Concept of interview
What is an interview?
An interview is a face-to-face
meeting, especially for the purpose of obtaining a statement for
assessing the qualities of a candidate. It further, indicates a
physical meeting of people with two possible objectives:
- To obtain a statement or opinion – as is done when film stars are
interviewed to get their views on any particular role, or when the
prime minister is interviewed to get statement on the result of his
discussion with another political leader.
- To assess a person for selection – such as interviews for jobs,
admission to educational institutions, etc.
- One of the most fundamental factors that contributes to the success of
an interview is the time and quality of preparation made by you.
- The degree of preparedness for an interview helps reduce the uncertainty
and anxiety prior to the interview.
- The amount of effort you wish to put into preparation is directly
proportional to the importance of the interview.
Learn about the organization
It is important to know the background of the institute you apply to. You must read its brochure and visit its website. It is important for the following reasons.
- Selectors cannot comprehend why and how a person can say he is keen to join an
institute about which he knows little or nothing.
- From the interviewer's point of view the good applicant is one who has
done some homework about the organization.
- A brief history of the organization.
- It's main features
- Location
- Any important issue of the organization that has been newsworthy.
- Key people in the organization.
- It is but natural that interviewers would quiz you on your field of
specialization.
- You may like to go back to the principle text books and refresh your
knowledge definitions, formulas, concepts and other related issues.
- An interviewer judges your ability to perform on future tasks on the
basis of your past performance.
- You should list your achievements, academic qualifications, prior
experience and extra-curricular activities.
- Such achievements, or claims may be authenticated by certificates or
photographs.
- The important ones may be photocopied and attached with the bio-data while the origins of all
certificates should be nearly catalogued in a folder and kept at
hand for reference should interviewer ask for them.
Tips for the interview
Entering the room
- Prior to the entering the door, adjust your attire so that it falls well.
- Before entering enquire by saying, "May I come in sir/madam".
- If the door was closed before you entered, make sure you shut the door
behind you softly.
- Face the panel and confidently say 'Good day sir/madam'.
- If the members of the interview board want to shake hands, then offer a
firm grip first maintaining eye contact and a smile.
- Seek permission to sit down. If the interviewers are standing, wait for
them to sit down first before sitting.
- An alert interviewee would diffuse the tense situation with
light-hearted humour and immediately set rapport with the
interviewers. (But don't tell him a joke!).
A good interviewee would be quick to settle and begin to lead the interviewers.
Enthusiasm
- The interviewer normally pays more attention if you display an
enthusiasm in whatever you say.
- This enthusiasm come across in the energetic way you put forward your
ideas.
- You should maintain a cheerful disposition throughout the interview,
i.e. a pleasant countenance hold s the interviewers interest.
- Brevity is the hallmark of a good communicator.
- It is recommended that you volunteer information, but this must be done
in lucid and to-the-point manner.
- An over-talkative or verbose person is instantly disliked and
misjudged.
- If you not know the answer to a question, it is better to acknowledge
it, rather than trying to bluff your through it.
- The interviewer will respect your honesty.
- In our experience, interviewers immediately take a stance of grilling a
candidate if they suspect him or her of lying.
- A little humour or wit thrown in the discussion occasionally enables
the interviewers to look at the pleasant side of your personality,.
If it does not come naturally do not contrive it.
- By injecting humour in the situation doesn't mean that you should keep
telling jokes. It means to make a passing comment that, perhaps,
makes the interviewer smile.
- Mostly interviews are conducted the whole day leading to fatigued minds.
- A little humour as a starter will ease the fatigued minds. However, if
you do not have the knack of humour, it is better not to get into
it.
- You must be proactive in offering information about yourself as the
interviewers will be willing –listeners.
Be well-mannered
- The way you conduct yourself reflects your upbringing and your culture.
- It is good to project an air of humility.
- Over confidence is often misinterpreted by interviewees as arrogance.
- Avoid slang Polite statements are recommended.
During the interview, slang will probably not be understood, and certainly not appreciated. Your communication needs to be as formal and explicit as possible.
Be poised
- Your posture during the interview adds or diminishes your personality.
- You should keep all certificates, testimonials and other relevant
documents neatly on the table, preferably in a single file.
- Mannerisms such as playing with your tie, theatrical gesticulations, shaking
legs or sitting with arms slung over back of adjoining chair must be
avoided.
- It is vital to be conscious of your posture and gesticulations as they
tell a lot about our personality.
