EMPLOYER’S EXPECTATIONS OF

NEW RECRUITS:

VITAL Factors:

1. Academic Record

2. Commitment & Ability to do hard work.

3. Communication Skills.

4. Initiative, self confidence and drive.

5. Willingness to take-up challenges.

6. Interpersonal adaptability and team player ability.

7. Knowledge of the industry.

8. Ability to promote company’s image.

9. Adaptability to changes.

10. Leadership qualities.

ESSENTIAL factors:
1. Physical and Mental health
2. Multi-skilling ability
3. Stability of tenure
4. Technology absorption ability
5. Organizational loyalty

DESIRABLE Factors:

1. Smartness
2. Creative and Innovative ability.
3. Globalizing and cultural adaptability
4. Endurenceability to handle work
pressures & technology
5. Entrepreneurship ability.
WHAT INTERVIEWERS LOOK FOR
INTERVIEWERS WISH TO EMPLOY SOMEONE WHO

• is committed
• will give his best to the Company
• will quickly fit in with the Company
• will promote the company
• will stay on and grow with the company
• has effective communication skills.
• will be a tremendous benefit to the Company
• has leadership qualities and initiative.
• has a positive attitude
• is very willing to work hard
• is willing to take up challenges
• has a good academic background
• has relevant experience where needed
• has initiative to do things for the Company if the
need arises.
• has a good image
INTERVIEWERS DO NOT WISH TO EMPLOY
CANDIDATES WHO
• have no initiative.
• are negative in their approach.
• look untidy.
• cannot express themselves well.
• show little OR no interest in the Company.
• are neither lively nor enthusiastic.
• do not possess a strong, dynamic personality.
• have not taken any trouble to find out about the
Company.
• are here only to earn the money.
• do not have a very good academic record.
• do not know where they are going and what they
want.
• come to work late.
• leave the office on the dot
• are not willing to sacrifice their time.
• are not willing to work overtime.
• can not make decisions.
 • have poor communication skills.
• have poor language ability.
CHECKLIST OF AREAS IN WHICH QUESTIONS MAY
BE ASKED BY THE COMMITTEE:

• Educational and Academic background.

• Professional back ground.
• Family background.
• Personal qualities.
• Specific Achievements.
• Career expectations and aspirations.
• Candidate’s interests.
• SWOT Analysis.
• Candidate’s leisure pursuits.
• Candidate’s knowledge of the Industry.
• Candidate’s awareness of the Environment.
• Candidate’s General Knowledge capabilities.
• Candidate’s Analytical ability.
• Candidate’s depth of Technical knowledge in the
chosen field.
NORMAL STRUCTURE OF AN INTERVIEW PROCESS:

STAGE 1: THE BEGINNING

AIMS CONTENT
• Welcoming the candidate • Casual/informing opening
conversation to ‘break the ice’
• To put the interviewee at
and allow the candidate to get
ease so that he can give his
over his initial nerves about the
best
interview.
• To ‘get to know’ the
Interviewee on a
casual/informal way.
STAGE 2: THE MIDDLE
AIMS CONTENT
• To clarify information given in • The heart of the Interview in
CV / Application. which the Interviewer(s) will set
about the questioning task and
• To clarify information about
discover if the interviewee is the
the job, responsibilities,
Person the company is looking
conditions, etc.
for.
• To build up a true picture of
• Information about the job
the candidate.
requirements, conditions of
• To discover to what extent
service are clearly explained.
the candidate matches the job
requirements.
 • To assess whether the
candidate could fit in with / co-
operate with the staff and
management of the Company

STAGE 2: THE ENDING

AIMS CONTENT
• To provide any further • Allow the interviewee to ask
information the candidate may any question he might have
ask for. regarding the job and provide
answers.
• To inform the candidate
about the further procedures. • Winding up the interview
informing the candidate what
• To wind up the interview.
will happen next.

• Thanking the candidate and

candidate reciprocating the
same.
TYPES OF QUESTIONS

Open Ended : Exploration, freedom to express

anything

Probing : To get specific information

Closed : To establish and verify, Yes/No

responses

Linking : With earlier information

Exhaustive : Asking more

Reflective : Reflecting the words of the

candidates

Encouraging : Supportive

Restatement : To summarise and check

Hypothetical : Making assumptions

QUESTIONING TECHNIQUES ADOPTED BY INTERVIEWERS:

QUESTIONS USED AS ICE – BREAKERS
• How was the journey here?
• How did you travel down over here from your place?
• How did you get to know about this job vacancy?
• Did you have any trouble in finding our office?
• Tell us something about your family background.

