Do's and Don'ts for Second and Subsequent Job Interviews

Do's and Don'ts for Second (and Subsequent) Job Interviews

It's gratifying to be called for a second or subsequent interview because you are another step closer to the job. Don't blow it now! Read our second-interview do's and don'ts.

Do take a practice run to the location where you are having the interview -- or be sure you know exactly where it is and how long it takes to get there.

Do pat yourself on the back for being called for a second interview. While some career experts say your chances are 1 in 4 to get the job at this point, others say you have as much as a 50 percent chance. Even with the field narrowing, it's important to distinguish yourself and ensure that you stand out above your competition.

More, More, More.

Do remember these three words: More, More, More. Compared to the first interview, a second interview will likely involve more preparation, more people, more questions, more intensity, and more pressure -- in addition to more likelihood that you will land the job.

Don't neglect to review your performance from your first interview. Note any questions or situations that caused you difficulty and plan how you will handle those aspects better in the second interview. Derive confidence from knowing that if you hadn't performed well in the first interview, you wouldn't have landed the second. Think about what made you shine in the first interview, and plan to do more of the same. Further, brainstorm new information you can bring into the second interview -- new accomplishments, new examples, new evidence of how much you know about the employer.

Do prepare -- even more than you did for the first interview. Presumably you researched the company before the first interview. Now it's time to delve even deeper into that research. 

Some experts suggest that talking with company insiders is one of the most productive ways to prepare for a second interview. Before your second interview, consider conducting informational interviews with company folks who aren't the ones who'll be interviewing you. 

If you are a college student, particularly seek out alumni from your school or sorority/fraternity who work for the employer. Also be sure you're up to date on developments in your field or industry by reviewing trade publications.

Don't be surprised if the second interview is actually a series of interviews -- in both individual and group/panel formats -- making for a long day. You may interview with managers, senior executives, department heads, and prospective team members. 

You may also get a tour of the workplace and be taken out to eat. For college students, this second-interview day may represent the first time the student has been interviewed in the employer's workplace. 

Plan to bring ample copies of your resume for all the people you may be meeting with. 

Do try to find out in advance exactly what the agenda will be and whom you can expect to interview with. If you aren't given this information when the interview is set up, contact the assistant of the main person with whom you'll be meeting to see what you can find out. If you see that a workplace tour is not included on the agenda, ask if someone can show you around as time permits.

Don't forget the cardinal rule of panel interviews: As you respond to a question, maintain eye contact with everyone on the panel -- not just the panelist who asked the question.

Do be up on business dining etiquette if you are asked to dine with representatives of the prospective employer. 

Do get a good night's sleep the night before this potentially grueling day. 

Look for opportunities to refresh yourself during the interview day. If there's a break in the action, splash some water on your face or take a brisk walk to rejuvenate. You might want to take along a pocket- or purse-sized snack in case there is no lunch break. Breath spray or a mini-bottle of mouthwash is also not a bad idea. Be careful not to run out of steam toward the end of the day. Maintain your energy, confidence, and enthusiasm.

Do be aware that you might be asked to complete psychometric tests dealing with such things as skills, intelligence, and personality. There's not a lot you can do to prepare for them -- but that good night's sleep will help.

Don't slack off with your interview attire. A second interview generally doesn't denote a more casual interview. The former Andersen Consulting (now Accenture) had a protocol for the three on-campus interviews it conducted with college students that called for skirted suits for women for the first two interviews. Female candidates were permitted to wear pantsuits to the third interview. Check with company insiders to see what attire is expected for each interview.

Fit, Fit, and Fit.

Do remember these three more words: Fit, Fit, and Fit. A major reason for the second interview is so the employer can see how well you fit in with the company culture. Put yourself inside the employer's head and realize that the interviewers at your second interview want to learn how well you will get along with other team members with whom you'll be interacting with every day. Deploy your very best interpersonal communication skills. Keep in mind the idea of showing your fit -- but remember that it's OK not to fit. If you aren't a good fit with the employer, you probably wouldn't be happy working there anyway. And remember, that this interview is also your opportunity to determine whether the company is a good fit for you. Think about whether you would accept if the employer extended an offer. 

Don't neglect to talk to other people beyond those you are interviewing with. Chatting up -- not too excessively -- the receptionist and prospective co-workers serves the dual purpose of giving you a better feel for how much you'd like to be part of this workplace culture, as well as making a positive impression on as many people as possible.

Do expect to be asked some of the same questions you were asked in the first interview, but some new ones as well. Second-interview questions may delve more into your personality, or they may be more targeted toward specific technical skills -- or both. Plan to keep your responses fresh yet consistent for each person you meet with during the second-interview, and don't worry about repeating yourself since you will likely have a different audience every time you give roughly the same response. If you've followed the advice above to obtain the full list of interviewers, a good way to keep your answers fresh is to try to find out something about each interviewer and tailor your response specifically to that person.

You can also vary your delivery to freshen your responses. Interviewing expert Carole Martin suggests that a good way for the interviewer to get to know about your personality is through the quotes of others; for example, tell the interviewer what your boss would say about you if asked.

Do expect behavioral questions, which are commonly asked in second interviews, even if they haven't been in asked in the first interview. 

Watch out also for off-the-wall questions. The second interview is also a likely venue for case questions, especially in consulting firms. 

