1.

INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION

Interpersonal communication is the process by which people exchange information, feelings, and
meaning through verbal and non-verbal messages: it is face-to-face communication. Interpersonal
communication not only deals with how the language used - but how it is said and the non-verbal
messages sent through tone of voice, facial expressions, gestures and body language.

Interpersonal communication is inescapable

We cannot communicate. The very attempt not to communicate communicates something.
Through not only words, but through tone of voice and through gesture, posture, facial expression,
etc., we constantly communicate to those around us. Through these channels, we constantly receive
communication from others. Even when you sleep, you communicate.

Uses of Interpersonal Communication

Most of us engage in some form of interpersonal communication on a regular basis, how well we
communicate with others is a measure of our interpersonal skills. Interpersonal communication is
a key life skill and can be used to:

• Give and collect information.

• Influence the attitudes and behaviour of others.
• Form contacts and maintain relationships.
• Make sense of the world and our experiences in it.
• Express personal needs and understand the needs of others.
• Give and receive emotional support.
• Make decisions and solve problems.
• Anticipate and predict behaviour.
• Regulate power.

Functional English is a part of inter personal communication. In the broad sense provides learners
with skills and abilities, to play an active and responsible role in their communities, everyday life
the workplace and educational settings. It requires learners to communicate in ways that make
them effective and confident to convey their ideas and opinions clearly.

In fact we have to perform each of these functions not once but several times, everyday. They are:

▪ Expressing ability
▪ Expressing inability
▪ Accepting something (an apology, help, invitation, an offer of food or drink)
▪ Expressing admiration (appreciation, approval, compliments)
 ▪ Admitting something
▪ Making requests
▪ Greeting and leave taking
▪ Expressing gratitude
▪ Apologizing
▪ Expressing necessity/obligation
▪ Stating preferences
▪ Making suggestions
▪ Asking for information
▪ Complaining / Congratulating
▪ Expressing surprise
▪ Giving opinions
▪ Expressing possibility
▪ Persuading
▪ Expressing purpose
▪ Agreeing / disagreeing
▪ Expressing intension
▪ Consoling / comforting
▪ Asking for and giving advice
▪ Offering to help
▪ Asking for and giving permission
Situational Dialogues is the core of the communicative approach. It is a practical dimension of
enriching one’s communication skills. Here are some models to initiate what exactly a situational
dialogue is. They facilitate how one has to organize apt words for the sentence formation up to
the mark. They also encompass the manners and formalities of social living.
ASKING ABOUT A COURSE

[Manjula is interested in doing a course in journalism. She rings up the Department of Journalism
to find out the details of the course. The Public Relations Officer answers the phone.]

P.R.O : Good morning. Department of Journalism.

Manjula : Good morning, sir. I wanted to know the details of the courses offered by
the Department. If it's not too much trouble, could you please give me the
details?

P.R.O : No trouble at all. We offer two courses - BCJ, Bachelor of Communication

and Journalism, and MCJ, Master of Communication and Journalism.

Manjula : What's the duration of these courses?

 P.R.O : BCJ is a two-year course and MCJ is a one-year course.

Manjula : What are the entrance qualifications? I'm a fresh M.A. in English with no
work experience. Am I eligible for any of these courses?

P.R.O : You can apply for BCJ Any graduate can apply for BCJ

Manjula : And for MCJ?

P.R.O : MCJ, as I said earlier, is a PG degree course Only those who have passed
BCJ can apply for MCJ

Manjula : Sir, how's the selection done?

P.R.O : There'll be a written test and an interview. Selection will be based on

performance at these.

Manjula : One more thing, sir. When are these courses likely to be advertised?

P.R.O : The notification will be issued in a fortnight's time. You can apply then.

Manjula : Thank you very much, sir. You've been very kind and helpful

P.R.O : Thank you.

VOCABULARY

A word is an effective unit of language and language is a vehicle for communication. Building
vocabulary that is adequate to the needs of one’s reading and self expression has to be a personal
goal for every learner of the language.

What is Vocabulary?

Vocabulary is knowledge of words and word meanings in both oral and print language and in
productive and receptive forms. .

Word Formation

Most of the words in English are nouns, verbs, adjectives and adverbs. For example, if you know
the word communication (noun) you can change it into communicate (verb). The verb into noun
form.

