How To Face Interviews, Tips For Interview

How To Face Interviews, Tips For Interview

INTRODUCTION

Candidate: Good morning, sir.

Chairman: Good morning Mr Rahul please take your seat.

Candidate : Thank you, Sir (occupies the chair meant for the candidates and sits

upright. He takes care of his body language)

Chairman : Where did you complete your graduation from, Mr. Rahul ?

Candidate : From Malanad Engineering college, Hassan Sir.

Chairman : Which is your branch of specialisation ?

Candidate : Electrical Engineering

Chairman : How do you think that you are helpful to our corporation ?

Candidate : Sir, power corporation is a power generation company. My subject of

Specialisation is Electrical engineering which deals with power generation, transmission and distribution. So I thought I would be useful to the power corporation.

Chairman : Have you visited any of power stations ?

Candidate : Yes sir, recently I visited Raichur Thermal Power Station. Shakti nagar. It is very interesting. At present, it is the only Thermal power station in Karnataka.

Chairman : How many units of power are generated daily when all the units are running at Raichur Thermal Power Station.

Candidate : Sir, Totally seven units are installed in the power house, each of 210

MW. When all the units are running about 35 millions units of power are generated

every day.

Chairman : Do you know anything about our hydel stations ?

This is the example of an interview held for the post of Asststant Engineer in a

power generation company. The interview thus continues. An interview is a personality test. There will be a panel of four or five members (it may be more also) and the panel looks for a sound grasp of the candidate's academies, self awareness, clarity of goals and well rounded personality.

In an interview basically the members try to find out the person's (condidate)

1. skill

2. experience

3. Personality

4. ability to learn

5. confidence and

6. willingness etc.

Interview is the most crucial period for the candidates who seek a job. The competition for a job opportunity is intense these days. Thousands of candidates apply  for jobs. The jobs are always only a few. The youngmen and women on the thereshold of their career have to take some important steps to embark on the job of their choice. The interview is the only way to assess the capacities of a candidate. It is by way of asking questions on related subjects and general knowledge.

The interviewer will ask questions to explore the candidate's past and persent

verifiable accomplishments and how they will relate to future duties with the organisation. The interviewer may also ask situational questions. Interview is simply used to disqualify unsuitable candidates. The job seeker should consider interview seriously. Many people try to detract and fill wrong notions about interviews in the candidate's mind. Usually the term 'eye wash' is used to tell the interview is of no use. Such notions create. unnecessary doubts and saps the candidate's energy. The candidates doubt the selection process. They presume that there is favouritism. Such things may shake the candidate's faith. It cannot be like that. Interview is the most talked about topic of the selection process. Basically there is no syllabus for an interview. Before called for an interview a competitive examination may be held. But remember, though there is no prescribed syllabus for the interviews, they have a definite pattern and a system upon which the questions are structured. Above all, interview is the last step in the selection procedure that enables the interview panel

or the board to measure the personality traits of the candidate evaluate and match them with the concerned post say engineer, accountant etc. The interview is always job Specific. It is a systematic approach of selection.

CHOOSING A CAREER

Career planning is one of the most crucial aspects of any person's life. A person likes to become a doctor but he gets a seat in engineering. Naturally, making a suitable career option is the most important task for a student. It is the student who should decide about his career. A father may desire his son to become an engineer. But his son may become an artist. So no one knows the candidate more than himself.

Remember, in today's competitive world, the best jobs go to the best informed and the best prepared.

As a candidate (of course by the time you become a graduate) make a list of your plus. points and minus points. Understand and judge. Better know what actually you want and what is required to get it.

Jayanti Ghose, an eminent writer and the author of the best seller Career Guide

writes : Beyond gathering information on factors such as different career options, the eligibility criteria, the premier institutions from where the required qualification for a certain career could be acquired, variables such as attitudes, abilities and inclinations also play a major role.

You must have a thorough knowledge of the various career options available according to your qualifications.

