secrets of successful interview

8/3/2019 Secrets of Successful Interview

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Secrets of

Successful Job Interview

EffectiveManagement Consultants

By



Do some ground work

1) Visit the company’s website and understand their business

2) Understand the job responsibilities (Job Description)3) Customize your resume (if necessary) to suit the requirements4) Carry out a mock-interview in front of a mirror one day prior to

the interview5) Imagine what questions would be asked and be prepared

to answer those accordingly.6) Get enough rest to make yourself feel fresh.

Tip No 1




Keep your interview kit ready consisting of the following:

1) Appropriate dress, suitable for the position2) Resume (two copies) with passport size photographs

Do not use Xerox copy of resume3) Separate file of certificates

4) Good working pen, pencil, eraser, calculator, gum sticksmall stapler etc.5) One small writing pad6) Fresh breath mint tablets7) Address of the company with map8) Tel. numbers of the company and name of contact person

9) Details of your placement consultant10)Copy of your present pay-slip & appointment letter11)Make-up kit

Tip No 2




Power dressing:

1) Appropriate dresswhite shirt with dark colored trousersTie or scarfBlack or navy blue blazer

well shined shoesFor ladies, Salwar-Kameez or sari

2) Well shaved3) Cut and file the nails – nail polish should be very light4) Jewellery – Less is better5) Perfumes – Use mild and avoid strong colognes

6) Proper hair cut7) Avoid using high heel shoes / sandals

Tip No 3




On interview day:

1) Ensure that, you reach the venue well on time.Try to be there 15 minutes before the scheduled time.

2) Introduce yourself to the reception gently and follow theguidelines

3) Use wash room to get fresh4) Be patient and wait for the call5) While at the reception, observe the culture of the company

through the routine of the company employees6) If possible, watch the displays to gather information

about the company.

Tip No 4




At the time of interview:

1) Enter the cabin only once permitted by the interviewer2) Maintain Eye Contact with Smiling face3) Shake-hands with greeting4) Exhibit your confidence at the fullest5) Sit on the chair with the permission of the interviewer6) Don’t put your bag, helmet or blazer on the table of the interviewer

7) Keep your bag on the floor to your right side8) Understand the question fully and then answer carefully9) In case, if you do not understand any question, do ask

again or get clarification10)If in doubt, get clarification immediately

Tip No 5




While speaking:

1) Be prepared to explain about yourself, your experiences etc.2) Think before speaking3) Don’t speak negative about any of your earlier organizations

or colleagues4) In support of your claim, provide specific and relevant

examples / achievements5) Be positive and enthusiastic throughout the process6) Provide the only information, which is asked for7) Don’t worry about the outcomes of the interview

8) Don’t use the words like ‘shall try’, ‘shall learn’ or ‘no’Be firm and specific while answering.

Tip No 6




While speaking:

1) Ask good / guessing questions2) Request for the business card3) Ask about interview process4) Never ask about salary on your own.

In case, if the interviewer asks about your expectation, just tell him ‘as per your company’s policy’

Never disclose your expectation. There is a high riskof rejection at this point.

5) Also don’t give expectation in range i.e. from 40 to 50 K

On giving range, you are sure to get the lowest.6) Thank the interviewer

Tip No 7




Post Interview:

1) Wait for offer letter if asked for2) Check CTC offered, salary structure, grade, position,

Terms and conditions of the employment etc and thenacknowledge the offer letter.

3) Call your placement consultant to thank him

and brief him about the developments4) In case the decision is pending, request your consultant

to give you feed-back of the interview5) In case if something goes wrong, try to understand

the reasons through your consultants and ask forsuggestions to improve next time.

6) Write thanks giving e-mail to the interviewers7) Do not resign from your present job unless and until

you get official signed offer letter in your hands.8) Reconfirm your date of joining to the company

Tip No 8




Be readyTo face the following questions




Please tell us something about yourself:

This is a tricky question. Answer it in following manner.

