What is an Interview?
It is a conversation between two or more persons for a
serious and specific purpose, in which the interviewer asks the interviewee
certain questions in order to assess his suitability for
1. Recruitment
2. Admission
3. Promotion
4. Opinion
An interview is a two way traffic in which at least
one party has a specific serious purpose.
Why Interview?
1. To check one’s ability for a specific task
2. To check one’s skills
3. To check one’s aptitude for a particular task
4. To share information
5. To counsel
Form of Interviews
1. Face –to-face - 85%
2. Telephonic - 10%
3. Video – Conferencing - 3%
4. Questionnaires - 2%
Types of Interviews
1. Informal Interview
Any enquiry about the vacancies against reading an
advertisement, it is an example of Informal Interview. It is not planned and is
used when the staff is required urgently. Generally this type of job is
referred by a friend or relative of the employer and these friends or relative
take a candidate to the house of the employer or manager who asks a few
questions like
Name
Birth Place
Education
Experience
Hobbies
Ability to perform a particular task
Likes & dislikes
2. Formal Interview
This is a planned interview. Under this everything is
planned in advance be it venue, time, panel of interviewers and questions to be
asked.
3. Structured Interview
The other name for this interview is Campus or
Patterned or Directed or Guided interview. Such type of interview is fully
planned.
The following points are considered in advance
Same type of Questions to be asked
Questions follow a particular pattern
Time allocation to each student’s
Advance Information to each student’s
Careful selection of Interviewer
Objectives of Structured Interview
Asking same question to each student’s means
minimizing personal bias
As question is already set so it minimizes injustice
Structured questions promotes Uniformity
Careful selection of interviewer provides Consistency
4. Unstructured or Non-Directed Interview
Not planned at all.
Questions will be from any topic - SPELT.
No fixed pattern – they may mix any type of questions.
No fixed time – it may be for minimum 2 to 60 minutes.
Advantages
Very much flexible in approach
Students feel more comfortable
Freedom to select time and direction of discussion
More opportunity for candidate to reveal one self.
Disadvantage
The interviewer should be more competent, otherwise
rejection rate will be very high.
5. Depth Interview
It is actual examination of a candidate’s proficiency
in his area of special interest.
E.g. IAS Interview
6. Group Interview
This is based on one’s behavior in group which leads
to potential success in the job.
E.g. SSB Interview by Indian Army
7. Stress Interview
This interview checks your emotional balance or
resistance to change if any comes in due course of your job or career. In other
words, how much you are ‘cool’ even in negative situations. If interviewer asks
you any such question due to which you are getting ‘red’ face – it means you
are under stress or feeling nervous or frightened or irritated or confused etc.
Simply you are not fit for ‘managerial’ job because managers are supposed to
face any ‘negative’ situations at any point of time. In order to put the
candidate under stress or strain, the interviewer
Ask questions in haste
No appreciation for your answers
Interrupting frequently
No comment on your answer for long time
4 or 5 questions at a time
Makes insulting comments
Blame you for lying
Intentionally they will get you irritate
8. Panel or Board Interview
This interview is generally conducted to boost
confidence in the students. It is of
Type A – When number of students is 5 or 6 at a time
and interviewer is only one. Here, the purpose is generating confidence and
interest.
Type B – when 4 or 5 interviewer is taking interview
of only 1 candidate then here is the purpose is to check collective wisdom
& judgment. E.g. IAS interview
Types of Questions for “fresher” (not as a experienced
person)
(I have seen in most of the books that almost everyone
has mixed the questions of fresher & experienced. How any fresh students
can answer those questions? Please put yourself back in that situation when you
were a students and how nicely you had answered those questions honestly?
Please don’t do that – it is totally ‘unfair’).
The questions for fresher can be divided into four
parts only keeping in mind the modern trend is being followed by HR managers
which is worth mentioning:
Part – 1
Warm up Questions
The aim is to make students comfortable, feel free,
relax and no stress at all in the beginning itself. Make them stress free as
much as possible for next 2 to 3 minutes.
E.g.
A. Tell me something about yourself?
B. Tell me something about your family background?
Part – 2
Resume Questions
The aim is to check – how much they know about
themselves? Do they know how to make a perfect resume? Do they know the
sequence? Do they know what to write?
E.g.
A. What is the significance of your first name?
B.Give me three gifts from your first name first
alphabet?
Part – 3
General Awareness Questions
The aim is to check – how much current events you are
tracking on daily basis. You should have complete awareness about “SPELT”
(Social, Political, Economical, Legal & Technological) issues.
E.g.
A. Reservation
B. Black Money
C. Rising Prices – Inflation
D. Corruption
E. MIG – 29
Part – 4
General HR Questions
The aim is to check your complete personality in terms
of growth, improvement, development. This will cover entire area of your
Soft Skills
Behavioral Skills
Communication Skills
Decision Making
Problem Solving
Managerial Ability
Part – 5
Case based Questions
The aim is to check your complete personality in terms
of ‘emotional intelligence’. The case questions are based on real life
situations and you are supposed to answer in such a tricky way so that your
answer should match with ‘universal answer’. There is no right and wrong
answers for case studies. Do not get ‘emotional’ and try to answer all
questions on the basis of ‘profit’ and ‘importance’ because Corporate World
works on 100% profit – not 50:50?
Part – 6
Thinking Skills Questions
Under this, they will ask you
1. Creative Questions – generating new ideas
2. Lateral Questions – i.e. horizontal thinking
3. Crazy Questions – no logic but answers are
there.
Part – 7
Mind Mapping Questions
Under this, they will check your
1. Awareness about India & World
2. Vocabulary
3. Crazy Questions – no logic but answers are
there.