Employers use interviews to see if your career goals are in line with opportunities

available with their organisation in addition to your knowledge, skills and willingness. They also look for the potential in prospective employees to become valued, trusted, productive team members of their organization.

You may look into leading national dailies, career magazines, career guides to

know about various career options. You may even have contact with career oriented students and successful people who better guide you. However, a career should allow a person to grow and promote him to the higher cadres.

The personality traits are essential for a personnel whether on the executive or the creative side. Some of them usually looked for are listed under

Good health , Diplomacy, Good eyesight,  capacity to motivate, Willingness to take decisions,   team members,    Keen observation,  Efficiency,    originality,    sincerity,  keen desire to update knowledge,  Drive,       Alertness,  talk,  Ability to take initiative Dynaisim,     Practical approach to scientific problems , Imagination ,    Capacity for hard work, Perseverance Optimistic out look  Sense of responsibility,     Patience Interest in problem solving , Self confidence  Unbiased approach etc.

General Tips:-

Now you have applied for a job in a company. You have received an interview notice. Let me give you few tips.

1. Before your interview, find out everything about the company. You may read their annual report,paper advertisements, news item or you may talk to some of its employees. Eg : Their products, services, turnover, customers,working environment etc.

2. You have already sent your application, resume etc. Re-read your application. Guess the questions that they might ask you. Eg: college in which you have studied, your place of living, tourist places of interest at your place, the specialisation of subjects and how they are helpful to the company etc. You should try to anticipate the general questions that many interviewers ask.

3. Convince the interviewers that you are the right candidate to do the job.

4. Also convince them that you will fit in with the organisational structure of the company.

5. While you attend the interview go wearing neat dress. Dress smartly for the interview.

6. Leave your home early. These dave traffic jam is a common affair in any city.

7. Take with you the original certificates marks card, copy of the resume and application; interview notice.

8. Report to the concerned staff after you reach the premises of the interview.

9. Some times, both the written test and oral interview are held on the same day with a gap of an hour or so. In such a case take pen, pencil, rubber or whatever is needed to write in the written examination.

10. Health care is essential. Check your speech before you leave for interview. Let there not be any indisposition.

THE DRESS SENSE

     1.   Dress make it man. Dress is an indicator of one's personality. It is also tells about your nature and temperament.

     2.   Let the dress be neat, well ironed and let it not be bright or very prominent.

     3.   Male candidates may wear shirts, trousers, safaris or suit.

     4.   Female candidates shall wear saris or salwar kameez.

     5.   One has to avoid jeans, low cut blouses, sleeve less blouses, see through dresses.

     6.   Only thing you should be familiar to the dress you wear.

     7.   Take care of weather and season. Do not wear too tight dress, suit in summer or an ordinary shirt and trouser in winter. Let the dress suit to the weather conditions.

     8.   The female candidates should avoid heavy make up and excessive jewellery. Remember, you are not going there to act or dance as what heroines do for movies.

    9.   The dress should be clean. Strictly avoidshabby dress.

    10.               Let the pair of shoes you wear be polished or wear a new pair of shoes.

     11.               The hair must be nicely combed. This is common to both male and female.

WHAT TO CARRY

Be sure that you have gone with all the necessary documents whether asked or not asked.

Prepare a check list.

The following documents shall be kept ready and produced at the time of interview if asked

1. Interview letter.

2. One extra copy of the certificates duly attested.

3.Original certificates and an attested photo copy of distinctions achieved in academies, sports and other cultural or extra curricular activities.

4. N.O.C. from the employers in case you are employed already.

5. Service / experience certificate from previous employers if any.

6. Other certificates if any : Eg : caste, income etc.

ETIQUETTE (सदाचार)

Go to the place of interview about half an hour earlier. This will enable in two ways one, you are on time and you have maintained punctuality. The second thing is you have an opportunity to meet the other candidates, which enables you to have interaction.

Introduce yourself to the other candidates and exchange the same. Shake hands with them.

Discuss about the aspects of the interview. Some of the points may be

advantageous to you, note them.