Read the following sentences :

1. The doctor examined the patient (verb)

2. The selection of candidates is based on their performance in the written examination (noun)
3. The Nizam collected beautiful pieces of jewellery during his lifetime (verb)
4. The Jacob Diamond is the best piece of Nizam’s jewellery collection (noun)
Examples
Verb Noun
Accomplish Accomplishment
Acquaint Acquaintance
Commit Commitment
Decide Decision

Noun Verb
Belief Believe
Bath Bathe
Character Characterize
Company Accompany
Circle Encircle

Antonyms and Synonyms.

Word Synonyms Antonyms

Abandon Forsake, leave, give up Retain, stay with, exalt, uplift

Abnormal Unusual, irregular, unnatural Normal, usual, regular
Brutal Cruel, rough, beastlike Human, kindly, gentle
Brusque Abrupt, rude, blunt Diplomatic, gracious, mannerly
Cease Leave off, stop, desist give up Begin, continue, hold

Roots of English Words

At least half of the words in the English language are derived from Greek and Latin rootsSome
common Greek and Latin roots and words derived from them :
 astr, astr (g) star astronomy, astrology
audi (l) to hear audible, auditorium
bene (l) good, well benefit, benevolent
bio (g) life biology, autobiography
dic, dict (l) to speak dictionary, dictator
phil (g) love philosophy, bibliophile

Affixes - Prefixes and Suffixes

A prefix is a letter or group of letters added to the beginning of a word to change its meaning.

Read the following sentences.

a) The leader is capable of doing service to people
b) The leader is incapable of doing service to people
a) The officer was appreciated for using the funds properly
b) The officer was prosecuted for misusing the funds
a) We furl the flag with flowers before it is hoisted
b) The principal unfurled the flag and hoisted it

A suffix is a letter or group of letters added to the end of a word, to change its meaning.

For example,

a) Rajani was asked to sing a prayer song

b) Rajani is a singer
a) He created history in the world of cricket
b) We are studying the historical background of the French Revolution
Most of the prefixes and suffixes are formed from Greek and Latin roots. Knowing them will
help us determine the meaning of words.

Words Often Confusing

Some words in English are confusing due to their similarity in spelling and pronunciation. For
example, weak and week, soul and sole, right and write, may (verb) and May (a month). These
words are called homophones. .

Here are some examples of homophones.

 Except (not including)

The entire class has secured first division except one student.

Expect (believe it to be)

The t4rain is expected to arrive at 6.45 pm

Affect (to produce an impact)

Gujarat was badly affected by the earthquake.

Effect (result)

The modern methods of farming had adverse effects on Indian agriculture.

Allusion (reference)

Million’s paradise Lost is full of biblical allusions

Illusion (false impression)

Ravi is under the illusion that he can get a job very easily.

Award (prize)

The award for the best musician has been given to A.R. Rehman

Reward (something that is given for good work)

The event manager was rewarded for organizing the show well.

Compliment (praise or favorable remark)

Complement (to make it better or to improve or to complete)

ONE-WORD SUBSTITUTES

Phrases or group of words which can be substituted by single words are called one-word
substitutes.

1. A person who looks at the dark side of everything Pessimist P

2. a person who looks at the bright side of everything Optimist O
IDIOMS: An idiom is a common word or phrase with a culturally understood meaning that differs from what

its composite words' denotations would suggest.

Idiom Definition/Translation

"A bitter pill" A situation or information that is unpleasant but must be accepted.

Anything that is common, inexpensive, and easy to get or available any

"A dime a dozen"
where.

"Ace in the hole" A hidden or secret strength, or unrevealed advantage.

"Achilles' heel" A metaphor for a fatal weakness in spite of overall strength.

Phrasal Verbs : Phrasal verbs are usually two-word phrases consisting of verb + adverb or verb + preposition.

Think of them as you would any other English vocabulary

Verb Meaning Example

ask around ask many people the same question I asked around but nobody has seen my wallet.

add up to something equal Your purchases add up to $205.32.

You'll have to back up your car so that I can get

back something up reverse
out.

My wife backed me up over my decision to quit

back someone up support
my job.

