Presented to : Applicable to candidates for Middle Management Interviews Date : 20/Dec/2011

Cracking the Interview Presented to: Applicable to candidates for Middle Management Interviews Date: 20/Dec/2011 Location: Gurgaon, Haryana, India

Agenda • Basics • Preparation Pointers • Each pointer defined • Research the Recruiter • Catalogue Self Success • Review Self SWOT vs. JD • Review Potential QnA • Prepare Questions to ask • General Questions and Good Answers • Do’s and Don'ts • Pitfalls to Avoid • Further Reading A FieryAir Venture

Basics • What exactly is an interview? • An interview is a mutual discussion where you and the company gauge each other. Both the parties try to evaluate the benefit of a mutual relationship. Behavior – What you do Capabilities – What you can do External Consciousness Convictions – What is your opinion Belief – What do you feel • What does an interviewer want? • An interviewee tries to project his skills and knowledge. It has only 20% value to the interviewer. An interviewer is interested in rest 80% of the candidate’s personality, which can be defined under ‘Self Concepts”, “Traits” and “Motives” • This 80% is what Interviewer will probe you for Values – What do you want and what drives you Identity – Who are you Internal Consciousness A FieryAir Venture

Preparation Pointers Research the Recruiter The best place to research the recruiter is its website. Trick is to find out basically two aspects of the company, one, about the company, its business, mission/vision; two, its current endeavors. Catalogue Self Success Prepare a laundry list of all your professional achievements. Then prioritize the ones that has more relevance to the position you have applied for. Review Self SWOT vs. JD Read the Job description thoroughly and try to match your skill set accordingly. Try to locate what are your strength and weaknesses vs. the requirements. Review Potential QnA Prepare a list of anticipated questions with answers. You can anticipate questions about you, your current profession and life. However, try foresee questions that might relate to the expectation from the company point of view. Prepare Questions to Ask You will generally face a scenario where the interviewer asks you, if you have anything to inquire. Never say, ‘Nothing’. Prepare a brief list of questions.

Research the Recruiter – How to Research Financials Manpower Market Openings Business/es There are 5 basic facts that you should be completely aware about the Recruiter: ••• All the above pointers can be researched on the Internet. And the common mistake is to open Google to start with,. It should only be used to find out the Recruiter’s website, if not already known. Else, Google can be a Pandora’s box to start with. Google is Good, but only when you have a lot of time to filter through loads of information some of which might be, worse, misinformation. So, Google only when Absolutely necessary. ••• Most effective way to Research the Recruiter are below. ••• Recruiter’s website is the Best source of information. This should be your first place to visit to gather information. Search for keywords like, “About Us”. If the Recruiter does not have a website, well, rethink about joining the firm! ••• Wiki largely has a company’s history, current business and services/product details. An open content source, it is reliable due to the Wiki Admin responsible for content. The page editor of a company is always on alert on edits on its page. A FieryAir Venture

Research the Recruiter – How to Research contd.. Financials Manpower Market Openings Business/es LinkedIn is a Professional Social Network. It has most of the Companies listed in it. Search for the Overview section that lists the Company Businesses, Manpower and other relevant details. It would also have professional’s connected to their Company. ••• SlideShare offers uploading and sharing facilities of Case Studies, White Papers, &related documents. All mid size and big companies has an account that is used to share the non-confidential papers, work & researches. This is the place to get company DNA. ••• Search and start Following the company on Twitter and Like it on Facebook. This would open up all the alerts related to the company posted on the Social Net to you in a single go. Little half an hour research would tell you what all the company had been doing since last year. ••• News Alerts are one if the quickest ways to get recent updates about the Recruiter. Use Google for this cautiously. Type in the Recruiter name for the entity that is hiring you. For e.g. if you are going to give interview for Amex India, write “American Express India” rather than “American Express”. Select the News option to see all the recent news about your recruiter. ••• Use Job Portals like Naukri, Monster, TimesJobs to figure out what other openings the Recruiter is haring for now. Sometimes, on the website of the Recruiter gives information on the open career options. Go through the openings to figure out the current requirements. A FieryAir Venture

