WEEK 10

TOPIC: INTERVIEWS
Learning Outcomes:
After studying this unit you should be able to:

Library / Internet
Search

Presentation

Assignment

Total SLT (hours)

17

Quiz / Tests

Tutorial

INTERVIEW

Self-stud

Course Materials

Lecture

Describe the stages in an interview

Discuss some questions frequently asked in an interview

What is an interview?
The word interview can stand for different things.
For example a reporter interviews a celebrity for a television program. This kind of
interviews can be one-on-one but usually when it comes to television there are many
reporters from different channels.
There are also job interviews where a person has to go through in order to get a job
he/she wants. Job interviews are usually face-to-face interviews and it includes
paperwork.
During an interview you can expect to be asked questions around your educational
background, previous work experiences and questions relating to your personal
characteristics and goals.

Job interviews
It is a fact that in many things even when the goal is the same the paths leading to it are
always different.
The same can be said for any job prospects where there are diverse selections of
interview styles that seek to select that best for that particular profile.
Employers adopt a variety of ways to find out if the particular candidate fits the bill.
That is why a person coming to the interview shouldnt expect just to impress the
interviewer with his or her professional successes but must be prepared to face all the
hurdles that the interviewer places before them.
Since, the job profile is very diverse so it makes little sense if there is only one type of
interview structure.

 For example, an interview structure that is appropriate for a sales representative will be of
little help when the interviewer wants to select, say, a person in the management role.
With increasing competition in the job market, different types of interviews have become
very necessary to recruit talents.

Different Types of Interview

Face-To-Face Interview
This is a traditional interview and the most common type.
In this interview the candidate and the interviewer meets face-to-face.
The main concept of the interview is to build rapport with the interviewer and show how
the qualifications will benefit their organization.
The interviewee should maintain eye contact, and respond to all the questions of the
interviewer.
Panel Interview
A panel interview comprises more than two members interviewing a person for the
hiring.
It is most common mode of interview when hiring at the senior level.
The interviewee should try to connect with each interviewer and the best way to do this is
to read the personality of each interviewer.
The interviewer tries to estimate the group management and group presentation skills of
the interviewee.
The interviewee should maintain eye contact with the person asking the questions but
also seek eye contact with the other members of the panel.

Phone Interview
Phone interviews are increasingly used in mass hiring.
The interview is conducted entirely over the phone and this is very effective in
eliminating any bias that may arise from the appearance and manner of the candidate.

Why the phone interview?

Phone interview is used to narrow a field of candidates.
That is why candidates should treat this interview with the same seriousness as a phone
interview.
The candidate should focus on the conversation and listen to the questions carefully
before answering.
In this interview, voice is also a key.

Group Interview
Group interview is also the best way to discover any leadership potential among the
candidates.
The leading candidates who are selected from the group interview are then taken for an
informal one to one interview.

Stress Interview
This type of interview is rare in the present job scenario.
It was a very common interview method when selecting for sales position.
This interview is an attempt to see how the candidates handle themselves under stress.
So, the interviewer deliberately assumes a sarcastic or argumentative position.
The trick for the interviewee to remain calm under such a situation.

Stress interview means

Being asked more than one questions at a time
Being asked further questions without being allowed adequate time to respond
Being questioned in an interrogatory tone and voice
Being asked an unrelated bunch of questions
Having his feelings provoked.

Presentation / Demo Interview

This type of interview requires presentation of already selected /prepared topics by
interviewer in front of randomly assembled panel.
Questions are asked in between the presentation as well as after the presentation.

Video Conference Interview

Video-conference Interviews are becoming more common.
They expand the scope of searching for qualified candidates with less cost and time
involvement.

Case Interview
The Case Interview is a special type of interview commonly used by managementconsulting firms and is increasingly being used in many other organizations.
It helps the interviewer analyze your critical-thinking skills.
If you are not familiar, do not have experience, or you are not comfortable with case
analysis, it can be one of the most difficult interviews to undergo.
In a Case Interview a candidate is given a problem to see how he or she would work it
out on the spot.
The problems that are presented come in many forms, but the interviewer wants to assess
the candidate's analytical skills, ability to think under pressure, logical thought process,
business knowledge and acumen, creativity, communication, and quantitative analysis
skills.

Stages of an Interview
Non-Verbal Communication

 When you enter the room in order to give interview, this is the first impression stage.
At this moment your non-verbal communication which includes your body language
creates your first impression.
So be very careful and show confidence through your body language, facial expressions
and gestures.
Research has shown that many interviewers often make up their mind about a candidate
in the first five minutes of an interview.

