The document outlines a workshop for undergraduate students preparing for job interviews, focusing on selecting preferred companies, conducting background research, and appropriate interview conduct. Key topics include suitable attire, common interview questions, negotiation skills, and salary discussions. The document emphasizes the importance of preparation and professionalism to enhance chances of securing a job offer.

1. Interview Facing
Workshop
Keet Malin Sugathadasa
Undergraduate
Department of Computer Science and Engineering
University of Moratuwa

2. Agenda
● Selecting your preferred company
● Doing some background research
● Suitable Attire
● What to Carry
● At the Interview
● Be prepared for common questions
● Negotiation Skills
● Salary Negotiations
● Job confirmation

3. Selecting your preferred companies
● Have a look at the job descriptions
○ Check whether the job you are applying to is interesting. This will mostly be your job for
the next few years.
● Location
○ Consider the travelling distances and the ease of travelling
● Salary
○ Consider whether it is enough for your value (self value). Whether it is sufficient for the
amount of work you are supposed to do.
● Organizational Culture
○ Whether it is a culture that will suit you. Social/ not social/ friendly/ bossy/ hierarchy of
management etc
● Freedom
○ If you are planning on higher studies, you should have some free time. Also freedom is
something you need. Working without rest will always end up in less efficiency.

4. Doing some background research
● Check out the company website
○ Look for new articles, blogs, major changes in the company etc.
● Technologies they are using
○ Java, C++, Linux, C, Cassandra etc
● Current Salary Levels
○ This will help you get a clear idea on what you salary levels should be
● The Management
○ Look for changes in the management, the hierarchy etc
● Who will interview you
○ If you know this in advance, better to do some research on them. What
kind of questions they might ask. What are their research areas.

5. Suitable Attire
Male
● Long Sleeve Shirt
● Slacks
● Shoes
● Watch
● Tie / Blazer (Optional)
● Office Attire (Semi formal or Formal)
Female
● Office wear
● Less Makeup or No makeup
● Not too much perfume
Dress to Impress!!!

6. What to Carry
● Your CV / Resume
● Certificates (Not necessarily needed)
● Appointment Letter from the company
● A file cover
● Avoid carrying bags and backpacks for interviews
● Job related material
○ Teaching job - recommendation letters etc
○ Driving Job - Some related certification etc

7. At the interview
● Arrive 10-20 mins early
● Sit when you are asked to do so / if it is implied
● Walk in straight and in a confident manner
● Sit in a good posture (upright)
● Do not try to put your feet up. Keep them steady on the ground
● Keep your hands relaxed and confident
● Put your phones on silent
● Don’t look down or around. Maintain Eye contact

8. Be Prepared for Common Questions
● Introduction about yourself
○ Make it brief and on point. Don't tell stories. Tell a confident description about
yourself that will impress yourself.
● Where do you see yourself in 5 years
○ Don’t say that you see yourself as CEO. Say stuff like “leading professional in the
industry.” Take the company forward and see myself in a top position with my own
team etc.
● Why should we hire you
○ What kind of value you can bring into the company. What makes you different from
others.

9. Negotiation Skills
● Comes with your attire/ personality
● Be prepared with negotiation techniques
○ How to pitch my value. How to demand. Etc
● Picking the team you want
○ What values you can bring into the team. Why that team. Etc
● If drawbacks found through background research
○ Why didn’t you apply for GSoC
○ Why is your social network messy
○ Why is your GPA low

10. Salary Negotiations
● Target a specific value you want
● Look at the current salary levels
● High balling vs Low balling
● What value can you bring into the company
● Justify as to why they should pay you that much

11. Job Confirmation
● Informed at the end of the interview
● Informed via telephone
● You can ask the interviewer
○ When will i be informed.
○ How will I be informed
○ Can i have it in writing
○ Can i have more time to confirm (with valid reasons)
● After confirmation
○ Ask for a formal approval letter.
○ Job Salary
○ Thanking Letter / Firm Handshake

12. Thank You!!!