INTERVIEW SKILLS

Overview

Applying for a job includes researching a prospective job, utilizing personal and professional
networks, and marketing yourself through a resume.

This workshop is a brief introduction to the art of interviewing for beginning job seekers..

There is some good basic information in this session as well as ideas for planned session
activities.

Category

Career and professional skills; communication

Level

First time job seekers (fresh graduates),

Focus or Goals of this program

 To give participants an understanding of the types of interviews frequently used by

prospective employers
 To provide practice in skills related to certain interview types
 To help participants identify both positive and negative behaviors within an
interviewing situation
LESSON I

Topics covered

 Introduction
 Types of Interviews
 Preparing for the Interview
 Ten rules of an interview

Introduction

The workshop is a basic introduction to interviewing and the group will cover what
interviews are, the types of interviews, and finishing with a chance to role play, practicing
interview skills.

Exercise before we start

We are going to play a small game called “I Don’t Know.” We will divide the group into
groups of three.

Each person in the group will have 30 seconds to be in the “hot seat”

During that time the remaining two members of the group have the opportunity to alternately
share statements/questions. Questioners should begin each statement with “I don’t
know……”
For example, ‘A’ says “I don’t know if you voted in the last election,” then ‘B’ says “I don’t
know if you believe in horoscopes,” and so forth

The questions can concern anything, such as food, colors, movies, politics, books, future
plans, etc.

During those 45 seconds the person in the hot seat simply listens and does not respond.

After the 45 seconds, the member in the hot seat will have 30 seconds to respond, touching on
as many of the statements as possible. The person will not answer the questions in order, but
just as he remembers them.

This will be done till each member in the group has had a chance to be in the hot seat.

Types of interviews

Traditional Interviews

Traditional interviews are the most common form of interviews where interviewers may ask
basic questions like “Why do you want to work for us” or “What makes you qualified for this
position.” It is time efficient and employers are relatively straightforward.
Telephone Interviews

In an effort to save on time and expenses, some employers will conduct screening interviews
by phone. The purpose is to weed out any unqualified applicants based upon your resume.
Success in this interview could lead to a face-to-face interview.
Panel Interviews

As a time-management method, some organizations will arrange panel interviews. You may
be interviewing with as many as five or six employers at one time. This can be a very
intimidating situation.

Group Projects

If an organization intends to hire a large training class, a group project may be a part of the
interviewing process. The group project is used to see how potential employees would work
together to solve a situation or problem. Managers or human resource personnel will be
present to evaluate individual contributions to the group project.

Simulations

In an effort to determine how you would respond to typical job responsibilities, an employer
may engage you in role play or other simulations. For example, if you were applying for a job
of a software developer, an employer might ask you explain the most recent program that you
have created and why you used those steps and methods.

Other simulation projects may include reading through a scenario and responding, in writing,
your course of action to the situation.

Pre-employment Testing

Some employers utilize personality tests and tests of knowledge as part of their interviewing
process.

Behavioral Interviewing

Behavioral interviewing is based on the premise that the best way to predict future behavior is
to determine past behavior. If you have experience with traditional interviews, you will find
behavioral interviewing different in several ways:
Instead of asking how you would behave in a particular situation, the interviewer will ask
how you did behave. The interviewer will ask you to provide details, and will not allow you
to theorize or generalize about several events.

You may not get a chance to deliver any prepared stories. Most interviewers will be taking
detailed notes throughout the interview.

Preparing for the Interview

While preparing for an interview you will need to ensure that you:
 1. Know the exact place and time of the interview, the interviewer's full name, the
correct pronunciation and his or her title.
2. Learn pertinent facts about the company such as annual sales revenue, principal lines
of business and locations.
3. Find out why the hiring manager and/or client representative is interested in your
qualifications.
4. Determine how the opportunity will impact your immediate and long-term career
development.
5. An interview is a "two-way street." Know what questions to ask during the interview.
6. Put your best foot forward. Always wear proper attire and greet your interviewer with
a firm handshake and an enthusiastic smile.

Ten Rules of Interviewing

Keep your answers brief and concise

Unless asked to give more detail, limit your answers to two to three minutes per question.
Tape yourself and see how long it takes you to fully answer a question.

Include concrete, quantifiable data

Interviewees tend to talk in generalities ,and hence fail to convince interviewers that the
applicant has assets. Include measurable information and provide details about specific
accomplishments when discussing your strengths.

Repeat your key strengths three times

It’s essential that you articulate your strengths. Explain how the strengths relate to and benefit
the company’s or department’s goals.. If you repeat your strengths then they will be
remembered and if supported with quantifiable accomplishments they will more likely be
believed.

Prepare five or more success stories

Make a list of your skills and key assets. Then reflect on past occasions when you used those
skills successfully.

Put yourself on their team

Use the employer’s name and products or services. Demonstrate that you will fit in with the
existing environment.

Image is often as important as content

What you look like and how you say something are just as important as what you say. Studies
have shown that 65 percent of the conveyed message is nonverbal; gestures, physical
appearance, and attire are highly influential during job interviews.

