INTERVIEW SkillsINTERVIEW Skills

What is anWhat is an Interview? Interview?

A formal meeting A formal meeting in person, in person, especially one especially one arranged for the arranged for the assessment of assessment of the qualifications the qualifications of an applicantof an applicant..

Types of interviewTypes of interview

ONE to ONE ONE to ONE InterviewInterview

PANEL JOB PANEL JOB InterviewInterview

PreparationPreparationBefore you walk into any Before you walk into any

interview, you should know as interview, you should know as much about the much about the company and company and the positionthe position as you possibly can. as you possibly can.

In today’s world of mass In today’s world of mass communication, there’s no communication, there’s no excuse for lack of research excuse for lack of research search the web or go to the search the web or go to the librarylibrary..

Discuss about the position with Discuss about the position with concerned peopleconcerned people, they should , they should be able to provide that be able to provide that information for you. information for you.

The Interview The Interview Psych TechniquePsych Technique

The night before the interview, spend The night before the interview, spend some time with a friend or family some time with a friend or family member, have mock interviewmember, have mock interview

Use correct words, sentences and Use correct words, sentences and paragraphs.paragraphs.

The purpose is to put you in the right The purpose is to put you in the right frame of mind for the interview, so frame of mind for the interview, so that you truly believe you are the that you truly believe you are the best possible candidate for the job. best possible candidate for the job.

Your job is to Your job is to sell me on yousell me on you

Before you can possibly convince me as Before you can possibly convince me as the interviewer that you are right for the interviewer that you are right for the job, you have tothe job, you have to believe it yourself.believe it yourself.

Remember, you are all alone once the Remember, you are all alone once the interview startsinterview starts. . No one will sell you No one will sell you if you don’t sell yourselfif you don’t sell yourself..

Once you have sold me on you, I will sell Once you have sold me on you, I will sell you on the position and the company, you on the position and the company, but not until then.but not until then. So So don’t expect the don’t expect the interviewer to tell you why you are interviewer to tell you why you are right for the jobright for the job. That is your job.. That is your job.

Interviews are Interviews are always stressfulalways stressful

The best way to reduce the stress is The best way to reduce the stress is toto be preparedbe prepared

Take time to understand some of the Take time to understand some of the ‘‘standards’standards’ when it comes to when it comes to interviewing questions.interviewing questions.

Take the time to review theTake the time to review the ‘standard ‘standard interview questions’interview questions’ you will most you will most likely be asked. likely be asked.

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Guidelines for the Interviewee Be prepared for the interview Just as the interviewer has to plan out the event in advance, so has the

interviewee to be prepared for it. Be prepared for the unexpected.

Have a presentable appearance Everybody appreciates a pleasant personality. As in the case of a presentation, so in an interview, the

concerned person’s appearance is a part of the message.

Show interest by making effective use of body language:

Eye contact with the interviewer shows , interviewee genuinely interested in the event and keen to participate in it.

Sit in a correct, confident posture, straight, balanced and not stiff in the chair offered.

Hands be neatly locked in lap or comfortably placed on the arms of the chair.

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Guidelines for the Interviewee All the questions must be correctly and completely

answered Since the primary aim of an interview is to exchange

information it should be done effectively. If the interviewee is not clear about a suitable answer to a

question, there is no harm in admitting it: One must never try to bluff. Be honest.

Be polite Politeness is indispensable in every situation.

Avoid talking too much Avoid making boastful statements. The interviewer is

intelligent enough to find out the interviewee’s intelligence and suitability for the job.

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Guidelines for the Interviewee

Avoid criticism: Do not criticize the previous employer or anybody else

Negative statements are looked down upon.

Do not forget to thank the interviewers For having spared time for you

Granting an interview is indeed a favour.

Do not hesitate to ask: Any questions to seek clarification regarding the company profile, service

conditions etc

It will not only satisfy your curiosity but also give the interviewer an idea of your confidence and interest in the organization. But only towards the end of the interview and when you feel you are likely to get the job.

1- Tell me about yourself.1- Tell me about yourself. It seems like an easy interview question. It’s It seems like an easy interview question. It’s

open ended. I can talk about whatever. Right?open ended. I can talk about whatever. Right? WrongWrong. .