Divide your answer in following three parts- Academic background- Professional background

- Personal backgroundTry to focus the points, which could support your candidature.Describe with suitable examples and try to convince theinterviewer that you are the only candidate for whom he isLooking out for.

Don’t blame any one or situation.

Don’t be negative

Don’t say that you need money to satisfy your family needs

Question No 1




Why you want to leave the present job:

Some times the interviewer don’t accept the stereotype

answer ‘for better prospects’. In this situation try some

following answers

1) For higher responsibilities

2) For challenging jobs3) For better experience in reputed company

Don’t give any negative answer as

1) The company is not doing well2) The management is not good3) I am not getting any increment / promotion etc.

Question No 2




What your co-workers say about yourself:

This question is asked to check out your leadership skills orto understand how you will function as a common teammember in a specific situation.

Try to answer this question in following way.

1) If the position requires leadership skills, frame your answerexhibiting your leadership skills.

2) Try to exhibit yourself as a very good team member

whenever the job requires just good relation orco-operation amongst the team members

Question No 3




What do you know about our organization:

This question requires some ground work. If answeredpositively, there are more chances of your getting the joboffer. To make it possible -

1) Visit company’s website

2) Go through their product brochures etc3) Understand about their competitors4) Understand their strengths and weaknesses5) Read their policies6) Speak to your consultant to gather more information

about the company.

Co-relate this information with your functional area andtry to convince the interviewer.

Question No 4




What is your ambition:

Try to answer this question very skillfully. Divide your answerin two parts: short term and long term.

Support your ambition statement with systematic efforts to

achieve it. This may include –

1) Your plans to study further2) Any other actions to fulfill your dream

All your plans should be time bound. This will create your

image as focused and realistic.

Question No 5




Do you know anyone who work for us:

Beware of such type of question. This may reflect in the followingway.

1) If the company is having the policy not to recruit any one

from the relationship, you may miss the chance.

2) The company might use the person to do the backgroundcheck for you.

So, be careful answering this question.

Question No 6




Why do you want to work for us:

This is good question to expose yourself as the bestsuitable person for the position under consideration.

You can answer this question describing how your qualities,qualification and experience suits to their requirements.

You also can describe the positive points of the hiringcompany like size, turnover, people policies, professionalismetc., whichever you liked the most.

Question No 7




How much salary do you expect from us:

This is very dangerous question. People generally demandsalary at the beginning of the interview instead of telling what theycan offer to the company and how the company would getbenefited because of them.

Our advice is therefore not to specify any amount. Instead, showyour openness to work on the scale according to the company’s

policy.

This will increase the chances of your getting the job offer. Ofcourse, if the offer is not lucrative, you can any time negotiate or

reject it. Generally people negotiate hard on the salary part oncethey understand that their name is under consideration.

However, if you do it in the beginning, you are always a loser.

Question No 8




Explain why we should hire you:

This question expects you to answer with your positive pointsmatching with the job requirements.

Your be prepared for this type of question and answer thequestion in a suitable way convincing the interviewer that

you can be a best suitable candidate for the position.

Try to describe how you are different than others and tryto convince the interviewer about your uniqueness. You canfocus some points like below.

1) Your multi-tasking skills2) Your extraordinary technical skill (very high speed typing)3) Your special achievement (not regular exam percentage)

Question No 9




What irritates you about co-workers or work itself:

This is one more tricky question. The interviewer tries to putyou in a trap to find out your weaknesses.

It’s better not to go into detailing. This may pull into negativity.So, just avoid it by saying something like , ‘people are always

good and they try to deliver as per their capacities…’

Work can be enjoyable if you feel so …

End up this question in your style with a positive note.

Question No 10




What are your strengths and weaknesses:

Give plenty of strengths and examples related to your strengths.

You can say something about your education, experience, skills,time management, positive attitude, leadership, ability to workunder pressure etc.

However, keep quite on the part of your weaknesses saying, ‘really

can’t describe any…

Question No 11




Tell us something about your dream job:

Keep yourself away from specifying any particular job.

