interview department of english, mes keveeyam college

INTERVIEWDepartment of English, MES KEVEEYAM COLLEGE

INTERVIEWSAn interview is a conversation between two or more people where questions are asked by the interviewer to elicit facts or statements from the interviewee

Interview

Definition:

Paulty V Young defined interview as a systematic methods by which a person enters more or less imaginatively into the inner life of a comparatively strangers.

PURPOSE OF AN INTERVIEW

From the employers perspectiveThey want to find out:

Can you do the job? • Do you have the appropriate background, including education, skills,

and experience? • Do you have the expertise needed to make you "stand out?" • Are you able to learn and adapt? Will you do the job? • Do you want to work for this company, or do you simply see it as a

stepping-stone? • Are you aware of and honest about your future goals and plans? • Are you motivated and eager to learn? Will you fit in? • Do you work well with others? • How do you respond to supervision and criticism? • Do you have the skills to balance where their team is currently weak?

Do they like you?


From the candidate's perspectiveyou want to find out: What do I want my typical work day to look like? What are my career goals

for the next five years? • Do I want to spend a lot of time on the phone? • Do I want to work with new people every day? • Will this job help me to achieve these goals? What kind of work schedule do I want? • Does this position require a great deal of overtime? • Will I be required to travel? • Are evening hours involved? What kind of work setting do I want? • Do I want to work mostly in the office? • Do I want travel involved? Am I willing to relocate?


An interview is a formal meeting with a view to ascertain your suitability for the job before entering a contract or agreement. It is like a tape recorder in which your past incidents, feelings and reactions are played back to the person, who can then get a glimpse into your inner qualities which otherwise can’t be easily exposed. It is a social process which involves interaction between two persons the interviewer and the interviewee. Through this method, it is possible for a person, to come into contact with the other and know his attitudes, characteristics and ideas on a variety of subjects on such an occasion the socio-cultural barrier between the two are removed and free-flow of ideas takes place.

Kinds of Interviews

1. Traditional face to face interview

The most traditional way of interview is the face-to- face interview. Here we have to maintain eye contact, listen and respond once a question has been asked.

Kinds of Interviews

2. Panel or committee interview

In this situation 3 to 10 members of the panel may conduct the interview. Here we get a chance to put our group management and group presentation skills on display.

Kinds of Interviews

3. Behavioral interview

With the behavioral interview, the interviewer is looking for results not just an activity. This type of questions generally starts with words like, “ give me an example when…….” Or “tell me about a time when ….”.

Kinds of Interviews

4. Case interview

Here interviewer will outline a situation or provide you with a case study and ask you to formulate a plan that deals with the problem. The more you are able to analyze and dissect the case study, the more you will likely impress your interviewer.

Kinds of Interviews

5. Telephone interview

Many organizations are now conducting the interview by telephone. This is conducted to the candidates who stay far away from that place. Try to use a landline, since your voice is the key in telephone interview, so convey energy in your voice.

Kinds of Interviews

6. Group interview

A group interview is usually designed to uncover the leadership potential of prospective managers and employees who will be dealing with customers.

Kinds of Interviews

7. Lunch or dinner interview

Here the setting may be more casual. Remember it is a business meal and you are being watched carefully. Avoid messy food and do not drink alcohol.

Kinds of Interviews

8. Stress interview

This type of interview is very common in sales position and rare today. The stress interview is usually a deliberate attempt to see how you handle yourself under pressure.

Kinds of Interviews

9. Walk-in-interview

A particular day and time will be advertised in the paper and the candidate has to attend the interview

GENERAL PERSONALITY TRAITS FOR INTERVIEW

AppearanceThe single word meaning ‘outward look’ of visual impression has a vital role to play in interview. Our appearance makes a real impact on others, especially the selection board which happens to look at you on both angles - subjectively and objectively. Appearance include you overall look which is the sum total of your

Clothes Hair style Facial expression Way of entering and leaving the hall Sitting posture before the interviewer

The Russian proverb is mentioning here “when you meet a man you judge him by his clothes. When he leaves, you judge him by his heart”.


YOUR CLOTHES The Russian proverb says, “When you meet a man

you judge him by his clothes. When he leaves, you judge him by heart’’ .Your dress is always important. The right dress enhances your appearance.

It should be well tailored and not outdated. This does not mean you should be fashionable.

Your dress should suit to the post you are competing for.

Don’t wear a new dress because we may not know how we will look in our new dress.


HAIR STYLEBefore entering into your interview hall:

you should check that your hair is neatly combed. It is always better to keep a pocket comb.

A hair cut just before the interview should be avoided. It changes your appearance of face for some time and could make you feel uncomfortable.

For girls it is recommended that they carry a small comb in their purse and tidy the hair before entering the interview hall.


FACIAL EXPRESSION It is said that “your face is the index of your mind” and the

interviewer can judge a lot from your facial expression. Smile when you enter your interview room and politely

ask, “May I come in please”. The smile should continue on one’s face till you greet the

member of the interview board. This indicates the candidate’s self confidence and relaxed attitude and will help to develop a quick rapport with the board members.

However, don’t continue to smile once the interview is going on. Your ides is to come out successful, and it can be possible if you are able to create a feeling of mutual rapport.


