HR Having a Successful Job Interview.doc

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Having a Successful Job Interview

By Margaret B. Hentz(reprinted with permission from SLA CapLits, Summer 1997, Vol. 13.1, pp. 23-2!

The goal of a job interview is to sell yourself. Many of the same questions are ase! byinterviewers time after time. Therefore" the best way to sell yourself an! have a successfulinterview" is to #re#are answers that are honest an! tell the interviewer what they nee! to hear.The goo! interviewers now which questions to as to fin! out not only about the a##licant$ssills" but also about how the a##licant thins an! how committe! she%he is to getting the job!one. Here are some of the questions an! some #ossible res#onses given by &aymon! '.Harrison" a vice #resi!ent in the 'hila!el#hia office of (rae Beam Morin Inc." an internationalconsulting firm.

Tell me about you.

)*ee# your answer to one or two minutes+ !on$t ramble. ,over four segments - early years"

e!ucation" wor e#erience" recent times - with an accent on the later.)

What do you know about our company?

*now #ro!ucts" size" income" re#utation" image" goals" #roblems" management talent"management style" #eo#le sills" history an! #hiloso#hy. (on$t say you !o not now much ... youshoul! state that you woul! lie to now more.)

Why do you want to work for us?

)/ou wish to be #art of a com#any #roject+ you woul! lie to solve a com#any #roblem+ you canmae a !efinite contribution to s#ecific com#any goals.) What can you do for us that someoneelse cannot?

)&elate #ast e#erience that re#resents success in solving #revious em#loyer #roblems that maybe similar to those of the #ros#ective em#loyer.)

What do you look for in a job?

)*ee# your answer o##ortunity-oriente!. Tal about the o##ortunity to #erform an! berecognize!.)

How long would it take you to make a meaningful contribution to our firm?

Be realistic an! say si months to one year.

You may be overqualified or too eperienced for the position we have to offer.

Strong com#anies nee! strong #eo#le+ e#erience! eecutives are at a #remium to!ay+ theem#loyer will get a faster return on investment because you have more e#erience than require!+a growing" energetic com#any rarely is unable to use its #eo#le talents. 0m#hasize your interestin a a long-term association.)

Why are you leaving your present job?
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Stic to one res#onse. (on$t change answers !uring the interview. 1ive a $grou#$ answer if#ossible - )2ur office is closing). 3nother #ossible answer is )4e agree! to !isagree.)

How do you feel about leaving all of your benefits?

),oncerne! but not #anice!.)

!escribe what you feel to be an ideal working environment.

)4here #eo#le are treate! as fairly as #ossible.)

How would you evaluate your present firm?

)3n ecellent com#any that affor!e! me many fine e#eriences.) It is im#ortant not to ba! mouth#ast em#loyers or bosses. Ba! mouthing ten!s to reveal more about you than about those whoare the objects of your comments.)

Why haven"t you found a new position before now?

)5in!ing a job is easy but fin!ing the right job is more !ifficult.)

Had you thought of leaving your present position before# $f so% what do you think held youthere?

),hallenge" but it$s gone now.)

$f $ spoke to your previous boss% what would she&he say are your greatest strengths andweaknesses?

This $threat of reference chec$ question almost always #ro!uces honesty but also #ers#iration. It

is im#ortant" in your res#onse" to )be honest but not too negative.)

What are your weak points?

(on$t say you have none. Turn a negative into a #ositive answer6 )I am sometimes im#atient an! Iget too !ee#ly involve! when we are late.)

How much do you epect if we offer this position to you?

)Be careful+ the maret value of the job may be the ey answer - $My un!erstan!ing is that a joblie the one you are !escribing may be in the range of ...$)

What was the last book you read? 'ovie you saw? (porting event you attended?

)Tal about leisure boos to re#resent balance in your life.)

Will you be out to take your boss" job?

7ot until I get the current job !one.)


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How would you describe the essence of success? )ccording to your definition% howsuccessful have you been so far?

)3 sense of well-being ... 'retty successful with the usual u#s an! !owns.)

3t some #oint in every interview" the interviewer woul! as the a##licant if she%he has any

questions. It is im#ortant that the a##licant has some questions - an! some goo! ones - becausequestions can reveal as much about the a##licant as answers.

Here are some good questions to ask the interviewer when the time comes#

4hy is this #osition o#en8

How often has it been fille! in the last 9 to :; years8

4hat have been the #rimary reasons for in!ivi!uals leaving8

4hat woul! you lie !one !ifferently by the net #erson who fills this job8

4hat is the most #ressing #roblem8 4hat woul! you lie to see !one in the net < to =

months8

4hat are some of the longer term objectives that you woul! lie com#lete!8

4hat free!om woul! I have to !etermine my wor objectives" !ea!lines" an! metho!s ofmeasurement8

4here coul! a #erson go who is successful in this #osition an! within what time frame8

How is one ju!ge!8 4hat accounts for success8

This column was a syno#sis of a han!out com#ose! by (arrell Siffor! of *night-&i!!er7ews#a#ers title! )&ehearse! 3nswers 1ive an 3!vantage in Job Interviews.)

Cop"ri#ht $ 199%SLA.All ri#hts reser&ed. 'his pa#e was updated on anuar" 2), 199%*'+L "L"nn *o"t

Common Interview Questions

Questions Frequently Asked By Employment Interviewers

Tell me about yourself.

Tell me about a situation when you were un!er a great !eal of #ressure. 4hat was your role8 How !i! you

react8 4hat was the outcome8

Tell me about a situation when your coworers or grou# members !i!n$t agree with you.

4hat are your future career goals in :" 9" an! :; years8

4hat area of your sills%#rofessional !evelo#ment !o you want to im#rove8

4hy !i! you choose St. John$s >niversity8 /our major8

4hat !o you now about the organization8

Tell me about a !ifficult customer service #roblem you have han!le!.

4hat are your greatest strengths an! weanesses8

4hat was the worst mistae you ever ma!e an! how !i! you han!le it8 4hy !o you want to wor here8

4hy shoul! I hire you8

1ive me an eam#le of when you ha! to wor on a team to com#lete a #roject. 4hat was your role8 How !i!

you react to #roblems that arose with the #roject8 4hat was the outcome8

Questions You Can Ask Employers

4hat are ty#ical career #aths of your em#loyees8

4hat #ersonal qualities or characteristics are most im#ortant for success in this job8
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(escribe a ty#ical !ay on the job an! the overall wor environment.

