SLAT Personal Interview Guidelines

RAJNEESH SINGH

Expert Guide to Cracking the Symbiosis Interview Round 

Preparing for the Interview 

Face-to-face interviews are where decisions are made! It may seem obvious, but dress professionally and come prepared. Bring several copies of your resume, writing utensils, a notebook, references, questions, breath mints, a comb, and anything else that will make you feel comfortable and prepared. 

What the Interviewer is Evaluating 

During the interview, the interviewer evaluates: 

1. Mission 
2. Vision 
3. Logical Thinking 
4. Knowledge 
5. Planning 
6. IQ 
7. EQ 
8. Ability to Bear Stress 
9. Presentation 
10. Communication 
11. Clarity in Thought 
12. Rational Argumentation 
13. Confidence 
14. Personality 

Guidelines for Answering Questions 

• Listen carefully. If you feel the question is unclear, ask politely for clarification.
• Pause before answering to consider all facts that may substantiate your response.
• Always offer positive information. 
• Get directly to the point. Ask if the listener would like you to go into great detail before you do.
• Discuss only the facts needed to respond to the question. 
• Do not open yourself to areas of questioning that could pose difficulties for you.
• Be truthful, but do not offer unsolicited information. 
• Focus and re-focus attention on your successes. 

Common Interview Questions 

1. Tell me something about yourself.

This is how most interviews begin and this is one question you cannot afford to be unprepared for. To frame a good answer, it is always helpful to know what the interviewer wants to know about you. They would like to know about your educational background, strengths and achievements, family background, and your academic and professional journey. Be short and crisp about all the points mentioned above. If the interviewer needs elaboration, they will ask.

      2. Why do you want to join this institute? 

Answer this honestly and pragmatically. Ideally, you should choose an institute based on certain criteria, such as ranking/placements, courses offered, fees, and location. A little research on the institute, its placements, and specializations will help convince the interviewer that you are sincerely interested. =. It also helps you in identifying parameters critical for you while choosing the particular institute.

      3. Which other institutes have you applied to? 

This question is very much linked to the previous one. Be well-prepared with a planned response about what to disclose. 

      4.How will you add value to this institute if you make it through? 

This is an opportunity to showcase your strengths, supported by related achievements. Your background and circumstances can also be strengths. Remember, an achievement doesn’t necessarily mean a prize. It can be successfully coming out of a crisis situation or managing a small project.

       5. What do you consider your biggest failure? 

CAUTION: This is not an opportunity to pour out your darkest secrets. This is a question that is best played down. For example, if you are overweight, you may mention — “I have been trying to shed weight for the last few years but couldn’t do it still.” The answer should be framed so that it does not reflect badly on your career thus far, or your future career. 

Another way of answering would be a smart statement: “I have never allowed failure to drag me down. I just got up, took my lesson and picked my way forward.” Here it would help to have a certain experience picked out.

         6. Why have you chosen this career? 

Provide a mature and realistic answer based on your aptitude, desired social, professional, and personal environment, background, achievements, motivations, and interests. 

People choose their career based on several reasons, such as: 

~ What is your aptitude? 

~ What kind of a social, professional and personal environment do you desire? ~ What is your background and achievements? 

~ What motivates you? 

~ What activities do you enjoy?

         7. What is the last book you read? 

If you know the ins and outs of the book and the author, that’s great, but it’s also fine to read for fun. Just ensure your answer is natural, convincing, and rational. If asked for more detail about the author, you can say, “I’m sorry, but I haven’t read much about the author. But I liked this book because…”

           8.How will you contribute to this campus if we select you? 

This is a question that directly relates to your strengths and aspirations. Highlight the qualities and aspirations that will benefit the college academically, culturally, or in other ways. Use this question to show your enthusiasm and commitment.

          9.Where do you see yourself 10 years from now? 

Focus on the roles and responsibilities associated with desired positions, rather than throwing in fancy designations. If the question specifically asks for your professional goals, stick to it. Otherwise, balance it with personal goals.

           10. Who is your role model? 

Your role model can be anyone—a public figure or someone from your family. Focus on the qualities that inspire you and how you try to inculcate those qualities. Explain why they stand out from their peers. It is important to focus on the qualities that inspire you and how you try to inculcate those qualities in yourself.

           11. Do you have any questions for me? 

A “No” would be a bad answer. Have a few questions ready about the academic and cultural environment of the institution to show your enthusiasm.