Interview Techniques Contd.

In the short duration of the interview, a candidate is assessed on various grounds. Being thoroughly prepared for the interview may make the candidate feel confident. However lot of preparation also goes to take care of the non-verbal mannerisms and to create a positive impression. Besides the subject knowledge and job experience the interviewers also assess the mannerisms and non-verbal communication skills. •	The first impression is created with the physical appearance of the candidate. Hence he/she has to take care to wear a formal dress and other accessories suitable to the dress. One should find out the dress norm for the job applied for and in that particular company. Being relaxed at the time of the interview is very important. It is natural to have some amount of stress before the interview but the candidate should try to ease it and appear relaxed to the interview panel. While doing handshae,one should offer one’s hand, and give a firm handshake, a pleasant smile and reflect a positive and confident attitude. After this, the candidate may introduce himself/herself .The posture of the candidate should be firm while entering and erect while sitting. While speaking, confidence of the candidate is valued maximum; at the same time the speech should have the desired clarity and the pauses at the right place so that the interviewer can listen to what the candidate answers. Natural gestures accompanying the speech are welcome. The positive behavior pattern and good manners is what the interviewer looks for in a candidate. Often, the candidate is fidgety out of nervousness and may ,for example, play with his/her ball pen  or tap the feet. While answering the questions, the candidate should be courteous and polite. Even while making adverse remarks about an event or a person, he/she  has to use a formal language and a polite tone. The interviewers prefer candidates who can work in the team. Hence candidate with flexibility and adaptability in attitude and style are preferred. In the case of disagreement, the candidate needs to be tactful, especially while commenting on any controversial issues. Throughout the interview, a candidate should give an impression that he/she is interested in the process. Maintaining a good eye-contact helps to establish rapport   with the interviewers. Sincerity and honesty of the candidate reflected in answering the questions creates the best impression!

1.        Tell us something about yourself

2.	 Tell us something about your interests and activities

3.           Tell us something about your academic credentials.

4.	 Why should we select you ? What makes you fit for this position ?

5.           Why  do you wish to leave your present job?

6.	Why do you want to join our company ?

7.	What would you look for in a new job?

8.	What  work  experience do you have related to this job?

9.	What are your short -term and long-term career goals.

10.	Where do you see yourself in five years ?

11.	Why are you interested in this job ? What interests you most about this position ?

12.	What responsibility does your current job involve?

13.	What are your strengths ?

14.          Have you made any plans about your post-retirement life?

13.	How did you deal with a problem you have faced ?

14.	What is your greatest weakness ?

15.	How will you rate yourself on a scale from one to ten ?

16.	Are you a leader or a follower ?

17.	How long do you plan to stay with us ?

18.	Will you be interested in a  part-time position ?

19.	Will you accept a lower position for the time being?

20.	If selected for this job how long will you take to join us ?

Although interviews are valued as a means of face-to-face oral communication, there are alternative interview formats including interviews through telephone and videoconferencing. Telephone Interviews: To overcome the barriers of time and distance ,the traditional interviews are replaced by interviews over the telephone. Although it lacks the advantage of the routine interview, it is used especially for recruitment to senior positions. It becomes a quicker means and convenient for both-the interviewers as well as the candidates. The telephone interview generally has a well defined format. The experts introduce themselves one by one and ask questions. A candidate needs to make preparation similar to that of face-to-face interview. T he date and time for the interview is fixed prior to the interview. The candidate has to ensure that there are no mechanical problems in the telephone line during the interview. When the interview begins and the question is asked by each of the experts, the candidate should greet each one of them while answering the question for the first time. The candidate should be ready with all his/her papers in this interview like in the face-to-face interview. The answers should be brief and clear. Since the advantage of non-verbal communication is not there, the clarity of the answers matters all the more. Interview through Video-conferencing: In video-conferencing the interviewers can watch the candidates while answering the questions, hence the non-verbal communication plays a role as in face-to-face interviews. The interview through video-conferencing would be similar to the routine interview. Hence candidates may use the similar strategies while handling it.

•	Effective Technical Communication, Rizvi Ashraf, Effective Technical Communication, Tata McGraw-Hill Publishing Company Limited, New Delhi, 2005

•	Effective Business Communication, Murphy Herta et al, Tata McGraw Hill education Private Limited, New Delhi, 2010

[[Media:Interview Techniques.swf| Interview Techniques ]]