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interview tips
You still cannot
treat your interview like a careless morning trot along a jogger's path.
Your jaw-jaw at the interview table is nothing less than a cautious climb
up a mountain trail--which begins around your early childhood and meanders
through the years at the academia before reaching a new summit in your
career. And as you retrace your steps down memory lane make sure that you
post flags at important landmarks of your life and career, so that you can
pop them before the interview panel scoops them out of you. You don't want
to be at the receiving end, do you?
Face the panel,
but don't fall of the chair in a headlong rush-and-skid attempt to tell
your story. Take one step at a time. If you place your foot on slippery
ground, you could be ejecting out on a free fall.
So prepare,
fortify your thoughts, re-jig your memory, and script and design your
story (without frills and falsity). Without the right preparation and
storyboard, you could be a loser at the interview. Here are a few
preparation tips that books on interviews sometimes overlook.
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Before the interview
1.
Chronological
Outline of Career and Education Divide your life into "segments" defining
your university, first job, second job. For each stage, jot down:
The reason for
opting certain course or profession; your job responsibilities in your
previous/current job; Reason of leaving your earlier/current job. You
should be clear in your mind where you want to be in the short and long
term and ask yourself the reason why you would be appropriate for the job
you are being interviewed for and how it will give shape to your future
course.
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2.
Strengths and
Weaknesses
You should keep a
regular check on your strengths and weaknesses. Write down three (3)
technical and three (3) non-technical personal strengths. Most
importantly, show examples of your skills. This proves more effective than
simply talking about them. So if you're asked about a general skill,
provide a specific example to help you fulfil the interviewer's
expectations. It isn't enough to say you've got "excellent leadership
skills". Instead, try saying:
"I think I have excellent leadership skills which I have acquired through
a combination of effective communication, delegation and personal
interaction. This has helped my team achieve its goals."
As compared to
strengths, the area of weaknesses is difficult to handle. Put across your
weakness in such a way that it at least seems to be a positive virtue to
the interviewer. Describe a weakness or area for development that you have
worked on and have now overcome.
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3.
Questions you
should be prepared for
Tell us about
yourself.
What do you know about our company?
Why do you want to join our company?
What are your strengths and weaknesses?
Where do you see yourself in the next five years?
How have you improved the nature of your job in the past years of your
working? Why should we hire you?
What contributions to profits have you made in your present or former
company? Why are you looking for a change?
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Answers to some difficult questions:
Tell me about
yourself?
Start from your education and give a brief coverage of previous
experiences. Emphasize more on your recent experience explaining your job
profile.
What do you think
of your boss?
Put across a positive image, but don't exaggerate.
Why should we
hire you? Or why are you interested in this job?
Sum
up your work experiences with your abilities and emphasize your strongest
qualities and achievements. Let your interviewer know that you will prove
to be an asset to the company.
How much money do
you want?
Indicate your present salary and emphasize that the opportunity is the
most important consideration.
Do you prefer to
work in a group?
Be honest and give examples how you've worked by yourself and also with
others. Prove your flexibility.
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4.
Questions to ask
At the end of the
interview, most interviewers generally ask if you have any questions.
Therefore, you should be prepared beforehand with 2-3 technical and 2-3
non-technical questions and commit them to your memory before the
interview.
Do not ask
queries related to your salary, vacation, bonuses, or other benefits. This
information should be discussed at the time of getting your joining
letter. Here we are giving few sample questions that you can ask at the
time of your interview.
Sample Questions
Could you tell me
the growth plans and goals for the company?
What skills are important to be successful in this position?
Why did you join this company? (optional)
What's the criterion your company uses for performance appraisal?
With whom will I be interacting most frequently and what are their
responsibilities and the nature of our interaction?
What is the time frame for making a decision at this position?
What made the previous persons in this position successful/unsuccessful?
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5.
Do your homework
Before going for
an interview, find out as much information on the company (go to JobsAhead
Company Q and A) as possible. The best sources are the public library, the
Internet (you can check out the company's site), and can even call the
company and get the required information. The information gives you a
one-up in the interview besides proving your content company or position.
Clearing the
interview isn't necessarily a solitary attempt. Seek assistance from
individuals who are in the profession and whose counsel you value most. Be
confident in your approach and attitude; let the panel feel it through
your demeanor, body language and dressing.
