How To Prepare for The Personal Interview - 1

Personal Interview (PI): Know Yourself

Here are some basic things you need to prepare before you face an interview panel.

Introduction

Prepare a proper ‘Formal Introduction’ of yourself.

Write down your answer in a notebook and read the notebook before you go for interviews.

Introduction 1: The ‘Summary of CV’ Introduction.

This is the type of introduction you give when nothing is specified. The panel simple asks you a question like ‘Introduce Yourself’ , ‘Tell us something about yourself.’

It is best to keep this answer to around 4-5 lines. Do not keep going on and on.

Your answer should cover your basic details and thus it is like a short summary of your CV. It usually includes (this is not exhaustive, just the basics but make sure you keep it genuine and not end up sounding like a parrot who has mugged up the lines word for word):

-          Your Name

-          Your Educational Background (with specialization)

-          Your Native Place

-          Your Family Background

-          Your interests/hobbies/goals/strengths (One thing that you love talking about.)

The last line of your introduction is the most important as it is a directing statement or a leading statement. 

Example:

“Good Morning, I am Rahul. I have done my engineering in Electronics from XYZ College in Delhi. I belong to Chandigarh and my parents are both working in the service industry. I like to watch cricket and I’m a very optimistic, easy-going person.”

Here the panel can ask Rahul any one of the following questions:

-         -  "Tell us more about your Family"

-         -  "You watch cricket: Who are your favorite players, What qualities you like about them the most…. Etc.?"

-         -  "Can you cite an instance from your life to prove that you are optimistic and easy-going ?"

OR

They can simply move on to the next question which may not be directly related to your answer.

But it is always best to end your introduction with something you are really passionate about/ are really comfortable talking about.  

Introduction 2: The ‘Not in the CV’ Introduction

A lot of interviewers like to ask this question: “Tell us something about yourself that is not already in your CV.”

They already know what marks you scored, they already know what college you graduated from hence they feel it is unnecessary for you to repeat the same things in the interview. So you should be well-prepared with this part also.

How you handle this question will determine your first impression on the panel, so make sure you know exactly what you are saying. 

You can mention the following:

-          Your Name

-          Your background highlighting your strengths

-          Hobbies/Interests
-     Future goals

(Keep it short, keep it natural.)

Example 1: “Good Morning everyone, I am Karan. I am one of the top 15 students of my graduating batch. I have been an active participant in many extra-curricular activities during my school and college days. My 2 year stint with XYZ company helped me realize the importance of team-work and good leadership. I like listening to music and reading magazines. I am a very dedicated person.I want to pursue an MBA in Finance.”

In this example the candidate is likely to be asked questions about any of the following:

-          - His Graduation Subjects (Proof that he knows his subjects well, also shows he is a dedicated person)

-          - His extra-curricular activities

-         -  His work at XYZ Company (The way he talks about it can show that it was a good learning experience.)

-          - Music and magazines he likes (He should be well aware of the names he mentions.)
-     His career path in Finance and what he wants to do in the field. 

Do not mention anything that you do not want to be asked more about.

Example 2:  “Good Morning Sir, I am Kiran, I am a curious person with a keen interest in human psychology. I am a hard-working student; I am open to new ideas. I like reading and dancing in my free time. My role model is Steve Jobs.”

In this example the candidate is likely to be asked questions about any of the following:

-          Psychology (The panel might ask her what she thinks about them and their personalities etc. trying to gauge her confidence level on the matter.)

-        -  Explain why she calls herself a curious person

-        -  Favorite books/dancers/dance-forms

-       -   Steve Jobs

Be honest and try to present a picture of yourself that you can justify. If you don’t think there is any particular thing that defines you or makes you stand out, talk to your friends, mentors, teachers, parents and get to know yourself better. (Doing a SWOT Analysis can help a lot.)

Define yourself/ Describe yourself in 1 line/Describe yourself in 1 word:

This is the essence of your personality. So choose wisely what you are going to say. The only thing that matters is that you should be able to justify what you say, by validating it with your past achievements and your behavior in the interview.

What you say and what you are should be the same, hence pretending to be someone totally different from yourself will not work.

You just have to tell the truth attractively.

Example 1: “I am an open-minded, easy-going person.”

Example 2: “I am focused, sincere and goal-oriented.”

Example 3: “I would like to define myself as a traveler – I like to explore new topics, new areas and new places.”

Try to think of 5 simple, positive words/qualities that describe you best as a person.

You can choose from this list in order to frame your answer: Caring, friendly, honest, upfront, sincere, hard-working, open-minded, optimistic, meticulous, good decision-maker, strong leader, enjoy working in a group, enjoy getting to know people, punctual, task-oriented, goal-oriented, helpful, analytical, imaginative, creative, organized, systematic, methodical, open to new ideas, new challenges, quick learner, patient, tolerant, passionate about abc thing, logical, self-motivated, persistent. 

(Make sure whatever you say fits your marks, your achievement levels, information given in your CV. Do not try to be over smart. Try to use simple phrases to describe yourself instead of using big, hi-fi words.)

