HOW TO CRACK THE INTERVIEW?

1.What is an Interview? 

Ans.The Interview is an Interpersonal Communication between the prospective employer and a prospective candidate. An interview provides a platform where primarily the organization checks the suitability of the candidate vis-à-vis the job profile. The interviewee also has the opportunity to examine if his personal objectives will be met in the job and the company. It is to be noted that an interview can not be so simplified as to reduce to a formula. 

Neither the interviewer nor the interviewee is predicable. At best, we can learn a variety of strategies and technique that can be used. It is up to an interviewee to analyze a situation and to decide what strategy and technique are most appropriate on the occasion. Thoughts, Emotions, Aim, Desires, Attitudes and Skills along with Recall, Communication Style, and Linguistic Proficiency are some of the factors that play an important role in interface both for the interviewer and the interviewee. In an interview the interviewer is trying to sell a company to a candidate and the interviewee is trying to sell him/her to a company. Thus, an interview is information getting for each of them. The interviewee attempts to ascertain the strengths and weaknesses of the company and the job while the interviewer assesses the strengths and weaknesses of the candidate. Following are some of the commonly asked questions in the interviews. The sequence of questions may differ. 

2. Describe yourself: 

This question is really difficult and can place you in a difficult situation. However, this is not the time to go into a lengthy description or roam in different directions. Your response should be pin-pointed and purposeful. Tell a pattern of skills and interests that relate to the position in question. In fact your response serves as a commercial that sells your autobiography to the company. 

Here give an answer that includes information about where you were brought up, where you attended school, additional education and special training, your initial work experience, your present position, and your intention to do next.  

One of the most effective ways to be prepared for this question is to:  develop a one minute biographic sketch that focuses your pattern of skills, interests, and accomplishments.  Pin-point your response around a common theme related to your important interests and skills. For example, the following answer emphasizes your skills and interests in computers.I was born in …… and went to…..School.  Ever since my teenage, I played with computers with all my passion. Computers became my hobby and style of learning. Like most children I played and enjoyed computer games. When my parents presented me a computer as a reward for achieving excellence in school I then started to teach myself programming basics. By the time I was in high school, I commenced learning programming. From that point on, everything was alright.  My life roamed around computing. By the time I reached my intermediate I decided I to work for a major software manufacturer. So I had an internship last summer at …………...I now desire to work for a major player so I can be at the forefront of breaking trends and intent new technology. When one of my friends told me about his start in your company, I pursued him until he made a referral, which brought me here today. I am ready to answer your questions about my education and experience.

3.Where do you visualize yourself after five years?: 

This question is open-ended and one of the most difficult and stressful ones interviewees face. Employers obviously ask this question because they are looking for people who know they want to do and who are focused on particular professional goals. If you have not yet fixed your specific goals, you will be in a difficult situation in answering this question. You must ensure that you have a crystal clear vision of what you wish to do at present, tomorrow and in longer future. Your objectives, skills and accomplishments that you are telling to the interviewer must match with your resume. Your response should be focused on the employer. For instance, in the next 5 years I expect to be operating with progressively accountable position that allows me to utilize my abilities and work in coordination with my colleagues in resolving vital issues. I visualize myself seizing new and exciting challenges in a loveable setting and perhaps this can be along with your company. 

4. Tell us a major goal you've fixed for yourself recently : 

Here you need to articulate an example of a goal you each set and achieved. Ideally, this could be an expert goal; like improved time management skills, achieved new performance targets, or acquired a new ability. A private example may be applicable if it emphasizes your pattern of accomplishments. Describe concerning results of achieving your goal. This shows you set achievable goals that you convert into outcomes. Also provide related example that has fascinating outcomes associated with your efforts. 

5. What are some of your major weaknesses? 

In responding to this question, you ought to not confess all of your issues nor to with confidence say you have got no weaknesses.  The simplest way to answer this question is to say personal weaknesses that lie outside the duty or an expert weakness that you simply have already overcome.  "I've ne'er been good with mathematics. I am glad this job does not involve mathematics.