4hat are the challenging facets of the job8

How woul! you !escribe your cor#oration$s #ersonality an! management style

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,0. Questions

0. Salar1

I. THE FIRST STEP: RELAX

T/e +rimar1 subte2t 1ou want to send out t/roug/out t/e interview is one o* rela2edcontrol and con*idence. T/ere are a number o* career writers w/o *eel t/at it is t/e +erson

w/o /as or gives t/e im+ression o* not reall1 needing or wanting t/e 3ob t/at receives t/e

o**er. So giving t/e im+ression o* being at ease and *eeling com*ortable can take 1ou along wa1 in t/e interview.

II. INTERVIEW DRESS

4lwa1s dress conservativel1 i* t/ere is t/e slig/test doubt regarding t/e dress code o* t/e

*irm or agenc1. or women t/e sa*est clot/es are tailored blouses5 skirts and 3ackets.

Slacks are not considered a++ro+riate at an interview. "uted colors and conservative

st1ling are also t/e recommended a++roac/.

Jewelr1 and makeu+ s/ould also be minimal6 blus/es s/ould be +la1ed down and li+stick

s/ould be a +ale s/ade. 'er*ume s/ould also be used s+aringl1.

or men5 t/e gre1 or dark suit is best5 wit/ dark gre1 +re*erable. T/e s/irts *or t/einterview s/ould be w/ite5 wit/ ties /aving +in dot5 stri+es or re*ined *oulard designs5 and

colors muted. Jewelr1 s/ould be avoided *or t/e interview. S/oes s/ould be well

+olis/ed. "en5 too5 s/ould use a*ter s/ave or cologne s+aringl1.

III. FIRST IMPRESSIONS

4side *rom 1our clot/es5 t/ere are t/ree elements t/at will /el+ wit/ t/e message!*irst

im+ression 1ou make: t/e wa1 1ou carr1 1oursel*5 t/e wa1 1ou s/ake t/e interviewer7s

/and5 and t/e wa1 1ou look at t/e interviewer.

Just b1 walking into t/e o**ice &+ur+ose*ull1 or /esitantl15 slouc/ed or erect) sends out amessage o* eit/er control and take8c/arge5 or de+ression and de*eat.

9ou must look 1our interviewer in t/e e1e at t/e ver1 beginning5 and maintain e1e

contact t/roug/out t/e interview. T/is does not mean a stead15 unbroken and unnerving

stare6 breaks are encouraged5 but alwa1s come back to it. 9ou want to conve1 an /onest

and *ort/rig/t message.

T/e /ands/ake s/ould be *ull and *irm5 wit/ care*ul avoidance o* an1 bone crus/ing.

omen can let t/e interviewer initiate t/e /ands/ake5 w/ic/ s/ould also be *ull5 *irm and

brie*.

'osture in sitting s/ould alwa1s be erect5 and in most situations5 leaning toward t/e

interviewer. 4void /olding 1our /ands toget/er because o* t/e uns+oken message o*
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tr1ing to control 1oursel*. 4 certain amount o* nervous tension is inevitable and even

bene*icial5 but tr1 not to use re+etitive gestures.

IV. QUESTIONS

T/ere are basicall1 t/ree t1+es o* ;uestions:

Tell me about 1oursel*. /at +ersonal accom+lis/ments /ave given 1ou t/e

most satis*action.#. T/reatening ;uestions w/ic/ can be /andled b1 assertive and moderate risk

answers5 conve1ing 1our com+etence w/ile not antagoni?ing t/e interviewer.

=2am+les include: /at makes 1ou t/ink 1ou can /andle t/is 3ob wit/out directe2+erience> How /ave 1ou /andled criticism in t/e +ast> /1 did 1ou leave 1our

last 3ob>

@. Neutral ;uestions +ose no t/reat and give 1ou a c/ance to e2+and on 1ourbackground. =2am+les include: /o was 1ou last em+lo1er> Have 1ou /ad muc/

e2+erience wit/ t/is work>

Tips

Get to t/e +oint

Questions 1ou ask are 3ust as im+ortant as t/e ones 1ou answer5 e.g. A/at kind

o* +erson are 1ou looking *or>A

Stress 1our strong +oints in relation to t/e 3ob.

atc/ *or /ead nods b1 t/e interviewer 8 t/is will indicate 1ou are being

understood5 and ma1 be a clue *or 1ou to e2+and on a +articular area because 1ouare on t/e rig/t track.

Sell 1our skills and s/ow /ow t/e1 mes/ wit/ t/e em+lo1er7s needs wit/out

boasting.

Tricky Quesi!"s

/at do 1ou know about our *irm!agenc1!sc/ool district> /et/er or not t/e ;uestion

comes u+5 be +re+ared to answer it. 'ossible areas o* discussion would include: +roducts

+roduced5 si?e5 income5 *irm7s re+utation and image5 new develo+ments or +rograms.

/at didn7t 1ou like about 1our last 3ob &or sc/ool)> 4n /onest answer5 but do so in a+ositive tone5 so as not to +aint a +icture as a com+lainer or gri+er.

/at are 1our strong +oints> Bnow *ive to seven5 and tr1 to relate eac/ to t/e 3ob 1ou are

a*ter. T/is list s/ould be +re+ared.


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/at are 1our weak +oints> 4ll o* us /ave t/em5 but in a 3ob interview5 w/ile 1ou s/ouldbe /onest about some minor ones5 t/ere is no need to give awa1 t/e store5 e.g.5 A, /ate to

do detail work5 but , do it t/oroug/l1.

SAMPLE QUESTIONS

T/e *ollowing lists o* ;uestions ma1 assist 1ou in discovering w/ic/ ones will give 1ou

di**icult1. -1 working out answers5 and +racticing s/ortl1 be*ore an interview5 1ou willbe A*orearmedA5 as well as /ave t/e +ractice *or similar ;uestions.