First Impression attributes:

Firm handshake (No dead fish)
Good eye contact
Friendly, genuine smile
Good posture
Relaxed and confident introduction (Stay away from one word YES and NO
answers)

Question and Answer Session

The question and answer session takes up the bulk of the interview.
In this part it is a naturally flowing conversation rather than a strict question and answer,
a person can exhibit his personality in a better way.
A person has to be prepared with explicit examples that represent his/her skills, past
experiences, achievements and personal characteristics that show him/her to be suitable
for the job.

 Highlight your positive points, your motivation and enthusiasm for the position.
If you need time to think before answering a question, feel free to ask for a moment so
you can give a thoughtful answer.
Listening can be as important as speaking, so listen carefully to the questions being asked
and feel free to ask for clarification.

10 most frequently asked interview questions

Interview questions may vary but in essence they are all trying to establish the following:
1. Your skills and experience to do the job
2.

Your enthusiasm and interest for the job

3. Whether you will fit in

If you can answer these questions, using real-life examples to illustrate your points, then
you should be able to answer most of the questions that arise including the following
frequently asked questions.

1. Tell me about yourself?

This question or something similar usually starts every interview.
Your answer should be well-rehearsed, confidently delivered and least between 3-5
minutes.
It should also:
Focus on the areas of most relevance to the job in question.
Include some impressive achievements e.g. improvements made

 Convey your enthusiasm for the job

Avoid personal or irrelevant information e.g. your children, un-related jobs

2. What are your key skills/strengths?

Focus on what you know they are looking for, even if it has been a smaller part of what
you have been doing to date.
The job advert or person specification form will give you the information you need about
their requirements.
3. What are your weaknesses?
Choose a weakness that:
Doesn't matter for the job e.g. languages for a UK firm.
Is a positive e.g. "I like to make things happen and get frustrated if too long is spent
sitting around discussing it without action
Used to be a weakness but which you have improved upon e.g. presentations
4. Why did you leave your last job?
Your answer should be positive and upbeat even if the circumstances were difficult.
If you were made redundant, depersonalize it by talking about company restructuring
rather than your individual circumstance.
Never criticize a previous employer no matter how tempting.
5. Why do you want this job?
Your answer should reinforce why you are such a good fit for the job and then convey your
enthusiasm for the role e.g:

 Good match between your skills and their requirements

Interested in the product/market/sector
Company's excellent reputation, exciting challenge etc.
Do not say (even if it's true) that you just need a job, or you want it because it's local.
6. Tell me about a difficult scenario at work and how you dealt with it
They are testing how you cope under pressure as well as your problem-solving and
communication skills.
Good examples are where you:
Helped resolve or improve a difficult situation
Were resilient in adverse conditions
Showed emotional intelligence and cool-headedness
Avoid any examples which still feel sensitive, because in a high-pressure interview
situation, old emotions can easily resurface and throw you off balance.
7. Tell me about an achievement of which you are proud?
Choose a work-related example that shows a tangible benefit to the business.

Personal achievements should only be included if they are very impressive or

prestigious.

More experienced candidates looking for a specific roles eg; Sales Director Jobs should
focus on closely related areas eg: driving an increase in sales or building a successful
sales team
8. What are your career goals?
They are checking if you are likely to stay and if so, for how long.

 Reassure the employer that the role you are applying for fits your career plan and your
longer term commitment to the company.

9. What are your salary expectations?

Salary negotiations are best handled at the job offer stage so try to avoid this at interview
if you can.
If forced to name a price, give a realistic but wide salary range and say that you feel that
salary won't be an issue if you decide to work together.
10. What do you know about our organization?
You need to know the following:
Company structure, finances, products and services, key staff
Customers and competitors
Market trends and challenges

Topic practice

Aurora Holdings is one of the busiest retailers on the high street today.
We currently have a number of vacancies at our head office.
PERSONAL ASSISTANT
TO PROJECT DEVELOPMENT MANAGER
Applicants should be suitably qualified, experienced and computer literate.
ADMINISTRATION ASSISTANT
HUMAN RELATIONS DEPARTMENT
Applicants must have good communication and organizational skills
and be able to work under pressure.
WORD PROCESSING OPERATORS
ADMINISTRATION DEPARTMENT
Applicants must have excellent word processing qualifications and an
ability to work well as a member of a team in this busy department.
IT ASSISTANT
Applicants must have relevant experience to join the IT team which
provides IT support to 150 technical and administrative staff.
Applications with full CV should be sent to:
Jake Williamson
Personnel Manager
ST International plc
Aurora House
Temple Street
52000 Kuala Lumpur

1. Apply for one of the posts.

2. Compose your own CV to send with your application letter.