Mastering the Art of Interview

1. Mastering the Art of Interview Skill Development Prepared by Ms Kishwar Janjua

2. Interviewing An interview is a form of oral interaction structured to achieve a goal that often involves just two people, but could include more than two people, who take turns speaking and listening.

3. Interviewing-What is it? - A structured meeting between you and an employer • Interviewing is a skill- like riding your bike • PRACTICE makes you PERFECT

4. Interviewing is a two-way street • Employers are attempting to determine if you are an appropriate fit for the job and their culture • You decide if the environment is right for you.

5. What Recruiters hunt in you? • Recruiters are looking for the demonstrated examples of critical behaviors : • Leadership • Analytical Skills • Problem solving Skills • Team work/Interpersonal Skills • Communication Skills • Creativity • Passion and interest in the industry.

6. Types of Interviews • Information-Gathering Interview • Designed to seek information • Appraisal Interview • Supervisor or employer shares information about job performance • Problem-Solving Interview • Designed to resolve a problem • Persuasion Interview • One person seeks to change or reinforce the attitudes, values, or behavior of another person.

7. Types of Interviews • Phone: used as an initial screen of candidates or to narrow the pool of applicants • One-on-One: most common interview style and incorporates you with the potential employer • Panel or Group: allows many individuals to interview you at once • Meal: used to see how you interact or function in a social setting • Second or On-site Interview: this allows one to get a tour of the facility, meet the staff, and additional questioning from different employees and/or administration

8. Pre-Interview Preparation • Know Your Company • Main production and Services • Annual Sales, Profits and dividend (Bonus/surplus). • Competitors • Area of Operation • New Product or Service launched

9. Market Research • Review employer website/literature. • Develop targeted questions related to employer and job. • Attend informational meetings. • Be sure you know what the company stands for. • Culture of the company • Why you want to work for them

10. Self Interview • Known your strengths and weaknesses • Determine your employment interests; what do you want to do and why? • Reflect on your values; what is most important to you?

11. Know Your Self • Know yourself and be able to articulate skills, strengths, accomplishments, and career goals. • Prepare necessary materials (Copies of resume, references, portfolio/pen.)

12. How to be Interviewed for a Job • Be Aware of Your Skills & Abilities • Prepare Your Resume • A written, concise, organized description of your qualifications • Components • Personal Information • Career Objective • Education • Experience • Honors & Special Accomplishments • Optional Information • References

13. Greeting & Introduction Only 1 chance to make a good 1st impression • Dress appropriately • Smile • Maintain eye contact • Firm handshake • Remain poised and confident • Avoid frequent change of facial expressions not in liaison with your words

14. Positive Signals Leaning forward = interest Smiling = friendly Nodding = attentive and alert Eye contact = curious and focused Negative Signals Crossed arms = defensive Fidgeting hands or tapping feet = nervous or bored Lack of eye contact = untrustworthy Leaning back= discomfort Body Language: What signals are you sending?

15. Interview Process Overview • Typically consists of 2-3 of interviews • Wraps up between 30-45 minutes • Hinged on a mix of general, behavioral , situation and case questions

16. Interview Structure • Opening • Body • Conclusion

17. The Body: Asking Questions • Question Types • Open • Closed • Probing • Hypothetical (Theoretical or supposed)

18. Typical Interview Format • Introductions /Ice Breakers • Discussion of positions/opportunities • Candidate Assessment (Sell yourself) • Inquiry of your strengths • Your usability and utility for the company

19. Types of Questions • Types of Interview Questions Standard or traditional- targeting your education, work experiences, and career goals Sample Questions • Tell me about yourself? • What is your greatest strength? Weakness? • Why did you choose to interview with us? • What did you like most about your last job? Least? • What are your short and long term career goals?

20. Types of Interview Questions Behavioral Questions -These focus on your actions and/or behaviors in a previous setting. • Past behavior provides clues to future behavior “Sample Questions” • Describe a time you had to make a difficult decision? • Tell me about a time you worked under a deadline? • What do you do when a team member is not pulling his/her weight? • Think about a time you made a mistake. What did you learn from it?

21. Inappropriate or unethical questions - Questions which probe into your private life or personal background - Questions about your ethnicity, religion, disabilities, marital status Sample Questions How old are you? Do you have children? Do you have a disability? What religion do you practice? Types of Interview Questions

22. Don’t Err • Avoid controversial topics. • Don’t lie. • Don’t say anything negative about the former colleagues, supervisors and employers. • Don’t answer questions in ‘yes’ or ‘no’. • Don’t inquire about salary, vacations, bonuses until you receive a job offer.

23. Areas of Attention Provide specific and concrete examples of your results/accomplishments • Remain positive • enthusiastic • Poised and confident throughout the interview process

24. What are your Strengths • Strength of your subject knowledge • Your ability to prioritize tasks and projects • Your problem solving skills • Your ability to work under stress • Your professional expertise • Your positive attitude. • Your time management.

25. General Interview Strategies • Remember an interview is a formal conversation--avoid filler words like “Um”, “Ah”, & “You know” • Avoid indecisive phrases like: “I think,” “I guess,” “probably,” or “pretty good” • Think before speaking • Avoid long verbose answers--limit your response to 1-2 minutes • If you do not hear or understand a question, ask them to repeat or clarify it for you

26. FOLLOW-UP • Ask good questions • Thank the interviewer • Request a business card

27. FOLLOW-UP • Send a thank you note within 24 hours • Letter may be handwritten or typed; e-mail is also acceptable • Tailor each one to the individual.

28. Post Interview Assessment • Was it evident that you had a clear understanding of yourself? • Did you prove that you researched the company and the job? • Did you show the match between the job, your technical skills and experience?

29. Post Interview Assessment • What can you do to improve for the next interview? • Did you successfully discuss your education and extracurricular activities? • Were you composed, honest and confident? • Did you look and act as professional? • Were you energetic, enthusiastic and positive?

30. Reasons for Rejection • Vague and irrelevant answers to the questions. • Very fidgety; little eye contact; nervous mannerism (sifting or playing with hair, finger snapping ). • Superficial remarks to impress the interviewer.