6.Tell us type of decisions, you feel difficult to make:  

Say that you are generally decisive but also say that there are situations that require you time to pause or you are improving your skills to make decisions. For example, "I sometimes find it difficult selecting between two equally good ideas."
What is your biggest failure?: Here you would like to concentrate on one thing outside your work or one thing that happened on the duty that you just later mounted. You need not admit any personal quality that may hamper job performance, like procrastination, laziness or lack of concentration. Opt for one thing that may not replicate badly on your ability to perform within the given position, like one that materialized early in your career

7. What are the major reasons for your success? 

Here you need not become extraordinarily self-focused and self-important. Keep in mind that employers square measure typically craving for team players instead of single movers. An honest answer to the present question could relate to a mentor/and or philosophy of labor or the folks you're employed with. Also, use this question as a chance to inquire regarding acceptable "fit for success" with this company. For instance, "Several years past I learned a very important lesson from Tarun Singhal who was my 1st supervisor and extremely became my most vital mentor. He told me his secret to success was to 'Look at on a daily basis as a replacement chance to be your perfect. Set high goals, be honest, ne'er say no, and work with people that share your passion for doing their best. I am terribly self impelled, determined and honest. I actually fancy what I do and that I attempt to surround myself with people that have similar passions. I thrive on this kind of surroundings. Is it possible to look for this surroundings along with your company? Are you able to tell me a trifle additional regarding the characteristics of sure-fire folks at your company? What does one see as a number of the key success factors for this position?"

8. Why should we hire you rather than someone else? 

You need not worry about other candidates, you are not aware of them and they could be just in the imagination. You must concentrate on merely on your strengths you bring to the interview. These ought to be in keeping with your competency, expertness, enthusiasm, and likability most employers are looking for in candidates throughout the task interview. Keep in mind the employers are searching for chemistry between you and them. Be ready to summarize briefly time your being the most effective candidate for the task. Also tell the interviewer you would like the task and you'll fancy operating with them. An absence of interest within the job could indicate an absence of enthusiasm for the task and them. 

9. How do you spend your leisure hours? 

This probe may have several objectives. The employer is also simply interested in your personal life while not going in hot queries. He may additionally need to understand however well systematic you are in your personal and expert lives. Here concentrate on a number of the quality hobbies or activities that almost all folks have interaction like reading, music, collecting stamps coins, golf, tennis, rafting, opera, gardening, or cooking. If you are operating a home-based business as a sideline, you may not want to reveal your entrepreneurial spirit-it may indicate you are planning to leave and go solo as soon as the business starts doing well. If you're conducting some business from your home as a sideline, you need not to reveal your entrepreneurial attitude as it may reflect that you are near to leave as your business starts prospering  

10.Why do you desire to work in this industry?: 

Answering this question describe the way you inclined to this type of work. This question is asked to find out whether you are a product of choice or circumstances. Your stand has to be choice with good reasoning. Among the different options available to you, you have chosen this option as you considered that you will do well and will have a good long term professional growth. This provides you an opportunity to show your realistic & practical personality and the ability to exercise the right choice in life. Pin-point the likeness between the job you're appearing for the interview and your most up-to-date job. Give adequate evidence that you are not appearing for interview not just for the sake of fun. Create your passions for you work a theme that you hint to frequently throughout the interview. 

11. How do you update yourself?: 

Show your real interest in the industry or career by describing industry publications or trade journals that provide you current information and knowledge that can assist you to achieve your goal. For example, you can say "I subscribe to the Economic Times, the Business Standard, the Times of India, and a number of mutual fund newsletters. I interact with a variety of friends who possess analytical aptitude."  

12.Why do you think this industry would continually keep your interest in the long run?

At this point, articulate the expectations or projects you have for the business that might provide you an opportunity to grow. Tell your excitements about the business. You should give examples to show that you are deeply interested and curious about the business. "The technology within the industry is ever-changing very fast that I see vast scope for job improvement in spite of promotions. I am significantly curious about the various applications for software development." 

