Interviewing Skills

An Experience for Success

Ghulam ShabbirOD Consultant I Strategist I Enabler

Why Employer’s Interview

Because they want to Evaluate the Potential Job

Candidates

Employers Interview Because…

Judge skills applicable to the job

Find out the competence to do the job

Explore the potential to contribute to the organizationKnow the ability to match up with to organization’s mission and environment

1Interviews are an Equally Good

Opportunity for the Prospective Candidates

to Evaluate the Prospective Employers

Candidate Evaluates Employer For

Match between candidates’ interests and job/task/work

Degree of responsibility and challenge being offered by employer

Potential offered by employer for growth and further development

Four Keys to Interview Success

02

01 03

Preparing and

Researching

Understanding what to

expect

Anticipating

questions

Follow

Up

04

Fundamentals of Interview Preps …

Dress-up

Preparation & Research

Practice & Envisage

Preparing and Researching

v

Research the field/industry/job category

Research the employer

Research the job, team, and context

Preparing and ResearchingResearch the Field

Explore the field/branches/sub branches

Review trade journals/magazines

Assess various career paths with in the field

Know the major players

Be familiar with current trends

Preparing and

Researching-Research the

Employer

Preparing and ResearchingResearch the Job, Team, and Context

Review the original job post/call/job description/job role

Make contacts within the Industry, with in org’s employees, website, trade associations etc. (to collect information)

Analyze possible job role in relation to the team, unit, or division you would work inFind out who you would report to

Analyze how success is evaluated and rewarded

Practicing Before the Interview

Preparations One Day Ahead of the Interview

Sleep well

Eat well

Choose your clothes the night before Prepare the materials you want to bring

with you—ideally, this is done long before the interview, CV, Case Studies, Success Indicating Docs, work Samples, Recommendation Letters etc.

Know how to get to location in time

v b

Landing up at the Interview

Handling the Gate Keepers

Treat the gate keepers with respect

Be polite and understand what's being expressed

Don’t be too early at the premises

Observe 15 Mins rule to arrive at location

During the Interview …

At the Opening Stage…

Express enthusiasm and interest

Show up your communication skill-set at the Intro stage….

Have a firm handshake Maintain a polite eye-

contact Smile and maintain

anxiety free posture

Introduction Stage“Tell me about yourself.”

v

b

Hint: They’re not asking for your life story, and it’s not a trick question…

Interviewer is looking for:– a brief statement of your professional

status and career objective– some detail about your progression to

this point and strengths/ skills you can offer them

Make an Introduction which places you well for the rest of the discussion during Interview

Discussion Phase of the Interview- Interviewer wants to explore your knowledge,

personality and career objective

v b

- Interviewer wants to know about your attitude and approach to life

- Based upon the job description the interviewer wants to explore your personality ingredients (ability to work in a team, patience, tolerance, ability to work under closer timelines etc)

Interviewer will tailor the questions accordingly …

“

The STAR Model to Answer the Questions

Situation—what was the context?

Task—what was the specific problem or need?

Action—what did you do? (produce, write, create, etc.)

Results/resolution—what did you learn? what skills did you develop?

Handling Questions on Strengths & Weaknesses

Be Fair & Honest

Narrate the strengths & highlight them

Be prepared to demonstrate the strengths and weaknesses through your real life

Narrate the weaknesses that have a positive tendency

Strengths or weaknesses must be concrete

Questions to be Asked from the Interviewer !!!

Ask questions that depict interest

Ask questions that promote your thirst to learn

Ask questions that are related to the future of industry

After the Interview

Send a “thank you” email or letter after being interviewedSend it within 24–48 hours of the interview

Show courtesy & a forward looking attitude

Dressing up for Success

First Impression

“There are few times in your life when it isn’t too melodramatic to say that

your destiny hangs on the impression you make.”

Taking care of Hygiene

There should be no body odor. Use a reasonable deodorant or perfume if you have such problem

Clean and properly combed hair Clean and trimmed nails Properly trimmed beard Clean Shaved face There should be no dryness marks on face

or hands Well-appeared facial expressions (females)

AppearanceYour Professionalism, intelligence, level of sophistication and the trust people form in you is mainly due to your appearance.

Dress up Basics-Men

Pay Attention to the Details Well…

The width of the tie should match the width of the lapel.

A pocket square adds an extra

level of polish, but make sure it

doesn’t match your tie in either pattern or fabric

choice

When buying an

off-the-rack suit, the

number one thing to

check is how the

shoulders fit.

Your belt should be fairly thin and the same color as your

shoes.

If you’re wearing a

vest, always keep the

bottom button unbuttoned.

Sleeve cuffs

should be

exposed about half an inch.

Make sure that your socks are long enough

that there’s no exposed leg when sitting

down.

Your tie should always be

darker than your dress shirt.

Dress up Basics-Women

For Women

They are simply respectable and beautiful…

The following should be taken care of by women, while dressing up for an interview …

• Colors• Hair, Make up and

Perfume• Shoes• Accessories

Norms

Colors

Hair, Makeup and PerfumeMakeup and PerfumeBe conservative with makeup. Makeup should not be noticeableMakeup should be chosen to match complexionBe very careful while choosing perfumes for social gatheringsMinimal cologne or perfume should be used

Shoes• Choose basic, conservative pumps• Low heels are recommended.• Should have closed toe and heel• Dark blue, black, brown, or maroon• Must match conservative tone of suit

Accessories• Jewelry should be minimal and subtle• Use a briefcase rather than a purse• No visible body piercing (nose rings, eyebrow rings, etc)

Congratulations!!!

you are Hired…

Q n A!!!