Giving an interview is an art. Many
people say that it’s like an art of selling one’s personality. It’s an
opportunity to let the interviewer explore you through different questions,
simulations or some other ways. It is an opportunity for interviewee to exhibit
some extraordinary tacts during interviews. Getting shortlisted among hundred of
candidate is not less than a blessing now a day. Because many candidates are
not succeeding in receiving interview calls even after applying at countless
companies.
However, this is a separate
debate why candidates don’t receive interview calls. Here my intentions are to
discuss the challenges after receiving interview calls; where the real war
begins!
Receiving a first interview
call is an indication of getting yourself equipped with the best tools of
giving interviews along with your skills how to use them. Because, you can only
reach next level unless you perform up to the remarkable standards. When
Interviewer cannot help appraising your performance; & you know what? Once
you are done with this, get ready for the next tougher situation!
Next levels bring more
challenges for interviewers. These are sensitive situations where interviewee
has to prove his/her abilities according to the job requirements. Most of the
candidates remain unlucky as they get into the further round of interviews. While
going through the process of final Interviews, many candidates exhibit easy
going behavior, ultimately they get rejected.
What
Interviewers Expect?
Interviewers expect candidates
to exhibit positive enthusiastic, honest, confident and mature behavior
according to the requirements of job. They expect loyalty, commitment and
dedication of work during interview. Many a time, interviewers try to explore
candidates by giving an open room by asking such questions, i.e. “Describe your
personality” or “Tell us what type of person you are”? Here you should have an
idea what type of person you are? While answering this question, discuss it in
terms of your role in Professional, Personal and your role with family.
Candidates must work on such questions. Such questions can either push you up
or bring you down to the earth. Sharp interviewees get themselves prepare for
such sensitive questions & really pull the climate of interview pleasantly.
Henceforth, things start going in the favor of such sharp candidates. Whereas,
many unprepared candidates answer this questions in such a silly way that
interviewer hardly takes few minutes & put the candidates in the regretted
list. Nevertheless Interviewees can get optimum results through proper
preparation & guidance.
Types of
Interviewers
During the process of
interviews, candidates will find different types of Interviewers. Few of them
can probe your history in detail. Few interviewers lay stress on simulations
and try to explore you hands on skills. Such people are least bothered about
experience and more focused on knowledge & skills. Some interviewers only
focus on experience. Some will try to impose stress on interviewees through
their knowledge. However, you may find some interviewers who try to explore
your personality in a friendly way by asking open-ended questions.
I still remember one of my
interviews during the position of “Recruitment & Selection Specialist”,
when interviewer suddenly asked me to take his interview. I was not expecting
this question from him, but, then I quickly gathered my forces and started
taking interview of the interviewer.
Purpose of telling this example is that,
interviewer can ask any type of question from the candidate, and those who are
well prepared can answer those questions in the best way!
Many of you might be thinking
that I should discuss here the remedies of interview mistakes. But, frankly
speaking, I’m not going to discuss any such stuff besides few different
notions. You can find countless stuff through internet and through different
books for the preparation of interviews. Because, my intentions are to portray
a snapshot to those beginners who are just about to step into their
professional life and are applying for interviews.
Be on safe
side!
However, just for your
interest, let me share few ideas to keep you on safe side:
Get
a brief introduction about the company for which you are going to be
interviewed, i.e. structure of the organization, products/services,
mission/vision statements, offices address and manufacturing process (If it is
an production company).
Candidates
must carefully listen to the questions being asked (Presence of mind).
If
the interviewer is asking question in English, answer the question in the same
language.
This is called, “Linguistic
Trend”. Unfortunately, it is the dilemma for us that we feel proud in speaking
English, even though we cannot speak properly. I’ve seen many candidates who
like to answer the question in English even if the question is asked in Urdu.
Just to impress interviewer, they try to answer in English and can’t succeed in
conveying their answer properly.
Remember, what matters a lot is
your “Confident”. How confidently you’re conveying your ideas/answers to the
interviewer. No matter how weak you are in speaking English. In short, I mean
to say that, you answer in the same language in which the question is being
asked.
Reach
before time, i.e. 15 mins before at least.
Get
proper information about the interview premises lest you should waste your time
in finding the place and exhaust your most of the energy in search of office.
Some
times, you confront a situation where you may be invited for back to back
interviews at two or three organization in a day. So, in such conditions, learn
how to manage your time.
Keep
pleasant and genuine smile on your face during interview.
One
last and important thing I would like to share is that, since candidates are on
the initial level of the career, they should prefer to gain work experience of
their field rather than putting monetary preference ahead. This may be one of
the reasons of being regretted even if the candidates are matching their skills
and knowledge according to the job.
Through out the discussion, I’ve
tried to portray a real time picture of current situation and attempted to
reduce the frustration of young blood that may arise. Because, I understand
that students expend a huge amount of money during studies and expect that they
would get a ‘Managerial Level’ position after completing their studies in some
renowned organizations. But reality is different than perception.
So, my dear interviewees stay
calm and have patience. You’ll get optimum results if you organize yourself as
mentioned above. And, never ever get frustrated.
May God Bless you all!
Author: Saad Masood
masood.saad@hotmail.com
