Interview Workshop

Edgar Pushparatnam, Technip Group QHSE directorMarch 2014

CONTENTS

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• Introduction : Why interview?

• What are employers looking for?

• What differentiates me from other candidates?

• Top interview mistakes

• Preparation : Do’s and Don’ts

• The Interview - Questions

Why Interview?

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A job interview is a process in which a potential employee is evaluated by an employer for prospective employment in the company or organization

During this process, the employer hopes to determine whether or not the applicant is suitable for the role.

Different kind of interviews

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Face to face individual interviewTelephone interviewLunch/dinner interviewGroup interview

What skills are employers looking for?

Soft Skills Hard Skills

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ReliableHonestHardworkingCapablePleasantIntelligentProactiveLeadershipResourceful

QualificationPrevious experienceYour

specialisation/ThesisInternship

What differentiates me from the others?

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InterestsQualificationExperiencePersonalityCommunication abilityGroomingThe way you carry yourself

Top Interview mistakes

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•Not preparing•Not turning off your phone•Losing focus•Dressing Inappropriately•Poor communication skills •Talking too much•Not talking enough

• Fuzzy facts• Inaccurate answer• Lying• Not knowing the

company• Not prepared

Preparation

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What should I bring with me?• Documents• CV• Certificates / References

What should I wear?• Appropriate attire

What should I be prepared to discuss?•About myself?

• My interests• My strength and

weakness•About the company

• Do research• Latest news • Development

BE PREPARED WITH SOME QUESTIONS AND ANSWERSBE PREPARED WITH SOME QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Do’s and Don’ts

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Do’s•dress smartly, look bright and attentive, and speak clearly and confidently•turn off your phone•prepare answers for the main questions•take your time when answering the questions•sell yourself•Look at the interviewer Don’ts•don’t be late•don't slouch in your seat or do anything that makes you look uninterested•don't be arrogant and assume you've got the job•don't criticise former employers or colleagues•don't argue with the interviewer

Questions you will be asked.

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Tell me about yourself About my life. education, work experiences, special activities,

ability in sports, leadership in university etc – run through your CV

Qualities- what are your best traits. Any bad traits? What your friends know you for

Technical questionsWhy do you want to join us? Why do you want to

leave ( previous company)? Country? Why do you think you fit the job requirement?Where do you see yourself in the future? Behavioural questions – in following slides

One interview technique - STAR

The interview questions - behavioural

ACTION RESULT

SITUATIONTASK

ST

A R

Types of Interview Questions:

Behavioral

1. Tell me about a tough problem you were able to solve and how you solved it

2. Walk me through what you did to find your last new prospects

3. What was the hardest decision you had to make this year?

4. What did you enjoy most/least about your job as a team leader?

5. You face a moral issue –how will u decide? Bribery at work.

KEY WORDS: (1) What was, (2) Please Describe,

Sample STAR Questions

Situation or Task:

1. Describe what led up to that.2. Could you give me a specific situation in which you used that approach.3. What was the most memorable time when that happened?4. What caused you to….?5. What did you….?6. When was that?7. What were the circumstances surrounding…?8. What was the that customer (co-worker, team member)?9. What were you reacting to?

Sample STAR Questions

Action:

1. Exactly what did you do?2. How were your actions different here from…..?3. How did you react?4. Describe specifically how you did that.5. What was your part of the project, and how did you handle it?6. Walk me through the steps you took…7. What did you say to him?8. What did you do first…second…..?

Sample STAR Questions

Result:

1. How did it work out?2. How did that effect….?3. How were these outcomes directly related to what

you did?4. What problems/successes resulted from….?5. How did you know that what you did was effective?6. What feedback have you gotten?

Questions you should ask

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SalaryWorking hoursBenefits Special conditionsCareer Growth opportunitiesHow does the organisation work – org chartCulture of the organisation