Analogy: analogy shows relationship between words. It is similarity between like features of two things, on
which a comparison may be based:

up:down :: hot:cold the relationship between both sets of words (antonyms).

 minute:hour :: ounce:pound
Relationship: part to whole
"An hour is comprised of minutes, just like a pound is comprised of ounces."

fork:eat :: shovel:dig
Relationship: object to function
"You use a fork to eat, just like you use a shovel to dig."

glasses:read :: crutches:walk
Relationship:object to function
"Glasses can help you read, just like crutches can help you walk."

Some examples of analogy relationships.

o Part to whole
o Cause to effect
o Antonyms
o Synonyms
o Definitions
o Item to category
o Time sequence
o Category
o Object to Use
o Product to Producer.

2. READING COMPREHENSION
Reading comprehension is the act of understanding what you are reading. Reading
comprehension is an intentional, active, interactive process that occurs before, during and
after a person reads a particular piece of writing.

Skills for being an effective reader and for increasing comprehension are:

Finding main ideas and supporting details/evidence

Making inferences and drawing conclusions

Recognizing a text's patterns of organization

Perceiving conceptual relationships

Testing your knowledge and understanding of the material through application

To comprehend the passage practice the following steps

Read the Preface & Introduction:

Take Notes

Identifying Topics, Main Ideas and Supporting Details

Grasping the Main Idea

Identifying the Topic

Five Categories of Reading Rates

Careful - used to master content including details, evaluate material, outline, Summarize,
paraphrase, analyze, solve problems, memorize,

Normal - used to answer a specific question, note details, solve problems, read material of
average difficulty, understand relationship of details to main ideas,keep up with current events,
or read with the intention of later retelling what you have read.

Rapid - used to review familiar material, get the main idea or central thought, retrieve
information for short-term use, read light material for relaxation or pleasure or comprehend the
basic plot.

Scanning - the method by which you read the newspaper - used to get an overview of the
content or to preview.
 Skimming - done a little more quickly. It is what you do when you are searching for something
particular in the text - the way you might read a phone book or dictionary. Used to find a specific
reference, locate new material, locate the answer to a specific question, get the main idea of a
selection, or review

Reading Rate: Good readers are flexible readers. Once they determine their purpose for reading,
they adjust their rate to fit the type of material they are reading.

Top 10 essential tips for reading comprehension

1. Focus on the opening and closing paragraphs of longer passages

2. Use context to help you.
3. Save unfamiliar passages for last.
4. Really understand what the question is asking.
5. Do not bring in outside knowledge.
6. Note how vocabulary is used in the sentence.
7. For “Select One or More Answer Choices” questions, consider each choice separately..
8. Underline and take notes as you read.
9. Avoid extreme answers. -
10. Don’t make assumptions.

3. WRITING SKILLS
REPORT WRITING

Reports are important because in most organizations executive decision making is based almost
entirely on them.

A report is a formal document written for a specific audience to meet a specific need.

Reports normally move in an upward direction and are used to communicate to the senior levels
in an organization.

Thus, reports serve several purposes, which may include :

▪ Presenting data;
▪ Describing problems and suggesting solutions;
▪ Discussing and analyzing data;
▪ Recording events and happenings;
▪ Analyzing a situation or a condition; or
▪ Giving feedback, suggestions, or recommendations.

TYPES OF REPORTS

Reports can be classified as informational and analytical, according to their functions, as routine
or special,

as per periodicity, as oral and written, according to their communicative form, and as formal and
non-formal, based on their nature, scope, and length. Each of these are now discussed briefly.

Informational and Analytical Reports

An informational report presents facts of a case, problem, condition, or situation without any
analysis, interpretations, or recommendations. Examples of informational reports include
conference reports, seminar reports, trip reports, and so on.

Unlike an informational report, an analytical report presents data with interpretation and
analysis. Examples

of analytical reports include project reports, feasibility reports, market research reports, and so
forth.

Routine and Special Reports

All organizations, including companies, institutions, government departments, and research

establishments
depend on routine reports for various management decisions. Examples of routine reports include
daily production reports, monthly sales reports, annual reports, and so on.

Unlike a routine report, a special report is prepared and presented to convey special information
related to

a single condition, situation, problem, or occasion. Examples of special reports include inquiry
reports, research, reports, thesis, dissertation, and so forth.

Oral and Written Reports

Oral reports are informal and face-to-face presentations of information. Examples may include
oral reporting of accidents, sales, production, joining, and so on.

Written reports are more conventional than oral reports. Most business and technical reports use
the written mode of presentation because the organizations using these reports need to maintain
proper record for future use and reference. Most reports have a permanent value.