Suppose some of the candidates finish earlier to you and come out. Then you will

have time to enquire them about the type of questions the interviewers ask.

The interview is very important. It is the factor that decides your success or failure.

Three points decide them.

1. Your body language

2. Your behaviour (manners)

3. Your way of answering questions and correctness of the answers.

The interview board expects pleasing manners and office etiquettes from you. The tips given below may be followed.

1. You are sitting outside the interview room. The staff related call you by name. As soon you are asked to enter the interview room walk in confidently with a smile on

your face.

2. Do not forget to smile.

3. Do not show any nervousness.

4. Wish the interviewers - Say Good  Morning.

(It could be Good noon or Good afternoon as per the time of interview) wish as per

the hour af the day as reaching the table. Suppose the interviewer wish to shake

hour hand. Then give a shake hand confidently. Use one hand. The female

candidates should invariably avoid the hand shake.

5. Occupy the chair after you are asked to do so. Do not draw the chair yourself and sit.

6. Sit up right. Be attentive and observe the interviewers. Do not sit on the chair in

a relaxed manner. Do not sit as you sit in an easy chair.

Your behaviour should be such that the interviewer is interested in you.

Remember, the interview board expects you to do well.

While answering questions follow the tips given below.

1. Do not answer the way you like.

2. The spoken English should be clear and standard.

3. Do not be too outspoken.

4. Do not be too reserved.

5. Grasp the question correctly and give brief answers.

6. Do not speak till the interviewer completes. Listen properly.

7. Before you answer the question asked, take time to gather your thoughts.

8. Have positive attitude and be firm.

9. In some of the interviews questions are asked to assess the analytical ability.

Better have a knowledge of analysing the problem with reason.

9. Do not disclose any of your weaknesses.

BODY LANGUAGE

Body language is the use of the body to express one's feelings without the use of

words or it may be said that is the unspoken communication that goes on in every face to face encounter with another human being, It is estimated that between 60-80% of our message is communicated through our body language. Only 7-10% is attributable to the actual conversation. The body language decide your career and your future.

The interviewer can judge what you are by picking up the signals such as darting

eyes, shifting from one foot to another, scratching the head etc.

Practice some of the following areas of body language to be effective in your

communication and succeed in interview.

1. Direct eye contact builds trust in you.

2. Keep arms, legs and feet relaxed and uncrossed. It shows that you are open and

honest.

3. Lean forward : you are supposed to move within 6 to 8 feet of your interviewer.

Ofcourse the front table will be there. You may lean very little forward. This indicates

the attention. Leaning backwards is a disqualification. It shows rejection.

4. How to sit in an interview.

The way you sit should convey a positive message. Take care about the placement of your legs. The everyday seating position,with legs crossed high up is not suitable for the interview setting as it conveys a defensive attitude.

Try to keep your hands lower than your elbows, rest them on the arms of the chair.

your thighs or even make a low steeple with the fingers of both hands.

5. Mirroring:-

It is a well known fact that people generally like people they appear to be

similar to them. Like attracting like theory is suitable. So pay attention to your

interviewer's breathing and the pace that they are talking at. Is it fast or slow, then

mirror them. Therefore, by observing the interviewer's body language and reflecting

this back at them feel more at ease and friendly towards you.

So the three main features of body language that you should consider in an interview are.

1. What to do with your eyes.

2. What your facial expressions indicate and

3. The positioning and movement of  your body and limbs.

Always use a responsive mode i.e. open and forward

Open - people showing open hands, fully facing you and both feet planted on the

ground are accepting messages.

Forward indicates whether people are actively relating to communication. When

they are (interviewers) leaning and pointing towards you they are actively accepting the message. The open / forward applies to you (candidate) also.

RESUME

Answering the questions asked by the board is no doubt the most important tash

in the interview. A list of the model questions is given later.

However at the end of the interview, the board directs the candidate to write down a brief resume of the interview. The time given will be short. Asking for a resume is not strictly followed. In some of the interviews it is a must.

