Description

The fourth session of the Career Readiness for the IT Industry workshop series was successfully conducted on 30th July 2025, from 6.00 pm to 8.00 pm, focusing on equipping students and young professionals with practical strategies to excel in interviews. Titled “Mastering the Interview Process”, the session was led by Ms. Oshadi Kaumada, Employer Branding Specialist – Global Talent Acquisition, who brought in-depth knowledge and hands-on insights from the recruitment and talent acquisition field. The workshop guided participants through the end-to-end interview journey, addressing key areas such as: Why Interviews Matter – understanding interviews as both an employer’s assessment tool and an opportunity for candidates to present their value. Types of Interviews – an overview of traditional, panel, group, technical, behavioral, and phone screening interviews, with practical advice on what to expect. Preparation Strategies – including company and role research, analyzing job descriptions, crafting an elevator pitch, and applying the STAR method for behavioral questions. Common Mistakes to Avoid – such as poor preparation, negative language, weak body language, ignoring virtual setup, dishonesty, or oversharing, reinforced with an interactive video-based activity. Tips to Stand Out – emphasizing authenticity, curiosity, self-awareness, thoughtful questions, and follow-up with personalized thank-you notes. Common Interview Questions – tackling frequently asked questions like “Tell me about yourself,” “Why do you want this job?”, and “Why should we hire you?” with insights into what recruiters are really looking for. The session began with a short welcome and icebreaker activity, allowing participants to share their biggest interview challenges. This set the stage for a highly engaging and interactive session. A significant portion of the session was dedicated to Q&A and wrap-up discussions, where participants actively engaged with the speaker, asking questions relevant to their own career aspirations and receiving direct feedback. This workshop highlighted the importance of both preparation and authenticity in the interview process, providing participants with confidence and actionable strategies to excel in different interview formats. The event was jointly organized by the IEEE Computer Society Sri Lanka Chapter and SLAAS Section E3 (Computer Science). From IEEE Computer Society Sri Lanka Chapter, the session was coordinated and organized by Ms. Suresha Perera. The audience primarily included undergraduates and recent graduates in Computer Science, IT, Software Engineering, and related disciplines, who walked away with a clear roadmap to navigate interviews with professionalism and confidence.