INTERVIEW SKILLS-COMMUNICATION SKILLS, Slides of Communication and Presentation Skills

Download INTERVIEW SKILLS-COMMUNICATION SKILLS and more Slides Communication and Presentation Skills in PDF only on Docsity! \? Communica tion Skills What is an interview?  An interview is at the most fundamental level, a meeting between strangers.  It is worth bearing this in mind at all times when you are preparing for an interview. You have a very limited amount of time to make a good impression, so preparation is key. Contd…  Will you do the job? (Enthusiasm, commitment, loyalty)  Will you fit in? (Personality, attitude, approach, good fit with company ethos, values and the existing team) Different types of interview formats  Interviews may be structured in different ways. At some point, though, whatever has gone before, you will in most cases find yourself being formally interviewed face to face by one, two, or in some cases, several interviewers at the same time. Contd…  Group interviews  A series of interviews with different people  formal ‘chats’ with different people followed by a formal interview  Formal face-to-face interviews  Panel interview  Assessment centres  Telephone interviews The Halo Effect  Interviewers have been shown to have an immediate ‘gut reaction’ to candidates, who are then judged as all good or all bad right from the start. This is known as the Halo Effect. It is particularly likely to occur where a candidate has a single outstanding characteristic. Typically, interviewers then tend to minimise or ignore any evidence that contradicts their first impression. Dealing with Nerves  Nerves can be a problem for many people before an interview. Being well prepared can really help, and learning some relaxation and stress busting techniques can prove very beneficial too.  Standing or sitting tall and keeping your chest and neck area open so you can breathe deeply can induce feelings of calm. A good posture will also improve how your voice sounds. Visualising a calm, happy picture in your mind’s eye can also be a helpful meditative technique. The Handshake and Introductions The handshake is a very significant and powerful physical contact. You need to get it right. It should be accompanied by a smile and an appropriate greeting and introduction. It may well be followed by some general small talk, possibly about your journey or the weather, before you all get down to business.  Both the handshake and the ‘social glue’ of informal conversation are very important. You need to practise both.  Do some research about the company (size, products, annual sales revenue, principal lines of business and locations, etc.).  Know the exact place and time of the interview, the interviewer’s full name, the correct pronunciation and his or her title.  Be prepared to ask questions during the interview. Preparing for the Interview Contd…  Your questions allow the hiring manager to evaluate your professional and personal needs. Avoid questions that relate to salary, benefits, vacations, and retirement.  Allow sufficient time for the interview. Plan to arrive exactly ten minutes before your actual appointment.  Dress appropriately.  Keep a positive frame of mind. The Job Interview  Interviews can be very formal and structured. Most of the questions will be formulated to uncover your past behavioral patterns and will be rather rapid in pace.  On the other hand, they can be informal and conversational such that the pieces of your background will be uncovered in a more random way. Contd…  Respond to questions being asked as they relate to the position, or the company’s needs.  If you get the impression that the interview is not going well and that you have already been rejected, do not let your discouragement show. Contd…  Avoid discussing salary at the first interview.  Make sure you talk about why you are interested in this position and what you can offer the company. Thanky ou