3.

INTRODUCING ONESELF
1. What points do you need to keep in mind while introducing yourself?
Ans: At the very beginning of interview, the interviewers might ask me to introduce myself. So, I
make a lot of practice and plan well to introduce myself to them. When I introduce myself to the
interviewers, I keep in mind the following things:
- make my introduction relevant to the context
- be honest
- maintain eye contact with my listeners while speaking
- use appropriate gestures while speaking about myself
2. What are your strengths?
Ans: Coming to my personality I am honest, enthusiastic, trustworthy, creative, disciplined,
patient respectful, determined, dedicated, and versatile. As for my academic strengths are
concerned I am technically well trained and I have got relevant degree, technical abilities, able to
speak different languages and I have got computer skills. To speak about people skills, I am well-
versed in communication skills, analytical skills, problem solving skills, planning skills. I can play
the role of a team leader and I have got leadership qualities.
3. What are your limitations or weaknesses?
Ans: Limitations or weaknesses refer to the qualities which we are lacking in. Either we need to
improve or overcome them. A limitation should be represented as a good quality especially in
interviews. Don’t be too honest. Also consider the following limitations:
- I get nervous when I speak in front of others.
- I am very shy and often have trouble speaking up in meetings.
- Sometimes I get irritated even without a valid reason.
- My soft nature often lands me in troubles.
- My straightforwardness often creates problems.
- I am a workaholic. It sometimes tells on health.
- I don’t have patience with those who argue a lot.
4. What are your likes and dislikes?
Ans: I like reading books. I like listening to music.
I like gardening. I like visiting historic places.
I love photography. I love painting.
I dislike chocolates. I dislike western culture.
I hate smoking, drinking etc. I dislike gossiping.
I hate cheating. I hate lying, stealing etc.
5. What are your hobbies?
Ans: I collect stamps and coins whenever I am free.
I go to library, museums, and galleries in my free time.
I read books and other magazines related to my profession.
I listen to music.
6. What are your future plans?
Ans: I want to study … I would like to…
I want to go for higher studies. I dream of…
I want to do a job. I prefer to…
7. Tell us something about your family.
Ans: My family consists of ….
My father is …
My mother is …
Other members of my family are...
Activity – 1: Speak out to your partner as many meaningful sentences as possible using the words and
phrases in the following table.
I am a student. I am friendly and helpful. I can make friends easily. .
I am friendly. I feel relaxed. I can be a team player.
I am confident. I feel confident. I can be friendly and helpful.
I would like to serve my village. I want to serve my village.
I would like to become a bank officer. I want to join the Air Force.
I would like to join the Air Force. I want to become a bank officer.
I would like to be a team player. I want to be a team player.
I prefer to be a software engineer. I dream of getting into film animation field
I prefer to join the Air Force. I dream of turning technology for social service.
I prefer to become a bank officer. I dream of joining the Indian Navy.
I prefer to be a team player. I dream of becoming a police officer.
Activity – 2: Speak to you partner the following sentences by completing the blanks with suitable words
and phrases.
I’m creative. I’m a workaholic. I’m compassionate.
I’m helpful. I’m a team player. I’m active and energetic.
I’m friendly. I’m enthusiastic. I’m
I’m reliable. I’m honest. I’m
I’m trustworthy. I’m confident. I’m
I’m punctual. I’m optimistic. I’m
Activity – 3: Fill in the blanks in the following table. Speak to your partner about yourself on the basis of
the table.
Introducing Myself
Name I am…
My name is…
Age I am …
I am … years old.
My age is…
Place of birth I am from…
I hail from …
My place of birth is …
Qualifications I have passed…
I have finished my…
Present occupation I am studying…
Hobbies My hobbies are …
My hobby is …
Likes I like …
I love …
Dislikes I don’t like…
I dislike…
I hate…
Future plans I want to become…
I would like to …
Strengths I’m …
Limitations I’m …
Family We are a family of …
My father is …
My mother is…
Other members of my family are…
 4. DESCRIBING OBJECTS AND PEOPLE
1. What is an object?
Ans: An object is a thing that can be a device, gadget, tool and an article made of some material
that can be touched and felt. It may be useful to us in one way or the other.
