Interview

Interview

Authored By: Shirish Agarwal Manikant S Vittal Amitash Singh Chirag Dave Aziz Maredia

Guided By: MSE 608B Group Research Project

Prof. Mark Rajai

Interview

Table of Contents ................................................................................................................................... 1 Table of Contents .......................................................................................................2 Perspective................................................................................................................. 3 Major Objective........................................................................................................3 Types of Interview...................................................................................................... 4 The Screening Interview..........................................................................................4 The Informational Interview.....................................................................................5 The Directive Style.................................................................................................. 5 The Meandering Style..............................................................................................6 The Stress Interview................................................................................................6 The Behavioral Interview.........................................................................................7 The Audition............................................................................................................ 8 The Group Interview................................................................................................9 The Tag-Team Interview........................................................................................10 The Mealtime Interview.........................................................................................10 The Follow-up Interview.........................................................................................11 Techniques of Interviewing [6]:................................................................................12 Advantages of an Interview......................................................................................13 Disadvantages of interviews.....................................................................................13 Appearing for an Interview.......................................................................................13 Types of Questions expected....................................................................................17 Interview Questions: Work History [4]...................................................................18 Job Interview Questions About You........................................................................18 Job Interview Questions About the New Job and the Company [5].........................19 Interview Questions: The Future ...........................................................................19 The Interview Process...............................................................................................20 Personal Experience ................................................................................................ 24 Case Study................................................................................................................ 25 Conclusion................................................................................................................ 25 References................................................................................................................26

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Perspective Interviewers want to determine if you are a fast learner, a problem-solver, and a versatile, goal-directed person, and if whether you will fit the job and add value to the organization. Interviewers will try to deduce from your responses to their questions the following •

Your capability and expertise,

•

Your level of responsibility and need for supervision,

•

Your performance level,

•

Your compatibility with colleagues and the corporate culture,

•

Your commitment to your own professional development and career, and the probability you will stay with the company.

Employers should not be asking questions about race, ethnic background, or national origin, religious affiliation, marital status and family, gender and sexual orientation, age, weight or height, or arrest record.

Major Objective You and the interviewer each have a need: you want a job and the interviewer wants the right person to fill a position. The initial interview, whether on campus or at the company's location, is usually an opportunity for screening. The interviewer forms an impression of whether your qualifications, personality, poise, ability to communicate, and general "fit" with the organization make it worthwhile to continue the process. In addition to the specific job-related skills and knowledge you possess, the interviewer is interested in your self-motivation and whether your interest in a particular job is based on realistic knowledge of its content. The interviewer also wants to know what you have done, how you value your accomplishments, and how you relate these experiences to your career interests. If the interviewer feels there is a potential fit between you and the company, you may be invited back for a second interview. In some cases, however, an offer may be made on the basis of only one interview.

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An interview is a two-way process: keep in mind that you seek a job that meets most of your interests and requirements, allows for growth, and provides the environment in which you will be productive. Through your interview, you will be able to assess this information.

Types of Interview All job interviews have the same objective, but each employer reaches that objective in different ways. One strategy for performing your best during an interview is to know the rules of the particular game you are playing when you walk through that door [1]. • • • • • • • • • • •

Screening Informational Directive Meandering Stress Behavioral Audition Group Tag-Team Mealtime Follow-up

The Screening Interview Companies use screening tools to ensure that candidates meet minimum qualification requirements. Computer programs are among the tools used to weed out unqualified candidates. [2] Sometimes human professionals are those screeners. Screening interviewers often have honed skills to determine whether there is anything that might disqualify you for the position. Remember-they do not need to know whether you are the best fit for the position, only whether you are not a match. For this reason, screeners tend to dig for dirt. Screeners will hone in on gaps in your employment history or pieces of information that look inconsistent. They also will want to know from the outset whether you will be too expensive for their company. Some tips for maintaining confidence during screening interviews: • •

•

Highlight your accomplishments and qualifications. Get into the straightforward groove. Personality is not as important to the screener as verifying your qualifications. Answer questions directly and succinctly. Save your winning personality for the person making hiring decisions! Be tactful about addressing income requirements. Give a range, and try to avoid giving specifics by replying, "I would be willing to consider your best offer."

