INTERVIEWSKILLS

CONTENTSWhat is an Interview?Types of InterviewsBefore the InterviewBody LanguageInterview QuestionsTips for AnsweringWhat to wear?Strategies Red-Flag causesClosing the Interview

What is an Interview?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.

Types of Interview

Phone Interview: It is an effective way for a firm to screen many candidates quickly and cut down their number.

One-to-one : It is the most common interview style and incorporates you with the potential employer.

Panel or Group: It allows many individuals to interview you at once.

Before The Interview

Research about industry, company and job.Know what position you have applied for and why you

are interested in it.Prepare a response to common interview questionsThink of questions you can ask.Re-read your resume and practice well.Arrive before 15-20 minutes.

“Prepare yourself prior going to the Interview”

Body Language

Enter the room confidently.Give a firm Handshake.Smile and greet each person with respect and

professionalism.Do wait until you are offered a chair to sit.Pay big attention to your posture.Make and maintain good eye contact.

Body Language

Project a positive attitudeStay calm and composed.Avoid fidgeting and tapping your feet.Don’t cross you arms.Don’t say anything negative about former colleagues,

supervisors, or employers.Do avoid controversial topics.

Interview QuestionsTraditional- A series of questions about the candidate,

education, career goals, etc. Ex: Tell us about yourself? What are your short & long term goals?Behavioral- Asked to understand how the candidate has

behaved in the past as an indicator of how the candidate will perform in the future.

Ex: Give an instance when you have dealt with conflict. Did you work under a deadline? How?

Interview QuestionsTricky Questions- Simple questions have

hidden purposes. Ex: Why do you want to work here? How would you add value to our

company? Why should we hire you? What is your weakness or strength?

Tips For Answering

Listen carefully. If you feel the question is unclear, ask politely for clarification.

Pause before answering to consider all the facts that may substantiate your answer response.

Always offer positive information and avoid negativity at all times.

Be direct and concise.Avoid rambling and fillers.

What To Wear?

For Men:Suit or Slacks.Long sleeve shirt & Tie.Conservative shoes and

socks.Neat and groomed hair.Trimmed or no beard.

For Women:Suit or slacks/skirts.Pumps with small to

medium heels.Professional hairstyle.Light make-up & perfume.Minimal jewelry.

StrategiesMake a good pre-preparation for the interview.Attend a mock interview.Be well-versed with your resume.Be enthusiastic and smile.Project self-confidence and be positive.Relate your experiences to their needs.Limit your response to 1-2 minutes.Provide specific and concrete examples of your

results/accomplishments.Use the 3 C’s “Be cool, calm and confident”.

Red-Flag causes!!Not listening to questions carefully.Being poorly prepared.Slouching, mumbling, speaking slowly.Making generalized statements and indecisive

phrases.Asking about vacation leave or benefits.Don’t appear desperate.

Closing The InterviewAsk the interviewer what the next steps are

(additional interviews, etc.).Ask when the employer plans to make a decision.Show appreciation for the employer’s interest in you.Follow-up with any information the employer may

have asked you to provide after the interview.Thank the interviewer.

QUERIES?