Dated July 28, 2004
In one of the recent job interviews, I was asked some point-blank questions like, are you creative? Are you analytical? Can you work under pressure? What is the best way to answer these questions?
SURBHI MATHUR,
Bhilai
You need to be prepared to answer such questions as they can pop up any moment. The choices could be either a `yes' or `no'. Since the questions test your calibre, the answer has got to be an affirmative one indeed.
Follow up your `Yes' with a specific example substantiating your claim.
Unsupported answers are often not taken seriously. Even a closed-end question normally requires some explanation.
A brief, specific example supports your answer well and shows you are confident, well prepared and your experience is genuine.
Specific and concise examples are better at telling what you can do. During explanations, people tend to ramble and lose the point. So, be careful not to give "pat" answers and sound like a professional interviewee.
Be prepared to speak about practical examples of your past work behaviour, successes and achievements.
Also be prepared to discuss times when you excelled at a particular assignment, etc. All of this will help to demonstrate your competencies. Since past achievements are a good indication of future success, be prepared to discuss specific times you excelled at your past job.
Inviting job applications, a corporate house clearly mentioned in the advertisement not to send résumé's by post, but via email only. What are the nuances you need to consider while preparing a résumé to be sent online?
PARUL ANAND
Jabalpur
Highlight keywords. In today's technologically advanced world where résumés are emailed and scanned, your sentences must contain the buzzwords of your industry to stand out. Keywords are the nouns or short phrases that describe the essential knowledge, abilities and skills required to carry out a specific job.
These buzzwords help an employer locate suitable candidates using a keyword search of a résumé database. Even well known company names are sometimes used as keywords, especially when it's necessary to narrow down an initial search that goes through hundreds of résumés from a résumé database.
For management positions, soft skills such as "communicate effectively," "self-motivated," "team player," and others should be cited.
Job descriptions are great sources to gather keywords. You can be certain that nearly every noun and some adjectives in a job posting or advertisement constitute keywords.
Make sure that you use those words somewhere in your résumé, plus synonyms wherever you can. But, never include any keywords on your résumé that aren't true or don't fairly represent your experience.
How should I deal with a question on an accomplishment and relate it to the job I am going to be interviewed for?
SUMITA BAGGA
Cuttack
Apart from briefly mentioning your accomplishments in the résumé, you need to elaborate them in the interview. This is your opportunity to eulogise your achievements.
Of course, most of us find it hard to do so, but this is no time to be modest. It may be your only chance to sell yourself. The key is to relate how your accomplishments will benefit the employer.
When the interviewer says, "What are you good at?", respond with a skill and an example. For instance, if you are good at project management, cite how you managed a project with people from different offices and brought it in before the deadline, and within the allocated budget.
Explain how efficient your effort was and the kind of results it yielded well before the deadlines.
How should I relate my skills to the Job Description in an interview?
MANISH VERMA
Jaipur
The best thing is to get a written description of the job you wish to join. If you're currently employed, the human-resources department is the best source for such information. If not, look for references that offer occupational titles and job descriptions for everyone.
Other places to look for job descriptions include your local government job service agencies, professional and technical organisations, recruiters, associates, newspaper advertisements and online job postings. These postings have longer job descriptions than print ads. Make a copy of the applicable descriptions and then highlight the sentence that actually describes or suits your job profile.
Be sure to read the job description and identify the skills that match the description. Highlight those skills in the interview.
If you lack any of the requisite skills, answer truthfully and offer to be trained in them, but do highlight the other skills you posses.
Before preparing myself for the interview, I would like to know the basic reasons behind our failure at the interview.
ROHIT GHOSAL
Jhansi
Attitude: Poor attitude is the primary cause for many a failure. Invariably, candidates come across as either arrogant or apathetic. If you want to be considered for the job, make the interviewer believe that you are interested in the job.
Many candidates do not consider their appearance as much as they should. First impressions are important.
Poor preparation: Without actually preparing for the interview, it's difficult to answer interviewers' questions readily. Anticipate and rehearse answers to tough questions about your background, such as recent termination or an employment gap, etc. Practicing with a family member or a friend before the actual interview will help you frame intelligent responses to probing questions.
Banking on résumés: Employers hire people, not paper. Although a résumé can list qualifications and skills, it is the interview dialogue that will portray you as a committed, responsive team player.
Too much humility: It's difficult for candidates who are conditioned not to brag to describe their accomplishments. Explaining how you reached difficult or impressive goals helps the interview panel assess your skills.