The purposes of writing a resume are

1. It gives a clear picture about the candidate's capacity to remember the facts.

2. It gives the board a clue to the candidate's ability to arrange those facts.

The writing indicates the candidate's expression. Resume need not be too long. It is only a page you may have to write. Only thing, the resume should be in a simple and clear language. The writing should be to the point and narrative. They should not be any flattery, self praise and distortion  of the fact.

WHAT DOES A BIODATA SHOULD GIVE?

Bio data (or resume) is the write up prepared by the candidate. It is a document Proper attention should be given to prepare it. There are many organisations that have a prescribed format and it has to be filled by the candidate. Even then also proper care has to be exercised while filling it. The bio data mainly comprises of

i) academic information

ii) interpersonal and other activites

iii) job experience if any

iv) candidates address etc.

Many a time the interviewer asks questions based on the bio data.

Do not write the bio data casually. Write carefully.

You might have gained experience. It may be an year or even three months. Write it.

While you write about extra curricular activities write the facts. Be truthful. A

candidate once wrote that he is a cricketeer. When he was asked by the interviewer about the number of players in cricket, he said two. When he was asked who are they he said that one is bowler and the other is batsman. He was

also asked to mention names of famous cricketeers. He said Mahesh Bhupati and

Leander paes. The interviewers didn't laugh but asked him to atleast see a cricket match on T.V.

So do not bluff.

Do's and Dont's in writing a resume

     1.             Remember, your resume introduces you.

      2.             A good resume can open doors.

      3.              Eliminate the pronoun 'I'.

      4.             Let there not be any coffee stains, smudges, errors, corrections on the  

      5.             paper on which you have written or typed your resume.

      6.             Make your resume look professional

      7.             Keep it brief.

     8.             Write your own resume

     9.             Use keywords and phrases instead of complete sentences.

     10.               Do not use photographs, unusual formats, dark coloured paper etc.

      11.               Do not include salary requirements.

      12.               Do not include unnecessary personal information such as race, religion,             political reference etc.

     13.               Design an attractive layout leaving one inch margin on all sides. Use                 capital letters, underlining and indenting to emphasise important           Information.

     14.                Use high quality white paper with matching envelopes.

     15.               Check spelling, punctuation, grammar and word usage. Proofread carefully, choose a simple font.

(If the resume is sent by e-mail no specific layout is required).

How To Face Interviews, Tips For Interview

CHANGING JOB

Some people change jobs often. They may change the job because the job may not be convenient. The working place may be far off from the place the candidate lives. The job may not be suitable for the qualification one has. The salary may be meagre. The working atmosphere may be bad. The candidate may have to go to a distante place where he cannot take his family. There are so many reasons for changing a job. The reasons are to be positive. The interviewer may ask the candidate why is he changing jobs. This attitude may not be liked by the company.

When you are asked the reason make a logical argument as to why you did so. If

every change you have made is because of better salary it will reflect badly or else if you say that the company in which you are working is not taking care of you properly the interviewer I think that at a later date you will say the same thing about them also.

Instead you can even simply say: I am I'm on the search for a challenging career and I am sure that this job will provide me that.

Newindia advertisement for the job may I help you a little bit in answering the same say confidently and positively.

There may be radical change in your career itself.

In such a case stress the positive aspects of the change rather than the negative aspects of your previous career. You never mention anything negative. You should

stress the positive aspects of your last company saying that they were a good company to work for. Supose the earlier company you were working or still working has a very bad reputation in the market, you  may tell the truth.

Always guard your answer.

The clever answer would be : The previous company helped me learn the ropes while this company can help me grow further.

You may simply say the reason for the change is that this company has a better name in the market than that of previous.

This answer satisfies the interviewer.

UNEMPLOYMENT

Unemployment is every where. It is enforced idleness of the work force who are able and willing to work but cannot find jobs. An unemployed person is defined as anyone who is capable of working and is actively seeking work but is unable to find a job. Students and home makers perform work, but they are not considered employed unless they are paid ; however they are not considered unemployed unless they are actively seeking gainful jobs.

