How to Succeed in Group Discussions & Personal Interviews PDF
Preview How to Succeed in Group Discussions & Personal Interviews
How to Succeed in GROUP Discussions & Personal Interviews How to Succeed in GROUP Discussions & Personal Interviews Dr. S. K. Mandal JAICO PUBLISHING HOUSE Ahmedabad Bangalore Bhopal Chennai Delhi Hyderabad Kolkata Lucknow Mumbai Published by Jaico Publishing House A-2 Jash Chambers, 7-A Sir Phirozshah Mehta Road Fort, Mumbai - 400 001 This book is dedicated to those students whose deep interest and enthusiasm has been my source of inspiration for writing this book Acknowledgements This book is an outcome of my opportunity to teach 'Personality Development' to students at the RCC Institute of Information Technology, Kolkata, at the behest of Prof. P.K. Sen. I am greatly indebted to him for the encouragement and support that he provided all through the development of this programme. Without his help, this work would not have been possible. In preparation of this work, I also referred to regular issues of 'Education Times' and the job sections of 'The Telegraph' and 'Career Graph'. Reading the views and information in these publications enriched me a lot and helped me to firm up my own approach. I wish to acknowledge their contribution. A significant part of this book is based on my past industry experiences at TELCO and TISCO, two premier Tata Group companies at Jamshedpur. I wish to gratefully acknowledge the contribution made by these companies in shaping my knowledge and views on this subject. Finally, I thank my family and friends who have been my constant source of inspiration in my endeavour in any literary work. Contents Acknowledgements Preface Module 1: Road Map for a Successful Interview Module 2: Interview and Interview Process Module 3: Motivation, Goals and Abilities Module 4: Communication Module 5: Personality and Character Module 6: Do-it-Yourself Exercise (Part 1) Module 7: Do-it-Yourself Exercise (Part 2) Module 8: Group Discussion Module 9: Personal Interview Module 10: Potential Questions and Answers Module 11: Resume and the Rest Recommended Reading and References Preface Books or courses that deal with preparing students for success in an interview are generally titled 'Personality Development'. Personality, as defined by Webster's Dictionary, refers to 'the totality of qualities and traits, as of character and behaviour, that are peculiar to an individual'. It is this quality of character and behaviour that makes us known as we are, and brings recognition in life. One's personality starts developing from childhood and continues to grow or change through the various phases of life. It is not a constant feature of life; it can be changed and improved through learning and experience. Personality becomes our 'moment of truth' when we are about to launch our professional career. Because it is our qualities and character that get assessed in various job screenings and selection processes. Therefore, the subject of Personality Development in a book should focus on developing a person's skills, qualities and character to enable him or her to do well—in interviews, career and in life. Accordingly, this book delves into: Understanding the interview process Outlining the need to prepare for an interview Developing skills, qualities and traits for success in one's career Identifying strategic steps and critical factors for success in an interview Discussing potential questions and the approach to their answers, and Suggestions about the contents and style of a resume, through which we seek our job opportunity. Since skills for participating in a Group Discussion and answering questions during a Personal Interview are the ultimate success factors in an interview, strong emphasis has been placed in this book to guide and develop these skills by incorporating specially designed modules and exercises. This book primarily aims to cater to the needs of fresh graduates, who will face their first interview. Nonetheless, the book also contains a great deal of subject matter that will be beneficial to candidates who are seeking a change in their jobs. Some potential interview questions for the latter category have also been discussed. The focus of approach in this book is on self-development, because it is the candidate who has to take the initiative to learn, understand, imbibe and act to achieve success. A book can only describe what the subject is all about and what it involves, but the reader has to learn and make use of the learning. Most students have the intent and intelligence to learn, but not the ability to make best use of their learning. An important factor for them is to act and apply the learning and knowledge. To do so, a few essential steps are: Knowing what the interview process is about, and what it tries to evaluate Setting their career goals, i.e. what do they want to achieve in their careers Understanding their strengths and weaknesses, and developing relevant skills and qualities to improve their personality Taking steps to improve their weak areas Organising their thoughts on what they should present about themselves and how, and Sharpening their communication skills. The book attempts to elaborate these points and help students acquire the necessary skills and competence. Good communication skills form a critical success factor, not only in the interview but also in any sphere of career and life. Communication is a two-way process between the interviewer (sender) and the candidate (receiver), that tries to establish a common understanding between them on a topic of interest. Discussion about the primary aspects of the communication process, and the means to improve communication skills, are an important part of this book. Good communication skills are essential, but cannot alone assure success. One must also work out a strategy of applying and presenting what one knows or learns. This is the final phase of preparation before facing the interviewer. The chances for success in an interview, which is the gateway to your career, brighten with good strategic preparation. Some important steps in this regard are: Knowing more about the company and the areas of job openings in advance Presenting oneself and one's career goals in view of the company's requirements Anticipating questions and preparing their model answers Articulating the style or mode of delivery of answers correctly and effectively Knowing and following interview protocols Learning to express oneself in a simple and pleasant way, and Developing an open-minded approach, i.e. a positive outlook for correct understanding and quick learning. The book discusses these points step-by-step as a road map for success in the interview. The mode of presentation in this book has been to provide information about the interview process, elaborate on the kind of skills and level of competence required, and help the reader develop these skills. This has been complemented by illustrations of how to participate in group discussions and personal interviews, as well as 'do-it-yourself' exercises. A large number of potential questions with their suggestive answers has been added at the end to enable readers to verify or align their thought process, and allow them to make their own choice of answers based on their circumstances and learning from this book. DR. S. K. MANDAL
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