What the hiring manager really wants is a What the hiring manager really wants is a quick, two- to three-minute snapshot of who quick, two- to three-minute snapshot of who you are and why you’re the best candidate for you are and why you’re the best candidate for this position.this position.

Use an example or two to back it up. Always Use an example or two to back it up. Always point back to an example when you have the point back to an example when you have the opportunity.opportunity.

““Tell me about yourself” does not mean tell Tell me about yourself” does not mean tell me everything. Just tell me what makes you me everything. Just tell me what makes you the best.the best.

2- 2- Why should I hire you?Why should I hire you? The easy answer is that you are the best The easy answer is that you are the best

person for the job. And person for the job. And don’t be afraid to don’t be afraid to say so.say so. But then back it up with what But then back it up with what specifically differentiates you.specifically differentiates you.

For example:For example: “ “You should hire me You should hire me because I’m the most suitable person because I’m the most suitable person for the job. I realize that there are for the job. I realize that there are other candidates who also have the other candidates who also have the ability to doability to do this jobthis job. . Yet I bring an Yet I bring an additional quality that makes me the best additional quality that makes me the best person for the job--my passion for person for the job--my passion for excellenceexcellence. . I am passionately committed I am passionately committed to producing truly world class results. to producing truly world class results. For example………….”For example………….”

Are you the best person for the job?Are you the best person for the job? Show it by your passionate examples.Show it by your passionate examples.

3- 3- What is your long-range What is your long-range objective?objective?

The key is to focus on The key is to focus on your achievable your achievable objectivesobjectives and what you are doing to reach and what you are doing to reach those objectivesthose objectives..

For example: “Within five years, I would like to For example: “Within five years, I would like to become the very best engineer your company become the very best engineer your company has on staff. has on staff. I want to work toward becoming I want to work toward becoming the expert thatthe expert that others rely uponothers rely upon. And in . And in doing so, I feel I’ll be fully prepared to take on doing so, I feel I’ll be fully prepared to take on any greater responsibilities which might be any greater responsibilities which might be presented in the long term. For example, here is presented in the long term. For example, here is what I’m presently doing to prepare myself . . .”what I’m presently doing to prepare myself . . .”

Then go on to show by your examples what Then go on to show by your examples what you are doing to reach your goals and you are doing to reach your goals and objectivesobjectives..

4- 4- How has your education How has your education prepared you for your careerprepared you for your career??

This is a broad question and you need to focus on the This is a broad question and you need to focus on the behavioral examples in your educational background behavioral examples in your educational background which specifically align to the required competencies which specifically align to the required competencies for the career.for the career.

For example: “My education has focused on not only For example: “My education has focused on not only the learning the fundamentals, but also on the the learning the fundamentals, but also on the practical application of the information learned within practical application of the information learned within those classes. For example, I played a lead role in a those classes. For example, I played a lead role in a class project where we gathered and analyzed best class project where we gathered and analyzed best practice data from this industry. Let me tell you more practice data from this industry. Let me tell you more about the results about the results . . .”. . .”

Focus on behavioral examples supporting the key Focus on behavioral examples supporting the key competencies for the career. Then ask if they would competencies for the career. Then ask if they would like to hear more examples.like to hear more examples.

5- 5- Are you a team player?Are you a team player? Almost everyone says yes to this question. Almost everyone says yes to this question.

But it is not just a yes/no question. But it is not just a yes/no question. You You need to provide behavioral examples need to provide behavioral examples to back up your answerto back up your answer..

A sample answerA sample answer: “Yes, I’m very much a : “Yes, I’m very much a team player. In fact, I’ve had opportunities team player. In fact, I’ve had opportunities in my project, school and college to in my project, school and college to develop my skills as a team player. For develop my skills as a team player. For example, on a recent projectexample, on a recent project . . .” . . .”

Emphasize teamwork behavioral Emphasize teamwork behavioral examples and focus on your openness examples and focus on your openness to diversity of backgrounds. Talk to diversity of backgrounds. Talk about the strength of the team above about the strength of the team above the individual. And note that this the individual. And note that this question may be used as a lead in to question may be used as a lead in to questions around how you handle questions around how you handle conflict within a team, so be conflict within a team, so be preparedprepared..