2. How do you describe an object?
Ans: When we describe an object, we say something about its size, shape, colour, weight, quantity,
material, state, and other striking physical features. Some objects can be described in terms of feel
or touch and taste also. We can also include the details such as its usefulness and purpose.
3. Mention the names of some useful objects. What will be the purpose/usefulness of these objects?
Ans: We use a number of objects daily such as a computer, a printer, a cell-phone, a charger, a
trimmer, a nail-cutter, a screwdriver, cutting-pliers, a scale, a drafter etc. We use then to measure,
to connect, to unscrew, to disconnect, to build, to design, to process to store, to mix and so on.
4. What aspects do you keep in mind while describing objects?
Ans: The following words are useful to describe an object:
Size: small, big, tiny, large, tall, wide etc.
Shape: round, square, triangle, oval, rectangle, cube, circle etc.
Colour: white, green, blue, yellow, red, violet etc.
Weight/quantity: grams, pounds, kilograms, heavy, light; bagful, a pinch of… a pint of … etc.
Feel or touch: soft, smooth, rough, spongy, hard etc.
Material: made of steel, iron, copper, wood, plastic, leather, pulp etc.
Taste: sweet, bitter sour, spicy, salty etc.
State: solid, gaseous, liquid jelly etc.
Purpose/uses: to measure, to connect, to build, to design, to process, to store etc.
5. How do you describe objects or things in terms of their size and shape?
Ans: Any object can be described in terms of its size and shape. The size of objects that we use
can be small, big, tiny, large, tall, wide, portable etc. The shape of objects can be round, square,
triangle, oval, rectangle, cube, circle etc.
6. What do you mean by state of objects and feel or touch of objects?
Ans: The state of objects can be solid, liquid, gaseous, jelly, etc. When we touch objects, we can
feel them to be soft, smooth, rough, spongy, hard, slippery, gummy, pulpy, juicy, fleshy etc.
7. What taste dose things have?
Ans: The things we eat may taste sweet, bitter, sour, salty, spicy, etc.
8. How do you describe the physical features of people?
Ans: While describing the physical features of people we can use the following aspects:
Built: thin, lean, stout, hefty, skinny, bony, fleshy, plump, medium built, chubby
Height: tall, short, medium height, dwarfish
Complexion: fair, whitish, dark, brown
Face: round, oval, square, chubby, chiseled
Age: old, middle aged, young, in mid 40s, late 50s, early 20s, late teens, early teens, tender age
Hair: soft, long, short, curly, spiky, funky, plaited wavey
Eyes: dark, black, brown, blue, green, big, small
Nose: sharp, blunt, small, hooked stubby
Appearance: cute, beautiful, handsome ugly, untidy
Dress: well dressed, formals, casuals, suit, full sleeves, skirt, sari, bridal gown, royal robes
uniform, shorts, pyjamas
9. What are the positive qualities that you find in people?
Ans: We can often find some positive qualities in people. They can be:
cheerful helpful active bright social sensitive
 easy going sincere loyal honest hardworking cooperative
caring humorous confident bold civilized educated
cultured clever initiative faithful trustworthy dependable
10. Mention some negative qualities that you can find in people.
Ans: We can often find some negative qualities in people. They can be:
dull lazy selfish deceptive reserved boring
timid uncivilized cunning insensitive disloyal cruel
inattentive dishonest pessimistic irregular querulous undependable
11. Describe your favourite film star/celebrity.
Ans: My favourite film star is Surya. He is a young, handsome, dynamic actor. He is six feet tall
and fair in complexion. He has broad forehead and beg attractive eyes. Apart from his career as an
actor, he is running schools for the poor.
12. Describe yourself in terms of both physical appearance and characteristics.
Ans: I am K. Prakash. I am 5 feet 8 inches tall. I am lean and brown in complexion. I have oval
face and long sharp nose. I have a pair of big dark eyes. I am humble, honest and obedient. I am a
hard worker. I am friendly in nature.

5. DESCRIBING EVENTS
1. What is an event? Give some examples for events.
Ans: An event is a planned incident. It is an organized occurrence with fixed time, place and
purpose. An event is a pleasant occurrence like a birthday, marriage, farewell party, annual day,
picnic, house warming ceremony etc.
2. What are essential to describe an event interestingly?
Ans: Action words (verbs), describing words (adjectives), appropriate adverbs and sequencing
words (linkers) are essential to make the description of an event interesting.