Very Important:  Do not lie. Be genuine, be yourself. Your confidence level in the interview will depend on how comfortable you are being yourself. For eg. If you have a gap in your education you need to comfortable talking about it, you need to show that you realise whatever the reason for the gap, it was a gross neglect of your education and it is a mistake you do not want to repeat. Focus on your positive qualities and your future career goals, about which now you are very serious. 

Always validate your points with factual evidence. Do not claim to be a sincere, hard-working person if your marks are below 70% and you are a fresher. If you have work-experience use achievements at the work place to justify your strengths. 

So before you start preparing all the answers, just spend some time with yourself and talk out your issues. Your biggest doubts and things about yourself that you don’t like will come out like a waterfall if you don’t start building the dam now.

Learn to respect yourself for what you are and it will help you ace any interview.  All the best.

- TCM.

Group Discussion: B-school Admissions

Group Discussion: DOs and DONT's

You can have all the fabulous points in the world but if you don’t speak at all they are of no use. You can speak some points but if they are not good content-wise or irrelevant to the topic then it won’t make much difference. You can speak a good point but if your voice is lost in the crowd or if your voice is too soft, your speech too fast, your English too messed up, then it is of no use.

Your body language in a GD reveals more than your CV. The kind of person you are comes out clearly and the panel can see it when you are trying to be someone you are not. Do not pretend. Practice !

Do you overspeak or do you underspeak ?

Yelling will not help but sitting quietly for 15 minutes will not help either so you have to strike a balance.

After all, in a GD of 10 minutes, a group size of 10 candidates would mean 1 minute of speaking time for each person.  2 out of 10 people will speak for less than one minute and 2 or more people will speak for more than one minute so where do you fall?

Try and work on striking a balance. If you fall below 30 seconds or above 5 minutes then you might need a new strategy. Not speaking at all or going on non-stop, cutting everyone and not letting anybody else contribute much are both signs of immaturity. 

Talk, speak, listen, discuss and enjoy the discussion. Don’t try to be all high and mighty; also don’t try to hide in a corner.

So start practicing for Group Discussions and always remember:-

1. Don’t Be Late, Don’t look messy: Reach the venue well in advance, be properly dressed. Always carry a handkerchief, a small comb, blazer, small shoe polish liquid with you so that you can spruce yourself up in seconds and even if you reach the venue looking a hurricane- make sure you enter the GD Hall looking like a well-groomed manager. Avoid greasy hair, dirty shoes, too much perfume etc.

2. Introduction: Have a simple 2-3 lines short introduction of yourself already prepared.  Write it down and memorize it before going for the process. (Refer to previous post for what to say in your Introduction.)

3. Understand the Topic properly: Do not give irrelevant points, do not find faults with the topic. Manage the best you can by first attempting to understand the topic properly. Jot down your points on paper before you begin speaking. (I will tell you how to create points for any GD topic in my next post.)

4. Try to give structure to the GD: If you cannot instantly think of good points or if you have too many and are getting confused, then just start off by giving a framework for the discussion i.e. a step by step agenda for the discussion. This can also be done when there is general chaos in the GD. Make sure you listen, add some good points of your own and try to give a well-balanced conclusion to the whole thing.

5. Don’t pick a personal fight: Do not tell other members what to do, never say negative statements in a forceful manner. Avoid saying things like “No, No, No....You don’t even know about the topic, the real facts are these…” “You are wrong”. Don’t try to correct anyone; the panel can already see when a person says something that is factually or otherwise incorrect. Just take care of your own content and expression of that content in a well-behaved manner.

6. Stick to the Topic: e.g. TOPIC: Cricket Celebrities as Brand Ambassadors – Good or Bad?

Do not waste your precious 1-2 minute window of opportunity in talking about cricketers or giving facts about cricket matches etc. A stupid thing to do in this GD would be to talk about Movie celebrities/Bollywood actors as brand ambassadors. You should talk about only those cricketers who have endorsed famous brands and try to analyze how they have helped or not helped that particular brand.

Always make sure you read and understand the topic properly.

7. Always validate your points with examples: Just giving your opinion in a GD isn't enough, you must explain why you think so. Followup your point with a proper example or logical reasoning to explain why you are supporting that point. 

8. Be assertive not aggressive. Express your thoughts and discuss the topic without getting too emotional or angry. Your body language should not display impatience, hostility etc.

9. Do not repeat the same point over and over again: Unless you feel your point was not properly audible the first time, don't repeat your words. Saying the same thing over and over again only shows that you don’t have anything else to say.

10. Do not criticize, but always agree when there is good reason to: If someone gives a good point, you can agree and add more to the point or fit the point in the framework of the GD and show how it is relevant to the discussion. This shows that you are a good listener, a team player and also displays your ability to see the big picture.

11. Rate of speech: Do not speak too fast like you are in a hurry to catch a train, do not speak so slowly or stutter so much that it becomes very easy for anyone to interrupt you.  Make sure you are audible but do not yell. Do not use flowery English or fake accents and do not smile too much, especially during a serious discussion.