Interview Callbacks: Why an Employer May Invite You Back

Interview Callbacks: Why an Employer May Invite You Back Multiple Times

It's not unusual for a company to invite a potential employee back for a second interview. Managers often request second interviews to clarify information on a candidate or to introduce him or her to other members of a department. Says a human resources manager at an information technology company headquartered in California: "At my company, usually there is a team of people interviewing. Some interviewers are [looking] for technical expertise, others for personality and fit. The second interview might be someone following up on a particular question. Or it might be someone on the team who wants to make a connection, to see if the candidate would fit in." Another reason for a second interview might be that the company wants to ask more in-depth questions or to provide more insight into its needs.
While second interviews are the norm, if you're asked back for a third or fourth other factors are probably at play. In this article, hiring managers explain why you might be called back repeatedly -- and what you can do to prove once and for all that you're the right person for the job.

Confidence Versus Cockiness

Some candidates, in an effort to appear confident, actually overdo the role and appear egocentric instead. Susan Cheng, a manager at a major media entertainment company, says that she has encountered this type of interviewee. "There's a thin line between being confident and being prideful," she explains. "For example, there was one gentleman who had all the right qualifications. There was a moment in the interview when we asked, 'If you were in this position, what would be the first three things you would do?' The guy basically said, 'I would change everything.' He was trying to be very confident in his approach, but that came across the wrong way." What could this candidate have done to prevent himself from appearing arrogant? He should have worked on his delivery, using more diplomacy and tactfulness, Cheng says. "Word choice is important," she stresses.
On a callback interview, make sure not to overstep the boundary into arrogance. It's one thing to be sure of your abilities, but quite another to question the abilities of those around you.

Conflicting Reports

A candidate may also be called in for multiple interviews because the various interviewers can't reach a consensus. Cheng says, "The person might come in and interview with six people. Ideally, [the interviewers] could decide [the candidate's suitability] at that point. But if one out of six interviewers says, 'No, it's not a good fit,' it's not a majority-win situation. So another interview might be required to get more data points on the candidate." The HR manager at an information technology company underscores this point. "I've seen people stumble because they might have had great interviews in the beginning, but they are now overconfident and under-prepared," he says. "They might think they now have a rubberstamp of approval, but that's never the case. One interviewer could definitely veto the process, because they're already on the team and they carry a lot of weight."
There isn't necessarily a simple cure for conflicting reports, since you may never know which of your interviewers -- if any -- is barring your entrance into the company. The best you can do is to treat each interviewer with civility and consideration. Be yourself, be prepared, and if your best effort isn't enough to earn a job offer, take solace in the fact you'll eventually find an employer that is a better fit.

Second in Line 

Another reason a candidate might be called back multiple times is if he or she were second in line for the job, but the No. 1 person didn't come through. A hiring manager for an accounting firm in New York City says, "In this situation, we call people back in order to evaluate them as the preferred candidate rather than as a possibility."
As each interview represents a fresh beginning, it would be unwise to coast on the success of a previous interview. If you were previously second in line, you will have to prove that you are indeed the best of the remaining candidates, which means you should research and prepare not just for the first interview, but also for each subsequent callback.

A Nagging Concern

A hiring manager for a market-research company says that he would call back a candidate if he or another interviewer had concerns about one aspect of that candidate's qualifications. "In one instance, we needed a person who had both extensive programming skills and market-research capabilities," he explains. "We called back several candidates, but each one seemed to have either strong programming skills or strong market-research skills. When we finally found someone who possessed both, we were concerned that although he had some programming skills, these weren't extensive enough. And in fact, after three or four interviews, we decided against making an offer to this candidate."
If you suspect that your interviewer has a concern about you, it's best to follow the advice of David Wittenberg, a manager of technology planning, and to be upfront about the situation. Ask your interviewer what concerns, if any, he or she has about you, Wittenberg suggests. That way, you can address these issues directly during the interview process, rather than speculate about them after the fact.

In Contention for a Different Position"

Another reason [for multiple interviews] might be that the candidate was applying for one position, but we liked that person and his qualifications and thought he would fit another," Cheng says. In other words, your interviewer might prefer to place you in a position other than the one you are interviewing for.

Unless your interviewer is upfront about the company's intentions, it's impossible to know if this is a reason why you might be receiving multiple callbacks. The best thing to do is to continue to tout whatever expertise you have that is directly applicable to the position requirements, while also mentioning more universal skills.

The Screening Interview

The Screening Interview

Companies use screening tools to ensure that candidates meet minimum qualification requirements. Computer programs are among the tools used to weed out unqualified candidates. (This is why you need a digital resume that is screening-friendly. See our resume center for help.) Sometimes human professionals are the gatekeepers. Screening interviewers often have honed skills to determine whether there is anything that might disqualify you for the position. Remember-they do not need to know whether you are the best fit for the position, only whether you are not a match. For this reason, screeners tend to dig for dirt. Screeners will hone in on gaps in your employment history or pieces of information that look inconsistent. They also will want to know from the outset whether you will be too expensive for the company.

Some tips for maintaining confidence during screening interviews:

Highlight your accomplishments and qualifications.

Get into the straightforward groove. Personality is not as important to the screener as verifying your qualifications. Answer questions directly and succinctly. Save your winning personality for the person making hiring decisions!

Be tactful about addressing income requirements. Give a range, and try to avoid giving specifics by replying, "I would be willing to consider your best offer."

If the interview is conducted by phone, it is helpful to have note cards with your vital information sitting next to the phone. That way, whether the interviewer catches you sleeping or vacuuming the floor, you will be able to switch gears quickly.

The Informational Interview

The Informational Interview

On the opposite end of the stress spectrum from screening interviews is the informational interview. A meeting that you initiate, the informational interview is underutilized by job-seekers who might otherwise consider themselves savvy to the merits of networking. Job seekers ostensibly secure informational meetings in order to seek the advice of someone in their current or desired field as well as to gain further references to people who can lend insight. Employers that like to stay apprised of available talent even when they do not have current job openings, are often open to informational interviews, especially if they like to share their knowledge, feel flattered by your interest, or esteem the mutual friend that connected you to them. During an informational interview, the jobseeker and employer exchange information and get to know one another better without reference to a specific job opening.

