Tips to crack tricky questions in an interview

Don't blame others
There are many tough questions that put pressure on you or create stress. What if you are asked: "Why did you leave your last job?", or "Why have you had so many jobs?" If you say your last boss was an idiot, or all your jobs have been terrible, you'll be seen as someone who blames others and fails to take responsibility for your own actions and decision.

Moreover why would employers want to employ someone who doesn't take responsibility and come up with answers, not problems? Employers don't want to employ people who blame others.

"Always express positive reasons and answers when given an opportunity to express the negative. Never blame anyone or anything else," says Amy Lightfoot who teaches 'Interview skills' as part of Spoken English at British Council India, Delhi.

"I was ready for more challenge", or "Each job offered a better opportunity, which I took...," such responses are better.

Sell yourself
Remember, the job interview is a platform to market yourself. It is a strategic conversation with a purpose. Your goal is to persuade the employer that you have the skills, background and ability to do the job and that you can comfortably fit into the organisation and its culture.

Keep your praise & observations credible & realistic
"The best technique to handle such question is to praise your past employers. However, keep your praise and observations credible, realistic and relevant. Try to mention attributes that your interviewer and prospective new employer w, which, combined with determination and positive approach, should ensure that I'd be a very good ill identify and agree with. This will build association and commonality between you and the interviewer, which is normally vital for successful interview outcomes," explains Lightfoot.

However, there can be real tough ones: "Why should we appoint you?" or "What can you do for us that other people cannot?"

Nevertheless, Shiv Khera author of bestseller "You Can Win" explains, "Candidate has a choice here as to how to play this: he can either go for it strongly, re-stating his relevant strengths -- behaviour, experience and skills, or he can quietly confidently suggest: I don't know the other applicants, so it would be wrong for me to dismiss their claims. However, I am sure that I have all the main attributes the role requires choice."

Be positive
He further says that the candidate should be positive in saying, "I don't know the other applicants, but generally I excel at..." and pick up strengths that most fit with what they're seeking.

Maintain calmness
Most of the candidates fail due to fear and tension. Rajeev Vaid, CEO, Smart Hiring, Delhi says, "A candidate's resume may be good, he may have good IQ but a successful interview depends also on emotional quotient. How well he handles the pressure questions. However, one should maintain calmness even if the interviewer howls."

Do your homework well
The only way to handle such situation is to be confident, credible and constructive (accentuate the positive) in your answers. And more important is 'preparation for the interview'. Plan and rehearse your 'verbal resume'. You will almost always be asked, "Please tell us about yourself," so be prepared with a good response, tailored to the job at hand. Prepare a written list of likely interview questions and job requirements. Prepare key points you need to make to demonstrate your specific accomplishments in each area.

Why did you leave your last job?
Why have you had so many jobs?
Why do you want this job?
What qualities do you think are required for this job?
Why should we appoint you? 6. What can you do for us that other people cannot?
What can we offer you that your previous company cannot?
What are your greatest achievements within and outside the workplace?
What are your great strengths and weaknesses?
How has your experience prepared you for this position?
If you are asked what questions you have, and you don't have any, the interviewer may get the impression you haven't done your homework, or aren't seriously interested in the position. Prepare your questions in advance and phrase them to demonstrate your insight and ability to handle the position. "Often, the most successful applicants are those who simply out-work their competition," points out Khera.

Communication is the key skill
Develop your verbal communications skills. Having great management or technical skills and a strong record of accomplishment is not helpful if you can't verbally convey you successes.

Answer questions directly
Then elaborate with examples. Choose examples that highlight past successes and relate it to the projects or issues that interviewer is facing, but avoid excessively lengthy responses. The purpose of tough interview questions is to encourage interviewees to think about themselves and to give the interviewer clear and revealing information as to the interviewee's suitability for the job. One key to success is to use every means at your disposal to develop effective interviewing skills, including selective presentation of your background, thoughtful answers to typical interview questions, well-researched questions about the organization, and an effective strategy to market yourself. There is no magic to interviewing. It is a skill that can be learned and developed with practice.