Getting prepared
for your interview is the best way to dig deep and know yourself. You will
be surprised that it would breed a new familiarity become more familiar
with your own qualifications that will be make you present yourself
better. All the best and get ready to give a treat.
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The Basic Things
In addition to
doing research and practicing your answers to common interview questions,
you should be aware of general interview etiquette. Remember the following
points when preparing for an interview:
Review your resume,
and make
sure that you can explain everything on it. Arrive at the interview ten
minutes early to give yourself an opportunity to collect your thoughts and
relax. Be aware that many employers will have their receptionist’s record
the time you came in. If you rush in at the last minute, an employer may
have serious concerns about your ability to arrive on time for a normal
day at work.
Get a good
night's sleep before your interview. You will think more effectively
in the interview if you are rested. Also, yawning will not impress anyone.
Eat something before the interview. If you are worried about your stomach
growling, you will not be able to concentrate on the questions.
Dress
appropriately for the position that you are applying to. Try to dress
like the people who work there would dress if they were representing their
organization at some function. If you are unsure about what to wear,
always err on the side of being too dressed up.
Make sure that
you are clean, neat, and well-groomed. Interviewers do notice your
appearance, and first impressions are critical in an interview situation.
Take a copy of
your resume, transcript, references and perhaps a portfolio or work
samples with you. Also take a pen and paper, as you may wan to record some
important information.
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The Interview
Interview is an opportunity for
both the employer and the applicant to gather information. The employer
wants to know if you, the applicant, have the skills, knowledge,
self-confidence, and motivation necessary for the job. At this point you
can be confident that the employer saw something of interest in your
resume. He or she also wants to determine whether or not you will fit in
with the organization's current employees and philosophy. Similarly, you
will want to evaluate the position and the organization, and determine if
they will fit into your career plans. The interview is a two-way exchange
of information. It is an opportunity for both parties to market
themselves. The employer is selling the organization to you, and you are
marketing your skills, knowledge, and personality to the employer.
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Interview Preparation
Research is a critical part of
preparing for an interview. If you haven't done your homework, it is going
to be obvious. Spend time researching and thinking about yourself, the
occupation, the organization, and questions you might ask at the end of
the interview.
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Step 1: Know Yourself
The first step in preparing for
an interview is to do a thorough self-assessment so that you will know
what you have to offer an employer. It is very important to develop a
complete inventory of skills, experience, and personal attributes that you
can use to market yourself to employers at any time during the interview
process. In developing this inventory, it is easiest to start with
experience. Once you have a detailed list of activities that you have done
(past jobs, extra-curricular involvements, volunteer work, school
projects, etc.), it is fairly easy to identify your skills.
Simply go through the list, and
for each item ask yourself "What could I have learned by doing this?"
"What skills did I develop?" "What issues/circumstances have I learned to
deal with?" Keep in mind that skills fall into two categories -
technical and generic. Technical skills are the skills required to do a
specific job. For a laboratory assistant, technical skills might include
knowledge of sterilization procedures, slide preparation, and scientific
report writing. For an outreach worker, technical skills might include
counseling skills, case management skills, or program design and
evaluation skills
Generic skills are those which
are transferable to many work settings. Following is a list of the ten
most marketable skills. You will notice that they are all generic.
Often when people think of
skills, they tend to think of those they have developed in the workplace.
However, skills are developed in a variety of settings. If you have ever
researched and written a paper for a course, you probably have written
communication skills. Team sports or group projects are a good way to
develop the skills required of a team player and leader. Don't overlook
any abilities you may have
When doing the research on
yourself, identifying your experience and skills is important, but it is
not all that you need to know. Consider the answers to other questions
such as:
·
How have I demonstrated
the skills required in this position?
·
What are my strong
points and weak points?
·
What are my short term
and long term goals?
·
What can I offer this
particular employer?
·
What kind of environment
do I like? (i.e. How do I like to be supervised? Do I like a fast pace?)
·
What do I like doing?
·
Apart from my skills and
experience, what can I bring to this job?
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Step 2: Know the Occupation
The second step in preparing
for an interview is to research the occupation. This is necessary because
in order to present a convincing argument that you have the experience and
skills required for that occupation, you must first know what those
requirements and duties are. With this information uncovered, you can then
match the skills you have (using the complete skills/experience inventory
you have just prepared) with the skills you know people in that
occupational field need. The resulting "shortlist" will be the one that
you need to emphasize during the interview.
