2013

INTERVIEW SKILLS
- An AMCAT Guide to Succeed in an Interview

CONTENT
TOPIC Page No.

A Million Questions!!!

What is an Interview?

1. Preparation

2. The Actual Interview Process

3. Concluding the Interview

4. Telephonic Interviews

5. Stress Interviews

6. Common Pitfalls

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7. Seven Success Mantras

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Commonly Asked Questions

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INTERVIEW SKILLS

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A Million Questions!!!

Do you know the purpose of an interview? Are you confused about how to prepare for it? Do you know the commonly asked questions in an interview? Are you aware of the dress code for an interview? What are the documents that you are required to carry? How is a telephonic interview different from a normal one?

What is an Interview? A job interview is a process in which a candidate is evaluated by employers for prospective employment in their company, organization or firm. It is a platform used to determine whether the candidate is suitable for a particular profile/position by assessing if he/she possesses the required skill set and the motivation to work in the organization. An interview can be scary when you dont know what lies ahead. The duration of an interview can range anywhere from ten minutes to one hour, but it is typically about 30 minutes long. It begins with greetings and basic personal questions where the interviewer gets to know you. This is followed by a discussion of your credentials where the interviewer evaluates you. The interview is concluded by the interviewer discussing the next steps. The entire interview process is carried out as a series of rounds, which consist of one or more technical rounds and an HR round. However, some companies choose to have only technical rounds.
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INTERVIEW SKILLS

Technical Round: In this round the interviewer tests the technical acumen of a candidate with respect to the job profile. The preparation for this round is profile specific and would depend on the industry that the company belongs to. A lot of it would be covered in your course-work at college if the company you are appearing for is core to your stream. HR Round: This is the final round of the interview process and only the candidates who clear the technical round appear for the HR round. In this round the HR of the company tries to judge the candidate on a personal and a professional level to see whether he or she would fit into the company well enough or not. The questions here are generally non-technical and more inclined towards personal and professional evaluation. The thought of your first interview can be a little unnerving, but good preparation can allow you to beat the blues and take maximum advantage of the opportunity. Once again, Aspiring Minds very own Tippy is there to your rescue. Let us begin.

1. PREPARATION
Research your Employer: Research the company you are applying to, very thoroughly.
The internet is an excellent tool for this exercise. Go to the companys website and read about them their mission statement, vision, their clients, job profiles, media reports and all other relevant information. Try to get in touch with a senior/acquaintance who is already working for the company. It would be better if you are able to assimilate data about what personality traits they prefer in their employees and gain knowledge about the work culture of the company. This will enable you to gauge whether you fit into the company, how well you fit into the company and if the company allows you to project your strengths accordingly. It will not only help you to be better prepared and make you ore confident but also give you an insight about the company for your own good as you will be able to take a call on whether this company is really the right company for you.

Practice: The interview is an extempore activity and there may be a chance that situations
get the better of you. Minimize that risk by good preparation. Be well prepared for the standard questions that are a part of almost all interviews. Practice is the best solution. Practice mock interviews with your friends emulating questions that may be asked in an actual interview. Be thorough about what you have written in your resume so that you are prepared for anything that may be asked regarding your credentials. A list of commonly asked questions is given at the end.
INTERVIEW SKILLS

Documents Required: Make sure you carry all the necessary documents with you neatly
enclosed in a file/folder. The required documents are your resume, original mark-sheets of classes X, XII and all college semesters. Along with these documents make sure you have certificates/documented proof of all the activities and accomplishments mentioned in your resume. It is advisable to carry a few copies of the original mark-sheets, in case the interviewer wishes to retain them. Present them neatly.
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Dress: Dress well because presentation matters and it reflects your seriousness towards the
job. Your dress code will certainly depend on the company youre sitting for. For example, wear formal suits in case its a big multinational company whereas for a start-up you can prefer to be a little casual. Business formal denotes strictly formal attire i.e. a typical suit complete with a tie. On the other hand, business casual means dressing professionally, looking relaxed yet neat and pulled together. In case of business casual, you need not put the tie or your trousers can be semi professional and so on. Nevertheless, dress professionally as would do when you are about to attend a business meeting or give a professional presentation. A set of desirable attire for both is mentioned for both men and women. Men Sober mono-coloured shirt sky-blue, white and cream are some of the alternatives in terms of colour and simple black/brown trousers. Shoes and belt should be plain black or brown. The neck-tie, if worn, should have a neat knot and its length should up to your belt. No accessories. Refrain from using too heavy perfumes or deodorants. Hair cut should be neat and hair well-groomed. Do not fold cuffs, raise collars or leave your shirt untucked. Women Suits in dark variants with a light coloured shirt. Avoid fancy collars and cuffs. Make up should be minimal, natural looking and conservative. Avoid heavy perfumes. Shoes should be simple and should be one that complements the style of the suit. Low to medium in heel is acceptable. Hair should be freshly cleaned and conservatively styled. Accessories should be minimal.