This takes off some of the performance pressure, but be intentional nonetheless:

Come prepared with thoughtful questions about the field and the company.
Gain references to other people and make sure that the interviewer would be comfortable if you contact other people and use his or her name.
Give the interviewer your card, contact information and resume.
Write a thank you note to the interviewer.

The Meandering Style - Interview

The Meandering Style

This interview type, usually used by inexperienced interviewers, relies on you to lead the discussion. It might begin with a statement like "tell me about yourself," which you can use to your advantage. The interviewer might ask you another broad, open-ended question before falling into silence. This interview style allows you tactfully to guide the discussion in a way that best serves you.

The following strategies, which are helpful for any interview, are particularly important when interviewers use a non-directive approach:

Come to the interview prepared with highlights and anecdotes of your skills, qualities and experiences. Do not rely on the interviewer to spark your memory-jot down some notes that you can reference throughout the interview.

 
Remain alert to the interviewer. Even if you feel like you can take the driver's seat and go in any direction you wish, remain respectful of the interviewer's role. If he or she becomes more directive during the interview, adjust.

 
Ask well-placed questions. Although the open format allows you significantly to shape the interview, running with your own agenda and dominating the conversation means that you run the risk of missing important information about the company and its needs.

 

The Directive Style Interview

The Directive Style

In this style of interview, the interviewer has a clear agenda that he or she follows unflinchingly. Sometimes companies use this rigid format to ensure parity between interviews; when interviewers ask each candidate the same series of questions, they can more readily compare the results. Directive interviewers rely upon their own questions and methods to tease from you what they wish to know. You might feel like you are being steam-rolled, or you might find the conversation develops naturally. Their style does not necessarily mean that they have dominance issues, although you should keep an eye open for these if the interviewer would be your supervisor.

Either way, remember:

Flex with the interviewer, following his or her lead.
Do not relinquish complete control of the interview. If the interviewer does not ask you for information that you think is important to proving your superiority as a candidate, politely interject it.

Behavioral Interview

Behavioral Interview

Behavioral interview is a relatively new mode of interview that was developed in the 1970's by industrial psychologists. The underlying principal is that past performance is the best indicator of future performance. Actually, behavior-based interviews are said to be 55 percent predictive of future on-the-job behavior, while traditional interviews are only 10 percent predictive. They can help hiring managers get more objective information about a candidate's job-related skills, abilities, interest and motivation, and make more accurate hiring decision. Currently, 30 percent of all organizations are using behavior based interviews to some degree.

In behavior-based interviews, you are asked to give specific examples of when you demonstrated particular behaviors or skills. Questions usually start with "Tell me about a time when..., Describe a situation where you had to...," or " Give me an example of..." These are the prefaces to behavioral questions. Sometimes, these questions may be followed by a series of probing questions like "What might you done differently?", "How has the experience affected the way you would approach the situation today?", etc.

So what are employers looking for with these type of questions? As the name implies, they are looking for your behaviors and skills that are equated with success. These skills may be technical skills or performance sills (such as creativity or decisiveness). So understanding the most wanted skills may be helpful to your interviewing.

According to a research conducted by New York Times Job Market, the following skills are most in demand by employers:

Ability to work in a team environment (89%)
Ability to learn quickly (84%)
Presentation/verbal communications (76%)
Multi-tasking (73%)
Time Management (69%)
Skills most in demand for management candidates:

Leadership (67%)
Strategic Thinking (56%)
Skills most in demand for administration candidates:

Technical (25%)
Analytical (24%)
Skills most in demand for entry-level positions:

Ability to learn quickly (32%)
Furthermore, employers said they were willing to pay more money to candidates who have the following skills:

Multitasking (65%)
Can quickly learn on the job (64%)
Possess strategic thinking abilities (61%)

BEHAVIOURAL INTERVIEW

BEHAVIOURAL INTERVIEW

A common type of job interview in the modern workplace is the behavioral interview or behavioral event interview. 

This type of interview is based on the notion that a job candidate's previous behaviors are the best indicators of future performance. In behavioral interviews, the interviewer asks candidates to recall specific instances where they were faced with a set of circumstances, and how they reacted. 

Typical behavioral interview questions:

"Tell me about a project you worked on where the requirements changed midstream. What did you do?" 

"Tell me about a time when you took the lead on a project. 

What did you do?"

"Describe the worst project you worked on." 

"Describe a time you had to work with someone you didn't like." 

"Tell me about a time when you had to stick by a decision you had made, even though it made you very unpopular." 

"Give us an example of something particularly innovative that you have done that made a difference in the workplace." 

"What happened the last time you were late with a project?" 

A bad hiring decision nowadays can be immensely expensive for an organization – cost of the hire, training costs, severance pay, loss of productivity, impact on morale, cost of re-hiring, etc. (Gallup international places the cost of a bad hire as being 3.2 times the individual's salary).

Telephone Interviews

Telephone Interviews

Given the cost of travel, a growing number of information organizations use telephone interviews to filter finalists before inviting a few [usually three] for an interview. The interviewer may be a single individual or a group. Because of the nature of the telephone, this type of interview requires some special preparation.

Keep a summary version of your employer research file as well as the details in an easily scanned folder. Be aware that you won't have much time to search for information while you're on the phone. Also have your cover letter and resume easily available. You should have two pens and sheets of paper so that you can easily make notes. Water should be available.

Consider where you will interview. Select a place where distractions -- noise, pets, children, others, TVs, stereos -- can be minimized. Depending on your situation, a land line may provide clearer communication than a cell phone. Be certain that you can receive a strong signal.

