Overview on Interviews

They shouldnt be scary!

Expert interviewers know which questions to ask to find out not only about applicants' skills but also about how they think, how they view the world, and how committed they are to getting the job done while still preserving some sense of balance in life.

However, an interview is not a one-way street. It is an exchange of information, providing you with an opportunity to learn about your potential employer and the position being offered.  It is important to prepare yourself properly for an interview so that you will feel relaxed and confident, and will project your confidence to the employer. 

The interview is the most important event in the job search. The thirty minutes spent with the interviewer may determine the future course your career is to take. For this reason, the word "interview" makes many people nervous and insecure.

Keep in mind that you are not asking for a job; you are actually trying to sell your services, a given quantity of useable energy of a certain quality, from which the employer can make a profit. An employer hires you not as a favour to you, but because he / she wants what you have to offer.

An individual goes to a job interview with two objectives: to sell his / her services and to collect information concerning the job and the company. The interviewer also has two objectives: to collect information which will help in predicting the individual's future performance, and to provide information about the job and company. Both have the further goal of checking personal chemistry: "Do I want to work with this person? Do our corporate philosophies fit?

The impression you leave with an interviewer should not end when the interview does.

Whether or not you get a particular job offer is not fully within your control; however, doing everything you can to portray yourself as a worthy candidate is something you can control.

Preparing for the Interview

One of the best ways to reduce nervous tension prior to an interview is to be well prepared, both physically and intellectually. 

Be mentally fresh - get a good night's sleep. 

Plan your route, take change for parking and have our telephone number to hand just in case.
 
Wear clothing appropriate to the company's image and suitable to the job. Your appearance is important. You will be judged on your grooming and overall presentation before you even get a chance to speak. If you are a smoker, you should refrain from smoking just prior to the interview.

Make sure that you have the correct address and time of the appointment so you do not arrive late and breathless.

Remember that the receptionist may have been instructed to write down her impressions of you. Treat everyone you encounter with friendliness and respect.

Be sure you know the name and correct pronunciation of the person or persons who will be interviewing you.

Arrive a few minutes early. Switch your mobile phone off.

Dispose of sweets or chewing gum before you enter the building.

Develop a firm but not bone-crushing handshake.

Take to an interview only those things you need - two copies of your CV, a list of references, important work samples, a reliable pen and a note pad - all of which should fit neatly into a large folder, envelope or briefcase.

Thoroughly review the research you have done on the company, the interviewer(s) and the position so that you can discuss the position you are applying for in a knowledgeable manner.

Remember - an interview is a conversation between two interested parties, not an interrogation to be feared of. It is a two way process since the employer wants to find out about you and you want to find out about the employer.

Selling Yourself

Your chances of success will be noticeably improved if you spend time and effort ensuring that your presentation during a job interview is professionally executed.

For a moment, pretend you are an interviewer and ask yourself, "Do I consider this person (you) a worthy candidate for a position with my company?" If you say "Yes", you obviously have some confidence, which is good, but not good enough if you want to outshine your competition.

Continuing in your pretend-role of interviewer, ask yourself, "In what ways does this person (yourself) stand out above all other people I've talked with?" Tough question? You bet! But it is one you should be ready to answer if you want the real interviewer, the one who will be assessing you, to take you seriously.

To answer this and other difficult questions properly, you must invest the time and effort necessary to prepare yourself. Being prepared and presenting yourself professionally during the interview will increase your chances of succeeding.

Since the product you are selling is yourself, you must know everything the interviewer could conceivably ask about you. You must become an expert on yourself. It's not so very difficult, but it does require considerable effort and time.

You must also know about the company that is interviewing you. If you can't visualize ways how you will enhance this company's operations, chances are they won't be able to visualize them either!

Remember, the better you know yourself and the position you are striving for, the more spontaneous and confident you will be.

Some Dos and Donts about Job Interviewing

Think before you answer. It is quite acceptable to pause to organize your thoughts before responding.

If you are asked a question that you don't understand, ask for clarification.

Answer truthfully. After all, if you are playing a game in order to get hired and are successful, the employer will undoubtedly discover any misrepresentation once you are on the job. Most companies make it a standard practice to check out information (educational information, transcripts, references, work history, etc.) that you have provided.

Body language is a serious part of any interview. Sit up straight, not too relaxed in your chair. Avoid nervous habits such as twisting hair or tapping fingers. Appear alert, attentive and enthusiastic. Above all, maintain eye contact with your interviewers.