3. What tense do you use to describe an event?
Ans: An event can be described in present, past or future tense suitable to the situation.
4. Describe any past event.
Ans: We went to the Town Hall last Sunday to watch a historical drama. The play started sharply
at 7 p.m. The setting was very grand, the costumes were elegant and exactly mirrored the times of
King Ashoka. All the actors delivered their dialogues fluently and performed very well.
5. Describe any future event.
Ans: We are going to have summer vacation from next week. We shall be on a tour in Tamilnadu
and Kerala. We will have visited all the worth seeing places by the end of the week. We shall be
returning home soon after that.

6. REPORTING PAST INCIDENTS

1. What is an incident? Give some examples for incidents.
Ans: An incident is an unpleasant occurrence like a road accident, an earthquake, fire accident,
bore well accident, plane crash, floods, wildfire, landslides, drowning etc.
2. How do you report a past incident?
Ans: Before writing the report, I visit the place or location where the incident occurred. Observe
the place of scene keenly. Then I gather information from the eye witnesses. I write down the basic
facts. While writing the actual report, I include the accounts of eye-witnesses appropriately in a
sequence.
3. What aspects do you cover while reporting a past incident?
Ans: While reporting past incidents, I particularly specify time and date, place or location. To give
the report completeness and perfection, I provide answers to the questions who, what, where,
when, why and how.
4. What tense do you use to report a past incident?
Ans: All past incidents are reported in the past tense and in the reported speech.
5. What points do you keep in mind while writing a report?
Ans: I keep in mind the following points while writing a report:
- I write down the basic facts of the incident.
- I present the details in a sequential order.
- I include a line about the general nature of the incident.
- I provide answers to the questions who, what when, where, why and how.
- I will be thorough with the report and provide more details.
- I will incorporate the accounts of eye-witnesses.
- I will be accurate with the details and give no scope for speculative interpretations.
- I don’t use legal and technical words.
- I will be honest.
- Before publishing the report, I will edit and proofread it.

7. SPEAKING FROM OBSERVATION AND READING

1. What do you generally observe when you see a thing?
Ans: When I see a thing, I observe its shape, size and colour. Then I think about what it is made
of, what it is used for, how I can operate it and whether it is run on battery or it is an electronic
gadget etc.
2. When you speak about things from your observation what aspects do you keep in mind to describe
them?
Ans: When I speak about things from my observation I keep in mind the following things to
describe them.
Size: small, big, tiny, large, tall, wide etc.
Shape: round, square, triangle, oval, rectangle, cube, circle etc.
Colour: white, green, blue, yellow, red, violet etc.
Weight/quantity: grams, pounds, kilograms, heavy, light; bagful, a pinch of… a pint of … etc.
Feel or touch: soft, smooth, rough, spongy, hard etc.
Material: made of steel, iron, copper, wood, plastic, leather, pulp etc.
Taste: sweet, bitter sour, spicy, salty etc.
State: solid, gaseous, liquid jelly etc.
Purpose/uses: to measure, to connect, to build, to design, to process, to store etc.
3. What do you observe when you see a person?
Ans: The people we observe may be strangers, foreigners, mere acquaintances, friends, relatives
etc. When I look at a person I would like to ask myself who he is. I generally look at his physical
features, his outward appearance, what he is wearing, how he is talking, moving, doing etc.
4. How do you describe the physical features of people?
Ans: While describing the physical features of people we can use the following aspects:
Built: thin, lean, stout, hefty, skinny, bony, fleshy, plump, medium built, chubby
Height: tall, short, medium height, dwarfish
Complexion: fair, whitish, dark, brown
Face: round, oval, square, chubby, chiseled
Age: old, middle aged, young, in mid 40s, late 50s, early 20s, late teens, early teens, tender age
Hair: soft, long, short, curly, spiky, funky, plaited, hair running down freely etc.
 Eyes: dark, black, brown, blue, green, big, small
Nose: sharp, blunt, small, hooked stubby
Appearance: cute, beautiful, handsome ugly, untidy
Dress: well dressed, formals, casuals, suit, full sleeves, skirt, sari, bridal gown, royal robes
uniform, shorts, pyjamas etc.
5. What do you observe when you see a place?
Ans: A place can be peaceful, windy, gloomy, pleasant, calm, serene, tranquil etc. It may be full of
trees and bushes around.
