Group Discussion and personal interview workshop

February 14th 2019. Society Hall. Bhawanipur Education Society College (BESC) is one campus where the recruiters are always present – primarily because it is an inexhaustible source of go-getters who are industry ready and because the college leaves no stones unturned to ensure that its students are armed with the relevant skill-sets making them immediately deployable.

The GDPI organised on Valentine’s Day was another refurbishment of this, BESC’s ever readiness to ride the waves. That the workshop was conducted by Sahida Hussain, a corporate trainer with more than a decade’s experience as an HR functionary in one of the leading banks, goes to underscore another important fact about the BESC and its focus areas – it is as concerned about the number of opportunities it provides to the students as it is about the quality of each.

 

The speaker began with the very basics – about why it is important to be truthful and genuine when facing an interview session. “Prepared answers may sound good on the face of it, but remember, the interviewers too have access to them and there is always the possibility that others have mugged and delivered the same words that you think will see you sail through. Be honest to yourself, speak your heart, and be honest upfront – it always attracts a premium” she said.

Communication is the key, she said, adding that the best way to improving communication skills is through attending group discussions which expose students to real-life situations, providing them with the wherewithal to take the questions head on.

The speaker gave special emphasis on having the right supporting documents, explaining in detail the difference between a Resume and a Curriculum Vitae, which most candidates are wont to mixing up. She explained the need, importance and the art of a SWOT analysis underscoring why every candidate must be aware not only of their individual strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats; but also have their responses ready when queried about them.

She provided the audience – which comprised of students from BA, BSc and B Com – with a number of invaluable tips about facing an interview and took great pain in explaining some common topics that are broached in interviews, highlighting the ideal responses to make things easier even while helping the students come in terms with their inherent fear of facing an interview board.

(This report has been filed by Koshal Vyas of the Expressions collective of the BESC).