1. Understanding and MasteringUnderstanding and Mastering
- The Interview Process- The Interview Process
- Communication- Communication
- Presentation Skills- Presentation Skills
Syed Ahmed Ali
November 01, 2010

2. Introduction
Syed Ahmed Ali
Becoming Cost & Management Accountant
Did a Partnership Business as Well as Sole
Proprietorship Business
Got International Call Centre Training and
Worked in International Call Centre
Worked in Asia

3. Here is why I am conducting
this workshop
“I have worked with Asians for 20 years. I
believe that they are the best when it comes
to technical skills. However, they lack soft
skills that are vital for success.”
Douglas Norman Fluke
Senior Executive VP
Ecolab Inc.

4. What are Soft Skills
 “Soft skills” is a sociological term relating to a person's
personality traits, social graces, communication, language,
personal habits, friendliness and optimism that characterize
relationships with other people.
 The ability to engage and interact effectively with others,
obtain acceptance, build consensus, and provide assistance,
direction and leadership as needed.
 Personal management skills such as attitudes and
behaviors that drive one's potential for growth and team
work skills.

5. Today’s Focus
Interviewing Skills
Communication
Presentation

6.  Interviewing Skills
 Communication
 Presentation

7. What to expectWhat to expect
1. Series of Interviews (recruiter, HR
department, reporting manager, VPs, etc.)
2. Screening Interview
3. On-site Interview
4. Presentation

8. Ten things Employers looks for
1. What results you’ll achieve?
2. How soon you’ll be
productive?
3. How much supervision will
you need?
4. Do you generate more value
than cost?
5. Can you become high
performer?
6. Will you fit into the culture?
7. Will you be fun to work with?
8. Are you responsible?
9. Can you manage your own
development?
10. Will you stay?

9. Important things to rememberImportant things to remember
 Interviewing is a two-way
street
 Interviewers are NOT out
to get you but trying to
determine how you fit job
requirements and
organization
 Be prepared to talk about
yourself and above all
else…SELL YOURSELF

10. Control IssuesControl Issues
Within your control
 Professional dress and
grooming
 Positive attitude/confidence
 Enthusiasm/energy
 Non-verbal communication
 Passion about position
 Well thought out answers
with specific examples
 Knowledge of company
Out of your control
 Interview questions
 Who interviews you
 Personal fit with
organization

11. Pre-Interview PreparationPre-Interview Preparation
 Research position, company, & industry
 Know yourself and be able to articulate skills,
strengths, accomplishments, and career goals
 Prepare necessary materials
(Copies of resume, references, portfolio/pen,
organizer, breath mints)
 Ask for directions and where to park

12. Dress For Success
Remember
YOU CAN NOT MAKE ANOTHER
FIRST IMPRESSION

13. First Impression Elements
Appearance
Speech
Words
7%
38%
55%

14. ArrivingArriving
 Be sure to allow yourself plenty of time to
arrive at your destination (you may want to
conduct a dry run prior to your interview
day)
 Try to arrive 40 minutes early at the site to
allow you to park, walk to the interview,
use the restroom, or just gather yourself

15. Greeting & IntroductionGreeting & Introduction
Only 1 chance to make a
good 1st
impression
 Should know how to greet
 Dress appropriately
 Smile
 Maintain eye contact
 Firm handshake
 Remain poised and
confident
 Others…..

16. Body Language:Body Language:
What signals are you sending?What signals are you sending?
Positive Signals
 Leaning forward = interest
 Smiling = friendly
 Nodding = attentive and
alert
 Eye contact = curious and
focused
Negative Signals
 Crossed arms = defensive
 Fidgeting hands or tapping
feet = nervous or bored
 Lack of eye contact =
untrustworthy
 Leaning back= discomfort

17. 17
First Impression

18. Nervous Candidate

19. 19
Body Talks

20. Body Language

21. Body Language - Watch it

22. NEVER
Sell yourself short - “I’ve only….”
Make excuses
Lie
Reveal confidential information
Run down their competitors
Confuse arrogance with confidence
Look disinterested
Interview Basics

