Contents What is an interview. Types of interviews. Interview process. Interview tips. FAQs. What is an interview ? An interview is a conversation between two or more people (the interviewer and the interviewee) where questions are asked by the interviewer to obtain information from the interviewee. A formal meeting in person, especially one arranged for the assessment of the qualifications of an applicant. Types of Interviews Types of interviews Face-to-Face Interview Panel Interview Behavioral Interview Stress Interview Group Interview Telephonic Interview Mealtime Interview Video Interview HR Interview Interview Process Interview Process The interview process will be divided into three distinct categories: 1. Preparation for the interview 2. During the interview 3. After the interview is ended. Preparation for the interview • Identify your personal goals • Learn about the company • Think of questions you may want to ask • Consider the type of clothing to wear • Practice answering questions. During the interview • Arriving on time • Introducing yourself • Conversing with the interviewer • Responding to questions • Interviewing do's and don'ts. After the interview •Thank the employer for his or her time during the inter •Mention some of the things you learned during the interview, especially those things you feel you are qualifie do. •If you forgot to mention something during the interview, include it in the thank you note. After the interview •Invite the employer to contact you for more information if necessary. •Mention that you are looking forward to the employer's decision. •Be sure to sign your thank you letter. Interview Tips Interview Tips Be prepared Preparation increases confidence. Practice with your friends or relatives. Remember that everyone who is interviewing is not necessarily a good interviewer. You may prepare by reviewing magazine and newspaper articles.You may check out their web site. Read your resume before your interview. It will keep your answers fresh. Interview Tips Location and punctuality Find out the location of organization. Make sure you have a map or directions as well as information of the nearest railway station. Arrive 5-10 minutes early. Arriving early will give you the opportunity to read some information on the company in the reception area. Interview Tips Be professional Professional look always helps for good impression. Be careful about your dressing. Be aware of the company culture and ensure you dress to impress. Decide what you are going to wear the night before to avoid making the wrong choices. Interview Tips Be polite Don't interrupt to the interviewer. Listen very carefully. Poor listening skills are responsible for the bad impression. If the interview is being conducted in a restaurant, mind your table manners. If the interviewers are serious and soft-spoken, then you should be same as interviewer. Avoid loud laughter during the interviewer. Interview Tips Be positive Keep in mind that there is only one chance to make a first impression. Every company wants employees who are goal-oriented, career-driven, enthusiastic and motivated. Be the employee as they want. End the interview on a positive note. The hiring official needs to know that you are interested, enthusiastic and excited about the position and the company. Interview Tips Be practical If you are experienced then the interviewer already knows your current salary and benefits package. When the topic of salary comes up state that you know they will make a fair offer. If you are offered the position during the interviewing process and you want the job then accept it. If the offer is not acceptable for any reason, ask for time to consider the offer. Interview Tips Follow up Always write a thank you note immediately after the interview. If there are number of interviewers then send a copy of thank you letter to each person. Summarize your qualifications and how they meet the expectations of the position. HR Interview Tips Human Resource Interview Tips Do’s : Have a firm handshake. Be sincere and direct. Introduce yourself in a courteous manner. Read company materials while you wait. You have to prepare for questions and listen carefully to the interviewer. Human Resource Interview Tips Do’s : Ask about the next step in the process. Thank the interviewer. Learn about the Human Resources Analyst Program an understand the different facets of human resources. You never know what the interviewer will ask you abo so be prepared to talk about anything you have included on your resume.You should be truthful about your experiences and skills. Human Resource Interview Tips Don’ts : Don't show depression or discouragement. Don't start the topics like salary, benefits or working hours. Don't look at your watch. Don't take extensive notes. Don't be too serious. Panel Interview Tips Panel Interview Tips GIVE VARIETY TO YOUR ANSWERS Remember you might be interviewed by different panels. Don't give a stock answer to all of them. They'll be comparing notes. Repackage your skills so that they sound different. If you're showcasing project X as your major achievement in your present job before one team, talk about project B before another interview panel. A technical team will tune in to techie talk; an HR team would rather hear about your interpersonal skills. Panel Interview Tips FINE-TUNE INTERPERSONAL SKILLS Pull out the stops on your group management and group presentation skills. Interviewers are people after all. Look for the personality type underscoring each interviewer. Then try and connect with each one of them without getting personal. Usually the best way to make contact is to project values that you feel you can share with your interviewers. Panel Interview Tips DON'T QUAKE IN YOUR BOOTS • Interviewers are not ogres. They are looking for excuses to hire you, not spill your guts. • Don't be obsequious. That conveys low self-esteem. • If you face your interviewers with fear in your eyes, they won't like what they see. They are NOT sadists. Panel Interview Tips PREPARE FOR STRESS • You'll be up against a time crunch in a team interview. • In one-on-ones, the interviewer might be taking notes, allowing you little breathers. No such luck with four people firing questions at you. Use stress control techniques to soothe your nerves.You might even use the extra adrenaline to sharpen your responses. Panel Interview Tips SHOWCASE THE IMPORTANT THINGS • List seven important things that fit the job description of the advertised post. Prepare to present skills that fit such traits. • It helps to talk to friends familiar with the job description.You can even ask them to prepare tests that you can take from them. Panel Interview Tips REHEARSE WELL • Put together three family members or friends with diverse personality traits. • Recreate the formality of a team interview situation and ask them to fire nonstop questions at you. That will serve as a useful practice session. • Ask for serious feedback, especially about