It may happen that the interviewer might not have disclosed thejob which he is looking out for and in this situation, your choice

may go against your chance to succeed.

For example, if you answer saying, ‘I am looking out for a job,

where I can exercise my leadership skills’ and if the

interview is for the position of a specialist like ‘chemist’ or

‘research professional’, where there is no need of interaction

with the people, you may lose.

Question No 12




If given a chance, which game would you like to play

The choices are computer game and cricket:

At the outset, this question sounds to be very casual. Howeverfrom the back end the interviewer is checking your personality.

If you select the cricket, you are open minded and would like

to mix in people. You are not shy and suitable person for thesales & marketing, where interaction with people is must.

If you select the computer game, you are shy or timid andwould like to work on your own without interacting with thepeople. This type of person will do wonder in the back office

if given the calm and cool workplace.

Think of such questions and then answer.

Question No 13




What is more important to you – the money or work:

Of course, we work for money but the work is also equallyimportant.

According to me, after certain level the person should enjoy

his work without thinking about money, power, fame or positionetc. If someone works religiously, these all will follow himwithout asking for.

This type of answer will surely impress the employer.

Question No 14




Tell us about a problem you had with your superior:

Beware of such question. You may fell into another trap ofnegativity laid by the interviewer.

Never speak negative about your manager, organizationor any one else.

Always stay positive.

Question No 15




Are you ready to work extra hours:

This question is asked to check your readiness to do hard work.

Be open to answer this question.

Do not sound like a philosopher saying, ‘I believe in smart workthan hard work’. This answer may hurt the interviewer.

Try to gather some more information by asking counterquestions as to why the interviewer is asking such question.Always agree for emergency situations. But if it is a regular

business, then the decision is yours.

Question No 16




Are you ready to relocate or travel extensively:

Be ready for such type of questions and answer thesequestions in consultation with your family members only.

Don’t rush to close the answer without giving any deep

thinking and taking your family members into confidence.

If necessary buy out some time, discuss and then answer.

Question No 17




Tell us something how you manage :

This question is to guess your leadership style or managerialskills.

Do not specify yourself by saying something like democratic or

autocratic etc. You may not be knowing what the intervieweris looking out for.

Try to tell them that you consider the prevailing and expectedbusiness environment and take decisions accordingly.

Always remember that, the interviewer likes the person, whohas broader vision and acts keeping the situation in mind.

Question No 18




How will you work without any experience:

While answering this question, highlight your following traits.

- Quick learner- Hard worker- Keen observation

- Some experience as trainee

However, don’t show any over confidence saying that the

job is simple and I can manage it very well.

Always remember that no job is so simple. But answering in this

manner will imply that you are very casual or you don’t knowthe depth of the subject.

Question No 19




Would you like to ask anything to me:

Before appearing for the interview not down some questions andif given a chance, ask those to the interviewer.The sample questions could be -

What are the Key Result Areas for this positionWhat is the system of Performance ManagementHow quickly the person gets recognized with your organization

However, do not ask the following questions.

How much will you pay for this jobWhat are your office timingsHow many paid leave do you have

With such type of questions, you will get exposed as materialisticwho keeps an eye on the benefits rather than deliveries.

Question No 20




Dealing with difficult question / situation:

Some time you may come across some funny or irrelevant questions.To give you an example, the interviewer will ask about the historyof Mumbai city to the candidate appearing for data-entry.

The question may not be relevant to the position. However, youdon’t know the intention. It’s possible that the interviewer might

be checking your temperament.

So don’t get irritated with such questions. Keep calm and say I don’t

know, if you really don’t know.

Some times purposely you are kept waiting for a longer just tounderstand how needy you are or how much patient you are.

You can’t guess the intention and hence exhibit your maturity.

Question No 21




With Best Wishes

Effective Management ConsultantsMUMBAI 400 083

From

For any doubt, clarification or further assistancecontact us at

[email protected]

9022160540

http://www.myhrconsultants.com/

mailto:[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.myhrconsultants.com/

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