The purpose of the interview is for the employer to get to know you as a person and identify how your personality and values align with the organsiation. It is your chance to demonstrate why you are the best person for the job.
Hence, the way you answer questions, your general appearance, showing confidence and enthusiasm are all key factors for conducting a successful interview.
Types of interviews:
- Competency-based interviews: Has a structured interview format. The questions are aimed at testing specific skills relevant for the role you are applying to. Generally, used by large companies.
- Strength-based interviews: Are a more informal type of interviews designed to get an idea of your personality and qualitites. Are extensively used for job roles which donot reqire considerable experience.
- Telephone interviews: A key downside to these interviews is the lack of time and the absence of face-of-face expressions. The best way to prepare is to preactice timing your answers. During the interview always let the interviewer know you are listening by responding quickly and confirming their answers.
- Video Interview: Are getting increasingly popular these days. To prepare choose a suitable location, dress well and always maintain a positive body-language. Positive body language includes sitting upright, avoid moving too much and maintaining eye-contact.
Common interview Questions:
What motivated you to apply to this job?
What is your greatest strength?
What is your greatest weakness?
Where do you see yourself in five years?
General Tips and Strategies:
- Be friendly and keep smiling during the interview
- Donot hesitate to ask for the question to get repeated if you didnot hear it well OR if you need more time to think of an answer.
- Always give examples of detailing when, where, how and the impact of using a particular skill.
- Try to ask questions at the end of the interview and make sure you give the impression that you have researched the organsiation well beforehand.
Useful Software Tools:
Myers-Briggs Type Indicator: This software provides with the chance to explore your own personality and look at yourself from the outside. This particularly useful when dealing with interview questions along the lines of “speak about yourself…”
DISC: This unique software employs behavioural models to assess how well you fit into a particular organsiation.
RIASEC: Ideal when you want to initiate your job hunt and donot know exactly your areas of interests. Helps to guide to areas that fit your personality and skill-set.