Skill relevance: A list of sterling accomplishments on the résumé means little if you cannot relate them to the requirements of the position. Reiterate your skills and convince the employer that you can do the same for them.
Do you consider yourself a natural leader? The interviewer baffled me with this question. I know there is lot of debate surrounding whether leaders are born or otherwise; but what my answer should have been?
RADHIKA
Itarsi
The ideal answer to such question should obviously be a 'yes'. But, in reality not all of us possess the confidence required to lead. You can substitute 'natural' with 'competent' or 'conscientious', focusing more on leading by example with good organisational and interpersonal skills.
Most professional jobs require an element of leadership that you should be taking the trouble to cultivate, whether it comes naturally or not. The interviewer is more interested in your ability to lead, when necessary.
What answer does the interviewer expect by posing a question like: "Tell me about your life at College or University, or even in your previous organisation?"
HARMINDER SINGH
Ludhiana
The question offers an opportunity for you to demonstrate the qualities that the interviewer is looking for in a candidate to fill the job, so orientate your answer towards these expectations without distorting the truth, of course.
Emphasise your positive behaviour, experience and achievements (ideally backed by examples and evidence).
Interviewees should be able to refer to previous experiences that highlight capability and behaviour of the sort that the role requires.
It's a trap for interviewees, who look at their past regretfully or negatively.
Interviewers with special interest in behaviour and personality may also use a question like this to assess your self-awareness and maturity; in the way you consider your answer and relate it to your own experience and development.
A big open question like this in an interview is a great opportunity or a huge trap; it depends on how you handle it.
College and University are environments that are full of opportunities. Bright candidates will be able to demonstrate that they have used the opportunity to learn and develop themselves, whether their experiences were all positive and successful or not.
I don't think I achieved much in my first job. But, what should my answer be if I am asked: What did you achieve in your last job?
PURNIMA
Gandhinagar
Recollect instances and prepare a number of relevant examples and explain one to begin with; if they're punchy and going down well, add another one or two. Make sure you feature as the instigator, or the factor that made the difference. Examples should convey that by hiring you the organisation would benefit a lot in terms of making money, saving money/time, improving quality, anticipating or creatively solving problems, winning/keeping customers, improving efficiency and so on.
The primary aim of the question is to probe whether anything has been achieved and what values have been placed on work.
Do you have any personal goals and how are you going about achieving them? What has it got to do with a job interview?
RAJEEV SHUKLA
Nagpur
The question exposes those with little or no initiative. People who don't plan or take steps to achieve their personal progress will not be pro-active at work either. People who don't think and plan how to progress will tend to be reactive and passive, which is fine if the role calls for no more, but roles increasingly call for planning and action rather than waiting for instructions.
Goals are key for achieving personal gain or success. They provide a focal point for getting what you want or need.
Goals help you chart out what you want, how to get it, and when you want to get it. Be able to state your personal and career goals. Keep them reasonable, achievable and balanced.
Explain how you see the steps required to reach your target. An important part of achieving progress is planning how to go about.
Demonstrate what you've thought and planned, but also show that you are flexible and adaptable, because it's impossible to predict the future.
The important thing is to learn and develop, and take advantage of opportunities as they come along.
I have majored in History and wish to become an archaeologist. What are the career prospects for archaeologists?
RAKESH TIWARI
Gwalior
Employment prospects for archaeologists are limited and usually with the government. Most Archaeologists work at major universities teaching History, Anthropology or Archaeology, as this is one of the best ways to earn a living between research grants and excavations. When they are not teaching, many Archaeologists would be working on sites.
You can also find work with museums, art restoration and fine arts agencies, etc.
Further, the Archaeological Survey of India also hires people. You can also find opportunities in educational/research institutions.
The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), a probable employer, is involved in maintenance, conservation and preservation of protected monuments/sites in the country; conducting archaeological exploration and evacuations, chemical treatment of monuments and antiquarian remains; development of research in epigraphy; setting up and reorganisation of site museums and training in archaeology.
University of Pune; The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, Vadodara; Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University, Garhwal; Gujarat University, Ahmedabad; and University of Calcutta, Calcutta are some of the universities offering a postgraduate degree in archaeology.
The faq column deals with career concerns addressed to The C&K Management LTD. PO Box 2178, Secunderabad 500003 or emailed to faqs@cnkonline.com
Printer friendly
page
Send this article to Friends by
E-Mail
Opportunities
