INTERVIEW Skills
What is an
Interview?
A formal meeting
in person,
especially one
arranged for the
assessment of the
qualifications of an
applicant.
Types of interview
 ONE to ONE
Interview
 PANEL JOB
Interview
Preparation
Before you walk into any interview,
you should know as much about the
company and the position as you
possibly can.
In today’s world of mass
communication, there’s no excuse
for lack of research search the web
or go to the library.
Discuss about the position with
concerned people, they should be
able to provide that information for
you.
The Interview
Psych Technique
The night before the interview, spend
some time with a friend or family
member, have mock interview
Use correct words, sentences and
paragraphs.
The purpose is to put you in the right
frame of mind for the interview, so that
you truly believe you are the best
possible candidate for the job.
Your job is to
sell me on you
Before you can possibly convince me as the
interviewer that you are right for the job,
you have to believe it yourself.
Remember, you are all alone once the
interview starts. No one will sell you if
you don’t sell yourself.
Once you have sold me on you, I will sell you
on the position and the company, but not
until then. So don’t expect the
interviewer to tell you why you are
right for the job. That is your job.
Interviews are
always stressful
The best way to reduce the stress is to be
prepared
Take time to understand some of the
‘standards’ when it comes to interviewing
questions.
Take the time to review the ‘standard
interview questions’ you will most likely
be asked.
Guidelines for the Interviewee
 Be prepared for the interview

Just as the interviewer has to plan out the event in advance, so has the
interviewee to be prepared for it. Be prepared for the unexpected.
 Have a presentable appearance
 Everybody appreciates a pleasant personality.
 As in the case of a presentation, so in an interview, the
concerned person’s appearance is a part of the message.
 Show interest by making effective use of body
language:

Eye contact with the interviewer shows , interviewee genuinely interested in the event
and keen to participate in it.
 Sit in a correct, confident posture, straight, balanced and not
stiff in the chair offered.
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 Hands be neatly locked in lap or comfortably placed on the
Guidelines for the Interviewee
 All the questions must be correctly and completely
answered
 Since the primary aim of an interview is to exchange
information it should be done effectively.
 If the interviewee is not clear about a suitable answer to
a question, there is no harm in admitting it:
 One must never try to bluff. Be honest.
 Be polite
 Politeness is indispensable in every situation.
 Avoid talking too much
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 Avoid making boastful statements. The interviewer is
intelligent enough to find out the interviewee’s
intelligence and suitability for the job.
Guidelines for the Interviewee
 Avoid criticism:
 Do not criticize the previous employer or anybody else
 Negative statements are looked down upon.
 Do not forget to thank the interviewers
 For having spared time for you
 Granting an interview is indeed a favour.
 Do not hesitate to ask:
 Any questions to seek clarification regarding the company profile, service
conditions etc
 It will not only satisfy your curiosity but also give the interviewer an idea of
your confidence and interest in the organization. But only towards
the end of the interview and when you feel you are likely
to get the job.
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1- Tell me about yourself.
It seems like an easy interview question. It’s
open ended. I can talk about whatever. Right?
Wrong.
What the hiring manager really wants is a
quick, two- to three-minute snapshot of who you
are and why you’re the best candidate for this
position.
Use an example or two to back it up. Always
point back to an example when you have the
opportunity.
“Tell me about yourself” does not mean tell me
everything. Just tell me what makes you the
best.
2- Why should I hire you?
The easy answer is that you are the best person
for the job. And don’t be afraid to say so. But
then back it up with what specifically
differentiates you.
For example: “You should hire me because
I’m the most suitable person for the job. I
realize that there are other candidates
who also have the ability to do this job. Yet
I bring an additional quality that makes me the
best person for the job--my passion for
excellence. I am passionately committed to
producing truly world class results. For
example………….”
Are you the best person for the job? Show it
by your passionate examples.
3- What is your long-range
objective?
 The key is to focus on your achievable objectives
and what you are doing to reach those objectives.
 For example: “Within five years, I would like to
become the very best engineer your company has on
staff. I want to work toward becoming the
expert that others rely upon. And in doing so, I
feel I’ll be fully prepared to take on any greater
responsibilities which might be presented in the
long term. For example, here is what I’m presently
doing to prepare myself . . .”
