Introduction
Okay, so you have managed to hold your nerves in control and brave the questions of the HR. You are now at the end of your interview session. What next? The answer is, there are a few more steps to go. For instance, the HR person may ask you if you have anything to ask of him/her. How do you respond to that? It is quite likely that you are stressed out and nothing comes to your mind. This article deals with this situation and gives you a few intelligent questions that you may ask.
The Rationale
First of all let us try to understand why the HR person puts you in such a situation. Is he/she simply being nice to you or is there more to it? One possible reason is that the company wants to project an image of transparency. The company wants you to know that it encourages two-way communication between the top management and the subordinates, an atmosphere where everyone can ask relevant questions and expect to get answers. In other words, the company respects the employee’s need to know about matters that affect him, no matter where he is in the hierarchy.
Next, and more important, this situation checks your presence of mind and ability to form intelligent questions. So far you have been simply answering questions asked of you. How do you behave when you are in a position to ask questions? What kind of questions do you ask? It also shows how serious you are about the company and the job.
Let us get on to some questions now.
Some Useful Questions
Before you set out to ask questions, keep the above reasons in mind. It would be good to sincerely thank the HR person for such an opportunity. You can start with something like “I have really enjoyed this opportunity to meet you and your team at .. (the company name). Yes, there are a few things I would like to know, thank you for asking” However it is not wise to ask the HR a volley of questions and turn it into a counter interview. Consider the questions below and choose one or two from them that you find the most useful to you.
What do you personally find the most enjoyable part of working for this company?
May I ask why or how you joined this organization? / What brought you here?
I would like to know about the work atmosphere here…
Would you be able to tell me about this company’s vision/philosophy?
How would you evaluate this organization’s strengths and weaknesses?
I would like to know a little about my day-to-day responsibilities.
Is this an immediate requirement? How soon would you be taking people on board for this position?
I would like to know how my skills compare with the other people who have applied for this position.
I am really interested in this opportunity and I feel I have the required skills for this position. What would I have to do next?
Now that our interview is coming to close, is there anything you would like to know about my ability towards this job?
Would you be able to tell me a little about what the company expects from its employees? What are the most important assets and skills for this company?
Does the company follow a structured path in promoting the employees? How does it go?
If the company finds me good at the job, how would it advance me? What would be the next step in my career growth?
If I performed well in the current position, what are the additional likely opportunities for me within this company?
Are there any special areas in this company that the top leaders emerge from?/ Are there special areas like say sales or engineering that have more prospects for growth within this company, or do the leaders come from a cross section of different areas?
The company has decided to recruit for this position from outside. How does the company choose between recruiting from within or outside?
How far does this particular position contribute to the bottom line?
What advice would you give to someone selected for this position?
What are the current challenges of this position/department within the company?
Before I leave, can I have a formal/written description of the position? This would help me to review the activities and evaluate what is expected of me.
Is this job likely to lead to other positions in the company? What is the usual route?
Would you be able to tell me a little about the people I will be working with?
Before I take your leave, let me check my understanding of the position. The designation is …., the responsibilities are …., it is in the ….. department, and I would be reporting to ……. Please correct me if I have got it wrong anywhere.
How does this company promote equal opportunity and diversity?
Would you be able to tell me who the company regards as its stars? What have been their most important contributions?
How do the subordinates address their seniors in this company?
Could you tell me about the management style of this company?
If you selected me for this position, what assignment would I be starting on?
Does this company have a formal mission statement? Am I allowed to see it?
What are the most important parameters along which this company evaluates an employee’s contribution?
Some Usefull Question Answers
1. Tell me about yourself?
I am down-to-earth, sweet, smart, creative, industrious, and thorough.
2. How has your experience prepared you for your career?
Coursework:
Aside from the discipline and engineering foundation learning that I have gained from my courses, I think the design projects, reports, and presentations have prepared me most for my career.
Work Experience:
Through internships, I have gained self-esteem, confidence, and problem-solving skills. I also refined my technical writing and learned to prepare professional documents for clients.
Student Organizations:
By working on multiple projects for different student organizations while keeping up my grades, I've built time management and efficiency skills. Additionally, I've developed leadership, communication, and teamwork abilities.
Life Experience:
In general, life has taught me determination and the importance of maintaining my ethical standards.
3. Describe the ideal job.
Ideally, I would like to work in a fun, warm environment with individuals working independently towards team goals or individual goals. I am not concerned about minor elements, such as dress codes, cubicles, and the level of formality. Most important to me is an atmosphere that fosters attention to quality, honesty, and integrity.
4. What type of supervisor have you found to be the best?
I have been fortunate enough to work under wonderful supervisors who have provided limited supervision, while answering thoughtful questions and guiding learning. In my experience, the best supervisors give positive feedback and tactful criticism.
5. What do you plan to be doing in five years' time?
Taking the PE exam and serving in supervisory/leadership roles both at work and in professional/community organization(s).
