Skills and Techniques
Complied By:
Sajjad Iqbal Khan
M.Phil Applied Linguistics
[email protected]
Meaning of an interview
The word interview comes from Latin and middle French
words meaning to “see between” or “see each other”.
Generally, an interview means a private meeting between
people when questions are asked and answered
• Interview = A meeting with an objective
• Employer’s objective is to find the best person for the job
Objectives of Interview
• In the selection process, interview serves the following
• 1. Verifies the information obtained through application form and tests.
• 2. Helps to obtain additional information from the applicant otherwise not
available.
• 3. Gives the candidate necessary facts and information about the job and
the organisation.
• 4. Helps establish mutual understanding between the company and the
candidate and build the company’s image.
Facts of Interviewing
• Interviews are the most widely
used process for screening job
applicants.
• They provide the most direct
information about a candidate’s
background, personality, and skills.
• The purpose of an interview is to
receive the job offer.
Know Yourself
• Employment objective and how it relates to the position
and the employer
• Educational background and how it relates to the position
and the employer
• Work experience
• Abilities and skills
Always be able to give examples!
Know the Employer
• Research! Research! Research!
• Prepare to demonstrate your knowledge of the profession
and the company
• Prepare to give reasons for your interest in working in that
profession/company
• Develop questions in advance to ask about the
job/organization
Interview Preparation
• Situational Knowledge • Mental Preparation
• Where/when the interview takes • Knowledge of company
place • Practice a mock interview
• Arrive 10 minutes early!
• Written Preparation
• Physical Preparation • Take extra resumes,
• Get plenty of rest references, etc.
• Dress for success • Make notes
• Ask questions
Preparation is the key to success
• 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
Types of Interviews
• Basic/traditional interview
• Telephone interview
• Group interview
• Interview during a meal or
social occasion
• Serial interview
Interview Process
3. Organization and Position
- Employer may test your knowledge of the company.
“Why do you want to work for this company?”
“What do you know about this department?”
- Other general questions regarding the company or the job.
“What is your geographic preference?”
“Are you willing to relocate?”
5 Stages
Interview Process
1. Icebreaker
• Greetings
• First Impressions
• Small talk
2. Personal Qualifications and Interest in Position
• Abilities, Skills, and Work Experience
• Accomplishments and Activities
• Goals
STAR Technique
• Situation – describe the situation, problem, or issue that you
encountered.
• Task – describe the tasks/responsibilities you took on to help
solve the problem.
• Action – discuss the steps you actually took to effect a solution.
• Result – describe the positive results of your actions.
Tips for Successful Interviewing
• Interviewing is a two-way process
• Never give “yes” or “no” answers
• Listen carefully and react
• Use specific examples to make your case
• The interview begins the minute you step onto the
company lot
• Be positive!
Tips for Successful Interviewing
• Think like an employer
• Don’t criticize past employers or co-workers
• Be aware of illegal questions
• Maintain professionalism, even if the employer does not
• Be prepared for the unexpected
• Be aware of body language
• Be well-groomed
Watch the Body Language
• 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
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?
Competency-based Interviews
• Company identifies key skills required for job
• Designs questions to elicit evidence of skills
• Emphasis on past behaviour as predictor of success
• Teamwork: Describe a team project you worked on. What problems arose? How did you deal with
them?
• Communication Skills: Describe situation when you had to persuade others to support your
view. Give an example of any reports you’ve written which illustrate your writing skills
• Interpersonal skills: What kinds of people do you find it difficult to work with? How do you handle
those situations?
• Taking Responsibility: Describe a time when you took responsibility to achieve a challenging
goal
• Problem-solving:Tell about a time when you had several tasks to manage at one time with
conflicting deadlines.
Matching Skills to Requirements
Employer needs Your evidence
Communication Presentation to class
Team work Example from Coop
Leadership Class rep, Committee
Initiative Fundraising for charity
Customer Care Working in Supergun
IT Designed website
Commercial awareness Business pages
Interview Marking Sheet
Name Mark-max 100
Communication Skills Max 30
Problem Solving Max 20
Team Fit Max 20
Relevant Experience Max 20
Project Management Max 10
Total Marks
What creates a bad impression
• Poor personal appearance
• Negative attitude – evasive, using excuses
• Lack of interest and enthusiasm
• Lack of preparation
• Poor knowledge of role
• Failure to give concrete examples of skills
• Over emphasis on money/rewards
• Lack of career plan
Telephone Interviews
• Prepare as thoroughly as for ‘real’ interview
• Select comfortable, private, quiet place
• Have copy of CV and company information
• Have pen and paper at hand
• Prepare for usual interview questions
• Practice on phone
• Record answers
• Try standing
• Smile and use gestures
• Avoid monotones
• Be yourself
Other Types Of Interviews
• Rotating
• Like one-to-one with different interviewers
• Group
• 6-8 candidates
• Group observed while discussing topic
• Be aware of group interaction
• Panel
• 2-5 interviewers, or as many as 13!!
• Try to identify different roles
• Respond to interviewer, include others through eye
contact
• May involve presentation
Interview preparation
Before The Interview
• Research the potential employer
• Review the job description and be able to match your
experience and education with the duties of the position
• Prepare a 1 to 2 minute script about yourself
• Make sure you have the appropriate interview attire
Tips Regarding Attire (Men)
• If possible, wear a suit to the interview
• Belt and shoes should be same color
• Avoid ties with elaborate patterns or too many colors
• A wedding ring and/or watch is generally the only jewelry that
should be worn
• Head to Toe: Hair should be well groomed and shoes should
be polished
Who Would You Hire?
Tips Regarding Attire (Women)
• A suit or dress is preferable
• Skirts should meet at the top of the knee or longer
• The amount of jewelry should be minimized
• Make-up should be light
• Avoid perfumes and scented powders
Starting The Interview
Be sure to arrive 10 to 15
minutes prior to the start of
the interview
Greet the interviewer with a
firm handshake
Maintain good eye contact
and posture
Make sure you are energetic
and enthusiastic
Speak clearly and articulate
Standard Interview Questions
• Would you tell me about yourself?
• What is your greatest strength?
• What is your greatest weakness?
• Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
• What about this position do you find most appealing?
• Why do you want to work for our company?
• Why should we hire you?
The five most important factors
interviewers considered when hiring
• Work experience (36%)
• First impressions of the candidate (24%)
• Education (12%)
• Professional qualifications (10%)
• References (9%)
Graceful Exits
Thank you for your time
I appreciate it
I will be looking forward to hearing from you
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After the Interview
• Evaluate your performance
• Send a thank-you note within 24 hours
• Keep records of important dates and details for the follow-up