Q=ST,ONS OD 'DOS'=CT,0= T=4CH=DS

#. /at does t/e term A+ro*essional teac/erA mean to 1ou>@. /at are t/e most im+ortant traits o* a good teac/er>

%. How does a 1oung teac/er gain t/e res+ect o* t/e students>

E. /at rationale will 1ou use w/en grading>

F. /at can 1ou do to meet t/e needs o* t/e individual students in t/e classroom>. /at ideas do 1ou /ave *or teac/ing &sub3ect area)>

. /at teac/ing tec/ni;ues /ave 1ou *ound e**ective in t/e classroom>

I. /at are 1our t/ree greatest teac/ing strengt/s>

#$. /1 are 1ou interested in our sc/ool s1stem>

###. /at do 1ou want 1our students to accom+lis/>#@. /at is 1our greatest concern in t/e classroom>

#%. (o 1ou believe in /omogeneous grou+ing5 /eterogeneous grou+ing>

#E. /at would 1ou like to ask us>

Q=ST,ONS OD -S,N=SS5 ,N(STD9 4N( GO0=DN"=NT 'OS,T,ONS


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@. /ere do 1ou see 1oursel* in *ive 1ears *rom now>%. /at are 1our strongest &weakest) +ersonal ;ualities>

E. /1 did 1ou c/oose 1our ma3or>

F. ,* 1ou were starting college all over again5 w/at courses would 1ou take>. /at /ave 1ou learned *rom +artici+ation in e2tra8curricular activities>

. ,n w/at wa1s do 1ou t/ink 1ou can make a contribution to our com+an1>

I. /1 do 1ou *eel 1ou will be success*ul in 1our c/osen *ield>

/1>

How>

#$. /1 do 1ou t/ink we s/ould /ire 1ou>

#

##. (e*ine coo+eration.#@. /1 s/ould we /ire 1ou over 1our com+etition>

#%. /at /ave 1ou done to s/ow initiative and willingness to work>

#E. (o 1ou /ave an1 ;uestions>

Q=ST,ONS TH4T 4D= ,LL=G4L

#. How do 1ou get along wit/ t/em>

@. ill 1ou give an1 *inancial aid to 1our *amil1>

%. (o 1ou +a1 board>E. /at +lans do 1ou /ave *or marriage>

F. /en do 1ou +lan to marr1>

. /at does 1our /usband &wi*e)8to8be do>. (o 1ou +lan to work a*ter 1our marriage>

I. How long>


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#$. /o will take care o* t/em w/ile 1ou work>

###. How about during t/e summer>

#@. How does 1our /usband *eel about 1our leaving t/e c/ildren>

#%. How do 1our +arents *eel about 1our going on to college> Graduate sc/ool>#E. (escribe 1our best *riend to me.

V. SALAR# $"% &ENEFITS

Salar1 and bene*its is a sub3ect t/at 1ou s/ould not bring u+ 1oursel*. (etermine w/at

1ou need5 w/at 1ou want and w/at 1ou will settle *or5 and know t/ese *igures be*ore t/einterview.

,* an interviewer asks 1ou w/at salar1 1ou desire5 1ou mig/t res+ond wit/ A4t t/is earl1

stage in m1 career5 , am more interested in getting some great e2+erience. , would /ave

to calculate t/e costs o* moving to t/e area. ,7m sure 1ou /ave a range in mind5 can , askw/at it is *or t/is +osition>A it/ t/is a++roac/5 1ou /ave +ut t/e ball in t/eir court. ,*

1ou are given a range5 1ou can indicate t/e /ig/er end as t/e range 1ou /ad in mind.

-ut i* t/e interviewer avoids t/is counter and +ins 1ou down5 1ou s/ould ask *or t/e

/ig/est realistic *igure. 4n e2ecutive recruiter advises t/at 1ou ask *or a


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Questions to be prepared for:

Bac to ,areer (evelo#ment ,enter

?uestions you shoul! as Illegal or Ina##ro#riate questions
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(uring the interview you shoul! be #re#are! to answer questions regar!ing yourself"the #osition your are interviewing for" your current #osition%em#loyer" your #revious#ositions%em#loyers" an! salary requirements.

Below are sample questions that you may be asked durin your ne!t interview:

About yourself:

@ Tell me about yourself8@ How !o you stay #rofessionally current8@ 4here !o you see yourself five years from now8@ If you coul! have your choice of any job" what woul! it be an! why8@ 4hat are your short- an! long-range goals an! how !o you e#ect to achieve them8@ (o you #lan to further your e!ucation8 If so" to what etent8@ 4hat have you !one to im#rove yourself !uring the #ast year8@ 4hat else !o you thin I shoul! now about you8@ 4hat outsi!e activities are most significant to your #ersonal !evelo#ment8@ How !o your s#ouse an! chil!ren feel about the change of #osition an! the relocationof your home8

About the new "ompany#position:

@ 4hy are you attracte! to our o##ortunity8@ 4hat interests you about our com#any or firm8@ 4hat !o you thin will be the toughest as#ects of the job if you were to acce#t the#osition8@ 4hat will be the most enjoyable as#ects - the least enjoyable8@ 4hat woul! your greatest contribution be or what as#ects of the job or the com#any!o you thin you woul! be able to mae your greatest contribution to8@ (o you have any noteworthy outsi!e interests8@ 4hy !o you want to wor here8@ If you feel you have any weanesses with regar! to this job" what woul! they be8

@ 4hat !o you e#ect to e#erience in this job that you !i! not e#erience in your #astjobs8@ How !o you feel about evening wor8 4eeen! wor8@ 3re you consi!ering other #ositions at this time8@ How !oes this job com#are with them8@ How !o you feel about relocating8

$alary Information:

@ 4hat are your financial nee!s8@ 4hat is the minimum salary you will acce#t8@ 4hat is your salary history8@ How many of your salary increases have been the result of #romotions or merit8

@ 4hat is your most recent salary history8 4hen is your net salary review8@ Have you ever acce#te! a counteroffer8 If so" why8

%ork Ethi"s:

@ How !o you !etermine what constitutes to# #riority8@ How often have you misse! a !ea!line8 4hat cause! it8@ 7ame an im#ortant contribution you have ma!e in your job8@ How !o you !efine !oing a goo! job8 >n!er what con!itions !o you wor best8@ (escribe a high #ressure situation you have been in.


12/31

e&mail

-ack to Career (evelo+ment Center
mailto:[email protected]://www.careerblueprint.com/html/resource_center/career_development/career_development+center.htmmailto:[email protected]://www.careerblueprint.com/html/resource_center/career_development/career_development+center.htm


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Where do you see yourself five years from now?

Q 2. How did you get your job at _____________?

Q 3. What did you learn from your work exerien!e?

Q ". What were your major resonsibilities?

Q #. What did you like best about your job? $he least?

Q %. What has given you a feeling of a!hievement?

Q &. How do you determine what !onstitutes to riority?

Q '. How often have you missed a deadline? What !aused it?

Q (. )ame an imortant !ontribution you have made in yourjob.

Q *+. How do you define doing a good job? ,nder what!onditions do you work best?

Q **. $ell me about yourself.

Q *2. -es!ribe a tyi!al day in your job.

Q *3. -es!ribe 3 high ressure situations you have been in.

Q *". )ame 3 diffi!ult de!isions you had to make. Why werethey diffi!ult?

Q *#. What are your strong oints? What are your weak ones?