6. What contributions could you make in this organization that would help you to stand out from other applicants?
In previous internships, my industriousness and ability to teach myself have been valuable assets to the company. My self-teaching abilities will minimize overhead costs, and my industriousness at targeting needs without prompting will set me apart from others. Additionally, one thing that has always set me apart from my scientific/engineering peers are my broad interests and strong writing abilities. I am not your typical "left-brained" engineer, and with my broad talents, I am likely to provide diverse viewpoints.
7. What sort of criteria are you using to decide the organization you will work for?
Most importantly, I am looking for a company that values quality, ethics, and teamwork. I would like to work for a company that hires overachievers.
8. What made you choose your major?
My academic interests are broad, so I sought civil engineering to achieve a great balance of mathematics, chemistry, biology, physics, and writing.
9. Have your university and major met your expectations?
The College of Engineering at MSU has exceeded my expectations by providing group activities, career resources, individual attention, and professors with genuine interest in teaching.
My major has met my expectations by about 90%. I would have enjoyed more choices in environmental courses, and would have preferred more calculus-based learning.
10. What made you choose this college?
I chose this college for the following reasons: my budget limited me to in-state schools, I was seeking an area with dog-friendly apartments, the MSU web site impressed me, I saw active student groups, and the people were very friendly.
Showing posts with label Interview Tips. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Interview Tips. Show all posts
Friday, December 17, 2010
HR Interview Collective Tips
HR Interview is very important in getting a job, this page will guide you in getting sure success.
Common Inteview Mistakes - Interview the Interviewer
Okay, so you have managed to hold your nerves in control and brave the questions of the HR. You are now at the end of your interview session. What next? The answer is, there are a few more steps to go.
Interview Questions and Answers
Here are some very popular interview questions and some possible ways to answer them. Please remember that there cannot be just one answer to them. Your answers depend a lot on your particular circumstances. For instance, if the interviewer asks you to describe a challenging issue you had to face, your answer would depend on your particular background and experience. Therefore we have attempted to give you strategies to answer such questions, rather than specific answers.
Common Interview Questions and Their Answers.
The first step for successful interviews is to remember how you feel. Yes, it is your nth interview and yet you are as nervous as if it were your first time. Remember, there is nothing wrong with this. Everyone, well almost everyone, feels nervous on interviews. Simply allow this state to be- do not fight it. You will have far more presence of mind if you don’t fight your nervousness. Also try to remember that it is difficult for the interviewer too.
What would you rate as your greatest weaknesses?
This is a tricky question. Be mindful of what you say. If you admit to a genuine weakness, you will be respected for your honesty, but your resume will end up in the dustbin after the interview!
Don’t you think you are overqualified for this job?
Here the interviewer may be worried that you will leave the job once you find something that matches your qualification level. This may sound like an objection, but it doesn’t mean that the employer has no interest in you. The employer is trying to gauge how you see the situation- whether you can see advantages to both sides. You obviously have to also show how you stand benefited- otherwise it will appear that this job is only a stop-gap arrangement for you till you find something better.
How would you honestly evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of your previous/current company/boss/team?
This question is nothing but a trap. The interviewer is the least interested in the company/boss/team. They are simply checking how you deal with a situation like this. You might be really tempted to unburden your soul- but don’t. Do not stonewall from the question, but emphasize the good points.
Your competitor presses you to reveal some confidential information about your current or previous employer.
This looks like a no-win situation- traps both ways. You tell them all, and they judge you as untrustworthy. You refuse to reveal the information they are seeking, the interviewer might be displeased with you. They might think that you are stubborn or suspicious.
If you came on board with us, what changes would you make in the system?
This seemingly innocent question has many landmines hidden in it. You might be very close to being hired, but a wrong approach this one question can sabotage everything. You may be very bright, but no one can really understand what needs to be done unless they settle in the position and understand the strengths and weaknesses from within. So beware of jumping at this question if you don’t want to come across as someone who shoots from the hips.
I find that you have changed jobs many times so far. Why is it so?
The concerns behind this question are quite obvious. The interviewer is worried that you may leave the job too soon, the way you have done with others. This might also indicate that you are a well qualified but problematic person who can’t get along with other people.
How many hours a day/a week do you work?
Avoid being too specific on this answer. If you give a low figure, the company will view it as inadequate. If you commit to too many hours, you will feel guilty for not being able to keep up.
We would like to hear about your goals.
It reflects poorly on you not to have any goals or have only generalities. Remember that those people who are in a position to hire you have reached there most probably because of their goal setting habits. They would want to hire people who are like them. Thus being non specific about your career/ personal goals could act as a big turn off.
Common Inteview Mistakes - Interview the Interviewer
Okay, so you have managed to hold your nerves in control and brave the questions of the HR. You are now at the end of your interview session. What next? The answer is, there are a few more steps to go.
