PERSONAL INTERVIEWSKILLS & TECHNIQUES

PROCESS OF RECRUITMENT

• Initial Screening of Resume• Telephonic Interview to judge the basic caliber• A written Aptitude Test• A Technical Test of Specific Domain• An HR Interview• A Behavioral Interview• A Technical Interview• A Group Discussion Round• A Group Panel Interview• A Final Interview by the would be superior of

the candidate

TYPES OF INTERVIEWS

• Traditional Face-to-face Interview• Committee / Panel Interview• Behavioral Interview• Case Interview • Telephonic Interview• Group Interview• Lunch / Dinner Interview• Stress Interview• Video Interview

DEFINATIONS -Traditional Face-to-Face Interview• Most interviews are face-to-face. The most traditional is a one-on-one conversation. • Your focus should be on the person asking questions. Maintain eye contact, listen and respond once a question has been asked. • Your goal is to establish rapport with the

interviewer and show them that your qualifications will benefit their organization.

Panel / Committee Interview

• There is more than one interviewer. This is your chance to put your group management and group presentation skills on display.

• Quickly try to 'read' the various personality types of each interviewer and adjust to them. Find a way to connect with each interviewer.

• Take your time in responding to questions. Maintain primary eye contact with the panel member who asked the question, but also seek eye contact with other members of the panel as you give your response.

Behavioral Interview • Questions asked from past Experience• They are competency based and are very specific rather than the predictable straight forward questions.• Typical Example: “tell me from your past

experiences how and when you overcame a crisis, tackled a problem, dealt with a failure etc.

• Prepare short stories from past experience that shows your qualities like leadership skills, problem solving skills, etc. required for the particular Job Profile.

Case Interview • You are asked to demonstrate your problem-solving skills. The interviewer will outline a situation or

provide you with a case study and ask you to formulate a plan that deals with the problem.

• You do not have to come up with the ultimate solution. The interviewers are looking for how you apply your knowledge and skills to a real-life situation. Speak and reason aloud so interviewers have a full understanding of your thought process

Stress Interview• To find out how the candidate handles stress. • Stress interviews might involve testing an applicant's behaviour in a busy environment. • Questions about handling work overload,

dealing with multiple projects, and handling conflict are typical.

• Interviewer may behave in an uninterested or hostile manner. The goal is to assess how the interviewee handles pressure or to purposely evoke emotional responses.

• Don’t take personally!

• Telephonic Interview – Recruiters do the initial scrutiny and screening by

interviewing the candidate over phone.

• Group Interview - When a group of applicants for the same position are interviewed together in group. In case of walk-in interviews sometimes this method is followed to manage the huge mass of applicantsj.

• Lunch / Dinner Interview – Interview while having meal with the interviewer. This means that in addition to listening to the interviewer, formulating intelligent responses, and trying your hardest to be confident, you now have to pay attention to how you look while eating.

INTERVIEW – WHY?• Interview = A meeting with an objective• Objective of Employer: To find the best person for the

job ▫ Employer reviews candidate’s experience and abilities

Can you do the job? (skills, abilities, qualifications) Will you do the job? (interest, attitude & motivation) How will you fit into the organisation? (personality)

• You: Impress employer and assess position on offer What does this position offer me? How does it fit with my career plans?

• Aim : You must prove that you are the most suitable candidate for this position

BEFORE THE INTERVIEW▫ Review own skills, experiences and qualities

Check CV Anticipate questions and identify relevant examples Prepare key selling points

▫ Research organisation Websites, reports, articles, company literature, etc Contacts with knowledge of organisation or sector Relevant articles in the press Personal visit or telephone call

▫ Research job and occupational area Job description – or similar Current issues

▫ Prepare your questions

▫Practice

INTERVIEW - CHECKLIST

• Your shoes are clean.• Your hair is neat.• Your nails are clean.• Your clothes are pressed & stain-free.• Your nails are clean.• Your hair is neat.• You have removed all extra jewelry.• You have clean copies of your resume.• You have the add & phone no of the meeting place.• You know how to get there and how long it will take.• You know the names of everyone you are meeting,

and how to pronounce them.• You have your notebook & pen.• There is nothing extraneous or bulky in your bag.• You are prepared for rain.• For women, you have a powder compact & lipstick.

