Interview Skills

Technical Communication for Sci. & Engg.

Dr Leena Jha
Visiting Professor, SJMSOM, IIT Bombay

Interview skills: how to

initiate it
Confidence building:

It is an assimilation process and not an

elimination
process
They test you for what you know and how well
you know
Do not fake or beat around the bush!
Be sincere!

Clinchers
Content: knowledge base and approach to a
problem
Apt and appropriate language: professionalism
Body language: positive attitude
Confidence and sincerity

Rehearse
Rehearse what to say for standard questions
Tell

us something about yourself

Why

this organization

What are your strengths and weaknesses

Do not memorize those

Appear conversational
Do not attempt manipulation
4

Kinesics in an interview

Postures

Gestures

Facial expressions and Eye contact

Body language: Posture

Sit upright with back straight and legs crossed at
ankle
level or both feet placed flat on the floor.
Do not slouch but relax a bit to avoid looking
rigid and
authoritative.
Lean slightly forward to show interest
Avoid shaking legs as it conveys restlessness

Body Language: Gestures

Fiddling with hair, pen or any other object
conveys
nervousness, causes distraction
Touching lips or nose could suggest insincerity
Gesticulate when required or clasp hands loosely
and
keep them on the lap
7

Eye contact

Maintain eye contact but do not stare.

Practice voice modulation

Pause and breathe before answering a question:
gives
time to think and conveys calm and relaxed
demeanour
Tilt your head slightly to a side while talking with
the

Interview skills: the last leg

Stay poised!

Take a quick mental review of what has

transpired

Ask intelligent question- do not ask merely for

the sake of asking

Greet graciously with a smile and if it has been

a pleasant or a learning experience, say so.

Again do not say it if you dont mean it.

Saying Thank you

Do not initiate / offer a handshake unless the

interviewer suggests so

Be gracious even if you feel raw as it may have

been a stress- interview and greet politely
before taking leave

10

This presentation was brought to you by

End of Presentation

11

Online Self-Assessment
Which of the following is/are true.
Interview is to test how well you speak and not
what
you know.
2. Body language is equally important during
interview.
1.

3. Rehearsal of your introduction is not necessary

before the interview as it could appear robotic.
12

Online Self-AssessmentAnswers
Which of the following is/are true.
1.Interview

is to test how well you speak and not

what you know. False
2.Body language is equally important during
interview. True
3.Rehearsal of your introduction is not necessary
before the interview. True

13

Self assessment
Match the following:
1. Sitting very
straight conveys
2. Leaning slightly
forward conveys
3. Shaking legs
convey

1. Showing interest
2. Restlessness and
nervousness
3. Rigidity and
authoritativeness

14

Answer:
1. Sitting very
straight conveys
2. Leaning slightly
forward conveys
3. Shaking legs
convey

2. Showing interest
3. Restlessness and
nervousness
1. Rigidity and
authoritativeness

15

This presentation was brought to you by

End of Presentation

16