6. Why do you read something?
Ans: We read something to know about a wide variety of things, to understand the content, to
grasp details and so on. Sometimes, we may read for recreation. We read newspapers and
magazines to know the news and to know what is happening around us, to know the present trends,
to know what are the latest developments in the field of science, technology, trade, commerce, and
politics.
7. What are the different kinds of reading?
Ans: Reading can of different kinds such as academic reading, reading for specific purposes,
reading for entertainment etc. Reading for specific purposes include academic reading, reading as
part of research.
8. What do the authors present in their writings?
Ans: The authors while writing something may elucidate, analyze, compare, contrast, argue in
favour of or against something. They describe something to make it clear to the readers, narrate the
events in spatial order, provide examples and illustrations. They may explain to the readers a
difficult topic in a lucid style.
9. What do you mean by skimming?
Ans: Skimming is a reading technique. Skimming means to read something quickly in order to
find a particular point or the main points. Students use this technique to locate the answers in the
passage given to them for general reading comprehension.
10. What do you mean by scanning?
Ans: Scanning is reading technique. Scanning means to read something quickly but not very
carefully.
11. What do you mean by reading for entertainment?
Ans: Reading for entertainment refers to reading a poem, a short story, a novel, or any other piece
of literary work for amusement. Cartoons, caricatures, jokes, parodies, and other comic stories are
meant for entertainment. We don’t look for any enlightenment, purpose, theme, message or
whatsoever in these writings. They are just meant for fun, laughter and recreation.

8. & 9. JUST A MINUTE

1. What is meant by JAM?
Ans: JAM is a speaking activity. It means ‘Just A Minute’. One has to speak fluently on a given
topic for a minute.
2. Who started JAM?
Ans: JAM was actually started as a radio game show by British Broadcasting Corporation in 1967.
It was a comedy programme that became very popular as a useful language activity.
3. What are the rules to follow in JAM?
Ans: We must talk for one minute strictly on the given topic without hesitation, repetition of the
idea and deviation from it.
4. How do you plan to speak in JAM?
Ans:We have to gather and organize our ideas of the given topic in a short time. There should be a
good opening and closing sentences. In between, we need to give details with supporting
sentences.
5. How many sentences do we need to speak in JAM?
Ans: It all depends. Instead of number of the sentences, we have better concentrate on use of
appropriate words, pronunciation, clarity, audibility, fluency and accuracy.
6. Why is JAM used in interviews?
Ans: JAM has become a very useful language activity for us who learn English as second
language. It also has become a testing tool to assess one’s speaking skill in job interviews along
with group discussion and presentation skills.
7. How is JAM useful to students?
Ans: JAM is a wonderful speaking activity. It helps us to organize our ideas and improves fluency
in using English. It improves confidence. It helps students to excel in interviews for jobs and also
in public speaking.
8. How should your body language be during an interview?
Ans: It’s better to stand straight, feel at ease, make eye contact with audience and speak with
clarity and audibility by avoiding odd gestures and clichés.
9. How much time is given for JAM?
Ans: The time given for JAM session is only 60 seconds. So the speaker must arrange ideas
systematically and speak briefly and straight to the point.
10. How do you begin JAM?
Ans: One can start with a topic sentence, a definition or a descriptive statement. It can also be
started abruptly with a question or a quotation to draw the attention of the audience. Sometimes
one can use statistical information, an analogy, anecdote or a joke to raise curiosity. Conclusion
should sum up the whole idea and justify one’s stand.
11. How do you generate supporting ideas?
Ans: The supporting details in between can be generated and framed by answering ‘Wh-questions’
such as what, where, when, why, who, and how.
12. What should you do when you participate in JAM?
Ans: Every sentence should be spoken cautiously with acceptable speed, audibility and legible
fluency. Be brief and follow sequential order in arranging the ideas. Use simple sentences. Don’t
dump to much information. Aim at clarity and natural expressions. Never experiment with strange
words, phrases and sentence patterns in JAM.
13. What shouldn’t you do when participating JAM?
Ans: Don’t deviate from the topic, don’t repeat the ideas, content words and phrases and don’t
hesitate. Don’t be nervous and don’t break the speech.