OPEN ENDED QUESTIONS Give information about the

Interviewee, his character,
attitudes & suitably for the job
∗Where ∗ Who ∗ Why ∗ When ∗ What ∗ Which ∗ How
 Who has influenced you most in your life?
 Which aspect of your work do you find most challenging and
why?
 What made you to apply for a job in our Company?
 What do you know about our Company?
 When did you realize that you wanted to takeup a career in
marketing / software?
 Why do you want to change your present job?
 Which are all the major companies operating in the field?
 Where do you see yourself in this Company in 5 years / 10
years from now?
 What are the main qualities of a good Manager?
 What prompted you to get into this specialization?

HYPOTHETICAL QUESTIONS • “What if” type of questions.

The best ‘What if ‘ questions
 are based on possible
professional situations and are
realistic and answerable.
They make the interviewee
“think on his feet”.
They show the depth of
knowledge, experience and
training the interviewee has.

• What would you do if you had serious problems

working with your new colleagues?
• What would you do if the manager gave you too much
workload?
• How would you react if your boss took away some of
your responsibilities and gave them to a junior?
• What would you do if your sales figures fell by 20%
after you took over the post of Sales Executive?

• Aim is to probe more

deeply into an aspect of the
PROBING TECHNIQUES interviewee’s suitability for
 the job.
• Interviewer may use one
OR a combination of the
four techniques given below.

1) Repetition of key Idea

2) Silent pause

3) Request for examples • Can you give few

examples of how you put
your initiative and drive to
good use.
• Can you give few
examples of how you put in
hard work and that you can
be highly committed.

4) Wh – Probes • How did you help your

company with your initiative
and drive?
• Why did you focus on
Sales Promotion side of the
product?
• When did you begin to
benefit from improved
campaigning?

MIDDLE STAGE OF INTERVIEW –INTERVIEWER’S FAVOURITE

OPEN ENDED QUESTIONS
1. QUESTIONS ABOUT EDUCATION AND TRAINING
 What did you learn from life at school/college/university?
 What subjects did you like best at school/college and why?
 Why did you choose this particular specialization of study?
 Choice given, what changes would you make in your
school/college/university?
 In what way(s) did school/college/university prepare you for
work?
 What did you like most/least about school/college/university?
 To what extent are your grades a true reflection of your
ability?
 If you had the chance, what changes would you make to this
country’s education system?
 How do you justify that the knowledge that you have acquired
during your study is helpful for the job that you are seeking?
2. QUESTIONS ABOUT PERSONAL QUALITIES
 What are your greatest strengths and weaknesses?
 How do/did you get on with your school-mates/college-
mates/work-mates?
 What really brings out the best in you?
 How would you describe yourself?
 What has given you most satisfaction in life so far?
 What is your definition of success?

 How do you perform under pressure?

 Tell me about the biggest problem you have had to face in
life? How did you overcome it?
 We all make mistakes in life. What have you learnt from
yours?
 Tell us in detail about a specific achievement of yours in any
of the fields.

3. QUESTIONS ABOUT SUITABILITY FOR JOB

 What is your ideal working environment?
 What appeals to you about this job?
 Why do you think you would be good at this job?
 Why did you apply to this Company?
 What do you think the ideal relationship is between a boss and his
staff?
 Tell me what you like about this Company?
 What have you learnt from your present job?
 What things are most important to you in choosing a job?
 How do you think you could make a contribution to this Company?
 How would you justify yourselves as the most suitable candidate
for this job?
 Technical knowledge based questions-more on fundamentals and
general knowledge relating to the industry.
4.QUESTIONS ABOUT CARRER EXPECTATION/
ASPIRATIONS
 What is your ideal job at this stage in your life?
 What do you expect to be doing in 5-10 year’s time?
 Why do you choose a career in ……….?
 If you do not get this job, what do you plan to do? What are your
alternative plans?
 Why do you want to leave your present job? (if applicable)
 What do you like best/least about your present job?
 What have you gained from your present job that would help in this
one.?
 Choice given, what alternative career attracts you more?
 What are your multi-skilling capabilities?
 5. QUESTIONS ABOUT PRACTICAL MATTERS
 How do you feel about working long hours (overtime)?
 How do you feel about keeping deadlines and working under
pressure?
 Do you know car driving? How long have you been driving?
 How do you feel about being relocated (MOBILITY)?
 What starting salary would you expect?
 What is your ability in using computers?
 How much time do you need to join?
 How often do you need to visit your parents?