Do’s of Interview
1. Arrive minimum 30 minutes early to the destination
2. Greet the interviewer
3. Give the appearance of energy as you walk
4. Smile
5. Shake hand firmly (when they raised hand first)
6. Wait until you are asked to sit (30 Sec.)
7. Sit upright and look alert
8. Make eye contact
9. Stress your achievements and qualities
10. Conduct yourself you are the right person for this
job
Don‘t of Interviews
1. Forget to bring extra copies of “RESUMES” (3
Copies)
2. No BUBBLE GUM or MOUTH FRESHNER in your mouth
3. Answering YES or NO
4. Be Yourself
5. Lie
6. Be too causal
7. Make any “NEGATIVE” remarks about your College,
Principal, Staff, and Friends
8. Inquire about Salary
How to face an Interview?
Before the interviews:
1. Conduct Basic Research about the Company (search
through INTERNET)
2. Arrange Sample questions from the INTERNET (but
only in Indian context)
3. Company Expectations
4. Arrange your outfit
3 Covering
letter, 3 copies of resume
Eraser &
Sharpener
Pencil or
Pen with ink or riffle
Blue or
Black Tie
Black or
Blue Trouser
White or
Light Cream Shirt or white lining shirt
Only Black
Shoes (it should match with your trousers)
Only Black Shocks
Blue or
Black belt and Handkerchief
Go to BED
early
On the Day of Interview:
Wear neat and clean dress and it should be pressed
Avoid tight fitting or clingy dress
Select a dress or skirt not above 2 inches
Trousers must be of appropriate length
Tie must touch your belt buckle
Clean and polish shoes
Avoid too much jewelers
Over-dressed
Take Shower
Brush your teeth
Clean your finger nails
Gentle Perfumes
No Alcohol, Onion and Garlic
C. After the Interview
Say Thanks
Follow Up
Chin Up
(if not selected, gear up for next interview because
this was not only the last interview; remember only one thing – more & more
interview: excellent confidence you will develop and do not ‘discourage’
yourself even though you did not get selected for your dream MNC’s it means
another BIG opportunities is waiting for you.)
Common Tips
While answering
Be Concise
Provide Examples
Be Honest
Keep your guard up
Do not play with your Hair, Pen and Tapping feet etc.
Maintain Eye Contact
Listen Attentively
Speak Clearly
Ask pertinent question
Body Language:
What signals are you sending?
Positive Signals
Leaning forward = interest
Smiling = friendly
Nodding = attentive and alert
Eye contact = curious and focused
Negative Signals
Crossed arms = defensive
Fidgeting hands or tapping feet = nervous or bored
Lack of eye contact = untrustworthy
Leaning back= discomfort
Question asked by the “Interviewee” – Students
What type of assignments can I expect within the first
year?
What is the biggest challenge facing this department
right now?
What skills are you looking for in this position?
Whom will I report to?
Whom will I be working with?
What training opportunities are there?
When shall I be making a final decision?
What promotional prospects are there?
Dressing for Success – Men
Suit-Single or double breasted
Polished shoes
Solid white shirt and dark trousers
Conservative tie
Neatly groomed hair, beard, and mustache
Avoid strong colognes, earrings, and body piercing
Dressing for Success – Women
Pant or skirt suit
Pumps with small to medium heels
Light makeup, perfume, and jewelry
Wear neutral color hosiery
Ten Success Factors
Positive attitude towards work
Proficiency in the field of study
Communication Skills (Oral & Written)
Interpersonal Skills
Confidence
Critical Thinking and Problem-solving Skills
Flexibility & Self-motivation
Leadership
Teamwork
Ten Failure Factors
Arrogance
Apathy (Laziness or lack of interest)
Uninhibited (natural) Nervousness
Equivocation (Avoidance or Shirking)
Lack of Concentration
Lack of Crispness
Lack of social skills
Lack of firmness
Inadequate quantitative / qualitative skills
Unsuitable personality
Top – 25 Tips for Success in ‘Any’ Interview
1. Be well prepared
Go Through a Mock Interview
Gather Adequate Inside Information
Dress Appropriately
Be Prepared to Ask Question
Memorize your resume
Be Punctual & Relax
2. Brush up your subject and General Knowledge
3. Memorize your resume
4. Know about
the company
5. Wear business attire
6. Limit make up, perfume, aftershave, and jewellery
7. Be smart, clean, and well groomed
8. Carry a briefcase or neat folder containing all
relevant papers
9. Show up 30 – 45 minutes early
10. In case you feel you may get delayed, call up
& inform
11. Shake hand confidently
12. Stay calm, do not fidget or twiddle your thumb
13. Be Polite
14. Never chew gum or smoke during the interview
15. Be yourself, be honest
16. Show a real interest in the job
17. Be aware of all the answering techniques
18. Do not answer a question you did not understand;
ask for clarification first.
19. Speak clearly using positive words / phrases
20. Use Top 5 Non-Verbal Signals
Eye Contact :
shows interest & confidence
Facial expression :
tells about your delight & excitement
Posture :
reveals confidence and power potential
Gestures & Space :
shows your respect to the interviewer
and
awareness about the organizational culture
21. Smile & say ‘thank you’
22. In the end, restate your interest in the job
23. Tell them how you look forward to seeing them
again
24. Shake hands firmly
25. Tell them how much you enjoyed the interview
Finally
Suggestions
Conduct a test run the day before the interview
Practice! Practice! Practice!
Stand in front of a mirror and rehearse your answers
Get a good night’s sleep-be well rested and alert for
the interview
Form a TEAM in your college or school
Fix a routine for conducting MOCK interview
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