weak areas in your answers. Questions about qualifications and work experience are usually generic, so what your mock team asks you is bound to be pretty close to the real stuff. Telephonic Interview Tips Telephonic Interview Tips Be Prepared You can keep all of your employer research materials within easy reach of the phone. You can tape your resume to a wall near the phone. It will help a lot during the call and will be a constant reminder for your job search. Have a notepad handy to take notes. Do not be afraid to pick up the phone Be a good listener Focus on what you offer and can do Sound positive, self-confident and focused Write out your responses and practice reading them aloud Ask about the next step Say “ thank you “ . Telephonic Interview Tips During the interview : Do’s : • Smile always helps you in every situation. Smiling will project a positive image to the listener and will change the tone of your voice. • Do keep a glass of water handy, in case you need to wet your mouth. Do know what job you are interviewing for. • Speak slowly and enunciate clearly. • Take your time, it is perfectly acceptable to take a moment to collect your thoughts. Telephonic Interview Tips During the interview : Do’s : • Remember your goal is to set up a face to face interview. After you thank the interviewer ask if it would be possible to meet in person. • Do give accurate and detailed contact information in your cover letter so your interviewers can easily connect with you. • Household members must understand the importance of phone messages in your job search. • Use the person's title (Mr. or Ms. and their last name.) Only use a first name if they ask you to. Telephonic Interview Tips Do’s : • When being interviewed by phone, do make sure you are in a place where you can read notes, take notes, and concentrate. • If you cannot devote enough time to a phone interview, do suggest a specific alternate time to the recruiter. • Give short answers. • Do ensure that you can hear and are being clearly heard. • Do create a strong finish to your phone interview with thoughtful questions. Telephonic Interview Tips Don’ts : • Do not smoke, chew gum, eat, or drink. • Do not interrupt the interviewer. • Do not cough. If you cannot avoid these behaviors, say, "excuse me.” • Do not feel you have to fill in the silences. If you have completed a response, but the interviewer has not asked his or her next question, do not start anything new; ask a question of your own related to your last response. Frequently Asked Questions FAQs List of interview questions relating to the new job / comp 1.Why do you want this job? 2.What qualities do you think will be required for this job? 3.What can you contribute? 4.Why do you want to work for this company? 5.What do you know about this company? 6.What interests you about our product (or service)? 7.What can we (the new company) offer that your previous company cannot offer? 8.You have not done this sort of job before. How will you cope/succeed? FAQs 9.Why should we employ you? 10.How long do you think it would be before you were making a significant contribution to the team/company? 11.How ambitious are you? 12.Would you compete for my job? 13.What do you like and dislike about the job we are discussing? 14.What are you looking for in a new job? 15.What would you like to avoid in your next job? FAQs 16.Are you too old for this job? [Shouldn't be asked in countries with age discrimination legislation.] 17.Are you too young for this job? [Shouldn't be asked in countries with age discrimination legislation.] 18.You may be over qualified for this position? 19.Are you prepared to relocate? 20.Are you willing to travel? 21.What level of salary are you looking for now? FAQs List of interview questions relating to your current / previous job 1.How much does your last job resemble the one you are applying for? 2.What are the differences? 3.What do you think of the last company you worked for? 4.Why did you join your previous company? 5.Did they live up to your expectations? 6.Why are you leaving now? 7.Explain the organizational structure in your last company and how you fitted int it? 8.What did you think of your manager/supervisor? FAQs 9.How did you get on with your previous manager/supervisor, co-workers and subordinates? 10.What did you do on a day to day basis? 11.Did you increase sales or profits in your last job? 12.Have you reduced costs at your last company? 13.Did you feel you progressed satisfactorily in your last job? 14.What problems did you encounter in your last job? 15.What annoyed you about your last job? 16.What did you earn in your last job? FAQs Career related interview questions 1.Why did you choose a career in …? 2.Why are you changing careers? 3.What are your career goals? 4.How long have you been looking for a new job? 5.Do you prefer to work in a small, medium or large company? FAQs 6.What would your ideal job be? 7.Are you considering any other positions at the moment? 8.If you have changed jobs a lot you may be asked how long you would stay in the new job. 9.Have you ever been fired? 10.How often are you off sick? 11.What will your referees say about you? FAQs List of interview questions relating to you 1.How would you describe yourself? 2.How would others describe you? 3.Do you consider yourself successful? 4.What was your greatest success? 5.How did you achieve it? 6.What has been your biggest failure? 7.How could you improve yourself? 8.Are you a leader? FAQs 9.How do you handle criticism? 10.What sort of manager are you? 11.What makes a good manager? 12.Do you work well with others? Or are you a loner? 13.Do you need other people around to stimulate you or are you self-motivated? 14.Are you accepted into a team quickly? 15.Can you act on your own initiative? 16.What motivates you? 17.What management style gets the best results out of you? FAQs 18.Do you know how to motivate other people? 19.Are you competitive? 20.Are you aggressive? 21.What do you dislike doing? 22.Do you feel you are ready to take on greater responsibilities? 23.Can you work under pressure? 24.How many hours are you prepared to work? 25.What interests do you have outside work? Questions to Ask the Interviewer 1.What will be my responsibilities? 2.Where will I fit into the overall organizational structure? 3.Who will I report to? 4.Where does he/she fit in the structure? 5.Who will report to me? 6.How experienced are they? 7.What do you expect me to do in the first 6 months? 8.What level of performance do you expect from me? 9.Who are your customers? Questions to Ask the Interviewer 10.What are the chances of advancement/promotion in this position? When? 11.What will be my salary, benefits and bonuses? [Do not bring this up too early in the interview - wait until they are sold on you.] 12.Will travelling be required in this position? 13.Will relocation be required now or in the future? 14.What training do you provide? 15.When will you decide on the appointment? 16.What is the next step? Thank You