The document provides an overview of a workshop on interview and group discussion skills. The objectives are to help participants understand interviews and behavioral interviews, learn steps for a successful interview, know the competencies sought by employers, understand resume essentials, and learn best practices for before, during and after interviews. It also aims to describe group discussions and the skills observed in them. The document outlines what an interview is, how to prepare for behavioral interviews, seven steps for a great interview, how to research prospective employers and one's resume, important documents to bring, interview dos and don'ts, and tips for group discussions.

1. Handing Interviews & Group Discussions

2. Workshop Objectives
After completing this program participants will be able to:
• Define an Interview and explain a behavioral interview.
• List steps of a Good Interview
• List the most sought out competencies by employers
• Describe the essentials in a resume
• List good practices to employ before, during and after an interview.
• Describe professional attire, verbal and non verbal gestures for making a good impression
• Describe a Group Discussion and list the skills that are observation
• List the dos and don’ts of a Group Discussion
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3. What Is An Interview?
A selection procedure designed to predict future job performance on the basis of applicants
oral responses to oral enquiries
Behavioral interviewing is a methodology built on the premise that “the best indicator of what a
person will do tomorrow is what he or she did yesterday.”
The interview focuses on specific experiences of candidates, as opposed to “what-if”
scenarios.
How Can I Prepare for Behavioral Interviewing?
• Know yourself.
• Know why you are a STAR!
• Know your “customer.”
• Know what you have that your customer wants.
• Ask great questions.
• Close the interview.
• Follow-up.
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4. Seven Steps for a Great Interview
Step 1: Be Prepared
Step 2: Build Confidence
Step 3: Make A Great 1st Impression
Step 4: Establish Credibility
Step 5: Answer Questions
Step 6: Ask Questions
Step 7 : Close and Follow-up
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5. Activity: Know Yourself
Activity: Individual Self Assessment- Know Yourself
Time: 10 Mins
Reference: Page 1 of Participant Handout
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6. Know Your Prospective Employer
 PREPARE FOR THEM
 Research the company and the industry
 Find out about the position
 Understand what they are looking for in an employee
 Match your strengths with what they need
 Prepare possible questions from your resume
 Have quality questions ready
 SOURCES OF INFORMATION
 Google it
 Press releases
 Annual reports
 Understand markets served
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7. Research Your Customer
The Company The Industry
 What are the company goals
 Know your industry like the back of
 What are the Company current your hand. Be an SME
events
 Be aware of any emerging
 Services and/or products technology or trends
 New launches
 Remain current on any issues and
 Sales: Any large increase or developments
decrease and why
 Know about the latest mergers or
 Competition takeovers in your industry
 International operations  Read trade journals or professional
 Any media information on the publications
company in the last year
Knowledge of the company & industry creates a good impression
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8. Your Resume: Stand Out From The Crowd
Your resume is your marketing tool
• Does it effectively describe your background?
• Does it accentuate the positives & accomplishments?
• Does it focus on your value to your previous employers?
• Perfection counts
• Is it honest and accurate?
• Is it a successful marketing piece?
• Does it make you stand out from the crowd?
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9. Interviewers Look Out For
 Organization Of Events
 Clarity Of Depiction
 Completeness: Are dates and/or descriptions omitted.
 Unexplained Breaks In Service And Education
 Extent Of Customization To The Job Applied
 Quality Of The Resume – Mode, Spelling Errors, Verbosity
 Complete Contact Information
 Remember to omit personal information unrelated to the job
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10. References
Making the Last Word A Good One:
• Employers want to speak with people who know a
candidate well
• Choose 3 – 5 people who will provide favourable recommendations
• Select the most willing articulate people you can
• Always ask permission of the people you ask to be references before including their name on
your reference list.
• Provide a list of names, addresses, telephone numbers and relationship to you.
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11. Interview Pre-Work
Logistics: Important Documents
• Confirm location and time of meeting • Carry your CV with additional copies
• Determine estimated travel time • Copies of Letters of
• Have the name and contact number of Recommendations
the person you are meeting at hand • Portfolio of writing samples or other
professional work
• Personal ID - a passport, driver’s
license
• Other material relevant to the
interview
• Pen and paper.
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12. When You Arrive…
• Arrive early at the venue.
• Remember Your interview really begins as soon as you arrive at
the place of the interview.
• When asked to wait keep calm, and take the opportunity to go
over your answers to some of the questions you think you might be asked.
• Making a good impression in the waiting room is just as important as when the interview
begins.
• In the waiting area don’t use slang, chewing gum or smoke
cigarettes.
• Standard politeness is important
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13. Interview Anxiety
It can involve several physical symptoms including:
 Trembling hands
 Shaking legs
 Pounding heart
 Feeling nauseous
 Shortness of breath
 Sweaty palms
 Headaches
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14. First Impressions
Your Image
 Don’t underestimate first impressions
 Arrive early
 Well-groomed, polished
 Articulate
 Eye-contact
 Firm handshake
 Smile
 Be courteous
All else being equal, Image is a tie-breaker
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15. During The Interview: Making A Lasting Impression
• Prepare your Introduction & Key points.
• Listen carefully to what the interviewer is saying
• Stress on what you can contribute to the organisation
• Be crisp in what you want to say.
• Complete your sentences. Don’t answer just "yes" or "no"
• Use the STAR format for framing your responses
• Be specific. Do not be vague.
• If you don’t understand the question, ask for clarification.
• What you don’t know can be learned. Tell them if you don’t know something, but give
instances of how quick a learner you are.
• Switch off your cell phone
• Strike a balance between what you are and who you want to be. Don’t portray yourself as
somebody who isn't concerned about money, social status, etc.
