Sunday, December 19, 2010

Interviewing Tips

The following are some basic interviewing tips and ideas to remember and prepare you for interviews.
  1. Bring 2-3 copies of resume to the interview.
  2. Greet employer with a firm handshake, good eye contact and smile.
  3. The first 10-15 seconds of the interview are the most crucial. First impression is crucial.
  4. You may meet with more than one person in the process.
  5. Stay positive. Attitude is everything.
  6. Answer questions in terms of the open position.
  7. You want to show yourself as skilled and at the same time convey your humanity. Someone with positive energy, ambition and a team player.
Arrive 10-15 minutes early for the interview.
  • Gives you time to compose yourself.
  • You may fill out an application.
  • You are showing courtesy to the employer.
Fill out the application neatly and completely.
  • A neat copy of references supplying names and numbers is a nice touch.
  • Never put "see resume" on the application.
  • Put "open" in the space for salary desired.
In The Interview:
  • Ask the employer to describe the job.
  • Any negative comments about past or present employers will rule you out. Total taboo!
  • Keep answers complete and to the point. Do not give yes/no answers, but do not ramble.
  • This is where you sell yourself, tell employer what you can do for them.
  • Know your background - do not be robotic.
  • Have 6-10 written questions ready to ask the employer.
  • Know what your strengths are and how to support them.
Questions should pertain to:
  • Company
  • Position
  • Interviewer
  • Note: Listening is very important, let the employer talk and sell you on them.
Interviewing Questions should not pertain to:
  • Salary
  • Benefits
  • Lunch hour.
  • Unless the interviewer brings it up.

Phone Interview Tips

Employers use telephone interviews as a way of identifying and recruiting candidates for employment. Phone interviews are often used to screen candidates in order to narrow the pool of applicants who will be invited for in-person interviews. They are also used as way to minimize the expenses involved in interviewing out-of-town candidates.
While you're actively job searching, it's important to be prepared for a phone interview on a moment's notice. You never know when a recruiter or a networking contact might call and ask if you have a few minutes to talk. Review these tips, then take a look at our phone interview tips video for more advice on how to pull off your phone interview without a hitch.

Be Prepared to Interview 

Prepare for a phone interview just as you would for a regular interview. Compile a list of your strengths and weaknesses, as well as a list of answers to typical phone interview questions. In addition, plan on being prepared for a phone conversation about your background and skills.
  • Keep your resume in clear view, on the top of your desk, or tape it to the wall near the phone, so it's at your fingertips when you need to answer questions.
  • Have a short list of your accomplishments available to review.
  • Have a pen and paper handy for note taking.
  • Turn call-waiting off so your call isn't interrupted.
  • If the time isn't convenient, ask if you could talk at another time and suggest some alternatives.
  • Clear the room - evict the kids and the pets. Turn off the stereo and the TV. Close the door.
  • Unless you're sure your cell phone service is going to be perfect, consider using a landline rather than your cell phone to avoid a dropped call or static on the line.
Practice Interviewing 

Talking on the phone isn't as easy as it seems. I've always found it's helpful to practice. Have a friend or family member conduct a mock interview and tape record it so you can see how you sound over the phone. Any cassette recorder will work. You'll be able to hear your "ums" and "uhs" and "okays" and you can practice reducing them from your conversational speech. Also rehearse answers to those typical questions you'll be asked.


During the Phone Interview
  • Don't smoke, chew gum, eat, or drink.
  • Do keep a glass of water handy, in case you need to wet your mouth.
  • Smile. Smiling will project a positive image to the listener and will change the tone of your voice.
  • Speak slowly and enunciate clearly.
  • Use the person's title (Mr. or Ms. and their last name.) Only use a first name if they ask you to.
  • Don't interrupt the interviewer.
  • Take your time - it's perfectly acceptable to take a moment or two to collect your thoughts.
  • Give short answers.
  • Remember your goal is to set-up a face-to-face interview. After you thank the interviewer ask if it would be possible to meet in person.
After the Interview:
  • Take notes about what you were asked and how you answered.
  • Remember to say "thank you." Follow with a thank you note which reiterates your interest in the job.