14. What are the differences between JAM and Public Speaking?
Ans: There are several differences between JAM and public speaking. These two differ with each
other with regard to body language, audibility, attractive gestures, humour, time limit etc. JAM is
of more formal and it is used mostly among students, in academic learning as a competition and in
job interviews.On the other hand, public speaking is addressing huge gathering at celebrations,
events election canvassing etc.
15. What are the similarities between JAM and Public Speaking?
Ans: Proper planning, organization of ideas presentation and a good amount of practice are
common both to JAM and Public speaking.
 10. & 11. GROUP DISCUSSION
1. What is GD?
Ans: GD stands for group discussion. In a GD, a group of people sit together and discuss one
particular issue. Usually, they try to come to a general agreement. Mostly the discussions are
formal.
Sometimes they not be so formal too. In some GDs, the aim is to arrive at a consensus in order to
solve some problem.
2. How is a GD conducted?
Ans: Group discussion is a formal talk. Aspirants who participate in group discussion sit in an
orderly circle. They engage themselves in a non-casual talk. They come forward with their ideas,
exchange opinions. They discuss the topic under discussion in a rather friendly manner.They don’t
get angry or be aggressive while exchanging opinions.
3. Who conducts GDs?
Ans: For certain types of jobs, a successful participation in a GD is compulsory. GD plays a very
important role in your hunt for a job. Employers use it as a tool to assess the candidate’s
communication skills, negotiation skills, interpersonal skills, analytical skills, leadership qualities
team spirit etc.
4. What do the employers look for in the candidates for job through a group discussion?
Ans: The employers look for communication skills, negotiation skills, interpersonal skills,
analytical skills, leadership qualities and team spirit in the candidates. It is possible to assess these
qualities through a group discussion.
5. What are the different varieties of group discussions?
Ans: One variety is the problem-solving GD. Another one is GD for employment. GD for
employment is usually a mock GD in which candidates compete to be chosen for a job. But
problem-solving GD is not mock in nature. Real issues ae discussed so as to resolve them,
therefore team spirit is a must here.
6. What are the differences between problem-solving GD and GD for employment?
Ans: In a problem-solving GD, Group interest is given top priority. But in the GD for
employment, one should assert one’s individuality and at the same time one should not say
anything that damages the team spirit. In a problem-solving GD, members know each other and
generally it has a leader. Where in GD for employment members may or may not know one
another and there will be struggle to prove one’s leadership qualities.
7. What are the different steps involved in GD?
Ans: They are outlining, providing solutions, linking ideas, presentation style, assimilating earlier
points, and providing insights.
8. What do you mean by ‘outlining’ or ‘initiation’ in GD?
Ans: Initiation means starting the group discussion. The first member who takes the initiative to
start the GD is faced with the responsibility of outlining the issue on hand. Outlining means the
scope or the extent of the topic under discussion. It may include the complexities involved, plans
implemented so far, remedial measures to be taken etc. Initiation is a disadvantageous position
because it is lack of inputs from the other members. But being initiative is a leadership quality.
9. What is presentation style? How can it be improved?
Ans: Presentation style can be improved by using clear and concise expressions. Short and
manageable sentences should always be preferred. One should speak slowly and audibly by
varying one’s tone and intonation. Hand gestures and body language should indicate a positive
attitude. Eye contact and smile are also important.
10. What do you mean by ‘assimilation’ in GDs?
Ans: Assimilation is the concluding part of a group discussion. The person who brings the
discussion to an end must assimilate all the points discussed by the members. This is a good
opportunity to exhibit one’s analytical skills. He can provide insights, offer solutions to the
problems discussed etc. But the disadvantage at this stage is that the person may not be left with
any more new points to share with the group.

11. What tips would you offer to those who participate in a group discussion?
Ans: Keep eye contact while speaking.
Initiate the GD.
Allow others to speak.
Speak clearly and audibly so that everyone is be able to hear what you are saying.
Make sure to bring the discussion on track.
Listen carefully to others.
Interrupt in a polite way.
Don’t take the discussion personally.
Be assertive.
Be natural and don’t imitate. Participate in a group discussion with ease and confidence.