6.QUESTIONS ABOUT INTERESTS AND LIESURE

ACTIVITIES
 How do you spend your time when you are not

studying/working?
 What is your main leisure interest/
 Which of your hobbies/activities are you particularly good at
and achievements if any?
 Have you ever organized activities for other people?
 What do you read most?
 Who is your favorite author? Why?
 What benefits do you think you get from your activities?
7. QUESTIONS ABOUT FAMILY BACKGROUND
 What does your father do for a living?
 What do/does your parents think about your applying for this
job?
 What do your brothers and sisters do?
 How does being married affect your mobility?
BASIC GUIDELINES FOR CANDIDATES
• You must look fresh and smell fresh.
• Your clothes should be neat and tidy.
• Your clothes should project the image of DRESS AND
you. APPEARANCE
• You should be well-groomed and dressed
for success.
• Remember that you represent your institute,
family and purpose.
• Be polite and free.
• Be firm and stay in control.
• Be warm and responsive.
• Control your own behavior.
• Volunteer information.
• Be assertive, frank and honest.
BEHAVIOUR
• Be well – mannered.
• Show loyalty.
• Do not break confidence OR indulge in
character assassination.
• Know your worth.
• Ask good questions.
• Do not press the interviewers.
• Concluding the interview.
• Speak clearly and naturally. LANGUAGE AND
• Make sure you are clearly understood. VOICE
• Sound business-like yet polite.
• Be poised.
• Follow the interviewers lead.
• Be a good listener.
 • Sell yourself.
• Avoid slang.

TO ANSWER A QUESTION EFFECTIVELY IN THE INTERVIEW

 Keep to the point; Give a complete answer, but be concise; be

careful not to digress to other topics.

 Organize your ideas, so that they flow in a logical sequence

and can be easily comprehended.

 Avoid using any Jargon, or specialist words that the

Interviewer may not understand.

 Speak in a confident voice; try to smile occasionally, because

that tends to relieve tension.

 Speak clearly and at a moderate speed.

 Vary your tone in a way that reflects the meaning of what you
are saying.

 Let your posture, facial expressions and gestures be natural.

 Do not argue with the Interviewer unless you are being

encouraged to defend your viewpoint; even then, remain
agreeable.

 Do not be over-talkative, nor use telegraphic sentences;

communicate your responses to the questions asked in a lucid,
 direct manner, answering questions clearly and fully.

ELEVEN WAYS TO MAKE A GOOD IMPRESSION IN

INTERVIEWS

1. Take advice from a Teacher / Parent / Working Manager on what to

expect at an Interview.

2. If you are nervous, try going through a Mock Interview Process.

3. Prepare your clothes for the Interview and be dressed for success.

4. Look at your hands. You may be using them in the Interview.

5. Make sure you have clean hair.

6. Be punctual in arriving at the place of Interview.

7. When you greet your Interviewer, use direct eye contact and smile.

8. Do not chew gum or smoke at Interviews.

9. As well as discussing your career, talk about what you like doing in
your spare time.

10. Do not fidget, bite your nails or twist your hair. Try to look as
relaxed as you can.

11. At the end, if there is an offer for you to ask any question, be brave
and come out with your question.
 THE ART OF EFFECTIVE CONVERSATION

T → Think before you speak

A → Apologise quickly, when you blunder.

C → Converse, don’t compete

T → Time your comments

F → Focus on behavior, not personality

U → Uncover hidden feelings

L → Listen for feed back

L → Learn to be ‘Tactful’ in Conversation.