12. Eye contact: You can smile a little when you enter the room or when you greet the panel. During the GD just be yourself. While the GD is going on, make sure you don’t keep looking at the panel, maintain eye contact with all members of the group while you are speaking. If you are constantly looking in one particular direction, someone from the other side can easily cut you off.

If the moderator/panel member is playing an active part in the GD, then it is okay to look at him/her during the GD while he/she is explaining something. 
For the most part, forget that anyone else but the group exists. Be focused towards the discussion, be alert and aware. Do not look out the window or here and there unnecessarily, during the GD.

13. Summary vs. Conclusion:  A summary is the sum total of all that has been discussed by the group. When asked to summarise make sure you start from the beginning, cover the most important points spoken, like you are giving a small press release about the GD that just took place. Do not give any new points. A summary is a test of your listening skills.

A conclusion is “your final words on the matter”. Your opinion must be given when you are asked to ‘conclude’.  Cover the most relevant part of the discussion based on the central theme of 'how you feel about the topic'. You may disagree with the group, if you can back up your point with strong, valid reasoning. It is not about being politically correct, it is about how well you understand the topic. 
These final statements are a test of your thinking ability and understanding levels, they also determine your 'last impression' on the panel. The impression they are more likely to remember, if you handle this part well.

Note: Having a glass of water just before you start the GD really helps clear the mind and the throat.

All the Best. 

-TCM.

Formal Education vs. Self-Education

When a degree is a mere piece of paper and costs a substantial amount to acquire (often without any real promise of a job attached to it) one begins to wonder if formal education is a waste of time and money.

It is not, not for everybody. For some people formal education is good but self-education is a must for everybody. You cannot rise in life without being a learner everyday.

A formal education also grants one the privilege of being able to sustain oneself on this planet. The right degree from the right college will help you pay your bills and fulfill all your basic needs, maybe even more.

But self-education is what will decide how far you will go and the rate of your learning will be directly proportional to the rate of your growth as a person, as a professional, as a human.

Formal Education vs. Self-Education

The Combination Approach

After making tonnes of mistakes and switching between several jobs over the last few years, I realised something. The best approach is to combine the two. 

1) Formal Education that leads to a job must be taken up for practical purposes, but this too needs to be tailored as per your own inclinations. Formal education still remains an optional choice. 

2) Self-education must be started so that you can move towards your 'dream career' and in the process create your 'dream job in case it doesn't already exist. For those who are satisfied with a formal education and what it entails, those who can live with taking orders and doing as directed, need not worry. 

Self-education is a must for the dreamers, the creators, the people who can see things as they should be and it kills them to see what they are actually. The people who want to change things and direct that change need to invest heavily in self-education. 

Everyone benefits from self-education, actually psychologically this is the only way we learn. Your teacher did not teach you Mathematics, you did. Your own diligence, practice and curiosity is what taught your brain to solve those sums. 

This is compulsory in my opinion. Do not depend on formal education alone. If possible finish your formal education by 15 years of age and from then onwards rely solely on self-education. 

I say this because the goal of formal education is employment and for that basic reading, writing, arithmetic is enough along with some common sense and communication skills. 

And  in terms of return on investment for and employment 15 years of formal education is more than sufficient. In case you have the privilege of being born in a wealthy house then by all means continue further your labor of love but always remember that formal education of the higher level is a luxury, an unnecessary luxury. 

Let experiences be your guide and let your inner voice be the compass. 

How to get the most out of life: 

1) Career Path

What is the thing that you want most in life ? Plan accordingly and follow it through. No matter what. 

2) Personal Mentor

A personl mentor will guide you through all the confusing times and will believe in you long after you have given up on yourself. This can be a real or an imaginary person who uplifts you and does not want anything from you. His welfare is not linked in any way to your career progress, he is merely an impartial observer of your life. Only this person deserves to be your true mentor. 

3) Multiple Sources of Income

Combining formal education with self-education will accelerate your career progress and you can generate income from more than one source. It is not wise to depend on things because things are most definitely uncertain. People who cry after they have lost their jobs are those think they cannot do anything else. 

A wise person in a crisis would be able to deal with life's uncertainties because life's joys do not lie in its stability but in its unpredictability and the new things that constantly catch our fancy. 

4) Freedom and Structure

Formal education will keep you educated enough to sound like a refined person, worthy of being promoted in life. Self-education is what will keep you going when everything around you is falling apart. 

Combine the two and you have the perfect balance of freedom and structure. You will never go hungry and you will never be bored or disenchanted with your life. This is a juggling act because life is a juggle, between personal life and work life, between the easy thing and the right thing, between the lazy thing and the hard thing, between the mundane and the awesome. 

You have abundance of time, abundance of curiosity and something that will definitely catch your fancy so go ahead and  do it all. Juggle, take on more than you can, learn and apply till you become the master of the things you love doing. Everything you learn will help you in one way or the other. 

- TCM.