51 tips for BANK INTERVIEWS.

CHAPTER TWENTY

51 TIPS FOR SUCCESS IN INTERVIEWS

1.            The tips given below are to ensure success in all the types of Interviews, you may be attending – may be for getting a job or getting a promotion.

2.           Consider Interview as an opportunity to meet employer, exchange information and make a positive impression.    Take all the necessary steps to make a favourable impression about yourself in the mind of the Interviewer.

3.            In the case of job interviews you would have already sent your resume.  Mention positive points about yourself that are not given in the resume.

4.           When you attend an Interview proceed with hundred per cent ‘Hope of Success’.  When an interview is taken up by you with ‘no hope’ or ‘less hope’, achieving success cannot be ensured.

5.           Be clear about your goals and what you want to achieve while attending Interviews.  Ambiguous goals or goals without definite direction will not yield fruitful results.

6.           Employer/Interview will be evaluating your skills and personality.  So try to high-light all your strengths and the achievements made at the school/college.

7.           Try to gather information about the company from websites, literature, news reports and ensures you will fit in to the requirements of the company.

8.    For ensuring success in interview hard work, grit and a never-say-die attitude is required.   You must put in sufficient amount of hard work in the matter of preparation for the Interview by going through your subjects, news paper reports relating to your field. Learn about the company and its operation. You will impress the interviewer if it is obvious you have done some research. It will also help you develop good answers to the interviewer's questions.

·        Information you should know about the company prior to your interview:

• Organizational structure

o        Divisions/departments that interest you

• Areas they are eliminating
• Products/Services
• Training Programs
• Size of company
• Career paths
• How long have they been in business
• Types of clients
• Growth in the past and future potential
• Job description & job title
• New products and services they are developing
• Employee benefits
• Geographic location of home office, branches, stores

·        Resources for this information:

• Company's annual report
• Literature produced by company
• Inside source
• Professional journals (library)
• Magazine/website articles
• National Trade and Professional Associations

9.           Employer will evaluate your ‘attitude’.  You must possess ‘positive attitude’ and your answers, body language should exhibit your ‘helping nature’.

10.         Your appearance matters a lot.  So dress yourself smartly.  Your shirt/pant should have been properly ‘pressed’.  If possible wear a light colour ‘tie’.  In the case of ladies wear light colour saree/chudidhar/salwar kameez.

11.          Avoid using strong perfume/scent.

12.          Comb your hair properly and you should be seen nicely dressed.

13.          You should exhibit your confidence adequately.  Your answers should reveal that you possess adequate confidence in handling matters/people.

14.          Your confidence level is based on the depth of knowledge you possess in your field.   Be thorough with the fundamental aspects in your field.

15.          You must know about yourself fully and be able to express properly.

16.         Be aware of your strengths such as ‘leadership skills, good time management skills, accepting challenges, being a good team member, having good inter personal skills etc. 

17.          Your ability to do the job will be tested by posing questions pertaining to your field of operation.  So be clear in your answers.

18.          Inform your long-standing interests and new hobbies.

19.          Inform talents and abilities you can bring to the job.

20.        Highlight your positive experiences and achievements without being seen as ‘proud’.

21.         Ensure you reach the Interview venue 10 minutes ahead of scheduled time.

22.         Carry with you additional copies of resume and references, passport size photos.

23.         Regarding the dress you intend wearing, decide on the previous day night itself.  Check up whether they are in order – buttons intact, zip intact etc.

24.         Ladies should avoid wearing flashy jewellery, strong scents.  

25.         It is natural to be nervous.  However ensure you sleep well on the previous night.

26.         Eat a healthy break fast.  Don’t eat too much. 

27.        Allow plenty of travel time to reach the destination taking into account possible traffic jams, processions etc.

28.         Be yourself.  Don’t be artificial.  Show your best self.  Remember ‘First Impression is the Best Impression’.

29.        Knock the door and seek permission for entering the room. 

30.        Wish the Interviewers Good Morning/Good Afternoon with a friendly smile.

31.         Walk gently and not in a snobby way.  Wait for the permission of Chairman to take your Chair.

32.        Move the chair gently without making noise.

33.        Sit comfortably and your posture should exhibit your confidence and ‘OK’ feeling.

34.        Give a firm hand shake—not a rough one or an unimpressive/uninterested one.

35.         Present the highs and not the lows.

36.         Show enthusiasm and not doubt.

37.         Display confidence and not hesitation.

38.        Show your personal characteristics which will be of help to the job applied.  For example people applying for the post of nurses must possess kindness, courtesy, caring attitude for others.  Persons applying for ‘police’ must be physically strong, courageous and curt and right and exhibit.  Persons applying for ‘managerial positions’ should possess leadership qualities and possess high risk taking and maintain good inter personal skills.

