Facing the First Job

Interview
The Basics to come out successful in
a Job Interview
A presentation at NSB-Kochi in January
2016 by

TVG.Ramanathan, M.Sc.,
MBA., CAIIB
Competition Coach and Career
Consultant

Congratulations!
!
You have come now very close to
your dream job!
You have just one more crucial
step ahead.

The Interview.
12/31/15

in.ramanathan@yahoo.in
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Facing the First Job

Interview
The Basics to come out
successful
Some of you are going to attend a
job interview for the first time.
Some of you could have attended
the (first) interview(s) earlier.
And come out successful or
otherwise.
12/31/15

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Facing the First Job

Interview
The Basics to come out
How many of successful
you are feeling anxious
about the coming Interview?
a.) Not at all anxious
b.) Mildly only anxious
c.) Moderately anxious
d.) Really very much anxious
e.) Becoming numb / almost fainting
when even thinking of it
12/31/15

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Facing the First Job

Interview
The Basics to come out
successful

We are just going to

discuss in this
Workshop that anxiety
and
how to
overcome it.
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Exercise - 1
AA
You have now a sheet of paper given.
Write A on the right hand topmost
corner of it and circle it.

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Exercise - 1
B

Now reverse the side. And .

Write B on the right hand topmost
corner of it and circle it.

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Write on side (A)

Any question/s you are most
worried to answer in the
interview or do not know how
to answer or is confused to
answer.
No need to write your name or
mobile number or e-mail id in
this.
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Write on side (B)

Any doubt/s or question/s or worry
/ worries you have about the
interview process (the behavioral
aspects in the interview,
anything other than questions
asked in the interview).
No need to write your name or mobile
number or e-mail id in this.
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Your Time Starts

NOW!
(Take only five minutes, each.)
On side A, any question/s you are most
worried to answer in the interview or
do not know how to answer or is
confused to answer.
On side B, any doubt/s or question/s or
worry / worries you have about the
interview process (the behavioral
aspects in the interview, anything other
than questions asked in the interview).
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10

We will discuss them

towards
the end of this Workshop.

But before that

let us see
some basic concepts.
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Do you agree or not?

A job interview is

not like
a police
interrogation.
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What do recruiters /
employers
really look for in an ideal
candidate?

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Most employers usually

look for.
Confidence
Personality
Enthusiasm
Work ethic
Dedication
Being a team player
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14

How will they know it from the

interview?
Confidence: Eye contact, Hand shake, Attire, .
Personality: SMILE, Small talk, Stay calm, .
Enthusiasm: Speak up, Get excited, Ask
questions, .

Work ethic: Be early, raise to the occasion, .

Dedication: Commitment, Follow up, .
Team player: Be both nice and effective, .

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Now let us see

what a candidate should do
.

before the interview

during the interview
after the interview
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Before entering the

premises .

SWITCH OFF THE

MOBILE
(Not just keep it in silent
mode)
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Before entering the

premises .

What all things to carry

with you?

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What should be your

.

Clothing?
Accessories?
Make up?
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Before the Interview.

What all

researches / home work

you should do
before attending the interview?

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Before the Interview.

Be
Punctual.
(Not late, not too early too!)
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Entering the room

confidently
( If you are feeling nervous, take a deep breath before
entering the interview room. Dont drink cold water. )

Smile.
Body posture.
Walk confidently.
Scan the room.
(Should you knock and seek permission from those in the
board
before opening the door to enter the Interview room?)
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22

On entering the room

Keep smiling.
Be cheerful.
Look in to the eyes.
Offer and give a firm hand
shake.
Who should offer the hand first for a hand shake?
(Should you wait for the board to offer you a seat before you
sit?)
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Matching the frequency

Aping or mirroring

the mood
of the
interviewer/s.
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Matching the frequency

Aping the mood of the Interviewer/s.

FORMAL ------- FORMAL

INFORMAL ------- LESS FORMAL
SOBER ------- SOBER
ENTHUSIASTIC ------ENTHUSIASTIC
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Your gestures while

being seated

a.) with hands

b.) with legs
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Your sitting posture

Sit erect. Dont slouch.
(Ensure your dress is tried and not interfering
with your sitting.)

Arms on the chairs hand

rest only.
(Not on the table.)
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27

During the Interview

Sell yourself.
Keep smiling.
Keep your balance.
Be pleasant.
Be enthusiastic.
Be positive.
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28

During the interview

.