Ask questions

The types of questions you ask and the way you ask them can make a tremendous impression
on the interviewer. Write out specific questions you want to ask. Then look for opportunities
to ask them during the interview. Avoid asking about benefits or salary.

Maintain a conversational flow

By consciously maintaining a conversational flow a dialogue instead of a monologue you will

be perceived more positively. Use feedback questions at the end of your answers and use
body language and voice intonation to create a conversational interchange between you and
the interviewer.

Research the company, product lines and competitors

Research will provide information to help you decide whether you’re interested in the
company and important data to refer to during the interview.

Keep an interview journal

As soon as possible, write a brief summary of what happened. Note any follow-up action you
should take and put it in your calendar. Review your presentation. Keep a journal of your
attitude and the way you answered the questions. Did you ask questions to get the information
you needed? What might you do differently next time? Prepare and send a brief, concise
thank you letter. Restate your skills and stress what you can do for the company.

LESSON 2

 Contents
 Interview Tips
 How to dress for the interview
 Body Language
 Interview Tips

Before the Interview: Useful Tips

Before the interview, take some time to organize things so you're not wasting energy on last-
minute glitches.

 Research the company. It will provide a good basis for informed questions and a
better sense of what type of employee they want. Make a list of questions you want to
ask.
 Discuss likely questions with your career coach. Practise answering the questions you
might be asked.
 Decide what you're going to wear; have everything clean and pressed. Pay special
attention to grooming.
 Visualize success.
 Five to ten minutes ahead of the appointment is ideal.
 Introduce yourself; ask for the person who is interviewing you. Be polite and
professional.
 If you are kept waiting, don't appear anxious. Smile and be friendly

During the Interview: Useful Tips

 Greet the interviewer, shake hands, smile and introduce yourself. Provide copies of
your resume.
 Think of the interview as a conversation, not an interrogation.
 Be prepared for any type of an interview. Interviews may be full of questions or
casual conversation.
 Follow the lead of the interviewer, stay on topic, and ask for clarification if necessary.
Listen well!
 Ask a few questions to let the employer know you are enthusiastic and interested in
the company. (Wait for the employer to bring up the subject of wages, hours,
holidays, etc.)

 Be attentive to body language and posture. Don't cross your arms; maintain casual
eye contact.
 Don't make negative comments about previous employers.
 State your interest in the position and the organization with enthusiasm.
 Politely ask when they will be making a decision.
 Smile, shake hands, and thank the interviewer for his/her time.

After the Interview: Useful Tips

 Promptly send a brief thank-you note. Remind the employer of your interest,
enthusiasm and suitability for the job.
 Follow-up with a phone call, preferably on the day before a decision will be made.
 If the decision process is taking longer than anticipated, don't express your frustration
to the employer or his/her staff, and don't give ultimatums (e.g. "I have another job
offer and need to decide immediately.")
  If you don't get the job, ask the employer for tips on what you could have done better.
Talk to us to discuss strategies for future interviews.
 Be polite and positive, even if you don't get the offer. In the job market, you must
always leave a good impression.
 Let the employer know that you would be interested in any similar position in the
future.
 Chalk each interview up as a learning experience.

When you get a job offer, ask the employer for guidance as to how to proceed. Will you need
to meet with a supervisor before starting? Make sure you know your work hours and start
date.

How to dress for an interview

How to dress for an interview

The first three minutes of your interview are most crucial. Before you can utter your first
word, your appearance has already spoken volumes about you. Therefore, your clothing
should make you feel good and project a professional image..

The key to projecting a professional image is, first and foremost, to dress tastefully and
conservatively. Beyond that, the guidelines are simple.

Guidelines for women

Dresses : Salwar kurta /Saree –( traditional South-Indian or North-Indian)

Shoes

medium heels in a colour that matches your outfit.

Purse (optional)

Small or medium size in a colour that goes with your outfit

Nail polish

Clear or conservative colours

Makeup

Moderate

Jewellery
Simple and minimal jewellery is suggested for an interview. One set of earrings only. No
more than one ring on each

Guidelines for men

Suits

A dark-blue, grey, brown, or thin pin stripe suit should be ideal to wear for an interview. A
good-quality woven blend of natural fibres looks professional. Suits should be properly
tailored and freshly dry-cleaned.

Shirts

A good quality, white button-down or white classic collar preferred. Most importantly, make
sure the shirt is pressed.

Ties

Silk or good quality blends only. Conservative stripes or paisleys that complement your suit.
The tip of a tie should end near the centre of the belt buckle.

Shoes

Highly polished slip-ons or laced dress shoes in black, brown, or cordovan. Dark socks.

Facial hair

No beards; moustaches are a possible negative. If you must, make sure it is neatly trimmed.

Jewellery

No chains, bands, or necklaces showing. No rings other than wedding ring or college ring. No
earrings (if you normally wear one, take it out.)
For both women and men

 Well-groomed hairstyle

 Clean or manicured fingernails

 Apply minimal perfume or cologne. It is better if you applied it at least two hours
before the interview. A little goes a long way in a small, closed interview room.