ENTERING THE INTERVIEW HALL As you are shown the venue of the interview hall,

thank the person who has guided you towards the room.

If you enter the room on your own, close the door behind you with one hand without turning your back towards the interview board.

Smile and say in a firm voice “good morning sirs” or “good morning gentlemen”.

Do not sit down until you are asked to do so.Though these are the little things, they are important if you want to give a good impression.


YOUR WAY OF WALK

The sum total of your appearance depends on the way you walk and carry yourself.

Cultivate a “dashing forward”, way of walking with an upright military bearing.Your way of walk depicts your confidence in yourself and your confidence in yourself and your forward walking shows fearlessness and ambition to rise to height by overcoming obstacles.


YOUR WAY OF SITTING When you are asked by the chairman to sit, lift the

chair and place it slowly towards you. Do not sit facing the interviewer directly. Pull the chair at an angle and sit about 1 meter away

from the interviewer’s desk. Sit back comfortably in relaxed way. Don’t stumble into the chair. Do not change position frequently because it will

give the interviewer the impression that you are not at ease and that you lack self-confidence and you are nervous.


YOUR WAY OF LEAVING THE INTERVIEW HALL After the interview when the chairman asks you to

leave, get up and thank all the members present. If the chairman extends his hand take the opportunity

to shake the hands with confidence. This will prove that you don’t have a complex of any kind.

Leave the chair calmly and put it back in proper position and turn to leave portraying and upright bearing.

Walk confidently giving the impression of having achieved the desired goal.

Do not forget to close the door while leaving the room and also do not look back.


SPEECH MANNERISMThe interview is an oral examination to assess your personality. Your speech mannerism therefore assumes much importance. They are the medium of communication and also show the cultural and environmental influences on your personality.


CLARITY OF SPEECH We are judged by our speech modulation. When

we speak to someone, our effort should be to make the listener hear each word and thus understand your view point.

The tone of your voice should be light and audible.

Cultivate the habit to speak in firm and crisp and ringing voice.

Keeping pleasant expression while speaking is a must and do not rush your sentence


GESTICULATION It is the movement of the part of the

body which shows inclination or dissatisfaction towards something.

Gestures should be natural and suited to the occasion and topics being discussed


Gestures Having Positive Impression1. Nodding the head to express yes/no or do

something.2. Raising the upper eyebrows to show surprise. 3. Movement of hands while taking and make your

ideas more impressive.4. Keep sober expression if the topic is serious.5. Smiling while expressing your thanks or being

appreciated. At the same time avoid bad habits and mannerism like scratching, shaking your legs, picking your nose etc.


SELF CONFIDENCE It means having full belief and trust in

oneself. Self-confidence is one of the most desirable

attributes of a good and strong personality. Self-confidence is thus the supreme guiding

force for a person is successful career. Self-confidence helps us to overcome

doubts, banish fear and create healthy attitude towards everything in life.


MENTAL ALERTNESS Alertness means your preparation and quick

understanding. This includes:1. Quickness of thinking 2. Quickness in grasping others point of view 3. Quickness in response4. Quickness in reaching conclusion and taking

decision5. Readiness with suitable answers6. Relaxed attitude and presence of mind7. Mental ability and quickness of observation


CONSISTENCY

It involves firmness of opinions, mature thinking and an attitude not guided by emotions or external impressions.

DON’Ts IN AN INTERVIEW

1. Don’t study late in the night before the day of the interview. A full night sleep is necessary to keep you fresh.

2. Don’t eat heavy breakfast. It may make you feel uncomfortable.

3. Don’t forget to ask permission before you enter the interview hall.

4. Don’t forget to close the door, after you have entered.

5. Don’t forget timely salutation.


6. Don’t sit on your own, wait for chairman’s instruction.

7. Don’t speak too fast. Talk clearly.8. Don’t show excessive gesticulation.9. Don’t enter into any argument with the

board.10. Don’t try to avoid questions.


11. Don’t give confusing answers.12. Don’t play with your button, hair or

anything else, as it shows your nervousness.

13. Don’t change your stand, be constant.14. Don’t give up while arguing a point.15. Don’t miss the opportunity to thank the

interviewers.

DO’s IN THE INTERVIEW

1. Read the morning newspaper and note down the important heading.

2. If there is time, try to hear latest news bulletin.3. Get ready a little before time so that you have

sufficient time available for collecting your folder and other things to avoid a last minute panic.

4. Try to reach the venue of the interview atleast half an hour early.

5. While starting from your house keep a margin for unforeseen traffic jams or any other factor that may delay you.

6. Introduce yourself in a courteous manner.

DO’s IN THE INTERVIEW

7. While you are waiting to be called in, talk to the other candidates and discuss with them important current affairs and news items of the day.

8. Read company materials while you wait.9. Greet the interviewer and have a firm handshake.10. Use body language to show interest.11. Listen and don’t talk too much.12. Smile, node and give non-verbal feedback to the

interviewer.13. Ask for the next step in progress.

THANKS……FOR YOUR CO- OPERATION…FOR YOUR FOLLOW UP

Department of English, MES KEVEEYAM COLLEGE

interview department of english, mes keveeyam college

Documents