INTERVIEW PROCESS

The interview is actually a very simple process if you are prepared. This is your time to demonstrate your
aptitude to perform the job that you are interviewing for. 

1. Be professional, confident and look your best. The first impression is a lasting impression. Unfortunately most
hiring authorities draw conclusions about candidates’ way too early in the interview process. 

2. Bring a pen and pad (notebook) with questions written down pertaining to the position. (i.e. What is expected of
me? What happened to the prior incumbent?) 

3. Make the interviewer talk 60% - 70% of the time by having a list of probing questions pertaining to the job
responsibilities of the position, division and company goals, company culture, etc. Answer questions with a question.
For example: If you are asked about a specific qualification, answer the question fully, then inquire as to how that fits
what the company is looking for. Don’t be afraid to probe into the duties of the position. When a requirement is
mentioned that fits one of your strengths, bring it out. An excellent question to ask is: “If you have two candidates with
almost identical backgrounds what quality or qualities would make you choose one over the other?” Or, you might
say: “If the perfect candidate was standing in front of you, reporting for work, could you describe that candidate?” 

4. Energy, Drive, Initiative – Don’t ever compromise on this one. It is the universal trait of success. The key to
personal success is to do more than you have to, so give the interviewer some examples of your initiative and
personal successes and extra efforts. 

5. Trend of Performance Over Time – Indicate the impact you have had with your current and previous employer's)
over the past five to ten years. This would include: Major accomplishments and organizational changes that you have
implemented. This is a good time to share what you can do for the interviewer’s company. HAVE A PLAN BEFORE
THE INTERVIEW! 

6. Experience, Education and Industry Background – Use this along with the Past Accomplishments category: Strong
education and experience can sometimes offset a weaker accomplishments rating. 

7. Problem Solving and Thinking Skills – Express that you have the ability to solve job-related problems and
anticipate what needs to be done. (Elaborate) 

8. Management and Organizations – (If going in for a management position). Let the interviewer know that you have
the ability to persuade and motivate others. Team leadership is a component of both management and personality.
Share management ability and style, and organizational skills. 

9.Team Leadership – (If going in for a management position). The ability to persuade and motivate others. Explain
how you motivate your immediate subordinates and people who work in different departments. 

10. Character: Values, Commitment and Goals - Summarize your integrity, honesty, responsibility, openness, and
fairness in dealing with others. Express your commitment to the organization, and have a plan as to what you can do
for the Company. THIS TOPIC SHOULD BE SAVED FOR THE END OF THE INTERVIEW, OR WAIT FOR THE
SECOND INTERVIEW. 

11. Watch your body language. Maintain good posture, leaning slightly forward indicates interest. Maintain eye
contact. Leaning back could give the impression of a lax attitude. The interviewer gives body language as well. You
can determine if you are keeping the interviewer’s interest by reading his or her body language. This holds true to
some extent for a telephone interview as well. Although you cannot see the interviewer, you can detect from voice
inflections whether you have his or her attention. If the interviewer is on a speakerphone and you hear their voice
fading in and out, it means that he or she is probably walking around the room and you may not have his/her full
attention. If that happens, ask the interviewer to pick up the receiver as you are having difficulty hearing and don’t
want to miss anything he or she says. At that point, you will again have the interviewer’s full attention. 

12. On your pad, have a list of your strengths. Let the interviewer know why you are the perfect fit for the position.
EXAMPLE: If interviewing for a supervisory position, one major weakness may be the tendency to “do everything
yourself.” This is a very common problem that indicates a lack of willingness to delegate work. The best way to
overcome this is to step back from your desk, look at the project you have for the day and determine which REALLY
requires your personal attention. Anything that can be delegated should be given to subordinates who can then use
them as a learning tool while your time is freed up to attend to the more urgent and sensitive issues. What you have
done at this point is turn a negative into a positive.
One of the toughest interview questions that you can be asked is “Tell me about yourself.” Rather than guess where
the interviewer wants you to begin, use this very simple response: “I’d be happy to. Where would you like me to
begin?” Once you have the interviewers reply, you have a point of reference and can begin answering the question. 

13. STAY POSITIVE! Even if you decide that you don’t feel the position is right for you, never communicate that
during the interview. Once you get home, you may change your mind. After you have considered it, if you still feel the
position is not a good fit for you, let us know and we can withdraw you gracefully, but keep the door open for future
consideration. 