Although the interviewers cannot see you, it's best to treat the interview as a business experience so you're showered, alert.... Wear comfortable clothing. This is serious so no bunny slippers.

Telephone interviews place a premium on quality listening skills. It's helpful to take notes as others speak. When you speak, talk slowly enough to be clearly understood. Use professional language and be thoughtful and measured in your comments. It's OK to pause briefly as you collect your thoughts, but briefly. Be honest if you don't know or don't understand. You may ask for a clarification or for the question to be repeated -- but not too often.

Making a Great First Impression!

Making a Great First Impression!

Be on Time
The person you are meeting for the first time is not interested in your “good excuse” for running late. Plan to arrive a few minutes early. And allow flexibility for possible delays in traffic or taking a wrong turn. Arriving early is much better that arriving late, hands down, and is the first step in creating a great first impression.

Be Yourself, Be at Ease
If you are feeling uncomfortable and on edge, this can make the other person ill at ease and that’s a sure way to create the wrong impression. If you are calm and confident, so the other person will feel more at ease, and so have a solid foundation for making that first impression a good one. S

Present Yourself Appropriately
Of course physical appearance matters. The person you are meeting for the first time does not know you and your appearance is usually the first clue he or she has to go on.
But it certainly does not mean you need to look like a model to create a strong and positive first impression. (Unless you are interviewing with your local model agency, of course!)
No. The key to a good impression is to present yourself appropriately.
They say a picture is worth a thousand words, and so the “picture” you first present says much about you to the person you are meeting. Is your appearance saying the right things to help create the right first impression?

Start with the way you dress. What is the appropriate dress for the meeting or occasion? In a business setting, what is the appropriate business attire? Suit, blazer, casual? And ask yourself what the person you'll be meeting is likely to wear - if your contact is in advertising or the music industry, a pinstripe business suit may not strike the right note!

For business and social meetings, appropriate dress also varies between countries and cultures, so it’s something that you should pay particular attention to when in an unfamiliar setting or country. Make sure you know the traditions and norms.

And what about your personal grooming? Clean and tidy appearance is appropriate for most business and social occasions. A good haircut or shave. Clean and tidy clothes. Neat and tidy make up. Make sure your grooming is appropriate and helps make you feel “the part”.

Appropriate dressing and grooming help make a good first impression and also help you feel “the part”, and so feel more calm and confident. Add all of this up and you are well on your way to creating a good first impression.

A Word about Individuality
The good news is you can usually create a good impression without total conformity or losing your individuality. Yes, to make a good first impression you do need to “fit in” to some degree. But it all goes back to being appropriate for the situation. If in a business setting, wear appropriate business attire. If at a formal evening social event, wear appropriate evening attire. And express your individuality appropriately within that context.

A Winning Smile!
“Smile and the world smiles too.”* So there’s nothing like a smile to create a good first impression. A warm and confident smile will put both you and the other person at ease. So smiling is a winner when it comes to great first impressions. But don't go overboard with this - people who take this too far can seem insincere and smarmy, or can be seen to be "lightweights".

Most Frequently Asked Interview Questions

Most frequently asked Interview Questions

• Why have you selected to join us?
  I always longed to work with a company. I am familiar and whose products I have used and trusted.
  (Narrate briefly how you can prove your statement. Do good research on the company before facing the interview)

• Where do you want to be in 5 years?
  I would like to be frank. Judge me from the work and I am sure you will put me right where I want to be.
  Note : Do not over ambitious and speak in a way that you are not satisfied with your current job which you have applied for.

• Describe your ideal career?
  Talk of what you enjoy most your skills and natural talents. Do not specify your goal and any job title.

• Tell me something about yourself
  Do not just repeat what you have given in your resume. Be ready with the answer, a talent or something you did out of the ordinary. You can sound it as unique or give it a touch of your personality.

• How did you apply for the job?
  Be specific and give a straight answer of how you came to know about the vacancy. If it was advertised specify how you came across it.

• Why do you want to work here?
  Have a research done about the company / organization
  Give just one or two reasons why you are interested. You can add these points (1) company's reputation(2) desire to join the specific field of interest.

• Don't you think that you are over qualified for this job?
  (This question is put to you to puzzle a candidate. Be calm and answer the question with a positive and confident approach)
  Answer in the negative
  My experience and qualification will just help me to do the job better. Moreover I am at establishing a long term relationship which my qualification will favor me to handle more responsibilities and help me to rise to your expectations

Follow Through: Strategies to Keep You in The Interview Game

Follow Through: Strategies and Scripts to Keep You in The Interview Game

The word "succeed" comes from the Latin succedere -- to go up or follow after. Succeed is a verb, indicating action. To succeed in your search, you will need to act and follow through, often well beyond what you think should be required. One of the biggest mistakes job seekers make is thinking that "the ball is in the employer's court." The fact is, the ball is permanently in your court. 

Rather than being passive, be persistent! 

You can always be doing something to keep things moving, as these before and after examples show:
Before (passive): "I've submitted my resume online, and now I'm just waiting to hear something from the company."

After (persistent): "I've submitted my resume online, and now I'm working on finding contacts inside the company."
Or:
Before (passive): "The interviewer told me that he'd be getting back to me in a week, but it's been two and I haven't heard anything." 

After (persistent): "When I didn't hear back from the interviewer in the timeframe he mentioned, I touched base with my contact in accounting and asked her advice on how to follow up. She said she'd ask around to find out what she could and also recommended that I attend the upcoming industry association meeting because it would likely give me a chance to run into the interviewer."
Or:
Before (passive): "I'm excited because it looks like I'm a top candidate for the position and I'm just waiting to hear about a third interview." 