Interview Questions and Answers
Here are some very popular interview questions and some possible ways to answer them. Please remember that there cannot be just one answer to them. Your answers depend a lot on your particular circumstances. For instance, if the interviewer asks you to describe a challenging issue you had to face, your answer would depend on your particular background and experience. Therefore we have attempted to give you strategies to answer such questions, rather than specific answers.
Common Interview Questions and Their Answers.
The first step for successful interviews is to remember how you feel. Yes, it is your nth interview and yet you are as nervous as if it were your first time. Remember, there is nothing wrong with this. Everyone, well almost everyone, feels nervous on interviews. Simply allow this state to be- do not fight it. You will have far more presence of mind if you don’t fight your nervousness. Also try to remember that it is difficult for the interviewer too.
What would you rate as your greatest weaknesses?
This is a tricky question. Be mindful of what you say. If you admit to a genuine weakness, you will be respected for your honesty, but your resume will end up in the dustbin after the interview!
Don’t you think you are overqualified for this job?
Here the interviewer may be worried that you will leave the job once you find something that matches your qualification level. This may sound like an objection, but it doesn’t mean that the employer has no interest in you. The employer is trying to gauge how you see the situation- whether you can see advantages to both sides. You obviously have to also show how you stand benefited- otherwise it will appear that this job is only a stop-gap arrangement for you till you find something better.
How would you honestly evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of your previous/current company/boss/team?
This question is nothing but a trap. The interviewer is the least interested in the company/boss/team. They are simply checking how you deal with a situation like this. You might be really tempted to unburden your soul- but don’t. Do not stonewall from the question, but emphasize the good points.
Your competitor presses you to reveal some confidential information about your current or previous employer.
This looks like a no-win situation- traps both ways. You tell them all, and they judge you as untrustworthy. You refuse to reveal the information they are seeking, the interviewer might be displeased with you. They might think that you are stubborn or suspicious.
If you came on board with us, what changes would you make in the system?
This seemingly innocent question has many landmines hidden in it. You might be very close to being hired, but a wrong approach this one question can sabotage everything. You may be very bright, but no one can really understand what needs to be done unless they settle in the position and understand the strengths and weaknesses from within. So beware of jumping at this question if you don’t want to come across as someone who shoots from the hips.
I find that you have changed jobs many times so far. Why is it so?
The concerns behind this question are quite obvious. The interviewer is worried that you may leave the job too soon, the way you have done with others. This might also indicate that you are a well qualified but problematic person who can’t get along with other people.
How many hours a day/a week do you work?
Avoid being too specific on this answer. If you give a low figure, the company will view it as inadequate. If you commit to too many hours, you will feel guilty for not being able to keep up.
We would like to hear about your goals.
It reflects poorly on you not to have any goals or have only generalities. Remember that those people who are in a position to hire you have reached there most probably because of their goal setting habits. They would want to hire people who are like them. Thus being non specific about your career/ personal goals could act as a big turn off.
Resume Tips
THE NUMBER ONE PURPOSE OF A RESUME The resume is a tool with one specific purpose: to win an interview. If it does what the fantasy resume did, it works. If it doesn't, it isn't an effective resume. A resume is an advertisement, nothing more, nothing less.
A great resume doesn't just tell them what you have done but makes the same assertion that all good ads do: If you buy this product, you will get these specific, direct benefits. It presents you in the best light. It convinces the employer that you have what it takes to be successful in this new position or career.
It is so pleasing to the eye that the reader is enticed to pick it up and read it. It "whets the appetite," stimulates interest in meeting you and learning more about you. It inspires the prospective employer to pick up the phone and ask you to come in for an interview.
Why do I need a Powerful Resume
Building a powerful resume is asking to build a personal brand. A good Cv is like a positioning tool to right-position and promote your personal brand. It's the first touch point with your prospective recruter's and hence needs to be handled smartly and with great degree of care. It helps you ge an edge in a higly competitive and crowded selection process and can help for right career changes or up-word movements. Last but not the least, a smart CV will create a favourable mental predisposition with your interview panel and allow the interview discussion to be steered in the direction you want it to go.
This, to me, is very critical for interviewers and interviewees alike, as too much time is wasted in trying to find faults/gaps, interogate or indulging in a surface level show of one's knowledge and capabilities.
It's vital that the words used in your CV really make the reader want to meet you and invite you to that all-important interview.
Your CV is your sales document to a recruiter/employer and if it fails to sell you then it will probably end up in the bin and hence no interview. Having said that let me share a balancing perspective.
Your personal brand strategy and criticality of building a good CV depends on the demand - supply situation as well.
A great resume doesn't just tell them what you have done but makes the same assertion that all good ads do: If you buy this product, you will get these specific, direct benefits. It presents you in the best light. It convinces the employer that you have what it takes to be successful in this new position or career.