6- 6- Have you ever had a conflict with a Have you ever had a conflict with a senior or professor? How was it senior or professor? How was it

resolved?resolved? Note that if you say no, most interviewers will Note that if you say no, most interviewers will

keep drilling deeper to find a conflict. The key is keep drilling deeper to find a conflict. The key is how you behaviorally reacted to conflict and what how you behaviorally reacted to conflict and what you did to resolve it.you did to resolve it.

For example: “Yes, I have had conflicts in the past. For example: “Yes, I have had conflicts in the past. Never major ones, but there have been Never major ones, but there have been disagreements that needed to be resolved. I've disagreements that needed to be resolved. I've found that when conflict occurs, it helps to fully found that when conflict occurs, it helps to fully understand the other person’s perspective, so I understand the other person’s perspective, so I take time to listen to their point of view, then I take time to listen to their point of view, then I seek to work out a collaborative solution. For seek to work out a collaborative solution. For example . . .”example . . .”

Focus your answer on the behavioral process for Focus your answer on the behavioral process for resolving the conflict and working collaboratively.resolving the conflict and working collaboratively.

7- 7- What is your greatest What is your greatest weaknessweakness??

Most career books tell you to select a strength and Most career books tell you to select a strength and present it as a weakness. Such as: “I work too much. I present it as a weakness. Such as: “I work too much. I just work and work and work.”. First of all, using a just work and work and work.”. First of all, using a strength and presenting it as a weakness is deceiving. strength and presenting it as a weakness is deceiving. Second, it misses the point of the question.Second, it misses the point of the question.

You should select a weakness that you have been You should select a weakness that you have been actively working to overcome. For example: “I have had actively working to overcome. For example: “I have had trouble in the past with prioritization. However, I’m now trouble in the past with prioritization. However, I’m now taking steps to correct this. I just started using a pocket taking steps to correct this. I just started using a pocket planner . . .” then explain them your planner and how planner . . .” then explain them your planner and how you are using it.you are using it.

Talk about a true weakness and show what you are Talk about a true weakness and show what you are doing to overcome it.doing to overcome it.

8-8-If I were to ask your professors to If I were to ask your professors to describe you, what would they say?describe you, what would they say?

This is a threat of reference check question. Do not wait This is a threat of reference check question. Do not wait for the interview to know the answer. Ask your for the interview to know the answer. Ask your professors in advance. And if they’re willing to provide professors in advance. And if they’re willing to provide a positive reference, ask them for a letter of a positive reference, ask them for a letter of recommendation.recommendation.

Then you can answer the question like this:Then you can answer the question like this:““I believe he/ she would say I'm a very I believe he/ she would say I'm a very energetic person, that I’m results oriented and energetic person, that I’m results oriented and one of the best people she has ever worked one of the best people she has ever worked with. Actually, I know he/ she would say that, with. Actually, I know he/ she would say that, because those are his/ her very words. May I because those are his/ her very words. May I show you his/ her letter of recommendation?”show you his/ her letter of recommendation?”

So be prepared in advance (with your letters of So be prepared in advance (with your letters of recommendation, if possible)recommendation, if possible).

9- What qualities do you feel a 9- What qualities do you feel a successful manager/engineer successful manager/engineer

should haveshould have??

Focus on two words: Focus on two words: leadership and vision.leadership and vision.

Here is a sample of how to respond: “The key quality in Here is a sample of how to respond: “The key quality in a successful manager should be leadership--the ability a successful manager should be leadership--the ability to be the visionary for the people who are working to be the visionary for the people who are working under them. The person who can set the course and under them. The person who can set the course and direction for subordinates. The highest calling of a true direction for subordinates. The highest calling of a true leader is inspiring others to reach the highest of their leader is inspiring others to reach the highest of their abilities. I'd like to tell you about a person whom I abilities. I'd like to tell you about a person whom I consider to be a true leader . . .”consider to be a true leader . . .”

Then give an example of someoneThen give an example of someone who has touched who has touched your life and how their impact has helped in your your life and how their impact has helped in your personal development.personal development.