Formal and Non-formal Reports

Reports can be formal or informal depending on their nature, scope and length. A formal report
is usually the result of a thorough investigation of a problem, condition, or situation. They
usually follow a fixed format. The length of a formal report may vary from a few pages to
hundreds of pages Examples of formal reports include annual reports of companies and
organizations, technical reports, project reports, thesis, and so on.

A non-formal report, on the other hand, could be a brief account of a specific business or
professional activity. Non-formal reports are usually short and do not need elaborate descriptions
and discussions. Examples of non-formal reports include laboratory reports, daily production
reports, trip reports, and so forth.

FORMATS OF REPORTS

There are four common formats of reports, that is, printed forms, letter format, memo format, and
manuscript format.

STRUCTURE OF FORMAL REPORTS

When writing a formal report, the choice of format as well the parts of the report must be carefully
planned.

Parts of a Report

A formal report may include the following parts or elements.

Each of these parts of a formal report will now be discussed in detail.

 1. Title page

2. Preface

3. Letter of Transmittal

4. Acknowledgements

5. Table of Contents

6. List of illustrations

7. Abstract/Executive summary

8. Introduction

9. Methodology

10. Discussion / Finding / Analysis

11. Conclusion

12. Recommendation

13. Appendices

14. References and bibliography

A formal report usually begins with a title page. It contains the title of the report, the name of the
person or organization to whom the report is being submitted, the name of the report writers, and
the date.

WRITING STRATEGIES

Whether one has to write a short informal report or a long formal report, one needs to adopt
effective writing strategies. As reports are systematic attempts to discuss problems, situations, or
conditions and stimulate thinking or action in individuals and groups, a systematic plan of writing
should be followed.

The following steps will help in organizing and presenting the report systematically.

1. Analyze the problem and purpose

2. Determine the scope of the report

3. Determine the needs of the audience

 4. Gather all the information

5. Analyze and organize the information

6. Write the first draft

7. Revise, review, and edit

8. Write the final draft.

4. PRESENTATION SKILLS

Presentation is the process of presenting a topic to specified audience. It is typically a

demonstration, lecture, or speech meant to inform, persuade, or build good will.
The important aspects of spoken presentations are the following:
1. Introduction,
2. The main body (Methods, Results),
3. Conclusion (Discussion).
1. Introduction – Greet the audience, Introduce yourself, Explain the purpose of your talk – Start
by introducing the topic, Outline the main points - State your purpose and announce the outline of
your presentation in very simple, precise language. A good introduction will capture an audience’s
attention.

2. The main body (methods, results) – Move to a point – outline your talk, State main ideas clearly
and present examples, Introduce a visual aid Use visual aids to engage the interest of your
audience. The information in the body needs to be well-structured. Decide on an organizing
principle. It could be by chronological order, theme or order of importance.

3. Conclusion (Discussion) – Conclude your talk, Summarize the main points, Invite questions
and comments.

The facts that need close attention are the following:

a. Identify the audience
The first thing to be done when preparing a spoken presentation is to identify the audience as
precisely as possible (experts, technicians, executives, nonspecialists).
b. Determine the aims of presentation
The presentation can have one of these aims: to inform, to persuade, to teach. Depending on these,
the structure and the shape of the presentation will vary significantly.

c. Shape the presentation One should gain the mastery of organizing and selecting their
arguments or pieces of information so as to respect the time allotted.

d. Introduce appropriate visual aids. The main thing is to use supportive material and visual
aids. When designing a visual, one should consider its effect on the audience. To help the audience
follow the presentation, it is Slides, LCD and DLP Projectors, Laptops, LCD panels, Video,
Multimedia, can make listeners to understand better
• Some advantages of using the visual aids
• they can contain more details,
• they are good for audience participation,
• they can show motion,
• they are easy to modify or create,
• they keep room lights up,
- they can be a concrete reminder of the message.
e. Gain the audience’s attention
The introduction must draw the audience's attention, identify the topic, and create expectations in
the audience and Gain the audience’s attention by connecting their needs/values/knowledge to the
topic of the speech.

g. Prepare a closing summary

An effective conclusion develops naturally from the structure and content of the preceding
material. It reaffirms the connection between the audience and the material presented.

h. Delivery

o During the presentation a presenter need to:

o face the audience - maintain eye contact with the audience as much as possible,
o use natural hand gestures,
dress well for the presentation, usually a formal outfit
Appearance says a lot about someone’s personality and confidence,
o speak in a clear and audible voice
o be aware that nervousness is to be expected, just should be turned into enthusiasm,
o Engage your audience - pose a question to see how much they know about the
subject you are about to discuss,
o make the visual aids clear and easy to understand,
o respond to questions politely, good-humoredly, and briefly,
o summarize your main points and give a strong concluding remark that reinforces
why your information is of value.
▪ invite questions from the audience at the conclusion of your presentation.