Q *%. Why should we hire you? nd why do you want to workfor this !omany.

/tt+:!!www.careerowlresources.ca!,nterviews!,ntrame./tm>,ntT/e1Can4sk./tmMrig/t

Questions 'hey (iht Ask

5or each of these questions you shoul! #re#are an answer which is relevant to the s#ecific#osition an! organization for which you will be interviewe!. ,oncentrate on the #osition
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requirements Aas in!icate! by the job !escri#tion" an! the em#loyer nee!s Aas !etermine!through your research. 3lso" tae a loo at*iller 3ttributesto see what qualities em#loyersa!mire" an! interviewers loo for in your answers.

Common Questions and 'ips on Answerin 'hem

$ellin )ersonal $trenths:

*+ 'ell me about yourself+This is an o##ortunity to sell yourself - you shoul! loo forwar! to it. It is one of the mostfrequently ase! questions an! usually serves as a transition from small tal to the realinterview. 5or this question" when !escribing yourself with a!jectives" #rovi!e brief eam#lesto reinforce what you are saying. &emember to focus your answer on information that isrelevant to the em#loyer. /ou can tal about a situation outsi!e of wor #rovi!e! that you canrelate it to how you woul! behave at wor an! that you mae the connection clear in youranswer. Be concise. *ee# your answer to this question in the form of an overview. (o notgo into too much !etail" an! !o not ramble on about irrelevant e#eriences.

,+ %hat is your reatest strenth- ./r 0ame 1 of your strenths+2The question ass for the strength" sill" or asset that you feel is your best. /ou shoul! be#re#are! to tal about several !ifferent ones. Share whatever you thin will mae you loothe best. 1ive a brief !escri#tion an! then #rovi!e a clear eam#le.

1+ %hat are your reatest a""omplishments-3gain ee# your answer job relate!. 3lso" share the cre!it with your colleagues an! co-worers or others who were involve!. It is better to #resent yourself as #art of a successfulteam" than to a##ear to be eaggerating your own contributions.

3+ %hy should we hire you->sually this question is ase! at the en! of the interview" an! it therefore offers you theo##ortunity to give a summary of all your strong #oints" as well as intro!uce new ones.

&elate your answer to what you have learne! about the job" your future boss" an! the nee!sof the com#any. Try to mae a goo! im#act by giving a mi of #ersonality sills" transferablesills" an! technical sills.

/ver"omin 0eatives:

*+ 4es"ribe the biest "risis in your life or "areer+(escribe something that was real" though not necessarily the worst situation. 1ive aneam#le that allows you to give #ositive #oints about how you !ealt with it" an! in which youcame out on to#. ?ualities such as maturity" #erseverance" emotional stability" effectivenessun!er stress" an! soun! ju!gment" can be focuse! on.

,+ %hat is your reatest weakness-0veryone has to answer this question" so !on$t be afrai! to give a negative aboutyourself. (emonstrate how this weaness has affecte! you. Show that you have nownabout this weaness for a while" an! that you are alrea!y trying to overcome it. The interviewwill not go well if you give a litany of flaws that you have no ho#e of !ealing with.

3nother strategy is to #ic something which might have a #ositive im#ression such as )I am aworaholic") or )I am sometimes too trusting") etc. Be careful" as you may a##ear insincere ifyou can$t bac this u# with some eam#les.
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1+ %hy have you "haned 5obs so frequently-This question is really asing if you are stable an! committe! worer. If you have change!

jobs regularly" then you will be at a !isa!vantage. Thin carefully about your e#lanation forthis. If there are goo! reasons for leaving a job" say so" an! try to #oint out a job in which you!i! stay for a longer #erio! of time" an! suggest that that one reflects your true level of

commitment. If there is any other in!ication of commitment in your life" such as marriage"#oint this out.

3+ %hy have you been out of work so lon-'re#aration for this question is very im#ortant. 3lways now why you were not able to wor"what you were !oing" either looing for a job" or busy with something else such asschooling. It is im#ortant that your answer is feasible. 0#laining the reason for a long #erio!without wor is a way of controlling the negative im#lications this situation im#lies.

6+ %hat is the biest mistake you ever made-Try to #ic a mistae that was historically less recent" #referably at least two years ago. Thisis !ue to the fact that you can give more insight to something that time has allowe! you to beobjective about.

)ersonal Fa"tors:

*+ %hat are your "areer oals- ./r %here would you like to be 6 years from now-2Be clear an! !efinite about your goals" but !o not be overly s#ecific. Try to !escribe onlythose goals which are relevant to what the organization can hel# you attain" an! in !oing souse whatever nowle!ge you$ve gaine! about the organization. /our goals shoul! reflectwhat in! of e#erience" an! e#ertise that you woul! lie to grow within. However" try tostay away from #osition titles" as they are very limiting an! inclu!ing them may suggest thatyou are not fleible an! !o not care about the com#any$s nee!s.

,+ Are you willin to relo"ate-3lways answer this question with a )yes)" as this ee#s the interview going" an! there is

always the o##ortunity to give u# the job #ros#ect later. Try to fin! out where they #ossiblycoul! relocate you" an! also what benefits" or incentives might be there if you !eci!e tomove. This coul! be such things as #romotions" or moving assistance.

1+ %hat are your primary a"tivities outside of work-/ou shoul! share activities that are somewhat !ifferent from each other" so that there is abalance between self-im#rovement" an! something such as family activities. Be aware thatyour activities show what in! of #erson you are" by she!!ing some light on what is im#ortantto you.

3+ %hat qualities do you most admire in other people-These qualities shoul! be what you really a!mire in others" an! shoul! com#rise of at leastthree s#ecific ones. They will !emonstrate what you strive for as i!eal qualities" since what

you a!mire in others is usually what you are lie" or woul! most lie to become.

6+ %hat have you done to in"rease your personal development-4hat the em#loyer is trying to ascertain is if you are a growth-oriente! #erson. This can beestablishe! by !iscussing such activities as seminars" courses" or #ersonal stu!y. Self-im#rovement shows that there is a willingness to a!a#t to job changes an! to grow an!contribute more within the organization.


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%ork Fa"tors:

*+ %hat did you like#dislike about your last 5ob-*ee# your answer brief an! #ositive. Mae sure that what you in!icate as a !islie is not#resente! as a fault of the #revious em#loyer" but rather sim#ly an element of theirsituation. 3lso ensure that this is not an element of the situation of the organization for whichyou are interviewing.

