The document provides tips for preparing for and excelling in a job interview. It discusses researching the company ahead of time, practicing common interview questions, dressing appropriately, maintaining good posture and eye contact during the interview, speaking confidently and clearly in responses, thanking the interviewer, and following up after the interview. Key recommendations include arriving early, shaking hands firmly, listening actively, answering questions fully but concisely, and maintaining a positive attitude throughout.
2. An interview is a conversation between two people
(the interviewer and the interviewee)
where questions are asked by the interviewer to obtain
information from the interviewee.
Or
3. • A job interview is a process in which a
potential employee is evaluated by an
employer for prospective employment in
their company, organization, or firm. During
this process, the employer hopes to
determine whether or not the applicant is
suitable for the job.
4. Traditional Face-to-Face Interview
Behavioral Interview
Case Interview
Telephone Interview
Group Interview
Lunch/Dinner Interview
Stress Interview
5. • Most interviews are face-to-face. The most traditional is
a one-on-one conversation.
• Your focus should be on the person asking questions.
Maintain eye contact, listen and respond once
a question has been asked.
• Your goal is to establish rapport with the interviewer
and show them that your qualifications will
benefit their organization.
6. • The basic premise behind this type of interview is that
your past behavior is the best predictor of your
future actions. These types of questions may be asked
in any interview format—telephone, panel or
one-on-one.
• If the employer asks behavior -oriented questions, they
are no longer asking hypothetical questions
but are now asking questions that must be answered
based on facts.
7. • With a behavioral question, the interviewer is looking
for results, not just an activity list. They are
listening for names, dates, places, the outcome and
especially what your role was in achieving that
outcome.
• This type of question generally starts with the words
“Give me an example when...” or “Tell me
about a time when…”
8. • In some interviews you may be asked to demonstrate
your problem-solving skills. The interviewer will outline a
situation or provide you with a case study and ask you to
formulate a plan that deals with
the problem.
• You do not have to come up with the ultimate solution.
The interviewers are looking for how you apply your
knowledge and skills to a real-life situation. Speak and
reason aloud so interviewers have a full understanding
of your thought process.
9. • Many organizations will conduct interviews by
telephone to narrow a field of candidates. Telephone
interviews may also be used as a preliminary
interview for candidates who live far away from the
job site.
• It is important to treat this interview as you would a
face-to-face connection. Arrange for a quiet
space and time to schedule the conversation. Clear a
work surface to minimize distractions.
10. • Focus on the conversation. Listen to the questions
carefully before you answer. Since your voice is key,
convey energy with inflection in your voice.
• Have a copy of your resume nearby as a reference.
• Avoid using a phone with call waiting. You do not
want to be interrupted during an interview.
• Try to use a landline phone or a cell phone that is
not prone to dropping calls.
11. • A group interview is usually designed to uncover the
leadership potential of prospective managers
and employees who will be dealing with customers.
• The front-runner candidates are gathered together in
an informal, discussion type interview. A subject
is introduced and the interviewer will start off the
discussion.
• The goal of the group interview is to see how you
interact with others and how you use your
knowledge and reasoning to influence others.
12. • The same rules apply at a meal as those in an office. The setting
may be more casual, but remember
that it is a business meal and you are being watched carefully.
• Use the interview to develop common ground with your
interviewer. Follow his/her lead in both
selection of food and etiquette.
• Avoid messy foods and do not drink alcohol at any point in this
part of the interview process.
• See the CPCC tip sheet “The Interview—Etiquette” for additional
tips.
13. • This form of interview was more common in sales
positions and is rare today. However, you should
be aware of the signals. The stress interview is usually a
deliberate attempt to see how you handle
yourself under pressure.
• The interviewer may be sarcastic or argumentative, or
may keep you waiting. Do no take it personally.
Calmly answer each question. Ask for clarification if you
need it and never rush into an answer.
