WEEK 10

TOPIC: INTERVIEWS

Learning Outcomes:

After studying this unit you should be able to:

Describe the stages in an interview

Discuss some questions frequently asked in an interview

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INTERVIEW

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What is an interview?

The word interview can stand for different things.

For example a reporter interviews a celebrity for a television program. This kind of

interviews can be one-on-one but usually when it comes to television there are many

reporters from different channels.

There are also job interviews where a person has to go through in order to get a job

he/she wants. Job interviews are usually face-to-face interviews and it includes

paperwork.

During an interview you can expect to be asked questions around your educational

background, previous work experiences and questions relating to your personal

characteristics and goals.

Job interviews

 It is a fact that in many things even when the goal is the same the paths leading to it are

always different.

The same can be said for any job prospects where there are diverse selections of

interview styles that seek to select that best for that particular profile.

Employers adopt a variety of ways to find out if the particular candidate fits the bill.

That is why a person coming to the interview shouldn’t expect just to impress the

interviewer with his or her professional successes but must be prepared to face all the

hurdles that the interviewer places before them.

Since, the job profile is very diverse so it makes little sense if there is only one type of

interview structure.

For example, an interview structure that is appropriate for a sales representative will be of

little help when the interviewer wants to select, say, a person in the management role.

With increasing competition in the job market, different types of interviews have become

very necessary to recruit talents.

Different Types of Interview

Face-To-Face Interview

This is a traditional interview and the most common type.

In this interview the candidate and the interviewer meets face-to-face.

The main concept of the interview is to build rapport with the interviewer and show how

the qualifications will benefit their organization.

The interviewee should maintain eye contact, and respond to all the questions of the

interviewer.

Panel Interview

A panel interview comprises more than two members interviewing a person for the

hiring.

It is most common mode of interview when hiring at the senior level.

The interviewee should try to connect with each interviewer and the best way to do this is

to read the personality of each interviewer.

The interviewer tries to estimate the group management and group presentation skills of

the interviewee.

The interviewee should maintain eye contact with the person asking the questions but

also seek eye contact with the other members of the panel.

Phone Interview

Phone interviews are increasingly used in mass hiring.

The interview is conducted entirely over the phone and this is very effective in

eliminating any bias that may arise from the appearance and manner of the candidate.

Why the phone interview?

Phone interview is used to narrow a field of candidates.

That is why candidates should treat this interview with the same seriousness as a phone

interview.

The candidate should focus on the conversation and listen to the questions carefully

before answering.

In this interview, voice is also a key.

Group Interview

Group interview is also the best way to discover any leadership potential among the

candidates.

The leading candidates who are selected from the group interview are then taken for an

informal one to one interview.

Stress Interview

This type of interview is rare in the present job scenario.

It was a very common interview method when selecting for sales position.

This interview is an attempt to see how the candidates handle themselves under stress.

So, the interviewer deliberately assumes a sarcastic or argumentative position.

The trick for the interviewee to remain calm under such a situation.

Stress interview means

Being asked more than one questions at a time

Being asked further questions without being allowed adequate time to respond

Being questioned in an interrogatory tone and voice

Being asked an unrelated bunch of questions

Having his feelings provoked.

Presentation / Demo Interview

This type of interview requires presentation of already selected /prepared topics by

interviewer in front of randomly assembled panel.

Questions are asked in between the presentation as well as after the presentation.

Video Conference Interview

Video-conference Interviews are becoming more common.

They expand the scope of searching for qualified candidates with less cost and time

involvement.

Case Interview

The Case Interview is a special type of interview commonly used by management-

consulting firms and is increasingly being used in many other organizations.

It helps the interviewer analyze your critical-thinking skills.

If you are not familiar, do not have experience, or you are not comfortable with case

analysis, it can be one of the most difficult interviews to undergo.

In a Case Interview a candidate is given a problem to see how he or she would work it

out on the spot.

The problems that are presented come in many forms, but the interviewer wants to assess

the candidate's analytical skills, ability to think under pressure, logical thought process,

business knowledge and acumen, creativity, communication, and quantitative analysis

skills.

Stages of an Interview

Non-Verbal Communication

When you enter the room in order to give interview, this is the “first impression” stage.

At this moment your non-verbal communication which includes your body language

creates your first impression.

So be very careful and show confidence through your body language, facial expressions

and gestures.

Research has shown that many interviewers often make up their mind about a candidate

in the first five minutes of an interview.

