Successful Interviews

DR. AMANDEEP SINGH MARWAHA

TPO, UIAMS,
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR CPC,
PANJAB UNIVERSITY, CHANDIGARH.
• A TWO-WAY EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION:
• BOTH PARTIES ARE CHECKING EACH OTHER OUT FOR A
POSSIBLE FIT

• A MARKETING OPPORTUNITY:
• BOTH PARTIES ARE PRESENTING THEIR BEST PACKAGE!

THE THREE PS: PREPARE, PRACTICE, AND PERFORM

 What to Bring

Professional folder with:

• Paper, pen, copies of your resume
• Written questions to ask at the end of the interview

Leave your:
• Cell phone (or place on silent)
• Gum
• Backpack/large handbag
At home or in the car!
30 SECOND IMPRESSION!
• DRESS PROFESSIONALLY TIP SHEET
• 90% OF THE WAY YOU COMMUNICATE WITH OTHER PEOPLE IS THROUGH
BODY LANGUAGE (GESTURES, EXPRESSIONS, ETC.)
-FROM MARIE FARQUHARSON’S BOOK BODY TALK
WHAT DO EMPLOYERS WANT?
• CAN YOU DO THE JOB?
• COMMUNICATION SKILLS, EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE,
EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES, LEADERSHIP, COMPUTER SKILLS
• WILL YOU DO THE JOB?
• ARE YOU MOTIVATED? ARE YOU EXCITED ABOUT THE JOB? DO YOU WANT TO
WORK HERE? ARE YOU GOING TO STICK AROUND?
• HOW DO YOU FIT IN?
• HOW WELL DO YOU INTERACT WITH OTHER CO-WORKERS? ARE YOU RIGHT
FOR THE COMPANY CULTURE? WILL YOU BE PART OF THE TEAM?
CORE COMPETENCIES THAT EMPLOYERS
WANT TO SEE EVIDENCE OF:
 DECISION MAKING AND PROBLEM SOLVING
 LEADERSHIP
 MOTIVATION
 COMMUNICATION
 PLANNING AND ORGANIZATION
 CRITICAL THINKING
 TEAM BUILDING
 ABILITY TO INFLUENCE OTHERS
 INTERPERSONAL SKILLS
 Research the Employer
• WHAT TO RESEARCH

• History/mission/vision of the employer?

• What is the employer best known for? (awards, reputation)
• What is the structure of the organization?
• What services are offered?
• Who are this employer’s clients?
• What is happening in the organization and industry?
• Who are this organization’s competitors?

• HOW TO RESEARCH: Website, LinkedIn, Glassdoor, etc.

 Analyze the Position

• Review the job description—really “pull it apart.”

• What are your “matches?” --What does the employer want that
you have
DEVELOP YOUR STORY!
• Prepare your stories – What experiences have you had that show
the employer how you’ve used specific skills?

•Think about class projects, jobs, volunteer work, student

organization involvement, or internships.
GOALS – WHAT DO I ACTUALLY WANT?

 WHAT ARE YOU GREAT AT?

 WHAT MATTERS MOST TO YOU?
 WHAT MAKES YOU FEEL HAPPY AND AT PEACE?
 WHAT IS YOUR UNIQUE VALUE PROPOSITION?
 WHAT DOES YOUR DREAM LIFE LOOK LIKE?
BEFORE THE INTERVIEW: PREPARATION
• PRACTICE! PRACTICE!! PRACTICE!!!
NOW YOU ARE READY FOR AN INTERVIEW!
 “SABSE BADA ROG, KYA KAHENGE LOG.”

Kishore Kumar’s "kuchh to log kahenge, logon ka kaam hai kehna...". Need to have the ‘heart of a child’,.
• Most interviews start out here and evolve.

• Designed to get to know you

• Typical Stages:
1. Introductory: create rapport
2. Information: from interviewer to candidate
3. Questions: from interviewer to candidate
4. Questions: from candidate to interviewer
5. Conclusion: next steps
 Most Common Questions

• Tell me about yourself.

• Why should we hire you?
• Why do you want to work here?
• What is your greatest strength?
• What is your greatest weakness?
• What is your greatest accomplishment?
• Tell me about a time when…
• Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
• Do you have any questions for me?
 Tell Me About Yourself

In one minute…
• Brief Background
• Education/Current Activities
• Objective/goals/direction
• Identify your fit with the employer

If you have limited experience…

• Highlight transferable skills
• Bring unique skills to the table by showing how your background or
experiences relate
 Behavioral Questions

Example: Give me an example of a time when you had to go above and beyond the call of duty
in order to get the job done?

Tell your story - Beginning, Middle, & End

1. What was the PROBLEM you solved?

2. What ACTION did you take to resolve the issue?

3. What was the RESULT?

 What is your biggest weakness?

Common Mistakes
• Denial
• Strength as a weakness
• Revealing a weakness that raises red flags

Think About
• How are you working on it?

Example: Public speaking is a challenge for me, but I know how important this skill is in
the working world. I joined a coaching institute and am learning to be more confident in
my public speaking skills.
 Difficult Interview Questions

• Have you ever had a conflict with a manager or professor? How was it resolved?

• Describe your worst boss.

• If you could be an animal, which would it be and why?

• What is the last book you read?

 Questions to Ask

• What are the opportunities for growth?

• What would a typical day look like?
• What do you think is the most challenging aspect of this position?
• What is the next step in the hiring process?

Tip: Ask questions that provide you an opportunity to convey something new
about you or knowledge about the company.

Example:
• I’m passionate working with diverse populations and have a background in tutoring
low income students. Will this role provide opportunities to work with various
student organizations?
 Closing the Interview

• Reiterate your enthusiasm

for the position
• Ask about next steps in
hiring process
• Thank the interviewers
• Shake all hands and meet all
eyes
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
MATCHING SKILLS TO REQUIREMENTS
EMPLOYER NEEDS YOUR EVIDENCE
COMMUNICATION PRESENTATION TO CLASS
TEAM WORK EXAMPLE FROM COOPERATIVE
LEADERSHIP CLASS REP, COMMITTEE
INITIATIVE FUNDRAISING FOR CHARITY
IT DESIGNED WEBSITE
COMMERCIAL AWARENESS BUSINESS PAGES
WHAT CREATES A BAD IMPRESSION
• POOR PERSONAL APPEARANCE
• NEGATIVE ATTITUDE – EVASIVE, 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
WATCH THE BODY LANGUAGE
• FIRST IMPRESSIONS VERY POWERFUL
• ALLOW TIME TO RELAX
• DRESS APPROPRIATELY
• ENTRANCE, INTRODUCTIONS & HANDSHAKE
• SMILE AND MAKE EYE CONTACT
• BE AWARE OF OWN MOVEMENTS
• WATCH BODY LANGUAGE OF INTERVIEWER
Do not ever again fall into the trap of saying that you do not
have any real experience.

If you have not experienced it yet, create it or make it

happen on your own.
PREPARE FOR THE INTERVIEW

PRACTICE! PRACTICE! PRACTICE!

 इन हाथो की लकीरो पे विश्वास मत करना
क्ोोंवक तकदीर उनकी भी होती है विनके हाथ नहीों होते

Before everything else, “Getting

Ready” is the secret of success.
Henry Ford
 If you miss an
opportunity don't fill
the eyes with tears.

It will hide another

better opportunity in
front of you
Tell me about yourself - The perfect answer.

Antony Stagg
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
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?