12. What skills do the employers test in group discussion?
Ans: Communication
Ability to work in a team, leadership qualities
Flexibility
Listening
Effective presentation
Ability to negotiate and compromise
Analytical skills and subject knowledge
Problem solving and critical thinking skills
Attitude and confidence
Decision making skills
13. What expressions do you use at different stages of a GD?
Ans: Expressions while introducing the topic:
- Today we are here to discuss …
- To start with …
- The goal of our discussion today is
Bringing in other people:
- What is your opinion Mr. ……?
- Do you agree with Mr. Prasad’s opinion Mr. ……?
- Mr. …. what do you think we should do?
- What are your views regarding this point Mr. ….?
Keeping the discussion moving:
- Let’s go on to another point ….
- Next, let’s talk about …
- Let’s talk about that later …
Getting further information:
- Would you mind explaining that a little more ….?
- Excuse me, did you say that ….?
Giving an opinion and agreeing:
- In my opinion
- As far as I’m concerned
- Personally, I believe that …
- The way I see it is …
 - I think/ feel/ believe …
- Let me put it in this way …
- I quite agree ...
- That’s true/right …
- Yes, of course/ definitely/ absolutely ….
Polite disagreement:
- I disagree with you, I’m afraid.
- No, I really can’t agree with you there …
- I’m sorry I can’t agree …
- Well, that’s one way of looking at it, but …
Concluding:
- Let us wrap up …
- It’s time to conclude …
- Let us consolidate/summarize the discussion …

12. & 13. INTERVIEW SKILLS

1. What is an interview?
Ans: An interview is a formal meeting arranged to assess the suitability of a candidate for the
employment. The skills of the candidate for the job can be evaluated by one or more interviewers.
2. How are interviews conducted?
Ans: Interviews are conducted in person, on phone or through video conference.
3. What is a mock interview?
Ans: A mock interview for job is a model interview for practice. It can be conducted exclusively
among peer group or by some experts. Many educational institutions and coaching centres provide
the opportunity to face mock interviews to the aspirants. Mock interviews help the aspirants to
evaluate themselves.
4. How do mock interviews help the aspirants?
Ans: Mock interviews help job seekers groom their subject skills. They also help the aspirants to
know about their body language, communication and interpersonal skills, grasping and analyzing
skills.
5. What is meant by a CV and what is its purpose?
Ans: It is a kind of self-prepared document that furnishes important details to the prospective
employer. It is sent along with the cover letter. A curriculum vitaeincludes personal details,
address, education, qualifications, previous work experience, awards and rewards, interests,
references etc. It should be brief, honest and readable, preferable in a page or two.
6. What is a Cover Letter?
Ans: A cover letter is a formal letter attached in support to the curriculum vitae. It consists two or
three paragraphs. In this letter the candidate for the job can personally make the claim of his
candidature and justify his suitability. The candidate can tell about the source of information about
the job vacancy, his present position, achievements and special skills. The letter must be concluded
with a polite note requesting for an interview call.
7. How should a candidate present himself at the interview?
Ans: Candidates who appear for an interview should dress formally, check their gestures, speak
fluently and confidently to convince the interview panel.
8. What is meant by body language?
Ans: Body language means the way we conduct ourselves during an interview. Before attending
the interview, it is better to have a neat and trimmed haircut and clean shaving of the beard. We
must wear a formal dress. Be cool and positive. While answering the questions, be polite and
honest. Speak fluently and confidently. Maintain correct body posture. Sitting up straight sends a
 message of smartness, confidence and credibility. Let there be a warm smile on your face always.
Maintain proper eye contact. Give a firm handshake.
9. What shouldn’t you do in the interview?
Ans: We should not sit with legs apart or legs crossed. Don’t scratch your head. Don’t make any
meaningless, wild hand gestures. Don’t bite nails. Don’t place your hands on the table. Don’t look
into the vacuum while answering.Don’t yawn and don’t stretch your body.Don’t cover the face
with your palms. Don’t laugh. Don’t do anything that is impolite or improper.
10. What details of the organization should the candidate know about?
Ans: Candidates should collect information about the nature of work, timings, salary,career
advancement, promotions and also about the branches of the organization, its products or service,
reputation of the organization, work force etc.
11. What do FAQs mean? Mention a few FAQs you face in the interviews.
Ans: FAQs mean ‘frequently asked questions’. Frequently asked questions are related to family
background, education, strengths, weaknesses, work experience, likes and dislikes, hobbies and
interests, dreams, professional goals, achievements and about the organization.
