An Interview is an interaction between two or more persons usually with a question–answer pattern. The purpose of having an interview is to have an interaction between the prospective employee and the employer, which gives an opportunity to come out with a mutual understanding. Interview is the best way to judge one’s ability, as you can discuss things face-to-face rather than through letter or phone. Interview can expose the candidate’s strengths, weaknesses, thinking ability, body language and communication skills etc. Before The Interview Once you have secured the interview, you should begin to focus on interview preparation.
Do not be fooled into thinking that you can simply walk into an interview and answer few questions. The employer will often meet with several hundred candidates in order to find eight – ten potential employees. Your goal must be to demonstrate your interest and qualifications for the position. Preparation is the key.
Interview is the final stage of selection process,employers use interviewing styles that assist in revealing these attributes of the candidates that are most essential for the job and most beneficial to the organisation. The key preparing for an interview is to find out before the interview how the interview will be conducted. The candidate can ask questions to himself/herself like “how many people are going
to interview me? What kind of questions will be asked? How can I present my best skills? You need to express all your best skills. These skills are essential for any kind of job. Sometimes, you need to take decisions on your own. How quickly and appropriately you answer matters. Though teamwork is always advocated,an employee who can think and work independently and innovatively is the true asset of any organisation.
The most important thing before going to an interview is to know about the company. Your understanding of the company will make the interviewer feel that you are serious about the job and have done your home work properly. Arrange mock interviews with somebody you feel comfortable. Try to give spontaneous answers to the questions. Take the feedback from them seriously and try to improve where you are weak.Before you speak, your personality speaks. The way in which you dress for your interview will tell the employer about your professional attitude. It will be one of the factors an
employer will take into account in evaluating you as a candidate. Also, by dressing professionally, you will appear more mature and seasoned; this will aid you as you may be competing with older individuals with more experience. Appropriate dress code for men is light colour shirt, dark colour trousers, a decent hair cut, polished shoes and wearing a tie is optional. For women light colour ironed salwar kameez or saree is the right fit and light make up.
Be sure to arrive for your interview 10-15 minutes early. This will provide you with time to get used to ambience, to check your appearance and collect your thoughts prior to the interview. Tell yourself that you are going to get the job today. Self-confidence is the key. Be sure to greet the receptionist, secretary or others in the office in a friendly and courteous manner. These employees often have some influence in the hiring process.During the Interview You will not get a second chance to make a first impression when it comes to interviews. Your non-verbal skills and the manner in which you present yourself will be evaluated in addition to your verbal responses to interview questions.
Everyone uses body language during the interview, but very few think about it in advance and modify their body language to produce the most positive effect. The impression you leave during an interview for a job is also something that lingers on for a long time. According to Roger G.Axtell, “Smile is an ultimate gesture”. Smile carries certain welcome characteristics unlike any other single gesture. Use smile freely and often. It will enhance your self-confidence, it will make a tense situation more comfortable and it can be used as mask for other emotions. Don’t ever give a “yes” or “No” short answer. Realise that every chance you have to respond to question is a chance to convince the employer of your value. Whenever a question is asked, don’t give away the answer immediately. Always collect your thoughts before speaking. Give a pause, think about it and then give your answer (even if you know the answer thoroughly). If you are not sure, you can always guess it. You can even tell them that you are guessing with your body language, but never bluff badly and never argue. Listen to the interviewer, because a good listener is said to be a good communicator. Never ask questions too soon. Every interviewer has a story to tell; don’t interrupt him until he speaks. Let the interview process be completed, and then you can express your doubts. Throughout the interview you must be vibrant and vivacious.
Here are some strategies or general rules that will help you about any question that comes your way. Prepare well for various frequently asked questions thoroughly and practice several times. One of the most repeated questions is “Tell me about your self?” It is calculated way of finding out how you organize your thoughts, how you articulate them and on which information you choose to focus. For this question, you should respond very well. Interviewer will understand about your self to the maximum extent. When planning how you will respond, consider the following strategies:
Prepare sufficiently. This question requires much more preparation than any other because there is a danger of not knowing where to begin or, how to start and when to stop talking.
Always tell about your self focusing on your strengths, experience and what you can contribute to the organisation.
Focus on professional topics more than personal ones. It is appropriate to mention a couple of brief facts about your personal achievements.Some more important questions are given below. Prepare some answers for these questions. Practice these answers in front of a mirror, where you can observe your presentation.
1. “What are your strengths?” – is another baffling question. Prepare a list, genuinely selecting words like honesty, corporate culture, confidence and positive thinking. Singing, dancing and playing cricket with utmost attentiveness or bravery to spend a night in burial ground may be your strengths. Your interviewer is not interested in them.
My greatest strength is my self-confidence, positive thinking, honesty and my passion to achieve something in life.
My greatest strength is my analytical thinking, my strong logics and my patience.
2. What are your weaknesses?
I don’t think there is any weakness in me that would affect my ability to work.
I always say yes to all for all work, I never say no is one of my weakness I feel.
3. Why should I hire you?
Sir, my skill and knowledge exactly match your requirement. Also I know about your company reputation, work culture, growth opportunity. I am best suitable to your company.
4. What kind of position are you looking for?
I’m looking for a position in which I can utilize my experience.
I would like to start any position for which I qualify.
5. Why do you want to work with us?
I am impressed by the quality of your products.
I am sure that I would be improving my skills by working with you and I can contribute to the organization’s growth as well.
6. Where would you like to be after 5 years?
Sir, after 5 years I would like to be two or three levels above where I am now.
I want to be in a good position which I would have gained by my hard work, sincerity and experience.
7. What is more important to you: The money or the work?
Money and work both have importance, but I think if we do hard work, the money will flow to us such as we all say if we want to get something then we have to put some efforts which help us improve our inner talent and make bright future.
8. Difference between Hard work and Smart work?
Without thinking new ideas continue the work with old ideas is hard work and innovating new ideas is smart work.
9. Are you interested in a full-time or a parttime job?
I am more interested in full-time job. However, I would also consider a part-time job.
10. When can you join duty?
Immediately.
As soon as you would like me to join.
It is a fact you will get questions based on the information you have provided in your resume.Therefore, thoroughly read your resume and think of the questions. Your answers should be analytical and logical. I hope that these FAQ’s would help you to improve your skills and give you confidence. Sit with your elders or with a friend and act out the interview. By repeating certain phrases you will gain much needed confidence. After the Interview After the interview, do not rush out. Thank the interviewer for giving you the opportunity to be interviewed. Give them a feeling that you are really interested in the job. Your last impression is as important as your first one. Use the interview checklists and assess your performance to identify areas for improvement. You can send a brief note thanking the interviewer for meeting you and for providing you with additional information about the organisation. You may also mention something specific about the organisation that impressed you. Indicate what makes you an ideal candidate; restate your interest in the position and state that you are looking forward to hearing from them.If you are selected, do not accept without checking the following list:
Starting salary
Joining date
Transport facility
Vacation
Strengths and weaknesses of the organisation
Conclusion If you are professionally competent and innovative in your ideas, many doors are open for you. Innovation and taking initiatives are very important. I went to an electronic shop to buy a TV. I found Samsung, Onida, Akai, L.G, Sony, Videocon etc. Finally I selected Onida TV.
This does not mean that other brand TV’s were not up to the standard. Got it? Be positive and confident. May not be today, some other day the other name for success is “YOU”. Remember the three golden rules before going to an interview:
Smart in Appearance
Smart in Behaviour
Smart in Communication
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(The Author is HOD of MBA Department in Gurunank Institute of Engineering, Ibrahimpatnam).