,+ 'ell me about your responsibilities at your last position+It is not necessary to give a com#lete list of everything that you !i! at your last#osition. &ather you shoul! focus on those res#onsibilities that are relevant to this em#loyer"or show a transferable sill or quality that you #ossess. &emember to mention res#onsibilitiesthat were not s#ecific to the technical as#ects of the job such as su#ervisory or managemente#erience.

1+ 4o you work better alone or with others-Before answering this question you nee! to now the nature of the job. It may be that theinterviewer is trying to assess your ability to wor as a #art of a team" or he may be !oing justthe o##osite an! trying to !etermine if you can wor alone" without constant su#ervision. Ineither case you shoul! a!!ress both si!es an! in!icate that you are effective woring as #art

of a team or as an in!ivi!ual.

3+ 7ow do you handle pressure-Here you want to say that you wor well un!er #ressure" but you also want to convey thatyou are not a )#anic worer) who !oes everything un!er #ressure because of a lac of timemanagement sills. 3n! again you shoul! give an eam#le that illustrates what you aresaying.

6+ Can you take dire"tion-2bviously you want to answer this question with a yes" but !o not leave it at that. Tell theinterviewer that you have no #roblem asing questions an! taing !irection" but em#hasizethat you !o not nee! constant su#ervision. 1ive an e#lanation or eam#le which!emonstrates that this is true.

Edu"ational Fa"tors:

*+ 7ow has your s"hoolin prepared you for this 5ob-(emonstrate how your e!ucation has hel#e! you to #re#are for this job. If you change! yourmin!" an! are looing for a job in a !ifferent fiel! from what your major was" #rovi!eeam#les of how your major has #rovi!e! you with certain strengths that befit your new job.

,+ %hy did you "hoose 8888888 as your ma5or-This is your chance to ehibit your interest in your fiel! if your major is relate! to the job thatyou are a##lying for. If" on the other han!" it is not" you shoul! try to !etermine a commonelement or something which can be an relate! to both your major an! the job.

1+ %hat kind of rades did you have-If your gra!es were not goo!" you shoul! #re#are for this question. 1ive an answer thatallows you to show #ositives" such as time s#ent with other etracurricular activities that!evelo#e! your sills in other ways. /ou coul! also e#ress how you ha! to balance yourschool loa!" with su##orting yourself Aa job" which was rather time consuming.

3+ %hat "ourses did you like most- 9east- %hy-,ourses that you !i! enjoy shoul! have some relation to the job" as that shows that you havea een interest in nowing more. 3ny courses that you !i! not lie can be unrelate! to the


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job" an! #robably shoul! be.

6+ 'ell me about the most sinifi"ant paper pro5e"t or presentation that you"ompleted durin your proram+

3gain" it is im#ortant to relate your answer to the #osition an!%or to the em#loyer. If you can

not thin of a #roject that is relate!" then tal about one which !emonstrates a quality thatyou want the em#loyer to now that you #ossess.

)otentially $tressful Questions:

*+ 4o you want to have your boss;s 5ob-3lthough you want to a##ear motivate! an! goal-oriente!" you !o not want to come off asarrogant or overly ambitious. /our answer shoul! in!icate that you are not looing to taeanyone$s job" but that you are intereste! in !evelo#ing your ca#abilities over time an! woul!lie to follow a career #ath within the organization.

,+ $ee this apple- $ell it to me+This ty#e of question is not ase! solely in sales. 0m#loyers from all fiel!s want to now that

you can sell i!eas an! conce#ts. They may be assessing your communication sills" an!your ability to thin quicly an! rationally. In selling the a##le Aor anything else" thin aboutits attributes an! how it coul! be of benefit to the interviewer.

/ther:

*+ %hy do you want to work here-This is where your research is im#ortant. 3nswer truthfully" but also consi!er what theem#loyer woul! want to hear. Cist the things that you lie about the com#any" e#lain howyou woul! fit in" an! state that you woul! mae a valuable contribution.

(ore Questions You Could Be AskedHow woul! a frien!%coworer !escribe you8

How woul! you !escribe your management style8

(escribe your #ersonality an! wor style.

4hat !o you loo for in a job8

4hat motivates you8

1ive me an eam#le of a time at wor that you !emonstrate! initiative an! etra effort.

Tell me about a time that you ha! to wor with someone that you !i! not get along with.How !i! you !eal with that situation8

(o you use a strategy or metho! when solving #roblems8 (escribe it to me.

(o you #lan to continue your e!ucation8

4hat !i! you learn at your last job8

4hy !i! you leave your last job8

4hat sills or nowle!ge have you gaine! or use! in #revious jobs that are relevant to this#osition8

4hat !o you now about our com#any8


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If you were hire!" what salary woul! you e#ect to receive8

4hat They Shoul! 7ot 3s /ou


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Cins

4hen taling with re#orters from any me!ia outlet D be it news#a#ers" televisionor ra!io D the most im#ortant thing is to now your subject very" very well. If youreally un!erstan! your message" why it$s im#ortant to get it to the #ublic" an! whyit$s im#ortant that this message get out now" then you can answer any question are#orter might as" even the ones you are not e#ecting.

)urpose

Interviews offer the o##ortunity to establish cre!ibility with re#orters an! become atruste! source.

Interviews #rovi!e you with an au!ience for your organization$s view#oint.

>ivin $u""essful Interviews

E 4atch or listen to the TF or ra!io #rogram on which you will be interviewe!beforehan!. If it is a #rint interview" rea! articles written by the re#orter.

E Before taling with the me!ia" get someone to as you questions an! #racticeanswering them.

E 3lso #ractice answers to questions on controversial #oints.

E Have han!y a##ro#riate materials" information" an! #ossibly your colleaguesthemselves who are e#erts on the issue.

*ey 7o. :=

&ecruitment - 're#aration 3n! Interview

2nce your main objectives are #rogressive" genuine an! sincerethese will reflect in your interest an! attitu!e towar!s the job youare seeing.

Corre"t 4isposition

7o amount of a!vice will eliminate the aniety" fear" worry an! !es#air
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associate! with an interview. Folumes have been written on the subject an!e#ert views aboun! on how to have a successful interview. Such information"however" will be to no avail if you !o not #re#are yourself #ro#erly for thisencounter.

To #re#are for an interview it is necessary to have the correct !is#osition. /ourobjective in seeing any job shoul! be to contribute an! !evelo# that job so as to#rovi!e the customer with the best #ro!ucts or services #ossible an! not limite!an! restricte! ones" to e#an! the job rather than confine it an! to mae acontribution rather than a !e!uction from it for your own gain.

/ou may also have other com#limentary objectives" e.g. to fulfil your ambition" torear a family or to im#rove your stan!ar! of living.