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If the interview is conducted by phone, it is helpful to have note cards with your vital information sitting next to the phone. That way, whether the interviewer catches you sleeping or vacuuming the floor, you will be able to switch gears quickly.

The Informational Interview On the opposite end of the stress spectrum from screening interviews is the informational interview. A meeting that you initiate, the informational interview is underutilized by job-seekers who might otherwise consider themselves savvy to the merits of networking. [3]Job seekers ostensibly secure informational meetings in order to seek the advice of someone in their current or desired field as well as to gain further references to people who can lend insight. Employers that like to stay apprised of available talent even when they do not have current job openings, are often open to informational interviews, especially if they like to share their knowledge, feel flattered by your interest, or esteem the mutual friend that connected you to them. During an informational interview, the jobseeker and employer exchange information and get to know one another better without reference to a specific job opening. This takes off some of the performance pressure, but be intentional nonetheless: • • • •

Come prepared with thoughtful questions about the field and the company. Gain references to other people and make sure that the interviewer would be comfortable if you contact other people and use his or her name. Give the interviewer your card, contact information and resume. Write a thank you note to the interviewer.

The Directive Style In this style of interview, the interviewer has a clear agenda that he or she follows valiantly. Sometimes companies use this rigid format to ensure parity between interviews; when interviewers ask each candidate the same series of questions, they can more readily compare the results. Directive interviewers rely upon their own questions and methods to tease from you what they wish to know. You might feel like you are being steam-rolled, or you might find the conversation develops naturally. Their style does not necessarily mean that they have dominance issues, although you should keep an eye open for these if the interviewer would be your supervisor. Either way, remember the following commandments: • •

Flex with the interviewer, following his or her lead. Do not relinquish complete control of the interview. If the interviewer does not ask you for information that you think is important to proving your superiority as a candidate, politely interject it.

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The Meandering Style This interview type, usually used by inexperienced interviewers, relies on you to lead the discussion. It can begin with a statement like "tell me about yourself," which you can then use to your advantage. The interviewer might ask you another broad, open-ended question before falling into silence. This interview style allows you tactfully to guide the discussion in a way that best serves you. The following strategies, which are helpful for any interview, are particularly important when interviewers use a non-directive approach: •

•

•

Come to the interview prepared with highlights and anecdotes of your skills, qualities and experiences. Do not rely on the interviewer to spark your memory. Jot down some notes that you can reference throughout the interview. Remain alert to the interviewer. Even if you feel like you can take the driver's seat and go in any direction you wish, remain respectful of the interviewer's role. If he or she becomes more directive during the interview, adjust to it. Ask well-placed questions. Although the open format allows you significantly to shape the interview, running with your own agenda and dominating the conversation means that you run the risk of missing important information about the company and its needs.

The Stress Interview Either employers view the stress interview as a legitimate way of determining candidates' aptness for a position or if someone has latent maniacal tendencies. You might be held in the waiting room for an hour before the interviewer greets you. You might face long silences or cold stares. The interviewer might openly challenge your believes or judgment. You might be called upon to perform an impossible task on the fly-like convincing the interviewer to exchange shoes with you. Insults and miscommunication are common. All this is designed to see whether you have the mettle to withstand the company culture, the clients or other potential stress.

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Figure 1: Answer your questions carefully [10] Follow the following golden rules for your step to success in interview: • •

• • •

Remember that this is a game. It is not personal. View it as the surreal interaction that it is. Prepare and memorize your main message before walking through the door. If you are flustered, you will better maintain clarity of mind if you do not have to wing your responses. Even if the interviewer is rude, remain calm and tactful. Go into the interview relaxed and rested. If you go into it feeling stressed, you will have a more difficult time keeping a cool perspective. Always smell good. Wear a good anti-perspirant.