Research the Recruiter – What to Research Financials Manpower Market Openings Business/es The most important aspect to be researched about the Recruiter is what Business it is involved in. Basically, you know about it, so you have applied and your CV has been shortlisted. However, what you would not know is the intricacies of its work and how you are expected to fall into its cycle. Nokia and Motorola both make phones. But both would not be making it in same way! This information primarily comes from the below sources: Company Website: Search for “About Us” or similar and read through. It would list the activities the company is engaged in, at a macro level. Figure out the company’s area of expertise and involvements. List down facts and figures of the Business to integrate with your answers, to reflect the company knowledge in interview. (tip: A good example is Ericsson India website) LinkedIn Profile: In the ‘Overview’ section of any company you would find a short description of the company’s nature of business. It may also have ‘Product and Services’ section, listing the products and services the Company is currently engaged in. Sometimes, there is a career section also. (tip: Look for IBM in LinkedIn) Wikipedia Page: Wiki would systematically explain about the nature of Business, Locations, extent etc. Since this is maintained by one of the Company Marketing person, this is sure to give extensive information. At times, the information might not be up to date, however would sure cater to the knowledge required for the interview. (tip: View tata Group on Wiki) SlideShare: Find Documents, Presentations and Articles detailing the case histories of projects in the company. These are authentic sources for the Business. It would also detail how the business is handled and projects are run directly interpreting the company’s DNA, or at least what it wants others to know! Inculcate the knowledge from this, and 30% of battle of the interview is won. (tip: Visit WNS on SlideShare) Facebook/Twitter: Once you Like and Follow the company, just sit back and read through all the updates it has listed on the Social Media. The easiest and quickest way to know what is currently going on in the Business. However, it always helps to have an overview from above sources, else the updates here might not make sense. If you are aware of the Financial Status of the Company, that helps you to gain confidence of the interviewer, and also increases your own confidence level regarding the decision to join the Company. It shows that you are keen to know about the Company and have fair knowledge that would help you inculcate the culture easily. This information is available in the below sources: Company Website: The Annual Report of a company is a good standard to gauge the stronghold of the company in market and its profitability and credibility. Most of the big firms have there Annual Reports on their website under the name Annual Report or similar names. Search for it and give it a macro view. A little fact from this in any relevant answer can go a long way to win the interview. (tip: View the Infosys Annual Report on their website) News Alerts: News Alerts on web can be a useful source of Financial information of the company. However, you would need to be very careful about the validity of such information. While searching for the same, use information from only reliable source such as CNBC, Network18, NDTV Profit etc. You might not be very savvy with Financial terms, however just try to read through the Analysis that explains the numbers. Wikipedia Page: Mostly Wiki would have historical figures until last financial year for a company. However, the figures and facts here would be easier than the News Alerts. For general overview of Company Financials, Wiki is more recommended than the other two options. (tip: Go through the Indian Company Listings with Revenue on Wiki and International Company Listing with Revenue on Wiki) Manpower basically refers to the strength of the Company in terms of Human Resource. It is significant to find out the manpower as it is directly proportional to the stability of the Company. Knowing the distribution of manpower would also tell you the kind of population you would be working for/with. This information primarily comes from the below sources: Company Website: In the About Us or similar link, sometimes it is easy to find the information on Manpower. In the Career section also this information can be searched. However, now this information is not generally shared easily, mostly due to the difficulty of keeping it updated and for different geographical locations. LinkedIn: LinkedIn might have this information in the Company Overview page, and may not. However, if you look at the number of employees who are connected to this Company or not connected but can be searched by the Company name, a fair idea can be made about the number of middle and top management people involved in the Company. Wikipedia Page: The Company strength is generally found in the Company profile on Wikipedia. This should be treated as the most reliable source for this information. Try to find out the location-vise Manpower of the Company as it is more relevant to you where your prospective location would be, until you are going to be interviewed for the CEO or similar! Market share of a company shows its competitiveness and growth pattern. Apart from helping you to know how your growth would be, it also shows the status of the company you are facing interview for, in relation to others in market. Just remember, do not comment anything on market failure, if you find any. However, do not forget to remember market success, even if you can guess one! This information primarily comes from the below sources: Company Website: The Company website mostly would project the positive side of its Market share. And we are concerned about that only. This information is generally found in the Press Release or similar section. If there had been a significant Market move done by the Company, remember the same to be used in any pointer like why you want to join the Company. Wikipedia Page: Wiki generally lists all the information about the Company, including an unbiased approach to its Market share. Keep these information in mind, in case any question comes up related to the competitor and your stand on any current development in market related to the Company. News Alerts: As you search for News Alerts on Internet, use keywords with caution, like ‘Annual report’, ‘New Launch’ and depend on reputed News sites like Indiatimes, NDTV, Google News, Business Standard, LiveMint, Business Week etc. Remember, reports and articles can be quite long and exhausting. Try to search for relevant details that are necessary to know for the position you have applied for. Twitter/Facebook: In a single glance, the market importance or what the Company is trying to do might not come to surface. Because, on a Social Networking site all Companies will promote themselves. However, you might have to do a little analysis here. For example, in current times you would find Google+ doing an extensive marketing even on Facebook, however Facebook does not need to do its advertisement on Google+ ! However, after launch of Google+ , Facebook started TV Media advertisement not to lose market share. Knowing about other Openings currently company has rolled out would help knowing if you are being hired with a boss/subordinate for you. It helps in being prepared for the role subsequently. Analyzed with the current manpower, it also states the growth of the company in current market. It would throw light on the kind of overall expertise the Company is looking for in the market, the growth it is aiming at, businesses in pipeline and rate of market expansion. This information primarily comes from the below sources: Company Website: There is a Career section in almost all the Company websites. This would feature all the current Openings of the Company. Go through this list to know who else the Company in searching for. Twitter/Facebook: Sometimes the Recruitment team of the Company search for personnel in Social Networking sites. This gives them opportunity to get to know someone before even interviewing. This suggests that your Social Network sites should be updated with current information and should not repel anyone off by the content and look of it. Job Portals: A Job Portal is the easiest place to search for the Company’s current openings. However, the only precaution to be maintained in this area is, at times the recruiters register the username in the Parent Company’s name and all the subsidiary companies use the same username. As an example, you would see InterGlobe Technologies IT and BPO both hires on Naukri in the name of InterGlobe Enterprise which is the parent Company. Click on the Pointers above to find out What should you Search about your Recruiter… and, How? A FieryAir Venture