Friday, November 12, 2010

“Tell Me about Yourself” Interview Questions and Answers

In brief: “During a job interview, the interviewer can ask many questions. Some of the common questions are the ‘Tell Us about Yourself’ interview questions. Your answers to these questions are crucial. Make sure that you are prepared for these types of interview questions.”
A job interview is one of the most important personal interactions that an individual conducts. It is therefore of utmost importance that a person is well prepared for every aspect of a job interview. In fact, most of the interview time schedule is spent on many aspects of the tough interview questions  – “Tell Me about Yourself” and your interview answers..

Common “Tell Me about Yourself” interview questions and answers




1. A brief summary of your personal details: You have to give your name, where you are from and a brief review of your resume. You may also provide any other personal detail that you choose to provide.
2. Education: You should tell the interviewer about your educational qualifications and any relevant miscellaneous educational qualifications that you might have amassed.
3. Professional experience: Standard questions during a job interview are “tell me about your professional experience”. Depending on whether you are a novice or an experienced professional, you should share your previous job experiences. If you are a novice, then, you could tell anything that you think would be relevant for the job. You may provide a scope of your educational capabilities and strengths or any of your hobbies, etc.
4. What are Your weaknesses and strengths: One of the tricky interview questions that you might be asked is “tell me about your weaknesses and/or strengths”. Therefore, you should prepare for such questions. A common mistake is to take strength and present it as a weakness. You should be honest. You may share one-two of your weaknesses and the way you have (successfully) corrected or handled these weaknesses. On the other hand, do not boast your strengths. Tell about some of your strengths as having a positive impact on your professional capabilities.

Tips for “Tell Me about Yourself” interview answers




Try to be as clear, precise and frank as possible. When interviewing and answering “tell me about yourself” questions, you should avoid common mistakes and stick to the facts as follows:  
1. Keep the information crisp and relevant: One of the first things to remember is to keep the information crisp and relevant. Try to speak in short sentences and moreover, try to give them as much information as possible in the least amount of time.
2. Do not repeat information from the CV: You should ascertain that none of the information that you provide about yourself is repeated or duplicated from your curriculum vitae. Therefore, even your curriculum vitae should only contain the necessary and relevant information, while all other miscellaneous information should be disclosed during the ‘tell me about yourself’ answers.
3. Fabricated or false information: Another important thing that you should remember is that you should not give any fabricated or false information while answering the Tell Me about Yourself Interview question. Background checks today have become very important and strict. Companies are known to sack people even after years of working, simply on the basis of some false information provided to them during the initial interview.
4. Irrelevant and unnecessary information: It is very important that no irrelevant and unnecessary information is given out during the question. The question seems to be quite simple, but it is actually one of those make or break questions, from which an interviewee can never recover and hence loses the job opportunity.
5. Facts and figures: While telling about yourself, be prepared to be asked further questions about any facts and figures that you have provided. For example, if you have said that you have a Bachelor’s degree, make sure that you carry a copy of the same. Any information given without the relevant proof may be deemed suspicious and ambiguous.
6. Do Not Tell them about: You should not disclose too much information . You might tell the interviewer that your hobby is fishing, but telling about your last fishing trip in which you missed a big fish would be too much information, unless the interviewer is a big fishing fan and actually goads you into telling the details. Also, you should not give them too much information about your family members. Of course, you would have to inform them about the number of family members that you have,  and whether they work or not, and if yes, where, those kinds of details, but telling them anything apart from that is not suggested.

Monday, November 1, 2010

The Interview: Body Language Do's and Don'ts

Your heart feels ready to leap out of your chest. Beads of sweat build on your forehead. Your mind is racing.

It's not a full-blown interrogation -- although it may feel like it -- it's just a job interview. While it's no secret that job interviews can be nerve-racking, a lot of job candidates spend a significant amount of time worrying about what they will say during their interview, only to blow it all with their body language. The old adage, "It's not what you say, it's how you say it," still holds meaning, even if you're not talking. You need to effectively communicate your professionalism both verbally and nonverbally.

Because watching your nonverbal cues, delivering concise answers and expressing your enthusiasm at once can be difficult when you're nervous, here's a guide to walk you through it:

Have them at "hello"

Before you walk into the interview, it's assumed that you will have done the following: prepared yourself by reading up on the company and recent company news; practiced what you'll say to some of the more common interview questions; and followed the "what to wear on your interview" advice. So you're ready, right? 