23. General Interview StrategiesGeneral Interview Strategies
 Remember an interview is a formal conversation--
avoid filler words like “Um”, “Ah”, & “You
know”
 Avoid indecisive phrases like: “I think,” “I guess,”
“probably,” or “pretty good”
 Think before speaking
 Avoid long verbose answers--limit your response
to 1-2 minutes
 If you do not hear or understand a question, ask
them to repeat or clarify it for you
 Silence isn’t a bad thing

24. Dressing for Success-MenDressing for Success-Men
 Suit –
traditional/conservative
 Polished shoes
 Solid white/blue shirt
 Conservative tie
 Neatly groomed hair,
beard and mustache
 Avoid strong colognes,
earrings and body
piercing

25. Dressing for Success-WomenDressing for Success-Women
 Pant or skirt suit
 Pumps with small to
medium heels
 Light makeup,
perfume, and jewelry
 Wear neutral color
 Look formal

26. The idea is to show the process in which the
"weakness" has turned into a neutral or even more
progressively, a “strength”.
For example, "I'm a perfectionist" or “I’m a
workaholic” is a strength in disguise as a weakness. It
really isn’t a serious flaw unless it becomes
detrimental to the work. Even then, trying to describe
how you are “no longer a perfectionist/workaholic”
doesn’t sound too appeasing either.
What are your Weaknesses ?

27. 1.Sensitive person: Taking things to heart and getting
too disappointed when things are done in the wrong
way.
2. Too helpful – crossing limits while helping
teammates.
3. My weakness is workaholic, i keep working until the
job is completely done.
4. I want to improve my communication skills
currently i am working on my communication skills.
5. I talk too fast when I am excited about something
work related. I have taken steps to slow it down by
forcing myself to slow down and think before I speak.
Weaknesses….

28. Types of Interview QuestionsTypes of Interview Questions
Standard or
traditional-
targeting your education,
work experiences, and
career goals
Sample Questions
 Tell me about yourself?
 What is your greatest
strength? Weakness?
 Why did you choose to
interview with us?
 What did you like most
about your last job?
Least?
 What are your short and
long term career goals?

29. Types of Interview QuestionsTypes of Interview Questions
Behavioral Questions
-These focus on your
actions and/or
behaviors in a
previous setting.
- Past behavior provides
clues to future
behavior
Sample Questions
 Describe a time you had to
make a difficult decision?
 Tell me about a time you
worked under a deadline?
 What do you do when a team
member is not pulling his/her
weight?
 Think about a time you made
a mistake. What did you
learn from it?

30. Questions to ask Employers
during Interviews…
 Always prepare questions to ask.
 Employers make judgments about you based on
the questions you ask
 How many questions to ask?
 Show you've done your homework
 Know the nature of the organization and
appropriate terminology.
 Do not ask questions that are clearly answered on
the employer's web site and/or in any literature
provided by the employer to you in advance.
 Never ask about salary and benefits
 Good questions are open ended.

31. Example 1:
 Not good: Does your organization value its employees? (Aside
from being answerable with a "yes" or "no," it almost sounds
aggressive, because a "no" answer is clearly a negative.)
 Good: How will your organization show it values its
employees?
 Better: What are things your organization has done recently to
show how it values its employees?
Example 2:
 Fair: Are you planning to open an office in Lahore?
 Good: What are the plans for opening an office in Lahore?
 Better: I read a news story about the possible opening of an
office in Lahore. Knowing that a news article does not always
capture the full story, I wondered what factors are under
consideration for this decision. (Notice this isn't technically a
question, but a series of statements show your interest that
invites conversation.)
Questions to ask Employers
during Interviews…

32.  What are the organization's/company's strengths and
weaknesses compared to its competition?
 How does upper management view the role and
importance of this department and this position?
 What is the organization's plan for the next five years,
and how does this department fit in?
 What do you most enjoy about your work with this
organization / company / agency?
 How will my leadership responsibilities and
performance be measured? By whom?
 Could you describe your company's management style
and the type of employee who fits well with it?
 What are some of the skills and abilities necessary for
someone to succeed in this job?
Questions to ask Employers
during Interviews…

33. Salary Negotiations
 Most employers conduct careful research before
setting salaries.
 Don't assume all offers are negotiable or that the
"sky is the limit".

