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What should be our attitude while taking an interview? Should we speak more or let them speak?

Hi I am a graduate fresher. Looking for a job, a bit scare about the questions interviewer may ask. Help me with your precious advice. #interviews #manager #director #interviewing-skills

+25 Karma if successful
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Subject: Career question for you

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Doc’s Answer

Hi Mariya,

The Secret to a Good Interview Is Talking Less.

Of course, you want to do everything you can to make a hiring manager feel that you are the choice for the position. However, as the old adage goes, sometimes less is more. Way more. The average Hiring Manager only set aside about 30 minutes for the Interview. Keep in mind how long the Hiring Manager has for your Interview, be sure you don’t just talk and talk for too long.

Stay focused on clearly answering the question, keep your answer to-the-point and concise.

Good Luck

In the days before your job interview, set aside time to do the following:

Doc recommends the following next steps:

Researching the company – The company’s website will provide a solid understanding of the company’s goals.
Recruit a friend to practice – Actually practicing your answers out loud is an incredibly effective way to prepare.
Respond truthfully – While it can seem tempting to embellish, interviewers find honesty refreshing and respectable.
Ask about next steps – Interviews are a two-way street, employers expect you to ask questions.
Send a personalized thank you – Ask for their business card so can you can follow up with a separate thank you email.
Thank you comment icon Thank you Dexter. “What we have done for ourselves alone dies with us; what we have done for others and the world remains and is immortal.” – Albert Pike Doc Frick
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Elizabeth’s Answer

I recommend some practice sessions as possible. Perhaps your parent's friends or a friend's parent would be willing to help. I would use the internet to find a list of common interview questions and provide this to the person. Tell them you to select a few (6-8) and let you answer. Ask them to tell you afterwards if they have any suggestions. Even just a few sessions can help you get a feel for developing thoughtful answers and speaking them clearly. Don't try to rush through your answers. Interview questions rarely have a right/wrong, but are opportunities for you to display your thoughts and approaches. interviews
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Carole’s Answer

Interviewing and hiring is a two way street. The idea that interviewing is an equal give and take on the part of the candidate and the employer is not true. The interviewing process is a one-way street, at least most of the process, and that one way street belongs to the hiring authority. In most situations the employer has several qualified candidates who are available to do the job. The objective on your part is to sell yourself as hard as possible in the interview. If you are able to do that it then becomes a two way street. Usually the candidate who sells themselves get the job.
Phase 1 of selling yourself: You walk into the interview rested, refreshed and prepared. You sit down and lean forward. After you share a few ice-breaker comments, you hand the hiring or interviewing authority you resume(even if they already have one, they may have misplaced.) Start Off "Mr or Mrs ???? I'm here to share with you why you should hire. First of all describe 10-12 descriptive adjectives to explain your work ethic. (this will be part of your homework before the interview.) Phase 11. "I am presently working for or most recently have bee) at (name of company and my skill set includes (now you give them what you have been doing and how it relates to the position you are interviewing for.) Giving the interviewer a description of exactly what you did and the success that you received gives the interviewer an idea of how you are able to help this company by selling your qualifications. You always emphasize the positive attributes of the job. Phase 111 is a transition period. You should bring out a writing pad if you have already and ask them your first question ( Mr? How does my qualification compare with what your are looking for?) He will then give some information that you can use to ask a few more questions and then take some notes because it show that you are interested. One question will lead to another and then a conversation begins and that is exactly what you want. As the conversation goes on you can ask any questions that pertains to the job that expands upon the information about where you have been, what you did, and how you did it.
Phase IV As the conversation winds down and the time is appropriate you say: "Based on what we have discussed Mr ? my background, experience or potential makes this a good fit for both of us. What do I need to do to get this job? Now the conversation my go off in a few directions. Depending on what is said next you can repeat you enthusiasm and interest about this job? This question tells the interviewer that you are serious.
RECAP: Phase 1: background of your experience and relating that you understand hard work and possess the trait of a committed hard working employee. Phase 11: " My qualifications and skills have been beneficial to the people that I have worked for.This can lead into and explanation of every job you have had. Phase 111: Asking phase; "Now tell me how does what I have told you compare with what you are looking?" You have now gotten control of the interview. Phase IV: After your conversation the interview might want to close again ask " What do I need to do to get this job?? I am very interested. Or What is the next step to acquire this job? he now knows you want the job.
Phase V: After you leave you should write down a summary of the interview . Write the high points and the weaknesses that you experienced. If you were to get the next interview you would have notes to refresh your memory on what you asked and they asked. Always get a business that way you have email, phone # and name so you won't forget who you interviewed with. You want to thank him or her and reinforce the high points of what the conversation was about on an email or a thank you note. It should be a short note, but make it look official like a letter because it will probably be read within ten seconds. So go out and get that interview and follow the steps given and you will bee encouraged by how good you feel when it is over.