It is so pleasing to the eye that the reader is enticed to pick it up and read it. It "whets the appetite," stimulates interest in meeting you and learning more about you. It inspires the prospective employer to pick up the phone and ask you to come in for an interview.
Why do I need a Powerful Resume
Building a powerful resume is asking to build a personal brand. A good Cv is like a positioning tool to right-position and promote your personal brand. It's the first touch point with your prospective recruter's and hence needs to be handled smartly and with great degree of care. It helps you ge an edge in a higly competitive and crowded selection process and can help for right career changes or up-word movements. Last but not the least, a smart CV will create a favourable mental predisposition with your interview panel and allow the interview discussion to be steered in the direction you want it to go.
This, to me, is very critical for interviewers and interviewees alike, as too much time is wasted in trying to find faults/gaps, interogate or indulging in a surface level show of one's knowledge and capabilities.
It's vital that the words used in your CV really make the reader want to meet you and invite you to that all-important interview.
Your CV is your sales document to a recruiter/employer and if it fails to sell you then it will probably end up in the bin and hence no interview. Having said that let me share a balancing perspective.
Your personal brand strategy and criticality of building a good CV depends on the demand - supply situation as well.
Top Ten Technical Resume Writing Tips
List your technical knowledge first, in an organized way. Your technical strengths must stand out clearly at the beginning of your resume. Ultimately, your resume is going to be read by a thoughtful human being, but before it gets to that point it often has to be categorized by an administrative clerk, and make its way past various sorts of key word searches. Therefore, you should list as many directly relevant buzz words as you can which reflect your knowledge and experience. List all operating systems and UNIX flavors you know. List all programming languages and platforms with which you're experienced. List all software you are skilled with. Make it obvious at a glance where your strengths lie - whether the glance is from a hiring manager, a clerk, or a machine.
List your qualifications in order of relevance, from most to least. Only list your degree and educational qualifications first if they are truly relevant to the job for which you are applying. If you've already done what you want to do in a new job, by all means, list it first, even if it wasn't your most recent job. Abandon any strict adherence to a chronological ordering of your experience.
Quantify your experience wherever possible. Cite numerical figures, such as monetary budgets/funds saved, time periods/efficiency improved, lines of code written/debugged, numbers of machines administered/fixed, etc. which demonstrate progress or accomplishments due directly to your work.
Begin sentences with action verbs. Portray yourself as someone who is active, uses their brain, and gets things done. Stick with the past tense, even for descriptions of currently held positions, to avoid confusion.
Don't sell yourself short. This is by far the biggest mistake of all resumes, technical and otherwise. Your experiences are worthy for review by hiring managers. Treat your resume as an advertisement for you. Be sure to thoroughly "sell" yourself by highlighting all of your strengths. If you've got a valuable asset which doesn't seem to fit into any existing components of your resume, list it anyway as its own resume segment.
Be concise. As a rule of thumb, resumes reflecting five years or less experience should fit on one page. More extensive experience can justify usage of a second page. Consider three pages (about 15 years or more experience) an absolute limit. Avoid lengthy descriptions of whole projects of which you were only a part. Consolidate action verbs where one task or responsibility encompasses other tasks and duties. Minimize usage of articles (the, an, a) and never use "I" or other pronouns to identify yourself.
Omit needless items. Leave all these things off your resume: social security number, marital status, health, citizenship, age, scholarships, irrelevant awards, irrelevant associations and memberships, irrelevant publications, irrelevant recreational activities, a second mailing address ("permanent address" is confusing and never used), references, reference of references ("available upon request"), travel history, previous pay rates, previous supervisor names, and components of your name which you really never use (i.e. middle names).
Have a trusted friend review your resume. Be sure to pick someone who is attentive to details, can effectively critique your writing, and will give an honest and objective opinion. Seriously consider their advice. Get a third and fourth opinion if you can.
Proofread, proofread, proofread. Be sure to catch all spelling errors, grammatical weaknesses, unusual punctuation, and inconsistent capitalizations. Proofread it numerous times over at least two days to allow a fresh eye to catch any hidden mistakes.
Laser print it on plain, white paper. Handwriting, typing, dot matrix printing, and even ink jet printing look pretty cheesy. Stick with laser prints. Don't waste your money on special bond paper, matching envelopes, or any color deviances away from plain white. Your resume will be photocopied, faxed, and scanned numerous times, defeating any special paper efforts, assuming your original resume doesn't first end up in the circular file.
List your qualifications in order of relevance, from most to least. Only list your degree and educational qualifications first if they are truly relevant to the job for which you are applying. If you've already done what you want to do in a new job, by all means, list it first, even if it wasn't your most recent job. Abandon any strict adherence to a chronological ordering of your experience.
Quantify your experience wherever possible. Cite numerical figures, such as monetary budgets/funds saved, time periods/efficiency improved, lines of code written/debugged, numbers of machines administered/fixed, etc. which demonstrate progress or accomplishments due directly to your work.