Types of presentations:

• Jam Sessions
• Single Oral Presentations
• Poster
• Group Thematic Panel
• Workshop
• Roundtable Proposal

JAM is a type of oral presentation aimed at testing the speaking skills and to test the extempore
presentation skills of the candidate. of the candidate. Sometimes, the topics given may not be of
a serious type. To be successful in the JAM session, one has to be smart, sharp and imaginative.
One has to speak for 60 seconds with no hesitation, repetition and deviation. The participant has
to wind up every thing with in one minute.
• More than what you say, how you say it is important. Precision and simple language are
key points here-
• Through this programme, any of the following language skills could be tested:
• Listening
• Speaking
• Reading
• Writing
Any oral presentation, in order to be successful, must have the following traits

• A smiling face and soft-spoken words

• Analyse and organize the relevant information
• Practise before a mirror, get a feed back friends.
• Feel free and be at ease.
• Don’t use high sounding words.
• Use positive body language
• Be honest and truthful because you can be grilled on any word uttered by you.

5. GROUP DISCUSSION
A GROUP DISCUSSION is an important tool in the selection process. It can be defined as a
formal discussion involving ten to10/ 12 participants in a group. It is a methodology used by an
organization to gauge whether the candidate has certain personality traits and/or skills that it
desires in its members.
THE BENEFITS OF GROUP DISCUSSION
• It stimulates a kind of knowledge or thinking in a new way.
• It exposes the participants to the new dimensions of the knowledge.
• It helps the participants to understand the topic in a better way.
• It helps in building the interpersonal relationships in the group.
Skills/Qualities Judged In A GD

• How good you are at communication with others.

Pay attention to
• How you behave and interact with group.
• How open minded are you. Empathy and consideration for others What you speak
opinion
When you speak
• Assertive skills, your listening skill.
How you speak
• How you put forward your views.
• Your leadership and decision making skills.
• Analytical skill and subject knowledge.
• Problem solving and critical thinking skill.
• Inter personal skills, negotiation and convincing skills
• Planning skills, motivation skills
DOS AND DON’TS OF GROUP DISCUSSION:
DOs

1. Arrive on time and dress formally.

2. Initiating the GD is a big plus
3. Maintain eye contact with team members and not evaluators.
4. Always carry a pen and a notebook.
5. Speak politely and clearly.
6. Listen carefully as well and appreciate what others are saying.
7. Be confident. Do not try to dominate anyone. Keep positive body language. Show interest in
discussion.
8. Some basic subject analysis is sufficient.
9. Your aim should be to get selected and not to win the arguments.
10. Be active and attentive during the whole process. You may speak as many times as possible as
long as you have something new and relevant to add. Make short contribution of 25-30 seconds
3-4 times.
11. Carry a positive attitude; be creative and summarize the discussion if the group has not reached
a conclusion.

DON’Ts:
1. Don't interrupt others while they are speaking, you may start as soon as the person
speaking takes a pauses.
2. Don’t over speak, intervene and snatch other’s chance to speak
3. Don't make it a fish market by using high pitch and also don’t be totally silence.
4. Do not try to impose discipline on others. Try to dominate the discussion, Put others in an
embarrassing situation by asking them to speak if they don’t want.
5. Do not feel agitated if others don't agree with your view point, you may agree to disagree.
6. Do not get personal or talk irrelevant things and distract the discussion or make fun of
others.
7. Do not flaunt your past experiences, education qualification or other achievements during
the GD.
8. Do not ask others to come to a consensus by voting. Voting is not a substitute of discussion.
9. Do not ask the members to speak in turn or allocate time for each member to speak, unless
specified by the evaluator.
10. Don’t pose negative body gestures like touching the nose, leaning back on the chair,
knocking the table with a pen etc. Display low self confidence with shaky voice and
trembling hands. Gestures like finger pointing and table thumping can appear aggressive,
so limit your body gestures
Common Mistakes in a Group Discussion (GD)
1. Outburst of emotions or anger
2. Talking too much
3. Egotism or showing off – fake figures and information
4. Grabbing Attention (most of it arises from the desire to be the first, and hence acts in the
wrong way)
5. Nervousness
Skills to Be Honed For GD Post GD