Personal note: I once was on an interview for a part time job. It was a table full of 10 people asking me questions. I answered as best I could. The last question threw me and I asked if I could have a little time to think it over. They allowed me to and the best answer that I could come up with was the most honest answer I had. They had asked me if I was offered a job after I took this job that paid more money would I take it. I knew that it was kind of a trick question so the best answer that I came up with is that I did not have enough information about the job to give them an answer. Well I did get the job and I asked later why this person gave me a question like that? He said "just to see how I thought it through and how I analyzed it. My answer was perfect he said and because they didn't give any particulars for this job. It was more about how I thought thru problem or questions and what outcome I had come too.
So Happy Hunting with you interviews, I know if you follow these tips you will do very well.

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Jyoti’s Answer

Hello Mariya ,
This is a good question.

1. Have a positive attitude
2. Prepare your resume well. Your resume is 1st thing that is seen by the interviewer. Do not write incorrect information. Know your resume well, as many questions may come out of the resume.
3. Prepare 1 min speech about your self, again .. some questions may come out of what you say. so prepare well
4. If you have a personal experience related to the question. give the answer, add that you faced this earlier where ... this was the situation, how did the problem solve and what was your part in the solution

Jyoti recommends the following next steps:

Prepare your resume well
1 min introduction speech
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Dexter’s Answer

Hi Mariya,

I've conducted hundreds of phone interviews, so I feel like I can help here.

I would say that if you're talking to a good interviewer, the interviewer has already read over your resume and is trying to learn the real you. Not the person you described in the resume, but the person that the new team will have to interact with on a day to day basis. This means that the interview is going to try to gauge your technical competence as well as your personality fit with the team. I feel that just about everyone understands the technical competence portion, so I'll dive into the personality fit parts of the interview.

Every team is different, and so, managers look for different types of people that will ensure that the addition of a new person will be at least an additive factor in terms of team performance. Some teams will value a strong spirit who will not be afraid to speak up in a meeting with many jaded souls. Some teams will value a glue person who can bring and keep the team together through the ups and downs. Some teams will look for a no nonsense technical talent who will inspire others on the team. There is no wrong answer, and it's impossible to change yourself to fit the team exactly, so be yourself show the interviewer the real you.

The constant in all interviews though, is that all interviewers want to find a respectful and honest human being who can be counted on to do the work that is assigned to them in the time frame that has been given. So in the interview, I would suggest you do the best you can to reflect that. Being respectful in an interview means paying full attention to the interviewer and being an active listener. It means respecting their time and showing up on time. I would also suggest that you be as honest as possible, as I hope your interviewer is to you. It only benefits both sides of the interview to be honest. If you come across a difficult question where you have a choice between an answer that you think the interviewer would like to hear versus an answer that doesn't sound so good, but is more honest, go with the honest choice. Many veteran interviewers are savvy to canned answers anyways, so it'd only hurt you to tell them what they think is dishonest.

When I'm an interviewee, my mind blanks out easy when I'm under-pressure, so before interviews, I try to put myself in the shoes on the interviewer and come up with questions, so that I can have some semi-intelligent answer ready, or at least be in that mind set, so it's not so unexpected.

Anyways, I wish you the best of luck and I hope this helps!

--
Dexter

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Louis’s Answer

Hi Mariya,

I would say let the conversation flow between you and the interviewer. Do not feel you need to dominant the conversation or let the interviewer dominate it. Speak when you have the ability to, and when you do make sure you answer the questions in a direct and concise manner. Think about it as a conversation with a friend, do you go into the conversation wondering if you should speak more or less? Go in with the intent to listen attentively, showcase your accomplishments, and build a rapport with the interviewer.

Thanks,

Louis
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Bob’s Answer

What should be our attitude while taking an interview? Should we speak more or let them speak?

First impressions matter - ensure you are well prepared, presentable, and have a confident but respectful smile.

With this confidence you need to be flexible as no two interviewers are the same - be ready to answer any question with confidence and if you do not know the answer do not lie.

You will need to check the pulse of the interviewer(s) to decide whether to speak more or less - every interviewer is different - however you should do your research and come prepared with a list of questions.

Some interviews follow an informal format - a conversation - and part of this is showing how easily you can discourse/build relationships. Others are formal with fixed questions for technical, behavioral - be prepared for both. Air on the side of speaking more than less - just be truthful and open.