 Then go on to show by your examples what
you are doing to reach your goals and
objectives.
4- How has your education
prepared you for your career?
 This is a broad question and you need to focus on the
behavioral examples in your educational background
which specifically align to the required competencies for
the career.
 For example: “My education has focused on not only the
learning the fundamentals, but also on the practical
application of the information learned within those
classes. For example, I played a lead role in a class project
where we gathered and analyzed best practice data from
this industry. Let me tell you more about the results . . .”
 Focus on behavioral examples supporting the key
competencies for the career. Then ask if they would like to
hear more examples.
5- Are you a team player?
Almost everyone says yes to this question. But
it is not just a yes/no question. You need to
provide behavioral examples to back up
your answer.
A sample answer: “Yes, I’m very much a
team player. In fact, I’ve had opportunities in
my project, school and college to develop my
skills as a team player. For example, on a
recent project . . .”
Emphasize
teamwork
behavioral
examples and focus on your openness to
diversity of backgrounds. Talk about the
strength of the team above the
individual. And note that this question
may be used as a lead in to questions
around how you handle conflict within a
team, so be prepared.
6- Have you ever had a conflict with a
senior or professor? How was it
resolved?
Note that if you say no, most interviewers will keep
drilling deeper to find a conflict. The key is how you
behaviorally reacted to conflict and what you did to
resolve it.
For example: “Yes, I have had conflicts in the past.
Never major ones, but there have been
disagreements that needed to be resolved. I've found
that when conflict occurs, it helps to fully
understand the other person’s perspective, so I take
time to listen to their point of view, then I seek to
work out a collaborative solution. For example . . .”
Focus your answer on the behavioral process for
resolving the conflict and working collaboratively.
7- What is your greatest
weakness?
 Most career books tell you to select a strength and present it
as a weakness. Such as: “I work too much. I just work and
work and work.”. First of all, using a strength and
presenting it as a weakness is deceiving. Second, it misses
the point of the question.
 You should select a weakness that you have been actively
working to overcome. For example: “I have had trouble in the
past with prioritization. However, I’m now taking steps to
correct this. I just started using a pocket planner . . .” then
explain them your planner and how you are using it.
 Talk about a true weakness and show what you are doing to
overcome it.
8-If I were to ask your professors to
describe you, what would they say?
 This is a threat of reference check question. Do not wait for
the interview to know the answer. Ask your professors in
advance. And if they’re willing to provide a positive
reference, ask them for a letter of recommendation.
Then you can answer the question like this:
“I believe he/ she would say I'm a very energetic
person, that I’m results oriented and one of the best
people she has ever worked with. Actually, I know
he/ she would say that, because those are his/ her
very words. May I show you his/ her letter of
recommendation?”
 So be prepared in advance
recommendation, if possible).
(with
your
letters
of
9- What qualities do you feel a
successful manager/engineer
should have?
 Focus on two words: leadership and vision.
 Here is a sample of how to respond: “The key quality in a
successful manager should be leadership--the ability to be
the visionary for the people who are working under them.
The person who can set the course and direction for
subordinates. The highest calling of a true leader is inspiring
others to reach the highest of their abilities. I'd like to tell
you about a person whom I consider to be a true leader . . .”
 Then give an example of someone who has touched your
life and how their impact has helped in your personal
development.
10- If you had to live your life
over again, what one thing
would you change?
Focus on a key turning point in your life
or missed opportunity. Yet also tie it
forward to what you are doing to still
seek to make that change.
Stay focused on positive direction in
your life and back it up with examples.
REMEMBER
In reviewing these responses, PLEASE
remember that they are only to be
viewed samples. Please do not
rehearse them verbatim. They are
meant to stir your creative mind and get
you thinking about how to properly
answer the broader range of questions
that you will face.
The Most Important Aspect of
Interviewing
What can you do to set yourself apart in your
interview ?
The most important aspect of successful
interviewing is not your experience, your
degree or your resume. That’s what got you
the interview.
The key to successful interviewing can be
summed up in one word:
PASSION.
It’s your passion for the job that will set you
apart from the crowd.
How can you demonstrate your
passion in the interview?