Tippys Tip #12013 Certain standard questions form a part of every interview and are crucial in their own regard. Never commit the mistake of going for an interview without preparing for them. They may turn out to be your trump card.

2. THE ACTUAL INTERVIEW PROCESS

Food: Make sure you eat properly in the morning, have adequate fluids and carry a water
bottle with you. You need to be energetic throughout the day and only proper nourishment can help you sustain yourself to your optimum level for the interview.
INTERVIEW SKILLS

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Arrival: Try to arrive at least fifteen minutes earlier than the scheduled time. This will give
you the time to relax and recollect your thoughts. Inform them of your arrival and take your place outside the interview room. Even outside the interview room, sit calmly and be on your best behaviour. Do not fidget, talk loudly, bother them or go up to participants who come out of the interview hall seeking knowledge about the interview and the interviewer. Their people are always watching you. Do not arrive late at any cost. Nothing will tarnish your impression as much as arriving late for an interview without a definite reason. If things do come up at the very last moment, call up and let the interviewer know. You are not considered late if you inform them well before hand about your situation and excuse yourself.

First Impression: Your interview begins right at the time when you enter the
interviewers room. It is said that by the time you take your seat, even before you have said anything, half your interview is over. A good first impression is immensely important. Therefore make sure that you are dressed properly, you walk smartly, smile often and do not slouch. Look into the eyes of the interviewer and shake hands firmly. Keep you tone calm and purposeful. As they say, First impression is the last impression.

How to talk about your Credentials: The most important part of the interview is
when the interviewer starts discussing your credentials. The questions targeted at professional evaluation are meant to determine your focus, goal direction and your aptitude for the job. Employers want people who are enthusiastic and genuine. Your interview preparation should involve identifying situations in your life which substantiate the skills that you have mentioned in your resume and give some concrete testimony to talent that the company seeks. A STAR approach is a very handy technique of discussing the work you have done. It is illustrated below. S -> Situation Give an example of the situation in which you are involved. T -> Task Elaborate on the challenges involved. A -> Action Describe what you did to overcome those challenges. R-> Result What results did your efforts yield?

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EXAMPLE OF THE STAR APPROACH

SITUATION: During the cultural fest of my college, I was responsible for managing the Marketing and Publicity of all the literary and musical events being held. TASK: Despite hearty efforts from the Organizing Teams, the participation in these events had been poor in the previous years and was decreasing every year. Apart from the numbers, the quality was also not up to the mark. I wanted to improve these numbers and bring in quality participation. ACTION: Designed an active publicity campaign for the marketing of these events. Created special teams to reach out to colleges, spread awareness about these events, designed posters for the same and allotted attractive prizes for the winners of these events. Posted details about the events in online portals meant for literary and musical events. Created special feedback forms for participants in order to gather valuable feedback. RESULT: Our publicity endeavors paid great dividends resulting in over 30% increase in participation in the events. The quality of participation improved tremendously including participation of many out-station teams as well. Valuable feedback was received which would further aid us in improving our events in the future.
It is useful to tell your accomplishments in the form of a story, in a form that interests the listener and clearly projects your strengths. The interviewer may further explore parts of the story that he finds interesting or which relate to qualities he wishes to explore in a particular candidate. Whenever possible, quantify your results with facts and figures, which reveal a greater detail about your impact and create a stronger impression. Instead of saying, I have worked as a Web Developer for my College, you could say that I worked as a Web Developer aiding in the maintenance and design of websites for three initiatives in my College.

