Interview preparation tips and techniques

1. INTERVIEW TECHNIQUES
Preparation For Final
Placement
Presented By:
Dr. V. R. Malkar
Ph. D (Management), MBA(Mkt), BE(Mech)
Professor & Head, Dept. of MBA,
Sanjivani College of Engineering, Kopargaon,
Dist- Ahmednagar, Maharashtra, India 423603
vinod.malkar@gmail.com

2. INTERVIEW
TECHNIQUES
 Objective of the
interview
 Interview Overview
 Preparation

3. Objective of the Interview
• An interviewer has just one objective: to
decide whether or not to make you a job
offer. While the interviewer will examine
your work history and educational
background, your strengths and
accomplishments will also be an important
criterion. He or she is also interested in
evaluating your level of motivation, values,
attitude and personality. In other words, to
find out if you're the right person for the job,
what your potential is for promotion and
whether or not you will fit into the company
environment.

4. Objective of the Interview
• While it's true that an interview is an
important screening tool for
companies, it also allows you to learn
those things you need to know about
the position and the company so that
you can make an intelligent decision
about the job. Always approach an
interview focused on your objective:
getting a job offer.

5. Objective of the Interview
• As with many situations, preparation
is the key to success. The job market is
very competitive and you probably
will not be the only qualified
candidate for a position. The deciding
factor may simply be the way you
present your skills and qualifications
relevant to the position and how well
you conduct yourself during the
interview.

6. Preparation
• Know Yourself
• What are your strengths? What are your
weaknesses?
• What are your short and long-term goals?
• Evaluate yourself in terms of the position
you seek?
• Formulate responses by asking the
question: "Why should they hire me?"
• Remember that you're there to sell
yourself and secure a job offer

7. Research the Company
• Utilize the library to review annual
reports, trade magazines and
newspaper articles.
• The Internet offers a wealth of
company information and industry
statistics.
• Know the company's products and
services.
• Be prepared to tell the interviewer
why their company is attractive to
you.

8. Items to Bring to the Interview
• References
• Use three former supervisors who are familiar with your work.
• Include their name and company as well as home and work phone
numbers.
• Always consult with references for their approval and to ensure
that their remarks are positive.
• resume
• Review your resumé thoroughly and be prepared to discuss all
points.
• Always bring a resumé copy identical to the one supplied to the
interviewer.
• Bring along samples of your work, if possible.
• Other Items
• Bring a folder and pen to the interview to jot down notes.
• Prepare and review your questions as well as specific responses.
• Bring directions to the interview location as well as the
interviewer's phone number in case you're running late.
• Bring along your recruiter's phone number to give immediate
feedback after the interview

9. Arrival at the Interview
 Arrive no earlier than fifteen minutes before
interview (but no later than five minutes prior to the
interview).
 Allow adequate time for traffic, parking lot and a last
minute appearance check. If possible, scout out the
location the day before the interview to avoid last
minute problems.
 Review your notes and go in with confidence.
 If asked, complete an application. Complete the
application in full and leave no blanks. Do not write
"see resume" as a response to any application
question. Respond to "expected salary" questions as
"open" and "current salary" questions truthfully. List
references if requested. Your recruiter's name should
be your response to any "referred by" questions.

10. Appearance
• Fingernails should be short and clean; manicured if possible.
• Hair should be clean, well groomed and freshly trimmed. Use a
dandruff shampoo, if necessary, and always comb hair with your jacket
off.
• A navy blue or dark gray suit is appropriate for most positions. Be sure
it's cleaned and pressed.
• Shirts should be white, freshly laundered and well pressed.
• A quiet tie with a subtle design and a hint of red is suitable for a first
interview. Avoid loud colors and busy designs.
• Jewelry should be kept minimal. A watch and wedding or class ring are
acceptable. Don't wear jewelry or pins that indicate membership in
religious or service organizations. Use deodorant and avoid colognes
or fragrances completely.
• Shoes that are black and freshly polished (including the heels) are a
safe choice for an interview. Socks should be black or blue and worn
over the calf.
• For good posture cross legs at the ankles, not at the knees.
• Maintain good eye contact.
• Do not take portable phones or beepers into an interview.

