toxicboa
Prashant Ravindran
General Tips To Overcome An Interview So what if you are not a mountaineer. Or a
keen hiker. You still cannot treat your interview like a careless morning trot
along a jogger's path. Your jaw-jaw at the interview table is nothing less than
a cautious climb up a mountain trail--which begins around your early childhood
and meanders through the years at the academia before reaching a new summit in
your career.And as you retrace your steps down memory lane make sure that you
post flags at important landmarks of your life and career, so that you can pop
them before the interview panel scoops them out of you. You don't want to be at
the receiving end, do you? Face the panel, but don't fall of the chair in a
headlong rush-and-skid attempt to tell your story. Take one step at a time. If
you place your foot on slippery ground, you could be ejecting out on a free
fall. So prepare, fortify your thoughts, re-jig your memory, and script and
design your story (without frills and falsity). Without the right preparation
and storyboard, you could be a loser at the interview. Here are a few
preparation tips that books on interviews sometimes overlook. Before the
interview 1. Chronological Outline of Career and Education Divide your life into
"segments" defining your university, first job, second job. For each stage, jot
down : The reason for opting certain course or profession; Your job
responsibilities in your previous/current job; Reason of leaving your
earlier/current job. You should be clear in your mind where you want to be in
the short and long term and ask yourself the reason why you would be appropriate
for the job you are being interviewed for and how it will give shape to your
future course. 2. Strengths and Weaknesses You should keep a regular check on
your strengths and weaknesses. Write down three (3) technical and three (3)
non-technical personal strengths. Most importantly, show examples of your
skills. This proves more effective than simply talking about them. So if you're
asked about a general skill, provide a specific example to help you fulfil the
interviewer's expectations. It isn't enough to say you've got "excellent
leadership skills". Instead, try saying: "I think I have excellent leaderships
skills which I have acquired through a combination of effective communication,
delegation and personal interaction. This has helped my team achieve its goals."
As compared to strengths, the area of weaknesses is difficult to handle. Put
across your weakness in such a way that it at leaset seems to be a positive
virtue to the interviewer. Describe a weakness or area for development that you
have worked on and have now overcome. 3. Questions you should be prepared for
Tell us about yourself. What do you know about our company? Why do you want to
join our company? What are your strengths and weaknesses? Where do you see
yourself in the next five years? How have you improved the nature of your job in
the past years of your working? Why should we hire you? What contributions to
profits have you made in your present or former company? Why are you looking for
a change? Answers to some difficult questions : Tell me about yourself ? Start
from your education and give a brief coverage of previous experiences. Emphasise
more on your recent experience explaining your job profile. What do you think of
your boss? Put across a positive image, but don't exaggerate. Why should we hire
you? Or why are you interested in this job? Sum up your work experiences with
your abilities and emphasise your strongest qualities and achievements. Let your
interviewer know that you will prove to be an asset to the company. How much
money do you want? Indicate your present salary and emphasise that the
opportunity is the most important consideration. Do you prefer to work in a
group? Be honest and give examples how you've worked by yourself and also with
1
others. Prove your flexibility. 4. Questions to As At the end of the interview,
most interviewers generally ask if you have any questions. Therefore, you should
be prepared beforehand with 2-3 technical and 2-3 non-technical questions and
commit them to your memory before the interview. Do not ask queries related to
your salary, vacation, bonuses, or other benefits. This information should be
discussed at the time of getting your joining letter. Here we are giving few
sample questions that you can ask at the time of your interview. Sample
Questions Could you tell me the growth plans and goals for the company? What
skills are important to be successful in this position? Why did you join this
company? (optional) What's the criteria your company uses for performance
appraisal? With whom will I be interacting most frequently and what are their
responsibilities and the nature of our interaction? What is the time frame for
making a decision at this position? What made the previous persons in this
position successful/unsuccessful? 5. Do your homework Before going for an
interview, find out as much information on the company (go to JobsAhead Company
Q and A) as possible. The best sources are the public library, the Internet (you
can check out the company's site), and can even call the company and get the
required information. The information gives you a one-up in the interview
besides proving your content company or position. Clearing the interview isn't
necessarily a solitary attempt. Seek assistance from individuals who are in the
profession and whose counsel you value most. Be confident in your approach and
attitude; let the panel feel it through your demeanour, body language and
dressing. Getting prepared for your interview is the best way to dig deep and
know yourself. You will be surprised that it would breed a new familiarity
become more familiar with your own qualifications that will be make you present
yourself better. All the best and get ready to give a treat.
