Interview Preparation

Barkha Sharma
Founder- Psyheal-A place of acceptance
Counselling Psychologist/Career Expert
 Understanding Common Interview
Formats
Behavioral Interviews:
These are designed to assess how you’ve handled situations in the past to predict your
future performance.
Example: "Tell me about a time when you faced a challenge at work and how you overcame
it.“
Method: STAR technique (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure responses.
Example Answer (STAR method):
Situation: "At my last job, our team’s lead resigned unexpectedly."
Task: "I had to step up and manage the project deadlines."
Action: "I organized daily check-ins and reallocated resources to meet the goals."
Result: "We delivered the project two days ahead of schedule.“
Group Discussions:
Primarily used to assess communication and teamwork in collaborative environments.
Example: "Discuss the pros and cons of remote work."
Strategy: Teach how to balance active listening and assertiveness without dominating or being
passive.
Technical Interviews:
These focus on assessing job-specific skills and knowledge, such as coding,
engineering, or accounting.
Example: "How would you optimize the performance of a database with high
traffic?"
Approach: Preparation by practicing coding challenges, case studies, or solving
job-specific problems.

Panel Interviews:
You will be interviewed by a group of people at once. This requires addressing
multiple interviewers while maintaining composure.
Example: In a panel interview, each interviewer may ask questions related to
their expertise, requiring the candidate to pivot smoothly.
Crafting Compelling Answers to Frequently Asked
Questions
“Tell me about yourself”
Approach: Create a concise narrative that connects your skills and experiences to the
job.
Example: "I have a background in digital marketing, with over 5 years of experience
managing SEO and content strategies for e-commerce brands. At my last position, I
increased organic traffic by 40% through a targeted content overhaul. I’m excited about
this role because it offers opportunities to work on a global scale.“

“What are your strengths and weaknesses?”

Approach: Highlight a strength with proof, and discuss a weakness with a focus on
how you’re improving.
Example (Strength): "I excel at problem-solving, which I demonstrated when I reduced
customer complaints by 30% through process improvements."
Example (Weakness): "I tend to be overly detail-oriented, but I’m working on managing
my time better by setting deadlines for reviews."
“Why do you want to work here?”
Approach: Research the company and align your personal goals with the
company’s mission.
Example: "I admire your company’s commitment to sustainability, and my
values align with your mission to reduce carbon footprints in supply chains. I
am excited to contribute my skills in logistics optimization to such an
impactful cause."
Situational or Hypothetical Questions:
These questions test problem-solving skills and the ability to think on your
feet.
Example: "What would you do if you had a tight deadline but realized
halfway through that the project requirements were misunderstood?"
Answer: "I would immediately communicate the issue to stakeholders,
propose a revised timeline, and prioritize tasks to complete the project within
the adjusted timeframe."
 More Questions
Behavioral Questions
Can you give an example of how you handled a high-pressure situation at work?
Tell me about a time when you had to collaborate with a difficult team member.
Situational/Problem-Solving Questions
How would you respond if a client rejected your proposal during an important meeting?
What would you do if you realized you misunderstood a project’s requirements halfway through?
Technical Questions (Industry-Specific)
For IT: How would you debug a program that crashes without error messages?
For Marketing: How would you launch a new product with minimal resources?
Cultural Fit and Motivation Questions
What motivates you to excel in your work?
How do you handle stress in a fast-paced work environment?
Leadership and Management Questions
How do you manage team members who are not meeting expectations?
Describe a time when you had to make a difficult leadership decision.
Tough/Tricky Questions
How do you handle making mistakes in your work?
If you could improve one thing about our company, what would it be?
Brainteaser/Creative Thinking Questions
How would you design a marketing campaign for a product you’ve never used?
If you could be any animal, which would you choose and why?
 Building Confidence Through Positive
Self-Talk and Body Language
Positive Self-Talk:
•Example: Teach participants to reframe negative thoughts. Instead of thinking, “I’m
not qualified enough,” replace it with, “I’m continually learning, and I bring unique
skills to the table.”
•Introduce affirmations like “I’m prepared and capable” before interviews to boost
self-esteem.
Non-Verbal Communication:
•Body Language Tips: Maintain strong posture, avoid fidgeting, and use open
gestures to convey confidence.
•Example: "During an interview, maintain eye contact with the interviewer and nod
occasionally to show active listening."
Reframe Negative Thoughts:
Often, people feel unprepared or inadequate before interviews. Teaching participants how to
reframe negative thoughts can change their entire outlook.
Example: Instead of thinking, "I’m not experienced enough for this role," reframe it as, "I bring
valuable skills and a fresh perspective to this role."
Practice: Encourage participants to list three things they bring to the table for the job and use
them as affirmations. For instance, "I am skilled, adaptable, and continuously learning.“