Some hiring managers claim they can spot a possible candidate for a job within 30 seconds or less, and while a lot of that has to do with the way you look, it's also in your body language. Don't walk in pulling up your pantyhose or readjusting your tie; pull yourself together before you stand up to greet the hiring manager or enter their office. Avoid a "dead fish" handshake and confidently -- but not too firmly -- grasp your interviewer's hand and make eye contact while saying hello. 

Shake your hand, watch yourself

If you are rocking back in your chair, shaking your foot, drumming your fingers or scratching your... anything, you're going to look like your going to look the type of future employee who wouldn't be able to stay focused, if even for a few minutes. It's a not a game of charades, it's a job interview. Here's what to do (and not do):

Don't:

  • Rub the back of your head or neck. Even if you really do just have a cramp in your neck, these gestures make you look disinterested.

  • Rub or touch your nose. This suggests that you're not being completely honest, and it's gross.

  • Sit with your armed folded across your chest. You'll appear unfriendly and disengaged.

  • Cross your legs and idly shake one over the other. It's distracting and shows how uncomfortable you are.

  • Lean your body towards the door. You'll appear ready to make a mad dash for the door.

  • Slouch back in your seat. This will make you appear disinterested and unprepared.

  • Stare back blankly. This is a look people naturally adapt when they are trying to distance themselves.

  • Do:

  • Sit up straight, and lean slightly forward in your chair. In addition to projecting interest and engagement in the interaction, aligning your body's position to that of the interviewer's shows admiration and agreement.

  • Show your enthusiasm by keeping an interested expression. Nod and make positive gestures in moderation to avoid looking like a bobblehead.

  • Establish a comfortable amount of personal space between you and the interviewer. Invading personal space (anything more than 20 inches) could make the interviewer feel uncomfortable and take the focus away from your conversation.

  • Limit your application of colognes and perfumes. Invading aromas can arouse allergies. Being the candidate that gave the interviewer a headache isn't going to do anything in your favor.

  • If you have more than one person interviewing you at once, make sure you briefly address both people with your gaze (without looking like a tennis spectator) and return your attention to the person who has asked you a question.

  • Interruptions can happen. If they do, refrain from staring at your interviewer while they address their immediate business and motion your willingness to leave if they need privacy.

  • Stand up and smile even if you are on a phone interview. Standing increases your level of alertness and allows you to become more engaged in the conversation.


  • Say Goodbye Gracefully

    After a few well-thought-out questions and answers with your interviewer, it's almost over, but don't lose your cool just yet. Make sure your goodbye handshake is just as confident now as it was going in. Keep that going while you walk through the office building, into the elevator and onto the street. Once safely in your car, a cab or some other measurable safe distance from the scene of your interview, it's safe to let go. You may have aced it, but the last thing you want is some elaborate end-zone dance type of routine killing all your hard work at the last moment. 

    Friday, October 29, 2010

    Group Discussion Tips


    The following tips are very useful to attend the GD
    1. Initiation Techniques
    2. Body of the group discussion
    3. Summarization/ Conclusion



    Initiation Techniques
    • Initiating a GD is a high profit-high loss strategy.
      When you initiate a GD, you not only grab the opportunity to speak, you also grab the attention of the examiner and your fellow candidates.

      If you can make a favourable first impression with your content and communication skills after you initiate a GD, it will help you sail through the discussion.

      But if you initiate a GD and stammer/ stutter/ quote wrong facts and figures, the damage might be irreparable.

      If you initiate a GD impeccably but don't speak much after that, it gives the impression that you started the GD for the sake of starting it or getting those initial kitty of points earmarked for an initiator!

      When you start a GD, you are responsible for putting it into the right perspective or framework. So initiate one only if you have in-depth knowledge about the topic at hand.
    Body of the group discussion
    • Different techniques to initiate a GD and make a good first impression:
      i. Quotes
      ii. Definition
      iii. Question
      iv. Shock statement
      v. Facts, figures and statistics
      vi. Short story
      vii. General statement

      i. Quotes
      Quotes are an effective way of initiating a GD.

      If the topic of a GD is: Should the Censor Board be abolished?, you could start with a quote like, 'Hidden apples are always sweet'.

      For a GD topic like, Customer is King, you could quote Sam (Wall-mart) Walton's famous saying, 'There is only one boss: the customer. And he can fire everybody in the company -- from the chairman on down, simply by spending his money somewhere else.'

      ii. Definition

      Start a GD by defining the topic or an important term in the topic.

