Campus Recruitment – HR Interview – Mock Interview with Body Language
Right Way:
On entering the interview room,
Student: Good morning (smiling). I am Krishna. Pleased to meet you. (Shake hands with everyone in the interview panel. If a lady is present, wait for her to extend her hand first).
Wait for the interviewer to offer a seat. Sit only when you are asked to and say a polite “Thanks” for the same.
Observation:
- Student is in time to the interview.
- Greeting the interviewer in a good way.
- Giving a firm hand shake to the interviewer.
- From the movement you walk in to the interview room be real.
Wrong Way:
- On entering the interview room,
- Student: Hi! Good morning. How’re you?
- Student came late to the interview.
- Greeting the interviewer in an informal way.
- Giving a bone crushing hand shake.
- Student sat down on the chair without asking/giving permission.
When the interviewer offers you a seat at the start of the job interview, sit upright but not too stiffly in your chair. This indicates that you are comfortable and feeling confident. Hunching down in your chair gives the impression of nervousness and low self-esteem. A sloppy posture indicates a careless attitude and a lack of energy. Sitting on the edge of your chair can come across as being nervous and tense.
1. Tell us about yourself
Good Answer: I am pursuing B.Tech in computer science. The three best attributes that describe me are passionate, professional and perseverant. I have a great liking for my subject and my approach is logical rather than theoretical. I try to analyze various situations where my subjects can be applied. This is a testimonial to the fact that I have won several awards in technical quiz competitions. I am a professional when it comes to work. I have led the project team at my college. I was able to steer my team in the right direction. Our project won many accolades from the faculty. My friends appreciate my leadership abilities. I was the class representative for three consecutive years.
Body Language Observation:
- Student is maintaining active and enthusiastic face expression.
- Good dressing sense.
- Looking very confident.
- Prepare well for the interview. And answer with the relevant details for the questions asked by interviewer.
Bad Answer: My name is Krishna. I am 22 years of age. I have studied B.Tech from MVIT. Hm, I completed inter in the year 2008 with 75%. I passed SSC in 2006 with 88%. I am a native of Amalapuram. My father is a retired bank employee. My mother is a teacher. Um, My brothers are pursuing B.tech in Hyderabad. I love sports. Ah, I won the best batsman award at college. I am a great team player and a good person. (Irrelevant details).
Body Language Observation:
- Facial expressions are not good.
- Avoid using verbal tics like hm, um, ah etc while answering.
- Bad dressing sense and arms are folded.
- Explaining the answer with irrelevant details.
2. Why should we hire you?
Good Answer: Although I am a fresher, I have a thirst for knowledge. I am always trying to learn something new. I would like to utilize my skills and experiences for greater good. I strive to accomplish and open to learning from my mistakes. I want to apply my competencies at my workplace and I am eager to learn work as well as to benefit my organization. I firmly believe in hard work and I know that my tomorrow depends on today. I am excited about this opportunity.
Body Language Observation:
- Use hand gestures if necessary while answering.
- Maintain eye contact with the interviewer.
- Sit properly in the chair.
- Be professional during interview.
- Show confidence, honest, your ability to work in your answers.
Bad Answer: I really need this job. I think I am best at everything I do. I am a really hard worker, smart, intelligent, and I am a good fit for your company. I can do wonders for your company. I am simply excellent at everything (Over optimism).
Body Language Observation:
• Do not lean backward in the chair. It leaves an impression that you are overly relaxed.
• Avoid shaking or tapping your legs.
• Avoid touching your face, head, nose etc.
• Do not be casual during interview.
• Do not maintain crossed body posture.
3. What are your strengths?
Good Answer: My greatest strength is to analyze the problem at hand logically and solve it rationally. This enables me to solve the flexibility
Body language Observation:
- Maintain a gentle eye contact. It conveys honesty, confidence
and interest. - If there are more than one interviewer, maintain eye contact with all the members in the panel while answering.
- Pay attention when the interviewer is asking questions.
- Rest your hands on your knees until you need to make a gesture.
Bad Answer: Great leadership, team participation, good knowledge, flexibility etc. (you are boasting about yourself), problem in a very less amount of time.
Body language Observation:
- Do not stare at interviewer by largely and constantly opening your eyes.
- Do not lean too forward on the table, i • Do not fold your hands. It leaves a bad impression.
- Do not tell lies with interviewer. They will identify it easily.
- Maintain neat and professional hair style, neatly trimmed nails and beard.
4. What are your weakness?
Good Answer: When I was a student, I had the habit of putting off things till the last minute. But I have learnt it the hard way and I now try to complete the task in time without delaying it. (Do not pursue this answer further as it adds on to negativity).
Body Language Observation:
- Do not bring or switch-off the mobile phone prior to entering into the interview room.
- Be honest and genuine in answering the questions and do not lie in answering.
Bad Answer: Iam extremely dedicated to work. I sacrifice my personal life for work. I am also emotional about everything. I get very attached to the people with whom I work. (Too many negative points).
Body Language Observation:
- Bringing mobile phone in to interview room causes disturbance and leaves negative impression.
- Avoid fidgeting as it signifies impatience or nervousness.
- Do not wear jewelry during interview. Otherwise hide it.
- Do not play with pen in your fingers/ any object during interview.
5. Where do you see yourself in next 5 years ?
Good Answer: I want to learn as much as possible in this company and perform the role offered to the best of my ability. I would like to take new challenges over the time and work across varied roles that would expose me to different opportunities to learn new things. Overj the time, I would like to be technically competitive so that 1 can follow the path of a technical architect.
Body Language Observation:
- Stay focused towards the interviewer.
- Do not forget to maintain smile on your face throughout the interview.
