cracking the interview

Preparing for an Interview

04/11/23 http://technoexplore.blogspot.com http://hotjobstuff.blogspot.com

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How to crack it?

• How do I prepare beforehand?

• Ride to the venue

• The right start

• Facing the interview


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What is a personal interview?

• Formal meeting to assess your suitability

Fact 1: It is about YOU

Fact 2: It is FORMAL

Fact 3: It is to assess SUITABILITY not to make you feel miserable


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How does an Interviewer decide?

• Theory

– Outline the skills (hard and soft)

– Ask enough questions on each, look for proof

– Rate on each parameter and select

• Practice

– What is Management?

• Read “Blink”

Tip1: There is no point in guessing how an interviewer will decide.


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How do I prepare?

• Filling up your form– Visiting moon

– Air-conditioning

• Strengths and Weaknesses– Project strength as weakness: Doesn’t work

– Understanding own weaknesses is a strength

– Tactical: Character weaknesses inadmissible

Tip2: Be honest but Highlight what you would like discussed.


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Ride to the venue

• Dressing up or down• Nervousness

– You need only one seat there are 1500+

– This is crucial but it is not the end of life

– Backups

– Yoga, breathing.. Whatever else works for you

• Avoid unnecessary hassles

Tip3: Life does not end here and this is not the right time to impress the opposite sex.


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Starting the Interview

• Waiting Outside– You cannot guess what he may ask..

• Can you tell us something about yourself?– Tell something that is relevant

• Is it ok to have tea? How about a bite?– Just be practical

Tip4: Let common sense prevail.


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Facing the interview

• Three basic categories of question– Knowledge (Skill / Subject)– Behavioral– Stress


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Handling Knowledge Questions

• Did you learn or mug?• Approach is more important than the answer

– “Ozone Hole”

• Provide concise and precise answers rather than beating around the bush

• Must know your areas of strengths and weakness– Do state the minimal amount that you know

Tip5: It is OK to admit that you don’t know.


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Handling Stress Section

• Several Techniques– Multiple questions at the same time

• Ghaza Strip and West Bank

– Silence

– Weird Questions or Aggression

• Response– Understand the nature of the interview and intention

– Play along, maintain calm and your pace

Tip6: Don’t prepare too hard. Be yourself.


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Behavioral and Ethics

• Honesty of purpose and information– Focus, Interest, Drivers

• Consistency of behavior and attitude

• Value System– Enron, Corruption– Take a stand

Tip7: This is something you really should ponder on.


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Summary

• Knowing yourself is the best tip.– Carry and read your form carefully.

– Highlight your strong areas

• The Interview is crucial but there is life beyond this.

• Don’t try to outguess the interviewer.

• Let the focus be on the discussion. Avoid distractions from clothes, food, late coming.

• Act normal but not casual. It is a formal meeting.

• Be honest. Don’t bullshit.

cracking the interview

Education