The Behavioral Interview Many companies increasingly rely on behavior interviews since they use your previous behavior to indicate your future performance. In these interviews, employers use standardized methods to find information relevant to your competency in a particular area or position. Depending upon the responsibilities of the job and the working environment, you might be asked to describe a time that required problem-solving skills, Page | 7

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adaptability, leadership, conflict resolution, multi-tasking, initiative management. [4]You will be asked how you dealt with the situations.

or

stress

Your responses require not only reflection, but also organization. To maximize your responses in the behavioral format: • • •

•

Anticipate the transferable skills and personal qualities that are required for the job. Review your resume. Any of the qualities and skills you have included in your resume can be of fair game for an interviewer to press. Reflect on your own professional, volunteer, educational and personal experience to develop brief stories that highlight these skills and qualities in you. You should have a story for each of the competencies on your resume as well as those you anticipate the job requires. Prepare stories by identifying the context, logically highlighting your actions in the situation, and identifying the results of your actions. Keep your responses concise and present them in less than two minutes.

The Audition For many positions, such as computer programmers or trainers, companies want to see you in action before they make their decision. For this reason, they might take you through a simulation or brief exercise in order to evaluate your skills. Show them different software’s or techniques by which you can save their money. Prove your worth at that time. Every company basically wants profit and they would love an employee who can save money for them. An audition can be enormously useful to you as well, since it allows you to demonstrate your abilities in interactive ways that are likely familiar to you. The simulations and exercises should also give you a simplified sense of what the job would be like. If you sense that other candidates have an edge on you in terms of experience or other qualifications, requesting an audition can help level the playing field.

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Figure 2: Look out for what you deserve [10] To maximize on auditions, remember to: •

• •

Clearly understand the instructions and expectations for the exercise. Communication is half the battle in real life, and you should demonstrate to the prospective employer that you make the effort to do things right the first time by minimizing confusion. Treat the situation as if you are a professional with responsibility for the task laid before you. Take ownership of your work. Brush up on your skills before an interview if you think they might be tested.

The Group Interview Interviewing simultaneously with other candidates can be perplexing, but it provides the company with a sense of your leadership potential and style. The group interview helps the company get a glimpse of how you interact with peers-are you timid or bossy, are you attentive or do you seek attention, do others turn to you instinctively, or do you compete for authority? The interviewer also wants to view what your tools of persuasion are: do you use argumentation and careful reasoning to gain support or do you divide and conquer? The interviewer might call on you to discuss an issue with the other candidates, solve a problem collectively, or discuss your peculiar qualifications in front of the other candidates. This environment might seem overwhelming or hard to control, but there are a few tips that will help you navigate the group interview successfully: Page | 9

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• • •

Observe to determine the dynamics the interviewer establishes and try to discern the rules of the game. If you are unsure of what is expected from you, ask for clarification from the interviewer. Treat others with respect while exerting influence over others. Avoid overt power conflicts, which will make you look uncooperative and immature. Keep an eye on the interviewer throughout the process so that you do not miss important cues.

The Tag-Team Interview Expecting to meet with Ms. XYZ, you might often find yourself in a room with four other people: Ms. XYZ, two of her staff, and the Sales Director. Companies often want to gain the insights of various people when interviewing candidates. This method of interviewing is often attractive for companies that rely heavily on team cooperation. Not only does the company want to know whether your skills balance that of the company, but also whether you can get along with the other workers. In some companies, multiple people will interview you simultaneously. In other companies, you will proceed through a series of one-on-one interviews. Some helpful tips for maximizing on this interview format: •

•

•

•

Treat each person as an important individual. Gain each person's business card at the beginning of the meeting, if possible, and refer to each person by name. If there are several people in the room at once, you might wish to scribble down their names on a sheet of paper according to where each is sitting. Make eye contact with each person and speak directly to the person asking each question. Use the opportunity to gain as much information about the company as you can. Just as each interviewer has a different function in the company, they each have a unique perspective. When asking questions, be sensitive not to place anyone in a position that invites him to compromise confidentiality or loyalty. Bring at least double the anecdotes and sound-bites to the interview as you would for a traditional one-on-one interview. Be ready to illustrate your main message in a variety of ways to a variety of people. Prepare psychologically to expend more energy and be more alert than you would in a one-on-one interview. Stay focused and adjustable.

The Mealtime Interview For many, interviewing over a meal sounds like a professional and digestive catastrophe in the making. If you have difficulty chewing gum while walking, this could be a challenge. With some preparation and psychological readjustment, you can enjoy the process. Meals often have a cementing social effect-breaking bread together tends to facilitate deals, marriages, friendships, and religious communion. Mealtime interviews rely on this logic, and expand it.

