Course Name Communication Skills

Course Code COM1101

Lecture 7 – INTERVIEWING
Instructor (s) Biryomumeisho Joshua
The journey so far...
Recap of the Last Lecture
By the Time we ended the Lecture, Students
should have been able to;
1)Emphasize the Importance of Teamwork in
Projects
2)Define Interpersonal Skills
3)Discuss vital interpersonal skills: Leadership,
Liaison with Clients, sponsors and other
stakeholders, selecting, building and managing
teams
4)Introduce some of the Key Techniques for
managing project Teams
5)Identify the needs of the Teams
Recap of the Last Lecture
By the Time we ended the Lecture,
Students should have been able to;
7)Negotiate with others and avoid conflict
8)Recognise the different types of Team
Organisation and assess their merits
9)Understand the different roles needed in the
teams
10)“Manage up”
11)Build and motivate a Team
12)Lead the Team
Today Lecture & Talking
Points
By the End of the Lecture Students
Should be able to understand the
Following Concepts;
1)Define Interviews
2)Types of Interviews
3)Preparation of Interviews
4)How to Become an Effective
Interviewer
News Headlines – 14 March
th

2017
What is an interview?
The word interview comes from Latin and
middle French words meaning to “see
between” or “see each other”.

Generally, interview means a private

meeting between people when questions
are asked and answered.

So, an interview is formal meetings

between two people (the interviewer and
the interviewee) where questions are
asked by the interviewer to obtain
information, qualities, attitudes, wishes
Types of Interviews
There are several different types of
interviews, but they all serve the
same purpose of letting interviewers
evaluate your skills, knowledge,
experience, education and
personality to determine if you’re
right for the position.

Below is an explanation of some of

the different types of interviews that
you may face.
Types of Interviews – (2)
1) Screening and Phone Interviews
2) One-On-One Interviews / Face-To-Face
Interviews
3) Multiple Interviews
4) Candidate Group Interviews
5) Panel or Committee Interviews
6) Breakfast or Lunch Interviews
7) Evaluation interviews:
8) Persuasive interviews:
9) Structured interviews


Types of Interviews –
(3)
10)Unstructured interviews
11)Counseling interviews
12)Disciplinary interviews
13)Stress interviews
14)Public interviews
Interviews
These are usually the first steps in the
interview process and are normally quick
and take place over the phone.

This first interview is extremely important

as it will decide if you go on to further
interviews. these interviews use direct
questions to find out if you would fit the
company’s culture and have the
knowledge, experience and qualifications
for the position.

Providing facts about your skills and

experience is more important than
One-On-One Interviews / Face-To-
Face Interviews
Thisis the interview that most are familiar
with and normally takes place after a
phone screening interview.

Itis normally established that you have the

requirements for the position from your
resume and screening interview.

The interviewer wants to see how you will

fit into the company and will ask questions
to test your listed skills and experience.
Please make sure that you focus on the
questions, don’t go off on a rant
Multiple Interviews
 It is very common that you will go through
several levels of interviews, on average
most candidates are interviewed by 3
different individuals and it is not unusual to
be interviewed up to 5 times; these can
take place on the same day or over several
weeks.

 The larger the company the more

interviews you can expect and it can be a
combination of one-on-one, group and
panel interviews.

 Small and private companies might only

Candidate Group Interviews
This is where interviews set two or
more applicants against each other
as they all will be interviewed at the
same time and most likely by two or
more interviewers.

Allapplicants will be applying for the

same position.

These interviews test your style,

professionalism, leadership skills and
the ability to function in a group
Panel or Committee
Interviews
This is when several members of the
company who have a say whether you
will be hired interview you at that same
time.

Sometimes this is performed as a time

saver method or as a way to see how you
deal under more pressures than a
traditional interview.
Interviews
 This is where managers like to interview
outside the office setting and get an insight
on how you behave in more relax
surroundings.

 You need to maintain the same standards

during these types of interviews as you
would interview in an office setting.

 Theenvironment might be more casual, but

you’re still being closely monitored. Use this
type of interview to build common ground
with the interviewer and follow their lead
with menu choices and etiquette, but don’t
order selections you won’t eat or drink.
Breakfast or Lunch Interviews – 2
Do not order the most expensive items
and never consume alcohol beverages
during these interviews.

Be aware of your table manners and

never speak with your mouth full. This
sounds like common sense tips, but many
don’t follow them.
Teleconferencing / Web Conferencing
Interviews
This is interviewing for a company where
their corporate office are a distance away
as a way to save on travel expenses
many companies are utilizing the newest
process of interviewing using a webcam
online format and it can be done from
your home or at one of the company’s
remote locations where they can still see
you and read your expressions.
Behavioral Interviews
 This is where the interviewer is examining for
behavior patterns rather than correct answers.
 They probe into what you have done in the past,
and not what you say you will do in the future.
 It’s a test as to how well you have handled
certain stressful situations in your past.
 These questions normally start out with “tell me
about a time when…” or “give me an example of
how you….” Example Tell me the time when your
boss told you to do something you knew was
wrong and how you handled it?