Catalogue Self Success List all that you have achieved until now in terms of Rewards, Recognition and Accomplishment Step 1: Create a Laundry List of your Professional Achievements till date. 1.1: Start with School, go through College and University, any Vocational Training or Certification you might have attended. 1.2: Consider your first and subsequent jobs. Any Performance Award, Recognition, Course completed , Project done, Implementation done, any Conceptualization, Re-engineering, People Leadership initiative, Suggestions made and implemented or anything else that is worth mentioning. 1.3: Now focus on other Activities apart from Academics and Profession that can add value. Article written, Posts made online, Blog maintained. Step 2: Evaluate the list made with the JD of the Recruiter and figure out the ones that has a match. 2.1: Go through the Job Description once. You would find basically three sections: Details of location/CTC etc, Requirement from the Job and Qualification and Experience Prerequisite. Go through the second two options thoroughly. 2.2: Filter out any requirement that is comparable with any of your achievements listed in Step 1. Give more importance to recent events, in Professional life and Activities and lesser as you go back in time. However, if you pick an Achievement from early past, make sure it is very significant to the current role and had significant impact on necessary target. Step 3: Refine the findings, prepare triggers and pointers and fit them to your CV. 3.1: Focus on the Achievements that you filtered in Step 2. Write them once in plain English in a way you are explaining them to someone and try to be as brief as possible. 3.2: Match the list with the JD, preparing triggers (questions) that the interviewer might ask. This would give you the pointers that should prompt your answer briefing the Achievement. 3.3: Try to fit in the most important of the list prepared into your CV. Take care not to fit all, but only the recent/important ones. Merge the pointer with the flow of your CV at relevant places. A FieryAir Venture