- But do not over smile or laugh unnecessarily.
- Sit straight, and feet firmly on the floor.
- Imitate your interviewer’s positive body language to quickly build a rapport.
Bad Answer: My dream is to become a team manager in five years’ time and to get Employee stock options and a great CTC. I would like to be where you are sitting now and visit the same campus to hire freshers. (Would make the employer feel insecure).
Body Language Observation:
- Avoid gazing at windows or objects or some other side etc in the interview room. It indicates a distracting mind set.
- Appropriate eye contact shows confidence in what you are saying and who you are.
- Crossing your arms can be interpreted as you are defensive.
- Avoid childish body language during the interview.
6. If I were to ask your professors to describe you , what would they say?
Good Answer: I have submitted white papers at a recent technical conference. These are my testimonials that prove that the paper was well received by the faculty. These are the certificates that I have won in technical quizzes. So, 1 would confidently say that professors evaluate me as very creative student.
Body Language Observation:
- Enthusiastic facial expressions, little bit smile and good eye contact and using hand gestures etc, plays.a major role in interview j success.
- Do not get tensed during interview. Be cool why answering the I questions. It is one of the important factor that leaves a good
impression. - How you position your head also sends a message. Tilting your head very slightly to one side comes across as friendly and open. Keeping your head straight comes across as self-assured and authoritative.
Bad Answer: My professor says I am the best in the class. He is of the opinion that I am a very hard working person and that I am generally good at everything (You are not justifying here).
Body Language Observation:
- Avoid interrupt or argue with the interviewer in any way.
- Be polite and answer properly.
- Do not maintain aggressive or angry facial expression.
- Some times interviewer asks unusual questions to test your mental ability, patience etc. Do not get tensed or angry and don’t loose your patience.
7. What is your most notable accomplishment?
Good Answer: My white paper being accepted at the national level technical seminar was a moment of glory for me. I was recognized not only by the faculty of my college, but also by professors from different colleges. This also raised my level of confidence for further participation.
Body Language Observation:
- Smile and nod your head at appropriate times but don’t overdo it.
- Be honest in every aspect of your Interview.
- Get involved completely in the interview.
- Sitting position reflects your confidence levels. So sit properly in the chair.
- Do not drag the chair or roll in the chair as it causes disturbance in the interview room.
Bad Answer: Having consistently scored 75% throughout my academics.
Body Language Observation:
- Crossing your legs indicates an excessive pride on one self.
- Hence avoid interlocking your legs, hands, fingers.
- Do not shift a side in the chair. And do not lean back on to the chair.
- Do not exhibit uninterested or dull facial expressions.
- Do not look the floor or ceiling while answering or thinking during interview.
- Do not go to Interview without Breakfast/Lunch. Otherwise your face looks so dull/pale. Choose a good breakfast.
8. What are your hobbies?
Good Answer: Learning new languages, reading good books, traveling and learning about new people, places and culture, writing articles, listening to soothing music, solving crossword puzzles/ Sudoku, gardening etc.
Body Language Observation:
- Maintain good dressing sense.
- Maintain good hair style.
- Avoid unnecessary makeup.
- Try to be as much as professional in appearance and character.
- Habituate to nod your head while listening and speaking.
Bad Answer: My hobbies are Facebooking, connecting with friends on whatsapp, listening to songs, riding bikes, visiting game parlors, video games, watching TV, action movies etc.
Body Language Observation:
- Do not get over groomed.
- Avoid tattoos or mehendi designs.
- Do not leave the hair unordered or wet.
- Do not point out with fingers to interviewer during the interview.
- Do not wear more unusual jewelry like big ear rings, necklace etc.
- Don’t be arrogant.
9. How can you handle stress ?
Good Answer: I have come across stressful situation once in my course of study. We had to submit our project before the given deadline and we were lagging far behind because of some lines of code not being right. As I was leading my team, I researched on different ways in which the code could be written and I used open source references. Had I not maintained my composure, the project would have been a disaster. Maintaining calm and peace gave me a new direction and helped me to think of different ways by which the problem could be solved.
Body Language Observation:
- Demonstrate curiosity and enthusiasm while your interviewer is speaking. Making direct eye contact and leaning slightly forward are two of the best cues.
- Always be frank in answering for Interview Questions.
- Do not speak too fast. Speaking in a clear and controlled voice conveys confidence.
Bad Answer: I have been awake for many nights at a go to complete studying for my exams as I would always study at the last minute. Yet you can see how well I have fared in academics. I can handle stress very easily (Shows your carelessness more than your ability to handle stresses).
Body Language Observation:
- Avoid wearing high heels.
- Do not bring your hand bag or college bag etc into interview room.
- Always be frank in answering for Interview Questions.
- Do not over makeup, like using more cosmetics, wearing big and more number of bangles, shabby dresses etc.
10. Do you have any questions ?
Good Answer:
- Can you please tell me about the kind of training we would be given to a fresher before we are allocated to our projects?
- What aspirations do you have for my role in the company?
- What qualities does someone need for this role ?
Body Language Observation:
- When you are asked this Question, simply don’t say,’/ don’t have any Questions’. Come prepared with a few good questions about the position and your responsibilities. Also, youx:an highlight your ability to analyze and think quickly on your feet by posing questions about key issues that emerge during the interview.
- Say ‘Thank You’ gracefully at the end of the interview for interviewing.
Bad Answer:
- Do I have to work long hours?
- What is the leave policy of the company?
- What are the services offered by the company?
- Are you married?
Body Language Observation:
- Looking constantly downwards/ upwards makes you appear insincere or submissive.
- Avoid short/ irrelevant/ answers for interview questions.
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