 Give
me an example of how you dealt with and
completely unreasonable client/customer
Stress Interviews
These types of interviews are performed to
see how you react to unexpected
situations and pressures.

The interviewer can be sarcastic,

argumentative and rude with you; he/she
might make you wait a while before they
perform the interview.

They will even leave long pauses between

questions. All this is their attempt to
unnerve you and evaluate how you act
under this type of pressure.
The Second or On-Site
Interview
After your first interview, you
may be
asked back again for a “second date.”

They like you enough that you made

the first round of cuts, but they would
like to know more about you before
making their final decision.

Second Interviews can last either a

half or full-day so it is best to check
again and get an agenda.
Task Oriented or Testing
Interview
This is a problem-solving interview where
you will be given some exercises to
demonstrate your creative and analytical
abilities.

A company may ask you to take a short

test to evaluate your technical knowledge
and skills. Sometimes a presentation to a
group is necessary to determine your
communication skills.
Class Tutorial
Interview
Experiences...
Volunteer as a Biomedical
Engineer
Would you Volunteer at the
Biomedical Engineering Unit
Interviewers Perspective
Communication Style / Confident
Posture
Dress Code
Expectations
Qualifications
Skills / Experience
Time Management
Organization Knowledge
Emotional Intelligence
Interviewee Perspective
Fair Judgement
Preparation for the
Interview
 ARRIVING FOR THE INTERVIEW

1. Dress appropriately
You should be suitably dressed for the
occasion. Your clothes as well as general
appearance should be neat. Fingernails
should be clean, shoes polished and
hairstyle appropriate. Lotions, creams and
perfumes should be used sparingly. The
accessories should complement the suit or
dress. Your appearance should not be
tasteless in any way.
2. Take with you your
certificates
 Ifthe interview letter mentions some
certificates, testimonials or other
documents, do not forget to take
them with you.

 If you think there are some other

papers that might be of use to you
during the interview, put them also in
your briefcase/your handbag.
3. Arrive in time
This is of utmost importance. Try to
arrive at the place of the interview
10-15 minutes before the
scheduled time. This will give you
enough time to relax and prepare
yourself for the interview.
4. Prepare the questions that you
would like to ask.
If the interviewer does not offer
you full information about the
company and the job, you must
ask questions to gain this
information. Prepare the questions
that you would like to ask. These
questions might relate to formal or
informal training, promotional
avenues, fringes/ benefits etc.
HOW TO CONDUCT YOURSELF DURING THE
INTERVIEW

 Don’t be nervous or agitated while entering

the interview room. See carefully where you
are going and do not trip over the carpet or
the doormat. Do not wear a scowl or a
stupid smile at the time of entering.

 Greet the interviewer(s) with a polite

morning/afternoon.

 Do not sit down until you have been asked

to. Even the posture in which you sit is
important. Don’t sit stiffy. Don’t be lax. Sit in
a natural, composed manner.
 When the interviewer starts
conversation, pay attention to what he
says. Do not interrupt him. Respond to
him only at the appropriate time.

 Give very relevant answers to his

questions. Do not ramble a long for
the interviewer will look bored. Do not
be too abrupt or you will appear rude.
 Do not try to make an exhibition of your
knowledge. Don’t boast of your
capabilities. It is for the interviewer to
find out how capable you are and he
will judge you with the help of some
penetrating questions which you must
answer frankly.

 If there is something you do not know,

admit it straightaway. It is useless to
pretend knowledge when you are
actually ignorant. Many candidates spoil
their interview by telling a lie and
landing themselves in an embarrassing
situation.
 If you are being interviewed by someone who
does not possess as many college degrees as
you have, do not put on airs. Give the
interviewer your full co-operation and
respect. In addition to knowing your
qualifications, the interviewer must also be
preparing some kind of reaction report. And if
you try to look superior, the reaction report is
bound to be unfavourable.

 You are expected to have your individual

views and you need not to agree with
everything the interviewer says. But you also
need not to annoy or offend him
unnecessarily. You must remain calm and
friendly throughout the interview. If you lose
temper, the interview is likely to be cut short
abruptly.
 Be positive in your attitude. Express your enthusiasm
for the job and the company. If you give the impression
that you are not really interested, you will discover that
your employer is also not really interested.
 Don’t keep shifting your seat. Do not bite or chew your
finger nails. Do not smoothen your hair. Do not play
with the paper weight or the pin cushion on the table.
Do not start adjusting the knot of your necktie. All
these are signs of nervousness. And nervousness is
your biggest enemy during the interview.
 When you are asked questions about your previous job,
be frank but avoid criticism of your former employer or
colleagues. You may bear a grudge against your former
employer, but keep it to yourself. An interview is not
the proper place to express your private grouses.
Mention only positive, pleasant and constructive
aspects of your earlier employment.
 Ifyour interviewer has not talked about your
job, do not be afraid to ask questions
yourself. Full knowledge of the job will help
you to decide whether you ought to accept it
or not.

 When the interview is over, do not forget to

thank the interviewer. You may even tactfully
ask when the result will be made known to
you.