Begin sentences with action verbs. Portray yourself as someone who is active, uses their brain, and gets things done. Stick with the past tense, even for descriptions of currently held positions, to avoid confusion.
Don't sell yourself short. This is by far the biggest mistake of all resumes, technical and otherwise. Your experiences are worthy for review by hiring managers. Treat your resume as an advertisement for you. Be sure to thoroughly "sell" yourself by highlighting all of your strengths. If you've got a valuable asset which doesn't seem to fit into any existing components of your resume, list it anyway as its own resume segment.
Be concise. As a rule of thumb, resumes reflecting five years or less experience should fit on one page. More extensive experience can justify usage of a second page. Consider three pages (about 15 years or more experience) an absolute limit. Avoid lengthy descriptions of whole projects of which you were only a part. Consolidate action verbs where one task or responsibility encompasses other tasks and duties. Minimize usage of articles (the, an, a) and never use "I" or other pronouns to identify yourself.
Omit needless items. Leave all these things off your resume: social security number, marital status, health, citizenship, age, scholarships, irrelevant awards, irrelevant associations and memberships, irrelevant publications, irrelevant recreational activities, a second mailing address ("permanent address" is confusing and never used), references, reference of references ("available upon request"), travel history, previous pay rates, previous supervisor names, and components of your name which you really never use (i.e. middle names).
Have a trusted friend review your resume. Be sure to pick someone who is attentive to details, can effectively critique your writing, and will give an honest and objective opinion. Seriously consider their advice. Get a third and fourth opinion if you can.
Proofread, proofread, proofread. Be sure to catch all spelling errors, grammatical weaknesses, unusual punctuation, and inconsistent capitalizations. Proofread it numerous times over at least two days to allow a fresh eye to catch any hidden mistakes.
Laser print it on plain, white paper. Handwriting, typing, dot matrix printing, and even ink jet printing look pretty cheesy. Stick with laser prints. Don't waste your money on special bond paper, matching envelopes, or any color deviances away from plain white. Your resume will be photocopied, faxed, and scanned numerous times, defeating any special paper efforts, assuming your original resume doesn't first end up in the circular file.
Fifty Standard Entry Level Interview Questions
Think before answering all these questions. The questions are very simple but difficult to answer because there is no CORRECT answer.