12. Can you tell us some frequently asked questions in interviews?
Ans: Where do your parents live? Could you please tell us about your siblings? What are your
hobbies? What was the topic of your Project work in Diploma? Where do you yourself after years
from now? Why do you prefer to work in our company? Why should we hire you? Do you like to
work on site in the outer field? How did you come to know about us? Do you know about our
products or services?
13. What are the different stages of attending an interview? What should you keep in mind at every
stage of the interview?
Ans: To prepare well for an interview, we can divide the things into three stages. One should keep
these things in mind when attending an interview.
A) The night before the interview:
- Read your resume/curriculum vitae
- Think of expected questions the interviewers would ask you
- Decide what clothes to wear
- Rehearse the interview yourself or with friends and family
- Work out a strategy for dealing with stress
- Read the job details, employer’s information
- Have a clear idea of what they are and what they want.
B) On the day of the interview:
- Arrive earlier at least by half an hour before the scheduled interview time
- On entering the premises, study the surroundings
- Politely inform the receptionist or someone responsible that you are a candidate for the
interview
- Be relaxed
- Interact with other candidates.
C) During the interview:
- Greet the interviewers
- Be conscious of your body language (handshake, posture, eye-contact)
- Smile and be relaxed
- Be yourself
- Be honest
- Accept if you don’t know something.
- Be prepared to talk but not too much.
- Be attentive to the questions
 - Maintain eye contact with the listeners
- Don’t speak at a very high or low pitch of voice
- Don’t be afraid to ask for clarifications, or to request them to repeat the question
D) After the interviewer:
- Thank the interviewer at the end
14. Mention some questions which are frequently asked in the interviews.
Ans: The following are some of frequently asked questions in the interviews. You need to prepare
well in advance to answer these questions.
1. Tell me about …
~ yourself (describe yourself)
~ your work experience
~ your career expectations
~ your dream job
~ future plans
2. Are you selective in your job search?
3. Why do you want this job?
4. Why do you want to work for this company?
5. What are your salary expectations?
6. Why should we hire you?
7. Why are you interested in this job?
8. What are the challenges that you are looking for?
9. Why do you consider you are the best person for the job?
10. Are you willing to relocate?
11. Are you willing to travel?
12. Are you willing to work in shifts?
13. Where do you see yourself in 5 years time?
14. What job competencies do you possess?
15. Why did you choose this career?
16. What are your strengths?
17. Tell us about your weaknesses?
18. Are you a team player?
19. How do you handle conflict?
20. What do you like/dislike about your job?
21. What was your relationship with your co-workers?
22. What motivates you?
23. Define success at work.
24. Why did you choose your degree and what have you gained from it?
25. What has been your most important achievement in life so far? Why?
26. Why have you applied for this job?
27. What do you have to offer us?
28. What are the current issues in this sector of work?
29. What experience do you have of working in a team and what role did you play in that team?
30. Describe a project you have successfully completed.
31. How would your friends describe you?
32. What questions would like to ask us?

14. MAKING PRESENTATIONS

1. What do you mean by presentation?
Ans: Presentation means delivering a lecture before a group of people or a large audience
explaining our ideas, views or concepts. Presentations may be done by an individual or by a group
of individuals.
2. Name a few occasions on which you make presentations?
Ans: There are a number of occasions when we have to make formal presentations. These
occasions include may be an interview committee, participation in a group discussion or a seminar,
presentation of a lecture before an audience and such other activities.
3. How do you make your presentation more effective?
Ans: We can use audio-visual aids to make the presentation more effective. During the
presentation, we analyze, explain, elucidate and illustrate our ideas with the help of posters,
overhead transparencies such as overhead projector, (OHP) and power point presentations (PPT).
They make use of slides, flip charts, maps, pictures etc. to highlight particular point of view.
4. How is a group presentation organized?
Ans: In a group presentation all the members present a single topic. The members divide the topic
into portions. They assign these portions of content among themselves. Everyone in the group
prepares well his or her part well. They can support their part of presentation with audio-visual
aids. All the members work together to make the presentation a hit.
