Preparing for Interview?

Dear Friends,

How did I prepared for my promotional interview?

Since I am PSU Employee, I have not faced many interviews.  Even at the time of entering in the organisation, my interview was more like a formality.

Same way, when I prepared for my first interview from Assistant Grade to Officer Grade, vacancies were more than the required no. of persons, so I got the promotion (plus my qualification too helped me) even though I was nervous & fumbled in interview.

However  just before my latest promotion, I have appeared for 2 interviews for foreign posting and I failed miserably.  There were two rounds in each interview, however I could not qualified for 2nd round in both the cases.

It was disheartening, however when I analyzed, I found that my preparation for the subject interview was not proper.

Therefore, before going for my promotional interview, I have decided to have strategy. 

I briefly outline my efforts as under:-

I collected & read motivational books to get lead / ways to find the solution of my problem (i.e. how to prepare for my interview). I also "googled" for tips & tricks.

I found from one of the book that to talk with the person who are successful  / recently passed through the task.  I should select any person who has good knowledge about my capability & weakness and ask him to objectively inform me what to do?

From that moment onwards, I gone & met, few of my friends, several Divisional In Chargres of our Offices, talked to my Regional Managers & those people who are at higher offices & related to HRMS / interview.

I frankly informed that I am unable to prepare for interview properly & fear or uneasiness crept in just before interview.  How to dispel my fear & become confident?

The gist of discussions /books / "googled articles" were :-

1) I should be dressed properly (wearing a tie for male is plus point) & reach the interview place in advance.

2) Since all my Appraisal Reports for last 3 years are kept in front of interviewer, I must  go through my last 3 years CR and recollect all the works I have done & written in CRs.

3) I have to read atleast for a week, leading daily (newspapers) and note down the important events for preparing general knowledge questions.

4) I should memorise the names of our CMD, GMs & Business Completed, Profit of our Company, RO & DO for office related questions.

5) I should brush up my core area knowledge e.g. miscellaneous insurance to face any questions related to my working.

The above all are basic requirements but the interesting facts which they told me / summarised are :-

By passing department test it is proven that you are intelligent enough to qualify for this post as far as job knowledge is concern.  So the question is not about your knowledge but about your preparation for facing the interview.

Dont underestimate yourself, the person who is taking the interview is interested in knowing you and not in grilling you. 

Since we have not made any mistakes by passing exam, we should be full of positive energy to face the next step.

In interview our attitude is counted, we should not be too nervous & anxious & unable to coverse.

To avoid nervousness, we should go for mock interviews with our seniors, friends or any other outside organisation.  This will make us familiar with feeling. When you get feeling of "been there, done that", you mentally become ready to face interview.

Our answers to questions should not be YES / NO, i.e. only one word.  We should try to give one line or two lines answers. 

Whenever any questions are popped up where we are strong, we should build up our conversation around that area and keep on informing our achievements & capabilities on the subject. 

In our core area, we can talk positively & confidently and leave a good impression, so we should have proper preparation for that point.

Whenever we dont know about the answers we should say " Sir / Madam, I dont know or I am aware but I am unable to recollect now."  In any case, you should not bluff.  Even though you have to repeat the above sentence more than 3 times. 

However if you keep on repeating the above sentence then you know,... start preparing for next written exam.

Oh.. I should not end in negative..

I strongly believe that if you can pass the written exams, you can easily take on 3 people by your smooth talking.

Therefore..

1) Prepare for interview seriously. 

2) Go for mock interviews. Try to polish your english & communcation skill.

3) Prepare list of expected questions & your probable answers. Show to your friends/ Seniors for any suggestions.

4) Remain confident before, during & after interview.  Keep a broad smile on your face & everything will turned positive.

GOD helps those who help themselves.

I now await for your success stories.,,

OK.. I have not narrated my actual experience as it is, because even after knowing so many things & preparation, I am not satisfied with my efforts.

I am sure that you all do much better than me.

BEST OF LUCK.

Khushal

13th June, 2013

My new photo

Carrom Tournament winner

Khushal

Renewal of Season Ticket

Dear Friends,

I like to share one good experience with all.

It is always painful to wait in the queue for railway tickets and more painful, if you want to take season ticket.

Before queuing up, I always try to see who is booking clerk, young or old, fast or slow and accordingly, I prefer for young and fast.  However most of the time, my line moves slower than the other window, which is handled by old or slow ( as I have assumed).  So, dont make any assumptions about our railway booking clerk.

In the instant case, I was really overwhelmed by positive response from booking clerk. The queue was about 5 to 6 persons and I was at 7th number. Even before I could extract money and copy of season ticket, I was at 2nd number. I was wonderfully pleased the way he was working. He was very fast at computers and wearing a broad smile.

Within a minute or two my work was over. Though I have given note of Rs.500/-, he never fumed or shown any anger for not tendering exact money (five rupees chuuta was required), instead handed over me balance money with bigger smile.  I really felt very good about everything.

Instantly and voluntarily, I thanked him for everything and praised him for his fast work and good manner.  He warmly accepted by comments.

This small incident made my entire day and I felt that I should also behave like this man every-time.  I dont know whether I can pull it up but let me try.

Oh, I wish to inform you one more thing.  This can be taken as an exercise, whenever you queue up for ticket or season ticket, just note the starting time.  Irrespective of how big your queue, you will be able to complete your work within 15 - 20 minutes.  This period is not a big deal considering the time element but we feel it very long as we have to wait.  Waiting is always boring and our irritation level increases and we mentally ready to fight with booking clerck.

Please dont blame booking clerk just use your time watching other people or listing music, all the negativitis will vanish. In you were in his place, you will understand how difficult is to manage so many things. Please keep it in your mind.

With love,

Khushal Gohil

Congratulations to Team India

I wish to "CONGRATULATE" team India.

A BIG CONGRATULATIONS to team India for giving one good reason to cheer.


I wish, more such wins and cups are come to India.

Jai Hind,

Khushal