Interview skills for students – Part 1

Ranjan K Baruah *

Once we finish our higher studies, we are ready to face interview. Interviews are being held for jobs and recruitment in government services or in private agencies or corporate. There are differences when it comes to interview. The process of government interview is little different than corporate interview.

Interviews are held to select the right candidates for jobs. We must prepare well for the required skills to face interviews and also to do well in the interviews to get selected.

If you want to excel in interviews then you must to prepare thoroughly. The most important thing to remember about any interview is that it is a two-way process. We may start preparing for mock interviews in our final years of studies. We need to have an effective CV or Resume to be shortlisted for the interviews.

Many aspirants apply for jobs and only effective CVs get shortlisted. First and foremost is to have an effective CV. We have published in our last edition how to write an effective CV.

Interviews may be fact to face or sometime telephonic interviews are also held to shortlist candidates before they appear for face to face interviews. We must follow certain tips while preparing for the interviews.

Research the Organisation/Agencies/Companies/Corporate: When we apply for any job and if we are selected or shortlisted for the interview then we must do research on the organisation.

Look at their website, and any information that they have sent you, and see if you can find their mission, objectives, any value statements and the like. It's helpful to be familiar with the organisation's guiding principles.

More we do research; more confident we would be when appearing in the interviews because there might be some questions related to the organisation.

About You: Your CV speaks about yourself but one must prepare about her/him self. One may focus on the expertise or skills which can attract the person taking interviews.

Always speak positive things and initiatives that you have taken in the past. One may take help from the expert to make the CV and also describe him or her effectively. In most the interviews it is asked to express oneself within a short span of time. One must avoid common things like address but focus more on the skills and expertise.

First impressions should be impressive: Be polite and offer warm greetings to everyone you meet — from parking attendant or receptionist to the hiring manager. Employers often are curious how job applicants treat staff members — and your job offer could easily be derailed if you're rude or arrogant to any of the staff.

When it's time for the interview, keep in mind that first impressions — the ones interviewers make in the first few seconds of greeting you — can make or break an interview.

Review Common Interview Questions and Prepare Responses: A key to interview success is preparing responses to expected interview questions.

First, inquire as to the type of interview to expect (which you can do by asking your contact person at the organization or seniors who had appeared in recent interviews.)

One may search online for sample questions. It is advisable to have good networks with your seniors from campuses or neighbours who might give you some ideas from their experiences.

Tests and Presentations: Some interviews require you to make a short presentation, or to take a test. The details will always be included in the letter inviting you to interview, so you'll have time to prepare. It is good to be familiar with power point presentation or presenting with hand outs.

Be Authentic, Focused and Confident: Once we are in any interview we must be authentic, confident and focused.

Our goal should have authenticity and we must speak the truth. More we are focused with our replies and speak confidently then we have more chances to be selected.

Fellowships: Margadarshi Fellowships scheme is the Biomedical Research Fellowship Program launched by the Wellcome Trust/ DBT India Alliance.