When considering compensation, look at the total
package being offered.
 Be aware that issues of wage compression
challenge many organizations today.
 Be prepared to discuss salary at any point in the
interview process.

34. Successful Negotiations
 Be fully prepared
 Show that you are flexible
 Base your requests on objective information or criteria
 Listen carefully; slow down the tempo so you can
hear everything
 Be comfortable with pauses rather than quickly filling
periods of silence
 Avoid extreme requests which might lock them into
their position
 Avoid naming absolute numbers/give a range (say
"low Rs80's " or between 80 and 90 rather than
$84,500);

35. Post Interview-Follow-upPost Interview-Follow-up
Ask good questions
Thank the interviewer
Request a business card
Inquire about next steps in the process

36. Post InterviewPost Interview
Send a thank you note within 24 hours
Letter may be handwritten or typed; e-
mail is also acceptable
Tailor each one to the individual.

37. Sample Thank You LetterSample Thank You Letter
July 23, 2010
Mr. James N. Ortiz
Hiring Manager
Goya Foods
3333 Liberty Avenue, Building 445
Jersey City, New Jersey 11765
Dear Mr. Ortiz
Thank you very much for interviewing me for the Network Technician position. It was a pleasure meeting with you and
learning about your company and the position.
My enthusiasm for the position and my interest in working for Goya Foods were strengthened as a result of the interview. I
believe my education and experience meet the job requirements, and I know that I could make a significant contribution to the
firm, over time, if given the chance.
I am strongly interested in the position and working with you and your staff. You provide the opportunity that I am currently
seeking in my career.
Thank you once again for the opportunity to interview with you. I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Sincerely,
Tiffany K. Acosta
80 Riverwalk Pl. Apt 255
West New York.
Cell: 0334 388 8288
Email: Tiffany@yahoo.com

38. SuggestionsSuggestions
 Conduct a test run the day before the interview
 Practice! Practice! Practice!
 Obtain a list of practice interview questions and jot down
short answers
 Stand in front of a mirror and rehearse your answers
 Schedule an appointment for a mock interview with Career
Services
 Get a good night’s sleep-be well rested and alert for the
interview
 Be relaxed and be yourself!
 4 P’s Ponder, Prove, Practice, Project positive attitude

39. QUESTIONS????

40.  Interviewing Skills
 Communication
 Presentation

41. “There may be no single thing more important in our
efforts to achieve meaningful work and fulfilling
relationships than to learn and practice the art of
communication.”
--Max De Pree, Author
The Art of Leadership
The Importance of Communication
Skills as Expressed by Business
Authorities

42. To change behavior
To get action
To ensure understandingTo persuade
To get and give
Information
Communication Goals

43. Reading
16%
Writing
9% Speaking
30%
Listening
45%
Total Communication Process

44. Body
Language
57%
Tone
36%
Words
7%
Body Language Tone Words
Impact of a MessageImpact of a Message
Face-To-Face CommunicationFace-To-Face Communication

45. Tone
86%
Words
14%
Tone Words
Impact of A MessageImpact of A Message
Voice CommunicationVoice Communication

46.  Words
– Use simple language (avoid jargon and slang)
– Make sure that you are grammatically correct
– Be clear and precise (avoid redundancy)
 Voice Modulation
– Diction
– Tone
– Pitch
– Volume
– Rate
Verbal Communication