5. What things should you keep in mind while making your presentation using OHP?
Ans: While making presentations using OHP keep the following points in mind:
- Remember that transparency film comes in one size: 8.5 inches by 11 inches
- Remember not to crowd each transparency with more content than you can project legibly
- Leave generous margins around your content to enhance its effectiveness when you project it
- Write or type no more than seven lines, each with no more than seven words
- Keep a few blank transparencies and pens for use if necessary
- Print your entire set of overheads once on transparency film and again on plain bond paper -
this will help you to make an organized and systematic presentation
6. Mention the steps involved in making a PPT?
Ans: Making a power point presentation involves the following steps:
- The first is to open Microsoft Power Point.
- The second step is to select the slide design. Select background from the format menu. Do not
select too dark colours and too hazy backgrounds. Use contrasting colours for text and
background.
- The third step is to select the slide layout. Select the layout that suits your content. There are
pre-designed slides for different purposes that include graphs and charts.
- The fourth step is to add text. Present only key points and speak on them during presentation.
Do not fill the box with text. Empty space on the slide will enhance readability. See that verbal
presentation focuses on interactive speaking and listening not reading by the speaker or the
audience.While presenting information do not use all capital letters, make use of bullets, use
only one type of bullets. Do not use variety of bullets unless there is a requirement to show
side headings and sub-headings.
- The fifth step is to adding pictures, graphs, charts, music etc. Pictures and videos make your
presentation lively. Select the pictures that suit to the content. Use only good quality images
that reinforce and complete your message.
- The sixth step is to adjust the text box and the pictures. Select the box and drag from the corner
and not from the sides.
- The seventh step is to check the order of the slides for content organization
- The eighth step is to custom animate the content. Avoid the use of flashy transitions such as
text fly-ins.
- The ninth step is to play slide show to check slide transition and animation. Check the duration
of the entire slide show and if you want to run the slide show go automatically select the time
for the transition of each slide.
7. What are the advantages of visual aids?
Ans: Visuals aids create a lot of interest at once
Visual aids draw the attention of the audience to particular points of detail
Visual aids reinforce the message that is put across
Visual aids arouse the curiosity of the audience, stimulate and sustain the interest
Visual aids are only a complement to a lecture presentation but not an optimal percentage
8. What steps do you follow before you make your presentation?
Ans: Before making a presentation we must:
- Collect all the relevant information
- Gather supporting evidence
- Search for relevant audio-visual media
- Synchronize our ideas with these audio-visual media
9. What do you do after preparing your topic for presentation?
Ans: After preparing the topic for presentation we must
- Make an extensive study to have a deeper understanding of the topic
- Organize the information in a presentable fashion
- Try to present the complete information within the time given for the presentation.
- Plan our presentation
10. How do you prepare for the presentation?
Ans: A presentation is not an extempore talk. It is a carefully thought out action plan to impress
the audience. We must makea number of rehearsals before the presentation. It helps us to check
our voice modulation. Careful preparation and practice makes our presentation more effective. We
must also see the arrangements for the presentation such as checking the availability of power,
setting up speakers if needed, loading our PPT on the computer etc.
11. What would you do when you enter the presentation hall?
Ans: On entering the presentation hall we must
- greet the audience
- introduce yourself to the audience
- introduce your group to the audience
12. What do you do during the presentation?
Ans: Everyone undergoes some kind of stress before any formal presentation. But, if we are a little
cautious, we can overcome these problems very easily. So before starting the presentation it is
better for us to distribute any handouts to the audience if necessary.After that we deliver our
presentation in an enthusiastic manner. While presentation is going on, we must make eye contact
with the audience. We must explain the content clearly, analyze the available details and make
easy any complexities in the content using audio-visual aids. This can be achieved using words
and phrases such as: To begin with …, Next …, Then …, After that …., Now I would like you to
look at … etc. On the whole you should do your best for yourself and the group.
13. What do you do after your presentation is completed?
Ans: After the presentation is over we must give a few minutes of time for the audience to ask
you questions on your presentation. Ask the audience for any suggestions to improve the topic or
in the way of presentation. Finally, we must express our thanks to the audience before leaving.
14. How do you answer when some of the audience ask you questions?
Ans: When someone in the audience asks you a question, do allow him to complete the question.
Do not interrupt. Listen intently to the questioner. Be enthusiastic and listen to him. Then start
answering every aspect of the question. One must display a lot of enthusiasm while answering the
questions.
***
SPT/GPT/KVL