There are certain jobs which when finished keeps the person or persons

unemployed. For example a construction craftsman(mason) when the job is finished or it could happen to an actor or actress when the movie production closes. The person loses the job and it will ordinarly take some time before that person finds another job. People who are simply between jobs, are said to be fractionally employed. The amount of fractional employment depends on the frequency with which workers change jobs and the time it takes to find new ones. So efficient placement services are needed.

The structural employment arises from an inbalance between the kind of men wanted by employers and the kinds of workers looking for jobs. The imbalances are caused by inadequacy of skills, location or personal traits. Some companies discard workers or engineers who have outdated skills without a job. People with new skills are required by them. After the advent of software technology the traditional courses are not finding proper places. Many factories are kept closed.

Workers or officials with inadequate education or training and young workers

with little or no experience may be unable to get jobs because employers believe that these employees would not produce enough to be worth paying the legal minimum wage or the rate agreed upon.

Sometimes there will be more number of graduates with doctoral degrees than the

number of jobs available in respective fields. Structural unemployment shows up most prominently in some cities, in some occupations or industries, for those with

below average education and for some other groups in the labour force.

The other kind of unemployment is cyclic unemployment which is due to

nonavailability of seasonal products etc.

Under the circumstances degree holders have to face unemployment. The employer

explores the skilled, trained and experienced hands for his benefit. Incase if you have applied for a job and you are called for an interview and you were unemployed for a couple of years you are asked how long have you been looking for a job?

If you have been unemployed for a longtime this may be other tricky question

to answer. However be honest.

If you have been away on holiday, or done some freelance work you could mention. Even if you had been on your own for a brief period of time admit this. Convince that you were all through busy and engaged. Try not to give them (the interviewers) an impression that you were idle. You may say that you were enhancing your knowledge by attending certain courses.

IDEAL JOB

Ideal job is the one that might include things like challenging work eg: power and

irrigation projects, space programmes etc; nice colleagues, good career prospects eg: promotions, foreign tours, good training ; good team atmosphere, opportunity to learn new skills, apply old skills etc.

BE AMBITIOUS

Without ambition there is no life. A person is sucessful only when he is

ambitious. While attending interview the person should be optimistic that he would

get the job and he should be ambitious. Ambitions makes life challenging and

challenge makes life intersting. It makes the wonders. Ambition makes you healthy,

wealthy and wise ! It is ambition that makes us think we can be successful and lack of ambition that makes us think we cannot. After a rich man gets rich, his next ambition is to get richer.

Expand on your ambition. Depending on the position you are applying for, you may want to bound fairly ambitious. But you are being interviewed You are not above the inter viewer though you seek a higher post than him.

TIPS TO JOB HUNTERS

You are being interviewed. Your interview is on Thursday, next week. Preparation and practice leads to success.

How to handle the situation?

That's your basic problem.

Fearing a job interview is common.

Whether it is your first interview a fifteenth. it is a normal reaction to an abnormal

situation.

First think over : what is the employer looking for?

Employer wants to know

- whether the applicant has the required knowledge, skills and willingness to

contribute and fit into the organisation's culture.

- Whether the candidate's career goals are in line with the opportunities available with their company.

Remember, already your biodata / resume have gone to them. You have been called only because they have found you to be a suitable candidate for the post or the job.

Don't be nervous : Be confident. Puke initiative.

Know why you are attending the interview.

Thursday is fast approaching. Suppose to day is Friday. You are left with 5 more days. Before attending the interview do some research.

Research the organisation.

What is the size of the organisation / company / factory etc. How many employees might be working ?

Do they have branches or any affliated organisations.

Have some information about their services products etc. Suppose it is a motor factory try to know what type of motors they manufacture. What is the capacity? what are the tests they conduct etc.

Is there any major competitor to them in the market?