• Send a Thank You letter outlining your interest in the job.
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16. 12 Most Sought After Competencies
• Communication
• Achievement Orientation
• Customer Focus
• Team Work
• Leadership
• Planning And Organizing
• Commercial Awareness
• Flexibility
• Developing Others
• Problem Solving
• Analytical Thinking
• Building Relationships
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17. Interview Faux Pas
• Don’t be over confident
• Don’t boast
• Do not bad mouth your previous employer
• Don’t get personal
• Don’t talk about your personal problems
• Don’t be in a hurry to complete the interview
• If the interviewer is interrupted, do not scan the settings or pick up papers and start reading
• Don’t answer your cell phone.
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18. Your Questions for The Interviewer
 What will be my most difficult challenge in my first six months?
 What will I be contributing to your group or organization?
 What is your corporate culture?
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19. Never Say The Following
1. How much does the job pay?
2. What does your company make or do?
3. Do not use slang words or phrases
4. What can you do for me?
5. No profanity or cursing.
6. No stereotypical language.
7. Do not criticize any former employer
8. If you are asked whether you have any questions don’t say no.
9. Don’t say – I don’t have any weaknesses
10. Don’t tell them your life story
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20. Closing The Conversation
• Let the interviewer close
• If you have the job stop selling yourself
• When the interviewer says, "If you have no further
questions then we are done."
• Ask:
 I’d like to know how to proceed from here.
 Should I contact you or will you be in contact
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21. Activity: Mock Interview
Activity: Mock Interview
Time: 20 Minutes
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22. Interview Attire: From Top To Toe
General Norms
 Dress for the audience, the circumstance,
the corporate culture, and yourself
 Wear conservative NOT flashy clothes.
 Wear clothes that fit and are pressed
 Use mild (or no) fragrances
 Have a fresh breath
 Hair
 Keep your hair done/neatly
 Hair should not fall on your face,
obscure your eyebrows or need
continuous adjustment
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23. Dressing Right- Donts
 Wear dress shoes. Don’t wear sneakers or casuals.
 Use deodorant/antiperspirant. Don’t use too much scent.
 Use makeup sparingly. Don’t use evening makeup.
 Limit your jewellery. Don’t wear too many earrings or rings.
 Avoid shiny tie pins, clips or big belt buckles
 Avoid trends. Stick to classic looks.
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24. The Verbal Element: Words To Watch Out For
I Well Actually
I’ll Try
Guess But
Should
Maybe Probably
Seems
If To
Possibly You
Know Might
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25. The Verbal Element: Power Words
1. Applicable
2. Effective
3. Excel
4. Practiced
5. Versatile
6. Passionate
7. Asset
8. Practical
9. Maintained
10. Negotiated
11. Responsible
12. Detailed
13. Commitment
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26. The Visual Element: Body Language
NON VERBAL CUES INTERPRETATION
FACIAL EXPRESSIONS
Frown Displeasure, Unhappiness
Smile Friendliness, Happiness
Raised Eyebrows Disbelief, Amazement
Narrowed Eyes Anger
Blushing Embarrassment
EYE CONTACT
Glancing Lack Of Interest
Steady Active Listening, Interest
HAND ARM GESTURES
Pointing Finger Authority, Displeasure, Lecturing
Folded Arms Not Open To Change, Preparing To Speak
Arms At Side Open To Suggestions, Relaxed
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27. Good Body Language
• Sit up straight in your chair
• Sitting on the edge of your chair may convey nervousness
• Look at all the interview partners to an equal extent.
• Keep looking at an interviewer for as long as he or she
is speaking when being asked a question.
• Nodding your head while speaking is a good way of supporting
your words or adding meaning to them.
• Turn a little with your shoulders towards the speaker and to lean forward a little. This
communicates interest.
• Emphasize interest by tilting your head very slightly.
• Let your hands lie loosely on your lap or place them on the armrests of your chair.
• Palms must face up.
• Hand movements can also help to liven up the interview. But not at the beginning of the
interview.
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28. In A Telephonic Interview
• You cannot see the interviewer, so you have to trust only two senses - hearing & intuition
• Do not short circuit the interview. The process should be the same as a face-to-face interview
• Use the STAR framework for structuring your responses.
• Use many descriptive statements, prompting expressions ,like …
Yes, sure
I will tell you more
For example
I understand
In what sense?
• Keep sentences & discussions short
• Summarize each section
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29. Activity: Group Discussion
Activity: Group Discussion
Time: 20 Minutes
Topic: Chose any one.
• Rules are meant to be broken
• A Ship Docked in Harbour cannot face the Storms
• Capitalism is a very Flawed System but the others are so much worse
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30. Group Discussions
What skills are judged in group discussion?
• How good you are at communication with others.
• How you behave and interact with group.
• How open minded are you.
• Your listening skill.
• How you put forward your views.
• Your leadership and decision making skills.
• Your analysis skill and subject knowledge.
• Problem solving and critical thinking skill.
• Your attitude and confidence.
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31. Do's and Donts of Group Discussions
• Keep eye contact while speaking
• Allow others to speak
• Speak clearly
• Make your contribution meaningful
• Make sure to bring the discussion on track
• Positive attitude
• Listen carefully to others
• No need to go into much details
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32. To Excel At Group Discussions
• Be Yourself
• Take time to organize your thoughts
• Don’t make the mistake of looking at the panel
while you are speaking
• Seek clarifications
• Watch your body language
• Don’t lose your cool
• Show your leadership skills
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33. Your Thoughts
• What went well?
• What could we do more of?
• What should we do less of?
• What could be done differently?
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34. ®
Leading People. Leading Organizations.
Thank you
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