BY-GROOMERS P.G.D.M. 1st Sem

How to Reduce Job Interview Stress

Preparation is the key to minimizing job interview nervousness. If you prepare everything possible at least the day before the interview, you’ll be able to focus on the answering interview questions well and avoid worrying about anything else on that day.

1. Collect all of your job search documents. Gather together and make several copies of any job search documents you want to bring to the job interview. This may include your resume, cover letter, reference pages, performance reviews, reference letters, diplomas and anything other documents the employer may ask to see.

2. Gather together and try on all of the clothes that you’ll wear to the interview. Ensure that your job interview attire fits well and is in good condition. Discovering a stain on your best pair of pants on the day of the interview is a source of stress that is completely avoidable. Trying on all of your clothes well in advance so you’ll have time to fix any problems before the day of the interview will eliminate a potential source of job interview stress.

3. Go to the location where the interview will be held, particularly if you have never been there. Use whatever transportation you will use to get to the interview and try to go at about the same time of day as your job interview is scheduled. If you do this, you’ll know what traffic is like at that time of day, how long it will take to get there, where to park, whether you need money for parking meters if you’re driving, or which, if any transfers you’ll have to make if you are taking public transportation. You don’t want to worry about those things on the day of the interview, so work all of that out before your interview.

4. Research the company. Have a look at the company website or promotional materials, or, better yet, if you know someone who works there already, ask that person about the company. Try to get a sense of the company’s priorities and, if possible, try to understand what, exactly, the company is looking for in new staff members.

5. Practice answering interview questions. Require yourself to come up with good answers for the questions that you find most difficult. Sit with a supportive friend or family member and run through a mock interview so you can practice saying your answers to tough job interview questions out loud.

6. Set aside plenty of time for the interview. If the receptionist told you that the interview would be approximately 30 minutes, set aside at least 60 minute for the interview. Avoid scheduling any important meetings immediately after the interview. If a job interview goes long, that’s a good sign. You don’t want to be worried about picking up a child from school or getting to an appointment on time while you are in the middle of your interview.

7. Keep things in perspective. Remember, the employer wants to get this position filled, and he or she is hoping that you will be the right person for the job. You are not going there begging for a job, you are going there help them solve a problem for the employer. That is, if the company is hiring, that means there is an important role that is not currently filled; you are going there to show them that you have all of the skills and experience required to meet their needs. You will probably never completely eliminate nervousness before a job interview, and that’s fine. Employers expect a certain amount of nervousness. However, if you prepare everything you can in advance , you will avoid plenty of distractions and common sources of job interview stress and minimize your feelings of nervousness.

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How To Overcome Shyness

Shyness is usually experienced when one is in a tight situation like facing strangers and having to speak in public. There are no instant cures for shyness. Shy people can overcome shyness by managing shyness.
Practice self-therapy by writing down thoughts and fears. Examine your diary for the root of your shyness. It may be due to a situation. This is situational shyness and can be managed by finding ways to deal with the situation so that the stress is diffused and the shyness is elevated. Dealing with the causes of shyness removes the situation where shyness was.
Another way of managing shyness is to create a you who isn't shy. Forget about yourself to forget your self-conscious shyness. Prepare your speech and actions for any up-coming stressful event. Preparation will boost your confidence and remove or reduce shyness.
Make a list of conversational topics for coffee table talk. Its good to keep the talk going on neutral grounds that you feel safe on. You can talk about areas which you are knowledgeable in. Shy people can talk about their hobbies or other pet topics. It breaks the ice for them.
Shy people frighten off prospective friends. They tend to be quiet and withdrawn and this creates the wrong impression of aloofness. Manage this by remembering to smile, shake hands, listen and respond to people. Even if you can't find common ground to join into the conversation, nod your head or say some engaging remarks to agree with the other person and encourage him to talk on. Ask questions about the other person to keep the focus away from yourself.
When you find that you can trust the other person, explain that you're shy. Others will only be too eager to help you out in social situations. In fact, most people will become protective of their shy ward.
Set realistic goals to overcome shyness. It can't be overcome in a single day. As small steps and realistic goals are accomplished, the tip of the iceberg is cracked and slowly, shyness will melt away. It takes work to overcome shyness but the rewards are life enriching.
Contributed by ZakiAnwar PGDM Sem-III

Get Ahead with 'The 10 Step Interview Guide'...

