The task:

For Employer :  Identify the right person for the job who will contribute to achievement of the organisational goals.

For Prospective employee :  Convince the employer to select you.

The job interview is a tool for : Job seekers and prospective employers to meet and establish direct contact with each other.

Mutually discussing and determining if there is a match between job profile and candidate profile.

An Interview is a conversation with a purpose and is a vital step in your job search. The most important aspect is your ability to communicate to your prospective employer that you have the right credentials in terms of qualifications, skills and abilities.

What are the stages in an interview?

An interview can be divided into four stages:

• Breaking the ice

• Learning more about you
• Selling the job
• Signing off

STAGE 1 - BREAKING THE ICE

In the first phase, the interviewer makes an effort to put you at ease. The conversation is friendly and general in nature.

Your dress, smile, handshake, style of walking and other forms of body language go a long way in making an impact on the employer. First impressions are crucial. Studies show that in the first few minutes of the interview, most employers make an initial decision whether to select or reject you.

There is also a positive correlation between the initial decision (of your suitability as a prospective employee) made during the first phase of the interview and the final decision made at the end of the interview.

Thus put your best foot forward, relax and be your true self.

STAGE 2 - LEARNING MORE ABOUT YOU

During the next stage, the interviewer, through a series of question and answer sessions, attempts to find out more about you and your suitability for the job. The key is to communicate clearly and effectively why you are the right candidate for the job.  

Your answers should:

• Reflect your desire to work for the organisation.

• Demonstrate your intelligence, motivation, interests and capabilities.
• Show a clear understanding of the job requirement and your ability to  do the job well.

Do not hesitate to ask questions, if necessary, as this is the time to reconfirm for yourself the match between you, the job and the organisation.

Talk from your experiences, project your strengths, be honest with your answers. Make sure that within the limited time, you have projected yourself as the ideal candidate for the job.

STAGE 3 - SELLING THE JOB

If you have successfully passed the second stage, the employer will now talk about the organisation, its goals and how they plan to achieve the same in the future.  

He will also try to assess how your career plans will fit in with that of the organisation’s goals.

It is vital that you have very clear career goals for the next 5, 10, 20 years. Determine to what extent there is a compatibility between your career goals and those of the organisation.  

If you have researched the organisation already, you can also use this opportunity to clarify your career growth opportunities.

STAGE 4 - SIGN OFF

This is the last stage. The discussion will lead to how the organisation will be following up (letter, phone) and how long it will take.

This is also your final chance to pose any unanswered questions. Use this opportunity to summarise and communicate your abilities and your interest in the job.

Sign off with a `thank you'. It is important that you end the interview on the same note of confidence you displayed at the beginning of the interview.

Preparing to tackle the question answer drill

So you know your subject and are technically qualified for the job – all you have to do now is get through the interview. To face the interview with confidence, you must know what the interviewer is looking for. The basic points most interviewers look for are intelligence, motivation, personality, knowledge and experience.

The interviewer will seek to examine your analytical skills, self-confidence, poise, stability, persistence, maturity, quantitative skills, job interests and relevant experience, social perceptiveness, goals and objectives, energy, ability to communicate, organisational skills, and ambition.

You will also be evaluated on how you answer, how well you organise your thoughts, how relevant your answers are, the intellectual skills you have developed and the natural abilities you may possess to handle the job.

While your knowledge of the subject may be unmatched, remember that the interviewer is examining your temperament, your ability to work with other people, and the factors that motivate you. So you may find yourself faced with questions that seem quite unconnected to the job!

If this is your first job/ first interview, here are some of the main areas most interviewers will cover:

• What were the subjects you enjoyed most/ did well in?

• What made them easy or difficult?
• Extra-curricular activities?
• Early interests and ambitions?
• Leadership positions held?  

Now for the veterans, here’s a list of the most frequently asked questions:

• Previous work experience  
• What is the reason for leaving your previous job?  
• Can you mention some of your achievements in your previous job(s)?  
• What skills did you bring to your previous job(s), and how have you improved them? 
• What has been the progress you have made in your previous job?  
• Were you satisfied with it?  
• If you are leaving your present job because of `limited opportunity for advancement’, did you talk with your boss about possibilities for growth within the firm?  
• What were the drawbacks of your previous job(s)?  
• Suppose you are given a chance to relive your previous job, how differently will you tackle it?  
• Tell us about your reporting relationship?  
• Who were your subordinates and how many of them reported to your boss?

• Where do you see yourself five years from now?  
• What are your long-term career goals?  
• How have you prepared yourself to meet these goals?  
• Do you have any role models? If yes, what did you learn from them?  
• In terms of salary, what are your expectations from this job?

• Why do you want to work in our organisation?
• What do you see in this assignment that was not available to you in your previous assignment?
• What is your opinion about late hours?
• How would you evaluate this organisation as a place to grow in?
• What do you feel about relocation/ travel?  

• Do you have any hobbies, other interests?
• What are your strengths and weaknesses? List two in each category?
• What are the types of problems you had while working with olleagues and how did you overcome it ?
• How did you manage the working style of your boss in your previous job(s)?
• Can you tell us about successful activities initiated by you at your job?
• What frustrates you the most? How do you deal with these things?
• Give me situations where you are comfortable working under stress ?
• How do you plan to balance your professional and work life?
• How confident are you about reaching the career goals, which you have set for yourself?
• Do you prefer working with others or alone
• List out some factors that help you perform better at the job?
• How do you prioritise your work activities?
• Did you receive feedback from your superiors? If yes, would you like to share it with us ?

• Tell me about yourself?
• Tell me about your family?
• Do you want to ask me any questions?

Most of these questions can be anticipated and so preparing the right answers is a task by itself. On the final day ensure that your answers are spontaneous and do not sound prepared.

General Tips

So why don’t you conduct a mock interview and rate yourself. First, set aside an hour of your time. Read out each question and answer them one by one. Rate your performance. Set stringent standards for yourself.

At the end of the drill, identify and improve upon your weak areas.

Good Luck!!!

How to face the interview ...Next week