Jobs-Search

An interview is a controlled conversation with a definite purpose. In an organization one must select the right person for the right job. In order to select the right person, the interview is conducted.

1. A candidate explains in brief his personal and family details, job experience, career achievements, strengths, weakness and the reasons for leaving his current job
2. An employer has to inform the candidate about the organization, its core business, group activity, the nature of the job assignment for which the interview is being conducted, growth opportunity for the individuals who perform up to the expected level,  remuneration detail.

Organizations in the private sector conduct different types of interviews, campus recruitment and walk in interviews through job fairs are gaining favour. The various evaluation parameters from which an employer will look to select a person for employment, are age, sex, educational qualification, family background, experience, nature of experience.

Appearance: Candidates appearing for the interview should be presentable. Formal attire, a tie, polished shoes, combed hair, and a clean shaved face are desirable.

Manners: Candidates should conduct themselves well during the interview. It is always advisable to avail a request before entering the interview room, even though you have been called in.  Body language and posture plays a vital role here. Some candidates have a habit of raising their hands while answering questions, some keep their files/bags on the desk of the interviewer. Candidates should avoid such habits, instead smile, exhibit a willingness to learn new concepts, and express confidence. At the close of the interview, candidates should convey their thanks to the interviewer.

Attitude: This refers to the mind-set of a person. Job fairs are organized to enable employers to select a huge number of candidates for different posts in a short span of time. Candidates need not undergo a lengthy selection process and the results will be intimated either at the end of the day or in a week. Generally employers never compromise on the attitude of a candidate.

Communication: During the interview, communications should be clear and simple. While answering questions, the candidate should see all the panel members. He /she should not answer to only one interviewer. At any point of time should a candidate mislead the employer or make inaccurate representations of himself/herself. Acquiring fluency and excellent command over spoken and written English has become a necessity, since the economic policies of our government have opened doors to a lot of foreign companies in the IT/ITES industry. As a result of this, the employees working in those organisations have to constantly interact with counterparts or clients in other countries. Hence the employers at large are recruiting candidates who possess this vital skill.

Aptitude: This refers to the skill, ability and talent of a person to execute a work assignment. Experienced candidates shall narrate how they had simplifiedystems and procedure in their earlier assignments from the system that was in operation by adhering to the same quality parameters.

General Intelligence and initiative: Candidates should gather all the information about the company, its products, and business details. They should clearly understand the job requirements, skill set and specifications mentioned in the advertisement, before meeting the interview panel members. The candidates should also impress the interviewer by stating how they can contribute to the growth of the organisation by performing multi tasks.

Candidates who are attending the interview should prepare the points for discussion at home and narrate in a structured manner about their personal/family details, education, job experience, ability to handle present jobs, willingness to learn/shoulder future responsibilities etc.

Candidates should face the interview board with a positive frame of mind and should believe that he or she possesses all the qualities required for the job advertised and he or she would be recruited. Such kind of positive thinking will definitely contribute to helping you grab any job opportunities.

by K. Deenadayalan

The author is a freelance writer of articles on various  aspects of  human resources management. He also has 18 years of professional work experience in human resources management and is currently employed in the managerial grade, in a  MNC at Chennai.