Review Self SWOT vs. JD Evaluate each of the Requirement in the JD. Compare them with your attributes. Does it excite you? Does it scare you? Search for Strength: Point out all the requirements in the JD that are your Strength areas. The requirements which you can fulfill from Day 1 without any Supervision. Basically, these are those pointers on which you have previously worked, which made you apply for this particular job. More than 50% of Requirements need to fall in this area. Else, you may re-consider applying for this Position. Beware of Weakness: The areas which would contribute to pull your performance down are your weakness. Identify them before interview so that you are not caught in surprise. It would also assist you in devising answers in case questions pertaining to your weakness comes up. Try to have a Strong point ready to cushion the Weakness. In case you do not have a counter mechanism to answer, agree honestly on the weakness and give examples how you are overcoming or shadowing them. This should not be more than 10% of Requirements. Find Opportunities: The requirements that you cannot fulfill currently are your Opportunity (Improvement) areas. However, you should be sure that these are the areas that you can improve on in a short time. These Opportunity areas would be recognized by the Interviewer in the first instance. They are trained for this. So, you need to have answers prepared in case you face them Be sure to have plan to overcome them. This is the only way to have correct and honest answers ready. Identify Threat: Recognizing the Requirements in the JD that can cost you the Interview is probably the most important aspect. These are the pointers that you do not and cannot fulfill, at least in short run. Remember that Threats should not be more than 10% of the total Requirements, else you are going for a failure mode. The best answer to any of the questions that relates to Threat should be honest and correct, even if it is a denial. A FieryAir Venture

Review Potential QnA Now you have been through almost all the aspects of the Recruiter, the Job, the Interview and where you stand vs. the JD Post going through all the hard work of collating information about the Recruiter, dissecting the Job Description and being the Self Psychologist, that too a very harsh one, you are prepared to finally list down all the Questions that you anticipate across the Table. Create a list of Questions that you anticipate you will be asked. Base your assumptions on all that we discussed until now. The Requirements in JD, your expertise and capabilities matching them, the overall structure of the Organization and any general question related to you/organization/JD. List down the Questions and prioritize them in order of, first JD related, then related to you, then Organization and finally the general questions. Question Listing Your Strength that should be easily visible in your answers and keep trying to find Opportunities where you can showcase the Improvement that you can bring along. Attach facts and figures of Self Success Stories to as many answers as possible. Try to be recent and have examples ready to quote if necessary. Make the examples verifiable. While quoting the Recruiter/Organization anywhere in your answer, make sure that the facts are recent and well observed by you. Remember that the Interviewer would definitely be knowing more about her/his Organization than you, so a little incorrect information can break the impression, and a correct information can do wonders. Try to be brief and precise. If you do not have an answer to a question you have listed, then go back to your rough works. Since this is not the actual Interview, rather a set of Potential questions you are preparing, you must have answers to them all. Answering Them A FieryAir Venture

Prepare Questions to Ask A FieryAir Venture After the formal interview or in between, there is a very high probability that the Interviewer would ask you, if you have any question for her/him. Two very common mistakes: Answering in No or negative, most of the times not to sound overconfident. Asking any trivial question that comes to mind, to keep up the conversation or just because after answering all the questions, your brain was just not prepared for asking one!

Prepare Questions to Ask You can prepare the questions depending on the Organization and Position. Always go for an honest questions that you might always wanted an answer of, regarding the Organization, not stepping on the foot though. Few general suggestions are below… • What kind of issues pertain to the Position you are being interviewed for? Ask if there are any current challenges related to the Position you are being interviewed for. Are there any current issue that the incumbent would need to address, once selected. What is the period currently can be given for getting up to speed for the current role. • Who would I be working for? Ask who your boss would be, as in Position and not name. Request to elaborate on the hierarchy and span of control in the organization and where your position would fit in.` • Please explain the JD in detail. • Ask the interviewer to explain the Job Description in detail, not showing that you have yet not understood it completely. Ask her/him the fine lines that you should understand and any significant pointer that you need to remember, if chosen. • Can I call you later for feedback? • Ask if you can contact the interviewer or any one in the Recruitment Dep't. later for the result or feedback if you are not selected. Insist politely that you would definitely want to be in touch with the interviewer whatever the result may be. • What are the next steps if I am selected? • Ask, procedurally what are the next steps for you and the organization if you are selected. If there are any preparation you need to do personally, dress code required etc. or VISA readiness. Also, what you can immediately expect to happen once you join, as in induction, introduction etc. A FieryAir Venture After the formal interview or in between, there is a very high probability that the Interviewer would ask you, if you have any question for her/him. Two very common mistakes: Answering in No or negative, most of the times not to sound overconfident. Asking any trivial question that comes to mind, to keep up the conversation or just because after answering all the questions, your brain was just not prepared for asking one!