What job you are seeking and what skill is required for the position?

Check a map and plot a path to the interview site. Make sure to write the directions down on a piece of paper along with the phone number and street address. You may be 400 or 500 kms away. Say interview is at Bangalore and you are at Bijapur.

Decide what you are going to wear to the interview. Keep them ready. Make sure the dress is pressed well.

Now the interview fear is diminishing little by little.

 Better make a visit to the location where you are having the interview.

Interview means asking questions ; digging etc.

Prepare and practice for the interview, but don't memorise or over- rehearse your

answers. You are not staging them.

The interview day is Thursday. It has come. Your interview is at 10'o clock in the

morning. Get up early. It is 5.30 a.m. You have plenty of time. If you have to go to a

distant place for the interview reach a day earlier. Live in a lodge or relative's house

as you please.

    1.             Eat breakfast.

     2.             Be sure that you have everything in a bag or briefcase.

    3.             Dresswell.

    4.             Plan to arrive about half an hour early. Suppose you are late for one or the other factual reason do phone the company that you are arriving late.

    5.             Do greet the receptionist or the interview assistant with a smile. This is the first  impression.

    6.             Don't use chewing gum, chacolates during the interview.

     7.             Do greet the interviewer.

    8.             Do shake hands firmly. Don't have a clammy handshake.

    9.             You know body language. Use it. sit after you are asked to sit.

    10.               Don't tell any joke during the interview.

    11.               Don't laugh.

    12.               Have good eye contacte with your interviewer.

    13.               Do show enthusiasm.

   14.               You may be offered cigarette. Don't smoke. Say no, thanks.

                 (Remember, do not forget to brush your teeth.)

While you answer the questions do avoid using poor language. Avoid slang and pause words like um, Aa, yes yes, uh etc. 

   1.             Don't be soft spoken. Use your strength.

    2.             Be self confident. Don't be aggressive.

   3.             Do not boast telling that you can do any job.

   4.             Don't tell lies. Do not bluff the interviewer.

   5.             Don't repeat the answers and also don't over answer questions. Answer to the point.

    6.             The information you provide should be accurate. Don't offer any negative information.

    7.             Don't answer questions with just 'Yes' or "No'. Explain a little. Even give examples.

    8.             Do show off the research that you have done on the firm when responding to questions.

    9.             Never tell any personal or family problems. Do not beg. Do not be humble But be kind.

    10.               Remember you are also investigating the interviewer and the company.

     11.               Never tell them that they have asked a good question. Do not exclamate.

    12.               Be sure that you are going to get the job.

    13.               In that way you answer. Do not try to loose the opportunity.

    14.               Switch off your mobile during interview.

    15.               Do not inquire about salary, perks, bonus, holidays, terminal benefits there itself. It is not your business. You are not working to benefit yourself. You have to show what you can do for the company.

    16.               When the interview ends, say thanks and comeout in a dignified manner. Do not show any anger feelings.

    17.               Take a paper and write down the important details discussed. The interviewer might have told about the timings, nature of work, discipline etc. Make a note of them.

    18.               Remove interview fears.

    19.               Do not have interview phobia.

AFTER THE INTERVIEW

Interview is an experience. After you come out of the room where you were

interviewed, make a note of what subjects you discussed at the interview and jot them down for future reference. Also write a thanking letter, to the company or

organisation mentioning a few words about the moments you enjoyed. The organisation may offer you a job or not. You may accept the offer or not, write a thanking letter before you receive the offer. Even offer of employment require a reply.

In your thanking letter you may write: I look forward to learning of your decision.'Your organisation is an excellent place for me.

Do not forget to send your thanking letter within 24-36 hours after your interview. You can send it by mail. In your thanking note write briefly thanking the interviewer for meeting you and expressing your enthusiasm for the position.

GROUP INTERVIEW

Group interview is where several candidates are interviewed simultaneously, This interview is conducted by a group of individuals. This may include the supervisor and some subordinates or a few partners or executives.

