Interview

Authored By: Guided By:

MSE 608B
Shirish Agarwal Prof. Mark Rajai
Group Research Project
Manikant S Vittal
Amitash Singh
Chirag Dave
Aziz Maredia
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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,

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adaptability, leadership, conflict resolution, multi-tasking, initiative or stress

management. [4]You will be asked how you dealt with the situations.

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:

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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 absent-
minded”).

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?

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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.

Appearing for an Interview

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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?
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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

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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 job-
relevant 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.

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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,
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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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