INTERVIEW INTELLIGENCE
"Be confident, not cocky"

A student of the Class of 2003-05 in the University Business School (UBS), Panjab University, Anuj Puri has an engineering background. He was recently selected as a management trainee by HDFC Bank. He offers tips on preparing for and taking an interview:

"Preparation for an interview is an ongoing process. I had gained a prior idea about what an interview entails while preparing for my MBA entrance test and through the group discussions (GD) I'd taken part in during the past 2-3 years. I had also been participating in a host of extra-curricular activities during my engineering course to enhance my confidence and communication abilities.

"Though the academic record counts, an interview is more an assessment of your overall personality and communication skills.

"For my placement interview, I brushed up my general knowledge by an in-depth study of newspapers and magazines. I also read up books by management gurus like Peter Drucker and Gurcharan Das.

"For the placements organised for our batch, we stuck to the department dress code. It comprises grey trousers, a white shirt, the UBS tie and a navy blue blazer.

"I had taken a couple of tips from my teachers and colleagues on the non-verbal language that creates a good impression on the interviewers. It is important to convey confidence through one's gestures and posture without appearing aggressive.

"Not only the person being interviewed, even the interviewer must feel comfortable during the session.

"The interview comprised two rounds, one of CV-based questions and the other, a psychometric round for testing the emotional quotient. I faced two interviewers in each round. During the psychometric round, I was posed a question that was meant to put me in a spot.

"The interviewer threw the ball in my court, quizzing me instead: 'What do you want us to ask?' I fielded the query with presence of mind, saying they could ask me about something that wasn't mentioned in my CV — my family background.

"My advice to youngsters preparing for an interview is-don't be too casual in your approach. At the same time, don't come across as overconfident or cocky. Be pleasant and just be yourself!"