Interviewing for a Job

• Preparation
• Participation
• Types of interviews
Hope I impress
Him Good I prepared for
the Interview

First
Impression is
the last She looks professional
Impression
Wh a
t sh
ould
I as
k he
r?
 Preparing for an Interview
• Be ready to answer questions.
1. Traditional questions
2. Behavioral interview questions
3. Illegal questions
• Respond to the salary question.
• Prepare questions about the position.
• Research the company.
• Prepare yourself personally.
 Participating in an Interview
• Greet the interviewer.
• Shake hands.
• Sit when asked.
• Respond in a business like manner.
• Maintain eye contact.
• Be alert to signals the interview is ending.
• Express appreciation for the time.
• Ask when you will receive notice of the
decision.
 Types of Interviews
• Screening interviews
– Telephone
– Face-to-face
– Computer-assisted
• Subsequent interviews
• Telephone interviews
• Video interviews
• Online interviews
• Group interviews
• Alternative interviews
 INTERVIEW QUESTIONS
To succeed in an interview you must know different types of
questions and how to answer them.

1-Traditional questions 2-Opinion questions 3-Dumb questions

Interview questions

4-Math questions
6-Behavioral questions
5-Competency questions
 Contd…
Education
why do you choose this career?
Tell me about your course work?
Your extracurricular activities?
Personal history-
General information
Tell me about your self?
Strengths and weakness?
Your role model?
How do you manage stress? 1.Traditional Questions
What motivates you?

Career goals
what is your dream job?
Where do you want to be in next five
Years?
What salary do you except?
Experience
Tell me about your job profile?
Why should we select you?
Why do you want to quit you
Previous job?
Why our company?
Do u believe in team work?

2-Opinion questions:
What do you do in this or that
situation?
To know how you respond in a
Series of scenario.
4-Math questions:
1000/3=?
How many ping pong balls
Could fit into your car?
To know your creative
activity
3-Dumb questions:
What kind of animal you want to be?
purpose is to get past your
pre-programmed answer to find out if
you are capable of
original thought.
5-competency questions:
Can you give me specific
examples of your
Leadership skills
 • Most organizations ask
this type of questions
• Describe major problem
you had with another
• employ at work place?
• What major problem you
6-Behavioral
questions faced in group
• Project?
• Describe most difficult
person you have work
• With?
Techniques for answering questions

• A thoughtful response is better

than a poorly phrased quick one

• How to respond to behavioral

interview questions
Interview attire (prepare yourself)
What your clothes say about you:
• your attire plays a supporting role.
• Your conduct, your interpersonal skills and your ability to
articulate intelligent and well thought out responses to
questions are the most important elements.
• Your attire should be noticed as being appropriate and
well-fitting, but it should not take center stage.
• Never confuse an interview or business function with a
social event. Don't dress for a party or a date.
• Be aware that in some industries, customer contact and
image presented to the customer is critical. In such
industries, your attire will be judged more critically.
“Dress for SUCCESS”
Choose your professional grooming…..
 How to participate in an Interview
• Interview: an opportunity to share your qualifications with a
knowledgeable & interested person (interviewer)
• Greet your interviewer warmly
• Pronounce name correctly
• Firm hand shake & smile
• Keep appropriate eye contact
X Don’t do this: smoking, chew gum, eat, lean back in chair or lean on
desk.
immature, tell jokes, laugh.
 Remember this: appropriate body language
express appreciation
express thanks
shake hands & tell goodbye.
 Record the information you learned about the job for comparison with
with other job opportunities.
 Note what you want to say in follow up communication.
Don’t do this: smoking, chew gum, eat, lean
back in chair or lean on desk.
immature, tell jokes, laugh.
 Remember this: appropriate body language
express appreciation
express thanks
shake hands & tell goodbye.
 Record the information you learned about the job
for comparison with other job opportunities.
 Note what you want to say in follow up
communication.
TYPES OF INTERVIEW
The screening interview
The telephone interview
The face to face interview
The computer assisted interview
The informational interview
The meandering (winding) interview
The stress interview
MEMBERS OF THE PANEL
The supervisor
The manager
The union representative
A human resource officer
A employment equity officer
Employees from the department that is
hiring
 Video interviews
• Uses video conferencing.
• More economical to companies.
• Candidates have slight edge.
Online interviews
•Uses a combination of video, camera, computer and net.
•Becoming popular because of advancing technologies.
•Employers screen candidates rapidly and cut costs.

Group interviews
•Several people tested at same time.
•Potential leadership and mental toughness is tested.
•Can be stressful and overwhelming.
 Other Employment
Communication
• Following up on an application
• Accepting an interview invitation
• Following up an interview
• Accepting employment
• Rejecting employment
• Expressing appreciation to
references.
• Resigning from a job
Alternative interviews
Lunch interview Interactive interview
• Behavior and • Simple questions not
performance in a are asked.
social setting is put to • Candidate is asked
test. what really he/she
• Conversations should can do.
be focused on • Demonstrate your
matching your skills by help of your
qualities to professional
employer’s needs. portfolio.
Wait before accepting any offer
Take your time to think.
•Preparing other employment messages
It includes telephone calls, letters, e-mail and in
person contacts

•Following up an application
Follow up application is needed when you do
not receive a reply of your application

•Accepting an interview invitation

This can be done by
a) Express appreciation
b) Indicate availability
c) Convey a positive and optimistic attitude
Following up an interview
– Letter of appreciation is appropriate
after an interview
• Accepting employment
• Accepting letter should include the direct
plan
• The offer should be accepted
• Any essential information about
assuming the position should come
next
• An expression of appreciation should
close the letter
• Rejecting employment
• This can be done by following up an
oral employment rejection which
would be the most appropriate

• Resigning from a job

• Resignations letters are written with
a direct plan and hence in the first it
should be given orally and in person
using a standard two week notice
and then followed by a written