 An empty pocket, no tinkling change or bulges

 No gum or cigarettes.

 No body piercing (nose rings, eyebrow rings, etc.). Although you wear it normally
please remove them before the interview.

 Pay attention to even smallest details. Interviewers often consider the condition of
your shoes as a way to tell whether you pay attention to detail. To that end, avoid
shoes that are not shined or that have run-down heels.

Strategy for Commonly asked Questions

There are many questions that are asked in an interview. Most commonly asked questions that
are asked in majority of the interviews are listed below. Make sure you are prepared to answer
these questions

Tell me about yourself

Be prepared to respond to the question, "Tell me about yourself," by creating a 15-second

"sound bite" that describes your professional background and strongest skills in two or three
sentences. Vary your response according to the specific job opportunity and offer a brief
description of why you would be a good fit for the position. One of the best ways to prepare
for an interview is to rehearse with a tape recorder and then critique your answers.

Tell me about your background, accomplishments, strengths and weaknesses?

Employers who ask this question are usually looking for a short synopsis of your experience.
Be sure to demonstrate how you've developed professionally and be objective when listing
your strengths and weaknesses.

How would you describe your most recent job performance?

Hiring managers tend to ask this question in order to gauge your level of enthusiasm for the
work that you do. They're also looking for a direct connection between your current position
and the one for which you're applying.
What interests you about our company?

This question seems straightforward, but it can sometimes be difficult to answer if you
haven't thought about it beforehand. There are two important factors to include in your
answer. The first is to use your knowledge of the company to show your sincere interest.
Second, give a specific reason the position for which you're applying appeals to you (other
than the fact that you need a job).

Who was your most difficult boss and why?

It's imperative to be as diplomatic as possible when answering this question. Avoid becoming
too personal; instead, focus on your previous supervisor's management style and the manner
in which he or she communicated. The interviewer is looking for some indication as to how
well you would get along with your future boss, if you were hired.

What outside activities are most significant to your personal development?

Many employers ask this question to see what kind of balance you are looking for between
your personal and professional lives. While it's good to list one or two activities, be careful
not to list too many activities as the employer may wonder if outside interest will interfere
with your work.

Where do you see yourself in five years? In ten years?

Avoid mapping out a detailed plan when answering this question. Instead, describe what you
feel is the next logical step or steps in your career path.

BODY LANGUAGE FOR INTERVIEWS

Pointers to remember during an interview:

An equal handshake

When greeting someone for the first time, you can mirror their grip and avoid
dominant/submissive response.

Relax into your chair

Use a moment to get comfortable. If you look relaxed, it'll encourage your interviewer/s to
feel at ease in your company. Avoid over-casual sitting postures.

Maintain eye contact

Keep it true and steady, but remember to blink. Avoid staring and make sure that your gaze
doesn't drop below eye level.

Candidates with secure self-esteem alter their facial expressions to match their message,
rather than perpetually wearing the same one. They smile when saying something friendly,
and maintain good eye contact, which signifies openness and honesty.

Less-assured candidates don't maintain eye contact, act shy or ashamed or smile at
inappropriate times. They may appear downcast or pleading, or drop their eyes and heads,
giving them an untrustworthy appearance.

Be cognizant of interviewers' expressions as well. If they don't maintain eye contact, it may
mean they're anxious, irritated, disinterested or that they want the conversation to end. An
interviewer who looks up may be uncomfortable, trying to remember something or doesn't
believe your answer.

Don't overdo eye contact with interviewers, however. A gaze that lasts longer than seven to
10 seconds can cause discomfort or anxiety. Also, don't stare at interviewers during long
silences, since it only increases the tension.

Use your hands

If you can be physically expressive as you speak it shows a certain self-confidence Use your
hands to roll out your answers or give shape to your ideas.

How Close Can You Get?

Maintain a distance of about 48 inches from their bodies,.

When emphasizing key points, project sincerity and confidence by leaning forward,
maintaining eye contact and using expressive gestures. Leaning back and looking down may
be interpreted as a lack of confidence.

How Do You Speak?

Use a natural tone and don't deviate from your normal speaking rate, volume, rhythm, pitch,
breathiness or resonance

Avoid weak, soft, hesitant or tremulous voices, clearing the throat, using "uhs" and "ums" or
other nervous mannerisms.

Posture and Gestures

Confident applicants have relaxed, balanced postures. They hold their bodies’ upright, walk
freely with their arms swinging and take determined strides. Less-assured candidates, on the
other hand, have rigid or stooped postures, drag or shuffle their feet when walking and take
short, choppy strides.

Adopt a free and natural speaking style, but don't be too controlled or rehearsed, When your
movements are in sync with your words, you'll seem confident, expressive and controlled.

Reading Interviewers

Hiring managers also use gestures to convey specific messages. Nodding signifies approval
and encourages applicants to continue talking, while leaning forward shows they're interested.
Folded arms, crossed legs, picking imaginary lint from clothing or running their fingers along
their noses are signs that an interviewer disagrees with you. Thumb twiddling, finger
drumming and other fidgeting mannerisms mean the interviewer isn't paying attention.