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Journey From Interview to Selection |
A
JOURNEY FROM INTERVIEW TO SELECTION
A good interview is all about preparation. Here we shall talk about how to make it happen.
The Prerequisites
The biggest failure factor is in the style and content of your resume. After making sure
that it’s properly worded, rightly formatted and free of grammatical errors, relax
and think of the interviewer as just another person. Probably, she/he
is anxious as
you.
Prepare yourself
Four
points to keep in mind: Do your homework: research different types of interviews; know
what to expect; practice,
practice and practice.
The
homework
Have
basic info about the company. To do otherwise, shows culpable carelessness and low
commitment to the job.
Types of Interviews
·
Telephonic
Treat them as a one-to-one because your speech and modulation will reflect the way you
feel. Ask for a fixed time
slot when the interviewer can call you. Keep your voice steady and coherent.
·
Preliminary Interview
This
is often a screening process, so do not take it too seriously. However, your selection
does depend on the outcome
of this interview.
·
Panel Interview
Be
extra careful of your body language and eye contact as each member on the panel is
observing you.
·
Sequential Interview
This
is scheduled when the person has to report to several people at the same time. Be careful,
as each member is your prospective boss.
·
Meal time interview
Conducted
in an informal set-up, this calls for some dinner diplomacy. Be very particular about what
you order. Don’t
order liquor even if the interviewer does so for herself.
·
Skill-based Interview
An
actor might be asked to do a script reading or a sales person may be requested to
demonstrate her sales pitch. This
could be a God-sent opportunity to showcase what you have got. If you need equipment, let
them know in advance. Be
100% clear about their expectations.
·
Tricky questions
These
could be posers such as “Why are you leaving your present job? Known as
disqualifiers, these questions are meant to vomit things you do not want to divulge. It
is so easy to goof up on questions like “How do you see yourself five years
from now?. To answer it with “This job would be a stepping stone to something
better,” is to court trouble. Say “I am
interested in developing my skills and the direction this company is taking would
allow me to do so over the next five
years.” Another disqualilfier could be “Tell me something about yourself.”
In all such cases, the intention is to make you
nervous and see how you handle such a situation. They may even tease you with,
“Tell us about the time you made a
big mistake.” You could answer this by turning the question on its head and sending
out a positive message. If you are
asked “What is your boss’s biggest flaw”, you could say in
defence,
“Well, I share a good relationship with her, but I
recognize that I need to move on and share more responsibility.”
Remember no matter what the question is, a good answer should always be complete, to the
point and highlight a part of
yourself.
The
D-day
If the
interviewer is dressed casually and you formally, it may not reflect negatively on you,
but if she is dressed formal
and you are in your casuals, it can surely boomerang. The best way is to ensure that what
you are wearing is clean,
wrinkle-free, fitting, and sits nice on you.
Logistics
Know
the interview venue to save yourself the embarrassment of arriving late. Yet, if you are
late, apologize but do
not explain. Do not be too early either. Carry several copies of your resume for every
member of the panel. Give at
least 3 work references.
Interview Actualization
A
candidate is judged on the following nine dimensions:
·
Educational
background; And how it relates to the job.
·
Work
experience: Be specific about your past job/s, talk about projects, accolades won.
·
Oral
communication: Do not employ slangs or pepper your speech with “like, “I
mean”, “You know what I mean”.
·
Impact:
Pick the mood of the office while waiting for your turn. Try to take in the work
environment. Make sure your demeanor fits with the genre.
·
Motivation
and commitment: Offer suggestions to show that your addition would make a difference.
·
Initiative:
Talk about specific instances from your past to show you can be pro-active.
·
Conflict
resolution: If you are asked, “What would you do if you have to fire your relative,
neighbor or your best friend?” the best answer would be “It is always difficult
to fire people, but you have to act in the best interest of the company”.
·
Interest:
To show that you are a well rounded person, talk about your hobbies and outdoor
activities.
·
Work
standards: Employers look for people who have their personal goals and seek personal
excellence. Show indirectly that you have these internal standards in place.
Finally do not forget that you are there for a purpose. Even if the interviewer wanders
off, you stay focused. Keep the conversation alive and kicking. Try to figure out her body
language and adapt yourself to them. Make her feel appreciated by being an active listener
and asking questions.
Salary
Be clear about your market rate. If the offer meets your expectation fine,
otherwise, you might have to negotiate. While quoting salary, do not forget to take into
account the whole package: commission, bonuses, health benefits, etc.
Handling the Offer
Find out everything about the job; what is entails; salary; whom do you need to report
to; how many people would be working under you, etc. Give a time frame within which
you’d let them know your decision.
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