After (persistent): "I'm excited about this opportunity, but at the same time, I'm not putting all my eggs in one basket. While I wait, I've done some calling and managed to line up two interviews with other companies."

Here are some strategies for following through before the interview. There's a fine line to walk between being persistent and being a pest. The following strategies will ensure that you come across to interviewers as a proactive professional (and not a pain in the posterior)!

Follow Through After Applying Online 

It's not enough to find openings on an employer's Web site, attach your resume, and click "Submit." You must follow through and connect with people in the company, preferably the hiring manager or people who influence the hiring decision. 

Peripheral contacts -- those who do not influence the hiring decision directly but have knowledge about the company, the position, or the hiring manager's preferences -- are also be critical to your success.

Ideally, it's best to find a referring employee prior to applying at the employer's Web site. When you do, the insider can give you tips about applying. You can also include the person's name on your online application because most large companies have an employee referral process that earns employees cash and other incentives for referring a new hire.

INTERVIEW PREPARATION

We need to prepare well for the interview, finding out about the history of the company, its structure, market position and management style, along with details such as: how big the company is, how long have they been operating, what are their key income revenues and core areas of business, who are their major competitors, and have they had any major upheavals or successes. 

 The easiest place to start the research is the website, or calling the marketing department and asking for a company profile or press kit. This will not only help you show your enthusiasm to the company but also enable you to be more relaxed about the questions asked. If you are preparing for a specific job interview, you will need to familiarise yourself with the job description, so matching your attributes to their requested skills. You will also need to prepare information about yourself by building up a personal profile to enable you to answer questions both quickly and accurately. 

The profile will comprise of both personal and business information. For example: 

 Personal:

 'I am an ambitious, organised and highly-motivated individual who is goal driven and excels at building long-term customer relationships.' 

 Business:

 'I am an experienced sales professional with five years specific experience in the automotive industry'... go into further details. 

Be positive, if you are negative the employers will not believe in you. You need to remember that you have been short-listed, and therefore must stand a good chance. It is good to feel a bit nervous before the interview as it shows that you want the job. 

Top Interview Techniques 

The interview is not only a chance for the interviewer to assess if you are the right person for the job, but it is also an opportunity for you to see if the job and the company are suitable for you. During the interview you need to look for opportunities to be proactive and ask your own questions or try to lead the discussion where appropriate. Questions should reflect your keenness to work for the company. Generally you should limit yourself to just a couple of significant questions such as: 

•  What are the key tasks and responsibilities of the job 
•  What support and guidance is available 
•  What training will be available 
•  Other aspects to talk about are: 
•  Structure of the organisation 
•  Success of the organisation,
•  it's profitability and product portfolio 
•  Future strategies and development 

Keep your concentration levels up during the interview and make sure you listen to the responses the interviewer gives you. The worst mistakes happen when people end up asking questions about topics that have already been covered, or don't hear or understand what the interviewer has said. 

 Key points: 

• Make sure you give the interviewer your full attention 
• Wait for them to finish speaking, before you answer the question 
• Make sure you ask open questions, to ensure you get full answers 
• Check you understand everything that has been said 
• At the end of the interview find out what will happen next: 
• When will I hear from you 
• How will I be informed 
• Do you need any more information from me

 

Candidates can easily find themselves on the defensive, trying to justify themselves, rather than sell their attributes. A good interviewer will often throw all sorts of challenging questions at you, in order to see if you are suitable for the job. To help you cope with these it is best to know the possible questions that you might get asked, these can be divided up into sections: 

• Selling yourself (mention your strengths) 
• What experience do you have to benefit this job? 
• Can you work well under pressure? 
• What is your greatest strength? 
• What interests you most about this job? 
• Why should I hire you? 
• Do you have any questions? 

Questions could include: 

1. what your first assignment would be, 
2. what type of training is required or given, 
3. requesting to see a job description, and 
4. who the company's major competitors are. Information giving (information on your experience and skills set) 

•  Do you consider yourself to be a natural leader? The interviewer will be interested in your ability to lead when necessary 
•  Tell me about yourself. This is an open question, and is a good opportunity for you to reveal the strengths that you mentioned in your personal profile. This is also your chance to reveal your personality, so just be yourself. 
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• What are your biggest accomplishments? This should be job related, and is a chance to show your competency 
• Where do you see yourself in five years time? 

 Dealing with objections 

• How do you handle criticism? Try to portray the attitude that all criticism has a benefit, providing an opportunity for improvement. Also elaborate by giving an example of a poor idea that has been criticised rather than a substandard piece of work. 
• How will you cope with a change in environment? Talk about how you can adapt and learn quickly. Turning negatives into positives (change your weaknesses into strengths) 
• What can you do for us that someone else can't? If you have understood the details of the job then try to answer this with a combination of your skills/experience which others are unlikely to have. Describe a difficult problem you've had to deal with. Clearly explain how you have approached a problem, the result and how the difficult outcome was averted. This will show that you have a positive attitude to all challenges, and you were not discouraged or intimidated by the situation. 
• What is your greatest weakness? This is your chance to show that you have identified and are working on reducing your weaknesses. Turn your weakness into strength. 
• How do you handle tension/stress? Explain how you avoid stressful situations, and if not how you deal with it, for example: exercising and going to the gym. 
• How do you take direction? Show by giving examples of how you can be briefed and finish the task without unnecessary disagreements/complications 
• Do you prefer working with others or alone? Explain how you can work well in both situations. 
• How do you handle rejection? Much of today's business is commercially orientated, therefore a good answer would tend to be that you move on but take on board what has happened and use it to benefit you in the future. Always speak clearly in a controlled range of tones. Do not speak in monotone and always pause before speaking, this avoids instinctively reacting and saying the wrong thing. 