“First Impression” attributes:

Firm handshake (No “dead fish”) 

Good eye contact

Friendly, genuine smile

Good posture

Relaxed and confident introduction (Stay away from one word “YES” and “NO”

answers)

Question and Answer Session

The question and answer session takes up the bulk of the interview.

In this part it is a naturally flowing conversation rather than a strict question and answer,

a person can exhibit his personality in a better way.

A person has to be prepared with explicit examples that represent his/her skills, past

experiences, achievements and personal characteristics that show him/her to be suitable

for the job. 

Highlight your positive points, your motivation and enthusiasm for the position.

 If you need time to think before answering a question, feel free to ask for a moment so

you can give a thoughtful answer.

Listening can be as important as speaking, so listen carefully to the questions being asked

and feel free to ask for clarification.

10 most frequently asked interview questions

Interview questions may vary but in essence they are all trying to establish the following:

1. Your skills and experience to do the job

2. Your enthusiasm and interest for the job

3. Whether you will fit in

If you can answer these questions, using real-life examples to illustrate your points, then

you should be able to answer most of the questions that arise including the following

frequently asked questions.

1. Tell me about yourself?

This question or something similar usually starts every interview. 

Your answer should be well-rehearsed, confidently delivered and least between 3-5

minutes. 

It should also:

Focus on the areas of most relevance to the job in question.

Include some impressive achievements e.g. improvements made

Convey your enthusiasm for the job

Avoid personal or irrelevant information e.g. your children, un-related jobs

2. What are your key skills/strengths?

Focus on what you know they are looking for, even if it has been a smaller part of what

you have been doing to date. 

The job advert or person specification form will give you the information you need about

their requirements.

3. What are your weaknesses?

Choose a weakness that: 

Doesn't matter for the job e.g. languages for a UK firm.  

Is a positive e.g. "I like to make things happen and get frustrated if too long is spent

sitting around discussing it without action“

Used to be a weakness but which you have improved upon e.g. presentations

4. Why did you leave your last job?

Your answer should be positive and upbeat even if the circumstances were difficult. 

If you were made redundant, depersonalize it by talking about company restructuring

rather than your individual circumstance. 

Never criticize a previous employer no matter how tempting.

5. Why do you want this job?

Your answer should reinforce why you are such a good fit for the job and then convey your

enthusiasm for the role e.g:

Good match between your skills and their requirements

Interested in the product/market/sector

Company's excellent reputation, exciting challenge etc.

Do not say (even if it's true) that you just need a job, or you want it because it's local.

6. Tell me about a difficult scenario at work and how you dealt with it

They are testing how you cope under pressure as well as your problem-solving and

communication skills. 

Good examples are where you:

Helped resolve or improve a difficult situation

Were resilient in adverse conditions

Showed emotional intelligence and cool-headedness

Avoid any examples which still feel sensitive, because in a high-pressure interview

situation, old emotions can easily resurface and throw you off balance.

7. Tell me about an achievement of which you are proud?

Choose a work-related example that shows a tangible benefit to the business.  

Personal achievements should only be included if they are very impressive or

prestigious.

More experienced candidates looking for a specific roles eg;  Sales Director Jobs should

focus on closely related areas eg: driving an increase in sales or building a successful

sales team 

8. What are your career goals?

They are checking if you are likely to stay and if so, for how long. 

Reassure the employer that the role you are applying for fits your career plan and your

longer term commitment to the company.

9. What are your salary expectations?

Salary negotiations are best handled at the job offer stage so try to avoid this at interview

if you can. 

If forced to name a price, give a realistic but wide salary range and say that you feel that

salary won't be an issue if you decide to work together.

10. What do you know about our organization?

You need to know the following:

Company structure, finances, products and services, key staff

Customers and competitors

Market trends and challenges

Topic practice

Aurora Holdings is one of the busiest retailers on the high street today.We currently have a number of vacancies at our head office.

PERSONAL ASSISTANTTO PROJECT DEVELOPMENT MANAGER

Applicants should be suitably qualified, experienced and computer literate.

ADMINISTRATION ASSISTANTHUMAN RELATIONS DEPARTMENT

Applicants must have good communication and organizational skillsand be able to work under pressure.

WORD PROCESSING OPERATORSADMINISTRATION DEPARTMENT

Applicants must have excellent word processing qualifications and anability to work well as a member of a team in this busy department.

IT ASSISTANTApplicants must have relevant experience to join the IT team which

provides IT support to 150 technical and administrative staff.

Applications with full CV should be sent to:Jake Williamson

Personnel ManagerST International plc

Aurora HouseTemple Street

52000 Kuala Lumpur

1. Apply for one of the posts.2. Compose your own CV to send with your application letter.