How to prepare for an Interview?

The employer through an interview aims to know whether the job being offered by the company ca be suitable to the applicant. An interview is a means of two way communication. The purpose of an interview is to find out the views, attitudes and ideas of the person who is being interviewed. An interview is to find out the most suitable candidate for the job in terms of knowledge, skill and aptitude. Interview can make interviewee to be initiative and get motivated to work with honesty. An interviewer must have preparation to hold an interview properly. He should have the following information:

1. The interviewer should have a clear idea about the company profile and about the nature of the job for which the interview is to be held.
2. The interviewer should know the type of personality, character or temperament of the candidate required for the job.
3. The interview letter reaches well in advance so that the candidates are not disadvantaged and they also can get sufficient time to prepare themselves for the interview.
4. The interviewer should mention in the interview letter the necessary documents the candidates must bring with them.
5. The interviewer should make proper seating arrangement for the candidates in the waiting room.
6. The interview should be conducted in a quiet and noise free-room. The interviewer must insure congenial atmosphere for conducting the interview.
7. If the candidate is to be interviewed by a committee, each member of the committee should be given a copy of the bio-data of the candidate. It will help to reduce confusion and wastages of time.
8. The interviewer should decide beforehand that which member of the committee will initiate the interview and from which side or area. The members of the committee should be divided into different areas according to their specialization.
9. The interviewer must supply a number sheet to each member of the interview board so that they can do marketing easily.
10. The interviewer should provide with necessary mechanical and logistics support to conduct the interview smoothly.    

Interviewer should create a congenial environment where interviewees or candidates feel free to show their real ability. The following guideline will be helpful to conduct an interview effectively:

      The interviewer should welcome the interviewee exactly in the same way as a friend is welcomed while visiting his office or home. Give him a warm smile and talk to him in a friendly tone. Hold some conversation with him in his familiar area so that he can be free from nervousness. Most of the time candidates feel nervous to face interview and if you start interviewing them before they have overcome their nervousness, you can not expect the best outcome from them.

     After making the candidate feel easy and nervous free, the interviewer should start talking to him on the subjects he wants to know about.

According to Theodore Hariton, the things an interviewer would particularly like to know from the interviewee may include:

1. The candidates technical qualifications(ability to do the job)
2. Drive and aspirations (willingness to do the job)
3. Social effectiveness and emotional balance (relation with other and self)
4. Character (Trustworthiness)
5. Physical vigor and energy
6. Spouse’s attitude toward the job (if relevant)
7. Financial stability
8. Willingness to travel
9. Willingness to make permanent moves
10. Aspect of personality
11. Previous experience, duties, salary drawn the reason for changing the job(if applicable)
12. Any other relevant question.

When the candidate is providing information, you must show your keen interest in what he is telling. If you think that the candidate is suitable and you might offer him job, give him all the details about your company and the job.

   The last stage of an interview is parting. It is as important as welcoming. It is the concluding part of the interview. You should thank the candidate for coming for the interview and tell him when and how he will be informed about the outcome of the interview. Or, you may politely tell him that if he is selected he will be informed by a certain date.

 

To face any interview is not an easy task. The interview can be divided into following parts: (a) Entry (b) Answering questions (c) Asking question (d) Leaving (e) Dress appropriately (f) Taking necessary certificates (Arriving in time).

To be a successful interviewee a candidate should try to find out what he wants to achieve through his work-inner fulfillment, position in society, wealth security comfort, travel, and power.