CASE: AN EMPLOYMENT INTERVIEW
Mr Sinha has an MBA. He is being interviewed for the posi- Mr Sinha: Sir, who am I to boast about my strengths?
tion of management trainee at a reputed company. The selec-
You should tell me my strengths.
tion committee is chaired by the vice-president. Mr Sinha's Committee
interview was as follows:
member: What are your weaknesses?
Committee
Good morning.
Mr Sinha: I become angry too quickly.
Mr Sinha:
Good morning.
Committee
Chairperson: Please take a seat.
member: Do you want to ask us any questions?
Mr Sinha:
Thank you (Sits down at the edge of the
Mr Sinha: Yes, sir. I was wondering what future oppor-
chair. Keeps his portfolio on the table.)
tunities there are for someone who starts as
Chairperson: So, Mr Sinha, I can see that you have fin-
a management trainee.
ished
your MBA with a first division. The committee member tells Mr Sinha the typical career
Mr Sinha: Yes, madam.
path for those starting as management trainees. The chair-
Chairperson: Why do you want to work in our organiza- person then thanks Mr Sinha. Mr Sinha promptly says in
tion1
response, “You are welcome", and then exits the room.
Mr Sinha:
Your company has a very good reputation in Answer any questions.
the industry
Questions to Answer law carries S marks
Committee
1. Do you find Mr Sinha's responses to the questions
member: This job is considered to be quite stressful.
effective? Give reasons for your view on each answer
Do
you
think
you can manage the stress given by Mr Sinha.
involved?
2. Write out the responses that you consider most effec-
Mr Sinha: Yes, I think there is too much talk about tive to these questions.
stress these days. Sir, would you tell me 3. Mr Sinha has observed the norms of respectful and
more clearly what you mean by stress?
polite behaviour, but do you think something went
Committee
wrong in his casc? Account for your general impression
member: What do you think are your strengths?
of Mr Sinhas performance at the interview.
Answers
Answer:
(a) Yes, even though Mr. Sinha was polite and respectful, there are certain aspects of this interview which could've been stated better. From the moment he sat on the edge of the chair, it portrayed that he was being nervous which is understandable but you ought to have confidence in front of the interviewer. There were many other instances too.
For instance, when Mr. Sinha was asked about his educational background, he answered very vaguely, which was just a "Yes", he could have elaborated more about what exactly he learned in his MBA. When asked about his capability of working under stress, his answer wasn't relevant but when he asked what exactly the interviewer meant by stress, that was good. Other than this, he could have elaborated about all the other questions' answers that he gave. Because when a interviewer is asking you question, he doesn't want straight cut-to-the point answers, they are checking your perspective about the situation presented before you. When being asked about his strengths, he didn't answer correctly and his answer about his weakness was framed poorly. He could have framed it in a different manner.
(b) Some of the effective responses by Mr. Sinha, in my opinion were:
- Your company has a very good reputation in the industry. (could have added a few more points though)
- Sir, would you tell me more clearly what do you mean by stress?
- Yes sir, I was wondering what future opportunities there are for someone who starts as a management trainee.