14. VERY IMPORTANT! At the conclusion of the interview, state that you are very interested in pursuing this position,
and then ask, “Where do we go from here?” or “What is the next step?” If you really think you hit a home run, ask:
“When do I start?” What you are doing is asking for feedback on how well you did. Another excellent “closing”
question would be: “Is there any reason that you could not offer me this position (job) today?” 

15. Do not discuss salary or benefits. If asked about your current salary, advise what it is but indicate that you
wouldn’t want to comment on the salary without knowing all about the opportunity. Just like you wouldn’t want to buy
a car without knowing all about the options available, you wouldn’t want to commit too early on your “price”. You
might say: “Compensation is extremely important to me, and I will consider your best offer, but frankly what is most
important at this point is what I can offer your company and what the future will hold for both of us in a long term
relationship.” 

16. Have available a list of references that you can present if requested. These references should include names of
former supervisors in previous jobs who would be willing to discuss in detail your work performance, usually for
positions covering only the last five years. Be sure that you have checked your references thoroughly so that you can
be assured that they will provide positive feedback to the inquirer. If you feel it may be necessary, have a friend call
them to see what they will say about you. If desired, your recruiter can call your references and provide you with
feedback on their responses. 

17. Bring two to three additional original copies of your resume, each in presentation folders (the number of copies
depends upon how many people you are going to see). This has the effect of setting your resume out above the
others. In addition, bring a copy of your most recent performance review (if applicable) and a sample of any written
material prepared by you in the course of performing your duties (again, if applicable). Take care to make sure that
the write-up does not contain any proprietary information such as names of the customer or any other items that may
lead to the customer’s identity. 

18. Call your recruiter as soon as possible right after the interview to advice of how things went. We will then call our
client for their feedback and advise you of their impression. 

Remember: Preparation is everything

As soon as you can, write down what happened in the interview. Note such things as what was discussed, who you
met with, what strengths/weaknesses of yours were discussed, what positives/negatives about the company and
position you perceived and anything else you see as being relevant. This will come in very handy if additional
interviewing is required.
You should now be prepared to Follow Up the interview

INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

1. Tell me about yourself

The answer to this question is usually with reference to the qualifications required for the position. Keep responses
concise and brief and avoid being negative about previous jobs and bosses. Customize the response according to
the duties and responsibilities of the position you are interviewing for.

2. What are your greatest strengths?

Keep this as job related as possible by relating to a job task/skill that you know to be an asset of yours. "I like
traveling and making new friends" is not a good answer.

3. What are your greatest weaknesses?

The employer is looking for honesty here, but it helps not to be too blunt. Tone down your self-critique and say it with
a smile.

4. Motive Questions
What can you contribute to this company?
Where do you hope to be in five years?
This type of question should be answered enthusiastically. Show the interviewer you are interested in the position
and relate the answers to the duties and responsibilities of the job.

5. Personality Questions
What do you do in your spare time?
Present yourself as a well-rounded person. Your answer gives you dimension, describe your hobbies briefly.

6. Job Satisfaction Questions

Why are you looking for another job?
What do you like most/least about your previous job/jobs?
Why did you leave your previous employer/employers?
Never speak poorly about former employers. Be positive. You are providing clues about the environment you seek.

7. Other Questions Be Prepared To Answer

Are you willing to be transferred to another city or country?
May we check your references?
May we see some sort of a proof of your salary? (Bring along your salary slip)

Ask the Right Questions In Your Interview

Interviews are no longer a one-way question-answer process. Employers expect you to ask questions, indulge in a
two-way conversation in order to get to know you better and assess you for the job in mind. 

Don't hesitate to ask questions. Not only will it show that you're keen on the job being offered, but it will also help you
determine if this is the right job for you. The research you did earlier on the company should form a basis for some of
your questions. 

Ask job related questions. Focus on the job, the company, products, services and people. Ask about your potential
peers, subordinates and superiors. Take notes prior to the interview, write down your list of questions and take them
with you. And while questioning, make sure that the employer doesn't feel he's being cross examined.