The formal preparation is over… With the formal preparation for the interview being over, we can recap the pointers just for review: Now, let’s discuss some Tips and Tricks that would ensure you slip throughthe mossy track without scratches andearn a few Browny Points en-route! A FieryAir Venture

General Questions and Good Answers There is no exhaustive list of this, but these are some questions either I have faced, or any friend who had updated me or from columns and features. But each of these had been asked on more than on occasions. Why do you want to join us? The research and study you would have done until now for the Company would come handy now. Pick up the best points about the Company Get those points that are employee affecting or more position affecting for which you have applied. If your reason is person-centric like good Leadership, make sure your research about the Leaders are accurate and correct. For e.g., do not say Goodwill in market if it is not a Business Development role and say Infrastructure if the Company has taken care to be at a good location and spent money in maintaining the building. ••• Why should we hire you? Show them this is a good match by Going through the JD and your competencies with match points What value addition you can bring if hired to the Position and the Company End with emphasizing by your answer or explanation that it is profitable match for both A FieryAir Venture

General Questions and Good Answers Where do you see yourself 5 Years from now? Give a Pragmatic answer. Your answer should definitely show growth, commitment and determination Keep in mind the growth path the company offers, spiral, vertical, and keep yourself on same track and show optimism. Never be overtly zealous and take care not to sound under confident. For e.g., of the company is 5000 to 10000+ strong with 1 or 2 branches, jump two promotions, but in larger companies, never jump the next promotion in your 5 year aspiration, at least, do not say it! ••• What are your weaknesses? Never say, you do not have any, or do not pick something that is important to the role you might perform. Best way is: Pick a competency from JD that has least significant value, or Pick one that is not in JD and is not required for the position, rather pick one that might benefit for the role. Understate your weakness, and use the term, “Opportunity” or “Improvement Area”. Give realistic examples of steps you are taking to overcome the Improvement areas.For e.g., for a role of Business Development, say you are hooked to Social Networking, or for a Analyst role, say you are little introvert. A FieryAir Venture

Do’s and Don’ts The Don’ts or Should Not’s for/in an interview The Do’s or Should Do’s for/in an interview Self Presentation: Take up Professional Look and take Pride in your look, wear formal, but choose color and style that you are comfortable with, not the one that looked good in the Showroom. Do not Impress: Take care not to impress the interviewer intentionally or otherwise. Be yourself and rely only on the knowledge you have acquired. Consider the interviewer not as a person, but as a project that needs to be successful. Communicate effectively: Organize your thoughts and answer to each question with exact pointers required, without adding any extra information, until asked. If there is a slightest confusion, catch it at its inception and clarify briefly. No answer without understanding: Organize your thoughts before answering any question. This would help you to answer specifically the question asked and would give you time to understand the question correctly. Apart from ‘what’ is asked, also think ‘why’ it is asked. ••• ••• ••• ••• No Unsolicited Info: No unwanted information should come from you, that is not asked or is irrelevant, just to fill dead air or prove a point. Before jumping onto any new topic, even in continuation of a conversation, be sure that the topic should be discussed. Be Positive: No Negativity and Leadership Qualities are must. No answer to any question should be negative, and if it must, it should be backed with a valid reason and solution that Leads to a benefit and resolution. Be Positive; cliché, but works! Expect Realistic Compensation: Your expectation for compensation must come as a question. This can break the interview after all positive effects also. Calculate, investigate and quote a figure, keeping the door to negotiations open and apparent. No indifference: Your apathy, coming in any manner would be glaringly visible and loudly audible. In your answer, the way you answer and even the way you are silent and sit, there should be controlled interest in the interviewer, in the company and in the job. ••• ••• ••• ••• Be Assertive: Some questions are only meant to know your positive force to respond to difficult situations. Aggression is common approach which is negative. If you think answer is No to a question, give it. Just be sure, No is the only answer! No Bad Body Language: Some gestures spontaneously depict your thought process even if you are hiding them. Be cautious of your gesticulations when you talk or otherwise. Be straight up, easy and amicable, all the time. Demonstrate very less assertion, if needed, at times. Do not misinterpret Pause: Note that, it is not your responsibility to fill dead air. If there is a pause after or between a question, clarify before going ahead. And if there is a pause just like that, most of the times your body language is being tested! Relate to the Interviewer: This would be easy if your investigation about the employer Organization is thorough. Try to think the way interviewer would think and be a harsh judge of yourself. You would understand 75% of questions. ••• ••• A FieryAir Venture