      For example, if the topic of the GD is Advertising is a Diplomatic Way of Telling a Lie, why not start the GD by defining advertising as, 'Any paid form of non-personal presentation and promotion of ideas, goods or services through mass media like newspapers, magazines, television or radio by an identified sponsor'?

      For a topic like The Malthusian Economic Prophecy is no longer relevant, you could start by explaining the definition of the Malthusian Economic Prophecy.

      iii. Question

      Asking a question is an impact way of starting a GD.

      It does not signify asking a question to any of the candidates in a GD so as to hamper the flow. It implies asking a question, and answering it yourself.

      Any question that might hamper the flow of a GD or insult a participant or play devil's advocate must be discouraged.

      Questions that promote a flow of ideas are always appreciated.

      For a topic like, Should India go to war with Pakistan, you could start by asking, 'What does war bring to the people of a nation? We have had four clashes with Pakistan. The pertinent question is: what have we achieved?'

      iv. Shock statement

      Initiating a GD with a shocking statement is the best way to grab immediate attention and put forth your point.

      If a GD topic is, The Impact of Population on the Indian Economy, you could start with, 'At the centre of the Indian capital stands a population clock that ticks away relentlessly. It tracks 33 births a minute, 2,000 an hour, 48,000 a day. Which calculates to about 12 million every year. That is roughly the size of Australia. As a current political slogan puts it, 'Nothing's impossible when 1 billion Indians work together'.'

      v. Facts, figures and statistics

      If you decide to initiate your GD with facts, figure and statistics, make sure to quote them accurately.

      Approximation is allowed in macro level figures, but micro level figures need to be correct and accurate.

      For example, you can say, approximately 70 per cent of the Indian population stays in rural areas (macro figures, approximation allowed).

      But you cannot say 30 states of India instead of 28 (micro figures, no approximations).

      Stating wrong facts works to your disadvantage.

      For a GD topic like, China, a Rising Tiger, you could start with, 'In 1983, when China was still in its initial stages of reform and opening up, China's real use of Foreign Direct Investment only stood at $636 million. China actually utilized $60 billion of FID in 2004, which is almost 100 times that of its 1983 statistics."

      vi. Short story

      Use a short story in a GD topic like, Attitude is Everything.

      This can be initiated with, 'A child once asked a balloon vendor, who was selling helium gas-filled balloons, whether a blue-colored balloon will go as high in the sky as a green-colored balloon. The balloon vendor told the child, it is not the color of the balloon but what is inside it that makes it go high.'

      vii. General statement

      Use a general statement to put the GD in proper perspective.

      For example, if the topic is, Should Sonia Gandhi be the prime minister of India?, you could start by saying, 'Before jumping to conclusions like, 'Yes, Sonia Gandhi should be', or 'No, Sonia Gandhi should not be', let's first find out the qualities one needs to be a a good prime minister of India. Then we can compare these qualities with those that Mrs. Gandhi possesses. This will help us reach the conclusion in a more objective and effective manner.'
    Summarization/ Conclusion
    • Most GD do not really have conclusions. A conclusion is where the whole group decides in favor or against the topic.
    • But every GD is summarized. You can summaries what the group has discussed in the GD in a nutshell.

      Keep the following points in mind while summarizing a discussion:
       
    1. Avoid raising new points.
    2. Avoid stating only your viewpoint.
    3. Avoid dwelling only on one aspect of the GD.
    4. Keep it brief and concise.
    5. It must incorporate all the important points that came out during the GD.
    6. If the examiner asks you to summaries a GD, it means the GD has come to an end.
    7. Do not add anything once the GD has been summarized.

    Wednesday, October 27, 2010

    What Color Should You Dress in for and Interview?

    You’ve probably heard that you should dress conservatively for a job interview, but you may be wondering what color you should wear to make the best impression. Since different colors can cause different responses in people, you should consider the subtle message you are sending when you chose to wear specific colors for your job interview.