Group interviews are more common for the education sector and occasionally in the corporate world. A group interview may create fears. But this type of interview is designed to reveal the leadership capabilities. When facing the public,co workers and seniors, Infact, a group interview allows fellow workers or co workers to see how the candidate will be useful to a group environment. Moreover, these interviews are used to determine if a candidate is able to deal with a high pressure job.

The interviewee has to prepare very well for a group interview. A group interview is

always stressful. Questions will be asked without break from all different angles. This may decrease the confidence of the candidate. He may lose concentration. It may become very difficult to concentrate on the interviewer. The body language cannot be given attention unless one is perfect. One cannot point out easily the reactions of the interviewer. The interviewer may bombard the candidate with tough questions. This is a stress interview. The candidate will be sucessful if he has a calm and quiet mentality and has a practice of attending get together parties.

Usually the top candidates are grouped together in an informal, discussion type

interview. This is a type of group interview where a topic is introduced what is the

objective of the group interview ? It is to see how a candidate interacts with

others and he uses his knowledge and capacity to empower others. Even after the group interview the selected candidate may

be asked to attend a more extensive interview. The candidate should be assertive, not aggressive. He should be confident. He should not expect an offer on spot.

Prepare well for such an interview. In olden days, in schools, examinations were

conducted as done in a group interview. Five students were being asked to stand one after the other. The examiner was asking one question to one student. If he doesn't answer the same question was being asked to the next student. It is almost similar to a quiz contest.

The candidate may hire a career coach to review the interview strategy. Also he may practice answering interview questions with a friend. He may record the answers using a tape recorder and review if afterwards.

In a group interview, the interviewer is testing the candidate / candidates to see how they act under pressure.

The interviewer usually will have a standard set of questions. It makes the interview the same for every interviewee ensuring equal opportunity. The questions are asked of all candidates. This definitaly helps the interviewer to evaluate and compare candidates. Even the questions may be prewritten one.

Certain skills are covered here. They are

1. Verbal communication

2. decision making

3. time management

4. team building and

5. interpersonal skills.

Be polite. Be diplomatic. Do not argue during discussion. Say facts.

TELEPHONE INTERVIEWS

This is electronic age. The use of mobile phones is very common. Employers want to do things fast. They may conduct their first screening rounds with telephone help. No doubt, it is a convenient approach to screen candidates. It is relatively a quick and easy way. However, the candidate should have a nice vocabulary while answering over phone.

The telephone interview should lead to a - to - face interview which in turn she

offer a job.

There are organisations who will just ring up without intimation and interview. Yo

have send your application. You may expect a call.

While talking over phone take care of your voice prepare for a telephone interview. There should not be any stammering while you speak. Mentally prepare for the questions that may be asked. Technical questioning is common and that is a means to screen candidates. Though telephonic talk is brief it is precise. Here, the interviewer is only hearing you.

Few tips given below may be followed.

1. Be calm. Let your breathing be slow. Let there not be heavy breathing. Let your

resume copy be kept near the phone.

2. Smile. Though the interviewer cannot see your smile let him understand that you

are smiling during your talk.

3. Be friendly

4. Start telling Sir, Thank you for calling.

5. Think that you are talking to interviewer face to face.

6. Listen carefully to the interviewer.

7. Answer politely. The interview will not be more than 15 minutes. Pronounce words properly.

8. The questions are usually simple questions.

9. Be factual in your answers.

10. Do not smoke or eat while on the phone. There should not be any noise such as pets, children playing, Radio or TV.

11. Keep the mouth piece about one inch from your mouth.

12. Ask the interviewer if anything you should bring to the face to face interview.

Keep the interviewer under the impression that you are very keen for a face to face

interview.

BEHAVIOURAL INTERVIEW

Actually this type of interviewing common in developed countries, for want

professionals in the behavioural psychology field. Basically this requires

panel of experts to make an assessment. In our country only a very few organisations have tried this way of interviewing. I requires skill. Also the interviewee has to exhibit certain skills. He has to describe what action he took in certain cases. The interview involves lots of 'show me' questions.

