How to Crack

JOB
INTERVIEWS
WHAT IS AN INTERVIEW ?
• An interview is a conversation where questions are asked and answers are given.

• A formal meeting between two people where the interviewer asks questions to the

interviewee to obtain information.

• Interviewer asks set questions designed to collect useful information and

evaluate the same question responses for each interviewee.

• Interview can be of many types like structured, unstructured and semi

structured.
 OBJECTIVE OF
•
INTERVIEW
Verifying the facts provided by the candidate in their resume, cover letter and job
application.

• Providing the candidate with general facts and necessary descriptions about the
job and the company

• Enquiring about the interviewee's career goals and considering how it aligns with
the role.

• Checking the candidate's suitability for the job in terms of their personality and
attitude.

• Verifying if a candidate is a right fit for the company culture and work ethic.

• Informing the candidate about the company's expectations.

 Types of Interview

• Face-to Face Interview. • The sequential interview .

• The telephonic interview • Behavioral Interview

• The panel interview • Stress Interview.

• The group interview • Exit Interview

 Different Kinds of Interviews

Face-To-Face Interview:

This is a traditional interview and the most common type. In

this interview the candidate and the interviewer meet face-to-
face.

Behavioural Interview:

This is a common type of job interview in the modern

workplace. This type of interview is based on the notion that
a job candidate’s previous behaviours are best indicators of
 Different Kinds of Interviews
Telephonic Interview:

Telephonic Interviews take place if a recruiter wishes to dwindle

down the number of prospective candidates before deciding on a
shortlist for face-to-face interviews. They also take place if a job
applicant is a significant distance away from the premises of the
hiring company such as abroad or in another state.

Panel Interview:

Panel means a selection committee that is appointed for

interviewing the candidates. A Panel may include three or five
members. Questions are asked to candidates and marks are
given to each candidate. Final decisions are taken by all
members collectively by rating the candidates.
 Different Kinds of Interviews
Exit Interview:

When an employee leaves the company, he is interviewed either by his

immediate superior or by the HRD manager. This interview is called an exit
interview.

Stress Interview:

A stress interview allows interviewers to see how well an interviewee works

under pressure. The interviewer attempts to find how applicants would
respond to aggressive, embarrassing, rude and insulting questions.

Technical Interview:

This kind of interview focuses on problem solving and creativity. The

questions aim at candidates problem solving skill, ability & creativity. These
interviews happen on a computer module with multiple-choice questions
sometimes.
 JOB INTERVIEW
• It is a face to face type interview.
• The job interview is considered
one of the most useful tools for
evaluating potential employees.
• A job interview typically precedes
the hiring decisions.
 INTERVIEW IS NOT A ONE WAY PROCESS:

• The interviewer is assessing the Interviewee for the suitability of the job or
position.
• The interviewee is assessing whether the job is suitable to him with all
related perks.
• Therefore, it is a two way process of communication.
 Preparation Before Interview

• Do your homework. Learn as much as you can about the company before the
interview.

• Read the job description carefully. Pick the keywords.

• Know where you need to report on the interview day. Drive by the site of the
interview a day or two day before the interview.

• Arrive 15-30 minutes early. There is no excuse ever for arriving late to an
interview.

• Be prepared to go to the interview. Bring extra copies of resume, notepad, pen.

 Know the Employer
• Product or Service • Size/ Turnover
• Sales/Assets • Specialization/products
• Competition • Customers/competitors
• History • New ventures
• Field Offices • Projects in the pipeline
• Industry Trends • Chain of Command

Internal Culture of the company. Whats going on. Search Glassdoor,

Ambitionbox. Read employee reviews. Watch out for red flags.
Resources for Researching the Employer

• Official website of the company

• Newspapers/Magazines
• Advertisements
• Annual Reports
• Ex-employees
• Present employees
• Employee Review Portals.
• Trade publications & journals
 DRESS FOR SUCCESS : Men's Interview Attire

•• Long sleeve shirt (white or • Dark socks, conservative leather

coordinated with the suit) shoes (well polished)
• Matching Trouser. • Neat, professional hairstyle
• Clean shaven/ Trimmed. • Limit the aftershaves and perfume.
• Belt • Neatly trimmed nails
• Suit (solid color - navy or dark • Portfolio file with documents
grey) (Not Mandatory) properly organized
• Tie (Not mandatory)