14. First of all, prepare your mind in advance, that you are
going to have an interview next morning. Relax yourself
and do not get nervous, tense or tired at any cost.
Before going for an interview, pre-planned few things:
1. Learn about the company, organization or
educational institution and do some research in
advance.
2. Why should you perform an advance research?
15. 3. Simply to develop good answers and to prove yourself
unique.
4. What you have to Research?
5. You can gather information about organizational
structure; type of their clients/ students; departments
and its branches; past and present achievements etc.
Simply search yellow pages or ask your friend or family
member/relative who are familiar about organization or
you can collect information through newspapers and
websites.
16. Prepare answers to typical questions. Practice your
answer and never rote learn it.
Here are few of the sampling questions, which you can
practice in advance.
1. What do you feel about our organization?
2. What are your weaknesses?
3. Why do you want to become a part of our
organization?
4. Tell me about your self and about your hobbies.
5. Who is your role model and why?
17. Decide what to wear :-
Remember to Dress simply but elegantly. Dress should be well
ironed without crease. Wear comfortable shoes. remember to wear
basic hosiery. You can even check what management wears and
dress similarly without over kill. Do not Dress casual or wear
Athletic Shoes. Do not spray lots of cologne or wear lots of
jewellery.
Do not wear wrinkled attire or flashing tie. Prepare your file
having your portfolio, educational degree copies and extra copies
of your resume. Find proper address in advance, that where are
you going in the morning. Last but not the least; get a good night
sleep.
18. ON THE DAY OF INTERVIEW :-
Take a bath. Do not apply heavy makeup. Always carry a
purse or a small handy briefcase with you.
Do carry your portfolio file. Dress effectively. Do not eat
anything containing garlic or onion in your breakfast.
Arrive 15 minutes earlier to show your prompt and
seriousness.
19.
20. Start it off winner. Offer your hand and give a firm
shake, else greet them with your pleasant smile.
Take a permission to sit on a chair. Show a positive
confident attitude and introduce yourself. Don’t get
tense. Be comfortable and face the interviewer
effectively. Listen to their questions effectively and
answer it genuinely. Answer every question with
confidence. Have a proper eye contact towards your
interviewer. Remember that the interviewer might be more
than one, so keep your eye contact with every individual.
21. interviewer to make them feel unique. Whatever you
want to answer, speak clearly with a normal tempo
voice. Do not shout. Show your confidence level at every
moment of an interview. Show your certifications or
achievements only when they ask you to show. Always
sit straight. It might help them to analyze your
personality and your traits. Use the medium of answer,
in which you feel comfortable. Remember to use good
grammar and strong vocabulary with neutral accent.
Always clarify your answer. Do not say Yes or No. Never
complain about your past organization or employees.
While giving effective answers. Do not argue and always
give respect to your interviewer. Always keep neutral
thinking and try to mould your answer according to your
interviewer personality. Do not eat chewing gum, while
answering questions.
22. Few of the traditional interview questions, which an organization
might ask are
1. Tell me about yourself (in two minutes).
2. Why do you feel that you will be successful in ...?
3. Why did you decide to interview with our organization?
4. Are you willing to relocate?
5. Tell me about your scholastic record.
6. Tell me about your extra-curricular activities and interests.
7. What are your strengths and weaknesses?
8. Why should we hire you?
9. Why did you choose to become a teacher, nurse,...?
10. Where do you see yourself in 5 years? 10 years?
11. Why do you want to leave your current job?
23. With a pleasing smile, say thanks and ask about the
next step in the process. Follow up. Call them if you do
not get a call within a given time frame and don’t forget
to write a thank you letter to an organization for taking
out their precious time for your interview.
24. • Might be you lack oral communication skills or writing
skills.
• Your inappropriate attitude could also let you down in
your interview.
• Lack of knowledge about the working world.
• Lack of confidence.
• Inappropriate/fake degree.
• Lack of experience.
• Lack of motivation.