Interviewing Skills Presentation

By Rasha Anwar
Objectives

The objectives of this session are:

To learn the top interview mistakes
To learn how to answer tricky question
To learn how to manage an interview effectively

Refer to PG page 69

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 What details must you gather about your prospective employer?

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Gather Employer Information

Here are a few details you must gather about your prospective employer:
- What do they do
- What are their current projects
- What other interests do they have
- Ask staff

Refer to PG page 37

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General Rules
Here are a few generally accepted rules:
- Speak up when answering questions
- Answer briefly, but try to avoid yes or no answers
- Don't worry about pausing before you answer, it shows you can think and are not spitting
out the sound bites you learned!
- Don't worry about admitting you don't know - but keep this to a bare minimum
- Don't embellish answers or lie! Be as honest as possible
- Be prepared for hypothetical situation questions, take your time on these
- Be prepared for the unexpected question, that's designed to see how you cope with the
unexpected
- If you ask questions keep them brief during the interview, remember you're the
interviewee
- At the end of the interview ask your questions in an open manner, that is questions which
cannot be answered yes or no. E.g. tell me about....? what is....? why.....?
- Thank the interviewers for their time when you leave quietly and calmly, and smile, even
if you hate them.

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General Rules

- There is always the opportunity to ask them questions at the end of the interview -
remember the interview is a two way process, you need to be sure you want to join them
too!
- Try to concentrate on issues which are both important to you and combine as apparent
interest in the company, leave issues like terms and conditions until the very last, even if
they may feel the most important to you
- Write your questions down prior to the interview and take them with you

Refer to PG pages 38 to 39

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 What are good Topics to open with your interviewer?

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Good Topics

These would include:

- The competitive environment in which the organisation operates
- Executive management styles
- What obstacles the organisation anticipates in meeting its goals
- How the organisation's goals have changed over the past three to five years.

Refer to PG page 39

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 What should you avoid during an interview?

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Top Ten Mistakes

Avoid the following:

- Lying
- Slating your current company or boss
- Being Rude
- Complaining
- Talking about people you don't get on with at work
- Not being Prepared
- Appearing to be too nervous, or too confident
- Making a weak first impression
- Not having researched the company

Refer to PG pages 42 to 44

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 How should you answer tricky questions?

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Tips to crack tricky questions

Here are a few tips to crack tricky questions:

- Dont blame others
- Sell yourself
- Keep your praise & observations credible & realistic
- Be positive
- Maintain calmness
- Do your homework well

Refer to PG pages 50 to 52

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Tips to crack tricky questions
Don't blame others
What if you are asked: "Why did you leave your last job?", or "Why have you had so many
jobs?" If you say your last boss was an idiot, or all your jobs have been terrible, you'll be seen
as someone who blames others and fails to take responsibility for your own actions and
decision.

"I was ready for more challenge", or "Each job offered a better opportunity, which I took...,"
such responses are better.

Sell yourself
Remember, the job interview is a platform to market yourself. Your goal is to persuade the
employer that you have the skills, background and ability to do the job and that you can
comfortably fit into the organisation and its culture.

Keep your praise & observations credible & realistic

"The best technique to handle such questions is to praise your past employers. However,
keep your praise and observations credible, realistic and relevant.

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 There can be real tough ones: "Why should we appoint you?" or "What can you do for us that other people cannot?"

Shiv Khera author of bestseller "You Can Win" explains, "Candidate has a choice here as to how to play this: he can either go for it strongly, re-
stating his relevant strengths -- behaviour, experience and skills, or he can quietly confidently suggest: I don't know the other applicants, so it
would be wrong for me to dismiss their claims. However, I am sure that I have all the main attributes the role requires, which, combined with
determination and positive approach, should ensure that I'd be a very good choice."
Be positive
He further says that the candidate should be positive in saying, "I don't know the other applicants, but generally I excel at..." and pick up strengths
that most fit with what they're seeking.

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 Maintain calmness
Most of the candidates fail due to fear and tension. Rajeev Vaid, CEO, Smart Hiring,
Delhi says, "A candidate's resume may be good, he may have good IQ but a successful
interview depends also on emotional quotient. How well he handles the pressure
questions. However, one should maintain calmness even if the interviewer howls."

Do your homework well

The only way to handle such situation is to be confident, credible and constructive
(accentuate the positive) in your answers. And more important is 'preparation for the
interview'. Plan and rehearse your 'verbal resume'. You will almost always be asked,
"Please tell us about yourself," so be prepared with a good response, tailored to the job
at hand.

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 How should you behave in an interview?

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How to behave in an interview:
Sit comfortably with both feet on the floor, lean slightly towards the interviewer.
Don't play with your hair or you hands. Keep them out of pockets!
Try not to create defensive barriers between you and them, like a brief case on your knees,
folded arms or crossed legs....even if you feel you need to. It's natural, but your interviewer
will not physically attack!
Maintain natural eye contact with the interviewer - that is maintain eye contact, but don't stare
like a snake!
If there's more than one interviewer, look at who's talking
When you're talking, shift your glance from one to the other.
Don't over use your hands, if you are a natural gesticulator.
Don't fidget.
Do nod and Mmm, to show you're listening to them.
Above all try to be you, try to be natural, unless you're naturally offensive!

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What are the nonverbal messages that can have an effect during the interview?

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Nonverbal Messages:
The Handshake
Your Posture
Eye Contact
Don't Fidget

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 What are the traditional interview questions?

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 Traditional interview questions
Few of the traditional interview questions, which an organization might ask are
1. Tell me about yourself (in two minutes).
2. Why do you feel that you will be successful in ...?
3. Why did you decide to interview with our organization?
4. Are you willing to relocate?
5. Tell me about your scholastic record.
6. Tell me about your extra-curricular activities and interests.
7. What are your strengths and weaknesses?
8. Why should we hire you?
9. Why did you choose to become a teacher, nurse,...?
10. Where do you see yourself in 5 years? 10 years?
11. Why do you want to leave your current job?

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 Prepare a written list of likely interview questions and job requirements. Prepare key
points you need to make to demonstrate your specific accomplishments in each area.
Why did you leave your last job?
Why have you had so many jobs?
Why do you want this job?
What qualities do you think are required for this job?
Why should we appoint you?
What can you do for us that other people cannot?
What can we offer you that your previous company cannot?
What are your greatest achievements within and outside the workplace?
What are your great strengths and weaknesses?
How has your experience prepared you for this position?

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Tips

If you are asked what questions you have, and you don't have any, the interviewer may
get the impression you haven't done your homework, or aren't seriously interested in the
position. Prepare your questions in advance and phrase them to demonstrate your
insight and ability to handle the position

The purpose of tough interview questions is to encourage interviewees to think about

themselves and to give the interviewer clear and revealing information as to the
interviewee's suitability for the job.

One key to success is to use every means at your disposal to develop effective
interviewing skills, including selective presentation of your background, thoughtful
answers to typical interview questions, well-researched questions about the
organisation, and an effective strategy to market yourself. There is no magic to
interviewing. It is a skill that can be learned and developed with practice.

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THANK YOU
Firstsource (NSE: FSL, BSE: 532809, Reuters: FISO.BO, Bloomberg: FSOL@IN)
is a global provider of BPO (business process outsourcing) services headquartered
in India. Firstsource provides customized business process management to global
leaders in the Banking & Financial Services, Telecom & Media and Healthcare
sectors. Its clients include Fortune 500 Financial Services, Telecommunications and
Healthcare companies. Firstsource has a global delivery model with operations in
India, US, UK, Argentina and Philippines. (www.firstsource.com)