IMPROVING INTERVIEW SKILLS:Successful interview, Knowing the employer or Organization

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Human Relations MGMT611

Lesson 28

IMPROVING INTERVIEW SKILLS

Successful Job interview

Interview is a technique to assess the interviewee by the interviewer whether he/she is fit for that particular

job for which he/she is being interviewed. The process of recruiting of suitable persons through interview is

essential to run the organizational affairs. Group interviews are commonplace to supplement individual

interviews. More emphasis is placed today on the behavioral interview in which a candidate is asked how

he/she handled a particular problem in the past. This technique of giving interview can be learnt. Becoming

a skilled interviewee requires practice. An effective technique is to videotape the responses and observe the

playback. A general guide for performing well in the job interview is to present a positive but accurate

picture of yourself. In an interview the interviewee need to tell the prospective employer what you can do

for the company or employer.

Interpersonal skills are more important than technical skills. How do you relate with others in an

organization is very important. Emphasize on presenting true and accurate picture of your skills instead of

pretending.

Successful interview

You can learn to be prepared for the interview. Some suggestions for having a successful interview follow as

under:

Prepare in advance (including memorizing basic facts about yourself). You should know important

facts about yourself, like your educational background and skills. You should also get some information

about the organization for which you are giving interview.

Dress appropriately (match the type of employer). Make good impression by wearing suitable attire.

If the nature of the job is formal, dress up formally. If you are appearing for some blue collar job dress up

accordingly.

Focus on important job factors (not benefits and vacations). When you are being interviewed ask

questions about the nature of the job. Avoid asking about remunerations or vacations.

Be prepared for a frank discussion of your strengths and areas for improvement. Openly discuss

your strengths and weaknesses so that your employer might know about you. If you know about your

weaknesses it will leave a good impression on the prospective employer. They might help you in improving

your weak areas. Hiding information or pretending is not a desirable attitude. Present the facts accurately.

Do not knock former employers. Avoid talking negatively about your previous employers. It puts

bad impression on the employers.

Ask a few good questions. Although you are being interviewed, yet you can ask some intelligent

questions about the employers or the organization. It can show your confidence.

Let the interviewer introduce the topic of compensation. Try not to initiate the topic of

compensation. Leave it for the interviewer.

Smile and exhibit a positive attitude. Don't show dejected or depressed.

Emphasize how your skills can benefit the employer. (Get in a skills-benefit statement, a brief

explanation of how your skills can benefit the company.)

10.

Avoid appearing desperate. (For example, being open to taking any job). Show your interest in the

job but don't be desperate to get it.

11.

Ask for the job and follow through (with a thank you letter).

Frequently Asked questions

There are certain questions which are usually asked by the employers in interview. One should be ready to

answer these questions. It might be helpful for you to have a successful interview.

Human Relations MGMT611

Question Frequently Asked for Job Candidates

The following questions are of the same basic type and content encountered in most

employment interviews. Practice answering then in front of a friend, camcorder,

or mirror.

1. Why did you apply for this job?

2. Tell me about yourself.

3. What are your short-term and long-term goals?

4. What have you accomplished?

5. What are your strengths? Areas for improvement?

6. How did you solve problems?

7. How would other people describe you?

8. Why did you prepare for the career you did?

9. What makes you think you will be successful in business?

10. Why should we hire you?

11. Describe how well you work under pressure?

12. What has been your biggest accomplishment on the job?

13. What do you know about our firm?

14. Here's a sample job problem. How would you handle it?

Source: DuBrin, Andrew J. `Human Relations: Career and Personal Success', Pearson Prentice Hall, 2005.

Relevant educational experience

One more thing that you should prepare for the interview is information about your education and skills.

Summarize your educational experiences as it relates to the position for which you are being interviewed

· Articulate your pertinent skills and abilities

· Cite examples of how you have developed and used particular skills

· Know your personal strengths and weaknesses

· Discuss your work and co-curricular experiences in detail

· Talk about your career goals and objectives

· Know where you want to work

· Identify any problem areas in your background and be prepared to discuss them

· Discuss variables you are willing to negotiate (e.g. salary or geographical preference)

Knowing the employer or Organization

You should also be familiar with the characteristics of the organization you are interested in for the job.

They are as under

· Type of organization and its function

· Mission and goals

· Products or services

· Divisions and subsidiaries

· Position description and career paths

· Sales and earnings (if company is a public, for-profit organization)

· Size

· Competitors

· Location, including international operations (if applicable)

· Projects

· New trends in the field

Psychological testing

Psychological and physical testing are two more challenges facing job candidates who have made it through

the interview. Psychological (or personnel) testing can help both the employer and job candidate find a

Human Relations MGMT611

mutually satisfactory fit. The good fit is most likely to be found when the tests are accurate and fair, and the

candidate answers them accurately.

Five types of psychological tests are widely used:

1. Achievement tests sample and measure the applicant's knowledge and skills.

2. Aptitude tests measure an applicant's capacity or potential for performing satisfactorily on the job,

given sufficient training.

3. Personality tests measure personal traits and characteristics that could be related to job performance.

4. Interest tests measure preferences for engaging in certain job activities.

5. Honesty tests measure tendencies toward telling the truth. Such tests can be in paper and pencil (or

computerized) form, or the polygraph.

Physical examination

The Physical Examination and Drug Testing

The physical examination gives some indication of an applicant's ability to handle a particular job. A

disabled applicant can only be rejected if the workplace poses a threat to his/her safety or the safety of

others. A survey showed that pre-employment physicals are associated with fewer post-employment injuries

and lowered medical insurance costs. Approximately one-half of employers test applicants for illegal drug

use. Some employers test for personality factors associated with drug use.

Managing the downside of conducting a job search

The successful job hunter must not be overwhelmed by rejection--persistence leads to success even with

average job qualifications. "Every `no' is a step closer to a yes." Job hunters may also encounter rudeness

frequently because so many people apply for desirable jobs. To repeat, the entire job-search process is

inefficient but effective.

An analysis of 36 studies involving 11,010 job seekers found that individuals who engaged in higher levels

of job search behaviour were more likely to obtain employment.

References:

Dubrin, A.J. (2005). Human Relations: Career and Personal Success. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey,

07458.

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