39.         Inform the skills you learned in College and in other organisations.

40.         Narrate/relate positive and successful experiences you have had at School/College/Workplace.

41.          Have proper eye-contact with the Interviewers.

42.         Your introduction should be brief and smart. 

43.         Establish proper rapport through courtesy.   Your answers should exhibit your courteousness and kindness.

44.         Listen attentively. Look at the interviewer directly, but don't get into a stare down! Sit up straight. Try to relax. It is okay to take a few notes if the questions are lengthy, or you need to remind yourself of something you want to stress.

45.         Avoid nervous mannerisms. Pay attention to nervous mannerisms you might have such as clicking your pen, jingling change in your pocket, twisting your hair, biting your nails. Control these impulses!

46.         Speak clearly. Use good grammar and a friendly tone. Never answer just "yes" or "no" to a question. Always clarify, expand on your answers. Be sure not to ramble on.

47.         Be positive and enthusiastic. You want to outshine all other candidates so "turn it on" during the interview! No matter how sterling your credentials are, you won't be hired if the interviewer isn't sold. Pump up your enthusiasm prior to the interview. Never whine, gripe or complain about past employers, jobs, college, etc.

48.         Ask pertinent questions. Be prepared to ask a few questions. Do not monopolize the interviewer's time, particularly if you know they have appointments scheduled following your interview. Do ask thoughtful questions. Don't ask about salary and benefits, this can be discussed when the company is definitely interested in you.

49.         Here's a sampling of questions you might ask.

• What are the company's greatest strengths?
• In what areas is the company trying to improve?
• Who will I report to?
• Could you give some examples of projects I would be working on?
• How much travel is involved?
• Will relocation be required?
• What kind of assignments could I expect in the first 6 months?
• What products (or services or stores) are in the development stage?
• Describe the advancement opportunities.
• What growth areas do you foresee?
• Will I be encouraged to attend professional conferences?
• Could you describe your training program?
• Could you describe possible advancements within the company?
• What is the next step in the interview process?
• What would a typical day be like?
• Is this job a result of increased growth or expansion?

50.         Watch for cues to ascertain if the interview is over. Do not linger if you sense the interviewer is done interviewing you. When it is over, stand up, thank the interviewer for their time and shake hands firmly. Don't forget to express interest in being hired. Say you are impressed with the company and would like to work there.

51.         After the Interview

·        Say thanks. Reiterate your interest in the job.

·        Follow up. If you haven't heard from the interviewer within the time frame indicated at the close of the interview, call them to relay a polite reminder that you are still interested in the job. Ask as to when they plan to make a hiring decision.

·        Chin Up. Gear up for your next interview. After all the more interviews you tackle the more polished you become. You may want to contact the interviewer who rejected you and see if you can get any pointers on what to improve before your next interview.

Now that we have seen the important points given above, let us try to see a few of them in detail.  This will help you to sharpen your skills and brighten the chances of success in interviews.

Following additional points are given for your guidance.

How to answer questions:

Regardless of what type of question you are asked, you will find it easier to respond effectively if you keep in mind some basic question answering strategies:

You can never predict every question that you will encounter, so approach the interview with an inventory of important points. Make a list of the points about yourself that you want the interviewer to know. For example, if you were to apply for a job as a Sales Representative, you might want to list the products you have sold before, types of customers (by industry, age, etc.), languages spoken, personal experience in that industry and related knowledge (perhaps from your academic program).

Consider each question an opportunity to provide some of this information. Don't assume anything. You will be evaluated on your answers, not your resume. Therefore, ensure you incorporate the relevant information from your resume in your answers.

Pause a couple of seconds before you respond to each question, even if you know exactly what you want to say. Take this time to quickly plan your answer, this helps to avoid misunderstandings and produces much more concise answers.

If you don't understand a question, ask for clarification. This is expected and is preferable to providing an unsuitable answer. If you need time to collect your thoughts - take it. When people are nervous they tend either to "draw a blank" or to babble. It is better to think for a few moments and make sure that your answer is doing you justice and that there is a point to what you are saying.

Always expand. Never answer a question with a "yes" or "no."

The interview is an opportunity for you to sell yourself. Don't be afraid to 'blow your own horn.' As long as you can back up what you are saying with examples which demonstrate that what you are saying is true, you are not bragging. Third party observations can also be mentioned. For example, "My last employer told me that I was promoted because of how I handled conflicts with clients."

BEST OF LUCK!