As you probably know, numerical and verbal aptitude / reasoning tests are becoming more common all the time and these kinds of standardized tests allow employers to assess candidates already at an early stage of the recruitment process. But then there is also the interview. Many company interviewers are continually amazed at the number of applicants that apply for jobs and come to interviews, without having done any preparation. Do you want to be one of these people or do you want to have an edge over the other applicants? The good thing from the applicant’s point of view is that it really is possible to prepare yourself for the whole recruitment process.
You are being interviewed because the interviewer wants to hire someone and not because they want to trip you or embarrass you. Through the interaction which will take place during the interview, the interviewers will be searching out your strong and weak points, evaluating you on your qualifications, skills and intellectual qualities and they will probably probe deeply to determine your attitudes, aptitudes, stability, motivation and maturity.
Interviews are the make or break of the job search. No matter how good your career record is to date, the job interview remains one of the most important steps towards achieving your career goals. Preparation for the job interview is therefore crucial.
Know your CV and ideal next career move.
Know your potential employer.
Know the interview styles that are currently in use.
You may find it useful to be videotaped during a practice interview so that you can see yourself as an interviewer will. This may be particularly useful if it has been many years since you have had a formal job interview. You can also be interviewed by a friend who can then give you feedback. This can be very useful and is often understated.
As well as the knowledge and preparation, you need to perform well in interviews; there are some general dos and don’ts that you should remember.
DO plan to arrive on time and preferably 15 minutes early. Late arrival for a job interview is never acceptable.
If presented with an application, DO fill it out neatly and completely. If you have a personal resume, be sure the person you release it to is the person who will actually do the hiring.
DO greet the interviewer by their surname.
DO shake hands firmly.
DO wait until you are offered a chair before sitting. Sit upright in your chair. Look alert and interested at all times. Be a good listener as well as a good talker.
Smile. Don’t look like you fear the whole situation even though you actually might. A smile can take you far.
DO look a prospective employer in the eye while you talk to them.
DO follow the interviewer’s leads and try to get the interviewer to describe the position and the duties to you early in the interview so that you can relate your background and skills to the position.
DON’T answer questions with a simple yes or no. Explain whenever possible. Use lots of examples and describe what happened in detail. THIS IS IMPORTANT.
DO make sure that your good points get across to the interviewer in a factual and a sincere manner. Keep in mind that you alone can sell yourself to the interviewer. Make them realize the need for you in their organization. You are what is missing!
DON’T lie. Answer questions truthfully, frankly and as to the point as possible.
DON’T ever talk about your past employer in a negative tone. Instead underline what you learnt from that work experience. Even though you might hate tha12y now.
DON’T over answer questions. The interviewer may steer the conversation into politics or economics, since this can be ticklish, it is best to answer the questions honestly, trying not to say more than is necessary.
DON’T ask or talk about salary, bonuses, holidays etc at the initial interview unless you are positive the employer is interested in hiring you and raises the issue first. However you should know your market value and be prepared to specify your required salary or range.
If you are interested in the position, ask for it. Ask for the next interview if the situation demands for it. Make sure what the next stage always is, and if you are unsure then ask this in the end. Even if you are sure, you can still ask since this gives a proactive image of you.
If you get the impression that the interview is not going well and that you have already been rejected, don’t let your discouragement show. Interviewers do every now and then test your reaction, even though they might already be genuinely interested in you.
Thank the interviewer for their time and consideration for you. Wish them a nice day/evening/weekend. Smile and leave the room confident.
Knowing you CV and ideal next career move requires you to be prepared and give evidence. In preparation for an interview, knowledge of your CV is the most important thing. It is your opportunity to set down situations where you have demonstrated how you added value to an organisation. If you have a firm grasp of your ideal next job, you will be ready for ANY interview.
The person interviewing generally knows little about you except for what is in your CV. They will generally use your CV as a prompt to find out more about your career and your abilities. The CV is like the skeleton. You then have to dress it up by giving examples and explaining situations that happened in the past.