Points you need to remember: 

• Smiling is a good positive signal, as it reaffirms your good nature 
• Maintain eye contact 
• Relax do not rush or fidget 
• Mirror the interviewers techniques, if they laugh, laugh with them 
• Maintain an alert position, sit up straight, don't slump, but be comfortable 
• Always have a confident and honest attitude.

 Top Do's and Don'ts during the Interview 

• Always adopt a professional and business-like manner 
• Listen intently Use strong positive language 
• Ask the relevant questions 
• Wear a smile at all times 
• Never indicate that you're desperate for a job 
• Don't get into discussions about your personal life, and decline any bait to mention secrets of your present employer. The interviewer should respect your trustworthiness and integrity 
• Ensure that you don't smell of any strong odours, e.g. alcohol, garlic or even perfume 
• Don't fidget or play with your hair, clothing, items in your pockets etc 
• Avoid negative phrases such as: 'I don't know'. I'm not sure' 
• Be persuasive, speak in terms of what benefit you can bring to the company, rather than the other way around 
• Remain calm and don't rush your answers 

Psychometric Tests 

Psychometric means tools for measuring the mind. There are two types of test: Aptitude test: assess your abilities Personality questionnaires: which build up a profile of your characteristics.  Many employers believe that such tests give a good idea of whether you are able to do the job, and if your personality is suited to that of the job and the company. 

 Aptitude Tests: 

These test your critical reasoning skills under timed conditions. A typical test may have three sections each testing a different ability, such as verbal reasoning, numerical reasoning. The test would normally be about 30 minutes long for 30 questions. 

Personality Tests: 

Questions tend to focus on; how you relate to other people, your work style, your ability to deal with emotions (your own and others); your motivations; determination and general outlook and your ability to handle stressful situations. There are no right or wrong answers, just be yourself. top

HR INTERVIEW QUESTION AND TIPS

Introduction
Okay, so you have managed to hold your nerves in control and brave the questions of the HR. You are now at the end of your interview session. What next? The answer is, there are a few more steps to go. For instance, the HR person may ask you if you have anything to ask of him/her. How do you respond to that? It is quite likely that you are stressed out and nothing comes to your mind. This article deals with this situation and gives you a few intelligent questions that you may ask.

The Rationale
First of all let us try to understand why the HR person puts you in such a situation. Is he/she simply being nice to you or is there more to it? One possible reason is that the company wants to project an image of transparency. The company wants you to know that it encourages two-way communication between the top management and the subordinates, an atmosphere where everyone can ask relevant questions and expect to get answers. In other words, the company respects the employee’s need to know about matters that affect him, no matter where he is in the hierarchy.
Next, and more important, this situation checks your presence of mind and ability to form intelligent questions. So far you have been simply answering questions asked of you. How do you behave when you are in a position to ask questions? What kind of questions do you ask? It also shows how serious you are about the company and the job.
Let us get on to some questions now.

Some Useful Questions For the Candidate
Before you set out to ask questions, keep the above reasons in mind. It would be good to sincerely thank the HR person for such an opportunity. You can start with something like “I have really enjoyed this opportunity to meet you and your team at .. (the company name). Yes, there are a few things I would like to know, thank you for asking” However it is not wise to ask the HR a volley of questions and turn it into a counter interview. Consider the questions below and choose one or two from them that you find the most useful to you.

What do you personally find the most enjoyable part of working for this company?

May I ask why or how you joined this organization? / What brought you here?

I would like to know about the work atmosphere here…

Would you be able to tell me about this company’s vision/philosophy?

How would you evaluate this organization’s strengths and weaknesses?

I would like to know a little about my day-to-day responsibilities.

Is this an immediate requirement? How soon would you be taking people on board for this position?

I would like to know how my skills compare with the other people who have applied for this position.

I am really interested in this opportunity and I feel I have the required skills for this position. What would I have to do next?

Now that our interview is coming to close, is there anything you would like to know about my ability towards this job?

Would you be able to tell me a little about what the company expects from its employees? 

What are the most important assets and skills for this company?

Does the company follow a structured path in promoting the employees? How does it go?

If the company finds me good at the job, how would it advance me? What would be the next step in my career growth?

If I performed well in the current position, what are the additional likely opportunities for me within this company?

Are there any special areas in this company that the top leaders emerge from?/ Are there special areas like say sales or engineering that have more prospects for growth within this company, or do the leaders come from a cross section of different areas?

The company has decided to recruit for this position from outside. How does the company choose between recruiting from within or outside?

How far does this particular position contribute to the bottom line?

What advice would you give to someone selected for this position?

What are the current challenges of this position/department within the company?

Before I leave, can I have a formal/written description of the position? This would help me to review the activities and evaluate what is expected of me.

Is this job likely to lead to other positions in the company? What is the usual route?

Would you be able to tell me a little about the people I will be working with?

Before I take your leave, let me check my understanding of the position. The designation is …., the responsibilities are …., it is in the ….. department, and I would be reporting to ……. Please correct me if I have got it wrong anywhere.

How does this company promote equal opportunity and diversity?

Would you be able to tell me who the company regards as its stars? What have been their most important contributions?

How do the subordinates address their seniors in this company?

Could you tell me about the management style of this company?

If you selected me for this position, what assignment would I be starting on?

Does this company have a formal mission statement? Am I allowed to see it?

What are the most important parameters along which this company evaluates an employee’s contribution? 