11. A. Exploring your Background Questions
• Tell me about yourself.
• Answer these questions in terms of the
qualifications required of the position.
• Keep responses concise and brief and avoid
being derogatory or negative about previous
jobs and bosses.
• "Tell-me-about-yourself" means, "Tell me
about your qualifications." Prepare a one to
two minute discussion of your qualifications.
Start with education and discuss your
experiences. Describe your performance (in
raises, promotions, innovative designs, sales
volume, increased profits, etc.).

12. What are your greatest strengths?
• Interviewers like to hear abstract
qualities. Loyalty, willingness to work
hard, eagerness, fast-learner,
technical skills, politeness, and
promptness, expressed in concrete
terms and good examples. Avoid the
simple generalization "I like people".
It's not a good answer

13. What are your greatest weaknesses?
• Don't be intimidated. The interviewer
probably wants reassurance that hiring
you won't be a mistake. This is not the time
to confess all of your imperfections. (Do not
state "not being able to go to work on
Mondays", or "coming in late", etc.).
Present your weaknesses as professional
strengths, (i.e., "Sometimes work too hard
to make sure things are done accurately").

14. How can you contribute to this
company?
Be positive and sell! Bringing strong
technical skills, enthusiasm, and desire to
complete projects correctly and efficiently
are good responses.

15. Why should I hire you for this
position?
Explain your qualifications and how they
"fit" the available position. Address your
interest in the job and the field and why
it's work that you enjoy. Emphasize your
ability to successfully perform the duties
required.

16. Why do you want to work for
our firm?
• Make a compliment about what the
company does, its location, or its people.
Other positive remarks might be about the
company's product or service, content of the
position or possibilities for growth or
advancement. Research about the company
is important here.

17. Where do you hope to be in five
years?
Use conservative growth positions that
clearly show you plan to be there in five
years, and that their investment in you will
pay. Be sure that you know what can and
cannot be achieved by the ideal candidate
in the position. Never tell the interviewer
that you feel you'll be more successful than
they are. But do show a strong desire for
promotions.

18. What interests you most about this
position?
Teasing the interviewer with a truthful one
to two-word answer such as, "the
challenge" or "the opportunity", will force
them to ask you to explain. Here again, you
have a chance to demonstrate your
knowledge of the company.

19. How long do you plan to be with this
company?
As with marriage, most employers expect a
death-do-us-part attitude, but they can be
equally attracted to the candidate with
ambition and candor. "As long as I continue
to learn and grow in my field", is a
reasonable response.

20. • What do you know about this organization?
This question is one reason to do some research on
the organization before the interview. Find out
where they have been and where they are going.
What are the current issues and who are the
major players?
• What have you done to improve your
knowledge in the last year?
Try to include improvement activities that relate
to the job. A wide variety of activities can be
mentioned as positive self-improvement. Have
some good ones handy to mention

21. • What kind of salary do you need?
A loaded question. A nasty little game that
you will probably lose if you answer first.
So, do not answer it. Instead, say
something like, That's a tough question.
Can you tell me the range for this position?
In most cases, the interviewer, taken off
guard, will tell you. If not, say that it can
depend on the details of the job. Then give
a wide range.

22. • Tell me about your dream job.
• Stay away from a specific job. You cannot
win. If you say the job you are contending
for is it, you strain credibility. If you say
another job is it, you plant the suspicion
that you will be dissatisfied with this
position if hired. The best is to stay genetic
and say something like: A job where I love
the work, like the people, can contribute
and can't wait to get to work.