     Dress Clothes
    People should wear dressy clothes like suits, dresses, skirts, slacks and jackets to a job interview. The most popular colors are neutrals, like black, brown, beige, gray or navy. If you choose to wear black, be careful because it can represent power, authority and drama, not qualities you probably want to convey to someone who is thinking about hiring you. Consider using black only as an accent color.
    Brown is a better choice because it signifies qualities like credibility and stability. Like brown, beige and tan tend to be calming, nonassertive colors that reduce stress and invite communication. Gray is another good choice because it signifies sophistication, if you want to appear confident but not overpowering, wear gray.
    The best-selling color worldwide is blue. Blue denotes loyalty, honesty, trust, calmness and authority and is a great choice for a job interview. As a result, a navy blue suit could make a very good impression.
    Shirts/Blouses
    Many people will choose white shirts or blouses to go under their suit jackets. Since white symbolizes order, cleanliness and purity, it is a good choice. A white shirt usually goes with everything and is a year round outfit
    Accessories
    Your accessories will allow you to add a splash of color to your fairly neutral job interviewing wardrobe. Accessories include things like ties, scarves, shoes and jewelry. Make sure you choose accessories that go with what you are wearing and keep it simple.
    Accessories should be used to accent and highlight your face. Keep religious artifacts and accessories at home during an interview. Also, keep dangling bracelets to a minimum because they can be noisy and distracting. When you interview, you want the interviewer to remember your face, not the noise you produced.
    Green is a good accessory color. It symbolizes nature, wealth, success and security. The color is also a relaxing one that is easy on the eye.
    Socks and Shoes
    For men, the best bet is to wear socks that match the color of your suit or slacks to the best of your ability. If you are wearing a tan suit, wear slightly darker socks but a shade lighter than your shoes. Dark brown or black are the best color shoe choices for men.
    Woman should match the color of the suit to their shoes and keep everything neutral. You should also choose close-toed shoes without heels that are too high and wear neutral hose with them.

    Monday, October 25, 2010

    Interview Tips for Freshers

    Interview Tips for Freshers before Interview

    One of the first things a fresher should do before an interview is to do extensive research of the company. The freshers should also be punctual and reach, preferably, before time for the interview. This always makes a good impression on the minds of the interviewers. It is also advisable that the job aspirants practice their interviews time and again before appearing for the actual one. 

    Interview Tips for Freshers during Interview

    During the interview the job seekers should put up a smiling face as employers always like people with vibrant personalities. They should also shake the hands of the interviewers in a firm way. They should also talk eye to eye with the interviewers. They should speak clearly as any way else would show the interviewer that the interviewee is lacking in confidence. They should also be responsive to the interviewers. They need to avoid being overzealous with their answers, which should be precise and delivered only when a question has been asked. The application forms should be completed properly. The job seeker should also ask some questions to the interviewer and then thank that individual when the process comes to a close. 

    Things to Avoid

    The freshers should refrain from being dishonest about themselves in the interviews. They should also not be chewing gums when they give an interview. Even if the interviewer offers them a cigarette they should be refusing it. They should be confident with their answers and should not say no to a job that is offered to them. 

    Thursday, October 21, 2010

    Interview Tips for MCA Freshers

    Hi 
    MCA Freshers need to prepare for technical rounds of interview very well in addition to the general ones as discussed in earlier Interview Tips for Graduates. Freshers need to put down the answers to the interviewer’s questions relating each of them to the subject and application part of the same to impress the employer.
    Common Interview Questions for MCA Fresher
    Common Interview Questions for MCA Fresher
    The employer will be keen on your academic project work and will be very curious to know each and every part of it. Be confident, highlight the interviewer about the part of your work involved in the project and let him know that you are well aware of all the applications that is made use of in the project.
    Briefly explain him about the application details of the same without explaining unwanted things. Scrutinize all the things that you need to convey it to the interviewer regarding project work well in advance at your home, that will definitely help you to present it in a better way.
    Some of the other interview questions can be listed as below. Get prepared for the solutions that are precise and perfect to the point in short and present them to the interviewer.
    • Tell me about yourself
    • Weaknesses and Strengths
    • Working under pressure
    • Willingness to travel to any part of the world for the job sake.
    • Operating system and User interface details with more questions on these.
    • Your academic project application
    • Testing and creating reports on the same.
    • Team work abilities and Social Behavior
    • Why do you want to work for this organization and what do you know about this company is the common question asked by any employer.
    • Time management capabilities
    • Hassles working during weekends and late-nights. Tell him that you have no regrets to work any part of the day or even during holidays to complete the work.
    • Job position and your suitability
    • Goals and challenges at workplace
    • Last but not the least, your salary structure. Tell him your expected pay scale politely and make sure that you do not forget to tell him that it is always negotiable.
    Be aware of all the new technologies that are introduced recently at workplaces and have a detailed knowledge about all these by reading various blogs and magazines. Keep on updating your software technical skills and communication to achieve higher. Aim high and get equipped mentally to achieve your goals.
    Be enthusiastic to answer the questions, this will show your positive energy and attitude towards all your work, both personal and at office.
    Express to the employer about punctuality, ethics, principles and their prominence in your life that would be related to even workplace experiences as well. Show your politeness and amenity in answering the questions as this will boost up the interviewer’s positive approach towards your personal character.
    Consider these interview questions and get prepared for the answers very well and come out with flying colors to have the best career to grow individually and professionally.
    Good luck!