2
keen hiker. You still cannot treat your interview like a careless morning trot
along a jogger's path. Your jaw-jaw at the interview table is nothing less than
a cautious climb up a mountain trail--which begins around your early childhood
and meanders through the years at the academia before reaching a new summit in
your career.And as you retrace your steps down memory lane make sure that you
post flags at important landmarks of your life and career, so that you can pop
them before the interview panel scoops them out of you. You don't want to be at
the receiving end, do you? Face the panel, but don't fall of the chair in a
headlong rush-and-skid attempt to tell your story. Take one step at a time. If
you place your foot on slippery ground, you could be ejecting out on a free
fall. So prepare, fortify your thoughts, re-jig your memory, and script and
design your story (without frills and falsity). Without the right preparation
and storyboard, you could be a loser at the interview. Here are a few
preparation tips that books on interviews sometimes overlook. Before the
interview 1. Chronological Outline of Career and Education Divide your life into
"segments" defining your university, first job, second job. For each stage, jot
down : The reason for opting certain course or profession; Your job
responsibilities in your previous/current job; Reason of leaving your
earlier/current job. You should be clear in your mind where you want to be in
the short and long term and ask yourself the reason why you would be appropriate
for the job you are being interviewed for and how it will give shape to your
future course. 2. Strengths and Weaknesses You should keep a regular check on
your strengths and weaknesses. Write down three (3) technical and three (3)
non-technical personal strengths. Most importantly, show examples of your
skills. This proves more effective than simply talking about them. So if you're
asked about a general skill, provide a specific example to help you fulfil the
interviewer's expectations. It isn't enough to say you've got "excellent
leadership skills". Instead, try saying: "I think I have excellent leaderships
skills which I have acquired through a combination of effective communication,
delegation and personal interaction. This has helped my team achieve its goals."
As compared to strengths, the area of weaknesses is difficult to handle. Put
across your weakness in such a way that it at leaset seems to be a positive
virtue to the interviewer. Describe a weakness or area for development that you
have worked on and have now overcome. 3. Questions you should be prepared for
Tell us about yourself. What do you know about our company? Why do you want to
join our company? What are your strengths and weaknesses? Where do you see
yourself in the next five years? How have you improved the nature of your job in
the past years of your working? Why should we hire you? What contributions to
profits have you made in your present or former company? Why are you looking for
a change? Answers to some difficult questions : Tell me about yourself ? Start
from your education and give a brief coverage of previous experiences. Emphasise
more on your recent experience explaining your job profile. What do you think of
your boss? Put across a positive image, but don't exaggerate. Why should we hire
you? Or why are you interested in this job? Sum up your work experiences with
your abilities and emphasise your strongest qualities and achievements. Let your
interviewer know that you will prove to be an asset to the company. How much
money do you want? Indicate your present salary and emphasise that the
opportunity is the most important consideration. Do you prefer to work in a
group? Be honest and give examples how you've worked by yourself and also with
1
others. Prove your flexibility. 4. Questions to As At the end of the interview,
most interviewers generally ask if you have any questions. Therefore, you should
be prepared beforehand with 2-3 technical and 2-3 non-technical questions and
commit them to your memory before the interview. Do not ask queries related to
your salary, vacation, bonuses, or other benefits. This information should be
discussed at the time of getting your joining letter. Here we are giving few
sample questions that you can ask at the time of your interview. Sample
Questions Could you tell me the growth plans and goals for the company? What
skills are important to be successful in this position? Why did you join this
company? (optional) What's the criteria your company uses for performance
appraisal? With whom will I be interacting most frequently and what are their
responsibilities and the nature of our interaction? What is the time frame for
making a decision at this position? What made the previous persons in this
position successful/unsuccessful? 5. Do your homework Before going for an
interview, find out as much information on the company (go to JobsAhead Company
Q and A) as possible. The best sources are the public library, the Internet (you
can check out the company's site), and can even call the company and get the
required information. The information gives you a one-up in the interview
besides proving your content company or position. Clearing the interview isn't
necessarily a solitary attempt. Seek assistance from individuals who are in the
profession and whose counsel you value most. Be confident in your approach and
attitude; let the panel feel it through your demeanour, body language and
dressing. Getting prepared for your interview is the best way to dig deep and
know yourself. You will be surprised that it would breed a new familiarity
become more familiar with your own qualifications that will be make you present
yourself better. All the best and get ready to give a treat.
2