WALK-IN INTERVIEWS

System of walk in interviews started just in the recent past to recruit or offer

jobs to persons on an urgent basis. Usually firms, travel agencies, developers, marketing concerns etc. conduct such interviews by giving advertisements in popular dailies. They fix up some timings and arrange interview in a big hotel or in public buildings.

The candidates who seek job have to see the dailies especially English dailies for such advertisements. If promising, the candidates have to go to the concerned place along with all testimonials and attend the direct interview by walking in. There will be cordial welcome ; Interviewer asks questions. There would be many possiblities of selection.

DEPARTMENTAL INTERVIEWS

Departmental interviews are conducted in view of giving timely promotion to the

inservice candidates to higher posts. Usually there will be very few higher posts.

Eg : Deputy Accountant general Superintending engineer, Chief Engineer ; General Manager, Chief Executive officer, Managing Director etc.

Sometimes the promotions are given on seniority basis. But there are chances that

the person's confidential report is very bad and such persons have to be overlooked. In such cases the departmental interviews help to eliminate them. Learning the right techniques and skills for such interviews is very essential. If a person remains in the same post for decades then there will be no opportunity for self development. Promotion to the higher post brings status and more powers in the organisation. If there are no promotional opportunities it leads to boredom and frustration. There are examples that a bank clerk raising to the post of manger and a junior engineer reaching the higher level that is chief engineer. Similarly there are instances of people retiring at the same post.

So promotion is essential for the growth of a person.

          Tips for employees:-

     1.             Soon after you join a concern establish yourself working honestly, whole heartedly and to the best of your ability.

     2.             Work to the satisfaction of seniors.

     3.             Keep up punctuality

      4.             Respect for others

     5.             Maintain efficiency

     6.             Do not go on leave often.

     7.             Do not criticize the organisation for having not provided the good working atmosphere.

The seniors value you for your work and nothing else. All these count in giving you

a promotion. Therefore you have to shoulder responsibilities.

Promotions are not given every year just a person is intelligent, capable and effective. Promotions are given only when a person is eligible for it.

The basic requirement is qualification.

For eg. a diploma engineer will not be given the post of executive engineer unless he becomes a graduate. So during the course of service the person may attend evening colleges and obtain a degree after the courge. Also sometimes additional qualifications carry weightage in the interview for promotion. So the new qualifications should be got noted with the personnel department as soon as it is acquired.

As there will be sufficient number of candidates, the organisations like banks,

railways etc. hold a written examination which acts as a screening test before the interview. the candidates may score high percentage in the written test but promotion will not be given based on it. The face to face interview has to be attended well to get the approval of the selection committee.

Remember, the interview for promotion is different from an interview for a job.

Also remember the organisation needs hard working people. Selection is never based on the recommendations or political pressure.

Answer the questions in the interview.

You need not waste time in knowing the members of the interview panel.

Usually in promotional interviews questions will be on the employees past

performance, area of work and experiences. Also the employee may be asked to explain what the promotion means to him. The employee may give suggestions for the improvement of work. He may suggest the management to introduce new technology.

The interviewer may also ask questions on the nature of job one is likely to get after promotion. So the employee should have a thorough knowledge of the responsibilites that he has to shoulder in his next assignment. Again, the management may ask the employee to go to a far off place, say a rural area which is common with medical graduates, as a candidate you should never say no. You simply accept. The posting to a place is done as per policy. For eg. an exceutive engineer may be asked to work as superintending engineer in a hydrolectric project situated 700 kms from Bangalore, he has to go. Be positive.

Especially, in bank interviews public service commission interviews general knowledge is an integral part of the interview. So go through the news papers and magazines and collect good lot of information. However the general knowledge questions in departmental interviews are different. The interview may ask questions related to the development activities in the banking sector, army and railways or in cometax etc. The current issues should be known to everyone.

How To Face Interviews, Tips For Interview