You should be sufficiently prepared so you are able to tell a story about every point you make on your CV.
Here we recommend you research the organisation you are being interviewed by, and not just for knowledge. Use the information you discover to develop questions to ask those interviewing you. Look for trends, study the financials and ask questions about strategy and direction.
You can research organisations by reading the business press, reading their annual reports and prospectuses, talking with your networks, and the Internet. It does pay off.
After coming through all the hurdles of the selection process like the aptitude tests, which you can practice for here for only £ 4.99 (US$ 9.28 / EUR 7.29 / Indian Rupee 426 / Australian$ 12.26 / Canadian$ 10.27), you will eventually arrive at an interview. This is of course a major obstacle for many job applicants. Although they may have the qualifications, experience and a proven track record, they may lose out to a candidate who interviews better.
Interviewing better comes down to the candidate being well prepared and confident. A candidate who can answer questions in a way which is acceptable to the interviewer, someone who knows something about their potential employers business and the post they hope to fill. These are really the basic components of any candidate who interviews well. There are undoubtedly other aspects employers may look for in relation to specific posts like having their own ideas, being articulate, thinking on their feet, aspects which will be related to the job and the company’s preference in employees.
The employer will also be looking to fill a post, which has a particular job specification – in other words personal aspects besides the experience, and qualifications that can be put down on paper. The interviewer will set out to ascertain that the candidate has these personal qualities, skills and abilities the company requires.
These two essential ingredients are interlinked. Good preparation instils confidence.
So the basic approach to an interview is to be prepared. This means two things: preparing yourself practically for the interview and gathering knowledge and information you can draw on during the interview.
Be sure you know the time, date and location of the interview and name of the interviewee where appropriate.
Check out how you will get to the location and when you need to set off to be there in good time. You can do a dummy run if necessary.
Have what you are going to wear ready in advance.
Do not go to the interview laden down with baggage – psychological as well as physical. Take the bare minimum of belongings necessary. Concentrate on the interview at the interview and nothing else.
If you are asked to bring certificates, references etc, get them ready before the day. You can also take copies already. This makes you look prepared. Take the interview letter with you. On arrival ensure the receptionist knows you are there, visit the toilets to tidy up etc.
If you are well organised and have planned for the day your confidence will increase.
The interview is a chance for you and the employer to get to know one another. It is not the time to get to know about the post or the employers business.
Do gather information about your employer before you are interviewed – what they do, what their current projects are, what other interests they have? Ask staff, friends etc.
Make sure you know what the job entails - get a job description, ask someone in a similar post, ring the company to clarify if unsure.
Remember the employer is interested in you as a person, and your opinions. Do take time to sit down and think about yourself, who you are and what you have achieved. It can be highly embarrassing to know more about the employer than about yourself. Knowing yourself is the key to many things.
Sit down with your CV and make notes, about your work record, what you have achieved. Look at yourself as a person in employment – how do you see yourself, what have you done, what ambitions do you have. Make notes and prepare and rehearse sound bites about yourself. Remember that one of the most common interview questions is “Tell me about yourself?”. Prepare an answer for this but this shouldn’t be a life history. Usually interviewers want to know about personal qualities and achievements. Examples of situations in where these qualities have been used should be mentioned as much as possible.
Interviews vary tremendously from very informal to formal. However some questions can be anticipated as can the subject matter. If you are well prepared, then the majority of problem questions should not arise. You will know about the company, you will know about yourself and you will have a good idea of the demands of the job. These questions will not be a problem to the well prepared interviewee
Speak up when answering questions.
Answer briefly, but try to avoid yes or no answers. Explain what you mean and use examples.
Don’t worry about pausing before you answer, it shows you can think and are not spitting out sound bites you learned.
Don’t worry about admitting you don’t know – but keep this to a minimum.
Don’t embellish answers and don’t lie. Be as honest as possible.
Be prepared for hypothetical situation questions and take your time on these.