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Particularly when your job requires interpersonal acuity, companies want to know what you are like in a social setting. Are you relaxed and charming or awkward and evasive? Companies want to observe not only how you handle a fork, but also how you treat your host, any other guests, and the serving staff. Some basic social tips help ease the complexity of mixing food with business: •

• •

• • • •

Take cues from your interviewer, remembering that you are the guest. Do not sit down until your host does. Order something slightly less extravagant than your interviewer. If he badly wants you to try a particular dish, oblige him. If he recommends an appetizer to you, he likely intends to order one himself. Do not begin eating until he does. If he orders coffee and dessert, do not leave him eating alone. If your interviewer wants to talk business, do so. If she and the other guests discuss their upcoming travel plans or their families, do not launch into business. Try to set aside dietary restrictions and preferences. Remember, the interviewer is your host. It is rude to be finicky unless you absolutely must. If you must, be as tactful as you can. Avoid phrases like: "I do not eat mammals," or "Shrimp makes my eyes swell and water." Choose manageable food items, if possible. Avoid barbeque ribs and spaghetti. Find a discrete way to check your teeth after eating. Excuse yourself from the table for a moment. Practice eating and discussing something important simultaneously. Thank your interviewer for the meal once done.

The Follow-up Interview Companies bring candidates back for second and sometimes third or fourth interviews for a number of reasons. Sometimes they just want to confirm that you are the amazing worker they first thought you to be and to keep you on their judging scale once again. Sometimes they are having difficulty deciding between a short-list of candidates. Other times, the interviewer's supervisor or other decision makers in the company want to gain a sense of you before signing a hiring decision [8]. The second interview could go in a variety of directions, and you must prepare for each of them. When meeting with the same person again, you do not need to be as assertive in communication of your skills. You can focus on cementing bond, understanding where the company is going and how your skills mesh with the company vision and culture. Still, the interviewer should view you as the answer to their needs. You might find yourself negotiating a compensation package. Alternatively, you might find that you are starting from the beginning with a new person. Some tips for managing second interviews: •

Be confident. Accentuate what you have to offer and your interest in the position.

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Probe tactfully to discover more information about the internal company dynamics and culture. Walk through the front door with a plan for negotiating a salary. Be prepared for anything: to relax with an employer or to address the company's qualms about you.

Techniques of Interviewing [6]: 1. Prospect Seek out the right companies. Read their company information. Ask questions about the company from people who work there or know it well. This is also a job search step 2. Approach What is the best way to contact them? Networking is almost ALWAYS the best method of learning and connecting. What about first impressions? Dress appropriately. 3. Present Every good sales rep has a 3-minute presentation rehearsed and ready to go. It is up to YOU to be sure the employer hears what is important about you. If they don’t ask the right questions, be prepared to introduce information they should know. Know your body language. Get a Mock Interview. Practice with a coach. 4. Overcome Objections How do you explain your “weaknesses?’ Here’s a good approach: 1. Choose a skill and explain the flip side 2. Explain what you do to ensure the weakness does not interfere Example: “Because I am a divergent/creative person (a skill) I am interested in many things. So in order to avoid getting sidetracked from my task at hand (your weakness) I keep a daily log of tasks and prioritize them (how you compensate). See my pocket calendar here – I keep a running list of tasks to accomplish.” The above is much better than just naming your weakness (like saying “I am absentminded”). Try to anticipate potential weaknesses (lack of experience, youthfulness, etc.) and work on explaining how these will not impair your work with that organization. 5. Close Have a list of 5-10 questions you want to ask the employer. They always ask you if you have questions, so be ready. If you want to work for them, tell them you are very interested and are excited about the possibilities. What is the next step? Page | 12

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6. Follow –up ALWAYS write a thank-you. Get the names and addresses of all interviewers and send them a note through Email, written, phone or any other technique.

Advantages of an Interview The main advantages of interviews are: • • • • • •

• •

They are useful to obtain detailed information about personal feelings, perceptions and opinions They allow more detailed questions to be asked They usually achieve a high response rate Respondents' own words are recorded Ambiguities can be clarified and incomplete answers followed up Precise wording can be tailored to respondent and precise meaning of questions clarified (eg. for students with English as a Second Language) Interviewees are not influenced by others in the group Some interviewees may be less self-conscious in a one-to-one situation.

