire:

• Suit (navy, black or dark grey)• The suit skirt should be long enough so you can sit down comfortably• Coordinated blouse• Conservative shoes• Limited jewelry (no dangling earrings or arms full of bracelets

• Professional hairstyle• Light make-up and perfume• Neatly manicured clean nails• Portfolio file with documents properly organized

Interview Attire Tips:Interview Attire Tips:• Before you even think about going on an interview, make sure you have appropriate interview attire and everything fits correctly.• Get your clothes ready the night before, so you don't have to spend time getting them ready on the day of the interview.• If your clothes are dry clean only, take them to the cleaners after an interview, so they are ready for next time.• Bring a breath mint and use it before you enter the building.

Ten TipsTen Tips Arrive on time Introduce yourself in a

courteous manner Read company

literature while you wait

Use body language to show interest

Listen

Smile, nod, give nonverbal feedback

Ask about the next step in the process

Thank the interviewer Obtain a business card Write a thank-you

letter to anyone you have spoken to

Ten Critical Success Factors Ten Critical Success Factors Nearly Every Company is Nearly Every Company is

Looking ForLooking For

1) Positive attitude towards work 2) Proficiency in field of study 3) Communication skills (oral and written) 4) Interpersonal skills 5) Confidence 6) Critical thinking and problem solving skills 7) Flexibility 8) Self-motivation 9) Leadership 10) Teamwork

While Entering the Interview While Entering the Interview HallHall

• Enter confidently, not arrogantly• Shut the door gently• Smile and greet the interviewers• Shake hands only if they offer their hand

The HandshakeThe Handshake

Keep your right hand freeMeet the other person’s hand “web to web”Keep hand in a vertical positionShake from the elbow, not the wristTwo to three smooth pumps

During The InterviewDuring The Interview• Maintain eye contact• Be attentive, listen carefully, and lean forward• Don't lean on the table, and don't slouch• Don't toss your files across• Hand over your file-right side facing them• Don't laugh or giggle but smile gently• Be polite. use the words "Please" and "thank you"• Don't argue but can orally acknowledge

Sit relaxed and in up right position without crossing your legsBeware of your forced habits - Breaking knuckles/Shaking your legs/Squeezing your palms/Wiping your face etc.,Be bold and confidentAnticipate the type of questionsBe polite and ask for queries in case of doubt while answering the questionsHigh light your strengths whenever a chance is given to you or create a chance to highlight your strengths

Try to draw attention of the interviewer on specific subject you know well and try to take an opportunity to express them wellMind your body languageDo not get frustrated or loose temper for some irritant questions posedDo not have the negative feeling if you do not answer some questions Do not try to bluff or cover your wrong answersIf you do not know the answer say I am sorry/ I am afraid I cannot answer the question etc.,

If you cannot understand the question ask politely to repeat the questionDo not try to argue with the interviewerAs far as your credentials are concerned take a chance to show/exhibit them - by doing so you will be drawing their attention towards the subject you know wellDo not try to blow your own Trumpet - You might get caught or it gives an impression that you are a self centered personFace the interviewer while answering. Answer to the person who posed you the questions

Have a good eye contact with the panel members of the interviewWait for a question to be completed . Do not be hasty in answering even when you know the answer wellSome times using pen and scribbling pad will help you in expressing things better and it also helps you in relaxingDo not give excuses of health for not answeringDo not take shelter under or blame the college or organization or lecturers for not answering some questionsBe clear in what you say - Do not mumble

Respond to questions and back up your statements about yourself with specific examples whenever possible.Ask for clarification if you don’t understand a question; and be thorough in your responses while being concise in your wording.Use good grammar and good diction. Say “yes”, not “yeah.” Don’t fill pauses with “um,” uh” or “ah”. Don’t punctuate sentences with “you know”, “like”, “see” or “okay”.Treat the interview seriously and show interest in the employer and the opportunity presented and respond to questions in a positive manner.

Watch the tone of your voice. While it might be trendy among your friends to “up speak” (end sentence with a higher tone of voice so that sentences sound like questions), this habit will kill your credibility during the interview.Answer the question and use professional experiences or descriptive information to demonstrate how you would react or respond to a situation.Make sure answers have a definite flow. In the beginning state major points you want to make; in the middle expand upon those points or ideas, and in the end reinforce your key points and end on a positive note.

Do not try to take sympathy by expressing your family problems / financial problems to the interviewerAt the end of interview, if you have still doubts on anything, ask for clarification from the interviewerDo not plead or beg for the jobDo not accept or ask for whatever job the Company will offer (Say like, not related to your aptitude)Do not walk out of the interview in a huff. Wait until the interview is completedAfter completing the interview, do not forget to wish or say thanks before you go out

Typical Structure of an Typical Structure of an InterviewInterview

Small talk“Tell me about yourself!”Discussion of your background and how it

relates to the positionYour opportunity to ask questionsConclusion

Five Tough Interview Five Tough Interview QuestionsQuestions

The tell-all question: “Tell me about yourself.”