Here are a few sample questions you could ask: 

 
— What would my responsibilities and duties be? 
— Describe a typical day on the job. 
— What are the most difficult aspects of this position? 
— Describe the department's/company's growth in the next two years? 
— What is the philosophy on training and development in the company? 
— How do you think I'd fit into this job/on your team/into your organization? 
— What projects would I be involved in now? Within the first year? 
— What would my career path be like during the next year or two? 
— What would be the opportunities I'd get to enhance my skill sets? 

If you like what you see make a positive statement about the position. If you are sincerely interested in the position
and are satisfied with the answers given, you should ask the interviewer if he/she feels that you are qualified for the
position

TIPS FOR INTERVIEW

Dress for the Interview

Always dress according to the occasion & going for an interview demands Formal Dressing. Make sure you are
wearing tidy clothes. Dressing conservatively helps. 

Be there on Time
For a any interview always keep a few minutes spare & reach well before time. Try and use the washroom & freshen
yourself up before walking in the room.

Entering
Always seek permission of the interviewer while entering the room. Make a firm hand shake and wish the interviewer.
Radiate your confidence with smile. Be prompt while answering the questions with aplomb. 

Body Language
Take the sit thanking the interviewer. Sit erect & alert. Maintain soft eye contact with the interviewer. Speak with
confidence and assurance. Be enthusiastic and responsive.

Be precise & upfront

While answering questions, be precise. Hit the nail on the head. In minimum words, let the interviewer know that you
know what he is asking . Avoid lengthy argument or discussion. If you do not know a particular thing, best be upfront.
Beating about the bush with a good interviewer will get you nowhere.

Show your interest

Give due respect to the interviewer & constantly keep yourself alert & interested. Do not smoke or chew gum during
interviews. Do not slouch in the chair, tap your feet, play with eyeglasses, pencil, or fidget nervously.

First things first & Last things Last

While asking questions, do not ask direct questions about salary or other benefits at the beginning of the interview.
Rather ask questions on Job profile, responsibilities, growth prospects initially.
Do your homework before the interview
Learn about the company as much as you can. Visit their site, see the products, name of founder etc& then relate to
the job requirement.

Don't forget the basics

Prepare and rehearse common questions and answers. For example - Tell us something about yourself? What was
the nature of your job? What can you do for this company? Three reasons, why should we be hiring you? What
special skills did you acquire? What where your Targets? What did you achieve? What was your day was like on your
job? What were your strengths? Weaknesses? Why are you considering leaving your present job? Why are you
interested in this company and how can you contribute? AND lastly but not the least Industry References. Have the
names & contact numbers handy. 

Talk about your achievements

If you have done better than others, worked hard, make it count. Highlight your achievements. If interested, show it. If
you are keen for the job, let the interviewer know that you are keen for the job. That way he will surely give you a
priority & over others who he is not sure of.

Always keep your option open

Even if you feel not interested in the job, do not tell it to the interviewer. Be courteous. It will only help you. You can
thank him & tell him that you will need to sleep over it & will revert soon. Who knows you may actually change you
mind the next day.

Say THANKS
While concluding the interview, thank the interviewer for the time and consideration given you. Ask when you should
meet again to discuss the position further. It often takes several interviews to obtain the job offer. Ask for a business
card and give yours in return.

Don’t show Desperation

Never show your desperation for the job. You may lose the job & even if you get it, you will definitely lose your
negotiating power. Besides the company is looking for achievers & not beggars. 

STEPS OF MAKING EFFECTIVE RESUME

 The length of the resume should be maximum two pages.

• Name, address and all contact details should appear as header.

• Mention residence land line number, if any.

• Email account should be checked daily.

• Mention date of birth and not age.

• Always Mention latest employment first.

• Mention date of joining and leaving each employment.

• Mention reason for leaving each employment.

• Write two lines on business of your present employment. And also exact location. 

• Mention Present Cost to Company (Annual gross including gratuity)

• Always date your resume.

• Keep two references ready with their email and contact details including ideal time to contact.

• Please keep your references informed about this.

• Ensure that your one of the references is a professional colleague, ideally ex-boss.

• Mention year of passing and percentage for each important examination.

• Do not mention passport number unless the position requires it.

• Update your resume every three months.

• Always send a freshly worked resume arranging and stressing important facts relevant to the job profile of the
position applying