Saturday, March 29, 2014

Preparation for an Interview




Preparation of interview can be divided into 3 parts
1- Pre interview preparations
One must consider the following points-
                    Research about the company

Know its sales turnover, Ranking and MS if possible. Know about some top selling products. The best way to know all this other than your own local MIS is company's official web site. In fact it is always advisable to visit their site at least once even if you know every thing about the company

                     Formulate questions

Some of the commonly asked questions are-

                                  Tell me about yourself?
 

Most of the interview starts with this question. One must aim at getting 10/10 in answering this question. One must practice answering this question at home and that too loudly. Your answer should include (50%) your present assignment and achievements, (30%) previous assignments and achievements and (20%) personal details and educational qualifications.
At the end of this answer interviewer should have fairly good ides about what to expect from you.

               Why do you want to quit you present organization?

One must not talk bad about his/her present employer. In most of the cases it is t taken in a negative manner. It is advisable to talk good about your present employer and as future employer offers better opportunities to contribute and grow you want to change.

               What are you strength and weaknesses?

While answering this it is always good to give real life examples to support your point. For example- if somebody's strength is analytical skills. The answer could be something like- 'Sir, I possess good analytical skills and it was reflected in one of our regional meeting where I gave an altogether different perspective to why Delhi city is not able to perform'   
 

                It is OK to feel nervous.

It is OK to feel nervous.
Not only is it OK to be nervous about an interview, but it is essential for you to accept how you feel. As you are preparing for an better opportunity some sort excitement and different feeling are bound to be there. These feelings are part of the whole process. Sometimes it helps to prepare for the worst that can happen at an interview? For many, it would be not getting an offer. Did you ever think that maybe the job wasn't right for you? Try to look at the process as a learning experience.

                    
First comes the phone
Telephone screening is becoming very common as the first step in the interview process so you need to be prepared for the phone to ring at any time. These screenings, depending on your answers usually last for 5 to 10 minutes.  It's helpful if you've thought about questions likely to be asked during the screening (Why did you/are you leaving your job? What makes you qualified for this position?) and prepared your answers.
Put a suitable caller tune.

                    The D Day
Preparing emotionally for the interview is equally important. The right mood helps you perform at your best. Some of the suggestions for preparing emotionally: get moving -- go for a walk, run, exercise, meditate, stretch or any some- activity gets blood flowing to your brain. Repeat an inspirational phrase aloud that's meaningful for you or simply remember a time when you felt terrific.

                          Look better feel better

Wear any formal dress that makes you comfortable. Avoid any bright and flashy colors. Avoid chewing tobacco/pan and keep your teeth absolutely clean. Avoid strong perfumes but some kind of mild deodorant is always welcomed. Your front pocket should have bare minimum articles and should not be bulging out.
Mobile phone should always be in power off mode.   

                         
Know them

It is suggested to know the interviewer's background, designation etc. Remember 


 

2- The Interview

                          Keeping Time

Try to
arrive early for the interview, but not too early. Get to the site 15 to 20 minutes early to allow for any surprise disasters. Don't enter the building until 10 to 15 minutes before your interview. Arriving too early could throw the interviewer's schedule off and start you off on the wrong foot. Use the time spent sitting in the lobby to get a good feeling for the environment.

                          
Talk and allow them to talk

Some of your answers probably take time to detail, but all your answers should be brief  (Each answer not exceeding a minute). In case you need longer time then may seek more time by prompting a question like- "Now that I've described the outcome of my work on that project, would you like to hear about my role in detail?"

As a general rule, you should speak 40-50% of the time and definitely no more than 60% of the time. The best interviews have a give-and-take atmosphere. To do this, you need to ask questions and try to draw out your interviewer rather than talking about yourself nonstop. If you do not ask questions then this meeting will turn out to be an interrogation and not the interview.
Answering personal questions

                             Answering personal questions 


Normally girls are asked some of very personal questions like when are you getting married? When are you planning your family?  Even such personal questions pose an opportunity for you to present information about your talents.
Such questions are best answered indirectly without being specifics (unless probed further)-
Respond with, "I'm fully committed to performing my job well. My career is important to me, and I have will continue to have a strong support system at home."

                            
Look Them in the Eyes

Eye contact is one of the most important aspects of nonverbal communication and can make a significant difference in how you present yourself. If you look away when speaking to someone, you're viewed as lacking confidence or interest. If you have a problem looking into your interviewer's eyes, try looking at the "third eye" right above and between the eyes.

                             Prove What You Could Do

There could be a situation that you lack in a particular skill, be sure to emphasize how quickly you learn. Give an example of a time when you were able to get up to a desired speed in a similar situation. Companies are interested in people who are good learner.

                             Don't Forget to Listen

Most candidates are so nervous about answering  questions correctly that they do not listen carefully. In fact listening is one of the most underused skills during the interviews.
Understand each question properly before start answering.

                             Talking Salary

Understand that now a day's most of the companies believe in differential salary structure for the same work depending on a person.
Know your CTC and take home on annualized basis. Do not include any of your allowances as part of your salary. Never discuss that you save something out of your allowances even if that is a fact.
Have a realistic expectation. 
Let them bring up the subject of money. If you are asked what your salary expectations are too early in the process, just say if it is fine you would like to discuss the same later.

3- Post Interview

                               When to take a feedback?
If the interviewer doesn't call back after the interview as promised, don't be surprised -- it happens. It is suggested not to hurry up. If a week goes by after the decision was supposed to have been made, call and ask if the position is still open. If the answer is yes, ask if you're still under consideration.
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