Interviews

This is a process which people have to go through when they apply to a company for a job or to an institute to pursue a course. Generally people loathe it. Some get tensed over it. Tension rises and turns into panic for a few people. But what for?

If we just split the word into two, we get ‘inter’(involving two or more entities) and ‘views’ (opinion, a way of looking). So, it would mean that we (interviewees) need to present our views on topics which would be asked by the interviewers. I sounds pretty simple. There should not be a problem with that. Is there anything to be scared of when we are asked about ourselves……or when we are asked about our goal(s) in life????

Well, there is a reason for which people get perturbed. It is because of the ‘other’ meaning of ‘inter’------to bury. That is what we have to do during interviews…..bury our genuine thoughts and come up with well-prepared , articulate, diplomatic, ‘beating around the bush’ answers. And that’s the reason people spend hours (some even days and a few others even months; they are actually ‘men of few words’) to prepare what is to be said about themselves (forget the issues around the world).

When we would be asked about our hobbies, we should mention only those activities, the details (history, geography, why financial investments, why not financial investments in that sector etc) of which we know thoroughly. The general perception about ‘hobby’ is that it an activity of interest which one carries out during one’s pastime. If that person is grilled like this about his hobby and he fails to give the answers and loses out, then would that activity ever remain as his hobby? The poor chap might spend sleepless nights after the incident and when he gets some sleep, he might get nightmares.(hobby to horrible).

If we are asked for our views on some controversial issue, then we should preferably give a ‘sitting on the fence’ view. We can give our genuine opinion as well but very few of us can defend that stand successfully. And please……don’t get emotional about the topic and blurt out some extremist view….never…..ever.(Even if they say that you were tied up and your sister got raped and murdered infront of you and now you, with a pistol in your hand, come face to face with the murderer, it would be better if you say that you wouldn’t kill the criminal;; you should say that you will take the course of law, the ‘mighty’ law).

Then comes the question regarding the strengths and weaknesses………….great people used to say that one who feels oneself to be the most intelligent is the biggest fool of all………so, is identifying oneself to be smart, a strength or a weakness?? When we state a few weaknesses, are we actually displaying the rare strength of self-evaluation and self-identification??? Here again, we would be better off not mentioning any ‘strong’ weaknesses that we possess as they might outweigh the ‘weak’ strengths that we were once proud of.

Then the trick question---- why this job? If you say ‘job profile’ then they will catch you on the wrong foot saying that you would go to some other company if they offer you a better profile; in short you are not in the company to stay, so there is no point in recruiting you.(As if they themselves have sworn never to leave the company come what may). If you say ‘salary’… then only a miracle can see you through………..no,no…not through to securing the job but through the exit door, with any kind of dignity. They will make you feel that you are a needy, greedy person who drools at the sight of money. So, what will get you in or atleast leave you with a chance to get in??? Singing praises of your prospective employer------but don’t go overboard with it……..sing in tune or you might sound flattery and you would see your chances fluttering away.

Well, the interviewers have many tricks and questions up their sleeve. We should not let down our guard even for a moment. Boy!!!! This process is tough……….I guess this grueling session comes next only to the interrogation procedure carried out by the police(We all know how friendly the police are with the criminals, don’t we).

to be contd......