Interview: The Science & Art Behind

An interview is basically a situation where some people interact and exchange their views on varied or specific topic/s. Most widely, this term ' interview' is used to denote a selection method; where, typically, a job applicant (interviewee) meets with a hiring manager/panel (interviewer/s).

Before the actual interview process commences, a candidate must take care of certain things like; reporting to the venue at least 15 minutes before given time, should look like having taken the opportunity seriously through well done hair, shave, shoes, shirt, trouser etc. In short, one should look professional and not casual at least via attire. Also, one must ensure to take min. 8 hrs sound sleep during the night prior to interview, as it would keep one fresh, calm and alert.

In case of freshers, as one must have heard, "we hire for attitude, and then train for skills". Seems true to a great extent as there is no alternate option :). Anyway, an interview begins with ' Introduce yourself' or 'Tell us something about you. or any other sentence which actually invites the candidate to briefly state about herself. Here are two benefits, one gets the beginning of interview with a question which is almost open/known to all in advance. Many a times, candidate responds to this question flawlessly like a hurricane (because it's mugged up). Your brief educational, family, native place, internships or any experience which may add value to job in question may be added in introduction part. One may also add hobbies and interests here too.

Remember, where you leave your statement, human psychology tells, a new question pops up. For example, you finished your introduction saying, my hobbies include playing chess and reading books. You may easily understand, what the next question ought to be? (until and unless it's a structured interview, which is highly rare). One of the interviewers is surely going to ask you either about chess or about books you read.

In case of freshers, if you are applying for sales or marketing roles, there is not much to ask for. The interviewers lay emphasis on judging you on the basis of your communication skills. At the best you may be asked some 4 Ps or 7 Ps of Marketing, difference between sales and marketing, which book you read on Marketing (the answer is unanimous). In some instances, an interviewer may all of a sudden ask you to give them a demo by selling a pen to them. Need not to get offended, after all we are still a buyer's market. Try to convince the panel by articulating some qualities of that pen and highlight how having this pen may add value to their lives. Just kidding...give two three sentences in good English and there you go!

When you are going for any interview, you must prepare well. The CV you carry must be updated with all relevant details, such as your experience details with start and end month & year with major roles and responsibilities you held, you should be aware of the company you are trying for, it's vision, mission, values, it's ownership structure, products or services, challenges and opportunities etc. For this, you may take help of Google and read about the company, it’s growth trends, future plans and so on. You may also take help from some of existing or ex-employees of such companies within your network.

For Finance, Ops and HR freshers there are so many things to ask from a fresher like basic accounting statements, IRR, NPV, AR, AP, Budgeting, GAAP, Ledger entries, labour laws and so on. Hence, the candidate must be well prepared on the fundamentals of her specialization area. In any interview, what happens is, out of anxiety and stress secretion of chemicals lead you speak fast and you feel like flooded with ideas. When you are speaking, you must maintain proper eyes connect with the panelists; if you feel like some one is going to ask a new question, it is preferable to stop speaking and pay attention to the questioner.

Internships/Dissertations are next favorite areas of enquiry by the panelists. You know how you did you prepare your reports, and have full faith in the fact that they also know it; simply because they have already passed through the same path. So be prepared about your topic in full, why did you chose this topic, what was research method you deployed, sample size you picked (sometimes total strength of a company is hardly 50, whereas sample size your report says is 100; pls avoid such mistakes), your findings, limitations’ of study, suggestions etc. Might they may ask you question related to your corporate supervisor (who may be known to them).

In case of experienced candidates, after introduction, what follows is their employment history and related questions in what they did, how they did, what they achieved, how they led the team, how they handled conflicts, which were the clients and so on. Here, if there are frequent job hopping or career breaks, one must be prepared with logical answers regarding reasons for such changes. One important point for specially for experienced candidates is to keep their LinkedIn profile updated and details on CV must match with LinkedIn profile i.e there should be no contradictions. When asked for as to why do you want to join this company or opt for this job, your research on company’s growth trajectory, its culture, feedbacks at GlassDoor. Indeed, or current employees may be worth mention here in order to impress the interview panel. If possible try to get the names of the panelists beforehand, and do some research on their professional expertise; which may help you get a hint who may ask what. Here, LinkedIn may give you the needed information.

Ultimately, an interview is more a psychological game. Which when played well will lead you victorious. Be well prepared about you, basics of your specialization area, your internships/other projects, your extra-curricular accomplishments, your interest in the company and job. If you are experienced why are you looking for a change of company, job/role, location etc. Throughout the process, maintain your calm, stay polite, if you don’t know something simply admit it. Above all, leave your sentences at your favorite nods, inviting the interviewers ask you the questions you actually want them to ask. Good Luck!