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Interview skills Program

at

ICIB

30th March 2007

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 Interviewee Skills
Preparing for the half hour that
can change your life

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TYPES OF INTERVIEWS
STRESS INTERVIEWS

INFORMATION SEEKING

NON SPECIFIC INTERVIEWS

TECHNICAL INTERVIEWS

MANAGERIAL INTERVIEWS

GD’S, ROLE PLAYS, GROUP TASKS

PANELS, ONE ON ONE INTERVIEWS

HIERARCHICAL INTERVIEWS

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You have obtained an
Interview
Congratulations!
NOW
CLEAN THE SLATE

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No matter how qualified you
are on paper, you need to
present yourself to the
people who have the
authority to hire you.
YOU NEED TO REBUILD YOUR SLATE

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 WHY PREPARE?

Preparation builds confidence,

improves the likelihood of
success,
reduces surprises and
enables you to handle unknowns
AND MOST OF ALL
Preparation gives you the

COMPETITIVE EDGE
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 MATCHING NEEDS

SKILLS

KNOWLEGDE

ATTITUDE

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PREPARATION

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OPEN

PRESENTING YOURSELF

EXPLORING INFORMATION

CLOSING

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 OPEN

HOW DO YOU GET COMFORTABLE IN AN

INTERVIEW
CONFIDENCE
CONVERSATIONS, MANNERISMS / SMALL
TALK
CONTOUR
INITIAL IMPACT ON THE PANEL
COMPLETE DATA OF SELF
PRESENTATION OF SELF, CLOTHES,
POSTURE
FIRST IMPACT

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 TRUTH
Approximately 75% of the
interview is based upon
your appearance and how
well you present yourself.

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 DRESS
Neatly and
Conservatively

Do not wear heavy perfume/aftershave lotion o

much jewelry.

ewelry should be limited to a single necklace o

chain, a ring and small button type earrings
for women

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Conservative rules the day
You want to wear something that makes the
interviewer think
“professional” and “competent”.

You also want to wear something

that avoids directing the
focus away from you and onto your clothes.

Grooming Counts
An expensive suit will not compensate for
dirty fingernails, messy hair, and wrinkled
clothes

Good grooming indicates attention to

detail and respect
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Be certain of the date, time, place,
name of the organization and the
interviewer.

Be a few minutes early.

NEVER BE LATE!
Remember to make time for unforeseen
circumstances such as traffic jams or the
Howe Center elevator

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 RESEARCH THE COMPANY
Know the following:
 How old the company is

 What its products or services are

 Where its plants, offices or stores are located

 What its growth has been

 How its prospects look for the future

How do I find these things out?

Websites
Friends
References
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 RE-Review your resume
Be prepared to answer questions about your

Education
Work Experience
Activities/Interests
Major
Grades
Goals

Be sure what is on your resume is current and accurate

and always be prepared to fill out an application upon arrival.
Know your references!

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 Preparation Tips

1. Prepare your answers for typical questions

2. Write down your success stories

3. Select your references

4. Learn about the organization and its people

5. Prepare the questions you will ask the

interviewer
about the job and the company

6. Select your outfit and have it dry-cleaned or

laundered if necessary

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 How do I craft a success story?

•Think of a situation (work or school).

•Explain when or where this situation took place.
•Explain the situation? What obstacles, challenges or
problems called for your action?
•State the action you took?
•Share the results or outcomes? Quantify
those results – how many, how large, what percent?
•Convey the transferable skills you used or learned
that you can bring to the job.

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Practice Makes Perfect

Practice interviewing with a friend

Schedule a Mock Interview with

your
Career Development office

Practice in front of a mirror or

on a video camera

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THE INTERVIEW

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THE GREETING
Greet the interviewer by name as
you
enter the office if you are sure of the
pronunciation.

Take your cues from the interviewer.

Be sure to shake the interviewer’s

hand-firmly.