Disadvantages of interviews The main disadvantages of interviews are: • •

•

They can be very time-consuming: setting up, interviewing, transcribing, analyzing, feedback, reporting They can be costly. Different interviewers may understand and transcribe interviews in different ways.

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Instructions

Figure 3: Dress Up Properly Step 1: Dress appropriately for the interview. Always dress in professional attire even if the job is a blue collar job. The fact that you took the time to make yourself presentable will impress the people interviewing you. If the actual job attire is casual, you can be less formal after you get the job[7].

Figure 4: Greet the interviewer Step 2: When you greet the interviewer, look the person in the eye. Be friendly and confident during this first impression so remember to smile. If the interviewer extends

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their hand, provide a nice handshake that is firm and confident. If your hands tend to get clammy and moist under stress, wipe your hands before meeting the interviewer. 3

Figure 5: Be confident Step 3: Be confident in yourself, but not arrogant. Act as if this is your job to get and that after the interview, you will be offered the job because there is no better candidate. But be careful here. If you overdo this, you can come off looking and sounding arrogant which might not appeal to the interviewer.

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Figure 6: Keep all documents with you Step 4: Have a copy of your resume with you when you enter the interview. The interviewer may refer to something on your resume and if you don't remember what you wrote, you can use your copy as a reference. Also have a copy of the application you filled out so you can use that as a reference, too. Step 5: Do your homework on the company. Learn as much about the company as possible. Visit their website, talk to current and former employees, and read anything that you can find. Be prepared for the question, "What do you know about our company?" For example, in one interview I mentioned how the company was growing over the past several years and planned to add more stores in the city where I lived. Step 6: Practice answering interview questions. There are books that cover this and have suggested ways to answer. Get one of these books and go through the different questions and how you can answer them. The Internet is also filled with sites which will guide you through the possible questions you'll be asked. When you answer a question, demonstrate how your skills will benefit the company you want to work with. Step 7: When the interviewer asks, "Do you have any questions?", don't answer with "How much will I get paid?". This makes you sound as if you are just interested in the money. Ask questions about the company, such as, "How is the company adjusting to the economic downturn that is affecting the rest of the country?" Have 2-3 questions that show you are truly interesting in the company.

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Figure 7: Smile and confidently leave after interview Step 8: After the interview is over, confidently shake hands with the interviewer, smile and leave. When you get home, write a short thank you note and send it off that day. Courtesy still goes a long way in today's society.

Types of Questions expected Job interviews are always stressful - even for job seekers who have gone for countless interviews. [5] The best way to reduce the stress is to be prepared. Take the time to review the "standard" interview questions you will most likely be asked. Also review sample answers to these typical interview questions. Be confident but don’t be over confident. Then take the time to research the company. That way you'll be ready with knowledgeable answers for the job interview questions that specifically relate to the company you are interviewing with.

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Figure 8: Prepare for all type of questions

Interview Questions: Work History [4] • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Name of company, position title and description, dates of employment. What were your expectations for the job and to what extent were they met? What were your starting and final levels of compensation? What were your responsibilities? What major challenges and problems did you face? How did you handle them? What did you like or dislike about your previous job? Which was most / least rewarding? What was the biggest accomplishment / failure in this position? Questions about your supervisors and co-workers. What was it like working for your supervisor? What do you expect from a supervisor? Who was your best boss and who was the worst? Why are you leaving your job? What have you been doing since your last job? Why were you fired?