Some Useful Question Answers

1. Tell me about yourself?
I am down-to-earth, sweet, smart, creative, industrious, and thorough.

2. How has your experience prepared you for your career?
Coursework:
Aside from the discipline and engineering foundation learning that I have gained from my courses, I think the design projects, reports, and presentations have prepared me most for my career.
Work Experience:
Through internships, I have gained self-esteem, confidence, and problem-solving skills. I also refined my technical writing and learned to prepare professional documents for clients.
Student Organizations:
By working on multiple projects for different student organizations while keeping up my grades, I've built time management and efficiency skills. Additionally, I've developed leadership, communication, and teamwork abilities.
Life Experience:
In general, life has taught me determination and the importance of maintaining my ethical standards.

3. Describe the ideal job.
Ideally, I would like to work in a fun, warm environment with individuals working independently towards team goals or individual goals. I am not concerned about minor elements, such as dress codes, cubicles, and the level of formality. Most important to me is an atmosphere that fosters attention to quality, honesty, and integrity.

4. What type of supervisor have you found to be the best?
I have been fortunate enough to work under wonderful supervisors who have provided limited supervision, while answering thoughtful questions and guiding learning. In my experience, the best supervisors give positive feedback and tactful criticism.

5. What do you plan to be doing in five years' time?
Taking the PE exam and serving in supervisory/leadership roles both at work and in professional/community organization(s).

6. What contributions could you make in this organization that would help you to stand out from other applicants?
In previous internships, my industriousness and ability to teach myself have been valuable assets to the company. My self-teaching abilities will minimize overhead costs, and my industriousness at targeting needs without prompting will set me apart from others. Additionally, one thing that has always set me apart from my scientific/engineering peers are my broad interests and strong writing abilities. I am not your typical "left-brained" engineer, and with my broad talents, I am likely to provide diverse viewpoints.

7. What sort of criteria are you using to decide the organization you will work for?
Most importantly, I am looking for a company that values quality, ethics, and teamwork. I would like to work for a company that hires overachievers.

8. What made you choose your major?
My academic interests are broad, so I sought civil engineering to achieve a great balance of mathematics, chemistry, biology, physics, and writing.

9. Have your university and major met your expectations?
The College of Engineering at MSU has exceeded my expectations by providing group activities, career resources, individual attention, and professors with genuine interest in teaching.
My major has met my expectations by about 90%. I would have enjoyed more choices in environmental courses, and would have preferred more calculus-based learning.

10. What made you choose this college?
I chose this college for the following reasons: my budget limited me to in-state schools, I was seeking an area with dog-friendly apartments, the MSU web site impressed me, I saw active student groups, and the people were very friendly.

So with the help of these tips you would be able to crack the final round of interview and can get your desired job.

How To Excel In The Interview At Short Notice

You have an interview scheduled tomorrow. With less than 24 hours to prepare, you don't know where to start from.

Here is a simple exercise which will not take you more than two hours. Follow the guidelines and make that first impression which will help you get you your desired job
. On the Interview day

Non-verbal Messages: 

Non-verbal language speaks larger than words. As you walk in the interview room, here are a few things that you must keep in mind:
Start it off like a winner.

The handshake: 

Offer your hand, and give a firm handshake, a pleasant smile and a positive and confident attitude. Introduce yourself.

Posture: 

Stand and sit erect

Don't Fidget: 

There is nothing worse than people playing with their hair, clicking pen tops, tapping feet or unconsciously touching parts of the body.

Eye Contact: 

Look the interviewer in the eye

Move your hands: 

Gesturing or talking with your hands is very natural, but keep it in moderation.

Be comfortable. 

Take a seat facing the interviewer, however, slightly off center. Be sure that you are in a comfortable position

Listen attentively:

Look at the interviewer directly, but don't get into a stare down! Sit up straight. Try to relax. It's okay to take a few notes if the questions are lengthy, or you need to remind yourself of something you want to stress

Avoid nervous mannerisms:

 Pay attention to nervous mannerisms. Everyone is nervous to some extent, the key is to appear calm and composed

Speak clearly:

 Use good grammar and a friendly tone. Never answer just "yes" or "no" to a question. Always clarify, expand on your answers. Be sure not to go on rambling

Be positive and enthusiastic:

.Pump up your enthusiasm prior to the interview. Never whine, gripe or complain about past employers, jobs, classes etc

Ask pertinent questions:

 Be prepared to ask a few questions. Do not monopolize the interviewer's time, particularly if you know they have appointments scheduled following your interview. Do ask thoughtful questions. Don't ask about salary and benefits, this can be discussed when the company is definitely interested in you

While giving answers to questions:

Be Concise:

Listen to the questions carefully and answer to the point. An interviewee rambling on is likely to turn off the interviewer.

Provide Examples:

Support your contentions with examples. Think of recent strong strategic examples of work you've done, then when the question is asked, answer with specifics, not in generalities.
Be Honest: It is always better to state the truth than beating about the bush. If you don’t know something then state the fact.

 
Keep Your Guard Up: 

Always maintain your professionalism. Don’t get swayed by the friendly behaviour of the interviewer and disclose everything. For all you know it might be a trap laid out by him.

After the Interviews

Say thanks:

 The next day write the interviewer a brief note reiterating your interest in the job. Spell his or her name correctly!

Follow up:

 If you haven't heard from the interviewer within the time frame indicated at the close of the interview, call them to relay a polite reminder that you're still interested in the job. Ask when they plan to make a hiring decision.
If you aren't hired and you are still interested in the company, it pays to keep in touch with the interviewer. Often, through persistence, you may be offered a position at a later date.

Chin Up:

 If you don't get the job, don't be disheartened. Gear up for your next interview. After all the more interviews you tackle the more polished you become. You may want to contact the interviewer who rejected you and see if you can get any pointers on what to improve before your next intererview.