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 DURING THE INTERVIEW
Promote positive communication

•Be frank and truthful in your answers – avoid

being negative
•Be enthusiastic about what you have done and
what you can do. THINK POSITIVE!
•Project attentiveness. LISTEN, MAINTAIN EYE
CONTACT
•Ask for clarification if you do not understand the
question
•Be careful not to criticize former employers,
professors,
•or anything for that matter!

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 DO’S
SEEK CLARIFICATION

ASK FOR TIME TO THINK

PUSH BACK IF YOU DON’T AGREE

ASK FOR MORE INFORMATION

ASK FOR OPPORTUNITIES TO

CONTRIBUTE

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 DONT’S
COMPETE WITH THE INTERVIEWER

GIVE UP EASILY

BE DISAGREEABLE

INTERRUPT

ASK WHAT THE COMPANY WILL DO

VOLUNTEER TO SHOW NEGATIVE

TRAITS

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 What does the recruiter
seek?
1. Ability to communicate – can you organize your thoughts and
ideas effectively when writing or speaking? Can you present your
ideas in a positive way.
2. Self-Confidence – Can you demonstrate a sense of
maturity and direction that enables you to deal positively
and effectively with situations and people?
3. Willingness to accept responsibility – are you someone
who recognizes what needs to be done? Are you willing
to get it done? Are you willing to do more than what is
required of you?
4. Flexibility – Are you capable of change and receptive to
new ideas and situations?

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 compete with others and a willingness to be
measured
by your performance in relation to that competition?

7. Goal achievement – Can you identify, work toward

and
obtain specific goals? Can you look ahead, anticipate
the
future and make long-range plans?

8. Level of Initiative – Can you identify purposeful work

and take action? Do you always wait to be told what

to
do?

9. Possession of technical skills or ability to achieve

them
– Do you possess the skills necessary for the
particular
job or do you have the ability to learn them
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10. Direction – Do you know where you want to be in two
or three years? Do you know enough about your field to
know the different opportunities available and what type
of position will satisfy your knowledge and goals?

11. Level of energy – Are you ambitious? Do you possess

drive? Can you take charge of a situation? Would you
be willing to put in extra time and time to accomplish a
specific task

12. Interpersonal skills – Can you get along with people

who are different from you in any respect? Can you
work with them toward a common goal in a professional
manner?

13. Leadership – Do you have the ability to gain people’s

respect and confidence? Can you organize and direct a
group of people? Can you delegate responsibilities?

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 VERY IMPORTANT

14. Knowledge of the company – Are you familiar

with the
company’s products and services; potential
growth
areas?

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 Ten Rules for Interviewing

1. Keep your answers brief and concise.

2. Include concrete, quantifiable data
3. Repeat your key strengths three times
4. Prepare five or more success stories
5. Put yourself on their team
6. Image is often as important as content
7. Ask questions
8. Maintain a conversational flow
9. Research the company, product lines and competitors
10. Keep an interview journal

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Types of questions to ask the
interviewer

What would be a typical assignment/day?

What type of training/orientation would I have?

What might I expect in terms of job progression?

How does this particular department fit into the entire

structure of the organization?

Growth opportunities assuming I get selected

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CLOSING
DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS
ASK FOR JOB RELATED INFORMATION

ASK FOR COMPANY GROWTH PLANS

CAREER RELATED OPPORTUNITIES

HR POLICIES

TRG. & DEVELEPMENT OPPORTUNITIES

END DISCUSSION WITH PLEASANTERIES

Be alert to signs from the interviewer that the session is

closing.
Thank the interviewer at the close of the interview.
Ask what the next step will be.
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 FOLLOW-UP

Send a well-written thank-you letter within 24

hours.

Include a reiteration of the job as you understand

it, points you may have forgotten to mention, and
a response to any concerns expressed.

Keep in contact with the interviewer.

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jagdish.bapat@gmail.com

+ 91 9480216491

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