1. Tell me about yourself.
2. What do you want to do with your life?
3. Do you have any actual work experience?
4. How would you describe your ideal job?
5. Why did you choose this career?
6. When did you decide on this career?
7. What goals do you have in your career?
8. How do you plan to achieve these goals?
9. How do you evaluate success?
10. Describe a situation in which you were successful.
11. What do you think it takes to be successful in this career?
12. What accomplishments have given you the most satisfaction in your life?
13. If you had to live your life over again, what would you change?
14. Would your rather work with information or with people?
15. Are you a team player?
16. What motivates you?
17. Why should I hire you?
18. Are you a goal-oriented person?
19. Tell me about some of your recent goals and what you did to achieve them.
20. What are your short-term goals?
21. What is your long-range objective?
22. What do you see yourself doing five years from now?
23. Where do you want to be ten years from now?
24. Do you handle conflict well?
25. Have you ever had a conflict with a boss or professor? How did you resolve it?
26. What major problem have you had to deal with recently?
27. Do you handle pressure well?
28. What is your greatest strength?
29. What is your greatest weakness?
30. If I were to ask one of your professors to describe you, what would he or she say?
31. Why did you choose to attend your college?
32. What changes would you make at your college?
33. How has your education prepared you for your career?
34. What were your favorite classes? Why?
35. Do you enjoy doing independent research?
36. Who were your favorite professors? Why?
37. Why is your GPA not higher?
38. Do you have any plans for further education?
39. How much training do you think you’ll need to become a productive employee?
40. What qualities do you feel a successful manager should have?
41. Why do you want to work in the _____ industry?
42. What do you know about our company?
43. Why are you interested in our company?
44. Do you have any location preferences?
45. How familiar are you with the community that we’re located in?
46. Will you relocate? In the future?
47. Are you willing to travel? How much?
48. Is money important to you?
49. How much money do you need to make to be happy?
50. What kind of salary are you looking for?
1. Tell me about yourself.
2. What do you want to do with your life?
3. Do you have any actual work experience?
4. How would you describe your ideal job?
5. Why did you choose this career?
6. When did you decide on this career?
7. What goals do you have in your career?
8. How do you plan to achieve these goals?
9. How do you evaluate success?
10. Describe a situation in which you were successful.
11. What do you think it takes to be successful in this career?
12. What accomplishments have given you the most satisfaction in your life?
13. If you had to live your life over again, what would you change?
14. Would your rather work with information or with people?
15. Are you a team player?
16. What motivates you?
17. Why should I hire you?
18. Are you a goal-oriented person?
19. Tell me about some of your recent goals and what you did to achieve them.
20. What are your short-term goals?
21. What is your long-range objective?
22. What do you see yourself doing five years from now?
23. Where do you want to be ten years from now?
24. Do you handle conflict well?
25. Have you ever had a conflict with a boss or professor? How did you resolve it?
26. What major problem have you had to deal with recently?
27. Do you handle pressure well?
28. What is your greatest strength?
29. What is your greatest weakness?
30. If I were to ask one of your professors to describe you, what would he or she say?
31. Why did you choose to attend your college?
32. What changes would you make at your college?
33. How has your education prepared you for your career?
34. What were your favorite classes? Why?
35. Do you enjoy doing independent research?
36. Who were your favorite professors? Why?
37. Why is your GPA not higher?
38. Do you have any plans for further education?
39. How much training do you think you’ll need to become a productive employee?
40. What qualities do you feel a successful manager should have?
41. Why do you want to work in the _____ industry?
42. What do you know about our company?
43. Why are you interested in our company?
44. Do you have any location preferences?
45. How familiar are you with the community that we’re located in?
46. Will you relocate? In the future?
47. Are you willing to travel? How much?
48. Is money important to you?
49. How much money do you need to make to be happy?
50. What kind of salary are you looking for?
Avoid the 2 common mistakes during an Interview
Everybody tends to make mistakes during their interview. It could be due to nervousness or may be just because its not their day. Still in most of the cases, mistakes we made are avoidable. Just have a look at 2 very common mistakes through this article and promise yourself - never to let that happen in your case!!
Avoid the dreaded electronic interruption
Cellular phone and pager etiquette might seem a trivial thing to those that are hooked up, but you can kiss any approaching opportunity goodbye if you interrupt an interview to take a telephone call, especially if the human resources representative has a low tolerance for personal digital devices. Only if you are exchanging information by invitation should you reveal the fact that you carry a PDA. If you wear it on a belt loop or somewhere that is exposed, lose it, along with any other electrical device hooks and loops, and store them in pocket, purse, or briefcase. If you can’t spare the time away from the rest of the world to do an interview, why are you applying for it?
For interviewers watching a person being silently buzzed is terribly distracting and also aggravating.
If you think getting rid of electronic communications devices isn’t important, just ask any human resources rep who has had a person answer a cellular phone during a job interview. Then ask if the person got the job.
Don’t Forget to say thank you
Beyond thanking your interviewers for their time as you leave, it’s vital that you follow up in written form. If the competition for a position is tight, a follow-up thank you note can mean a lot. If the manager is slow to hire, the arrival of a thank-you note can serve as a reminder about the candidate who’s awaiting the manager’s next move.
Just after you’ve completed the interview, take note of anything specific you discussed and make a point of referencing it in your thank you letter. Even a nice greeting card is better than nothing.
Avoid the dreaded electronic interruption
Cellular phone and pager etiquette might seem a trivial thing to those that are hooked up, but you can kiss any approaching opportunity goodbye if you interrupt an interview to take a telephone call, especially if the human resources representative has a low tolerance for personal digital devices. Only if you are exchanging information by invitation should you reveal the fact that you carry a PDA. If you wear it on a belt loop or somewhere that is exposed, lose it, along with any other electrical device hooks and loops, and store them in pocket, purse, or briefcase. If you can’t spare the time away from the rest of the world to do an interview, why are you applying for it?
For interviewers watching a person being silently buzzed is terribly distracting and also aggravating.
If you think getting rid of electronic communications devices isn’t important, just ask any human resources rep who has had a person answer a cellular phone during a job interview. Then ask if the person got the job.
Don’t Forget to say thank you
Beyond thanking your interviewers for their time as you leave, it’s vital that you follow up in written form. If the competition for a position is tight, a follow-up thank you note can mean a lot. If the manager is slow to hire, the arrival of a thank-you note can serve as a reminder about the candidate who’s awaiting the manager’s next move.
Just after you’ve completed the interview, take note of anything specific you discussed and make a point of referencing it in your thank you letter. Even a nice greeting card is better than nothing.
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Success Factors !!
Group discussion is an important dimension of the job selection process. In today’s context, the organizations are interested in team players rather than individual contributors even if they are excellent performers by themselves.
Employers during group discussion evaluate the candidates’ potential to be a leader and also his/her ability to work in teams. Normally group discussions are used in the selection process for management trainees and executive positions. Employers are looking for candidates who have potential to be executives and to lead teams of people.
What the panel looks for?
All that one observes in a GD can be categorized into two broad areas: the Content and the Process.
• The content is all about the ‘matter’ (or the ‘what’) spoken in the GD. Whereas, the process refers to the ‘how’, ‘when’ and ‘why’ of the GD.
• Both are equally important and need adequate attention at all stages.
• A high quality contribution with no regard to the ‘process’ is as suicidal as one which is high on packaging with little content.
Critical success factors in a GD..
