Tackle tricky questions

Advice and tips on how to anticipate and prepare for the questions that might be asked during an interview.

Candidates should spend some time framing the answers to questions that might be asked by the interview board.

We could try to guess some of the questions that might be asked during an interview and plan the answers to these. Not that we should parrot some prepared replies, but we should not be at a loss if the board poses inconvenient questions.

For instance, consider the case of an engineering graduate appearing before a selection board for bank officers. The interviewer is likely to suggest that the candidate might possibly be wasting the time, money, and effort he had put in for his technical education if he were to become a bank officer.

Possible answers

How well could the candidate politely counter the argument? A candidate who had applied his mind to such a query could respond like this:

"My engineering education has helped me to develop certain qualities such as appreciation of accuracy and precision, scientific approach, analytical skills, keen observation, computational speed, deriving conclusions from a series of observed facts, logical scrutiny, problem-solving skills, and teamwork. All these could be applied in the discharge of my duties as a manager in the bank. The time and money spent on engineering education never goes waste, irrespective of the position a person holds. On the other hand, I feel that it enriches one's personality.

"Further, I feel that neither the Government nor society has the capacity to offer specific jobs in the area of specialisation to all the engineering graduates in this country. This social reality has to be appreciated in the present context. So I feel that my association with your organisation as a manager would help me to utilise my professional training."

This kind of a reply does not sound like the response of a depressed or unemployed youth with a defeatist mind, but a bright and pragmatic response from a youngster with a positive frame of mind, trying to make the best of the available opportunities.

About yourself

"Tell us something about yourself" is a usual question. If handled well, it could help us a lot. In a way, it is one of the best questions from the candidate's point of view. Never try to narrate in detail your childhood, schooling or hobbies. This would be a waste of time. Focus on your objective to convince the interviewer how relevant your education, training, or experience is, and how they would suit the job. You could indicate in a few select words, your co-curricular activities, useful hobbies, interests, part-time work, reading preferences and aptitude, provided they have some relation to the job in question. Remember, you are trying to prove your suitability for the job. Since the time allotted to a candidate would be limited, you should ensure its most effective utilisation. Never try to make false claims about your abilities or attainment, at any stage of the interview. The members of the interview board would see through such tricks.

Plan and practise

As a part of short-time preparation, plan and prepare the answers to questions of this sort. Even if the board puts an expected question, do not jump forward with the answer, but try to speak calmly, so that it sounds natural.

Technical jobs

In interviews for selection of technical personnel, there would be questions on practical aspects, to be answered based on theoretical knowledge or from practical experience. Skills for application of known principles or innovative dexterity may be judged by the interviewer.

Teaching

In the selection of teachers at any level, usually two different aspects would be checked : knowledge of the subject and communication skills.

Of course, it is important that the teacher is thorough with the subject content. But a person who knows most is not necessarily the best teacher. Conveying ideas to the pupils in a simple language and in an interesting style, without sacrificing precision or clarity is an essential attribute of a good teacher. This aspect will normally be tested during the interview. Perhaps the board may ask the candidate to make an exposition of a topic of the candidate's choice in two or three minutes, simulating a classroom environment. A teacher should be able to motivate the pupils. It is essential that for an interview for the selection of teachers, the candidates should revise all the relevant subjects well.

You should update your knowledge in your subject, before appearing for any interview. This is particularly significant in areas such as technology and science where new trends are usual.

In subjects like biotechnology, electronics, computer science and information technology, candidates must be aware of the rapid obsolescence of information. You should never dish out outdated information before an informed board of selectors.

B.S. WARRIER