13.Can you describe your ideal career?: 

Talk about that you look forward to a position of responsibility in the functional area of marketing/ human resource management/ banking/law/ operations/ law/ manufacturing and prove your credentials as a professional. Also tell that what you do, you enjoy it. Tell your natural skills, realistic problems or opportunities in this specific job or industry. Tell that you expect to learn vastly from those experiences. Do not mention specific time frames or job titles. "I would prefer to stay in a field related to marketing no matter what happens. I was too interested in business to work at a college, but I trust that teaching is somehow in my spirit. I have been good at sales because I took the time to educate my clients. Now I look forward to marketing"  

14. Tell me something about yourself that your resume does not tell: 

 Here you are advised not to just repeat that is written on your resume. Tell briefly one or two things that you learned from your teachers, colleagues, seniors, friends and parents. Now consider a talent that did not quite work into your employment records however, that is distinctive and divulges one thing intriguing concerning your temperament or past expertise. Mention the assignments you enjoyed most during your studies/training or internship fitting the job profile. 

15.Tell us what you know about this company?

This question is generally asked to evaluate the candidate’s attitude towards the company, preparation and his planning skills. Do not take a position that you do not know anything about the company and have come to the interview unprepared. Describe your initial face to face or a recent encounter with the corporate or its merchandise and services. Tell that it would be very motivating to you working in this company rather than working the same sort of job in a different company. In fact, the interviewer is searching for proof of real interest than simply a surface analysis on the corporate. The effective feedback from customers and staff can impress most recruiters. Quoting from the annual report is not going to be effective. Mention that you look for a long term association with the company on the basis of your knowledge about the company and the job profile. 

16. How do you think that will do well in this job?: 

Such questions are asked to examine your self-esteem, confidence, self-view and persuasive skills. Here you should describe your past achievements in studies, training, family commitments and past projects. Exhibit your confidence to tackle the situation and deliver the outcomes as you have done in the earlier assignments.

17. What other firms are you interviewing with, and for what positions?:  

At this point you need to avoid impress the employer by mentioning some giant companies in unrelated industries with utterly different types of jobs. This can prove to be an enormous mistake. The employers want to listen to is that you are appearing for interviews for similar jobs in the same industry at similar companies, may be their competitors. This clarifies that you are determined to finding a job in the field of your interest and will not move so early. 

18. How would you react if one of our competitors offered you a position?: 

The recruiter is trying to assess if the candidate is truly interested in the company and the industry, or has chosen the company without any reasonable basis. Compare and distinguish your perceptions of the corporate with its competitors, and refer the company's product or services that you have got expertise. In the long run, some firms will prosper and survive. This is additionally a decent chance to ask the interviewer for his or her opinion. "I'd say no. I'm not interested in other players in this industry. I want to work for Relaxo because I won a number of races wearing the Relaxo brand. Because of my positive experience with Relaxo, I know I'd be convincing commerce your product to retailers."

19. What's your dream job?: 

This provides you an ideal opportunity to sell your aptitudes that match the job description. Such questions have the power to bring out the negativity of the candidate and tendency to set the standards for the employer/boss or the job. Such an attitude will not assist the candidate in any manner. This question also determines whether you can think from your own perspective or have the ability to think from other’s point of view. Related to this is the organization, where a candidate can consistently align his personal objectives with the organizational objectives on a long term basis and contribute significantly to the organizational objectives on a consistent basis.  

20. What motivates you to do this kind of work?: 

The interviewer will want to know about your belief in the products or services of the company. Use personal experience to demonstrate your interests and strengths. In an interview for your ideal job, you'd be highly motivated to get paid for working at something you liked. The interviewer will want to know if your natural interests are compatible with its particular job. "I've been fortunate in my own schooling; I had wonderful teachers. I want to be that same kind of teacher-who not only encourages kids to learn but also sets an example that inspires others to want to teach. In the long run, that's our best chance of turning around the quality of education in this state."  

21. Why should I hire you?: 

Don't repeat your resume or employment history. Offer one or two examples to explain why you're talking to this particular company. What's the most compelling example you can give to prove your interest? This question often remains unasked, but it's always in the back of the recruiter's mind. Even if this question isn't asked, you should find an opportunity to use your prepared response sometime during the interview, perhaps in your closing remarks