• Cognitive skills or knowledge:
The most important aspect of your contribution to a GD is the quality of content (QOC), which is reflected in the points you make, knowledge of the relevant subject, and the supportive examples you give.
• Comprehension of the core idea:
It is essential to deliver high quality content. But to do that, you should speak on the topic and not deviate. The panel basically wants to see whether you have identified the crux of the problem and whether you are offering relevant solutions.
• Logical reasoning:
It includes understanding the topic, generating quality arguments, analysis and a progressive approach to a justifiable conclusion. This is one of the necessary attributes to be seen in an influential participant. Such people convey an impression of being open minded and logic driven rather than opinionated.
• Behavioral and personality skills:
This includes certain attributes like rapport-building, team membership, participation, patience, assertion and accommodation, amenability, leadership, etc.
• Communication skills:
You should be able to articulate your thoughts properly and you should also be able to understand what others are trying to say.
• Clarity of thoughts:
In whatever you say, follow a logical sequence/order rather then presenting the points in some bits and pieces.
• Body language and eye contact:
These are some tools which check your level of confidence and whether you can work together effectively in a group or not. So, be sure to maintain eye contact with everyone in the group.
Employers during group discussion evaluate the candidates’ potential to be a leader and also his/her ability to work in teams. Normally group discussions are used in the selection process for management trainees and executive positions. Employers are looking for candidates who have potential to be executives and to lead teams of people.
What the panel looks for?
All that one observes in a GD can be categorized into two broad areas: the Content and the Process.
• The content is all about the ‘matter’ (or the ‘what’) spoken in the GD. Whereas, the process refers to the ‘how’, ‘when’ and ‘why’ of the GD.
• Both are equally important and need adequate attention at all stages.
• A high quality contribution with no regard to the ‘process’ is as suicidal as one which is high on packaging with little content.
Critical success factors in a GD..
• Cognitive skills or knowledge:
The most important aspect of your contribution to a GD is the quality of content (QOC), which is reflected in the points you make, knowledge of the relevant subject, and the supportive examples you give.
• Comprehension of the core idea:
It is essential to deliver high quality content. But to do that, you should speak on the topic and not deviate. The panel basically wants to see whether you have identified the crux of the problem and whether you are offering relevant solutions.
• Logical reasoning:
It includes understanding the topic, generating quality arguments, analysis and a progressive approach to a justifiable conclusion. This is one of the necessary attributes to be seen in an influential participant. Such people convey an impression of being open minded and logic driven rather than opinionated.
• Behavioral and personality skills:
This includes certain attributes like rapport-building, team membership, participation, patience, assertion and accommodation, amenability, leadership, etc.
• Communication skills:
You should be able to articulate your thoughts properly and you should also be able to understand what others are trying to say.
• Clarity of thoughts:
In whatever you say, follow a logical sequence/order rather then presenting the points in some bits and pieces.
• Body language and eye contact:
These are some tools which check your level of confidence and whether you can work together effectively in a group or not. So, be sure to maintain eye contact with everyone in the group.
MOCK Interview Questions
Education & Career Plans
Why did you choose to study __________?
How are you enjoying the program? Why?
Why did you get involved with the co-op program? What do you hope to get out of participating?
What are your grades like? (If not good, why?)
Which courses do you enjoy best? Least? Why?
Which area(s) of the __________ field interests you most? Why?
What do you think it takes to succeed in the __________ field?
You’re in school now, but what do you expect to be doing in five years?
Experience & Skills
Which past jobs have you enjoyed the most? The least? Why?
Under what circumstances did you leave your last job?
Describe your working relationship with your last supervisor.
Are you currently working part-time? (If yes,) do you plan to quit taking a co-op position?
What experience related to this position have you had?
(If no related experience,) how specifically will your past experience be valuable in the __________ field?
(For non-CS students) How computer literate are you? What kinds of computer equipment and software have you used?
Personal
What are your strengths? Weaknesses? How do you know? Can you give an example of each? (Relate to work environment)
Which three adjectives best describe you? (e.g., reliable, kind, etc.)
Can you give an example of how you have shown initiative in a past job or volunteer experience?
What do you consider your greatest accomplishment? Why?
Do you prefer working on your own or in a team? Why?
What are some of your leisure interests?
Do you have a car or some other reliable form of transportation?
Are you willing to relocate for co-op/permanent employment?
Your Questions
At the end of the interview, you will usually be given an opportunity to ask questions. Ask about the work itself and the people you will be working with.
Why did you choose to study __________?
How are you enjoying the program? Why?
Why did you get involved with the co-op program? What do you hope to get out of participating?
What are your grades like? (If not good, why?)
Which courses do you enjoy best? Least? Why?
Which area(s) of the __________ field interests you most? Why?
What do you think it takes to succeed in the __________ field?
You’re in school now, but what do you expect to be doing in five years?
Experience & Skills
Which past jobs have you enjoyed the most? The least? Why?