TEN BASIC TENETS OF CONVERSATION

1. Maintain eye contact

2. Be respectful
3. Pay attention.

4. Be honest

5. Choose Your Words Carefully [KISS]

(Keep It Simple & Short)

6. Be clear

7. Your body language counts

8. Be appropriate

9. Be relevant, brief and orderly

10. Do not interrupt

TIPS FOR THE INTERVIEWS

1. Be punctual and fresh.
2. Be dressed for Success.
3. Entering the Interview room!.
4. Be warm and responsive.
5. Be poised.
6. Follow the Interviewer’s lead.
7. Be a good listener.
8. Sell yourself.
9. Volunteer information
10. Be assertive
11. Be frank and honest
12. Control your own behavior – EQ
13. Humor
14. Avoid Slangs.
15. Be well-mannered.
16. Show loyalty
17. Do not break confidence or indulge in character
assassination.
18. Know your worth
19. Interviewer fatigue!
20. Ask good questions.
21. Do not press the interviewers
22. Concluding etiquettes.
SOME COMMON REASONS FOR REJECTION IN INTERVIEWS:
1 Poor Communication Skills.
2 Vague interests.
3 Lack of motivation
4 Poor Physical Projection.
5 Lack of courtesy and manners.
6 Mannerisms.
7 Unrealistic expectations – over – Emphasis on money rather than
growth prospects.
8 Lack of clear career plan
9 Dishonest
10 Overambitious.
11 Immaturity.
12 Condemnation of Past Organization & Bosses.
13 Disturbed family OR martial life.
14 No real interest in the job OR Organization.
15 Lack of Knowledge.
16 Lack of Past achievements.
17 Using of External influence.
18 Lack of mobility on transfer & placement
19 Specific interests / no flexibility
20 Laziness.
21 Low Moral standards.
22 Non – Punctual.
23 Extreme ideas and values.
24 Bluffing tendencies.
25 Purely theoretical and no practical outlook.
26 Lack of Self – Esteem and Self – Confidence.
27 Casual approach
28 No preparation for the interview
29 Argumentative
30 Disconnection with the environment.
 KILLING QUESTIONS (KQ)

1. Everybody in these rushed days miss or fail a delivery date or

a deadline. How were you able to convince your supervisors
that they should not consider you amiss?
2. Are there any “no-brainer” careers? Careers that you feel are
suited for the intellectually challenged?
3. As a child, you must have observed adults and more especially
your parents. What lessons were you able to derive from the
way they managed you, your siblings and their lives?
4. If the job we offer provides you with decision making freedom
and exposure to other areas of operations but little vertical
growth, would you still accept it?
5. Which of these two options would you choose and why? An
easy project with a great scope for fame and visibility; or a low-
profile project that tests and hones your skills and exercises
your decision-making abilities?
6. It often happens that two or more of you work together on a
project. You are acknowledged as the moving force behind the
whole project and there is no doubt in any team member’s mind
that you have put in the most effort and they owe their success
to you. Yet, when all is done, one of your teammates, who
happens to be rather chummy with the top management
channelizes all the praise and credit towards himself, leaving
you high and dry and unacknowledged! What would be your
reaction and what would you do to put things right?
7. What are you looking for when you look for a job? What factors
would you consider and what would make you accept an offer?

8. Let us assume that you were given the task of doing this
interview from my side of the desk, in short that you are the HR
 person looking for an ideal candidate. What would you be
looking at and why?
9. With highly intelligent and educated workers, it has become
common to have workplaces beset by conflict and
disagreement. How would you deal with this common
phenomenon?
10. Everybody has made some decisions in their lives, some
important and others not perhaps immediately important, but
eventually important. You must have too; would you like to
share with me any major decision you may have taken during
the past year that will demonstrate how you handle the ‘tough’
ones?
11. Tell me something about yourself you have never told anyone?
12. Which three famous people would you invite to a dinner party?
13. What was the last thing you bought, and why?
14. What are your strengths and weaknesses?*
15. Why should we select you for this job?*

*Hypothetical

IMPORTANT PARAMETERS AND CRITERIA FOR

EVEALUATION IN INTERVIEWS:
 1. INTELLECTUAL ATTAINMENTS

2. POWER OF EXPRESSION

3. PERSONAL TRAITS

4. CAREER OBJECTIVES

5. CHARACTER

6. HEALTH AND PHYSICAL STAMINA

7. HOBBIES AND INTERESTS

8. DYNAMIC QUALITIES

9. PSYCHOLOGICAL FACTORS

10. SOCIAL QUALITIES

PRACTICAL HINTS:
Rapport Building : Tapping the door
Smile & greeting , Eye Contact

Conversation : Voice delivery

Words

Distraction: : Flashy dresses

Exaggerated and aimless gestures
Nervous movements :
• Frequently shifting one’s
position on the chair
• Blinking
• Drumming on the table with
fingertips
• Wiping perspiration from face
• Scratching one’s head
• Giggling nervously
• Too much waving of hands
Etc.