 Ifthe job is offered to you, you may accept it

immediately or ask for time to think over it,
depending upon your circumstances.
Preparation for the
Interview

To promote the goodwill of the company

by giving the right kind of impression to
all the candidates whether or not they are
to be selected. The realization of this
objective definitely calls for careful
preparations.
As an interviewer, you must
make the following
preparation:

1. You should have a clear picture of the

company profile and of the nature of the job
for which the interview is being held.

2. You should know the type of personality,

character or nature required for the job.
3. You should send the interview letters well in
advance so that the candidates are not
inconvenienced and they also get sufficient
time to prepare themselves for the interview.
Clearly mention in the letter, the documents
you want the candidates to bring with them.

4. Make proper seating arrangement for the

candidates in the waiting room. The room
should be quite with provision for newspapers
and magazines so that the candidates feel
relaxed.

5. The interview itself should be conducted in a

quiet room where there is little or no
interruption. The telephone bell should not be
allowed to disturb, nor should the personal
assistant be allowed to intrude.
6. If the candidate is to be interviewed by a
committee, each member of the
committee should be in possession of a
copy of the bio-data of the candidate so
that there is neither any confusion nor
wastage of time.

7. You should decide before hand as to

which member of the committee is going
to initiate the interview. This will save
the candidate from being bombarded
with questions. According to the area of
specialization of the various members of
the committee, you should divide among
yourselves the areas in which you are
going to ask questions.
HOW TO CONDUCT THE INTERVIEW

1. Welcoming the candidate:

Welcome the candidate exactly
in the same way you would
welcome a friend who visits you
at your office or home. Give him
a warm smile and talk to him in a
friendly tone of voice. Hold with
him some small talk in an area
which you think is familiar to
him.
Cont--
Very few candidates are perfectly
free from nervousness before
they enter the interview room
and if you start interviewing them
before they have overcome their
nervousness, you cannot expect
them to reveal the best in them.
 2. Contents of the
interview:
 After you have made the candidate feel at
ease, you should start talking to him on the
subject you want to know about.

 The things you would particularly like to know

include, the candidate’s technical
qualifications (ability to do the job) drive and
aspirations (willingness to do the job),social
effectiveness and emotional balance
(relations with others and self), character
(trust worthiness) and other facts related to
his physical vigour and energy, spouses
attitude towards the job, financial stability,
willingness to travel, willingness to make
permanent moves.
Cont--
 You should make special note of those aspects of
the candidate personality that relates to interest
patterns, attitudes, character and nature.

 You should also ask him details about his

previous experience, duties, salary drawn and
the reason for changing the job if he happens to
be already working somewhere.

 When the candidate is providing this information,

you must show that you are keenly interested in
what he is telling you and may even take notes.

 If you feel the candidate is suitable and you

might offer him the job, given him the details
about your company and the job.
3. Parting :
 Parting is as important as
welcoming. You should thank the
candidate for having come for the
interview and tell him that he will soon
be informed of the outcome.

 It is desirable to give him a specific

date by which he will be informed, and
keep this date. Or you may politely tell
him that you will be informing him by
a certain date if he is selected, so that
if he does not hear from you by that
date, he presumes that he has not
been selected.
 HOW TO BECOME AN EFFECTIVE
INTERVIEWER

 Let the applicant do most of the talking. If

you talk more than 50 percent of time, you
are interviewing your self not conducting
an interview.
 Use brief verbal responses that will keep
the applicant talking use questions such as
“tell me more”, “That’s interesting”, “what
happened then?”
 Give your entire attention to the
interviewee and respond by encouraging
facial expressions, movement and
expression of the eyes, and nods of the
head.
 Allow pauses in the conversation if you
think the applicant will reveal important
information. But avoid lengthy pauses
or a pause when the applicant has
definitely finished a topic.
 Try to understand the applicant, who in
turn may volunteer really useful
information.
 Make self-expression easy for the
applicant.
 Respect the feelings of the other person
even though you consider the person
wrong.
Cont--
 At all times what the applicant says
Never frown, show surprise
or show disapproval.
 Avoid the impulse to cut the
applicant off or change the subject
abruptly.
 Never argue.
 Sit on the same side of the desk as
the applicant and use informal, plain
language.
Interviewee’s preparation
for the interview
If you are an interviewee, you should
prepare yourself on the following lines:
1. Know yourself:
This is probably the most important
part of your preparation. Try to find
out what to achieve through your
work-inner fulfillment, fame, position
in society, wealth, security, comfort,
travel, power. Before you apply for a
job, be sure that you know why you
are applying for it and whether it will
suit you.
2. Know the company
The next thing is to know the company in which
you are seeking the job. You should try to find
out as much as you can about its activities, its
growth over the years, its future prospects etc.
If you reveal a sincere interest in the company
and show that you have acquired knowledge
about it on your own initiative, you will create a
favorable impression on your interview.

3. Prepare for the questions

Anticipate the questions that you will probably
be asked and prepare answers to them. It is not
difficult to anticipate these questions, for after
all, you will be asked questions about your
interest, hobbies, achievements, prospects,
relationship with friends and members of the
family. Try to be clear in your mind about the
answers you will be giving. Don’t lie, for you
will surely be caught and will spoil the
whole show.
 The End

Thank you.