Cracking the job interview

The HinduCan

you tell me something about yourself? Focus on who you are as a person briefly with quick
references to your family background. File photo.
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While applicants are comfortable with written tests, its the personal interview
part that puts them off. A list of dos and donts to tackle the latter.
One of the most important tools of recruitment is the job interview that usually succeeds the
written/aptitude tests. Many candidates abhor this process because of the direct impact that
it has on his/her job prospect. The rote-learning methodology followed in most higher
education centres favours the written test more than the interview. The objective of a job
interview is twofold an assessment of the personality and the goodness of fit. With
millions graduating every year from various tiers of institutions, this tool has taken on
humongous proportions. The governments focus on soft skill training and development has
also added to its importance. However, employers are still crying hoarse about the
unavailability of the right candidates and the lack of communication skills. This short
account outlines the dos and donts of professional job interviews.
You are who you say you are
Most interviews would start with a question on your profile; while employers are interested
in basic information, anxious interviewees tend to go into elaborate history. To a question
Can you tell me something about yourself? applicants start from when and where they or
their parents were raised and before they can complete they are stopped short for want of
time. Focus on who you are as a person briefly with quick references to your family
background. The duration of the interview is so short that you need to showcase your
communication skills and background most succinctly. Do not repeat what is there in your
resume or your campus brochure.
Be prepared
With a large pool of easily available applicant resource, employers are looking for sharp
candidates who have done their homework about the company history. There is no scope for

complacency and even if you are the class topper, this parameter can wear you down
immediately. Details of the organisations turnover, diversification, future plans and
economic positions are easily available today on their own as well as on other business
websites. However it is important to quote authentic statistics when asked rather than
hazarding guesses. While it is possible that you may not have all the information, being fairly
conversant with the company you are being interviewed for is mandatory.
Be heard
Some applicants are so anxious about the whole process that they give only monosyllabic or
vaguely short answers. Getting an opportunity to be interviewed itself is an achievement in
todays competitive world, so one must use the time judiciously to display ones knowledge
and acumen. It is not only important to be heard but it is more important to engage in a
fruitful and fulfilling interaction. Remember that employers are looking for a goodness of fit
and are constantly evaluating you. However, if you do not know much, it is better to be
honest.
Show your intent
Employers sometimes resort to stress interviews to gauge the levels of suitability of
candidates. During this process they are looking to find out how keen are you about the said
assignment. To augment this you should make an attempt to interact with senior or middlelevel employees of this organisation to help you steer the discussion on the lines suitable to
you. Very often candidates get flustered and render themselves obsolete for such positions.
For freshers, this takes on a more dangerous trend because they get rattled and disillusioned,
affecting future prospects also. The best way to prepare for this is to keep abreast of all that is
happening in and around the organisation. This is completely possible because you always
have some time before an interview session.
Personal marketing
In some interview sessions, candidates are asked to talk about one or more of their
achievements in life. If it is specified, one needs to talk about professional or job related
excellence. Here, they are not expecting you to open up your large dossier of certificates
medals and prizes; rather, they are looking to evaluate your own perception of your abilities,
skills and talent. Personal achievements and laurels could also be highlighted depending on
the direction that the interview is taking.
Ambition
It is important to be yourself at all times, but your enthusiasm and body language must
portray your interest in the job through the interview. Diffidence, complacency, shallowness,
anxiety are all very evident in an interview, and the candidate has to take measures to reduce
these dampeners through punctuality, a professionally acceptable dress code, language and
etiquette besides good behaviour. Courtesies and corporate etiquette are sure-shot winners.
Follow the well known adage Your attitude depicts your aptitude.
Innovative responses
Technical interviews invariably assess risk-taking skills, crisis management, and problemsolving skills which require an out-of-the-box-thinking approach. When asked specific
theoretical questions, candidates must not give textbook like answers but should look to give
innovative responses that are bound to be factually correct but will also showcase your

creativity. A good academic track record will surely facilitate this process, but practical
wisdom must also be applied. For students/applicants of professional job-oriented courses,
the internship and summer assignments would certainly provide a realistic and practical
solution. Needless to say, these practical exposures, of whatever duration or kind play an
important part in the success at these interviews. Get a good set of references from your
internship organisation mentors.
SWOT analysis
The Strength Weakness Opportunity Threats analysis is an important tool used by
employers/interviewers. Depending on the question, it is perfectly fine to start with any one
of the components of this tool provided that it is worded correctly. Both strengths and
weaknesses must be portrayed very subtly and not over the board. I am good at everything I
take up, is pompous, while I am lazy, is dangerous. Your own SWOT analysis should be in
keeping with the generic requirements of the job that you are applying for. If the assignment
requires you to be mobile, you must demonstrate your ability to take up such an assignment.
Social media profiles
An interesting development is the updating of profiles on savvy professional job portals or
media sites like LinkedIn. It is not only important to update regularly and network
incessantly but also ensure integrity, good language and grammar along with the right
references from senior members of the fraternity. Large multi-national and Indian
companies are known to undertake background checks and verify such profiles before
making offers. Employers also pick up points of discussion or reference from these sites for
further analysis in the interview. Your job profile also must be professionally acceptable, so
refrain from frivolous posts/videos/photographs.
The writer is Professor and Head, Departments of MHRM/Social Work-HR, D.G.Vaishnav
College Chennai