A good method to see whether the interviewer understands your answers is to observe his / her body language. If you are unsure, ask directly whether you have adequately answered his / her questions.

Occasionally, you will be interviewed by someone less experienced who asks only 'closed-ended' questions - ones which evoke a "Yes" or "No" answer. Whenever possible, try to expand and give an example of why you answered the way you did. If the interviewer does most of the talking, you won't get a chance to convey who you really are and the company will lack the information they need to make an informed decision.

Don't be afraid to let people know you are interested in the job - if you want the job, ask for it!

A Guide to the Most Common Questions

Be prepared to discuss each. The appropriate responses will depend on your unique situation, but generally, keep your answers to employment-related scenarios.

As a rule of thumb, supply more positive examples than negative. For example, when discussing your weaknesses and strengths, provide no more than one weakness compared to three strengths.

Tell me about yourself? - Keep your answers to one or two minutes. Do not ramble. Cover four segments only: early years, education, work experience and recent times, with emphasis on the latter.

What do you know about our company? - Know the company's products, size, reputation, image, goals, problems, management talent, management style, people skills, history, competitors and philosophy. Avoid saying that you don't know much. State that you would like to know more.

Why do you want to work for us? - It could be that you wish to be a part of a company project, you would like to solve a company problem, or you can make a definite contribution to specific company goals.

What can you do for us that someone else cannot do? - Relate past experience that represents success in solving previous employer problems that may be similar to those of the prospective employer. Reflect your positive "can do" attitude.

What do you look for in a job? - Keep your answer opportunity-oriented. Talk about the opportunity to perform and to be recognized.

How long would it take you to make a meaningful contribution to our firm? -Be realistic (3-6 months to 1 year).

How long would you stay with us? - A good answer could be, "As long as we both feel challenge and achievement".

You seem overqualified or too experienced for the position we have to offer. - A response could be one of the following, - "Strong companies need strong people" - "Experienced executives are at a premium today" - "A growing company needs people with experience that can help them reach their goals" Emphasize your interest in a long-term association.

Why are you leaving your present job? - Stick to one response - don't change answers during the interview. If possible, give an answer that portrays a group perspective. For example, "Our office is closing".

How do you feel about leaving all of your benefits?- A possible response, - "Benefits are important but not the main focus in making my decision. I am looking for the right opportunity and environment where I can be challenged."

Describe what you feel to be an ideal working environment? - Be prepared to answer, as it would pertain to your particular job and circumstances.

How would you evaluate your present company? - "An excellent company that afforded me many fine experiences". It is important not to bad-mouth past employers or bosses. Bad-mouthing tends to reveal more about you than those who are the objects of your comments.

Why haven't you found a new position before now? - "Finding the 'right' job requires considerable time and study". Had you thought of leaving your present position before? If so, what do you think held you there? - "Challenge, but now it is gone" is a good response.

If I spoke to your previous boss, what would he / she say are your greatest strengths and weaknesses? - This is a "threat of reference check" question that is popular today. It is designed to produce not only honesty but also perspiration. It is important that your response be honest, but not too negative.

Questions You Should Ask in the Interview

The questions you ask regarding a prospective position are as indicative of your attitude and competence as the answers you provide in response to the interviewer's questions. By asking the right questions, you can emphasize your desire to understand the organization's expectations, determine if the work will be challenging, and analyse whether the work is appropriate to your strengths. With proper questioning techniques, you may be able to identify major contributions you might make.

What are the main responsibilities of the position we are discussing?

Who would be my key associates?

To whom would I report? Whom would I supervise?

Who held the position before, how long did they hold it, why is the position vacant?

What are the capabilities of the individuals who would report to me?

What objectives do you have in mind that must be met or surpassed for the person who is hired?

Where can this position lead, and in what time frame?

How would I best learn the practices, policies, and corporate expectations that will enable me to function successfully?

Six months from now, how will you know you hired the right person for this job?

How would you describe your company's culture?

What is the management style of the person to whom this position reports?

What are the challenges I would face in this position?

What are you personally looking for in the successful candidate?

What capabilities do you feel have the most importance?

When will you be making a decision regarding this position?

Asking the right questions will provide you with information you need to evaluate the position and will improve your negotiating situation once an offer has been made.

Avoid asking about salary and benefits until you get an offer. Let the employer bring up the subject first. Focus on the job responsibilities, who will train you and what they consider a typical day.

Also, be careful not to make an employer feel like you are the one conducting the interview. Prepare questions, but do not start out with them.

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