INTERVIEW SKILLS

Presentation by M.Balachander M.Sc, M.Phil Senior Lecturer, Department of Electronics CMS College of Science & Commerce, Coimbatore

Sessions
Introduction to Interview and Kinesics Interview Job Profiles Interview Panel Interview Interview Personal HR Interview Stress Management Handling Telephonic Interview

Action speak louder than words and You only have one chance to make a good first impression

Interviewing-What is it?
- A structured meeting between you and an employer - Interviewing is a skill- like riding your bike - PRACTICE makes PERFECT

Interviewing is a two-way street

- Employers are attempting to determine if you are an appropriate fit for the job and their culture - You decide if the environment is right for you.

Types of Interviews
Phone: used as an initial screen of candidates or to narrow the pool of applicants One-on-One: most common interview style and incorporates you with the potential employer Panel or Group: allows many individuals to interview you at once Meal: used to see how you interact or function in a social setting Second or On-site Interview: this allows one to get a tour of the facility, meet the staff, and additional questioning from different employees and/or administration

Non Verbal Communication

Facial expression (Smile, nods) Gestures (especially hand and arm movements) Body movements Postures (the way we stand) Visual orientation (eye contact) Physical Contact (handshake, patting) Spatial behavior (proximity, positioning) Appearance (including clothes, type and style) Non-verbal vocalization

Sitting Position
Attention Sitting on the edge of the chair

Avoid this posture in an Interview

Crossed legs Legs crossed at ankle Hands on the table Arms crossed on chest Hands neatly held in the lap

Other hand Gestures

Relaxed hands Open hands Clenched hands

Avoid this in an Interview

Putting objects in mouth Rubbing eyes Rubbing Nose Head in the hand Covering mouth

Never do this in an Interview

Cracking Knuckles Wringing hands or drumming fingers Hands on hips Hands in the pocket

Activity

Handshake !!!

Types of handshakes
Firm handshake

Glove handshake

Types of handshakes
Palm up Palm Down

Types of handshakes
Fingertip-grab handshake Dead fish

Activity

EYE CONTACT !!!

EYE CONTACT
Staring Lost Look / Gaze

Activity

Game -BLOCKS.EXE

Dos and Donts in an interview

Entering an Interview Room Walking to the interview table Taking the seat Asking for water Seating Posture Placing your bag or other belongings Cell phone

Contd.Dos and Donts in an interview

Managing sudden itches Yawning Sneezing Eye contact Dress code Para language Managing silence Facial expression

Contd.Dos and Donts in an interview

What to do when offered a cup of coffee/tea/any other drink Smoking before interview Bad breath management Chewing Pan/Gutka/Gum Perfumes and deodorants Handling a panel in place of a single interviewer Exiting the interview room

INTERVIEW JOB PROFILES

Familiarize with the FAQs asked in Domain subjects. Answer FAQs confidently

COMMUNICATION SKILLS
Clear, concise, well organized thoughts Good listening skills (eye contact) Ask pertinent questions Use expressive effective vocabulary Participate in conversations and prepare closing question

REMEMBER YOUR STRENGTHS

Come with three stories that give examples of your strengths and skills Complete these statements: I have always been glad that I have the ability to My greatest achievement this year was One of my skills that I hope to use in my work is

Panel Interview

Interview Personal HR
Tell me about yourself? Why should, I hire you? What is your expectation from the company? Describe your ideal career? What is your strength? What is your weakness?

THE APPLICANTS PERSPECTIVE

The interview is the focal point of all your work search efforts. It represents your opportunity to sell yourself in person. An interview is a conversation between 2 or more people. Its purpose, from your point of view, is ultimately to get the job offer.

You attempt to achieve this goal by: persuading the prospective employer to hire you. displaying confidence in your ability to perform competently. demonstrating interest in the employers needs and interests. demonstrating behaviors that are congruent and consistent with your advance publicity (e.g. resume, cover letter, promotional brochure, broadcast letter, letter of inquiry).

THE EMPLOYERS PERSPECTIVE

The purpose of the interview from the employers point of view is to assess/evaluate your suitability, relative to other applicants.