Be prepared for the unexpected question, that’s designed to see how you cope with the unexpected.
If you ask questions, then keep them brief during the interview. Remember you are the interviewee. At the end of the interview ask your questions in an open manner. There is always the opportunity to ask them questions at the end of the interview – remember the interview is a two way process, you need to be sure you want to join them too.
Thank the interviewers for their time, when you leave quietly and calmly. Smile.
Try to concentrate on issues which are both important to you and combine as apparent interest in the company, leave issues like terms and conditions until the very last, even though they may feel the most important to you.
the competitive environment in which the organisation operates
executive management styles
what obstacles the organisation anticipates in meeting its goals
how the organisation’s goals have changed over the past three to five years
Generally, it is most unwise to ask about pay or benefits or similar areas. The reason is that it tends to make you seem more interested in what the organisation can do for you. It’s also not a good idea to have no questions at all. Doing so makes you appear passive rather than curious and interested. SHOW PROACTIVITY! You are interested in that company and what they do.
What are the main objectives and responsibilities of the position?
How does the company expect these objectives to be met?
What obstacles are commonly encountered in reaching these objectives?
What is the desired time frame for reaching the objectives?
What resources are available from the company and what must be found elsewhere to reach the objectives?
Wear what is appropriate for the post and the company. It may vary from smart, formal wear in some instances and informal in other. Better to wear a suit though if you are not sure. Be well groomed and clean. Try to look calm and confident. Once you have entered the interview room there will usually be a short exchange of pleasantries and ice breaking. Don’t be fooled by this time – it really is designed to put you at ease in most circumstances, but these initial moments are the most formative – don’t go over the top being exceptionally friendly or alternatively going rigid with fear. A pleasant natural smile, a firm handshake and a brief exchange of words in a natural manner of this greeting is sufficient.
Sit comfortably with both feet on the floor, lean slightly towards the interviewer.
Don’t play with your hair or your hands. Keep them out of pockets.
Try not to create defensive barriers between you and them, like a bag or folder on your knees, folded arms or crossed legs. This won’t give a good image of you.
Maintain natural eye contact with the interviewer but do not stare. If there’s more than one interviewer, then look at whoever is talking.
When you are talking, shift your glance from one to the other. This way you include them all.
Don’t over use your hands, if you are a natural gesticulator.
Don’t squirm or fidget.
Do nod and Mmm, to show you are listening to them.
Above all try to be you, try to be natural.
Obeying these rules will allow the interviewers to concentrate on you and not on what you are doing in the interview. Body language conveys all sorts of messages, and the right body language will convey the message of a well-balanced and confident individual.
The short time you spend at a job interview could have a dramatic effect on your career prospects. It is therefore important that you perform well because no matter how good your career record is to date, the employment interview remains an important step towards fulfilment of your ambitions.
During the course of an interview, the employer will be evaluating your negative factors as well as your positive attributes.
Listed below are negative factors frequently evaluated during the course of an interview and those, which most often lead to rejection.
Poor personal appearance.
Overbearing - aggressive-conceited “superiority complex”, “know-it-all.”
Inability to express thoughts clearly, poor diction or grammar.
Lack of planning for career - no purpose or goals.
Lack of interest and enthusiasm - passive and indifferent.
Lack of confidence - nervousness.
Over-emphasis on money - interested only in remuneration.
Evasive - makes excuses for unfavourable factors in record.
Lack of tact / maturity / courtesy.
Condemnation of past employers.
Failure to look interviewer in the eye.
Limp handshake.
Lack of appreciation of the value of experience.
Persistent attitude of “what can you do for me?”
Lack of preparation for interview - failure to get information about the company, resulting in inability to ask intelligent questions.
Find out specific facts about the company – where its plants, offices or stores are located; what its products and services are; what its growth has been; and what its growth potential is for the future.
Prepare the questions you will ask during the interview. Remember that an interview is a "two-way-street", the employer will try to determine through questioning if you have the qualifications necessary to do the job. You must determine through questioning whether the company will give you the opportunity for the growth and development you seek.
