Prepared this for Prudentia...an aborted project of mine!!!

1. PERSONAL INTERVIEW
SKILLS & TECHNIQUES

2. PROCESS OF RECRUITMENT
• Initial Screening of Resume
• Telephonic Interview to judge the basic caliber
• A written Aptitude Test
• A Technical Test of Specific Domain
• An HR Interview
• A Behavioral Interview
• A Technical Interview
• A Group Discussion Round
• A Group Panel Interview
• A Final Interview by the would be superior of the
candidate

3. TYPES OF INTERVIEWS
• Traditional Face-to-face Interview
• Committee / Panel Interview
• Behavioral Interview
• Case Interview
• Telephonic Interview
• Group Interview
• Lunch / Dinner Interview
• Stress Interview
• Video Interview

4. DEFINATIONS
-Traditional Face-to-Face Interview
• Most interviews are face-to-face.
The most traditional is a
one-on-one conversation.
• Your focus should be
on the person asking questions.
Maintain eye contact, listen and
respond once a question has been asked.
• Your goal is to establish rapport with the
interviewer and show them that your qualifications
will benefit their organization.

5. Panel / Committee Interview
• There is more than one interviewer. This is your
chance to put your group management and
group presentation skills on display.
• Quickly try to 'read' the various personality types of
each interviewer and adjust to them. Find a way to
connect with each interviewer.
• Take your time in responding to questions. Maintain
primary eye contact with the panel member who
asked the question, but also seek eye contact with
other members of the panel as you give your
response.

6. Behavioral Interview
• Questions asked from past
Experience
• They are competency based
and are very specific rather
than the predictable straight forward questions.
• Typical Example: “tell me from your past
experiences how and when you overcame a
crisis, tackled a problem, dealt with a failure etc.
• Prepare short stories from past experience that shows
your qualities like leadership skills, problem solving
skills, etc. required for the particular Job Profile.

7. Case Interview
• You are asked to demonstrate
your problem-solving skills.
The interviewer will outline a situation or provide
you with a case study and ask you to formulate a
plan that deals with the problem.
• You do not have to come up with the ultimate
solution. The interviewers are looking for how you
apply your knowledge and skills to a real-life
situation. Speak and reason aloud so interviewers
have a full understanding of your thought
process

8. Stress Interview
• To find out how the candidate
handles stress.
• Stress interviews might involve
testing an applicant's behaviour
in a busy environment.
• Questions about handling work overload, dealing
with multiple projects, and handling conflict are
typical.
• Interviewer may behave in an uninterested or hostile
manner. The goal is to assess how the interviewee
handles pressure or to purposely evoke emotional
responses.
• Don’t take personally!

9. • Telephonic Interview –
Recruiters do the initial scrutiny and screening by
interviewing the candidate over phone.
• Group Interview - When a group of applicants for the same
position are interviewed together in group. In case of walk-in
interviews sometimes this method is followed to manage the
huge mass of applicantsj.
• Lunch / Dinner Interview – Interview while having meal
with the interviewer. This means that in addition to listening
to the interviewer, formulating intelligent responses, and
trying your hardest to be confident, you now have to pay
attention to how you look while eating.

10. INTERVIEW – WHY?
• Interview = A meeting with an objective
• Objective of Employer: To find the best person for the job
▫ Employer reviews candidate’s experience and abilities
 Can you do the job? (skills, abilities, qualifications)
 Will you do the job? (interest, attitude & motivation)
 How will you fit into the organisation? (personality)
• You: Impress employer and assess position on offer
 What does this position offer me?
 How does it fit with my career plans?
• Aim : You must prove that
you are the most suitable
candidate for this position

11. BEFORE THE INTERVIEW
▫ Review own skills, experiences and qualities
 Check CV
 Anticipate questions and identify relevant examples
 Prepare key selling points
▫ Research organisation
 Websites, reports, articles, company literature, etc
 Contacts with knowledge of organisation or sector
 Relevant articles in the press
 Personal visit or telephone call
▫ Research job and occupational area
 Job description – or similar
 Current issues
▫ Prepare your questions
▫ Practice

12. INTERVIEW - CHECKLIST
• Your shoes are clean.
• Your hair is neat.
• Your nails are clean.
• Your clothes are pressed & stain-free.
• Your nails are clean.
• Your hair is neat.
• You have removed all extra jewelry.
• You have clean copies of your resume.
• You have the add & phone no of the meeting place.
• You know how to get there and how long it will take.
• You know the names of everyone you are meeting, and
how to pronounce them.
• You have your notebook & pen.
• There is nothing extraneous or bulky in your bag.
• You are prepared for rain.
• For women, you have a powder compact & lipstick.