DURING THE INTERVIEW1. If the interview room door is closed and you

haven't been told to just go in, knock and wait.2. On entering, walk in looking poised and

confident.3. If an interviewer extends a hand, shake it

firmly while looking him in the eye and smiling.4. Wait to be asked to sit down. If nothing is said,

ask where they’d like you to sit. 5. Sit upright, not stiffly, with the hands relaxed and apart and wait for the interviewer to start things rolling. 6. Do not smoke-or even ask to smoke.

DURING THE INTERVIEW - CONTD…7. When someone speaks look at them attentively and listen without

interrupting.8. Stick to their title (Mr., Dr etc) and surname.9. Avoid one-word answers. 10. Do not try to sound perfect-they will know

you are lying. But it isn’t a confessional. 11. Be ready to cut short an answer if the

interviewer wants to speak or looks impatient.

12. If you don’t understand a question ask the interviewer to explain.

13. Do not be afraid to pause a moment before answering. A good answer is better than a false answer.

DURING THE INTERVIEW - CONTD…14. Do not be afraid to pause a moment before

answering. A good answer is better than a false answer.

15. If you realize you’ve given a bad answer, say something Like “I am sorry, I really haven’t said quite what I meant. What I meant was . .. .”

16. Listen to each question carefully. The way a question is worded often suggests the answer which is wanted .

17. Never criticize a previous employer, school or college.18. Never give a vague answer, like “I suppose so”.19. Do not mention your pay until the end – unless they

do.20. Thank You and a firm handshake

TYPICAL QUESTIONS

• About you▫ Tell me about yourself - Bring me up to date with your CV?▫ Why did you choose that particular degree programme?▫ What experience have you had that is relevant to this post?▫ What would you consider your major achievements to date?

• About the job▫ What interests you about this job?▫ What do you know about this organisation?▫ What other options are you considering?▫ How do you see your career developing – 5 years?▫ If you were Head of Department, what would be your priorities?

• General knowledge▫ What do you think of the Government’s policy on college fees?▫ What do you think about President Pratibha Patil

TYPICAL INTERVIEW QUESTIONS•Why do you want to work here?•Why should I hire you?•What can you do for us that other

candidates can’t?•Why did you leave your (are you leaving)

your job?•What are your strengths and weaknesses?•What are your goals?•When were you most satisfied with your job?

OTHER TYPE OF QUESTIONS

•“What if” Questions▫ No experience - how are you likely to respond to a

situation

•Probing Questions▫ How exactly did you deal with the situation?▫ How did you know it worked?▫ How did you feel about the outcome?▫ Could you have handled it differently?

YOUR ANSWERS•Listen carefully, seek clarification•Illustrate answers with real examples and

evidence•Be positive – constructive criticism•Keep answers specific and succinct•Take time to respond•Be alert to interviewer’s body language•Speak clearly, smile and show enthusiasm•Know what you want to say, and find the

opportunity

VISUAL ASPECT

• First impressions very powerful•Allow time to relax•Dress appropriately •Entrance, introductions & handshake•Smile and make eye contact•Be aware of own movements•Watch body language of interviewer

ATTIRES•The person should be in formals and well shaved on the job interview day. If you are a female candidate

you can wear a moderate make-up. •Before going for the job interview the person

should not have tobacco in any form or should not chew gum while giving the interview.

•Tone down perfume so that the interviewer does not choke when you enter the room.

CLOSING OF INTERVIEW•Summarize key strengths and match for the position

•Always ask questions

•Thank the interviewer by name

•Ask about the next step

•Express an interest in hearing from them

AFTER INTERVIEW

Review own performancewhat went wellwhat went badlywhat you wished you had saidprepare for next stage

Invitation to second / final round interviews

assessment centre psychometric testingpanel interview

Rejection letter / emailif you can request feedback - use it

10 TIPS1. Study the company2. Know your resume3. Prepare an interview emergency kit4. Study the job description5. Build rapport6. Make eye contact7. Body language8. Display your skills with concrete examples9. Be yourself10. Follow up quickly