Conduct
Your conduct would be a very crucial factor for you success or failure. It is important that your demeanour during the interview communicates positive vibes to the interviewer. Smile often and look the interviewer right into the eyes. Speak clearly, confidently and assertively. Have the right posture - sit up straight and do not slouch. Get your body language right, one that communicates confidence, motivation and enthusiasm. Moreover, towards the end of the interview you may start feeling comfortable and friendly with the interviewer. Do not loosen up and do
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or say something unintelligent that may hamper all your hard work. Be thoroughly professional right from the time you enter to the time you walk out of the interview room.

Content: While one should not be shy in an interview, being too verbose may also create a
negative impact on your interviewer. It is really important that you think before you speak. Do not beat around the bush; answer your interviewers questions to the point. Moreover, if you dont know something that the interviewer asks, there is no harm in saying a no and then justifying why you dont know about it. Similarly, if you do not understand what the interviewer is trying to say, you can request him/her to repeat or clarify the question. If you are asked a question which you do not know but feel that you can work out, ask the interviewer for a piece of paper and some time to do it. If they ask something where you feel your answer is not up to the mark or if they point at any shortcomings in your resume, you can tell them that you are aware of it, give a reason for the same and tell them that you are working towards improving that aspect. For example, if they point out that your percentage is not good enough, tell them youre aware of it and give them reasons why it is so. Do not lie to your employer about something you havent done because the next question would be: Tell us something about it. Speak clearly, think before you answer and make sure you assert your point.

Resume: Discussion of your resume is an integral and important part of your interview
process. So do prepare for it well in advance. You must also have true knowledge of whatever you have mentioned in your resume and be able to elaborately talk on any fact if asked to. Moreover, you should be prepared with aspects of your resume that may be construed as negative. For example, a low GPA, no participation in extra-curricular activities and so on. There is a high probability of these issues being discussed. Therefore make sure you have your answers in place. Do not make excuses, provide valid reasoning.

Expect the Unexpected: During the interview, dont be surprised if you are asked some
unusual questions. Some questions are asked only to see how you react when caught unawares. Take your time, think it out and answer calmly. The questions can be something like, Tell me a joke? or Suppose I am an alien. Describe a table to me.These questions cannot be prepared for in advance and there is no point worrying about them. The best strategy is to maintain your composure and answer them calmly to the best of your ability.

INTERVIEW SKILLS

Tippys Tip #12013 Not answering is better than a wrong answer. Do not say anything just for the sake of saying it. Take time to think and answer the interviewers questions honestly and confidently. There is no harm is saying a No or accepting a weakness if you can follow it up by valid reasoning.

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3. CONCLUDING THE INTERVIEW

Before you walk out, dont forget to thank the interviewer for his time and tell him how the interview was a positive experience for you. As the interview ends, ask the interviewers when they intend to get back to you on their decision. This would re-state your interest in the job. After your interview, do make a note of the questions that were asked, how you responded and where you fell short. This will help you in future interviews.

Tippys Tip #12013 Always wrap up the interview enthusiastically with a smile and thank the interviewers for their time and ask them when the decision regarding the appointment would be made. This would re-state your interest in the job and exhibit your enthusiasm for the same.

4. TELEPHONIC INTERVIEWS
Telephonic interviews propose a distinct advantage that cannot be availed in face-to-face interviews you can have the preparation material in front of you as you give your interview. The preparation for a telephonic interview is same as that for a normal interview. However, a few things need to be kept in mind for the interview. They are mentioned below. Have your resume in front of you so that you can easily refer to it when the interviewer asks any question regarding it. Have a quick sheet of topics and commonly asked questions which you had planned and prepared earlier. Spread it in front of you for easy reference. Have a pen and paper at hand for taking notes and jotting down important information. Evict the room, close the door and cut out all noises in the background. Keep the surroundings as silent and less distractible as possible so that you can focus on the interview. It may seem absurd, but smile as you speak. The smile induces a tone of positivity and enthusiasm in your voice. If you are called at a time when you cannot talk comfortably, request the interviewer for another time. Its not necessary to uselessly jabber away if its a telephonic call. You can take time in recollecting your thoughts and then speak. It is a good idea to keep a glass of water nearby, in case you feel thirsty or stressed out during the interview. Before disconnecting, thank the interviewer for giving you the opportunity and ask when the decision regarding selection is going to be made. The follow-up for a telephonic interview can be similar to a normal interview.
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Tippys Tip #12013 In a telephonic interview, maintain a confident tone and smile frequently. It may sound absurd but your smile will induce a tone of positivity in your voice and project you well.