2nce your main objectives are #rogressive" genuine an! sincere these will reflectin your interest an! attitu!e towar!s the job you are seeing.

4etermine %hat the ?ob is All About

'rior to an interview it is !esirable to !etermine what the s#ecific job is all about if#ossible. ,arry out some research into the job an! into the ty#e of functionsassociate! with it" e.g. the managing" mareting" !esigning" #lanning an!servicing activities. This bacgroun! information will be of immense value to youin answering questions an! in formulating questions !uring the interview as wellas in!icating your interest in the job.

Attention to 4etail

7et" you shoul! be on time for the interview" well !resse! but not over-!resse!"courteous an! a##arently relae!. 3ttention to these !etails will !is#lay yourinterest an! attitu!e towar!s the interview. Throughout the interview" ehibit awarm" frien!ly an! confi!ent attitu!e. 7owa!ays every effort is ma!e to mae theinterviewee feel at ease. Much of the formality associate! with interviews hasbeen eliminate! an! the con!itions an! surroun!ings have been ma!e lessfrightening an! stressful. Tae a cu# of tea or coffee if offere! but avoi! thebiscuits" they are crumbly an! a !istraction.

/ver"omin An!iety Inferiority and $hyness

*nowle!ge of the job an! the interview #rocess will minimise your aniety.

3n acce#tance that others have sills an! e#erience !ifferent from you will!is#el your fears an! the o#inion you have of feeling inferior to them an! therebyovercome your inferiority an! shyness.

3cnowle!ging yourself as you are" acce#ting your own abilities" e#erience an!


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achievements to-!ate an! that you have #otential to grow will eliminate yourconcern of being ina!equate an! useless.

Interview )ro"ess

Be aware of the #rocess being followe! throughout the interview. Ty#ical #hasesan! stages in most interviews are as follows6

*+ C+@+ @erifi"ation:

&ea! a co#y of your ,.F. before the interview to refresh your memory.

,+ Evaluation /f Attributes 4ress And (annerisms:

3ttention to these matters before an interview will minimise your concern.

1+ Communi"ations Ability Clarity /f E!pression And )re"ision:

Cisten attentively" clarify the questions if necessary" consi!er an! then res#on!.

3+ Ability 'o Cope %ith 4iffi"ult Questions:

The interviewer is liely to give you a range of s#ecific questions a##ertaining tothe job" e.g. !escribe how you woul! resolve a #articular #roblem" e#lain a!etail" !efine a s#ecification or !escribe a #rocess8 Before answering suchquestions it is wise to clarify your un!erstan!ing of the questions an! to seea!!itional information if necessary.

6+ Your Interest In /btainin 'he ?ob:

The interviewer will be trying to !etermine if you have a real interest in thes#ecific job or if you are just looing for a job or a change in job. Show your!etermination by !is#laying your nowle!ge of the job" your ability by yourqualifications an! training" an! your #otential by your )trac recor! to-!ate).

+ Your $uitability:

(uring the interview" the interviewer will be trying to !etermine if you have theca#ability" ca#acity an! confi!ence to un!ertae the wor entaile! in the job.4hile you might have the qualifications he will have to be satisfie! that you coul!carry out the wor require! or be traine! to !o it confi!ently.

+ %ork E!perien"e 'o&4ate:

5rom your wor e#erience the interviewer will be verifying many of the aboverequirements an! in #articular your com#etency at getting a job well !one.


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0nsure your wor e#erience com#liments your career !irection.

+ Your )ortfolio )resentation:

3##ro#riate eam#les of your wor shoul! be selecte! for #resentation. In some

instances #ractical tests may be given un!er simulate! woring con!itions #riorto" or after the formal interview.

D+ Questions =eardin 'he ?obs You 9iked Best:

These will in!icate to the interviewer your real intentions.

*+ Your /b5e"tives:

5rom your objectives the interviewer will be trying to !etermine your motives" ifyou have a career #ath in min! an! if you are ambitious. (is#lay these

intentions.

**+ Assessin Your )otential:

?uestions on how to #lan wor for subor!inates" monitor their #erformance"a!minister !isci#line an! rewar! ece#tional efforts are all ma!e to evaluatevarious management" su#ervisory an! social sills. ?uestions relating to othersills can also be create! by the interviewer to suit the job requirements" e.g.lea!ershi# an! com#atibility.

3re you an in!e#en!ent" self sufficient an! self starting #erson or are you a team#erson" ca#able of integrating" motivating an! stimulating those aroun! you8.

3re you confi!ent that you can !o the job8 1ive eam#les of wor un!ertaenan! accom#lishe!.

*,+ Your $tron And %eak )oints:

These shoul! be consistent with the information you have #rovi!e! !uring thecourse of the interview. /our strong #oints an! your wea #oints shoul! berelate! to the job. /our strong #oints may inclu!e research" #lanning" wor#rogressing an! im#lementation sills while you weanesses may consist of alac of !etaile! nowle!ge of some as#ects of the com#any$s o#eration an! anee! for greater familiarity with the other sills em#loye! in the com#any. 0#lainthat these can be overcome by e#erience an! by your #lans for further#rofessional !evelo#ment.

*1+ 4isplay Initiative 'hrouh Your )arti"ipation In 'he Interview:

(uring the interview it is im#ortant to obtain any a!!itional information yourequire to com#lete your #icture of the job. Ferify your un!erstan!ing of the job.(is#lay initiative through your questions an! contributions to the !iscussions.


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,arefully selecte! questions can !is#lay your interest an! !etermination.

*3+ 'erms And Conditions Information:

(iscussions regar!ing these items are a##ro#riate at the en! of an interview e.g.

start an! finish times" overtime an! travel requirements an! #ay.

*6+ 'ime Allo"ation:

Be conscious of the time constraints !uring an interview. Mae the best use ofeach #hase an! !o not enter into relating lengthy e#lanations or e#eriences./our social an! recreational activities shoul! not be over em#hasise!.

*+ End /f Interview:

0#ress your thans for being given the interview. 3s when you can e#ect to

obtain the results of it.

*+ Complementary 'o 'he Interview:

In some instances #ractical tests are given within simulate! wor environments#rior to" or after" the formal interview. 2ther tests" e.g. I.?. tests" a#titu!e testsan! grou# !iscussions as well as me!ical tests are also carrie! out as screeningtechniques. However in this !ay an! age where more an! more so#histicate!techniques of assessment are being !evelo#e! the final selection still relies onthe #ersonal interview.