    Monday, October 18, 2010

    Sutherland Interview Pattern

    Hi Friends

    In Sutherland walk-in on 29.9.08, for technical support executives, in Santhome, at Chennai. First there will be an online registration, and then the next round will be the communication skill round, you will be selected if your communication skill is good. Then the next round will be the online test, here are some questions which I got.

    ONLINE TEST 1 : (ANALYTICAL)
    The analytical section consists of 20 questions, time 20 minutes, all were simple only.

    1. Find the next number in the series 5, 20, 24, 6, 2, 8, ?

    2. If a car covers 300 miles in 2 hrs, then what is the velocity of the car?

    3. If a gold chain is broken into 3 pieces, then how many number of openings required to make a full chain again.

    4. What is 10% of 50?

    5. If RANGE is coded as 12345, RANDOM is coded as 123678, the how can PAKISTAN as?

    6. Which one is greater 71/8, 3/4, 7/9?

    7. 20/0.8=?

    8. A lady points out the man and said “this man mother is the only daughter of my mother”, then how is the lady relates to the man?

    9. My father has three sisters, and each children of my grand father having two children each. Then how many cousins I have?

    10. If MANGO is coded as 82347 then ……….. is coded as?(I forgot this )

    11. 2268
    8820
    1512 
    What is the answer of the division of the addition of all three rows by the first row?

    ONLINE TEST 2 : (VERBAL)
    This section also consists of 20 questions in 20 minutes, somewhat difficult only.

    TYPING TEST:
    If you clear the above two online test then there will be a typing test of 2 minutes, the accuracy should be more than 90%, and total words typed per minute is 25.

    WRITTEN TEST:
    If you clear the above three rounds then there will be a written test round, here you will be asked to write about a topic for about fifteen to twenty lines. NOTE: Those who are not having the HR reference won’t clear this round.

    HR ROUND:
    Final round will be the HR round.

    NOTE: friends, from my experience I can say, being a fresher, for this technical support executive job, if u have the employee reference or the HR reference means you can easily clear the communication skill round. But you will get job, only if you are having the HR reference or your communication and technical knowledge are extraordinary good.

    Friday, October 15, 2010

    Tips on How to face an Interview!

    1. Plan to arrive 10 minutes early. This will give you ample time to catch your breath, gather your thoughts and make a quick trip to the washroom to give your appearance one final check. To avoid unnecessary stress, choose your interview attire the night before.

    2. Greet the interviewer by his or her last name. If you are unsure of the pronunciation, do ask the employer to repeat it. Or better still, check it with the front desk personnel or receptionist before walking into the interview room.

    3. Let the interviewer lead the conversation but try to get him/her to describe the position and duties to you early in the interview. This will allow you to apply your skills and achievements to the position.

    4. When asked: "Tell me about yourself?", focus your answers on your background and a few professional and personal accomplishments.

    5. Stress on your achievements. For example: your sales records, the processes you have developed or systems installed, projects that you initiated, etc.

    6. Show enthusiasm. This can be demonstrated through verbal and non-verbal cues (for example, appropriate body language like nodding can be used to support your interest). Enthusiastic feedback can enhance your chances of being further considered.

    7.Answer questions by speaking in terms of the position. Emphasise what you can do for the company. Mention specific accomplishments that show your abilities and determination to succeed in this job. Your answers describe the position and duties to you early in the interview. This will allow you to apply yourbackground, skills and achievements to the position. should tell the employer why you would be an asset to the company and not why you need a job.