• Self-control and patience • Shake hands

• Be friendly, warm and cooperative • Thank All

• Speak intimately, informally • Give oral but personal compliments to the

• Don't see others as adversaries participants

• Be receptive
• Appreciate the good points of others
• During heated arguments, be silent, then give a studied opinion and take control of the
situation
Expressions used in a GD

Giving your opinion

In my opinion/view....
As far as I can see /I’m concerned ...
I have the/a feeling that ...
Well, I’d say ...
The point I’m trying to make is ....
What we have to decide is ....
The way/As I see it
Let me put it this/another way ....
Personally (speaking) I think ....
My view/point of view is that ....
First of all/To start with I’d like to point out ...
It seems to me that....
I think/feel/reckon/believe
There can be no doubt that ...
Nobody will deny that ....
Everyone knows ....
It’s a fact that ....
Sorry to interrupt you, but ....
I’m absolutely convinced that ....
The way I look at/see it is this

Giving an explanation

Above all we must keep in mind that ... What I mean is ...
The reason for this is ... The main problem is ...
Just let me explain ... Well, the reason is .../ Well, the thing is ...

Agreeing with an opinion

I (quite) agree I agree completely/entirely

I couldn’t agree (with you) more I entirely/completely agree with you on that.

That’s true/right. That’s just it Quite/Exactly/Precisely/Right/Certainly/Definitely

You’re quite/so right I think so, too

I don’t think so either That’s just my feeling/opinion

That’s a very good/important point. You’ve got a
That’s just how I see it/feel about it, too
good point
Yes, of course/definitely /Marvelous That’s exactly what I mean/say. Yes, that’s obvious
That’s exactly how I see it. That’s what I
How very true/ Yes, indeed
think
I’m all in favor of what you’ve been Maybe, I suppose so. Well, it depends.
saying
Yes, perhaps, but .... / Yes, possibly, Yes, but on the other hand .... / Yes, up to a point.
although…

I agree up to a certain point, but .... / Yes, I don’t think it’s as simple as that .....
in a way.
You may be right there. Yes, but there’s also another
I see what you mean, but I think that’s not
aspect to consider
the whole story

You may be right there. Yes, but there’s also another

I see what you mean, but I think that’s not
aspect to consider
the whole story
Polite disagreement
 I disagree, No, I really can’t agree I don’t quite agree there

I’m not so certain/at all sure if that’s true/correct

I’m not (quite) so sure (really). I’m sorry Well, that’s one way of looking at it, (but) Well,
I can’t agree.
I’m not really convinced that I have my doubts about that
I wouldn’t say so. I don’t think so I don’t think that’s right

Interviewing Skills

Interviewing skills include what a person must do to prepare for the interview before he or she
even steps into the office. These skills include researching the prospective employer's business,
business practices, products, and history. Once a person has an idea of the company he or she can
then prepare answers to interview questions that will be specific to the business at hand. Other
skills include knowing what to wear to the interview and knowing how to answer tough questions.

QUALITIES / TRAITS GENERALLY ASSESSED DURING INTERVIEWS

General Personality Trait

• Appearance
• Speech, mannerisms and gesticulation
• Mental alertness
• Consistency of thought and ideas
• Type of approach (positive/negative)
• Leadership qualities

• Knowledge and Intelligence (These include knowledge of the candidate's subject of

specialization, applicability of the subject in day-to-day life, knowledge about other
general subjects, IQ and common sense).

Tips for a Successful Interview

• To make a good impression at an interview: Do your research, rehearse, then relax.

• Practice ahead of time with sample questions and different interview styles.
 • During the interview, be tactful, courteous, sincere, polite and knowledgeable about the
organization and what you have to offer it.
• Think about three or four key points that you want to make about your personal
characteristics, skills you have learned, and relevant experiences that demonstrate that you
could perform the job well.
• Always send a follow-up thank you letter to the interviewer.