- Many interviewees believe that an interview is a one-way street, the
hapless 'victim' struggling to be selected and the 'all power' being
in whose hands lies the destiny of the interviewee. It is a myth.
- You may ask a question/clarify information if necessary. It is quite in
order and much appreciated by interviewers.
- You must maintain eye contact with the panel, right through the
interview. This shows your self-confidence and honesty.
- Many interviewees while answering, tend to look away. This conveys you
are concealing your own anxiety, fear and lack of confidence.
- Maintaining an eye contact is a difficult process. As the circumstances in an
interview are different, the value of eye contact is tremendous in
making a personal impact.
- It is imperative for you to listen carefully to the question being
asked.
- If a question is not clear, it would be quite in order for you to seek
clarification on the same.
- Seeking a clarification is far better than giving an irrelevant answer.
- It is very annoying for interviewers when an interviewee misinterprets the
questions, and answers by saying something which is irrelevant.
- Many interviewees adopt a stance which is not their natural self.
- It is amusing for interviewers when a candidate launches into an accent
which he or she cannot sustain consistently through the interview or
adopt mannerisms that are inconsistent with his/her personality.
- Interviewers appreciate a natural person rather than an actor.
- It is best for you to talk in natural manner because then you appear
genuine.
- A candidate must guard against the following.
- Poor physical projection
- Being
over aggressive
- Lack
of life
- Lack
of knowledge
- Extreme
opinions
- Bluffing
- Lack
of courtesy and manners
- Dishonesty
- Lack
of eye contact
- Non-punctual
- Superficial
answers
- Casual
approach
INTERVIEW SKILLS
Communication skills are a must. Give your responses in clear and audible voice. Use simple but effective sentences. They should be short and snappy and project coherence of thoughts. Excellent listening skills would be an additional benefit. In depth knowledge about the subject is needed. Wider reading and the preparation is a must. Brushing general knowledge and going through the current affairs will be a great help during the interviews.
Certain behavioral traits like mental alertness, projection of self-confidence, will power, determination, optimism in the responses given will always create everlasting positive impression. Problem solving ability in the crisis is desired in the modern work setup. Interpersonal skills, flexibility, and adaptability always help you adjust to organization culture. You might be asked questions regarding any one of the following aspects, be prepared to answer them.
• About self
• Experience
• Skills
• Accomplishments
• Goals
• Personal qualities
• Your interest
• Contribution
• Educational qualifications
BEHAVIOURAL STRATEGIES /SECRETS OF SUCCESS IN THE INTERVIEW
• As soon as you enter the room greet the interviewers, when extended the hand, give the firm handshake, making proper eye contact.
• Punctuality creates good impression. Always have time sense, appear 10-15 minutes before appointed interview hour.
• Groom your appearance physical as well as mental appearance.
• Behave accordingly. If interviewer is informal and jovial try to match him. Control your non-verbal communication.
• Greet and thank interviewers. Pay attention to all the members and listen carefully to each one of them.
• Maintain your equilibrium while giving the responses. Maintain brevity, avoid garrulous and flowery language.
• Give appropriate answers to all the questions in a polite manner. You should give positive statements and avoid negative statements, use analytical skills while giving the responses.
• Try to sell your skills like leadership qualities, willingness and daringness, initiative, team spirit, cooperation, organizational skills, and the strength of the character during the interview.
• Always carry file in which you put the papers in the order interview call letter, two hand copies of resume. One for the interview and one for your reference during giving responses and the photocopies of testimonials.
• Maintain cheerful disposition and a pleasant and countenance throughout the interview and show genuine interest to work with them.
CRITERIA FOR EVALUATING A CANDIDATE
The selection of the candidate by the interviewer is based on the following grounds.
1. DISPOSITON
i. Appearance
ii. Social manners
iii. Dynamism
iv. Mental power.
2. KNOWLEDGE
i. Range of knowledge.
ii. Depth of knowledge.
iii. Application of knowledge.
iv. Coherence of thought.
3. COMMUNICATION SKILLS
i. Language
ii. Voice, tone, rhythm.
iii. Clarity and logic.
iv. Convincing power.
4. LEADERSHIP TRAITS:
i. Initiative.
ii. Organizational.
iii. Decision making.