    8. Bring an extra copy of your resume.

    9. Explain whenever possible; don't answer with a simple "yes" or "no."

    Be prepared to answer questions such as:

    * Tell me about yourself.
    * Tell me about your background and accomplishments.
    * What are your strengths? Weaknesses?
    * How would you describe your most recent job performance?
    * What interests you about our company?

    Also, be prepared to ask questions such as:

    * What would I be expected to accomplish in this position?
    * What are the greatest challenges in this position?
    * How do you think I fit the position?

    Remember, your lack of questions may be mistaken as lack of interest in the job. 

    Thursday, October 14, 2010

    TCS Selection Process

    Hi Friends

    TCS Selection process is as follows :

    1. WrittenTest
    2. Technical & HR interview

    Written Test pattern :

    The written test pattern of TCS is not as the old one... it had been changed. It is an online test with 35 Questions and 1 hour time.

    The questions are from Aptitude and Critical reasoning..

    The Aptitude questions are easy & the Critical Reasoning are some what tricky... but no problem you can solve....

    One more thing is.. the questions are not straight farward.. they will give 10 lines for each question with unnecessary data... You have to find out the necessary statements and solve.

    Solution is easy... just read the last 3 or 4 lines definitely you will get an idea about the question........

    Dont waste your time by reading all the question.. be carefull..


    Friends dont fear in the intervies... always be confident.. keep smiles on your faces.. krack the job

    Questions you may be asked in the Interview

    1. Tell me about yourself? (try to hold your response to 2 minutes)
    2. What do you know about our company?
    3. Why should we hire you?
    4. What can you do for us that someone else can't?
    5. What do you look for in a job?
    6. What skills and qualifications are essential for success in the position of ______?
    7. How long would it take for you to make a meaningful contribution?
    8. How does this assignment fit into your overall career plan?
    9. Describe your management style.
    10. What do you believe is the most difficult part of being a supervisor of people?
    11. Why are you looking for a new career?
    12. How would your colleagues describe you?
    13. How would your boss describe you?
    14. How would you describe yourself?
    15. What do you think of your present or past boss?
    16. What were the five most significant accomplishments in your last assignment?
    17. What were the five most significant accomplishments in your career so far?
    18. Can you work well under deadlines or pressure?
    19. How much do you expect if we offer you this position?
    20. Why do you want to work for us?
    21. What other positions are you considering?
    22. Have you kept up in your field with additional training?
    23. What are your career goals?
    24. What are your strong points?
    25. What are your weak points?
    26. How did you do in school?
    27. What position do you expect to have in 2 to 5 years?
    28. If you took the job what would you accomplish in the first year?
    29. What was wrong with your current or last position?
    30. What kind of hours are you used to working or would like to work?
    31. Do you have your reference list with you? (Remember don't give it out unless it is asked for).
    32. Can you explain your salary history?
    33. What questions didn't I ask that you expected?
    34. Do you have any question for me? (See Questions for the Interviewer that you might want to ask below).

    Wednesday, October 13, 2010

    Best Group Discussion Tips

    1.First, there is nothing wrong with being quiet. At the same time, you don't want to be too quiet. However, speaking too much is not recommended. Before you speak, you will want to think about what you are going to say. It is important to make sure the statements you make are concise and to the point. You don't want to give the other members the wrong impression by making statements that are not clear. 

    2.It is also important to make sure you fulfill the tasks of any role you've been given. For example, if you are given the role of a team leader, it is important to make sure you carry it out to the best of your abilities. Once you agree to a specific role, do not ask to be changed to something else. If you do this, you will convey a message that you are indecisive. If you don't understand a statment or question that has been made by someone else, it is important for you to make sure they clarify it. In group discussions, it is important to avoid conflict as much as possible. You will always want to respect the contributions that are made by the other members. Even if you don't agree with their views, it is important to look at things from their perspective. 

    3. In any group discussion, conflicts should be expected. However, it is the method you use to deal with them that will determine the success or failure of a group. There are certain words and phrases that you will want to avoid using when you are in a group discussion. For example, responding to a statement made by another member by saying "that doesn't make any sense" will lead to conflict. 