Job Interview Questions About You • • • • • • • • •

What is your greatest weakness? What is your greatest strength? Describe a typical work week. Do you take work home with you? How many hours do you normally work? How would you describe the pace at which you work? How do you handle stress and pressure? What motivates you? What are your salary expectations? Page | 18

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What do you find are the most difficult decisions to make? Tell me about yourself. What has been the greatest disappointment in your life? What are you passionate about? What are your pet peeves? What do people most often criticize about you? When was the last time you were angry? What happened? If you could relive the last 10 years of your life, what would you do differently? If the people who know you were asked why you should be hired, what would they say? • Do you prefer to work independently or on a team? • Give some examples of teamwork. • What type of work environment do you prefer? • How do you evaluate success? • If you know your boss is 100% wrong about something how would you handle it? • Describe a difficult work situation / project and how you overcame it. • Describe a time when your workload was heavy and how you handled it. • More job interview questions about your abilities. • More job interview questions about you. • • • • • • • • •

Job Interview Questions About the New Job and the Company [5] What interests you about this job? Why do you want this job? What applicable attributes / experience do you have? Are you overqualified for this job? What can you do for this company? Why should we hire you? Why are you the best person for the job? What do you know about this company? Why do you want to work here? What challenges are you looking for in a position? What can you contribute to this company? Are you willing to travel? Is there anything I haven't told you about the job or company that you would like to know? • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Interview Questions: The Future • • • • • •

What are you looking for in your next job? What is important to you? What are your goals for the next five years / ten years? How do you plan to achieve those goals? What are your salary requirements - both short-term and long-term? Questions about your career goals. What will you do if you don't get this position?

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The Interview Process To keep things simple, this process will be divided into three distinct categories: (1) preparation for the interview, (2) during the interview, and (3) after the interview is ended. The guide concludes with a list of the most frequently asked questions in the job interview.[7] You must be willing to prepare ahead of time if you wish for the interview to be successful. Your degree of preparation will definitely be noticed by the person who is giving you the interview. [6] There are number of ways that you might prepare. Below we focus on the five most important things you can do to prepare for a successful interview. Specifically, we encourage you to (1) identify your personal goals, (2) learn about the company, (3) think of questions you may want to ask, (4) consider the type of clothing to wear, and (5) practice answering questions.

Preparing for the Interview: Personal Goals: Personal goals are when you decide what type of job you are looking for. [1] Are you looking for a job that allows you to move around, a job that asks you to do outside work? Would you like a job that offers a variety of hours, or are you looking for a set schedule? Is the type of job you want one that you work with the public, or would you prefer to deal with machines and paperwork? The answers to these questions are important because they will help guide you in what companies you would like to contact about possible job openings. Knowledge about the Company: The second area that you can prepare yourself in is knowledge about the company itself. Basic information is the key. [2] Does the company fit the description you developed by answering your personal goals questions above? You will also want to look at the location of the company. Is the company close enough for your current transportation situation? Thinking of these questions and then giving the answers considerable thought will help you prepare for when it is time to go to the interview. There are a number of ways that you can find information about a company. You might go to your public library, you can search on the Internet, or you can even talk to some current employees. What to ask the Interviewer: At some point during the interview you will be asked if you have any questions - count on it. Be prepared to ask thoughtful and useful questions. Asking well thought-out questions will make you look good in the eyes of the person who is conducting the interview. Avoid asking me-centered questions regarding items such as salary and vacation time. [6] These indicate that you might only be interested in money and not in making a contribution to the organization. On the other hand, good ideas for questions are: "What would my job duties include?" , "Is there a chance for promotions?" "What type of things would I be in charge of?" and many other related questions. Dressing Properly: You can also prepare for the job interview by making sure you are dressed properly. Dressing properly means being professional. Personal cleanliness and grooming are also related to dressing properly. This includes bathing; using Page | 20