Though your enthusiasm for the job and
behavioral examples of how your passion
has had a positive impact on results.
If you can show me, in your words, actions
and past behaviors, that you have true
passion toward achieving excellence, you
can and will be chosen over the superstar.
Let your passion for the job show
through in every aspect of your
interview.
The Second Most Important
Aspect of Interviewing
 Another key element to successful interviewing is
your attitude.
Attitude is everything.
 If you want to rise above others with better
experience, better grades, or better anything, you will
need to work on developing a highly positive work
attitude.
 The way most employers differentiate at the
entry level is by candidates’ attitude and
passion toward the job.
 Your attitude and passion is what recruiters
remember when the dust has settled after they have
reviewed ten, twenty, or even one hundred
candidates—you were the one who was sincerely
willing to put forth your very best effort.
You can show your winning attitude
in the way you present yourself.
Incorporate the actual words
‘positive attitude’ , ‘passion for
excellence’ and ‘striving to be
my best’ into your interview
language.
If you can show me, by words and
examples, your ‘can do’ attitude, it
is you I will hire
IntervIew Do’s
Arrive 15 minutes early.
Late attendance is never excusable.
Make your halo effect impressive.
Remember that first impression is long
lasting for the interviewing board.
Clarify questions. Be sure you answered
the questions the employer really asked.
Give your qualifications. Stress the
accomplishments that are most pertinent to
the job.
Anticipate tough questions. Prepare in advance
so you can turn apparent weaknesses into
strengths.
Conduct yourself professionally. Be aware of
what your body language is saying. Smile, make eye
contact, don’t slouch and maintain composure.
Dress appropriately. Make your first impression
a professional one.
Listen. This is probably the most important "do" of
all. By concentrating not only on the employer’s
words, but also on the tone of voice and body
language, you will be able to pick up on the
employer’s style.
INTERVIEWS – Don’ts
Do not lack self confidence or appear shaky.
Poor communication skills are an absolute put off.
Body language must not reflect negatively.
Do not lack the relevant subject knowledge.
There is a difference between self confidence and
over confidence.
 Do not hide background and family history.





Do not have inadequate knowledge about the
company and the industry in which you have
applied for the employment.
Do not be improperly dressed or display lack a
sense of hygiene.
If the interview board is harsh, do not lose cool
during the interview.
Do not reply unfocussed and out of context.
Thus, answers should be
as precise as possible.
Mental fear
of the unknown is
often
what
produces
the
physical
symptoms
of
nervousness. In addition to
preparing yourself physically,
you need to prepare yourself
mentally.
The best way to prepare mentally is
to know what may be coming.
Fear of the unknown can only exist
when there is an unknown.
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Effective Public Speaking
Public Speaking – The preparation
Cardinal Question
Implied Questions
1 W What?
What do I wish to communicate?
2 W Why?
Why should the audience listen to me?
3 W When?
Have I taken care of the timing of my speech?
When are the listeners most likely to be interested?
4 W Where?
Where have I to speak??
5 W Who?
Who am I going to speak to? An individual ,or several
persons, or a large audience?
What are the interests and expectations of the audience?
H How?
How can I best convey my message?
Have I taken care to prepare my message in the most
persuasive language?
Do I need any audio visual aids to make my speech
effective?
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•
Effective Speaking Techniques
Be clear and organized:
–
–
–
–
–
–
•
All powerful speakers religiously stick to the principle - ’Be clear’.
Be simple:
–
–
–
–
–
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Answer 5 X Ws and H, the speech will automatically turn out to be clear
and effective.
Clarity is the very life of all speech and writing.
No listener / reader likes to be caught up in a jumble of confused
thinking.
Mental training and logical thinking that come from all good education.
Especially in the world of business, clarity of thought is the greatest
asset.
From clarity of thought emerges simplicity.
Simpler the language the greater is the appeal.
A really effective speaker
is one who can explain the most difficult or complex matter in the
simplest language to a layman.
No audience likes to listen to jargon. They can be patient only with the
simplest language.
Effective Speaking Techniques
• Furnish Concrete Details
– Many speakers spoil their speeches by talking in abstractions.