13. DURING THE INTERVIEW
1. If the interview room door is closed and you
haven't been told to just go in, knock and wait.
2. On entering, walk in looking poised and confident.
3. If an interviewer extends a hand, shake it firmly
while looking him in the eye and smiling.
4. Wait to be asked to sit down. If nothing is said, ask
where they’d like you to sit.
5. Sit upright, not stiffly, with the
hands relaxed and apart and wait
for the interviewer to start things
rolling.
6. Do not smoke-or even ask to smoke.

14. DURING THE INTERVIEW - CONTD…
7. When someone speaks look
at them attentively and listen without
interrupting.
8. Stick to their title (Mr., Dr etc) and surname.
9. Avoid one-word answers.
10. Do not try to sound perfect-they will know you are
lying. But it isn’t a confessional.
11. Be ready to cut short an answer if the interviewer
wants to speak or looks impatient.
12. If you don’t understand a question ask the
interviewer to explain.
13. Do not be afraid to pause a moment before
answering. A good answer is better than a false
answer.

15. DURING THE INTERVIEW - CONTD…
14. Do not be afraid to pause a moment before answering.
A good answer is better than a false answer.
15. If you realize you’ve given a bad answer, say something
Like “I am sorry, I really haven’t said quite what I
meant. What I meant was . .. .”
16. Listen to each question carefully. The way a question is
worded often suggests the answer which is wanted .
17. Never criticize a previous employer, school or college.
18. Never give a vague answer, like “I suppose so”.
19. Do not mention your pay until the end – unless they do.
20. Thank You and a firm handshake

16. TYPICAL QUESTIONS
• About you
▫ Tell me about yourself - Bring me up to date with your CV?
▫ Why did you choose that particular degree programme?
▫ What experience have you had that is relevant to this post?
▫ What would you consider your major achievements to date?
• About the job
▫ What interests you about this job?
▫ What do you know about this organisation?
▫ What other options are you considering?
▫ How do you see your career developing – 5 years?
▫ If you were Head of Department, what would be your priorities?
• General knowledge
▫ What do you think of the Government’s policy on college fees?
▫ What do you think about President Pratibha Patil

17. TYPICAL INTERVIEW QUESTIONS
• Why do you want to work here?
• Why should I hire you?
• What can you do for us that other candidates
can’t?
• Why did you leave your (are you leaving) your
job?
• What are your strengths
and weaknesses?
• What are your goals?
• When were you most satisfied
with your job?

18. OTHER TYPE OF QUESTIONS
• “What if” Questions
▫ No experience - how are you likely to respond to a situation
• Probing Questions
▫ How exactly did you deal with the situation?
▫ How did you know it worked?
▫ How did you feel about the outcome?
▫ Could you have handled it differently?

19. YOUR ANSWERS
• Listen carefully, seek clarification
• Illustrate answers with real examples and
evidence
• Be positive – constructive criticism
• Keep answers specific and succinct
• Take time to respond
• Be alert to interviewer’s body language
• Speak clearly, smile and show enthusiasm
• Know what you want to say, and find the
opportunity

20. VISUAL ASPECT
• First impressions very powerful
• Allow time to relax
• Dress appropriately
• Entrance, introductions & handshake
• Smile and make eye contact
• Be aware of own movements
• Watch body language of interviewer

21. ATTIRES
• The person should be in formals
and well shaved on the job
interview day. If you are a female candidate you
can wear a moderate make-up.
• Before going for the job interview the person
should not have tobacco in any form or should
not chew gum while giving the interview.
• Tone down perfume so that the interviewer does
not choke when you enter the room.

22. CLOSING OF INTERVIEW
• Summarize key strengths and
match for the position
• Always ask questions
• Thank the interviewer by name
• Ask about the next step
• Express an interest in hearing from them

23. AFTER INTERVIEW
Review own performance
what went well
what went badly
what you wished you had said
prepare for next stage
Invitation to second / final round interviews
assessment centre
psychometric testing
panel interview
Rejection letter / email
if you can request feedback - use it

24. 10 TIPS
1. Study the company
2. Know your resume
3. Prepare an interview emergency kit
4. Study the job description
5. Build rapport
6. Make eye contact
7. Body language
8. Display your skills with concrete examples
9. Be yourself
10. Follow up quickly