5. STRESS INTERVIEWS
Stress interviews are those interviews wherein the interviewer tries to put you in an uncomfortable position just to check how you react under pressure. In stress interviews, the interviewer might be arrogant and rude to you. He may make sarcastic or demeaning remarks about your attire or your character. He may make remarks such as You are not knowledgeable enough to be hired by our company, You dont seem to have any dressing sense at all. He may not agree with your answers and might show an argumentative attitude. In each of these cases, the interviewer is just trying to put you under pressure and stress. He/She wants to check how you handle stressful situations and how you respond to his/her comments and remarks. In a stress interview, they generally don't check if your answer is correct or not. They judge your character and behaviour based on your reactions. Here are few of Tippys tips to help you ace stress interviews: Do not get angry at the interviewer. Stay calm and composed. Do not argue with the interviewer. If your answers are being challenged, try to explain the reasoning behind your answer in a polite manner. Do not waver just because the interviewer is intimidating you and is making remarks like You are not talking sense! Do not find fault with the questions asked. State your assumptions and dont be afraid to ask questions to get clarification.

INTERVIEW SKILLS

Tippys Tip #12013 Be calm and composed and do not get angry at the interviewer. Dont get agitated by the remarks made by the interviewer. It is just to check how you react when put in an uncomfortable situation
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6. COMMON PITFALLS
Lacking the right attitude may cause you rejection in an interview. Many candidates come across as arrogant and selfish. While employers can afford to maintain that aura, candidates should certainly refrain from it. Taking your dress code too casually may hamper your chances. How you dress is an indication of how serious you are towards the job. A person who is well aware of what he is going into always comes across as a smart candidate to the employers. Lack of know-how of the company and the job profile creates a negative impression on the employer. Not being ready with the standard questions can kill your chances. These are areas where most of the people score because you have an opportunity to prepare before-hand. Not being able to justify a low percentage or a shortcoming will go against you. Do not rely solely on your resumes. Companies hire people, not paper. Although a resume is a representation of your skills and achievements, it is only dialogue through an interview that will reveal your overall self to them. When we say do not brag too much, we do not mean that you show extreme humility. While being subtly modest, project your strengths to your employer to the fullest. Do not be too humble and keep them from knowing about your talents. Do not fail to relate your skills to the job profile you are applying for. You must give them a clear reason as to how youd be useful to their organisation and why should they hire you. When an employer asks you about your future plan, do not be short sighted or say you have none. He is testing your goal direction and your vision. You must have a purpose in life. Never be late for an interview. If unavoidable circumstances come into the picture, call them and inform them about it, Do not forget to smile and thank the interviewer. Courtesies only add to your value and project a positive picture of you. If you are unable to understand a question, ask the interviewer to explain or reiterate. Moreover, if the interviewer asks anything that you do not know, say that you dont know it. Do not lie. The interviewer will entangle you in your own lies and youll be left embarrassed.

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7. THE SEVEN SUCCESS MANTRAS R: Research Research your employer well. A: Appearance Maintain a simple and professional appearance. P: Practice Practice and prepare well. C: Conduct Smile, be courteous and carry yourself smartly. A: Analyse Think about what is being asked. Answer to the point. R: Resume Know your resume well. T: Thank Do not forget to thank the interviewer.
RESEARCH THANK

APPEARANCE

RESUME

SEVEN SUCCESS MANTRAS

PRACTICE

ANALYZE

CONDUCT

INTERVIEW SKILLS

The interview is the most crucial and important stage in selection for a job. The employers get to observe and assess the applicants in person and test their skills. Therefore its important that you come across as the right person. By keeping in mind certain things, you can create a great impact upon the interviewer and avoid major errors that can lead to your elimination. Small things make a big contribution so make sure you dress well, walk smartly, smile and answer all the questions thoughtfully and assertively.