– Make speech vivid by furnishing details and actual experiences to
capture the attention of the audience.
– Such attention to speech makes it ‘full of life’ which is the literal
meaning of the word ‘vivid’.
– Make his speech lively and brilliant with eye-catching details,
humorous anecdotes, relevant examples and enthusiastic eye-toeye
contact with the audience.
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Effective Speaking Techniques
• Cultivate Effortless Grace and Naturalness:
– “Many things - smiling, going to sleep or behaving
unaffectedly are done worst when we try hardest to do
them”.
– A cultured person moves and speaks with grace and
sounds natural.
– When face-to-face with a large, selected audience, it is
quite natural to be conscious, perhaps over conscious,
and, for the moment, to find it difficult to be natural.
– Devise own ways to look, move and speak with grace.
– Practicing to speak in front of a mirror.
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– Find a popular anchor / personality and emulate his / her
style.
Effective Speaking Techniques
• Enrich Mental Equipment:
– Be a learned / well informed person.
– As the old Greek proverb says, “Out of nothing, nothing comes”.
– So, we must remember that for every occasion, and for every kind of
speech, the best armament is a well stocked mind—a mind stocked /
equipped with all kinds of information / facts/ figures / general
awareness / readings in literature and philosophy, current affairs,
economic and political developments, new advancements in science
and technology, emergence of new business organizations and so on.
– Having the right kind of information for the right moment.
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Effective Speaking Techniques
• Be Brief:
–
Excessive information does not mean that one can go on rambling or
going into unnecessary details.
–
Quantity of information and quality of speech.
–
All that is superfluous must be cut out in order to make the speech
concise.
–
Every word we speak is valuable, and there are no words to waste.
–
Be informal; Informality creates nearness.
–
The occasion may be formal but the speaker must strive to give his
speech a personal touch. Establish rapport with the audience.
–
Create an impression that will last.
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Effective Speaking Techniques
• Be Enthusiastic:
– Making an effective speech is not just a matter of doing a duty
performing a ritual.
– One has to get into the spirit of the occasion with enthusiasm and
keen interest.
– No one likes to listen to a dull or monotonous speaker. But an
enthusiastic speaker gets an immediate response.
– Enthusiasm is contagious.
• Mind Non-verbal Language:
– Effective use of gestures is a necessary component of a speech
whether prepared or impromptu.
– Eye contact is indispensable.
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Anybody aspiring to be a good speaker, also, keeps training himself in
voice modulation, use of proper word stress and gestures.
Effective Speaking Techniques
• Facts and Figures are not enough:
– If facts and figures had been enough there would have been
no speeches.
– Anybody can have access to facts and figures.
– They can just be circulated or blandly stated.
– They are just like a skeleton. It is the imaginative and effective
use of language in a speech / writing that breathes life into
that skeleton and supplies it with flesh and blood.
– Many great entrepreneurs, chairpersons, statesmen and
scholars are known for their oratory that stems from their
command over language.
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Effective Speaking Techniques
• Control Emotions, but make an Emotional Speech
– What comes from the heart goes to the heart.
– Every human being is full of emotions. But an effective speaker cannot
afford to be carried away by his own emotions.
– On the other hand, while exercising poise and maintaining composure,
he can stir up his audience to action.
– His job is not just to inform but also to convince and influence his
audience. That is how many speeches become memorable.
• Share Significant Experiences / Expertise with Audience:
– This will not only give a personal touch to the speech, but also
confidence to the speaker and comfort to the listeners.
– It will make the audience feel important to the speaker.
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All
the
best
Q & A FOR INTERVIEW
No one can predict the
exact questions that an
interviewer will ask, but you
can rehearse your CV & get
a good idea of a few
important questions that the
employer is likely to ask.
Ten Tough Interview Qs
& Ten As
 Some of the difficult questions you will face in the
course of your job interviews.
 The answers are provided to give you a new
perspective on how to answer tough interview
questions.
 They are provided for you to use as the basic
structure for formulating your own answers.
 While the specifics of each reply may not apply to you,
try to follow the basic structure of the answer from
the perspective of the interviewer.
 Answer the questions behaviorally, with specific
examples that show that clear evidence backs up
what you are saying about yourself.