For their needs by: verifying information supplied in your work search documentation (e.g. application, cover letter, resume, broadcast letter). asking questions, listening to your responses and observing your body language. exploring your values, beliefs, expectations, skills, and qualifications as they relate to the type of work you are seeking. gathering information about you to help in making an informed decision.

Questionnaire
What is your patience level? How would you rank yourself as a effective leader? How will you market your mom? Which animal you resume most and why? And more

 A positive, expectant attitude. Belief that you have something valuable to offer to this organization. An awareness that you can handle anything that comes up in the interview. Knowledge that youve prepared well for this big event and youre ready! Willingness to be yourself. Additional copies of your resume. A typewritten list of references with phone numbers.

 Transcripts and an original of your degree/diploma/certificate. A portfolio (if applicable) A list of questions to ask about the organization and position. A pad of paper on which to make a few notes to yourself of key points you want to cover in the interview.

Interview Stress Management

Interviews can usually spot a phony easily. What they want is to get a sense of the real you. Their job of assessing your suitability is made easier when you present yourself as you really are. Ask yourself: What are my strengths? The five or six that describe you best are the ones you really want them to see. One of the best ways to ensure that is what they see is to affirm those strengths just before the interview.

Your willingness to:

BE SPONTANEOUS Say I need some time to think about that. ASK FOR CLARIFICATION If you dont fully understand the questionor to say Thats a tough one - I honestly dont know. SHOW YOUR SENSE OF HUMOR To acknowledge that youre nervous.

There are a few questions that interviewees particularly dislike. TELL ME ABOUT YOURSELF? This question is often used as an opening question. The interviewer wants you to: highlight and summarize your background (education, training, and experience) as it relates to the job youre being considered for. The interviewer will learn: how well youve matched yourself to the job. how effectively you organize, summarize and anticipate what she/he needs to know about you. how well you communicate.

When the employer says Tell me about yourself.

He/she is really asking What kind of person are you Are you going to fit into this company? Do you have the right personality?

Why are you interested in this job? What are your strengths?

Are you just looking for any job or are you interested in this field? How well do you manage yourself? How well do you manage your work with others?

What are your weaknesses?

What should I be concerned about? How would you like to grow personally? What would you like to learn?

Give me 2 reasons why I should hire you.

Are you confident? Can you sell yourself?

Down below are the reasons to why employers rejects job applicants
1) Poor personal appearance. 2) Inability to express self clearly poor voice, diction, grammar. 3) Lack of interest and enthusiasm passive, indifferent. 4) Lack of tact, maturity, vitality, courtesy, and social understanding. 5) Little sense of humor. 6) Lack of knowledge of field specialization. 7) Lack of planning for career no purpose and goals. 8) Overbearing, overaggressive, conceited, superiority complex, a know it all

Easy Stress Management Tip

Causes of Stress during Interview

Causes of stress before Interview Causes for stress outside the interview room Causes for stress inside the interview room Causes for stress after the interview

How to Beat the Stress Interview

Get an agenda Control the interviewers by controlling yourself. Dominate the room Know how to push back Situational interviews

Handling Telephonic Interviews

Advantages of Telephonic Interviews Disadvantages of Telephonic Interviews

5 rules of effective biz phone etiquette

Choose a good time Opening a call Display genuine interest A variety of response options Follow up

FOLLOW-UP
Ask good questions Thank the interviewer Request a business card Inquire about next steps in the process

FOLLOW-UP CONT
Send a thank you note within 24 hours Letter may be handwritten or typed; e-mail is also acceptable Tailor each one to the individual.

PARAMETERS FOR EVALUATING INTERVIEW

A. Body language / Etiquette displayed while entering during and exiting the interview room B. Grooming C. Attitude / Behaviour D. Communication Skills E. Content

Suggestions
Conduct a test run the day before the interview Practice! Practice! Practice! Obtain a list of practice interview questions and jot down short answers Stand in front of a mirror and rehearse your answers Schedule an appointment for a mock interview with Career Services Get a good nights sleep-be well rested and alert for the interview Be relaxed and be yourself!

PRAISE THE LORD

Wish you all the Best