INTERVIEWING
TECHNIQUES
COMMUNICATION
SKILLS
AFTER RECEIVING AN
INTERVIWEW CALL, WHAT IS
THE FIRST THING A CANDIDATE
SHOULD DO???
• Become familiar with the organization so
you can demonstrate how and why you
will be an effective employee.
• Search the website of the organization
• Inquire from people about the
organization
UNDERSTANDING INTERVIEW
Interview is formal meeting between
two people (the interviewer and the
interviewee) where questions are
asked by the interviewer to obtain
information, qualities, attitudes etc from
the interviewee.
UNSTRUCTUR
INTERVIEWS
Panel Interview
TYPES OF INTERVIEW
ED Telephonic Interview
STRUCTURED Skype Interview
INTERVIEWS
Panel Interview
Telephonic Interview
Skype Interview
1. STRUCTURED INTERVIEW
• It is typically formal and organized and may
include several interviewers, commonly
referred to as a panel interview. An interviewer
who has a more structured style will usually
begin with what is known as an “icebreaker”
question.
• The icebreaker is used to relax you before the
more serious questions are asked.
• A discussion about the weather might be used
or perhaps a question about the traffic on your
way to the office.
• Next, the interviewer may talk for a few
minutes about the company and the position.
• During this time, the interviewer may describe
the day-to-day work responsibilities and the
general company philosophy.
• He or she may then ask you a series of
questions regarding your past educational, co-
curricular, and work experiences.
• Finally, the interviewer may ask if you have
questions for him or her. You should always
have several questions prepared.
2. UNSTRUCTURED INTERVIEW
• The unstructured interview is what the name
implies.
• The only structure to the interview is the one
that you provide.
• Basically, the interviewer is interested in
hearing from you, so you may be asked a
variety of different open ended questions.
• You will find an unstructured interview to be
more conversational and less formal in tone
than a structured interview.
• You may be asked questions about your
hobbies, what you do on the weekends, or
other casual questions designed to put you
at ease.
• Many students prefer this laid back style of
interviewing, but you must be cautious.
• Sometimes employers intentionally adopt
this casual demeanor so that you feel
comfortable enough to let down your guard
and potentially reveal something that you
normally would not.
• If you find yourself in an unstructured interview,
be friendly but maintain your professionalism.
Remember that you are there to showcase your
best assets and to convince the employer that
you are the most qualified candidate for the job.
• Casual conversation is acceptable, and it can
set a positive tone for the interview, but be sure
to bring the conversation around to your skills
and qualifications.
3. PANEL INTERVIEW
• Employers often like to gather the opinions of several
members of their staff prior to deciding which
candidate to hire.
• Panel interviews are often used where one candidate
may be interviewed by a few people at once.
• In a panel interview, take note of each interviewer’s
name, and refer to them by their names.
• When giving your answers, focus on the person who
asked you the question, but make eye contact with
the other members in the group from time to time.
• Panel interviews can vary in style and tone, but
generally they will be more formal and include
behavioral based questions.
4. TELEPHONIC INTERVIEW
• Organizations conduct phone interviews
as a cost-savings technique
• Phone interviews can be one-on-one or
with a panel
• Phone interviews can last anywhere from
10 minutes to one hour
• Phone interviews do not provide the
opportunity for non-verbal feedback
• Be prepared for the call
Fifteen minutes before actual time (account
for time zone differences)
Create a quiet zone
Have documents and notes in front of you –
resume, cover letter, job description, paper
for note taking, etc.
• Be prepared for the call
If using a cordless or a cell phone, make
sure it is charged
Have water handy to wet your mouth
• During the call
Don’t walk around the room – it may
affect your signal
Don’t get distracted by using a
computer, having other people in the
room, etc.
Thank everybody at the conclusion of
the interview – first impressions are
conveyed over the phone as well
5. SKYPE INTERVIEW
• Skype is an effective interviewing tool for
recruiters and candidates, especially during
initial hiring stages.
• The purpose of Skype interview is convenience
to appear in the interview because either the
interviewer or the interviewee is not available
at the same station or place.
• Skype interviews help recruiters:
Evaluate verbal communication skills
Screen for deal-breakers, like salary and
availability
Clarify details of resumes / CV
Test role-required speaking skills (e.g.
abilities to speak foreign languages, help
customers solve problems or deliver sales
pitches)
Interview candidates in remote locations
Organize interviews for distributed teams
DO’S OF INTERVIEW
• Dress appropriately.
