The Why’s and the Why Not’s?

Interviews

What do Interviewers Assess?

Can Do Will Do

Skill Set

Prior Tasks Handled

Culture Fitment

Boss and team Match

The interviewer is looking for the best among the available. So you are always in competition

Should I Hire

Value for Money

Industry Knowledge & Contacts

Promotability

A Survey - What Influences Your Decision to Invite a Candidate for an Interview?

34%

23%

14%

12%

9% 8% Relevant work experience

Education that matches the job

Referral from someone within the company

Cover letter directed to specific job

Academic Accomplishments

Follow-up contact from candidate

What makes a candidate stand out most in an interview?No of employers who selected this option

• Personality that seems to fit position and team

• Answers that include thoughtful examples

• Sincere, passionate interest in the position

• Poised and professional attitude

• Providing evidence / an example of intelligence or ability to learn

79

102

114

149

158

0 50 100 150

What makes a candidate stand out most in an interview? No of employers who selected this option

• Knowledge of company / organization

• Thoughtful questions to the interviewer

• Professional dress

• Direct and appropriate eye contact 47

61

69

69

0 20 40 60 80

Advice to Candidates

• BE…– Confident and

enthusiastic

– On time

– Prepared and professional

– Yourself

– Honest

– Assertive

– Concise while answering

• DO…— Research about the

company / organization

— Show respect to the interviewer

— Focus on your field of interest

— Give examples of leadership roles

— Follow up

— Relax

— Ask questions

— Dress professionally

— Switch off cell phones

• HAVE…— Passion for the position

— Previous experience

— Extra copies of your resume and cover letter

— A list of references

— Evidence of work or class assignments that relate to the position

Advice to Candidates contd…

• KNOW…• Your target position

• Details about the position

• What qualifications are required

• Your strengths

• How to think outside the box

• What you are getting into before you commit

• Where you want to work and why you are a good “fit”

• SHOW…• Accurate dates of employment

• A real interest in the position

• A clear and concise objective

• A positive attitude and

maintain eye contact

• How you can be an asset to the company

Answering 6 Common but Important Interview Questions

• Tell me about yourself• Why should we recruit you? • Why do you want to work here? What do you know about our

company? • What are your weaknesses? • What did you dislike about your last job? Why did you leave your last

job? • Where do you see yourself in five years?

Why Interviewers ask what they ask?Understand the question behind the question.• What are your strengths and weaknesses?

– Why they ask: They want to know what you bring to the table and how your strengths and weakness are relevant to the job

• Do you prefer to work by yourself or as part of a team?

– Why they ask: They want to know if you can work unsupervised and if you can get along well with the team in the company.

• Why did you leave your last job? – Why they ask: Can the reasons repeat in the job for

which you are being interviewed• What do you think this job involves?

– Why they ask: They want to know if you've done your research and do you are enough

• How did your last job prepare you for this job? – Why they ask: They want to know what your skill

sets are and how you apply your knowledge. They also want to know how much training you'll need. Before you start elivering

What Impresses An Interviewer?• Your preparation• Your professional conduct• Your keenness to join, if offered• Saying I don’t know but I will find out

http://www.canadajobs.com/articles/viewarticle.cfm?ArticleID=1246

Pre-Interview Preparation

• Know yourself– What are your strengths? What are your weaknesses? What is your

personality type? What are the things you do very well and very poorly?– What are your short and long-term goals?– Evaluate yourself in terms of the position you seek.– Formulate responses by asking the question: "Why should they hire me?”– Remember that you're there to sell yourself and secure a job offer

• Research the company– Utilize all resources to review annual reports, trade magazines and

newspaper articles.– The Internet offers a wealth of company information and industry

statistics.– Know the company's products and services.– Be prepared to tell the interviewer why their company is attractive to you.

Pre Interview Prep - Dressing for the Interview

• Suit (solid color - navy or dark gray) for senior sales jobs. Saris or dress suit for women and avoid revealing dressing

• Long sleeve shirt (white or coordinated with the suit)

• Belt• Tie for middle level jobs• Dark socks, conservative leather shoes• Little or no jewelry (for women)• Neat, professional hairstyle• Limit the aftershave• Neatly trimmed nails• Portfolio or briefcase

On the Day of the Interview

• Arrive atleast 10 minutes early• Dress Professionally• Look Confident & Relaxed• Talk Courteously to the Security Personnel & Receptionist • What to bring to the Interview

– Latest Resume– References– Folder & Pen– Last compensation with break ups– Details of the advertisement /job posting/consultant brief – Business card

During the Interview

• Maintain poise with head of the panel and other interviewers

• Know how to pronounce the name of the interviewer's and company name

• Avoid aerated drinks • Maintain eye contact• Allow interviewer to control the

interview• Be prepared with questions that

demonstrate your understanding of the job and the research that you have done

Ask the Right Questions1. What type of salary growth and promotion opportunities does this position and the company offer?

2. How can I add more value beyond the role requirements?

3. Successful people in your organization – what are their top 3 qualities?

4. What would my first assignment be if I'm recruited?

5. What do you like the most about this company?“

6. What is the organization's culture?“

7. Who will carry out my appraisals if I'm recruited?“

8. What exactly are the job responsibilities?“

9. When will a decision be made on the successful candidate?“

10.May I contact you if I have other questions?"

Closing the Interview

• Be prepared with a wrap up statement of interest that demonstrates what you learned during your research and in the interview

• Ask the panel if they need any additional information from you after the interview.

• Ask when a decision will be made – when can you follow up• As you are leaving, thank everyone who has assisted in the process• Please note that selection process is both logical and emotional. The

last impressions matter if you are in the running

Post Interview Stage Follow Up• Recap interview (write out questions)

• Send thank-you letter or email– Follow-up within 48 hours– Express gratitude for the employer’s time– Highlight qualifications – Restate your interest in the company/career area– Communicate enthusiasm to have met with them

Top 10 Mistakes during an Interview

Top 10 Mistakes Interviewees Make1. Not understanding the Questions asked

There is a question behind each question that is asked

The Interviewee generally misses out on that and answers too long or too short

Interviewee gives stock answers 2. Dressing Inappropriately for the Interview3. Doing no homework on an organization

before going there.4. Giving a tentative or wrong answer instead

of saying I do not know5. Appearing disinterested or arrogant6. Bad mouthing the previous job / boss7. Not asking the right questions when asked

“do you have any questions?”8. Showing an urgency to have the job9. Setting a time limit because of your next

appointment10. Not being self aware or being excessively

self conscious