Interview Preparation for Admissions Abroad

Interviews by Institutes Abroad

Interviews by Institutes abroad is very rare and is usually limited to some business schools. You most probably will not have to go through one. But, just to let you know, Wharton visits Delhi, Bombay and some other cities every year to interview applicants. Some schools conduct interviews telephonically and some others through their alumni who are based in the city you live in.

If you happen to be applying to an institute that wants to interview, you ought to be prepared.

Preparing for the Interview - have the right attitude and do your homework.

Consider the interview as your final opportunity to market yourself. Establish your objectives for the interview. Think about ways of reinforcing your strengths and addressing your weaknesses. Be prepared to support your claims in the application essays. Good preparation will also help you relax somewhat during the interview.

Know all that you can about the school and the program - the school brochures and the website can be useful sources. Carry out a search in Google or Yahoo by the name of the school and read the relevant results. This could make you aware of some specific details about the school or the program, which would reflect in your answers during the interview. It could pay to project yourself as a person who pays attention to detail. It also conveys your interest in the school.

Prepare for the typical interview questions. Most of the interview questions come from two categories
(1) Standard questions for all students like Why MBA, Why Yale etc.
(2) Questions tailor-made for you based on your essays and your resume.
The interviewer may wish to probe into some of your claims to fame in your essays. Be sure to review your application, essays and resume prior to the interview. The worst thing you can do is contradicting yourself at the interview.

List of standard questions

Why do you wish to pursue the program that you have applied to?
Why do you want to attend this school?
Name some other schools that you have applied to?
Tell me about yourself.
What are your career goals?
Where do you see yourself in ten years?
What value can you add to the program?
What are your greatest achievements?
What do you consider your three top strengths/weaknesses?
Why should we accept you?
Do you have any questions?
Most of the above questions would have been covered in your essays in one form or the other. Review the exercise that you did in the essays section to get your life in perspective. The interview is your big chance to elaborate on things that you could not cover in your essays. You should also be ready with 3-5 good questions that reflect your concerns about the school and your success in the program.

Other typical interview questions would most likely be from one of these categories:

a) Undergraduate Education

Tips:

Remember your interviewers are from the academia, so give adequate importance to learning and education. Show your commitment to learning and growing. Talk about your extracurricular activities and how these activities helped build your well-rounded personality. Detail your contribution as well as what you learnt. Describe how your schooling will help you in achieving your career goals. Describe any leadership experiences and what you learnt from those experiences.

b) Work Experience

Tips:

Be enthusiastic about your job experience. Portray yourself as one who tries to exceed expectations. Stress on teamwork, motivation, continuous learning and ownership. Be positive when talking about your boss or your firm. If you changed jobs, it should have been motivated by a desire for more challenges, more responsibilities, opportunity to grow and so on. Avoid negative comments like unappreciated, underpaid etc. Don’t be afraid to talk about a failure. Stress on what you learnt from your failure. Describe your leadership experiences at work. Leadership potential is a very important quality desired by all MBA programs.

c) Goals

Tips:

Show that you are committed to your career objectives. Your goals should be consistent with your experience and your desire to pursue further education. Be practical where you see yourself in five years ( refrain from making a statement like "I will be the CEO of Hewlett-Packard") and be prepared to demonstrate how advanced training and education will help you achieve your goals. Highlight some of the strengths of the program to further justify your choice. Make sure that all your answers connect and reflect the thought you have put in planning for your future.

d) Personal

Tips:

Be sure to prepare a brief outline of your upbringing. Take every opportunity to show that you are achievement oriented and strive to develop both personally and professionally. At the same time, show yourself to be a well-balanced and sensible person with varied interests. In your choice of books, it does not matter whether it is science fiction or biographies: the idea is to show yourself as knowledgeable in whatever interests you pursue.

Decoding the Interviewing Process and Job Placements

What is the interview process we may ask ourselves in simple sense? 

As a matter of fact there is more to things or in that capacity interviewing than just meet the eyes to start with. Again there is no difference when it entangled the manner in which interviewing process can take shape in the contemporary society, especially within the domain of growing technological communication. Mass media have given a new definition to the conventional methods of the interviewing, hiring and placements among job seekers.

Let’s start with the job interviewing process or for the better part placements that consultants facilitate. There are no sure shots tips in matter of decoding the interviewing and placements process. 

However, the first thing that job seekers should consider is researching on the company background for clarity of the overall process, starting from detailed job requirement, course of personal interview and how placements take place vis-a-vis.

Secondly, taking short steps such as researching and addressing the reporter’s questions, of why, what, where and how the system work should assist individuals to build up a solid mindset that set the tune for the bigger picture of the interviewing and job placements process.Considering the same, the viable point of representation should reflect the core HRM methodology and HRD in the individual context. 

Getting a favorable call does not meant that the job is already in the baggage, however, job seekers have to find a means to channelize their competencies where the interviewing process comes as one formidable platform. Hence, interviewee is entrusted to be prepared with specific ideas based on job requirement and expectation of experts in the fields of HRM. To be precise interviewee needs to be prepared with case scenario and building a solid approach to face the reality with confidence and charm, giving attention to details and facilitating the communication process one to one that gets the attention of interviewer.

Going back to all the details, the manner in which job placements take shape is based on the solid outcome of the interviewing process. However, in recent time, the placements trends are also catching up among services providers, seen as a combination of both interview and placements in a single block. Hence, interviewee at the onset of a favorable call from interviewer needs to set the grounds work and bottom-line for interviewing itself. No matter what, as the case can be looked at effective communication gives an edge and, the process overall accounts the adage, ‘every cloud has a silver lining’.