Interview preparation soft tips from JobBuzz expert Dr. Prafulla Ranjan. JobBuzz is an employee-to-employee free community, a service of TimesJobs.com.

1. How to Face Interviews

2. The Handshake
• Keep your right hand free
• Meet the other person’s hand “web to web”
• Keep hand in a vertical position
• Shake from the elbow, not the wrist
• Two to three smooth pumps

3. Topics
• Purpose of the Interview
• Preparing for the Interview
• Typical Structure of the Interview
• Typical Questions
• After the Interview

4. Purpose of the Interview
The Candidate
– Clarify responsibilities of the position
– Determine if you can/will do the job
– Determine “fit”

5. Prepare yourself
• How long will the interview last?
• How many candidates will be there?
• Probable Questions?
• Is there anything I should bring with me?

6. Know the Employer
• Product or Service
• Sales/Assets
• Competition
• History
• Field Offices
• Industry Trends
• Chain of Command
• Size

7. Resources for Researching
the Employer
-Annual reports of the Co.
– Website of the CO.
– Different Business Directory
– Internet,
-Trade publications & journals

8. Know Yourself
• Why do you want to work for the firm?
• What can you do for the company?
• Your accomplishments/experience
• Your strengths/weaknesses
• Your initiative, goals and attitudes
• Your responses should be unique and
specific

9. What to Bring to the Interview
• Portfolio
• Copies of your resume • Comb or brush
• List of Professional • Breath mints
References
• College transcripts
• Application
• Two quality pens
• Notepad

10. Dress for Success
Women
Men
– Salwar suit-Neatly
– Two-piece suit
pressed.
– Solid colors suits and light
– Keep accessories and color shirts.
makeup simple – Tie pattern should be simple
– Pantsuits are more – Wear polished shoes with
acceptable now but dark socks long enough so no
skin shows when you are
save them for after you seated
obtain the job

11. Ten Tips
• Arrive on time • Smile, nod, give
• Introduce yourself in a nonverbal feedback
courteous manner • Ask about the next step
• Read company in the process
literature while you wait • Thank the interviewer
• Use body language to • Obtain a business card
show interest • Write a thank-you letter
• Listen to anyone you have
spoken to

12. Typical Structure of an Interview
• Small talk
• “Tell me about yourself!”
• Discussion of your background and how it
relates to the position
• Your opportunity to ask questions
• Conclusion

13. Five Tough Interview Questions
• The tell-all question: “Tell me about
yourself.”
• The surprise question: “What’s your
passion?”
• Strengths and weaknesses questions
• Questions about the future: “What are
your long-term goals?”
• Scenario questions: “What if…?”

14. Questions to Ask in an Interview
• What will my duties entail?
• What kind of work can I expect to be doing? Can
you describe a typical day?
• Where does this job fit into the organizational
structure of the company?
• Who would I report to? Who would I be working
with?
• What is the size of the department I would be
working in? What is its structure? How is it
organized? May I see it?

15. More Questions to Ask
• Does the company offer any training
opportunities?
• How would you describe the ideal candidate for
this position? What qualities do you want in the
person who fills this job?
• What do you feel would be the greatest challenge
for me?
• What is the selection process/timeline from here?
• May I contact you if I have any further questions?

16. After the Interview
• Write a thank-you letter to anyone with
whom you have spoken
– Use standard business letter format
– Thank the interviewer
– Reference a point of conversation which was of
mutual interest
– Recap how your skills and qualifications fit the
position based on your interview conversation
– Communicate your continued interest in the
position

17. Practice, Practice, Practice!
• Mock interview
• Internet
– Ten Interview Questions

18. NEGOTIATING

19. TOPICS FOR DISCUSSION
• Understanding The Process
• The Interview
• The Offer
• The Negotiation Process

20. UNDERSTANDING THE PROCESS
• What It Is Not
– saying “I want more money”
• What It Is
– Meeting and discussing a subject
– Mutual agreement of issues

21. UNDERSTANDING THE PROCESS
• When does negotiation begin
– Telling about yourself
– With the initial interview
Don’t reveal your salary requirements too
early in the negotiation process.

22. UNDERSTANDING THE PROCESS
• Evaluation
– Answer these questions:
What is the Salary range?
What is the lowest salary that I will consider?
What makes me worth a higher salary?

23. UNDERSTANDING THE PROCESS
• Where To Get Salary Information
– National Association of Colleges and Employers
– Career Resource Center
– Libraries
– Trade associations and trade publications
– Internet
– People working in the industry

24. UNDERSTANDING THE PROCESS
• Some Employer Objections To Your Request
For More Money
– You don’t have enough experience
– Other employees aren’t making more
– The budget won’t permit
– That’s what we are paying new hires

25. UNDERSTANDING THE PROCESS
• Your Positive Response To An Objection To Pay
You More
– In response to the “other employees aren’t making
more” statement, you might give a response such as:
“I see. (short pause) What is the range for this position?
What would it take to get to that higher level within
that range?
Remember, you are asking questions not delivering
an ultimatum.

26. The Interview
• Some Ideas To Help You During The Interview
Process As It Pertains To The Salary Issue
– Good listening skills
– Try not to be the first to mention money
– If asked what salary you are looking for, say you have a
range but that it really will depend on the total package
– If pushed, have a range in mind
– If asked what your current pay is, tell the truth

27. THE OFFER
– Give answer in 24 hours unless you are
considering other options. Or ask for a
window of time.
– Ask about other important fringe benefits
before accepting the job
– Avoid telephone negotiations

28. THE NEGOTIATION PROCESS
• Here Are Some Examples Of How A Salary Discussion Might
Go
Company: “We would like to offer you a salary of
55,000/year.”
You: Alternative answer #1: “I’m delighted that you are
interested in me. Based upon my experience and also
because of a variety of expenses associated with the cost of
living in (this city), I would like to make around 60,000. How
do you feel about that?

29. THE NEGOTIATION PROCESS
Alternative answer #2: “I like the opportunity, and I know that
I could contribute, but I have several other opportunities that
are in the 60,000 range. Is there a way we could work this
out?”
Alternative answer #3: “I’ve completed a very valuable
education and anticipated 60,000 as a minimum. Is there a
way we can work that out? I love the opportunity and would
like to work here if I can get that amount. What do you
think?”

30. THE NEGOTIATION PROCESS
– Ask if you can get periodic reviews to let your
future employer know that you are concerned
with providing the highest level of service.
– Before asking for more money, mention positive
statement that reflects your skills and why you are
qualified for the job.

31. THANK YOU
Dr. Prafulla Ranjan
• A highly Qualified Banker with more than 20 years of Exp.
• Qualifications--PhD in Management.M.B.A.(Marketing and finance)
M.A.(Labor and Social Welfare)B.Sc.(Physics Hon's) CAIIB.
• Experience-Started as Probationary Officer in Syndicate Bank in OCT
1990.
• Left in 2001 as Deputy Manager. Joined ICICI BANK in 2001 as BM
AND LEFT IN 2002.
• Joined INDUSIND BANK in 2002 as Chief Manager and left in Jan
2011 as VP and Regional Manager UP and Uttranchal.
• Feb 2011 onwards--Dy. Director in Institute of Environment and
Management, Lucknow