Interviews

What former CEO has to say

 Former CEO and business legend Jack Welch

offers the following career advice to anyone
looking for the right job:
 “Choose something you love to do, make
sure you’re with people you like, and then
give it your all.”
 Types of interviews

 Most companies conduct various types of

interviews before hiring a new employee. While
the number and type of interviews vary among
companies, applicants typically begin with a
screening interview often completed by phone or
videoconferencing, an in-depth interview, an on-
site interview with multiple interviewers, and
sometimes a stress interview. Depending on the
goals of the interviewer, interviews may follow a
structured or an unstructured approach.
 Types of interviews

 Structured Interviews
 Un-structured interviews
 Stress interviews
 Group interviews
 What not to do for the
interviews

 While many things can go wrong in the

nerve-racking job interview process, the five
most Common mistakes candidates commit
include (1) arriving late, (2) talking
negatively about previous employers, (3)
dressing down, (4) avoiding discussion of
personal weaknesses, and (5) demonstrating
ignorance of the company or the position
sought.
Etiquettes for the interviews

 The most powerful business tool is ETIQUETTE.

Employers increasingly complain of job applicants
who take personal phone calls or text message during
the interview. Play it safe by turning off electronic
devices for the duration of the interview and stowing
them out of sight.
 Your etiquette and people skills can make the
difference between a mediocre performance and one
that propels you in the hiring process.
Etiquettes for the interviews
(cont)

 Apply a firm handshake. Usually, the interviewer will initiate

the handshake, although you may do so. In either case, apply a
firm handshake. You do not want to leave the impression that
you are weak or timid. At the same time, you do not want to
overdo the firm grip and leave an impression of being
overbearing.
 Wait for the interviewer to ask you to be seated. If you
aren’t invited to sit, choose a chair across from or beside the
interviewer’s desk.
 Maintain appropriate eye contact, and use your body
language to convey confidence. Sit erect and lean forward
slightly to express interest. For a professional image, avoid
slouching, chewing gum, and fidgeting.
Be conscious of nonverbal
messages

 Maintain eye contact

 Relaxed but upright body posture
 Smile on the face
 Hands out of pockets
 Neutral facial expressions
 Presenting Your
Qualifications

 List five or six key points that you want

to emphasize. Likely, you will want to
present your education as a major asset. You
should point out its relationship to the job
sought. Even more important, the fact that
you have succeeded in academics indicates
that you have the ability and self-discipline
to learn.
 Interpersonal skills

 Additionally, be sure to provide evidence of

your interpersonal skills. Unlike the
candidate in the Dilbert cartoon, you will
want to communicate that you can get along
with others and are sensitive to diversity.
 Interpersonal skills

 An effective interview reveals abilities

beyond your technical qualifications.
Interpersonal skills (cont)

 What did you do in college that helped you get

along with others?
• Were you a member, an officer, or president of
an organization? What did you accomplish? How did
others perceive you? Were you a leader? How did
your followers respond to your leadership style? to
your commitment to ethical standards?
• Can you organize projects, motivate people to
complete important goals, and deal with difficult
people?
 The Co-curriculars

 The co-curricular activities listed on your

résumé give an indication of these traits. For
example: “I started as public relations vice
president and was subsequently elected to
higher office for four semesters, eventually
becoming president” is a statement that may
prove your leadership qualities. If you can
show your organization moved to greater
heights, you will appear successful as well.
 Standard interview
questions.

 Be prepared to answer standard

interview questions. These questions are
designed to show (a) why you want the job,
(b) why you want to work for this
organization, and (c) why the company
should want you.
 Skills Needed: Balance of
Soft and Hard Skills

 SOFT SKILLS –  HARD SKILLS

 Your Emotional
 Intelligence
 Discipline-specific
 Communication skills skills
 Team skills

 Technical skills
Flexibility
 Creativity and
 entrepreneurial ability
 Ability to cope with
 responsibility
 Social sensitivity
 Interest in life-long learning
 Practice

 Practice concise and developed answers that

reflect your personality and your
communication power . While one-word
answers aren’t adequate, long winded
answers may prevent interviewers from
asking you other planned questions critical
to making an informed decision.
 Be prepared to answer
behavioral questions

 Describe a time when you worked well under pressure,

worked effectively with others, organized a major project,
motivated and led others, solved a difficult problem, or
used persuasion to convince someone to accept your
idea. What was the most difficult problem you had to
overcome in your last job (or an academic or
extracurricular activity)? How did you cope with it? What
lesson did you learn from the situation? Share a time you
applied the lesson learned. Tell me about a time you had
difficulty working with a supervisor or coworker
(professor, peer in a team in a class setting). How did you
handle the situation?
 Be prepared to answer
behavioral questions

 Describe something you have done that

shows initiative and willingness to work or
required you to think on your feet to solve a
problem. How have your extracurricular
activities, part-time work experience, or
volunteer work prepared you for work in our
company? Tell me about a time you hit a wall
trying to push forward a great idea.
 Be prepared to demonstrate
logical thinking and creativity.

 Many interviewers ask applicants to solve brain

teasers and riddles, create art out of paper bags, and
solve complex business problems. Some are asked to
“do the job before we give it to you”; for example,
write a press release on the spot or field a tech-
support call. These techniques are used to gauge an
applicant’s ability to think quickly and creatively and
observe an emotional response to an awkward
situation. You cannot anticipate this type of interview
question, but you can familiarize yourself with mind
teasers that have been used.
Attitude matters
 Be professional

 Display a professional attitude.

 Be prepared to discuss salary and
benefits.
 Stress

 A job interview can be stressful,

especially when the applicant is asked
unexpected questions without obvious
answers. Doing some research about
possible questions that might be asked
and practicing appropriate responses
can help you feel more at ease during
the interview and more likely to make a
favorable impression.
 Interview Tips:

 Obtain key information

 Research the company
 Assemble documents (resume, references,
transcripts, portfolio)
 Prepare questions
 Dress appropriately
 Attend to your posture
 Practice
 Send a thank you letter
 Follow up
 Lets share

 Answer at least TWO of the following questions within 2-3

minutes.
 Introduce yourself.
 Tell about a time you had difficulty working with a professor, peer
in a team in a class setting. How did you handle the situation?
 Are you a Leader? Define a leader. How will you motivate yourself
and others?
 What was the most difficult problem you had to overcome in your
academic or extracurricular activity? How did you cope with it?
What lesson did you learn from the situation? Share a time you
applied the lesson learned.
 What vision do you have as an Engineer? Is it important to have a
vision?