PREPARATION
1. Know your
strengths and weaknesses. Be prepared
with a solid presentation of your
strong points so that your weaknesses
seem slight in comparison. The
interviewer will be constantly
probing for weaknesses and testing
for strengths.
2. Know the requirements
of the job so that you can relate
how your qualifications compare
with these requirements. You must
be able to show the fit between
" what you can do" and
"what must be done."
You must be prepared to show why
you should be hired.
3. Know the company:
its products and/or services,
its competitors, its history,
size, location of plants and the
like. A brief description of the
company usually accompanies an
advertisement for vacant positions.
It is also useful
to find out who will interview
you. Research of this nature can
pay dividends in helping you prepare
yourself and determine the direction
the interview will take.
4. Know the difficult
questions that are typically asked
and prepare your answers to these
questions.
5. Write down
your own questions. Near the end
of the interview, you will be
usually asked if you have your
own questions. This is the time
to inquire about the nature of
the work, the working conditions,
working hours, training programs
given to employees, chances for
career growth and advancement,
and any other points that may
have not been covered yet. Questions
pertaining to salary or benefits
are never discussed at an interview
unless the interviewer introduces
them. You may ask these questions
after the job is offered to you,
and before you accept.
6. Attend to
your personal appearance. Your
preparation will produce negative
results if you neglect your appearance.
The people who will be deciding
whether to hire you or not will
be looking at you very closely.
7. Check details
of the interview. Find out the
exact time and place for your
appointment and program yourself
to allow for emergencies, such
as a traffic jam or flat tire.
If you are unfamiliar with the
location where the interview will
take place, you should check it
out beforehand.
You should plan
to arrive at the designated place15
minutes ahead of schedule. While
waiting, you can use the time
to review the points to be covered
in the interview or to observe
the office environment and the
employees going about their work.
Bring also with
you a pad and pen for jotting
down things you need to remember
such as the date and time of a
second interview, names, correct
titles, and addresses of those
who interview you. You will need
this information for your post
interview thank you notes.
DRESS
CODE
The following
are accepted standards in the
job market. Follow them if you
want to make a positive first
impression.
Women:
Ø Don't wear your skirts
too short or too tight, heels
to high, or blouses too low and
too sheer.
Ø Skip the loud nail colors
and long nails. Keep your makeup
subtle.
Ø Carry an extra pair of
stockings just in case and wear
them, even in the summer.
Ø Don't wear too much jewelry;
keep it simple. Don't wear lots
of earrings.
Ø Conservative blouse and
suit, with skirt not too short,
sensible heels, subtle make up
and jewelry.
Ø Fill only one hole with
earrings if you have many. Never
wear large hoop earrings
Men
Ø Don't wear an earring.
Ø Keep your nails clean
and trimmed and remember to shave.
Ø Wear knee length socks
that match your pants to avoid
"the sock gap."
Ø A dark suit, white shirt,
tie and dark oxford shoes. (This
will vary from country to country
and the type of job being applied
for).
Everyone
Ø If you think you need
a haircut, get one.
Ø Don't splash on too much
perfume or aftershave. Many people
are allergic to scents.
Ø Don't wear a nose ring.
Ø Take a shower that morning
and wear a deodorant.
Ø Polish your shoes and
press your clothes the night before.
Ø Absolutely don't chew
gum or smoke.
Ø If you suffer from sweaty
palms, keep a handkerchief with
a little baby powder or cornstarch
in it. Before your interview,
go into the restroom and dry your
hands with it.
CONDUCT
DURING INTERVIEW
Ø Don't
accept coffee, tea or even water
even if it is offered; having
a drink is a distraction you don't
really need right now.
Ø Show
enthusiasm for your present job
(even if you are not that excited
about it).
Ø Listen
carefully to the question asked.
Pause for a moment before answering.
Paraphrase the question if you
are not sure you understood it.
Ø If you
don't understand the question,
ask for it to be repeated.
Ø Make
sure that by the end of the interview
you've gotten across your strongest
skills or characteristics. Be
specific about them. It is always
a good idea to prove your expertise
and personal skills by giving
examples.
Ø Leave
the interview with a good closing
impression -- a firm handshake,
a smile, good eye contact, a "Thank
You", and a closing statement
like, "I am very interested
in this position," or "When
can I expect to hear from you?"
INTERVIEW
QUESTIONS
Here are some
questions that employers often
ask candidates. Prepare answers
for these and you won't fear them,
or any variation of them. Be brief.
Answers to questions should not
take more than 90 seconds. Do
not ramble during the interview.
All answers should
relate to the heart of the issue:
Are you qualified to do the job
for which they are hiring? Never
lose perspective of this. Look
at each question as an opportunity
to present your case. Exude confidence
but do not be boastful or arrogant.
About
yourself:
Ø What can you tell me
about yourself?
Ø What are your strengths?
Ø What are your weaknesses/failures?
Ø Describe your long and
short-range goals.
Business
questions:
Ø Why do you want to work
here?
Ø What special qualities
do you bring to this job?
Ø What was your worst job?
Ø Discuss a problem you
have had at work with your boss
(or coworker) and how you resolved
it. Watch out, this is a trick
question. Never let them trick
you into saying a negative comment
about your former boss, co-worker,
position or company. Always stress
the positive behaviors you learned
from difficult situations.
Ø How do you define success?
Ø Where do you see yourself,
career wise, in the future? Watch
out, this is a trick question.
Remember that the main concern
of the employer throughout the
interview is to fill the open
position with someone who will
be successful and stay in it.
School
questions:
Ø Do you think your school
grades represent you?
Ø What was the main thing
you got out of going to college
(high school)?
Ø Why didn't you get a
degree?
Ø How did your education
prepare you for a career?
Ø What did you learn in
school that can help you on this
job?
And finally:
Ø Is there anything else
I need to know about you?
Ø Do you have any questions?
An interviewer
might also ask you to:
Ø Explain or defend any
statement you made in your resume.
Ø Discuss any skill you
may have listed.
Ø Discuss any lapses in
employment times.
