How to communicate in flawless English to ace your campus interview?
Communicate in flawless English to ace your campus interview
Every engineering or management graduate looks forward to landing a dream job in a top-ranking company after completing their graduation. Yes, the best-recruiting companies do visit these engineering and management colleges every year to unearth fresh talent. Naturally, you have to clear the entrance tests and various stages of interviews to gain selection. You have to compete with the best students in your institution. Therefore, your communication skills come handy in succeeding in these interviews.
The subject matter is never a problem
The interviewers know that you have a fundamental understanding of the subject matter. Secondly, there is a considerable difference between the theoretical aspects taught to you in college and the practical issues in real life. Yes, you should have a command over your subject. There are no two opinions about it at all. However, the ability to communicate fluently in English can surely help to ace your campus interview. It can set you apart from your peers. Let us now go through some of the simple tips that can help you succeed in such campus interviews.
Difference between writing and speaking English
You might be very good at writing English, but it does not necessarily entail that you would be good at speaking the language. There is a lot of difference between “Written English” and “Spoken English.” It is always better to take an English Speaking Course in a good academy such as Wizmantra to polish your English speaking skills. Here are some differences that you should be aware of.
1. Pronunciation
It can be surprising that excellent writers might not be as good at pronouncing the words they write. A simple example is the word ‘often.’ Many people think it is stylish to pronounce the word as ‘of ten’ rather than pronouncing it correctly as ‘of(t)en.’ It can send a wrong signal to the interviewer. A stint at an English Speaking Class will help you iron out these deficiencies.
2. Grammar
There is a difference in the English that you speak with your friends and the language you will use to communicate with the interviewer. With friends, you can be casual. Using half-sentences is common. You cannot do this at the campus interview. Your grammar should be impeccable. Remember, you do not have the chance to rectify during the interview. It can have a damaging effect on your chances of selection. However, you can improve with practice. We shall see how to do it during this article.
3. Stressing on specific words
Accentuating or emphasizing on specific words is a critical aspect of the English language. Similarly, pausing at the right time is vital. You can send a clear message to the interviewer when you accentuate your words correctly. When you stress on the required words, you end up creating a good impression on the minds of the interviewers.
4. Pay attention to your accent
There is a difference between the Queen’s English and American English. Indians are comfortable with the British accent as compared to the US. Hence, it is better to stick to your strengths rather than becoming a laughing stock by trying something you are not comfortable with in life.
How to speak English naturally?
Before we proceed to discuss the tips to use while communicating with the interviewers, let us understand how to speak English naturally.
1. Think in English
Naturally, you are comfortable conversing with people in your mother tongue. You have a natural flow of words. Therefore, most of you would also be thinking in your mother tongue. Of course, it is not wrong, but it can affect the way you speak English. Now, English grammar is different from the vernacular grammar. Hence, make it a point to think in English before you speak in the language. This clarity of thought will carry forward to your speech as well.
2. Think in complete English sentences
When you speak to your friend, you will reply, “Ya, Fine,” when he/she asks how you are. You convey the message, but it is not the right way to speak to an interviewer in your campus interview. You have to say, “Yes, I am fine.” The instructors or the counselors at the English Speaking Classes will concentrate on such aspects. You can develop this habit by thinking in complete English sentences. Develop this habit over a period. When you are having your breakfast, you should think, “I am eating a sandwich.” Alternatively, when you are watching a movie, think, “This actress is beautiful.” This trait can help you ace the campus interview.
3. Learn to speak functional English
What do you do when you purchase a metro rail ticket. You blurt out, ‘One Return Connaught Place.’ Yes, it is fine, but will it work at the interview? No, it would not. The correct way of asking for a ticket is, “Please give me a return ticket to Connaught Place.” Therefore, it is better to concentrate on such aspects.
Your interviewer could ask you to describe yourself. You should do your mental preparation on how to tackle such a question. Develop the habit to think in complete English sentences. Use such language in your daily activities. Initially, you might find it odd, but you will gradually develop the habit. These points do matter in campus interviews.
English Speaking Tips to help you ace the campus interview
In a campus interview, you are one among equals. To stand out from the rest, you should have that something ‘extra’ in you. Your English speaking skills can tilt the scales in your favor. Let us now discuss some tips that can help you fare better than the others do. Some of the suggestions could be psychological, but they can help you create a lasting impression on the minds of the interviewers.
a) Have confidence and believe in yourself.