Under what circumstances did you leave your last job?
Describe your working relationship with your last supervisor.
Are you currently working part-time? (If yes,) do you plan to quit taking a co-op position?
What experience related to this position have you had?
(If no related experience,) how specifically will your past experience be valuable in the __________ field?
(For non-CS students) How computer literate are you? What kinds of computer equipment and software have you used?
Personal
What are your strengths? Weaknesses? How do you know? Can you give an example of each? (Relate to work environment)
Which three adjectives best describe you? (e.g., reliable, kind, etc.)
Can you give an example of how you have shown initiative in a past job or volunteer experience?
What do you consider your greatest accomplishment? Why?
Do you prefer working on your own or in a team? Why?
What are some of your leisure interests?
Do you have a car or some other reliable form of transportation?
Are you willing to relocate for co-op/permanent employment?
Your Questions
At the end of the interview, you will usually be given an opportunity to ask questions. Ask about the work itself and the people you will be working with.
Commandments for every Personal Interview
Even after months of preparation, some candidates do not perform well inside the interview room. The trick is to follow a few commandments mentioned below & practice them during mock interview sessions diligently. You are sure to crack the personal interview.
1. Whenever the interviewer asks any questions, listen carefully. Do not interrupt him midway. Ask for a clarification if the question is not clear. Wait a second or two before you answer. And don’t dive into the answer!
2. Speak clearly. Don’t speak very slowly. Be loud enough so that the interviewers don’t have to strain their ears.
3. Brevity is the hallmark of a good communicator. An over-talkative or verbose person is disliked and misjudged instantly, so keep it short.
4. If you don’t know an answer, be honest. The interviewer will respect your integrity and honesty. Never exaggerate.
5. Never boast about your achievements. Don’t be overconfident — it is often misinterpreted by interviewers for arrogance.
6. Don’t get into an argument with the interviewer on any topic. Restrain yourself, please!
7. Remember your manners. Project an air of humility and be polite.
8. Project enthusiasm. The interviewer usually pays more attention if you display enthusiasm in whatever you say.
9. Maintain a cheerful disposition throughout the interview, because a pleasant countenance holds the interviewers’ interest.
10. Maintain perfect eye contact with all panel members; make sure you address them all. This shows your self-confidence and honesty.
11. Avoid using slang. It may not be understood and will certainly not be appreciated.
12. Avoid frequent use of words and phrases like, ‘I mean’; ‘You know’; ‘I know’; ‘Well’; ‘As such’; ‘Fine’; ‘Basically’, etc.
13. When questions are asked in English, reply in English only. Do not use Hindi or any other languages. Avoid using Hindi words like matlab, ki, maine, etc.
14. Feel free to ask questions if necessary. It is quite in order and much appreciated by interviewers.
15. Last but not the least, be natural. Many interviewees adopt a stance that is not their natural self. Interviewers find it amusing when a candidate launches into a new accent that s/he cannot sustain consistently through the interview or adopts a mannerism that is inconsistent with their own personality. It is best to talk naturally. You come across as genuine
1. Whenever the interviewer asks any questions, listen carefully. Do not interrupt him midway. Ask for a clarification if the question is not clear. Wait a second or two before you answer. And don’t dive into the answer!
2. Speak clearly. Don’t speak very slowly. Be loud enough so that the interviewers don’t have to strain their ears.
3. Brevity is the hallmark of a good communicator. An over-talkative or verbose person is disliked and misjudged instantly, so keep it short.
4. If you don’t know an answer, be honest. The interviewer will respect your integrity and honesty. Never exaggerate.
5. Never boast about your achievements. Don’t be overconfident — it is often misinterpreted by interviewers for arrogance.
6. Don’t get into an argument with the interviewer on any topic. Restrain yourself, please!
7. Remember your manners. Project an air of humility and be polite.
8. Project enthusiasm. The interviewer usually pays more attention if you display enthusiasm in whatever you say.
9. Maintain a cheerful disposition throughout the interview, because a pleasant countenance holds the interviewers’ interest.
10. Maintain perfect eye contact with all panel members; make sure you address them all. This shows your self-confidence and honesty.
11. Avoid using slang. It may not be understood and will certainly not be appreciated.
12. Avoid frequent use of words and phrases like, ‘I mean’; ‘You know’; ‘I know’; ‘Well’; ‘As such’; ‘Fine’; ‘Basically’, etc.
13. When questions are asked in English, reply in English only. Do not use Hindi or any other languages. Avoid using Hindi words like matlab, ki, maine, etc.
14. Feel free to ask questions if necessary. It is quite in order and much appreciated by interviewers.
15. Last but not the least, be natural. Many interviewees adopt a stance that is not their natural self. Interviewers find it amusing when a candidate launches into a new accent that s/he cannot sustain consistently through the interview or adopts a mannerism that is inconsistent with their own personality. It is best to talk naturally. You come across as genuine
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