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Jason’s Answer

Being good at interviewing is a skill that most people build over time. Here are a couple things to keep in mind.
1. Interviews are likely between 30 minutes to 1 hour. Keep your answers short but detailed enough to show a thoughtful response. Avoid stories or long winded answers.
2. Do some research - It will impress the interviewer if you know something about the position / company / or the actual interviewer. The research shows initiative.
3. Have a personal plan - if there are details about your work history or skills that you want to make sure you get across, then find a way to work them into an answer.
4. Smile and show energy - Interviewers will want to find someone who is a cultural fit with their team and company.
5. Have some questions ready but avoid those that are cliché or common. Ask something in depth or insightful about the specific job or company.
6. Never ask about salary on the first interview. That point will come later.
7. Look up some common interview questions and have a game plan of you get asked something similar. You will want to avoid awkward silences and spending time searching for an answer. the faster you can provide a thoughtful answer the better. It shows you can organize your thoughts quickly and think on your feet.
8. Nerves are the enemy. practice with someone to increase your comfortability being asked questions.

I've interviewed quite a lot of applicants in my time and its easy to sort out the ones that have prepared.

Happy hunting!
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Michele’s Answer

Great question!


First of all, is this a position you are really interested in or are you doing the interview because you flooded the market with your resume and are hoping to get your foot in the door. Either way be prepared, research the company understand what they do and how you would fit in with your skills and knowledge. You attitude should be positive, engaging, prepared and interested in the company and the position because if you aren't hired you are making connections within this company for your future.


When preparing be able to answer the standard interview questions but remember those won't be the only questions, so take your time, pause , think of your answer and then respond; silence is fine to have in an interview .


Interviews should be a good experience, a good conversation, information sharing, there should be conversation from you and the company representative. I said they should be a good experience sometimes it is 5-15 questions from the company representative and then the end of the call and nothing after that. Don't get discouraged especially if this is one of your target companies you want to work at.


In my personal experience, interviewing was always nerve racking but I got through it by taking 3-4 deep breaths , focusing only on moment, playing attention to what I was doing - for a phone interview I had my final questions prepared, I listened intently to the questions being asked, paused and then responded; if I didn't understand the question I did ask to repeat it, I took notes, no multi-tasking. In person interview, eye contact, eye contact, eye contact, again pausing for a moment before I answered.


If you need to practice with someone asking the common interview questions, then have them make up a silly question or thought provoking question where you need to problem solve. Don't sound rehearsed but sound confident.


Wish you the best in your search

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Anup’s Answer

Interview gives us a very limited time and opportunity to know the other person. We must make maximum utilization of this time.
At first I would introduce myself and describe why we are in this interview and the job role. Then I would like to hear from the other person.
This is an opportunity for us to know the person better as decision might be made based on this interaction.
Allow the other person to speak more. Be a good listener. Be an active listener too.
Pose questions based on the information that you receive from the other person. This will help start a discussion
Go with an open mind and don't have any perception.
Be receptive of the other person's views. Understand what made them to take certain decisions. Try to appreciate as much as possible.
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Laura’s Answer

Hello! One of the best ways to prepare for an interview is to search for common questions. Here is a link to one article that might be helpful: http://money.usnews.com/money/careers/slideshows/the-10-most-common-interview-questions


Interviewers are just regular people, and some like to talk more than others. A good interview should be a balance, but they likely want to know more about you. So don't be afraid to speak up. Be informative and honest, and be yourself! Not every job is a good fit for you, and you won't be a good fit for every job. But the interview process is designed to help you and your employer make a good match so you will both be happy.


Remember that a lot of the important data points about your strengths and experience will already be available to the interviewer from your resume. So it's usually a good idea to talk about things that aren't there on paper.


Also, remember that everyone--even the person interviewing you--has been nervous in an interview. It's ok to be nervous! Take some deep breaths and try to find a topic that makes you feel good to talk about. Be as prepared as you can be, but also be ready to the unexpected. And roll with it! (Keep in mind that some people aren't great at interviewing others, so they might be nervous too.)


An interview should be a two-way conversation. You don't want to be too boastful, but you should try to get across reasons you think you'd be the best person for the job. Do your best to take your cues from the style of the person interviewing you, but--like I said--be yourself. They want to know more about who you really are!


I'm sure you'll do great and find the right job when the time comes. Good luck!

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shane’s Answer

Be excited. Do your homework on the company, the role and the person that you are interviewing with.

Remember you have 2 ears and 1 mouth. Listen twice as much as you speak.

When you speak make sure it is crisp, informative and answers the question that was asked.
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