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deodorant, brushing your teeth, and making sure your clothes are ironed, or have few wrinkles. Dressing properly means having your hair brushed and styled neatly. Perfume and cologne can be worn in small amounts, but should be avoided if at all possible. Also, be careful about the type of jewelry you wear - this makes a statement about who you are. You might want to ask the person who calls you for the interview what he or she would like for you to wear. Practice Answering Questions: It is the job of the interviewer to find out as much jobrelevant information about you as possible. You will be asked a lot of questions. Some of these questions will be easy to answer but others might be very difficult. Questions such as, "Why did you leave your last job?" might be difficult to answer. Other questions, such as, "Are you a thinker or action taker?" may be confusing and require forethought to answer. And of course, you need to be prepared to give a good answer to the question, "Why do you want to work here?" The appendix to this guide contains a list of the most commonly asked questions in job interviews. Please examine the list and prepare answers for these questions just in case you are asked. Preparing for the interview is an important first step. The degree to which this preparation will affect the overall success of the interview should not be taken lightly. After identifying your goals, researching the company, thinking of questions you may want to ask, considering the type of clothing to wear, and practicing answers to questions, you are ready to go to the place where the interview will be. During the Interview: This part of the interview process is the actual face-to-face interview. There are many things to consider once you get to the place where the interview will be conducted. It may seem confusing at first, but if you break everything down into steps it becomes much easier. This section of the interviewing guide will consider the steps of (1) arriving on time, (2) introducing yourself, (3) conversing with the interviewer, (4) responding to questions, and (5) interviewing do's and don'ts. The final focus of this section is a discussion of the main idea behind the whole interview process, selling yourself to the company that you would like to work for. Arriving on Time: The first factor you should remember, is the time you have to arrive at the interview. It is important to show up on time. Five to ten minutes early is appropriate, any more than that and you seem too eager and may be interrupting what the interviewer was doing before your appointment. Besides, arriving too early may be awkward and will give you an opportunity to get nervous. [3] Arriving late is completely unacceptable. If you cannot make it to the interview on time you must call and provide a good reason for the delay (be prepared for the possibility of having to reschedule the interview). The second time factor you want consider regards the best use of time. The interviewer has many things to accomplish in addition to your interview. Think about the answers you are giving, give precise and short answers. Try to avoid going into detail unless it is requested. The key is to highlight the good things and show the interviewer why it would be a good idea for the company to hire you. Page | 21

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Introducing Yourself: The first thing the interviewer learns about you is what you teach him or her by how you introduce yourself. Be very assured and self-confident when entering the room. Offer a handshake and be sure that it is firm and demonstrates confidence. An example of how to begin would be " Hello, my name is George Jones I am here for my interview.". When the introductions are made, be sure to remember the name of the person interviewing you. The interview will progress on better terms if you are able to respond using the name of the person you are speaking with. After the introductions are made there should be a seat offered to you. Do not assume that there is a particular place for you, wait until the interviewer motions to where he or she would like to have you sit. Once you are seated and introductions are over the interview is ready to begin. Also, keep in mind that everyone you meet at the organization is important and might have input as to the decision to hire you. It is not unlikely for an interviewer or manager to ask the receptionist or counter person for his or her impressions of you. The Conversation Between You and the Interviewer: The biggest thing to remember when you are talking to the interviewer is that enthusiasm makes the difference. An example of an enthusiastic response would be, " I would welcome the opportunity to prove myself at that task." When you are speaking be sure that your voice has force and assurance. The surer you are about yourself, the more the interviewer becomes confident that you are capable of doing the job. Treating the interviewer with respect is also very important. You can demonstrate this respect by listening and responding with interest. Such behavior allows you to establish rapport with the interviewer. Rapport (the French word for relationship) is a type of understanding or easy and friendly pattern of interaction between individuals. An example would be the type of conversations you have with really good friends. You are interested in what they are saying, they are listening to you and the conversation flows with little interruption or problems. You have established a rapport with this person that allows you to speak comfortably. This is what you want to establish with your interviewer. Responding to Questions: When answering questions asked by the interviewer there are four things to keep in mind: listen carefully, make your answers specific and organized, frame the answers positively while emphasizing your strengths, and discuss your weaknesses honestly. First, listening carefully is important because you want to make sure you hear the question correctly. It would be very embarrassing if you answered a question inappropriately because you were only listening to how it was phrased. Second, make your answers specific and organized. Think about the question and then consider your answer before you speak it. Organize your thoughts, so if the question is, "What were your main duties at your last job?" you can concentrate on the top duties and avoid unneeded information. The more you tell the interviewer the bigger the risk you run that they might forget something you said. If you stick to only the most important information, it won't get lost among the unimportant facts. Third, when answering questions draft your responses positively. An example of this would be replacing "I work hard," with "I am very determined." Although you should be positive, this does not mean you should be dishonest. This leads to the fourth and final point, Page | 22