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COMMONLY ASKED QUESTION IN AN INTERVIEW PERSONAL EVALUATION 1. Tell me about yourself. Speak more from a professional point of view rather than emotional or personal i.e. answer with respect to your education and skills instead about speaking volumes about your family and hometown. 2. What are your strengths and weaknesses? Do not brag about y87our strengths. Be measured. Highlight those strengths which are important for the role. When you speak about your weakness, also tell them how you overcome them or prevent them from hindering your success. Never say you dont have a weakness since all of us have one. Do not sugar-coat your answer. 3. How do you react to criticism? This is to judge your perspective and notice how you react to feedback. 4. How do your friends describe you? This question is an opportunity to highlight your strengths as perceived by your peers. Express how your friends perceive your personality and highlight the abilities in you that they appreciate. 5. Why do you think you are suitable for this job? Correlate your strengths with what is required for the job role. This is your opportunity to let the interviewer know that you understand the profile you are applying for, role that you are required to play in the company and match it with your personality and skills.. 6. Who are your role models? Why? To see who you look up to and who you try to emulate. You should be able to provide an explanation on why the person is your role model. It is a bad trait to have someone, about whom you do not have sufficient knowledge, as a role model. Remember, the interviewer may ask you questions on your role model. 7. How do you spend your free time? What you do defines who you are. You should mention your hobbies. 8. What is success? How do you describe failure? This is to judge your stand on success and failure. Tell them how you define success and failure. 9. Shed some light on your family background. What you are also depends on where you come from. You should tell them where you originally come from and what your family members do for a living.

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INTERVIEW SKILLS

COMMONLY ASKED QUESTION IN AN INTERVIEW PROFESSIONAL EVALUATION 1. Tell me about your education background. What you are depends on where you come from. Co-relate your educational background with the job profile. For example, if you are applying for a software developer, mention the various awards and competitions that youve won in the past in the field of Computer Science. 2. Why did you decide to join the institute you are studying in? This question is to judge how purposeful you are in your decisions. Tell them what you liked in your college and what was the procedure for joining the same. (For example you can say that I appeared for the AIEEE examination and secured an X rank, which allowed me to choose between A,B,C colleges. I chose B because ) 3. Why did you choose the branch you are currently studying in? Once again to see how purposeful you are in your decisions and whether you relate to your work or not. You must tell them how you relate to your work and how passionate you are about it. Talk about how your interest in a particular area or the industry led you to choose the l ine that youve chosen. 4. What did you learn from your internship? To validate whether the internships youve mentioned in your resume made any significant impact or not. Also to judge your learning potential. You should talk about what were the new things you learnt from your work and the conclusions made, if any. You can talk about the effect of the internship on your career goal. 5. Which is your favourite course? A general question to check your interests and perspective. Do not just mention the course name. Justify why you like it and how youve tried to further your knowledge in it. You can also mention if youve won any accolades for the same. 6. What were the extra-curricular activities you were involved in? To gauge how you perform in other spheres apart from academics. This is important as the responsibilities you undertake and the results you produce are a testimony of your personality traits and life skills. 7. What type of position/work are you looking for? To know what you expect from the company. Again a good opportunity to let the interviewer know that you understand the profile well while at the same time expressing how the working in the company would fulfil your expectations. 8. Where do you see yourself 15 years down the line? This question is targeted to enquire your long term goals, purpose and vision in life. Mention how the current opportunity would help you achieve that long term aim. 9. Describe an activity where you played a leadership role. Tell this in a story format using the STAR approach. Mention the key takeaways, your impact, the challenges faced and lessons learnt. 10. Tell us about a time when you failed. Again use the story format, mention key takeaways and lesson learnt. Your response to the failure can indicate your reaction to future failures too.

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COMMONLY ASKED QUESTION IN AN INTERVIEW REFERENCES

Please find below a list of web references for some of the interview questions: 1. Tell me about yourself.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ezFNrWMTlc

2.

What are your strengths and weaknesses? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=huQb5me0sQw

3. How do you react to criticism? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mcm7QAASY7w 4. How do your friends describe you? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L7vT0xswBG0 5. Why should we hire you? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4areF5yAxk 6. What is success? How do you describe failure? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BTgRLzIitgo http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KR_mCvb-KyY 7. What did you learn from your internship? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q86d7T6mBKA 8. What type of position/work are you looking for? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xYtFLq13pLM 9. Where do you see yourself 5 years down the line? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oQg2PIF1JiI 10. Tell us about a time when you failed http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g1ntDIIka4Q

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Please note that these sources are only to guide you and give you an indication of how to tackle some of the popular interview questions. Your answer need not be exactly same as what people have spoken of, in these videos. Based on your background and the context of the job profile, your answers would vary. These links have been provided just to give you an indication of what all aspects should be covered in your response to these questions.

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