The short
time you spend at a job interview may 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 fulfillment
of your ambitions. These hints will equip you with valuable information
on how to conduct yourself during interviews with prospective
employers.
You should
be prepared to answer questions like these:
- Why did you
choose this particular role?
- What do you
want to be doing five years from now? Why?
- What was
your last salary?
- What interests
you about our products / services?
- Can you get
recommendations from previous employers? What would they say about
you?
- 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?
- Are you willing
to relocate or to travel some distance?
- How do you
spend your spare time? What are your hobbies?
- What does
"teamwork" mean to you?
During the
course of an interview, the employer will be evaluating your
negative factors as well as your positive attributes. Be aware
of these negative factors which may 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 unfavorable factors in record.
- Lack of tact/maturity/courtesy.
- Condemnation
of past employers.
- Failure to
look interviewer in the eye.
- Limp, fishy
handshake.
- Lack of appreciation
of the value of experience.
- Failure to
ask good questions about the job and company. This is most important.
- Lack of preparation
for the interview
Preparation
for the Interview
Here are
some questions you should consider asking in any interview.
Remember that an interview is a "two-way-street".
- A detailed
description of the position?
- Reason the
position is available?
- Type of business
- Anticipated
induction and training programme?
- What sort
of people have done well?
- Advanced
training programmes available for those who demonstrate outstanding
ability.
Finally,
some "do's" and "don'ts" concerning the
interview:
- DO plan to
arrive on time or a few minutes early. Late arrival for a job
interview is never excusable.
- If presented
with an application, DO fill it out neatly and completely.
- DO greet
the interviewer by his/her surname if you are sure of the pronunciation.
- 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 smoke
even if the interviewer smokes and offers you a cigarette.
- DO look a
prospective employer in the eye while you talk to him/her.
- Do follow
the interviewer's leads but 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. Tell those things about yourself which relate
to the position.
- DO make sure
that your good points get across to the interviewer in a factual,
sincere manner. Keep in mind that you alone can sell yourself
to an interviewer. Make him/her realise the need for you in his/her
organisation. Smile.
- DON'T lie.
Answer questions truthfully, frankly and as to the point as possible.
- DON'T ever
make derogatory remarks about your present or former employers
or companies.
- 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 enquire
about SALARY or HOLIDAYS at the initial interview unless you are
positive the employer is interested in hiring you and raises the
issue first.
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