2S T!PS FOR A SUCCESSFUL ]OB !NTERv!

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Job interviews in many organizations are getting more and more sophisticated these days.
Single interviewers, interview panels, multiple interviews, the demonstration of a skill / ability,
a hostile interview, case studies, psychological tests, role plays, and challenges to one's
"quick intelligence and street smarts are often part of the package. While it's impossible to
anticipate everything you may encounter, these tips will help you successfully negotiate the
interview process.

Prepare And Over-Prepare

Why over-prepare? t goes like this: Plan your strategy by preparing your answers for the
possible interview questions you may be asked--and then practice, practice, practice. Role-
play and repeat your best responses until they are completely natural, until they simply roll off
your tongue with the spontaneity that comes with successive repetition.

e ParticuIarIy CIear On What You Know And What You Want To Achieve
You ought to know what you know. t is important to know thyself first before selling your
knowledge and skills to the employer. Most interviews are resume-based so have the facts of
your stated objective, relevant experience, education, etc.thoroughly memorized and
mentally supported. As to your job objective, be clear on what you want, as well as what you
don't want. There is little room in the job market for the applicant who is willing to take
anything, as he or she will usually get nothing.

ake Sure Your Responses atch Your CIaims

f, for example, you have taken extra course work to qualify for a particular position, have a
license, have accomplished specific performance achievements or have earned a special
certification, tie it into your narrative or use your presentation binder, e.g., " When took my
course work for my DBM, learned that.

e CIear On Your Strengths

You are almost certain to be asked questions pertaining to your strengths and weaknesses.
Know your strengths and emphasize those that relate specifically to the position for which
you are being considered. For example, if you are applying for a sales position, you might
describe one of your strengths (if it's true) as follows: "'ve made a study of personality types
and 've learned to quickly classify prospects in terms of the kinds of approaches that might
best sell them. Be prepared, in this case, to back up your claim if the interviewer suddenly
asks: "How would you classify me?

Describe Your Weaknesses As Strengths

This is tricky, so let's think about why the question is asked. The interviewer probably wants
to learn several things about you with this question, such as: whether or not you are arrogant
(" really don't think have any weaknesses), whether you know yourself ("Well, 've never
really thought about that) and finally, what you are doing to improve your weaknesses. Here
are two ways to answer this question so you leave a positive impression in the mind of the
interviewer: (a) Explain that, in overcoming a weakness, you have learned something. f, for
example, there's a period in your career path that just doesn't fit (say that you took a job
selling cars between jobs as an accountant ... it happens!), you might tell the interviewer:
"One weakness, which took me some time to overcome, was that really wasn't sure
wanted to be an accountant. For example, in 1988-90, worked as a car salesman. did this
because couldn't decide if wanted to make accounting my career. That experience taught
me that really didn't want to sell products, and that was much more challenged by the
opportunity to solve client problems. (b) Pick a weakness that is really strength. f, for
example, you're interviewing for a job in an organization you know is hard-charging and
unforgiving of average performance, you might say, "One of my weaknesses is that tend to
be impatient with people who aren't willing to pull their full weight and give 110%. n this
case, your "weakness may help you get the job.

e CIear On Where You Want To Go

A standard question, which has many variations, is: "Where do you want to be five years
from today? Only today, the answers are different. Unless you plan to inherit your father's
business, your answer is apt to be a lot more general than it might have been a decade ago.
Why? Because the economy and nearly every industry is changing so fast that specificity
with respect to the distant future is extremely difficult. So, instead of responding to the
question with, " plan to be in a position of senior leadership in this company, you might want
to say, " plan to become qualified in every phase of this industry. Your exact response will
depend upon the specifics of your job search, but the principle is: be specific while allowing
yourself the flexibility, which suggests that you understand the complexities of the business
you are applying for.

1 You've een Fired, e Forthright About t

Many people have been laid off or made redundant through no fault of their own and this no
longer a stigma --unless it was for justifiable cause. Answer directly, but without a "charge in
your voice. Expressing your bitterness over being let go tells the interviewer (rightly or
wrongly) that you cannot accept the realities of modern free enterprise -- that downsizing is
acceptable and often necessary.