• Plan out a wardrobe that fits the organization and its culture.
• Wear clothing that fits and is clean and pressed.
DRESS FOR SUCCESS: Women's
Interview Attire
• Skirt and blouse. • Professional hairstyle
• The suit skirt should be long • Light make-up and perfume
enough so you can sit down • Neatly manicured clean nails
comfortably
• Portfolio file with documents
• Coordinated blouse properly organized
• Conservative shoes
• Limited jewelry (no dangling
earrings or arms full of bracelets).
• Indian Dress Works fine. Wear
Cotton.
• Plan out a wardrobe that fits the organization and its culture.
• Wear clothing that fits and is clean and pressed.
 What to Bring to the
Interview
• Portfolio • Always carry a handkerchief
• Copies of your resume • Keep your teeth clean. You don’t
want to put off your interview when
• List of Professional references you speak.
• College transcripts • Don’t eat smelly food like onion,
• Filled out application form garlic, pickles etc.
• Two quality pens • Comb or brush
• Notepad • Breath mints
• Do not smoke or chew gutkha/ pan
Waiting Hall Behaviour
• Get familiar with the ambience
•Don't carry too much baggage
•Report to the authority concerned
• Inform the secretary/ receptionist that you have an interview, whom it is with,
and the time of the interview.
•Maintain decorum
•Mingle with others politely
•Avoid smoking, chewing, flirting, gossiping, defamatory comments
•Greet others present
•Switch off the mobile
• Don’t listen to your iPod, play video games, make cell phone calls, etc. while
waiting to be interviewed.
 FIRST IMPRESSION
• A cardinal rule of interviewing is to be
polite and offer warm greetings to
everyone.

BODY LANGUAGE
• Effective forms of body language include
smiling, eye contact, solid posture, active
listening, and nodding.
During The Interview

• Maintain eye contact

• Be attentive, listen carefully, and lean forward
• Don't lean on the table, and don't slouch
• Don't toss your files across
• Hand over your file-right side facing them
• Don't laugh or giggle but smile gently
• Be polite. Use the words "Please" and "thank you"
• Don't argue but you can orally acknowledge
 Actions on the time of
Interview
• Be positive in your communication (Remember: you
are selling yourself!!), don’t slouch, try not to be too
bold or too shy. Let the interviewer lead the interview.
Express that you are happy to have the opportunity to
give the interview.
• When all else fails: SMILE!!
• Always face the interviewer with good posture and
body language.
• Stay positive with your attitude and your answers. Let
the interviewer know about your skills, knowledge and
experience that make a qualified candidate.
 Actions at end of the Interview
• Ask the job-related questions you prepared for the interview.
• You may be offered the job immediately. In that case, you should
ask about specific salary, benefits, and work hours. You may also
ask for a day to think.
• If you are told you will be contacted, ask about how long it will be.
Offer to call in a few days to find out the decisions. This shows
your continued interest.
• Make sure the interviewer knows how best to contact you and
that you are available for any additional information that may be
needed.
• Thank for the person for the interview and their interest in you as
a potential employee.
 Common Questions for
• TellInterview
me something about yourself.
• Why did you leave your last job?
• What experience do you have in this field?
• Why do you want to work for this organization?
• Are you applying for other jobs?
• Where do you see yourself after 5 years?
• What have you done to improve your knowledge in this
year?
• Have you ever failed?
• Tell me about your strengths & weaknesses?
TELL ME ABOUT YOURSELF : Steps to Introduce
yourself
Tell me about yourself

• Greetings
• Thank you
• Your Name
• Qualification
• Additional Qualification
• Adjectives(Eg. Versatile ,
easy going, team player)
 Tell me something about
yourself Use concept of EATS
E = Experience, A= Accomplishment, T= Type of person you are, S= Skills set

I am Sunil Basu. Thanks for the opportunity. I am a software engineer, having

3+ years of experience in working with TCS. I have developed a wide range
of software applications using various technologies like Java, HTML, CSS and
JavaScript. I have a strong knowledge of object-oriented programming and
databases. I have also worked on various projects related to web
development and enterprise applications. I possess strong interpersonal and
analytical skills, enabling me to quickly adapt new ideas and technologies. I
believe in delivering quality work on time to meet customer expectations. I
am very enthusiastic to discuss more about the job and what it involves.
 Why did you leave your last
job?
1.Be honest but diplomatic.
2.Focus on the positive aspects of your last job.
3.Highlight personal growth opportunities.
4.Keep your answers concise.
5.Reflect on your reasons for leaving beforehand.