Pitfalls to avoid Misunderstanding the purpose of question: You need to understand ‘why’ a question is asked, as much as ‘what’ is asked. Sometimes it might just be a probe question aimed at knowing your response quality rather than correctness. Try to comprehend the rationale behind the question along with the question itself. There is no perfect science to crack an interview. The basic rules are: ••• Your experience/expertise should match the JD at least 75% No Answer situation: This happens if it is a Probe question, or an actual one and you do not have an answer. Take a moment to decide there is no answer, do not mumble. If it is a probe, answer intelligently, focussing on why was it asked. If you do not have an answer, ask to elaborate, and clearly state you do not have an answer. Your research and confidence should be 100% Your positivity and belief in yourself should be 125% ••• Question projecting your inexperience: Match your skill set and competencies to the JD and clearly show you have required knowledge level. Also demonstrate how you can leverage competencies from existing roles to new one. Try to show plan that the interviewer can relate to. ••• Handling absurd situations and questions: Questions like “Who will you throw from sinking boat, Mom or Wife“ do not have an answer. Try to bring out humour, “Both, why take chances, and moreover both are excellent swimmers!” and try to come out with positive response. ••• Question about any negativity of life: This is a typical question to probe your sub-conscious part, best option is to give a neutral answer, how each disaster is a learning lesson. Do not add any adjectives and narrate just cold facts without any adjective or emotions. End emphasizing on lesson learnt and how you have used them to your benefit. Effort always leads to Success, Success and Confidence are drivers for each other. ••• Question about very difficult position at job: Questions like 3 Country heads asking you a report at the single time. This is to gauge your assertiveness and control in stress-driven situations. Ask permission, take time to think through. If the answer is to say No, or to delay all report, answer the same. The trick is to deliver, although late. ••• A FieryAir Venture

Further Reading Job Search on About A Comprehensive collection of tips for searching jobs, applying and facing interview. Also lists FAQs on Job Search on Social Media. Cite HR A Community Portal where you are read, write and post views on pre-written articles on Human Resourcerelated issues including aspects of Salary, Interview and Labor rules. Crack the Interview Majorly dedicated to IT related interviews with questions specifically asked in specific companies like Google, CISCO etc. Articles in SlideShare There are over 3600 Presentations in SlideShare on how to crack Interviews. This link is a Search Resultfor all the Presentations and more. All Interview Loads of interview questions, those can be browsed as per Categories and Companies. You can also post questions you faced and read others posts. Other recommended Readings are: Tips on Interview, Learn Interview Tips, Understanding, Job Interview Questions. The Lie Guy, Prepare Interview, Businessballs Interview tips, Ace the Interview. etc… A FieryAir Venture

For any queries, missing link in content, or any other goddamn thing(!), feel free to contact me below, as I know, I have raised more questions in your mind, than I have answered in this Presentation. A FieryAir Venture

Presented to : Applicable to candidates for Middle Management Interviews Date : 20/Dec/2011

Presented to : Applicable to candidates for Middle Management Interviews Date : 20/Dec/2011

Presentation Transcript