• Extremes in fashion or very casual clothes should
generally be avoided.
• Look neat and clean.
• Be punctual. Make sure that you are 10 minutes
early.
• Express yourself and your views clearly.
• Bring a copy of all relevant documents, so you can
refer to them if necessary.
• Listen carefully to the questions and answer clearly
and thoughtfully.
• Make eye-contact.
• If you are being interviewed by a panel, ensure
that you direct your answer to the person who
asked the question, while still including the other
interviewers by making brief eye contact.
• Make sure that you always present your skills in a
positive light. Even when describing your
weaknesses you should always show them what
you are doing to rectify it.
• Make sure that you have an idea about where
your want to be in the future and can relate the
future goals to your application for the present
position. You must be able to answer the question
“Where do want to be in five years time?”
DON’T OF INTERVIEW
• Don't dress too casually or look untidy.
• Don't make derogatory remarks about past or
present employers.
• Don't fidget or twitch, try to control other
nervous mannerisms.
• Conversely, don't sit there like a statue. If you
feel more comfortable talking with the aid of
your hands for emphasis, then use them, but
try not to be too excessive in your gestures.
• Don't interrupt the interviewer before they have finished
asking you a question and never finish their sentences
for them.
• Don't Lie. If you have to lie about what you are like or
your abilities in order to obtain the job, you are likely to
find yourself in a position that you don't really like and
probably one in which you will have problems fulfilling
successfully.
• Don't worry if you answer one question badly. Treat
each question individually. Remember that if you mess
up the second question but answer the next 15
brilliantly they won't place much emphasis on the
second question putting your poor answer down to
nerves. If however, you get so caught up in chastising
yourself for making a mistake, you will continue to make
mistakes,
TYPES OF INTERVIEW
QUESTIONS
1. STRESS QUESTIONS
• This style is used by interviewers who are hiring for
positions where there is a high level of daily stress in
the work environment (i.e., sales, stockbroker, etc.).
• The idea behind stress questions is to assess your
reaction to the pressure of indifference, rejection, and
overall stress.
• The interviewer will be focused on your ability to
problem-solve and think logically.
• The interviewer will put candidates in an
uncomfortable situation.
• Remember to stay calm throughout a stress
questions, because that is what the employer is
looking for – a candidate who has the ability to
remain cool, calm and collected.
• It is recommended that you focus on the question
that is asked and not the manner in which it is
asked.
• Another hallmark of a stress questions is the
“strange question.”
• In questions such as:
How many ping pong balls can fit in a 757 jet?
How many pieces the glass will break into?
Why were you fired from your previous job?
What would you do if a customer verbally insulted
you in front of co-workers?
What would you do if a customer verbally insulted
you in front of co-workers?
• To answer a question like this, break it down into
smaller, more manageable components. Verbally
convey your decision making process.
2. BEHAVIORALQUESTIONS
• Behavioral questions are designed to probe
your previous experiences in order to
determine your intellectual competence,
leadership, teamwork, personal skills,
adjustment and flexibility, motivation,
communication skills, administrative skills, and
technical abilities.
• You will be asked how you did handle a
specific situation when you encountered it in
the past.
• Behavioral questions are:
Tell me about a time when you...
Describe a circumstance when you were faced with
a problem related to...
Tell me how you approached a situation where...
Share with me an instance in which you
demonstrated...
• Some sample behavioral questions:
What would you do if a colleague took credit for
your idea, and got a promotion?
Was the stress of your previous job too much for
you?
What would you do if a colleague admitted to lying
on their resume to get the job?
• To prepare for behavioral questions, you must
first identify the skills and strengths that the
employer is seeking.
• Next, reflect on your past experiences in order
to identify situations in which you clearly
demonstrated the identified skills.
• A thorough answer should describe the
Situation, the Tasks with which you were
charged, the Action you took, and the Result
of your action. We refer to this as the STAR
Method of responding to behavioral interview
questions.
3. PROBLEM SOLVING AND CASE
STUDY
• This style of questioning is utilized to test a
candidate's analytical ability and communication
skills.
• You will be presented with a real or simulated
problem to consider and solve.
• You are not necessarily expected to arrive at the
"correct answer."
• Interviewer is most concerned with your thought
process, so be sure to "think out loud" when
responding to this type of question.
• An effective answer, demonstrates your ability to
break a problem into manageable pieces and to think
clearly under pressure.