What to do before an interview? Give yourself plenty of time to:

• research the role and the organization;
• think about how well your experience, interests and skills fit the job and the organization;
• research current affairs and trends in your job sector;
• find out what the prospective employer is actually looking for;
• anticipate questions you might be asked, then prepare answers to these questions;
• find out what form the interview will take, e.g. single, panel, group etc.
• Be on time arrive ten minutes early.
• Dress Properly -decide what you will wear and set it out the night before. Suits and business
wear are the best option with comfortable, polished shoes;
• Put all your documents in proper order- get an early night - we Take your application letter,
CV and examples of work (if appropriate) with you.
• Highlight your best attributes in the interview. Before you go, think about what you want
the interviewer to know about you (in relation to the job) during the interviewing process;
• Practice anything you're concerned about. This could be saying your answers aloud, which
builds confidence in hearing yourself speak, or having a trial run of the journey to the
interview.

During the Interview: Focus on presenting a positive, enthusiastic tone

First impressions- First impressions take only thirty seconds. Establishing rapport, direct and
sustained eye contact, a firm handshake, a warm smile, good posture, and introducing yourself in
a confident manner are important ingredients. A well-groomed, professional appearance is
critical.

Greet the interviewer with a firm handshake, whether it is a woman or a man. (No one likes a
weak handshake.) Always maintain eye contact while shaking hands.
Smile- A smile denotes confidence in a candidate. Try to smile often. Also, don't be afraid to use
some hand animation while answering questions. This suggests enthusiasm in a candidate.

Body Language- Use good posture, and look the interviewer right in the eye. Sit up straight. Never
slouch.

Speak clearly- Don't mumble. It portrays a lack of confidence. Speak with assurance. This
indicates confidence.

Listen Before Answering-

Give Brief Answers - Make your answer concise and to the point. Rambling tends to suggest that
you really don't have the answer to the question(s) asked.

Previous Employers- Never, ever say anything negative about your present or previous
employers. No matter how much you may have disliked someone, find a way to give your
experiences a positive spin.

Be Truthful- Don't lie when asked about something you haven't done. The next question will be
"tell us about it."

Know Your Resume- Be prepared to talk about every fact that is on your resume. Many people
embellish their accomplishments on their resumes. Avoid this, since the only point of reference an
interviewer has about you is the resume you provide to him/her beforehand.

Don't Talk Too Much -

After the Interview

Back in Touch- Ask the interviewer when s/he expects to get back to you on her/his decision.
Thank the Interviewer

Don't Appear Desperate - When you interview with the "please, please hire me" approach, you
appear desperate and less confident. Reflect the three Cs during the interview: cool, calm and
confidence. You know you can do the job; make sure the interviewer believes you can, too.

Frequently Asked questions

1. Tell us something about yourself.

• I am a team player with experience in solving problems.
• I try to make healthy lifestyle choices and to be a responsible citizen.
• I am an excellent communicator and enjoy working with others.

2. What skills have you gained in your 4-H youth development experience that you
would like me to know about?
• My projects required keeping records. I learned the importance of setting goals and using
resources wisely.
• People depended on me to be prepared. I know the value of responsibility.

3. What are your strengths and weaknesses?

• Managing my time is strength because it helps me do many things I like to do. It can be a
weakness because I tend to be over organized and I might appear less friendly or fun-loving
than I really am.

4. Why are you qualified for this opportunity? Why should we select you for this
opportunity?
• I know how to work. I have demonstrated I am a responsible and dependable person.
• I know you emphasize team work. I cooperate and share well with others.
• I have leadership skills and experience. You can count on me to follow through.

5. Where would you like to be in five years?

• I hope to be the most I can be wherever I am. I want to continue learning.
• I want to use the skills I've learned, including critical thinking, communication, teamwork
and self-discipline.
6. Do you have any questions for us?
7. What are the characteristics of the successful applicant here?
8. How would you rank your achievements?
9. How would your friends describe you?
10. What are the most important things to you in a job?
11. What do you value in a supervisor?
12. What appeals to you about this job and organization?
13. Describe the ideal position in our company.
 14. What qualities do you think make someone successful in our industry?
15. What would you like me to know most that is not on your resume?

-------------------------------------------------- ALL THE BEST------------------------------------------------------------

Dr.I.Sirisha