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-

Be enthusiasti"+/our attitu!e is as im#ortant in the interview as your answers to theinterviewer$s questions. Be #rofessional an! #ur#oseful" but !o not be afrai! to show some#ersonality.

-9isten "arefully to the interviewer+Mae sure that you un!erstan! the question an! then

res#on! to it.-

=elate all of your answers to the position and "ompany+ That question about what you !oin your s#are time isn$t just for interest$s sae.-

Be spe"ifi" and "on"ise+'resent clear" concrete eam#les to illustrate your answers.-

$ubstitute strenths for weaknesses+ 4hen !iscussing a weaness" mae sure to remain#ositive. 0#lain to the interviewer how you are managing this !eficiency an! what trait or sillyou have that com#ensates for it.-

Ask questions that show your knowlede of the firm and that are important for you interms of makin a de"ision about the 5ob+

-

0ever misrepresent your qualifi"ations or e!perien"e+ 0ven if you get the job" this willalways catch u# with you an! cause #roblems at some #oint.-

)repare prepare prepare-

=emember that the interview is a two&way pro"ess./ou are evaluating the job an! thecom#any" just as the interviewer is evaluating you.-

,ommon 0rrors

Interview Questions

WHAT IS THE BEST APPROACH TO ANSWERING

QUESTIONS?Recruiters typically interview 8 to 12 candidates per day

and face the difficult task of deciding which ones would

probably perform the best on the job. Therefore, their

uestions are asked in order to gain a !feel" for who youare and what makes you uniue#your motivation level,your background and strong points, your genuine interest

in the position, and the aspects of your personality orcharacter that can affect how you perform on the job.

Recruiters are surprisingly accurate in sensing $canned$

answers. These canned responses don%t conveyinteresting or reliable information about you. &hen you
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answer, remember these guidelines'

There is no single right answer. (t%s often how you answerthat is more important than the e)act content.

*e honest. +on%t pretend, for e)ample, that you were

sure about your major from the very start if, in fact, youweren%t. The details about how you did choose your majormay be much more interesting and communicate some

very positive things about how you make decisions.

ive details and e)amples. eneral responses becomeboring and don%t help the recruiter get to know you. -ou

need to be specific. +etails illustrate your points andmake answers more vivid and memorable. Therefore,

when discussing one of your strengths, give an e)ampleor two illustrating that strong point. &hen mentioning the

course you liked most, give some details to illustrate what

you liked and why. tay focused and don%t ramble. ivedetails that are relevant but don%t start telling long storiesthat include unnecessary details. ome candidates also

make the mistake of repeating themselves when theyhaven%t thought of how to wrap up the answer. Respond

directly and succinctly.

/eep the position in mind. &hat details can you give thatare relevant to the type of job you are interested in0

&hen you can think of some, try to remember to includethem. or e)ample, if you worked at a summer camp and

are now looking for a sales position, you can mention how

you were successful at persuading the participants to

enjoy your programs.

Job Interview Questions

The following uestions are among the most typicallyasked uestions during a job interview. sk yourself what

the employer is really asking0 They are usually trying to

find out more about you and how you think.

&hy should ( hire you0

&hat do you know about our company0

&hy do you want to work for us0

&hy did you choose this career0

&hat are your greatest strengths0

&hat are your greatest weaknesses0 Tell me about yourself.

3ow would someone who knows you describe you0

&hat motivates you0

&hy did you choose your school0

&hat have you contributed to your previous jobs

that made you a valuable asset to the company0

+o you have any supervisory e)perience0 Tell me


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about it.

&hat skills, e)perience or training do you have

that makes you stand out from the other

candidates0

Tell me about your communication skills 4ive

e)amples5.

Tell me about your teamwork skills 4ive

e)amples5.

&hat are some of the most challenging situations

that you have faced during your college years0

Tell me how your college education has changed

you.

3ow do your classes relate to this position0

&hat do you think it takes to be successful in our

company0

3ow do you evaluate or determine whether or not

you are successful0

(f hired, what kinds of immediate contributions

could you make to our company0 (f you could change anything about your college

classes, what would you change0

(f you could change anything about your college

e)perience, what would you change0

&hat courses did you like the most0 &hy0

&hat courses did you dislike the most0 &hy0

(f you were hiring someone in this position, what

ualities would you look for0

+o you like to travel0

+o you have a geographic preference for your job0

&hy0

&ill you relocate0 +oes relocation concern you0 (n what kind of work environment are you most

comfortable0 4casual, formal, open#door, high

stress, etc5

3ow would you describe your ideal job0

&hat clubs6organi7ations do you belong to0

&hat are your hobbies0

&hat volunteer work have you done in the past0

&hat do you do in your spare time0

&hat are your salary reuirements0

+o you have any uestions for me0 4always have

some uestions prepared5.

WHAT TYPES O QUESTIONS SHOU!" I AS# ABOUT

THE ORGANI$ATION TO %A#E THE BESTI%PRESSION?

-ou make the best impression if you ask uestionsconcerning the organi7ation and job in which you have a

sincere interest. ake certain you do thorough researchon the organi7ation prior to your interview so your


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uestions reflect your knowledge of and interest in the

organi7ation. &hat do you want to know more about0

+on9t be afraid to be specific, because specific uestionsconvey genuine interest.

So&e 'oo( )uestions to *s+ in,-u(e.

(f hired, would ( be filling a newly created position,or replacing someone0

&as my predecessor promoted0

&ould you describe a typical work day and the

things ( would be doing0

&hich duties are most important for this job0 :east

important0

3ow would ( be trained or introduced to the job0

3ow long should it take me to get my feet on the

ground and become productive0

3ow is the job important to the company0

&hat are the department9s goals for the year0

3ow many people work in your department0 (n thecompany0

&ho are the people ( would be working with and

what do they do0

3ow would ( get feedback on my job performance,

if hired0

(f hired, would ( report directly to you, or to

someone else0

3as the company had a layoff in the last three

years0 (f so, how long was the layoff and waseveryone recalled0

&hat major markets does this company 4or parent

company5 compete in0 (f you were to offer me this job, where could (

e)pect to be in five years0

;ould you give me a brief tour0 (9d enjoy seeing

where your people work.

&hat will ne)t steps be in the interviewing

process0 &hen will second interviews beconducted for the position0

(f many of your uestions have been answered by good

organi7ational literature, tell the recruiter, mentioningsome of the more important uestions and perhaps even

briefly summari7ing what you have learned.

tay away from uestions about benefits and salary untilthe second interview.

WHAT REASONS "O RECRUITERS GI/E OR

REJECTING CAN"I"ATES?