While I was grateful for the opportunities at my previous company, I felt like I wasn’t using my
skills and experience to their full potential. I'm looking for a job that will let me grow, so I can
take my career to the next level.

1. Career Development. 1 Never criticize previous employer.

2. Better work life balance 2. Don’t be negative and/or defensive.
3. Personal issues and family circumstances. 3. Focus on the positive
4. Relocation ( you or the company) 4. Highlight the lessons you learned or
5. Change of career. Switching working field and Industry) the skills you gained -
6. Changed work culture / Culture fitment issues.
7. Restructuring of previous organization.
• What experience do you have in this
field?
Go through the Job Description very carefully. Pick up the key words.

Speak about specifics that relate to the position you are applying for. If you do not have specific experience, get
as close as you can.
 Why this job / Why
Us?
• “I'm excited about this job because it aligns perfectly with my skills and interests. I believe I
can bring fresh ideas and contribute to the team's success.”
• “I am interested in this job because I believe I have the skills and experience needed to
succeed in this role. Additionally, I am passionate about the work this company does and I am
excited about the opportunity to contribute to its success.”
• Focus on what they are looking for. Companies look for fitment. Show them the fitment for
experience, expertise, familiarity , proven track record.
A. Express your personal passion for the employer’s product/service/mission.
B.Explain why you would enjoy the responsibilities of the role.
C.Describe how you can see yourself succeeding in the role, given your skills
and experience.
 Why should we select you for this
role?
“I am a great team player, and I really feel like that’s one skill set me apart from others.
Whatever team I might be managing, I end up making good relations with everyone. I am also
very effective at motivating my teammates without having to push them or be too
micromanaging.”

•Your qualifications and skills. You should state three to four significant reasons why you are
qualified for the position and list the skills that make you stand apart.

•Your exceptional qualities and strengths. Make a point of emphasizing your most exceptional
qualities and strengths relevant to the position.

•Your achievements and accomplishments. You can talk about your accomplishments at your
previous organizations and how you can achieve similar results for them. Give specific examples
of how you would benefit the company.
WHAT IS YOUR
What is your
SHORT TEAM AND
LONG TERM GOAL
Intension behind this question: Do your future gaols align with the opportunities available at the company.
•

•Identify hierarchy • Be ambitious

•Enhance skills • Enhance your life
 CAREER OBJECTIVES
Where do you want to be in your career 5 years from now?

NEVER EVER GIVE OVERSMART ANSWERS , “ On the other side of the table”.

“In five years, I see myself continuing to develop my skills and expertise in [list skills related
to the role] in a [name future position] contributing to the growth and success of the
organization.

By leveraging my [x years] of experience in [field/industry/discipline] I believe I’m uniquely

positioned to excel in the [role you’re interviewing for]”.

Make connections between your objectives and the job description.

•You want to give the hiring manager the impression that you’re content with the position as is.
But you should also express enthusiasm about developing in a realistic way.

•Also, show that your personal career goals align with the company's long-term goals. They’re
looking for people eager to work abroad. You’re eager to work abroad. Sounds like a match
made in heaven, right?
 Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

• Get clear about your career goals

A few of the goals I have set for myself over the next few years include acquiring
management skills within my position to up-skill my knowledge.

• Find connection between your goals and job description

I also reviewed your website before interview and was drawn to the training
programs that your company offers. I would love to learn new skills and grow within
my position.

• Show that you will stick to the company for at least 5 years
Over the next five years, I see myself taking new and exciting projects within your
company. I truly believe that I can pursue my career goals and eventually move into
a management position within your organization.
WHAT IS
What is your
YOUR GREATEST
STRENGTH AND WEAKNESS

• Always start with your strengths

• Try to reflect the skill set for the job as your strengths
• Never state your weaknesses straight
• Put some of your strengths as your weakness
• Mention the steps your are taking to overcome weakness
WEAKNESS : FEW MORE EXAMPLES
1.Getting too caught up in the finer details
2.Saying no and setting boundaries
3.Delegating and letting go of projects
4.Trouble disconnecting from work
5.Public speaking skills
6.Expecting too much of others
7.Not always confident enough / lacking self-confidence
8.Expressing praise and recognition
9.Over-scheduling / not allowing time for creativity
10.Trouble asking for help
11.Working with ambiguity
 STRENGTH &
WEAKNESSES
Sample

I am a detailed oriented person. However, in

My greatest strength is my ability to stay situations where deadlines are tight, I do
organized and manage multiple tasks at feel overwhelmed. But now, I have sincerely
once. I have the ability to break complex worked on my time management skills by
projects down into smaller tasks and finding prioritizing most important work.
efficient ways to complete them.