1010- - If you had to live your life If you had to live your life over again, what one thing over again, what one thing

would you changewould you change?? Focus on a key turning point in your Focus on a key turning point in your

life or missed opportunity. Yet also tie life or missed opportunity. Yet also tie it forward to what you are doing to still it forward to what you are doing to still seek to make that change.seek to make that change.

Stay focused on positive direction in Stay focused on positive direction in your life and back it up with examples.your life and back it up with examples.

REMEMBERREMEMBER

In reviewing these responses, In reviewing these responses, PLEASE PLEASE remember that they are only remember that they are only to be viewed samples. to be viewed samples. Please do Please do not rehearse them verbatim.not rehearse them verbatim. They are meant to stir your creative They are meant to stir your creative mind and get you thinking about how mind and get you thinking about how to properly answer the broader to properly answer the broader range of questions that you will face.range of questions that you will face.

The Most Important Aspect of The Most Important Aspect of InterviewingInterviewing

What can you do to set yourself apart in What can you do to set yourself apart in your interview ? your interview ?

The most important aspect of successful The most important aspect of successful interviewing is not your experience, your interviewing is not your experience, your degree or your resumedegree or your resume. That’s what got . That’s what got you the interview. you the interview.

The key to successful interviewing can be The key to successful interviewing can be summed up in one word: summed up in one word:

PASSIONPASSION.. It’s your passion for the job that will set It’s your passion for the job that will set

you apart from the crowd.you apart from the crowd.

How can you demonstrate your How can you demonstrate your passion in the interview?passion in the interview?

Though your enthusiasm for the job and Though your enthusiasm for the job and behavioral examples of how your behavioral examples of how your passion has had a positive impact on passion has had a positive impact on results.results.

If you can show me, in your words, If you can show me, in your words, actions and past behaviors, that you actions and past behaviors, that you have true passion toward achieving have true passion toward achieving excellence, you can and will be chosen excellence, you can and will be chosen over the superstar. over the superstar. Let your passion Let your passion for the job show through in every for the job show through in every aspect of your interview.aspect of your interview.

Another key element to successful interviewing is Another key element to successful interviewing is your attitude. your attitude.

Attitude is everything.Attitude is everything. If you want to rise above others with better If you want to rise above others with better

experience, better grades, or better anything, you experience, better grades, or better anything, you will need to work on developing a highly positive will need to work on developing a highly positive work attitude.work attitude.

The way most employers differentiate at the The way most employers differentiate at the entry level is by candidates’ attitude and entry level is by candidates’ attitude and passion toward the job. passion toward the job.

Your attitude and passion is what recruiters Your attitude and passion is what recruiters remember when the dust has settled after they remember when the dust has settled after they have reviewed ten, twenty, or even one hundred have reviewed ten, twenty, or even one hundred candidates—you were the one who was sincerely candidates—you were the one who was sincerely willing to put forth your very best effortwilling to put forth your very best effort. .

The Second Most Important The Second Most Important Aspect of InterviewingAspect of Interviewing

You can show your winning You can show your winning attitude in the way you present attitude in the way you present yourself. Incorporate the actual yourself. Incorporate the actual words words ‘positive attitude’‘positive attitude’ , , ‘passion for excellence’‘passion for excellence’ and and ‘striving to‘striving to be my best’be my best’ into into your interview language. your interview language.

If you can show me, by words If you can show me, by words and examples, your ‘and examples, your ‘can do’can do’ attitude, it is you I will hire attitude, it is you I will hire

Interview Do’sInterview Do’s Arrive 15 minutes earlyArrive 15 minutes early. .

Late attendance is never excusable. Late attendance is never excusable.

Make your halo effect impressive. Make your halo effect impressive. Remember that first impression is long Remember that first impression is long lasting for the interviewing board.lasting for the interviewing board.

Clarify questionsClarify questions. Be sure you answered . Be sure you answered the questions the employer really asked. the questions the employer really asked.

Give your qualificationsGive your qualifications. Stress the . Stress the accomplishments that are most pertinent accomplishments that are most pertinent to the job.to the job.

