Interview Skills
An interview is a formal meeting in which one or more persons ask a
candidate several questions. The purpose of an interview is to find out whether
the candidate is suitable for a job or for admission to an educational
institution. Usually, the candidate first sends an application and a CV and is
then called for an interview. An interview is normally the final stage in the
selection process.
Preparing for an Interview: Preparing well for an interview helps you face the panel of experts with confidence. Keep the following points in mind while preparing for an interview.
• Brush up on the subject or area related to the interview and update yourself
on recent developments.
• Prepare answers to some common questions that interviewers may ask, such as:
· Why do you want to be with us?
· Why do you want to change your job?
· What are your strengths and weaknesses?
· Would you be willing to travel? / relocate?
· What do you know about this company?
· How do you expect to contribute to the field or institution?
· Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
· What about this position do you find most appealing?
· Talk about your failure in some past project.
· What happened last time when you were late with the project?
· Do you consider yourself successful?
• Arrange all necessary papers and certificates neatly in a folder. Check the
interview call letter to ensure that nothing is missing.
• Wear formal and comfortable clothes suitable for the occasion.
• Plan to reach the interview venue a little early so that you have time to
familiarise yourself with the surroundings and relax.
• Think positive and try to regulate your breathing to remain calm.
Facing an Interview
• Wait for your name to be announced and knock or seek permission before
entering the room.
• Greet the interviewers politely and formally in pleasant manner.
• Do not sit down until you are asked to do so.
• Maintain eye contact with the person speaking to you. Keep a relaxed body
posture and a steady tone of voice, which should be neither too loud nor too
soft. Your proper body language will saw your confidence. Open body language, smile
and sparkling eyes will speak about you.
• Do not interrupt the interviewer. Allow them to finish speaking before you
respond.
• Listen carefully to the questions or comments and speak clearly at a moderate
pace.
• If you do not hear or understand a question, politely ask for it to be
repeated or explained. For example:
“I’m sorry, could you please repeat the question?”
“I’m afraid I didn’t understand. Could you clarify the question, please?”
• Avoid giving one-word answers such as yes or no. Even for
yes-or-no questions, explain your answer
briefly.
• Do not feel embarrassed to say that you do not know the answer to a question.
• Express your opinions politely (not aggressively) using phrases like “I
think”, “I believe”, or “In my opinion”.
• Do not get into arguments, do not speak negatively, or criticise former
teachers, colleagues, or employers.
• Do not boast about your achievements. Do not display your knowledge unnecessarily.
State your skills and experience honestly when asked.
• Ask questions only when invited by the interviewer, and only if they are
genuine and relevant. Do not ask until they allow if you have any queries. Do
not ask just to impress.
• Wait for the interviewer to inform you that the interview has ended before
standing up. Thank the interviewers and leave the room politely, closing the
door softly behind you.
Key Skills a Company Would look for in a candidate:
Integrity
Innovation
Teamwork
Leadership potential
Drive for Results
Know the Business /professionalism
Open Exchange of Information
Emotional Intelligence
Problem Solving skills
Time management
Exercises:
1. Imagine that you are being interviewed for the post of a sales executive.
You are asked to talk about your strengths and weaknesses. Write a short
paragraph of six sentences describing your response.
I am a hardworking and confident person with good communication skills,
which are important for a sales executive. I can easily interact with people
and understand their needs, which helps in building strong customer
relationships. I am also goal-oriented and motivated to achieve targets through
honest effort. One of my strengths is adaptability, as I can adjust to new
situations quickly. However, my weakness is that I sometimes spend extra time
ensuring perfection in my work. I am working on improving my time management
skills to overcome this weakness.
Mock Interview: Post of a Sales
Executive
Interviewer: Good morning. Please take your seat.
Candidate: Good morning, sir/madam. Thank you.
Interviewer: Please introduce
yourself.
Candidate: My name is ________. I have completed my graduation and I am keenly
interested in the field of sales and marketing. I consider myself a confident
and hardworking person with good communication skills. I enjoy interacting with
people and understanding their needs. I believe these qualities make me
suitable for the post of Sales Executive.
Interviewer: Why do you want to apply
for the position of Sales Executive?
Candidate: I want to apply for this position because sales is a dynamic field that
allows me to use my communication and interpersonal skills. I like meeting new
people and convincing them through honest interaction. This role also gives me
opportunities for learning, growth, and performance-based success.
Interviewer: What do you understand by
the role of a Sales Executive?
Candidate: A Sales Executive is responsible for promoting products or services,
understanding customer needs, achieving sales targets, and maintaining good
customer relationships. The role also involves explaining product features,
handling customer queries, and ensuring customer satisfaction.
Interviewer: What are your strengths
as a sales professional?
Candidate: My main strengths are communication skills, confidence, and patience. I
can explain products clearly and listen carefully to customer requirements. I
am also goal-oriented and motivated to achieve targets through honest effort
and teamwork.
Interviewer: What are your weaknesses?
Candidate: One of my weaknesses is that I sometimes focus too much on perfection,
which may take extra time. However, I am learning to manage my time better and
complete tasks efficiently without compromising quality.
Interviewer: How would you convince a
customer to buy your product?
Candidate: First, I would listen carefully to the customer’s needs. Then, I would
explain how the product can solve their problem and highlight its benefits. I
would be polite, honest, and patient, and answer all their questions clearly to
build trust.
Interviewer: How do you handle
rejection or failure in sales?
Candidate: I consider rejection as a learning opportunity. Instead of feeling
discouraged, I analyse my mistakes and try to improve my approach. I believe
persistence and positive attitude are very important in sales.
Interviewer: Are you comfortable
working under pressure and meeting targets?