23. • Would you be willing to relocate if required?
• You should be clear on this with your family prior
to the interview if you think there is a chance it
may come up. Do not say yes just to get the job if
the real answer is no. This can create a lot of
problems later on in your career. Be honest at this
point and save yourself future grief.
• Are you willing to put the interests of the
organization ahead of your own?
• This is a straight loyalty and dedication question.
Do not worry about the deep ethical and
philosophical implications. Just say yes.

24. Preparing for Competency
Interview
• Identify the competencies required for job
• Review job description or ask for information
• Define each competency in behavioural
terms
• Identify past experience to illustrate how
you demonstrated that behaviour
• Prepare examples for each competency
• Practice talking about your experience
• Try to give a complete answer - STAR
24Prepared by Dr. V. R. Malkar

25. Responding to Competency Q
• Q Give me an example of a problem you
encountered. How did you approach it. What
was the outcome?
• STAR response
• S: Describe the situation
• T: Explain the task/problem that arose
• A: What action did you take?
• R: What was the result or outcome?
• What did you learn from this experience?
25Prepared by Dr. V. R. Malkar

26. Matching Skills to Requirements
Employer needs
Communication
Team work
Leadership
Initiative
IT
Commercial awareness
Your evidence
Presentation to class
Example from Coop
Class rep, Committee
Fundraising for charity
Designed website
Business pages
26Prepared by Dr. V. R. Malkar

27. Your Answers
• Listen carefully, seek clarification
• Illustrate answers with real examples and
evidence
• Be positive – constructive criticism
• Keep answers specific
• Take time to respond
• Be alert to interviewer’s body language
• Speak clearly, smile and show
enthusiasm
• Know what you want to say, and find the
opportunity
27Prepared by Dr. V. R. Malkar

28. Qualities Employers Seek
• Good all-round intelligence
• Enthusiasm, commitment and
motivation
• Good communication skills
• Team work ability
• Ability to solve problems
• Capacity to work hard
• Initiative and self-reliance
• Balanced personality
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29. Competencies required by X Company
• Adaptability
• Integrity
• Innovation
• Teamwork
• Initiative
• Drive for Results
• Know the Business
• Open Exchange of Information
• Makes Difficult Decisions
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30. Your Questions
• Training programmes
• Career development opportunities
• Types of projects & responsibilities
• Reporting structure
• Performance appraisal
• Profile of staff
• Questions about topics raised in interview
• What happens next?
30Prepared by Dr. V. R. Malkar

31. Interview Marking Sheet
Name Mark-max 100
Communication Skills Max 30
Problem Solving Max 20
Team Fit Max 20
Relevant Experience Max 20
Project Management Max 10
Total Marks
31Prepared by Dr. V. R. Malkar

32. What creates a bad impression
• Poor personal appearance
• Negative attitude –using excuses
• Lack of interest and enthusiasm
• Lack of preparation
• Poor knowledge of role
• Failure to give concrete examples of skills
• Over emphasis on money/rewards
• Lack of career plan
33Prepared by Dr. V. R. Malkar

33. After the Interview
Review own performance
what went well
what went badly
what you wished you had said
prepare for next stage
Invitation to second / final round interviews
assessment centre
psychometric testing
panel interview
Rejection letter / email
if you can request feedback - use it
34Prepared by Dr. V. R. Malkar

34. Psychometric Tests
• Aptitude Tests - measure skills relevant to position
• Verbal comprehension - evaluate logic of text
• Numerical reasoning - interpret statistical data
• Diagrammatic reasoning - recognise patterns
• Watch timing – complete as many as possible
• Personality Questionnaires
• Look at personality style
• No right or wrong answers
• Be spontaneous, don’t try to second-guess
• Tests include built-in checks
• Employers may be looking for different personality
profiles
• Practice using online tests on www.ul.ie/careers
35Prepared by Dr. V. R. Malkar

35. Follow Up
• Thanking Letter : On same day
• Follow Up / Feedback after three day

36. Good luck!!!
Thank You