BODY LANGUAGE / NON VERBAL COMMUNICATION IN THE INTERVIEW
Always appear sharp, alert, and energetic. Never loll in the chair, always sit in a relaxed position. Never come too close to the interviewer as it may make him nervous. Keep the shoulders straight as they project confidence. Always give firm handshake, limping handshake conveys weakling. Never lean back, it shows lack of interest. Always walk smart and cheerful. Folded arms show reclusive behavior, open hands show adaptability. Running hands through hair should be avoided. Giving gaps between legs and sitting is the ideal posture. Avoid cross-legged postures. Always maintain an eye contact. Look at each member equally for 3seconds each. Avoid unnecessary facial expressions. Use fingers, hands, and arms for expression. Body language should project positive personality traits such as.
i. Maturity.
ii. Confidence.
iii. Alertness.
iv. Physical stamina.
v. Fitness.
DO’S
1. Be firm regarding your opinions.
2. Be confident, a pre-requisite to great achievements.
3. Be matured in answering and behave so.
4. Be dressed in clean, well ironed, befitting and comfortable dress.
5. Be careful regarding shoes- leather, well polished.
6. Be aware, regarding hair- well-trimmed.
7. Be dressed in dark colored trousers and light coloured full sleeves shirt.
8. Be in clean shave.
9. Be in sari-blouse/ salwar –kameez
10. Be in simple jewellary and make up.
11. Be pleasant, cool and relaxed.
12. Answer to the point with good supportive points.
13. Be sure you read the morning newspaper.
14. Be sure you reach the venue before time. Keep some extra time for traffic jams on the way.
15. Wish the interviewers pleasantly after entering the room.
16. Be a good listener, so that you know what is being asked?
17. If invited to ask a question, you may ask a question or two regarding the job.
18. While asking, do keep your questions short.
19. After the interview is over, get up and thank the interviewer(s).
20. Say good day while leaving the room.
21. Be polite
22. After a day or two, you could write a polite and a formal letter thanking them.
DON’TS
1. Be guided by emotions and external impressions.
2. Have nagging self-doubts.
3. Be immature in answering and behavior.
4. Be in shabby, informal, ill-fitting cloths.
5. Wear sports shoe/chappal.
6. Let your hair fall over collar or ears.
7. Wear gaudy colored or excessive patterned dresses.
8. Be in jeans, T-shirts, small skirts.
9. Apply excessive make up and wear excessive jewellary.
10. Be tensed excessively.
11. Answer arbitrarily or prolong earlier answer.
12. Miss hold on current issues.
13. Enter the room without asking permission of the interviewer(s).
14. Sit down without being asked to do so.
15. Extend your hand for a shake unless the interviewer(s) extend theirs.
16. Interrupt/ answer mid-way.
17. Try to supply words or phrases to the interviewer(s).
18. Change stances on being probed.
19. Wish good night to the panel.
20. Boast, bluff, smoke or chew the gum.
EXAMPLE INTERVIEW
Mr. Sushil Kumar Sinha is a smart and young man of average height. He reflects confidence, enthusiasm, and keenness. He is a postgraduate in Economics from Utkal University, Bhuvanehswar. He got selected in Indian civil services examination and attends the interview for posting. He enters the interview chamber after seeking the permission from the Chair person.
CHAIRPERSON: Yes, please. Come in Mr.Sinha. Good morning!
SUSHIL: Thank you sir, good morning to all of you.
CHAIPERSON: Mr.Sinha, I see that you are not a native of Delhi. How do you like this city?
SUSHIL: Delhi is a nice place, quite interesting with several attractions.
CHAIRPERSON: You might find careers other than the IAS more attractive. Then why did you choose IAS?
SUSHIL: May be you are right Sir. But I prefer IAS because it offers greater scope to put the knowledge I have acquired in the field of sociology for good use and it also gives me a chance to serve the people.
MEMBER 1: Should India go ahead and produce nuclear weapons?
SUSHIL: Most certainly. Only then the US and its allies recognize India as a true nuclear power.
MEMBER 2: What, in your view is the cornerstone of Indian culture?
SUSHIL: I would say tolerance and secularism, which contribute to India’s unity amidst diversity.
CHAIRPERSON: Well Mr. Sushil, it has been really interesting listening to you.
The last question that I would like to ask is your opinion on prohibition of liquor.
SUSHIL: Liquor has been found to be harmful to the human body. The theory that liquor brings in considerable revenue to the state is false and misleading. Alcohol ruins the poor more than the rich and is therefore doubly obnoxious.
CHAIRPERSON: Well Mr. Sushil you have rightly explained the myriad aspects of the social problem. I think we should call it a day now.
SUSHIL: (He understands that the board wants to close it now).
He thank s all members and makes an exit in a polite but confident manner.