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honesty enhances your credibility. More likely than not you will be asked what you believe is your greatest weakness. Answering this questions insincerely (for example, "I am a workaholic"), will be noticed by the interviewer and will reflect poorly on you. You can discuss your weaknesses and then tell the interviewer what you have learned from them and how you intend to improve upon them. You can turn a weakness into a positive learning experience. Interviewing Do's and Don'ts: The things you will want to avoid when you are interviewing are all of the bad habits you have while speaking, or when you are nervous. Examples of things to consider are biting your nails, twisting your hair, moving around continuously in your chair, tapping you hand or a pen, and anything else that would be considered fidgeting. Never make assumptions as to what the interviewer is trying to say or ask. If you are uncertain, it is better to ask the interviewer to repeat the question. [7] Other "don'ts" include lying or exaggerating (which might come back to haunt you) and speaking poorly about a former employer. If you "bad-mouth" a former employer, the interviewer will picture you doing the same thing to his or her company. There are a number of important "do's" involved in interviewing. Some ideas to try to do while interviewing: make eye contact with the interviewer. There is a significant impact made through good eye contact. This helps to show honesty as well as letting the interviewer know you are truly interested in what they are saying. Watch the Interviewer's body language. [8] Being able to read body language will help you tell what point you are at in the interview. Folded arms, yawning, picking up papers, or concentrating on something else are signs that the interview has lasted too long, or that the answer you are giving is too long and vague. React quickly and positively to any negative signs. An easy way to stop a long answer is to pause briefly and then sum up you thoughts in one sentence. If you have a question or a doubt: ask a question to clarify. This will help you avoid answering inappropriately. The final thing to remember when interviewing is SMILE. Smiles are contagious and will help ease any tension or nervousness associated with the interview.

Qualities of a Candidate for an Interview [7]:

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Personal Experience We still remember how scared we were during our first job interview. However, after attending several mock interviews and complete preparation were confident somewhere of obtaining the job. The most important thing we learnt from these mock interviews was confidence. The recruiters look for confident candidates apart from their skills. And confidence comes into play only when you believe in yourself and the knowledge you posses. The best way to attend an interview is to be confident, professional attire, prepare well for both technical as well as HR interview questions. Remember, the company needs an efficient employee who is productive in all aspects of the company’s operations. Show them how productive you are and you are IN. According to our experiences confidence and instantaneous reply was the reason most of us cleared our very first job interview with ease.

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Case Study To identify difference between a good interview and bad interview we performed a case study. Here we took two interviews. Both interviews helped us identify the feel interviewers might get when faced with such candidates. It clearly helps us distinguish which candidate to reject and which to accept. The following scenarios help us distinguish between a good interview and bad interview with ease. Case 1: Candidate enters the room in formals. When asked for his resume he provides his resume along with all references. The candidate shows all his project work and class work in hardcopy along with a soft copy and a website address from which all information can be accessed anytime required. The candidate is well dressed and has good body language. He answers all questions with confidence and perfectly. Having all these qualities it would be hard for an interviewer to reject the candidate and thus he is accepted.

Case 2: Candidate enters the room in casuals. The body language is not at all professional which includes biting nails when answering. When asked for detailed work report, he does not have anything to show. The candidate lacks confidence and is not able to answer anything properly. His questions showed that he was just interested in money and not the type of work. With such an attitude the candidate is bound is to be rejected which he is.

The case study clearly shows a set of do’s and don’ts to us which if kept in mind can help you go through your interview smoothly and help you cross the success line.

Conclusion Interviews are nothing to be scared of. At the same time it should not be taken lightly too. By following few simple protocols, confidence being the utmost it’s not at all difficult to crack an interview if you have the skills in you. Give them ways by which you can be useful to them and save money. The report gives various protocols to be followed to succeed in an interview. Always believe that if you need that job then the employer also needs an employee.

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References 1. Inputs given by Dr. Mark Rajai. 2. Material provided by Dr. Mark Rajai. 3. Friends and family from different organizations. 4. “Interview Rehearsal” by Buzz Mauro. 5. “201 Best Questions To Ask On Your Interview” by John Kador. 6. “Monster Careers: Interviewing: Master the Moment That Gets You the Job”

by Jeff Taylor 7. Website : http://jobsearchtech.about.com/od/interview/Interviews.htm 8. Website : www.ehow.com 9. Website : e.wikipedia.org 10. Website : www.cartoonstock.com

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