INTERVIEW DON’TS
1. BEING LATE FOR THE INTERVIEW
2. GOING UNPREPARED FOR THE INTERVIEW
3. SAYING UNFAVOURABLE THINGS ABOUT PREVIOUS
EMPLOYERS
4. MAKING EXCUSES FOR FAILURES
5. GIVING VAGUE RESPONSES TO QUESTIONS
6. SHOWING LACK OF CAREER PLANNING INTERESTS
7. SHOWING TOO MUCH CONCERN ABOUT RAPID
ADVANCEMENT OR LAYING MORE EMPHASIS ON MONEY
8. SHOWING NON-READINESS FOR TRAVEL & MOBILITY
9. EXPRESSING ANY RESERVATIONS ABOUT THE
ROLE/COMPANY
10.DEMONSTRATING LOW MORAL STANDARDS
11.EXPRESSING STRONG PREJUDICES / PERSONAL
INTOLERANCE
12.LEAVING THE MOBILE PHONE ON DURING THE
INTERVIEW
13.TOO MUCH HUMILITY
14.POOR ATTITUDE (ARROGANT, APATHETIC,
IRRESPONSIBLE)
15.POOR APPEARANCE.
TIPICAL QUESTIONS AND APPROACHES TO TACKLE THEM

Sl.
No. QUESTION PURPOSE APPROACH
1 Tell us about To know your To spell out your
yourself Traits, special personality very
qualities, clearly with special
achievement, emphasis on your
aspirations, beliefs, values,
motivations & achievements &
ambitions. aspirations.
2 What are your To ascertain how Do a detailed self-
strengths & much you know analysis of your
weaknesses? about yourself strengths,
weaknesses,
opportunities and
threats and make a
sincere and honest
attempt to narrate
them.
3 Tell us about To determine the To bring out not only
family social, cultural, your parentage and
background. religious & background, but also
economic strata some of the good
you come from. principles you have
That could reflect learnt. You may
your basic emphasize about
attitude. accomplishments and
achievements of your
brothers and sisters.
4 How do you It is a loaded To answer with
spend your question which sincerity since the
spare time? gives questioning will be
considerable clue explorative in nature.
to your
personality, such
as Extravert,
Introvert, Active,
Passive, Stable,
Unstable, etc.
5 Why do you To ascertain Never let down
want to leave loyalty. present set-up. Give
your present genuine and
job? acceptable reasons.
6 Why did you To ascertain your Attempt to bring out
choose your temperament, your best qualities
particular field attitude, and linking them with the
of specialization personal job. Never give an
or work? qualities. answer that it is due
to advice of someone
or that you were
compelled.
7 Why do you To ensure - To exhibit your keenness &
want to join this whether the conviction about the job.
Organization? candidate is - be prepared with reasons
genuinely why you like the job and
interested in the organization.
job and the
organization and - Be consistent about your
whether he will convictions throughout the
stick on for a interview.
reasonable
period of time.

8 Where do you To ascertain your You need to be reasonably

see yourself in aspirations and ambitious in your aspiration,
5-7 years time? level of so that your performance is
achievement conducive to your growth.
motivation. At the same time, it should
be realistic and should not
be out of context with
reality.

9 Are you willing To ensure that To weigh the value of

to sign a bond there are training and experience with
of service with adequate returns the period you have to give
us? for the efforts bond and answer in a
and investment positive direction.
put in
recruitment and
training by the
Company.

10 What subjects To indentify your • To make best

did you like academic talents advantage of the
most during and also to put question and answer
your college questions on the confidently.
studies? topic in that
• To be ready for more
subject to find
exploratory & depth
out your depth of
questioning on
knowledge.
fundamentals.

11 What are your To know your • To prepare rationally

salary ambitions, and logically to mention
expectations? expectations, and claim what you
reasonability, expect as compensation
etc. for your job.
• Better to enquire from
friends and employees of
the Co., regarding salary
structure and what one
can reasonably expect.
• If need be you may try
to know about other
facilities, perquisites,
working conditions, etc.