Focus on Success Stories:

Remind participants of past achievements where they handled challenges successfully.
Example: "I successfully led a team through a complex project before, and I can do it again."
Application: Reflecting on previous successes helps to boost self-confidence before
interviews, reminding participants of their competencies.
 Body Language: Projecting
Confidence
Posture and Positioning:
Stand Tall, Sit Upright: Encouraging a straight, confident posture helps participants feel more powerful.
Example: When entering the interview room, stand tall with your shoulders back and offer a firm handshake.
When seated, maintain an upright posture, avoid slouching, and lean slightly forward to demonstrate
engagement.
Tip: Practicing in front of a mirror or with a friend can help participants become more aware of their body
language.

Make Eye Contact and Smile:

Eye Contact: Looking interviewers in the eye shows confidence and engagement. It also creates a
connection between you and the interviewer.
Example: When answering questions, alternate eye contact between the interviewer(s), and when you finish
speaking, make sure to re-establish eye contact before concluding.
Smile Naturally: Smiling not only creates a positive impression but also helps relax the participant. Smiling
releases endorphins that can help reduce stress.
Use Open Gestures and Avoid Fidgeting:
Open Hand Gestures: Gestures like having hands on the table or using them to
emphasize key points demonstrate openness and confidence.
Example: When explaining a point, use your hands naturally to make your message more
engaging. Avoid crossing your arms, as it may appear closed-off or defensive.
Avoid Fidgeting: Nervous fidgeting, such as playing with a pen or tapping your foot, can
indicate a lack of confidence.
Tip: Practice sitting with your hands resting calmly on your lap or the table to minimize
nervous movements.
Handling Nervousness: Practical Techniques
Deep Breathing Exercises:
Technique: Before an interview, take slow, deep breaths, inhaling for 4 seconds, holding
for 4 seconds, and exhaling for 4 seconds.
Example: Practice this right before entering the interview room to calm nerves and center
focus.
Tip: Incorporating this into the morning routine on interview day can help maintain a calm
and focused mindset.
Visualization:
Exercise: Encourage participants to visualize themselves in the interview room, answering
questions confidently and successfully engaging with the interviewer.
Example: Imagine walking into the room, shaking hands, and responding to questions with
confidence. Picture the interview ending on a positive note.
Result: Visualization helps create a mental image of success, which can translate into
actual performance.
Mock Interview Practice and Feedback
Mock Interview Exercises:
Each participant will take turns role-playing as both the interviewer and
the interviewee.
Simulate various interview formats (e.g., behavioral, technical, panel).
Feedback from Peers and Instructors:
Focus Areas: Verbal communication, body language, content of
answers, and overall presentation.
Example Feedback: "Your technical explanation was solid, but try to
slow down when answering to ensure clarity. You might also want to
use examples to ground your response."
Strategies for Handling Tough Questions
Addressing Employment Gaps or Lack of Skills:
Example Question: "Can you explain the gap in your employment history?"
Response: "I took time off to care for a family member and used that period to upskill through online
courses. Now, I’m even better prepared to contribute to this role."
Salary Negotiation:
Example Question: "What are your salary expectations?"
Response: "Based on my research and the industry standard for someone with my skills and
experience, I expect a range of $X to $Y. However, I’m open to discussing this further once I
understand more about the role."
Handling Unexpected Questions:
Example Question: "If you were a color, what color would you be and why?"
Response: "I’d be blue because it represents calmness and reliability—qualities I strive to bring into
my work, especially in high-pressure situations."
Teach participants to remain composed, ask for clarification if needed, and think through their answers
logically.
Dressing for Success
Research Company Dress Code:
Whether the company culture is formal or casual, dressing appropriately shows respect for the role and
environment.
Example: A tech startup might have a more relaxed dress code, while a finance firm might expect
business formal attire.
Grooming and Attention to Detail:
Make sure clothes are clean, pressed, and fit well. Attention to grooming (hair, nails, etc.) also conveys
professionalism.
Tip: Keep accessories minimal and tasteful; avoid anything too distracting.

Developing a Personal Elevator Pitch

•30-Second Introduction:
This should summarize who you are, what you do, and why you’re a strong candidate.
•Example: "I’m an experienced project manager with a passion for efficiency and a track record of delivering complex
projects on time and within budget. I’m excited about this opportunity because of your focus on innovation."
•Tailor the Pitch for Each Interview:
Customize the elevator pitch to reflect the role and company. Research and integrate aspects of the company into the
pitch to show that you’ve done your homework.
•Example: "I was drawn to your company's commitment to sustainability and would love to contribute my background in
eco-friendly product design to your mission."
 Thank you!
Any Questions!