Chapter 9

THE INTERVIEW:
The Ultimate Business
Meeting
“You can succeed if others do not believe in
you. But you cannot succeed if you do not
believe in your self”
-Dr. Sidney Newton
Bremer
 INTERVIEW
• Most important tool in job search
toolbox.
• Key to EMPLOYMENT.
• An Opportunity to PERSONALLY
PRESENT YOURSELF.
• An Opportunity for the Prospective
Employer to Assess Your:
- PERSONALITY
- INTERPERSONAL &
COMMUNICATION SKILLS
&
- ABILITY TO FIT INTO THE
 INTERVIEW
• What does a Prospective Employer
LOOKS FOR?
• A QUALIFIED Employee who:
- is a Team Player
- is able to Communicate
- can take advantage of Opportunities
- has a High Energy Levels
- keeps an Upbeat Attitude
&
- Demonstrates High Ethical Standards
 INTERVIEW
• TYPES OF INTERVIEW
One-on-One
Panel
Telephone
Group
Lunch
Impromptu
&
Second Interview
 INTERVIEW
• TYPES OF INTERVIEW
One-on-One Interview
- It is widely used by smaller
companies.
- Can be directed with prepared
questions or a casual conversation.
- It might be a first stage interview.
Note: Take it seriously for everything
will be
taken a note off.
 INTERVIEW
• TYPES OF INTERVIEW
Panel Interview
- Can become an INTIMIDATING one if you are
not prepared for it.
- Panel may consist of 2 or more.
- Panel often consists of Person from different
levels of the organization.
- Key: EYE CONTACT, Start a response by
looking at the person who asked the question,
have a look at all the others and finish your
answer with the person who asked the
question.
- Marks are awarded by each of the panel
member.
 INTERVIEW
• TYPES OF INTERVIEW
Telephone Interview
- Very common for positions outside the
community you reside in.
- A difficult one for No EYE CONTACT with the
interviewer.
- Put a SMILE & show your Enthusiasm.
- Avoid Monotone Voice.
- Focus should be on Clarity.
- Keep with you a copy of your Resume, Job
Description, & Blank Paper to take Notes.
- Interview Situation: First Stage or Final
Interview.
 INTERVIEW
• TYPES OF INTERVIEW
Group Interview
- Sometimes it consists of two candidates
interviewing with one interviewer at the
same time.
- The candidates get an opportunity to listen
to each others questions and answers at the
same time.
- A Problem would be placed and it has to be
solved by working together in a team
environment.
- Employers look for Team Players.
 INTERVIEW
• TYPES OF INTERVIEW
Lunch Interview
- Gives an Opportunity to Employers to see how a candidate
behaves / acts in a business situation.
- It might even be for a casual meeting with the Probable
Candidate.
- Evaluation of: Manners
Style of Conversation
& Ability to make small talk
- Rules to follow:
+ Avoid Drinks.
+ Do not order the most expensive item on the menu.
+ Avoid Messy Food.
+ Be Courteous to the Restaurant Personal.
+ Do not offer to pay for your meal.
 INTERVIEW
• TYPES OF INTERVIEW
Impromptu Interview
- Facing an interview while submitting
a Resume directly.
- Could be a full interview or a first-
stage interview.
- Be prepared.
 INTERVIEW
• TYPES OF INTERVIEW
Second Interview
- A step closer to job.
- Focus on Technical skills.
 INTERVIEW
• FORMS OF INTERVIEW

- Directed / Structured
- Unstructured
- Stress
 INTERVIEW
• Directed Interview:
- Form used in Screening Interview.
- Highly organized.
- Prepared Questions; Stipulated Time.
- Answers are taken note of.
- Can be conducted over phone.
- A marking scheme is used for
evaluation.
 INTERVIEW
•Unstructured Interview:
-Open and Relaxed feel.
-candidates are encouraged to talk.
-Broad questions / open questions are
posed.
Note: Diversion should be avoided and
Necessary informations should
be
provided.
 INTERVIEW
• Stress Interview:
- Usually combined with Unstructured
form.
- Candidates put under stressful
situation intentionally.
- Reactions are observed.
- Best way to handle: Remain calm.
Answer Concisely
&
 INTERVIEW
• Interviewing: The Basics
Steps:
Greetings, Small Talk
Resume Review.
Discussion of the Company.
Getting Down to Business: Qn & Responses.
Answering Qn from the Applicants.
Closing.
Writing Down Impressions.
Note: Leave the hall with a firm handshake &
and a
 INTERVIEW
• Preparation: The Key to Interview Success
- Interview requires Planning & Preparation.
- Do the Research on the Company.
- Know about the Position applied for.
- Practice reviewing your Strengths, Skills &
Accomplishments.
- Be aware of typical interview questions and Practice your
answers.
- Prepare a list of Questions for the Employers to answer.
(see p.101)
- Know your salary requirement / Competitive Salary.
- Gear up with all the Essential Documents.
- Dressing Code
- Prepare Mentally & use the Positive Visualization.
- Have Mock Interview Drills.
 INTERVIEW
• Interview Questions: See P.104
 INTERVIEW
•
Behavioral Questions:
• Focuses on
Knowledge
Skills
Abilities
•Questions that tests skills like:
Communication
Supervision
Analyzing Data
Dealing with change
Self-Management
Team Building
•Structured patterns of Questions Designed to
Probe Past Behaviour.
• candidate will have to provide a specific
example of a situation experienced in past.
 INTERVIEW
Behavioral Questions:
• The situation would be actual and not hypothetical.
• Supplies the interviewer with a more complete profile of the
candidate.