The main issue with people is that they worry about what others say. “Will people make fun of me and laugh at my mistakes? What will the interviewer think about me? How will they judge me?” Questions like these could come to your mind. You have to develop the confidence and believe in yourself. If you continuously speak with people in English, you will end up improving your communication skills. The words would flow out of your mouth easily. See, English is not a difficult language to master. Anyone can do it with the required amount of practice. Your confidence will make you stand out from the crowd.
b) Follow this ‘mantra’ – Listen, Speak, Read, Write, Repeat
You should follow this formula for success. Develop a habit of listening to people. Listen to the news readers and TV anchors when they present their programs. Concentrate on the pronunciation of the words. Use them when you speak to people you know. Read English newspapers to develop the habit of thinking in full English sentences. Learn to write proper English. Automatically, you will understand the correct usage of prepositions. It can make a difference when you communicate with the interviewer.
c) Maintain your calm
The best of English speakers can also make grammatical errors while speaking. Yes, you might not be able to undo the mistake, but you can always maintain a calm demeanor. The trick lies in calmly proceeding further without any display of tension on your face. The interviewer could overlook the mistake. However, if you become tensed up, you end up doing more harm than good to your psyche.
d) Practice, Practice, and Practice
Practice makes you perfect. Remember, there are no shortcuts to success in campus interviews. You should keep on practicing until you achieve mastery over the language. The best way to practice is by speaking in front of the mirror. You can pay attention to your facial twitches when you talk. Over a period, you will overcome these issues. Enroll at some good English speaking courses such as the ones conducted by Wizmantra. The more you practice, the better you become. Now, you have to be at your best to ace the interview.
Avoid these common grammatical mistakes
In spite of all the training and practice, mistakes do creep in. You should ensure not to make glaring grammatical errors that can jeopardize your chances of succeeding in the interview. Let us discuss some of the common mistakes that people make during interviews.
a) Before entering the interviewer’s cabin
You have to be polite and seek permission from the interviewer before you enter the room. Of course, it is your turn now, but you have to show the courtesy to the interviewer. Many people seek permission by asking, “Can I come in?” Is anything wrong with the question? Yes, the correct framing should be “May I come in?” The word ‘can’ displays ‘ability’ whereas the word ‘may’ seeks permission.
b) When introducing yourself
Some people try to create an impression by introducing themselves differently.
“People call me Ajay,” “Myself, Ajay,” or “My good name is Ajay.” These words work fine during informal or casual conversations. A campus interview decides the course of your career. You should adopt a formal approach and introduce yourself in the simplest manner possible.
“My name is Ajay,” or “I am Ajay” should be the right introduction.
c) When explaining about educational qualifications
Use simple language to describe your qualifications. “I graduated from Mumbai University in 2017” is a better way than saying “I passed out of Mumbai University in 2017.” The latter description might sound trendy, but it conveys a different meaning as well. In English, “passed out” means “fainted.” Be careful with the usage of words and work to improve your vocabulary.
d) Responding to the interviewer
The interviewer might ask you to respond to his mail by sending your resume. People make the silly mistake of responding, “I will ‘revert back’ to your mail with my resume.” The word ‘revert’ means ‘get back.’ In effect, you are saying, “I will get ‘back back’ to you.” The right way to respond is “I will revert/reply to your mail with my resume.”
We have seen some silly mistakes that people make. Avoiding these mistakes creates a good impression on the interviewer’s mind thereby enhancing your chances of success.
How to handle the most common question?
We have already seen that the subject matter is never a problem in the campus interview. The interviewer looks for the ‘extra spark’ in the candidate, a spark that sets him/her apart from the others. Hence, you find this question to be a common one. “Tell something about yourself.”
How do you handle such a question? Remember, your answer to this question could be the clinching factor. Hence, you should approach this question in the most confident manner possible. Here are some tips to handle this specific question.
The time is now ripe for you to create a lasting impression. Remember what we have discussed above. Think in English and speak in English. Use complete sentences to describe yourself.
Name – My name is Ajay Krishna
Educational qualifications – I have specialized in Information Technology from Anna University, Chennai.
Internship experience – I had my internship training with ABC Company as a software developer specializing in ethical hacking. Go on to describe your work experience in a simple language. Your idea is to communicate correctly with the interviewer. Difficult words can look trendy and attractive, but they could have different meanings as well when viewed in a different context.
Reason for applying to the interview – Do your homework about the company. Explain to the interviewer how you could be useful to the company’s prospects.
Hobbies and interests – Do not get into unnecessary controversies like airing your political views and so on. Be straightforward and use short sentences to describe your hobbies and interests.
10 Common Interview Questions Along With Answers and Examples
Final words
Your body language is vital in the campus interview. The interviewers are good psychological analysts. They know how to read a candidate’s body language. Be confident, but do not cross the line to appear cocky. Use simple language and speak in complete sentences without committing any grammatical mistakes. A stint at the English Speaking Courses will do you a lot of good. You can iron out your deficiencies and impress your interviewer with your flawless English.
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