'The 10 Step Interview Guide' Was Written By A Seasoned Recruitment Professional Who Has Interviewed Many 100s Of Candidates And Employed Well Over 200 People Over The Last 15 Years.

His Knowledge Is Condensed Concisely Into This Handbook In An Interesting, Friendly And Compelling Manner Which Will, Without Doubt, Significantly Improve Your Chance Of Success In Any Interview Situation. The Subjects Covered Include:

The Interview Process
Research: The Importance Of It And How To Do It
Being Positive And Confident
Preparation - The Day Before
Preparation - On The Day
How To Handle The Interview
Your 'Presentation'
Interview Questions (Yours And Theirs)
Closing The Interview
Your Follow Up
Interview Rules-
You hear all sorts of rules about job interviews:
• People decide about you in the first 10 seconds
• You have to make a good first impression
• Always ask insightful questions
• Learn as much as you can about the company
• They'll probably ask questions designed to trip you up
• Have some quick answers to interview questions at the ready

Tips regarding Dressing Up and Grooming Yourself before going for an Interview.

MEN:

• Most authoritative colours for Suits: Navy Blue / Grey / Black
  Wool – Wool blend.
  Trousers straight or Lappered.
  No tight clothes because tight clothes magnify the weight problems.
• Shirts should be of white or light colour to offset the suit, cotton or cotton blend. No shiny or see through material.
• A Tie is must. Tip of the tie should touch the belt. It should not be longer or shorter . The thin end should not show below the broad end of the tie. If it happens, don’t hide in your trouser but put inside in your shirt between the buttons. Never wear a spoilt or dirty tie.
• No gold chains or bracelets and no finger Rings, no stone or gems.
• Don’t use too much or strong fragrance.
• Nails should be cleaned and well shaped. Looks should be clean and well shaved.

WOMEN:

• Wear according to the Organization's Work Culture. For Example, wear what an Airline has in its uniform in case of Aviation Industry.
• Any coloured skirt or jacket. No pants or jeans. Don’t wear too long or too short skirts. Idealy the skirt should end slightly above the knees.
• A scarf, if worn, should be brightly coloured, contradicting to suit.
  Stockings is important. It gives the legs better shape and also make the attire look complete. Wearing such suit without stockings give a naked look.
• Plain pair of pump (soft and shiny leather shoes) with heels should be polished.
• Do not use torn stockings.
• Feet should be cleaned with painted nails.
• While taking height & weight measurements you may be asked to remove your shoes. If stockings have any hole or feet smell , you know what will happen to you.
• Carry a colourless nail polish with you.
• Wax your legs. Hair can definitely be seen through stockings.
  Manicure your finger nails and paint them before going to Iinterview. Your hands are constantly on display as you are greeting people, serving food, clearing trays and demonstrating of emergency equipments. Dirty bitten nails give negative impression. No chiped nail polish.

Hair: Short hair or blunt cut etc. Easy to manage and have a neat look to it. Long hair should be tied with clip etc.

• No toe ring. Jewellery should be of one metal either gold or silver.

• MAKE UP: Match the foundation to the skin colour . No Pancake make up that seems as if you are hiding some scar or blemishes on your face and looks artificial and ugly. Highlight your eyes and lips . Use Eye-liner and kajal. Do not wear green, blue and grey contact lenses at interview. It looks Artificial and Cheap. Natural eye colour contact lenses are best. Use a matching lipstick.
• Attend to personal cleanliness to prevent perspiration , Body and Breath odours, and Remember you are never completely dressed unless you wear a SMILE :-)

Posted By Groomers Club PGDM Sem-I