Candidate: Yes, I am comfortable working under pressure. Targets motivate me to
perform better. I plan my work properly and stay focused to achieve goals
within deadlines.
Interviewer: Are you willing to travel
if the job requires it?
Candidate: Yes, I am willing to travel as required. Travelling helps in meeting
customers directly and understanding different markets, which is important for
a sales executive.
Interviewer: Why should we hire you?
Candidate: You should hire me because I am sincere, hardworking, and eager to
learn. I have good communication skills and a positive attitude. I am confident
that I can contribute to the growth of the organisation by achieving sales
targets and maintaining good customer relations.
Interviewer: Do you have any questions
for us?
Candidate: Yes, sir/madam. I would like to know about the training programs
provided to new employees and the growth opportunities in this organisation.
Interviewer: Thank you. We will get
back to you soon.
Candidate: Thank you very much for giving me this opportunity. Have a nice day.
2. You have applied for a bank loan to study abroad and are asked to attend
an interview. Think of five questions that may be asked and write them along
with your possible answers. Enact the interview with a partner.
Mock Interview: Bank Loan for Higher
Studies Abroad
Bank Officer: Good morning. Please come in and have a seat.
Student: Good morning, sir/madam. Thank you.
Bank Officer: Please introduce
yourself.
Student: My name is __________. I have completed my higher secondary education
and I am planning to pursue higher studies abroad. I have applied for an
education loan to support my studies. I am sincere, hardworking, and focused on
my academic and career goals.
Bank Officer: Why do you want to study
abroad?
Student: I want to study abroad because foreign universities offer high-quality
education, advanced facilities, and international exposure. Studying abroad
will help me gain global knowledge, improve my skills, and prepare me for a
successful professional career.
Bank Officer: Which course and
university have you chosen?
Student: I have chosen the __________ course at __________ University. This
course is related to my academic background and career interests. The
university is well-known for its academic excellence and practical training.
Bank Officer: How will this course
help your future career?
Student: This course will provide me with specialised knowledge and practical
skills. It will improve my employability and help me secure a good job. With
better career opportunities, I will be able to contribute positively to society
and repay my education loan responsibly.
Bank Officer: What is your academic
background?
Student: I have a strong academic background and have performed well in my
studies. I have always been interested in this field, and my academic records
reflect my dedication and ability to handle higher education.
Bank Officer: What is the total cost
of your education?
Student: The total cost of my education includes tuition fees, accommodation,
books, and living expenses. I have prepared a detailed estimate and submitted
all required documents as requested by the bank.
Bank Officer: How much loan amount are
you applying for?
Student: I am applying for a loan amount of __________. This amount will mainly
cover my tuition fees and essential educational expenses.
Bank Officer: How do you plan to repay
the loan?
Student: I plan to repay the loan through my earnings after completing my
education. I am confident of getting a good job after graduation. I also plan
to manage my expenses carefully and repay the loan in regular instalments.
Bank Officer: Do you have any
financial support apart from the loan?
Student: Yes, my family will support me with living expenses and other basic
needs. Their support will help reduce my financial burden during my studies.
Bank Officer: Are you aware of the
terms and conditions of the loan?
Student: Yes, I have carefully read and understood the loan terms, interest
rates, repayment period, and other conditions. I am ready to follow all the
rules and responsibilities associated with the loan.
Bank Officer: Why should the bank
approve your loan application?
Student: The bank should approve my loan because I am serious about my education
and career. I have a clear academic plan, family support, and a strong
intention to repay the loan on time. I believe investing in my education will
be beneficial for both me and the bank.
Bank Officer: Do you have any
questions for us?
Student: Yes, sir/madam. I would like to know about the repayment grace period
and whether there are any concessions for timely repayment.
Bank Officer: Thank you. We will
review your application and inform you soon.
Student: Thank you very much for your time and consideration. Have a nice day.
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Common Interview Question Answers :
✅ 1. Tell us about yourself.
I am a sincere and hardworking
person who believes in continuous learning. I have completed my graduation and
have developed good communication and teamwork skills. I am self-motivated and
always ready to take up new challenges. I want to build a successful career
through dedication and honesty.
✅ 2. Why should we hire you?
You should hire me because I am
responsible, quick to learn and committed to my work. I always try to give my
best performance and work well in a team. I am also flexible and ready to adapt
to new responsibilities.
✅ 3. What are your strengths?
My strengths are good
communication skills, positive attitude and problem-solving ability. I am
disciplined, punctual and can work under pressure. I also interact well with
people and handle situations calmly.
✅ 4. What are your weaknesses?
Sometimes I spend too much time
trying to make my work perfect. This can slow me down slightly. However, I am
learning to manage my time better and improve my efficiency.
✅ 5. What are your career goals?
My short-term goal is to gain
experience and improve my professional skills. My long-term goal is to reach a
responsible position where I can contribute to the growth of the organisation.
✅ 6. Would you be willing to work
under pressure?
Yes, I am comfortable working
under pressure. I stay focused and calm in difficult situations and try to
complete my work on time with accuracy.
✅ 7. How do you handle failure?
I see failure as a learning opportunity. I analyse my mistakes, learn from them and try not to repeat them. This helps me improve myself.
✅ 8. Are you comfortable working
in a team?
Yes, I enjoy working in a team. I
believe teamwork brings better ideas and better results. I respect others’
opinions and cooperate fully with team members.
✅ 9. What motivates you to work
hard?
My goals and responsibilities
motivate me to work hard. I also want to make my family proud through my
achievements.
✅ 10. Do you have any questions
for us?
Yes, I would like to know about
the growth opportunities and training programmes for new employees in your
organisation.
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