The surprise question: “What’s your passion?”

Strengths and weaknesses questionsQuestions about the future: “What are your

long-term goals?”Scenario questions: “What if…?”

Questions to Ask in an Questions to Ask in an InterviewInterview

What will my duties entail? What kind of work can I expect to be doing? Can

you describe a typical day? Where does this job fit into the organizational

structure of the company? Who would I report to? Who would I be working

with? What is the size of the department I would be

working in? What is its structure? How is it organized? May I see it?

More Questions to AskMore Questions to Ask Does the company offer any training

opportunities? How would you describe the ideal candidate for

this position? What qualities do you want in the person who fills this job?

What do you feel would be the greatest challenge for me?

What is the selection process/timeline from here? May I contact you if I have any further questions?

Practice, Practice, Practice!Practice, Practice, Practice!

Mock interviewScour the Internet for questions etc.

UNDERSTANDING THE UNDERSTANDING THE PROCESS OF NEGOTIATIONPROCESS OF NEGOTIATION

What It Is Not– saying “I want more money”

What It Is– Meeting and discussing a subject– Mutual agreement of issues

UNDERSTANDING THE UNDERSTANDING THE PROCESSPROCESS

When does negotiation begin– Telling about yourself– With the initial interview

Don’t reveal your salary requirements too early in the negotiation process.

UNDERSTANDING THE UNDERSTANDING THE PROCESSPROCESS

Evaluation– Answer these questions:

What is the Salary range?What is the lowest salary that I will

consider?What makes me worth a higher salary?

UNDERSTANDING THE PROCESSUNDERSTANDING THE PROCESS

Where To Get Salary Information– National Association of Colleges and

Employers– Career Resource Center– Libraries– Trade associations and trade publications– Internet– People working in the industry


Some Employer Objections To Your Request For More Money– You don’t have enough experience– Other employees aren’t making more– The budget won’t permit– That’s what we are paying new hires


Your Positive Response To An Objection To Pay You More– In response to the “other employees aren’t making

more” statement, you might give a response such as: “I see. (short pause) What is the range for this position?

What would it take to get to that higher level within that range?

Remember, you are asking questions not delivering an ultimatum.

The InterviewThe Interview

Some Ideas To Help You During The Interview Process As It Pertains To The Salary Issue– Good listening skills – Try not to be the first to mention money– If asked what salary you are looking for, say you have a

range but that it really will depend on the total package– If pushed, have a range in mind– If asked what your current pay is, tell the truth

THE OFFERTHE OFFER

– Give answer in 24 hours unless you are considering other options. Or ask for a window of time.

– Ask about other important fringe benefits before accepting the job

– Avoid telephone negotiations

THE NEGOTIATION PROCESSTHE NEGOTIATION PROCESS

Here Are Some Examples Of How A Salary Discussion Might Go Company: “We would like to offer you a salary of Rs. 3,00,000/year.”You: Alternative answer #1: “I’m delighted that you are interested in me. Based upon my experience and also because of a variety of expenses associated with the cost of living in (this city), I would like to make around Rs.3,50,000. How do you feel about that?


Alternative answer #2: “I like the opportunity, and I know that I could contribute, but I have several other opportunities that are in the Rs.3,50,000 range. Is there a way we could work this out?”

Alternative answer #3: “I’ve completed a very valuable education and anticipated Rs.3,50,000 as a minimum. Is there a way we can work that out? I love the opportunity and would like to work here if I can get that amount. What do you think?”


– Ask if you can get periodic reviews to let your future employer know that you are concerned with providing the highest level of service.

– Before asking for more money, mention positive statement that reflects your skills and why you are qualified for the job.

Every Interview is a

new opportunity

Credential questionsCredential questions

"How long were you at . . . " "What did you learn in that class?" objective measurements on

your background.

Experience questionsExperience questions

What were your responsibilities in that position?

What is the most rewarding thing in your job?

Subjectively evaluate your background.

Opinion questionsOpinion questions

"What would you do in this situation?“

"What are your strengths and weaknesses?"

Subjectively analyze your response in a series of scenarios.

Behavioral questionsBehavioral questions

"Can you give me a specific example of how you did that?“

"What were the steps you followed to accomplish that task?"

Anticipate future responses based upon past behaviors.

Top Interview QuestionsTop Interview QuestionsIntroduce yourselfWhat are your key strengths?What are your weaknesses?What kind of a person you are?What subjects have you studied?What are your career goals?Why did you choose this company?What are your accomplishments?What is your percentage of marks?

What projects have you undertaken?What do you know about our company?How can you contribute to our company?Are you ready to work overtime?What do you know about the job?How long will you work with us?What salary do you expect?What are your hobbies?Would you be willing to relocate?Have you got any questions to ask?

Education

Cracking an interview