    4.If you don't agree with the statement, instead of saying "that doesn't make any sense," it would be better to say "I don't know if I agree. Could you elaborate?" When you use this statement, it will not be as offensive as the other statement. You should never ridicule the idea or statement of another member by calling it dumb or stupid. Instead, you could simply say you disagree with them, and offer an explanation of why your feel the way you do. To give another example, instead of using the statement "that is not what the assignment asked us to do" you could say that "I think it would be better if we refer back to the assignment." 

    5.To be successful in group discussion, it is important to avoid conflict statements. These statements could lead to problems between you and other members that can make the group less productive. An example of a conflict statement is telling another member that they are wrong about something. Instead, you will want to disagree with them by using phrases such as "it may be better to...." or "have you ever though about doing it this way?" It should be easy to see the difference between these two phrases and the first one. 

    6.Being able to avoid conflict in a group discussion is crucially important. Once the conflict has started, it is very difficult to deal with. Everyone is different and will have strong beliefs about a topic that may differ from others.

    Java Basics - Interview Questions and Answers

    1. What is the difference between a constructor and a method?
    A constructor is a member function of a class that is used to create objects of that class. It has the same name as the class itself, has no return type, and is invoked using the new operator.
    A method is an ordinary member function of a class. It has its own name, a return type (which may be void), and is invoked using the dot operator.
    2. What is the purpose of garbage collection in Java, and when is it used?
    The purpose of garbage collection is to identify and discard objects that are no longer needed by a program so that their resources can be reclaimed and reused.
    A Java object is subject to garbage collection when it becomes unreachable to the program in which it is used.
    3. Describe synchronization in respect to multithreading.
    With respect to multithreading, synchronization is the capability to control the access of multiple threads to shared resources.
    Without synchonization, it is possible for one thread to modify a shared variable while another thread is in the process of using or updating same shared variable. This usually leads to significant errors.
    4. What is an abstract class?
    Abstract class must be extended/subclassed (to be useful). It serves as a template. A class that is abstract may not be instantiated (ie. you may not call its constructor), abstract class may contain static data.
    Any class with an abstract method is automatically abstract itself, and must be declared as such. A class may be declared abstract even if it has no abstract methods. This prevents it from being instantiated.
    5. What is the difference between an Interface and an Abstract class?
    An abstract class can have instance methods that implement a default behavior. An Interface can only declare constants and instance methods, but cannot implement default behavior and all methods are implicitly abstract.
    An interface has all public members and no implementation. An abstract class is a class which may have the usual flavors of class members (private, protected, etc.), but has some abstract methods.
    6. Explain different way of using thread?
    The thread could be implemented by using runnable interface or by inheriting from the Thread class. The former is more advantageous, 'cause when you are going for multiple inheritance, the only interface can help
    7. What is an Iterator?
    Some of the collection classes provide traversal of their contents via a java.util.Iterator interface. This interface allows you to walk through a collection of objects, operating on each object in turn.
    Remember when using Iterators that they contain a snapshot of the collection at the time the Iterator was obtained; generally it is not advisable to modify the collection itself while traversing an Iterator.
    8. State the significance of public, private, protected, default modifiers both singly and in combination and state the effect of package relationships on declared items qualified by these modifiers.
    public: Public class is visible in other packages, field is visible everywhere (class must be public too)
    private : Private variables or methods may be used only by an instance of the same class that declares the variable or method, A private feature may only be accessed by the class that owns the feature.
    protected : Is available to all classes in the same package and also available to all subclasses of the class that owns the protected feature. This access is provided even to subclasses that reside in a different package from the class that owns the protected feature.
    What you get by default ie, without any access modifier (ie, public private or protected). It means that it is visible to all within a particular package.
    9. What is static in java?
    Static means one per class, not one for each object no matter how many instance of a class might exist. This means that you can use them without creating an instance of a class.Static methods are implicitly final, because overriding is done based on the type of the object, and static methods are attached to a class, not an object.
    A static method in a superclass can be shadowed by another static method in a subclass, as long as the original method was not declared final. However, you can't override a static method with a nonstatic method. In other words, you can't change a static method into an instance method in a subclass.
    10. What is final class?
    final class can't be extended ie., final class may not be subclassed. A final method can't be overridden when its class is inherited. You can't change value of a final variable (is a constant).
    11. What if the main() method is declared as private?
    The program compiles properly but at runtime it will give "main() method not public." message.
    12. What if the static modifier is removed from the signature of the main() method?
    Program compiles. But at runtime throws an error "NoSuchMethodError".