Anticipate tough questionsAnticipate tough questions. Prepare in advance . Prepare in advance so you can turn apparent weaknesses into so you can turn apparent weaknesses into strengths.strengths.

Conduct yourself professionallyConduct yourself professionally. Be aware of . Be aware of what your body language is saying. Smile, what your body language is saying. Smile, make eye contact, don’t slouch and maintain make eye contact, don’t slouch and maintain composure. composure.

Dress appropriatelyDress appropriately. Make your first impression . Make your first impression a professional one. a professional one.

ListenListen. This is probably the most important "do" . This is probably the most important "do" of all. By concentrating not only on the of all. By concentrating not only on the employer’s words, but also on the tone of voice employer’s words, but also on the tone of voice and body language, you will be able to pick up and body language, you will be able to pick up on the employer’s style. on the employer’s style.

INTERVIEWS – DON’TsINTERVIEWS – DON’Ts

Do not lack self confidence or appear shaky.Do not lack self confidence or appear shaky. Poor communication skills are an absolute put Poor communication skills are an absolute put

offoff.. Body language must not reflect negatively.Body language must not reflect negatively. Do not lack the relevant subject knowledgeDo not lack the relevant subject knowledge.. There is a difference between self confidence There is a difference between self confidence

and over confidence. and over confidence. Do not hide background and family histoDo not hide background and family history.ry.

Do not have inadequate knowledge about the Do not have inadequate knowledge about the company and the industry in which you have company and the industry in which you have applied for the employment.applied for the employment.

Do not be improperly dressed or display lack a Do not be improperly dressed or display lack a sense of hygiene.sense of hygiene.

If the interview board is harsh, do not lose cool If the interview board is harsh, do not lose cool during the interview. during the interview.

Do not reply unfocussed and out of contextDo not reply unfocussed and out of context..

Thus, answers should be Thus, answers should be

as precise as possibleas precise as possible..

Mental fear of the unknown of the unknown

is often what produces the is often what produces the physical symptoms of physical symptoms of nervousness. In addition to nervousness. In addition to preparing yourself physically, preparing yourself physically, you need to prepare yourself you need to prepare yourself mentally. mentally.

The best way to prepare mentally The best way to prepare mentally is to know what may be coming. is to know what may be coming.

Fear of the unknown can only Fear of the unknown can only exist when there is an unknownexist when there is an unknown. .

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Effective Public Speaking

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Public Speaking – The preparationCardinal Question Implied Questions

1 W What? What do I wish to communicate?

2 W Why? Why should the audience listen to me?

3 W When? Have I taken care of the timing of my speech?

When are the listeners most likely to be interested?

4 W Where? Where have I to speak??

5 W Who? Who am I going to speak to? An individual ,or several persons, or a large audience?

What are the interests and expectations of the audience?

H How? How can I best convey my message?

Have I taken care to prepare my message in the most persuasive language?

Do I need any audio visual aids to make my speech effective?

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Effective Speaking Techniques• Be clear and organized:

– Answer 5 X Ws and H, the speech will automatically turn out to be clear and effective.

– Clarity is the very life of all speech and writing. – No listener / reader likes to be caught up in a jumble of confused

thinking. – Mental training and logical thinking that come from all good education. – Especially in the world of business, clarity of thought is the greatest

asset. – All powerful speakers religiously stick to the principle - ’Be clear’.

• Be simple: – From clarity of thought emerges simplicity. – Simpler the language the greater is the appeal. – A really effective speaker – is one who can explain the most difficult or complex matter in the

simplest language to a layman. – No audience likes to listen to jargon. They can be patient only with the

simplest language.

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Effective Speaking Techniques

• Furnish Concrete Details

– Many speakers spoil their speeches by talking in abstractions.

– Make speech vivid by furnishing details and actual experiences to capture the attention of the audience.

– Such attention to speech makes it ‘full of life’ which is the literal meaning of the word ‘vivid’.

– Make his speech lively and brilliant with eye-catching details, humorous anecdotes, relevant examples and enthusiastic eye-to eye contact with the audience.

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Effective Speaking Techniques• Cultivate Effortless Grace and Naturalness:

– “Many things - smiling, going to sleep or behaving unaffectedly are done worst when we try hardest to do them”.