Even the smartest and most qualified job seekers need to prepare for job interviews. Why, you ask? Interviewing is a learned skill, and there are no second chances to make a great first impression. So study these 10 strategies and caveats to enhance your interview IQ. It’s about demonstrating confidence: standing straight, making eye contact and connecting with a good, firm handshake. That first impression can be a great beginning – or quick ending – to your interview.
Today’s casual dress codes in the office do not give permission to dress as “they” do when you interview. It is important to look professional and well-groomed. Whether you wear a suit or something less formal depends on the company culture and the position you are seeking. If possible, call to find out about the company dress code before the interview.
From the very beginning of the interview, your interviewer is giving you information, either directly or indirectly. If you are not listening, you are missing a major opportunity. Good communication skills include listening and letting the person know you heard what he said. Observe your interviewer and match that style and pace.
Telling the interviewer more than he/she needs to know could be a fatal mistake. When you have not prepared ahead of time, you may tend to ramble, sometimes talking yourself right out of the job. Prepare for the interview by reading through the job posting, matching your skills with the position’s requirements and relating only that information.
The interview is a professional meeting to talk business. This is not about making a new friend. Your level of familiarity should mimic the interviewer’s demeanour. It is important to bring energy and enthusiasm to the interview and to ask questions, but do not to overstep your place as a candidate looking for a job.
It’s a given that you should use professional language during the interview. Be aware of any inappropriate slang words or references to age, race, religion, politics or sexual orientation – these topics could send you out the door very quickly.
Attitude plays a key role in your interview success. There is a fine balance between confidence, professionalism and modesty. Even if you’re putting on a performance to demonstrate your ability, overconfidence is as bad, if not worse, as is being too reserved.
When an interviewer asks for an example of a time when you did something, he is seeking a sample of your past behaviour. If you fail to relate a specific example, you not only don’t answer the question, but you also miss an opportunity to prove your ability and talk about your skills.
When asked if they have any questions, the majority of candidates answer, “No.” Wrong answer. It is extremely important to ask questions to demonstrate an interest in what goes on in the company. Asking questions also gives you the opportunity to find out if this is the right place for you. The best questions come from listening to what is asked during the interview and asking for additional information.
We know – it’s a tough job market and you need a job. But when you interview with the “please, please hire me” approach, you appear desperate and less confident. Maintain the three C`s during the interview: cool, calm and confident. You know you can do the job; make sure the interviewer believes you can, too.
What kind of job are you looking for?
What are your strengths?
What are you really good at?
Your weaknesses?
What have you done about addressing them?
What do you know about our company?
Why did you choose your particular career?
What are your qualifications?
Why did you choose this particular role?
What do you really want to do in your next career move?
Why would you like to work for our organization?
What do you want to be doing in your career in 5 years? Why?
What was the size of your last salary or bonus?
What style of management gets the best from you?
What interests you about our products or services?
What have you learned from some of the jobs you have held? Which did you enjoy most? Why?
What is your major weakness? What have you done about it?
What do you think determines a person’s progress in a good company?
Are you willing to relocate?
How do you spend your time?
What are your hobbies?
What does teamwork mean to you?
Have you saved any money?
What entrepreneurial activities have you been engaged in?
What type of books do you read? What was the last one?
What are your major strengths?
What skills have you developed from previous jobs?
What were your biggest achievements in your last jobs?
How would others describe you?
What are you major goals in your career and life?
Why are you looking to move right now?
What concerns do you have with your current employer?
Do you prefer to work on your own or as part of a team?
Why do you want this job?
What is the biggest mistake you have ever made?
What is the biggest challenge you have ever faced?
How do you cope with colleagues you don’t get along with?
You have changed jobs “three” times in the past years. Why should I think you are more serious about this one?
We are looking for someone with more experience than you so why should we give you the job?
How much / what do you know about our business?
What other jobs are you applying for? Why these companies? Why this sector?
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