1. !*,+ o0 +now-e('e *n( 1re1*r*tion2


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about the company, career, and6or industry in

which candidate professes to have an interest.

2. No ,*reer (ire,tion23ave no idea what they

want in a job. . /*'ue *nswers2?o details given, words aregeneral and not relevant to the type of job.

@. /er4 0i('et42:ittle eye contact, many nervousmannerisms, such as playing with hair, rubbing

hands, etc.A. #now5it5*-- *ttitu(e2:ack sincerity. Try to show

off all they know about the field. ake superficial

remarks to impress the interviewer.

POINTS TO RE%E%BER end a thank you note within 2> hours of the visit

itself B reaffirm your interest in the position.

The interview is a two#way conversation. Try to

rela) and enjoy the opportunity.

+on%t be vague, be specific. -ou%ll be much more

interesting.

Think about your answers ahead of time. +on%t

memori7e, but have a focus and don%t ramble.

*e prepared to describe why you are interested in

that employer and give specific characteristicsabout the kind of position you want.

ell yourself. (f you don9t state what yourstrengths, skills, and accomplishments are, the

recruiter will be unable to sell you as a goodcandidate.

enuine self#confidence and confidence in your

ability to perform well at the job are your best

asset in any interview. This attitude of confidenceis one of the best indicators to the employer that

you are the person needed for the position.


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$he /nterview

$he job interview is the most imortantase!t of your sear!h for a new oortunity.$he way you interview will determine your !han!es of

su!!ess.

Be punctual. From the moment you walk in, the employer will beginevaluating you on a variety of levels, e.g., your appearance, yourpersonality and the way you express yourself.

Be personable, maintain a positive attitude with all the people youencounter, including people at the front desk. Make sure yourhandshake is firm, release and then smile. Maintain good eyecontact. Do not cover your mouth when you speak. Keep your

answers as short as possible. peak clearly, decisively and get tothe point !uickly, above all, be honest. "lways turn negativestatements into positive ones# $se the word %opportunities% insteadof %problems%.

)ever tell the interviewer how bad you are doing0 tell himyou see oortunities for imrovement.

li!ation 1orms and $estsMany employers use standard application forms, and evenaptitude&ability tests, which they use for comparing applicants. 'fpresented with one of these, be sure to follow the instructions asyou write legibly and neatly to complete the form. 'f you have time

at the end, check your answers and spellings again.

roje!t a rofessional image

(ou are responsible for establishing an immediate level of rapportso that you may communicate comfortably. (our goal is to get theinterviewer to identify with you ) people like people who are likethemselves. *reet the employer by name and with a firmhandshake, maintain good eye contact, and a smile. *ive theappearance of energy as you walk. Follow the interviewer%s leads,wait until you are offered a chair before sitting, ask for permission

before removing your +acket, sit up straight in your chair and leanforward slightly, look alert and interested at all times. elax, do notfold your arms across your chest. Be a good listener as well as agood communicator.

-ever smoke or chew gum, even if the employer does. ro+ect aprofessional image right from the start and you will gain a bigadvantage over the competition.

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-evelo 6aort

Before starting any conversation, take a !uick read of theinterviewer by noting the look and feel of their office ) includingartwork and evidence of children or hobbies ) and notice features

such as body language, pace, manner of speech and so on. Makeconversation and use the interviewer%s name as you talk. 4et yourpersonality come through, be positive and enthusiastic aboutyourself and about all positions you have held, act confidently.7hen the employer says something that re!uires an answer,comment, smile or nod, 8"30.

5ommuni!ate :u!!in!tly

"ll interview !uestions have more than one appropriate answer. 'fyou are nervous, keep in mind that the interviewer gets +ust asexcited about a potentially strong 6ob eeker as the 6ob eekerdoes about him or her.trong, !ualified, motivated skilled people are very hard to find. Bedirect, present only the facts but think before you speak. tressachievements. Don%t give yes or no answers and answer !uestionstruthfully, frankly and succinctly. peak clearly and give thoroughanswers to !uestions without rambling on.

5he!k =our osture

Does your body language demonstrate confidence. tand upstraight, sit up straight, look the interviewer straight in the eye. Donot look at the floor or tilt your head when speaking and do notglance sideways too often or use aggressive body language. ay

attention to the signals that you send. Do not be afraid of usingsilence and try to stay focused on the conversation.

sk Questions and :ell =ourself

"sk meaningful !uestions about the company%s plans and goals,about the interviewer, and take an active part in the interview. "skthe employer to describe the +ob and the !ualities considered mostimportant for the position. 4isten carefully and then explain howyour past experience and !ualifications will help you to do the +ob.$se examples of special achievements that will help the employerpicture you successfully handling the +ob. (our answers should tellthe employer why you would be an asset to the company, not why

you need a +ob. Do not make unnecessary derogatory remarksabout your present or former employers. 9bviously, there wereissues or else you would not be looking to change +obs. But don%tvolunteer information or over)answer !uestions.

Questions sked by the >mloyer0he interviewer%s !uestions are based round answering the!uestion of why he should employ you and if you are able to do the

+ob. "nswer !uestions clearly and concisely. 'f you do not


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understand a !uestion, seek clarification.

:ensitive /ssues't is illegal for employers to ask !uestions of a personal nature priorto employment. 7hether you are married or single, have children

and a child minder, or belong to a certain religious group shouldhave no bearing on your ability to do the +ob. :owever, this doesnot mean that you will not be asked illegal !uestions ) manyinterviewers do not reali;e that they are asking improper !uestions,others know but want to find out how you handle uncomfortablesituations. o try and avoid talking about sensitive issues likepolitics, religion, sports or other controversial issues. 8mphasi;eyour strong points and minimi;e your liabilities.

:tay !alm and ositive when !hallenged.

'f you disagree with things that are said to you, do not get into aheated argument or lose your temper. 'f you get the impression

that the interview is not going well and that you have already beenre+ected, don%t let your discouragement show ) sometimes,employers will discourage you as a way of testing your reaction.

5lose for the 4ob0hank the interviewer for his or her time and consideration.8xpress your interest in the position and state once again why youwill be an asset to the company. 'f you want the +ob, ask for it# 6ustsay< =Do you think ' can do the +ob>= =' am keen, what is the nextstage>=

When an 8ffer is madeDo not en!uire about salary, vacations, bonuses, retirement and

other benefits until you are sure the employer is interested inemploying you and only after he mentions figures. 'f the employermakes a firm offer and you want the +ob, accept it on the spot. 'fyou are doubtful or undecided, ask for a day to think it over.

)ever refuse an offer of emloyment until youve had timeto think about it.

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