– A cultured person moves and speaks with grace and sounds natural.

– When face-to-face with a large, selected audience, it is quite natural to be conscious, perhaps over conscious, and, for the moment, to find it difficult to be natural.

– Devise own ways to look, move and speak with grace.

– Practicing to speak in front of a mirror.

– Find a popular anchor / personality and emulate his / her style.

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Effective Speaking Techniques

• Enrich Mental Equipment:

– Be a learned / well informed person.

– As the old Greek proverb says, “Out of nothing, nothing comes”.

– So, we must remember that for every occasion, and for every kind of speech, the best armament is a well stocked mind—a mind stocked / equipped with all kinds of information / facts/ figures / general awareness / readings in literature and philosophy, current affairs, economic and political developments, new advancements in science and technology, emergence of new business organizations and so on.

– Having the right kind of information for the right moment.

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Effective Speaking Techniques

• Be Brief: – Excessive information does not mean that one can go on rambling or

going into unnecessary details.

– Quantity of information and quality of speech.

– All that is superfluous must be cut out in order to make the speech concise.

– Every word we speak is valuable, and there are no words to waste.

– Be informal; Informality creates nearness.

– The occasion may be formal but the speaker must strive to give his speech a personal touch. Establish rapport with the audience.

– Create an impression that will last.

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Effective Speaking Techniques• Be Enthusiastic:

– Making an effective speech is not just a matter of doing a duty performing a ritual.

– One has to get into the spirit of the occasion with enthusiasm and keen interest.

– No one likes to listen to a dull or monotonous speaker. But an enthusiastic speaker gets an immediate response.

– Enthusiasm is contagious.

• Mind Non-verbal Language:

– Effective use of gestures is a necessary component of a speech whether prepared or impromptu.

– Eye contact is indispensable.

Anybody aspiring to be a good speaker, also, keeps training himself in voice modulation, use of proper word stress and gestures.

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Effective Speaking Techniques

• Facts and Figures are not enough: – If facts and figures had been enough there would have been no

speeches.

– Anybody can have access to facts and figures.

– They can just be circulated or blandly stated.

– They are just like a skeleton. It is the imaginative and effective use of language in a speech / writing that breathes life into that skeleton and supplies it with flesh and blood.

– Many great entrepreneurs, chairpersons, statesmen and scholars are known for their oratory that stems from their command over language.

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Effective Speaking Techniques• Control Emotions, but make an Emotional Speech

– What comes from the heart goes to the heart.

– Every human being is full of emotions. But an effective speaker cannot afford to be carried away by his own emotions.

– On the other hand, while exercising poise and maintaining composure, he can stir up his audience to action.

– His job is not just to inform but also to convince and influence his audience. That is how many speeches become memorable.

• Share Significant Experiences / Expertise with Audience:

– This will not only give a personal touch to the speech, but also confidence to the speaker and comfort to the listeners.

– It will make the audience feel important to the speaker.

All All the the

bestbest

Q & A FOR INTERVIEWQ & A FOR INTERVIEW

No one can predict the No one can predict the exact questions that an exact questions that an interviewer will ask, but you interviewer will ask, but you can can rehearse yourrehearse your CVCV & get & get a good idea of a few a good idea of a few important questions that important questions that the employer is likely to the employer is likely to ask.ask.

Ten Tough Interview Qs Ten Tough Interview Qs & Ten As& Ten As

Some of the difficult questions you will face in Some of the difficult questions you will face in the course of your job interviews. the course of your job interviews.

The answers are provided to give you a new The answers are provided to give you a new perspective on how to answer tough interview perspective on how to answer tough interview questions.questions.

They are provided for you to use as the basic They are provided for you to use as the basic structure for formulating your own answers. structure for formulating your own answers.

While the specifics of each reply may not apply to While the specifics of each reply may not apply to you, try to you, try to follow the basic structurefollow the basic structure of the of the answer from the perspective of the interviewer. answer from the perspective of the interviewer.

Answer the questions behaviorally, with specific Answer the questions behaviorally, with specific examples that show that clear evidence backs up examples that show that clear evidence backs up what you are saying about yourself.what you are saying about yourself.