• The answers should be in three parts:Situation
Action
Result
• See examples P.107
 INTERVIEW
• Prove Your Traits With Proof Stories:
- An effective technique for dealing
interview questions.
- Stories (facts) to support your Traits.
- Helps in demonstrating your Skills.
 INTERVIEW
• How to Create a Proof Story?
• Step 1: review actions / activities of your
past.
Step 2: Develop a list of key traits that
you
possess.
Step 3: Reflect on Situations /
Circumstances where those traits
came handy.
* Try Proof Story Worksheet. P.110 – 111.
 INTERVIEW
• While creating Proof Stories remember:
- Have several stories.
- Don’t dwell too much. Reveal only what is
needed.
- Present it in order. Avoid Mixing it up.
- Story should have one specific incident or setting.
- Link the result with your trait.
- Link the stories with the requirement of the job.
- Sample Proof Stories. P.112
- Note: Never overuse them.
 INTERVIEW
• ILLEGAL QUESTIONS:
- Race / Colour
- Nationality / Ethnic Origin
- Religion
- Age
- Family / Marital Status
- Sex
- Pardoned Conviction
- Disability
- Sexual Orientation
 INTERVIEW
• What if you get asked an
Inappropriate Question?
- It is not intentional on their part.
- May be to know more about a
person.
- It is up to you to decide how you
would like to respond.
- See P.114 for Eg. Of ILLEGAL Qns.
 INTERVIEW
• Questions that you can ask:
- Helps in making a sound
employment decision.
- 3 categories: (i) General
(ii) Defining
(iii) Controlling
 INTERVIEW
• Questions that you can ask:
General Questions:
- Asked to gain useful informations for later
decision making.
- Qn. List. P. 115-116
Defining Questions:
- Asked to know hiring criteria.
- Allows the company to brag about
themselves.
- Helps to set up Proof Stories.
- Qn. List. P. 116
 INTERVIEW
• Questions that you can ask:
Controlling Questions:
- Tricky than the other two.
- Helps you to avoid jobs where you may
not get job satisfaction.
- Use it selectively / sparingly.
- Put it only after conclusion that you are
qualified for the job.
- Qn. P.116
 INTERVIEW
• Twelve Traits Employers Seek:
2. Ability to Communicate.
3. Intelligence.
4. Self Confidence.
5. Willingness to accept responsibility.
6. Leadership.
7. Energy Level.
8. Imagination / Creativity.
9. Flexibility.
10. Leadership Skills.
11. Ability to handle Conflict.
12. Competitiveness.
13. Goal Achievement.
 INTERVIEW
• Negotiating Salary and Benefits:
- Only for Experienced ones and not for the
Fresher.
- Negotiating requires:
a proven track record,
a past salary history,
an appreciation of typical job benefits,
and
an idea of the net value you have in
market place.
 INTERVIEW
• Money:
- Sell your skills for the highest price or
salary possible.
- Always try to postpone the issue of money.
- Allow the interviewer bring up salary first.
- IF PERSISTANT, ask the salary range for
that position.
- You must determine the lowest acceptable
salary.
 INTERVIEW
• The Benefits Factor:
- Negotiate Benefits if Possible.
Like: Bonus,
Funds for Professional
& Personal Development,
Extra Vacation,
Insurance
- See P.119 for sample benefits.
Note: It may Backfire if not used according
to
situation.
 INTERVIEW
Professional Portfolio:
- An important ammunition for job
search.
- Consists of samples of your finest
works.
- It can be taken from
Academic Experiences and
Assignments,
From Previous Experiences and
Projects.
 INTERVIEW
• Professional Portfolio:
Portfolio Preparation Process:
- Write down Your Prominent Skills
(Technical / Non-Technical).
- Consider the Documents and
Examples that can support it.
 INTERVIEW
• Professional Portfolio:
Materials to include-
• Table of Contents: Use this depending
on the length of the portfolio.
• Goals: Be wise. Avoid mentioning Your
own business, even as a long term goal.
• Ethics Statement: A Paragraph or two
about your general work ethics and
values.
• Resume: Have an Impressive one.
 INTERVIEW
• Professional Portfolio:
Materials to include-
(v) Photographs: Awards, Publications,
Events you planned,
(vi) Computer Disks:
(vii) Writing Samples: Term Papers,
Published Articles,
Business
Correspondence,
Recommendation
Reports.
 INTERVIEW
• Professional Portfolio:
Materials to include-
(viii) Letters of Reference or
Commendation.
(ix) Employer Evaluation.
(x) Performance Reviews.
(xi) News Articles.
(xii) Certificates of Completion.
 INTERVIEW
• Professional Portfolio:
Materials to include-
(xiii) Grades, Transcripts.
(xiv) Academic Projects.
(xv) Program information, Course
Outlines.
 INTERVIEW
• Professional Portfolio:
Arrangement of Materials –
- Thematically or Chronologically
according to skills demonstrated.
 INTERVIEW
• Professional Portfolio:
• Presenting Portfolio:
- Present it only when required.
- Use it to illustrate your skills.
- Don’t LEAVE it with the employer for
overnight.
 INTERVIEW
• Informational Interviewing:
- Interview for information only, not for a
job.
- An excellent way to learn more about
companies and extending your contacts.
- An opportunity to practice communication
skills.
- Thank the person for giving time.
- Send a thanks letter to follow up.
- Qns to be asked. See P.122.
 INTERVIEW
NOW YOU ARE FAMILIAR WITH:
• Types and forms of Interviews.
• General Structure and Format of a typical
Interview.
• Effective Preparation for Interviews.
• How to Develop and Use Proof Stories.
• Questions to raise during interviews.
• Basics of Negotiation.
• Informational Interviews.