47. Non-Verbal CommunicationNon-Verbal Communication
 Gestures
– Are you aware of how you look to others?
– Find out your habits and nervous gestures
 Posture and movement
– Stand tall
 Facial Expressions
– Smile
– Eye Communication

48. The majority of your
perceived ability
comes from how you
communicate
30% What you know
70% How you
communicate it
Critical Success Factor for Life

49.  When you are the listener, concentrate on what is being said.
Don’t become distracted.
 When you are listening, don’t interrupt or assume you know what
the employee is going to say.
 When you are listening, be respectful and attentive.
 It is your responsibility to make sure the two-way communication
between you and your employees is working!
Key Things to Remember
About Communication

50. VERBAL
– Intra verbal: intonation of word and sound
– Extra verbal verbal: implication of words and
phrases, semantics
NON-VERBAL
– Gestures
– Postures
– Movements
Levels of Communication

51. Selective Perception
Unwillingness to Change
Lack of Interest in the Topic/Subject
Prejudice & Belief System
Rebuttal Instincts
Personal Value System
Barriers in Communication

52. By not being Preoccupied
Being Open Minded & Non Defensive
Minimizing Interruptions
Effective Listening is: Hearing, interpreting
when necessary, understanding the message
and relating to it.
By Asking Questions
Improving Listening Skills

53.  7% WORDS
– Words are only labels and the listeners put their own
interpretation on speakers words
 38% PARALINGUISTIC
– The way in which something is said - the accent, tone and
voice modulation is important to the listener.
 55% BODY LANGUAGE
– What a speaker looks like while delivering a message
affects the listener’s understanding most.
COMMUNICATION

54.  (P)OSTURES & GESTURES
– How do you use hand gestures? Stance?
 (E)YE CONTACT
– How’s your “Lighthouse”?
 (O)RIENTATION
– How do you position yourself?
 (P)RESENTATION
– How do you deliver your message?
 (L)OOKS
– Are your looks, appearance, dress important?
 (E)XPRESSIONS OF EMOTION
– Are you using facial expressions to express emotion?
Types of Body Language
Remember that you are dealing with “PEOPLE”

55. President Bush
 “Families is where our nation finds hope, where
wings take dream" LaCrosse, Wis., Oct. 18, 2000
 "I am here to make an announcement that this
Thursday, ticket counters and airplanes will fly out of
Ronald Reagan Airport." --Washington, D.C., Oct. 3,
2001
 "Our enemies are innovative and resourceful, and so
are we. They never stop thinking about new ways to
harm our country and our people, and neither do we."
—Washington

56. “Remember not only to say the
right thing in the right place, but
far more difficult still, to leave
unsaid the wrong thing at the
tempting moment.”
Benjamin Franklin

57. QUESTIONS????

58.  Interviewing Skills
 Communication
 Presentation

59. 4 Steps in Giving a Presentation
Plan
Prepare
Practice
Present

60. Preparation of slides
One major concept per slide
Should not be busy
Limit slides
Have back ups
Colours and font sizes use of graphics

61. Practice
Check room, time and equipment
Awareness of self, voice, body language
and confidence
Rehearse!!!!!!!
Organise visual aids, notes and handouts
Prepare for audience questions

62. Research
Preparation: Audience Analysis
What is the audience interested in
What does the audience want
What does the audience already know and needs
to know
What are their needs, expectations from this
presentation
How will the audience benefit from this
presentation

63. Handling Questions
Do not get confused
You are not supposed to know everything
Anticipate and keep answers ready
Sometime questions themselves give you a lead
to highlight your point of view

64. QUESTIONS????

65. "There's an old saying in Tennessee -- I
know it's in Texas, probably in Tennessee --
that says, fool me once, shame on --shame
on you. Fool me -- you can't get fooled
again." --Nashville, Tenn., Sept. 17, 2002

66. "I just want you to know that,
when we talk about war, we're
really talking about peace."
--Washington, D.C. June 18, 2002

67. "I know the human being and fish can coexist
peacefully." --Saginaw, Mich., Sept. 29,
2000