STRENGTH WEAKNESS
S ES
Few More Tips
A. If you cannot understand the question ask politely to repeat the
question.
B. Do not try to argue with the interviewer.
C. As far as your credentials are concerned take a chance to show/exhibit
them - by doing so you will be drawing their attention towards the
subject you know well.
D. Do not try to blow your own trumpet - You might get caught or it gives
an impression that you are a self centered person.
E. Face the interviewer while answering. Answer to the person who
posed you the questions.
Few More Tips

F.Have a good eye contact with the panel members of the interview.
G.Wait for a question to be completed . Do not be hasty in answering
even when you know the answer well
H.Some times using pen and scribbling pad will help you in expressing
things better and it also helps you in relaxing
I.Do not give excuses of health for not answering
J.Do not take shelter under or blame the college or organization or
lecturers for not answering some questions
H.Be clear in what you say - Do not mumble
Few More Tips
I.Respond to questions and back up your statements about yourself with
specific examples whenever possible.
J.Ask for clarification if you don’t understand a question; and be thorough
in your responses while being concise in your wording.
K.Use good grammar and good diction. Say “yes”, not “yeah.” Don’t fill
pauses with “um,” uh” or “ah”. Don’t punctuate sentences with “you
know”, “like”, “see” or “okay”.
L.Treat the interview seriously and show interest in the employer and the
opportunity presented and respond to questions in a positive manner.
Few More Tips
M.Watch the tone of your voice. While it might be trendy among your
friends to “up speak” (end sentence with a higher tone of voice so that
sentences sound like questions), this habit will kill your credibility during the
interview.
N.Answer the question and use professional experiences or descriptive
information to demonstrate how you would react or respond to a situation.
O. Make sure answers have a definite flow. In the beginning state major
points you want to make; in the middle expand upon those points or ideas,
and in the end reinforce your key points and end on a positive note.
Few More Tips

P.Do not try to take sympathy by expressing your family problems / financial
problems to the interviewer
Q.At the end of interview, if you have still doubts on anything, ask for clarification
from the interviewer
R.Do not plead or beg for the job
S.Do not accept or ask for whatever job the Company will offer (Say like, not
related to your aptitude)
T.Do not walk out of the interview in a huff. Wait until the interview is completed
U.After completing the interview, do not forget to wish or say thanks before you
go out
Few More Tips
V. Do not smoke, chew gum, curse, slouch, put your hands on items on the
interviewer’s desk, fidget with rings, pens, ties, change, or other items in your
reach.

W. Do not draw attention to your negative attributes such as attendance, grades,

being fired etc.

X. Do not criticize former employees & co-workers.

Y. Do not discuss personal issues, good or bad, which are irrelevant.

 Why Do Candidates Fail In An
Interview
• Poor grooming
• Discourteous and ungraceful body language
• Poor manners and Poor diction
• Vague responses
• Unappealing resume
• Monetary benefits-centric approach
• Lack of punctuality
• Poor waiting hall behaviour
• Failure to look into the eyes of interviewer.
• Discussing salary and benefits before the interviewer brings it up first.
• Limp handshake.
• Late to the interview.
• Does not thank the interviewer for his/ her time.
• Ask no questions.
• Lack of knowledge about the business or the position.
• Poor personal appearance.
• Inability to communicate clearly, poor voice & grammar.
• Lack of planning for career – No purpose, No Goals.
• Lack of enthusiasm and confidence in the interview.
• Condemning past employees.
 Some Behavioural
"Unfavourable" Aspects
• Lack of personal or career goals
• Lack of enthusiasm and confidence
• Not owning up responsibility for mistakes
• Self-justification, aggressiveness
• Lack of emotional maturity
• Negative and cynical attitude
• Over-reacting to questions
• Lacking sense of humour
• Complaining about various things and previous employers
THANK YOU