Have CIear PersonaI Standards

This is a sleeper because this question doesn't seem to have much to do with the immediate
interview. However, many organisations are looking for people who DO have standards
regarding their personal/professional lives, who can articulate them clearly and concisely,
and who live by them. n this case, the briefer, the better. " delegate my weaknesses. "
don't take on projects unless can give them 100 percent commitment. " am committed to
life-long learning and growth.

nterview The nterviewer

A competent interviewer will respect your efforts to assess the organisation and the position
in terms of whether or not it meets your requirements. And you owe it to yourself to have
defined beforehand, what you ideally want and what you are willing to settle for, under certain
conditions. For example, you might really want a salary of Rs 250,000 to begin with, but you
would be willing to take less if the opportunities for growth are clearly in the picture.

Don't AIIow YourseI1 To e adgered y The SaIary ssue

Even today, it is still not uncommon to hear the old refrain: "Our policy is not to pay a new
employee more than X% higher than he/she is currently making. Sorry, that doesn't fly. The
real issue, and the only one at stake, is whether or not your prospective employer is willing to
pay what you are worth. And, your worth is a function of the job itself, your capability and
your willingness to perform it. n most organizations, there are clear parameters for a given
job, a range of salary that is adjustable depending upon the market and the applicant's
experience. n most cases, unless you are very good, you will have to work within those
limits. But, within the limits, what you are worth is a matter of mutual agreement based on the
knowledge of your worth and your ability to convince the person interviewing you. So, to sum
it up: Know the range of compensation for the job you are seeking, make your own realistic
determination of what you are worth, and then be prepared to stand your ground.

Stand up quickIy when greeted by the person you are going to interview with. Stay standing
until invited to sit down.

FirmIy shake the hand of the person you are going to interview with and quickly, stand
directly in front of the interviewer.it shows confidence.

e nice to the receptionist & gate keeper.the person interviewing you will usually ask for
their opinion of you.

en.keep your feet flat on the floor during the interview, knees at waist level, hands on
your thighs and place your elbows on the chair arms. Wear a conservative-colored suit {navy
blue, grey, charcoal, black, dark green} with a white shirt, black/dark shoes and socks that
match your suit colour.

Women.cross your ankles or legs but keep the bottom leg straight down and do not swing
the top leg, while placing your elbows on the chair arms. Wear a conservative-coloured dress
or suit {black, burgundy, dark blue, and dark green}. f you are not comfortable with western
outfit, a Salwar kameez / Saree would be most suitable for all occasions. Wear hosiery that is
neutral in colour; nude/tan are preferable while avoiding hosiery with extravagant
patterns/bright colours. Wear shoes that match or are darker in colour than the suit/dress you
are wearing. A medium-heeled pump is safest while avoiding open toe and sling back shoes.
Make sure your make-up is suitable for the position you are applying for and it's a safe bet to
keep your make-up natural looking.

&se your hands.speaking with your hands gives you more energy and confidence--and
remember to smile.
ye contact is essential.it makes you more believable.
ever say anything negative about yourself or your current/previous employers.if asked
to describe something negative, look back on your career and do a U-turn to something more
positive now.
Carry a so1t pIastic 1iIe/1oIder.no purses, no large briefcases.
Do not overdo your per1ume/coIogne because you do not want to put off the interviewer
with too strong a scent.
Pay attention to the detaiIs.polished shoes, hair, accessories, trimmed nail, etc.
1 traveIIing by pIane/train/bus.arrive the night before or a few hours prior to the
appointment time, press your outfit and freshen up.
Do not wear anything that connects you with a reIigious or poIiticaI group.
Know your empIoyer - earn as much as you can about the person and the company you
are interviewing with.
Write/1ax/-maiI a "Thank You" note, the same day as your interview

Aman RajabaIi

A graduate in Psychology, he holds a Diploma in Human Resource Management and

Masters Degree in Personnel Management. Aman has had twelve years of extensive
experience in the field of Human Resources Management; he specializes in Executive
Recruitment, Organization Development and Coaching. He currently heads Kabir Profile
Solutions, Pune. He is also active in various management schools, conducting sessions on
interviews, group discussions and job search coaching workshops. He has coached more
than a 1500 participants.