Ask questions..
a.) to clear your doubts
about what they have
asked you,
if it is not
clear to you.
b.) to show that you have
done some research.
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After the interview .

Feedback
--- Not likely then and there.

Follow Up
--- When I am likely to know the
outcome.

Thank You Note

--- When and how?
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Behavior(al) based
interviewing.

What is

12/31/15

BBI
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What exactly is
Behavior(al) Based
Interviewing
BBI is about predicting future actions
Past actions are more indicative of future
actions / success than hypothetical
questions
Format may be, like, Name and tell me a
time you worked in a team. etc. etc.
(Old school is just giving hypothetical
situations)
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32

For behavior(al) based

interviews ..
Have Stories Ready
--- 5 to 6 or more Pre-packaged stories
--- Stories be about 60 to 90 seconds long
--- Practice well. Most people cant Wing
it
S-T-A-R
--- Situation or Task
--- Action
--- Result
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33

Common topics for

behavior(al) based
interviews ..

Leadership
Showing initiatives
Dealing with a difficult person / situation
Showing flexibility / adaptability
Motivating others
Setting and achieving a goal
Negotiating with someone something
Giving or receiving criticism

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34

General things
Be prepared to answer tough questions

(Switching majors, academic projects done, job

hopping, internship, time idled, etc)

Take a moment to think the best example to

offer
Tell your story and STOP
Have great questions prepared (show interest)
Ask about the interviewer/s
Ask about next steps, where relevant
THANK YOU! (A professional outgoing message
too!)
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Most Commonly asked

General Interview
Questions

1.) Tell
me about
yourself.
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Most Commonly asked

General Interview
Questions

2.) Why should

we hire you?
Or

Why you want to

join us?
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Most Commonly asked

General Interview
Questions

3.) Which one do

you consider your
greatest strength?
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Most Commonly asked

General Interview
Questions

4.) What is your

greatest weakness?
Or
May I know about some
of your weaknesses?
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Most Commonly asked

General Interview
Questions

5.) Why do you want to

work here?
Or
Why banking?
Why Insurance? Etc.
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Most Commonly asked

General Interview
Questions

6.) Why do you want to

join banking after studying
something totally
different so long and
getting, say, a M.Tech /
ME / M.Phil / Ph.D?
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Most Commonly asked

General Interview
Questions

7.) What is your

greatest
accomplishment /
achievement?
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Most Commonly asked

General Interview
Questions

8.) Describe a
difficult (work)
situation and what
you did to overcome
it.
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Most Commonly asked

General Interview
Questions

9.) Where do you see yourself

in 5 / 10 / 15 years from now?
Or
What are your short-term, longterms career plans?
Or
What is your ambition (in life)?
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Most Commonly asked

General Interview
Questions

10.) Do you
have any
questions to
me / us?
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Most Commonly asked

General Interview
Questions

11.) What
are your
hobbies?
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Most Commonly asked

General Interview
Questions

12.) What is
your PlanB?
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Most Commonly asked

General Interview
Questions

13.) Who is your

Role Model?
(And Why?)
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Most Commonly asked

General Interview
Questions
14.) What do your friends /
class mates / colleagues
think and say about you?
Or
How are you considered /
rated by your friends /
class mates / colleagues?
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STRESS INTERVIEW
QUESTIONS
Marks / score / grades
---- 10th / 12th / Degree / Post Graduation
Failures in Board / University
examinations
---- 10th / 12th / Degree / Post Graduation

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STRESS INTERVIEW
QUESTIONS
How to answer such questions?

Honestly Or
Otherwise?
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STRESS INTERVIEW
QUESTIONS
Whether you answer honestly or otherwise, your answers should
be always

MARKETABL
E
You may be smarter than the interviewer, but dont forget they might have seen and dealt with smarter people
than you.

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Facing the First Job

Interview
The Basics to come out
successful
The responses under A and B

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Facing the First Job

Interview
The Basics to come out
successful
Any more

QUESTIONS
?
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You can reach me at

E-mail:
in.ramanathan@yaho
o.in
Mobile:
9048698998
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Thank You! And Good

luck!!

TVG.Ramanathan, M.Sc., MBA., CAIIB

Competition Coach and Career
Consultant

12/31/15

in.ramanathan@yahoo.in
9048698998

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