It is also in your best
interest to identify the approximate starting salary for that position, or
those similar. There are several ways to find out about an occupation:
Acquire a copy of the job
description from the employer (Human Resources/Personnel) or check with
Student Employment Services. If you are responding to an advertisement,
this may also supply some details.
The Career
Resource Centre has general information files on a variety of occupations.
Make sure you have read through the appropriate file and are updated on
the occupation. If you belong to a professional association related to the
occupation, use its resources. These associations often publish
informative newsletters and sponsor seminars. It is also a good way to
meet people working in the field. Conduct information interviews with
people working in the field. Read articles about people in the occupation,
and articles written by people in the occupation. Sources include
newspapers, magazines and the internet. Find out what the future trends
are in the area. Is technology changing the job?
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Step 3: Know the Organization
The more you know about an
organization, the better prepared you will be to discuss how you can meet
its needs. Some of the characteristics that you should know about an
organization are:
·
Where is it located?
·
How big is it?
·
What are its products
and who does it serve?
·
How is the organization
structured?
·
What is its history?
·
Have there been any
recent changes, new developments?
There are a number of ways in
which you can access this information. Most medium- to large-sized
organizations publish information about themselves.
·
Many companies have
internet home pages which you can locate by searching by industry and
company name
·
Finally, you can visit
or phone the organization and request some information on their products,
services or areas of research
If the organization is fairly
small, or fairly new, there may not be much information published. In this
case, it will be necessary to do an information interview. Contact someone
within the organization, introduce yourself, explain that you are
considering moving into the field, and ask if it would be possible to meet
with him/her to inquire about the company/organization and about what
exactly the position would involve.
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Step 4: Prepare Questions
Having completed your
background research, you are now ready to prepare questions to ask the
interviewer. Try to think of questions for which the answer was not
readily available in company Literature. Intelligent well thought-out
questions will demonstrate your genuine interest in the position. Be
Careful how many questions you ask, however, as too many can imply you
feel the interview was not successfully run. Pick your questions with care
- this is your chance to gather information, so ask about what you really
want to know. Avoid sounding critical by mentioning negative information
you may have discovered. This is one of the most effective ways to compare
different employers, so for issues of particular importance to you (for
example, whether they support staff upgrading), you should ask the same
questions of each employer. Some sample questions are:
·
What are the most
significant factors affecting your business today? How have changes in
technology most affected your business today?
·
How has your
business/industry been affected by the recession?
·
How has your company
grown or changed in the last couple of years?
·
What future direction do
you see the company taking?
·
Where is the greatest
demand for your services or product?
·
Where is most of the
pressure from increased business felt in this company?
·
Which department feels
it the most?
·
How do you differ from
your competitors?
·
How much responsibility
will I be given in this position?
·
What do you like about
working with this organization?
·
Can you tell me more
about the training program?
·
Have any new product
lines been introduced recently?
·
How much travel is
normally expected?
·
What criteria will be
used to evaluate my performance?
·
Will I work
independently or as part of a team?
·
How did you advance to
your position?
·
What are the career
paths available in this organization?
·
When can I expect to
hear from you regarding this position?
It is very important to ask the
last question because employers want to hire individuals who are
interested in the position - and asking this question definitely helps to
demonstrate interest on your part. Exercise judgment when asking questions
to an employer. When being interviewed by a large company that has a high
profile, one would not ask the question
"What is the history of your
company and how was your company started?" You can find the answer to this
question in the company's annual report or articles in
magazines/newspapers. However, small- and medium-sized companies do not
always produce publicly available annual reports and it may be difficult
to access information on the company and its role in the industry. This
question is appropriate if you have exercised all other ways to find out
the answer.
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Preparations
Let's say you
are going for an interview tomorrow. You have prepared yourself well for
the occasion - anticipating the questions and getting ready the answers -
but have you given a thought to what you will wear?
If you have not
peeked into your wardrobe yet, it's time to take a real hard look now.
Your application's fate depends not just on how well you answer the
interview questions, but also on how well you project yourself physically.
The first impression your interviewer makes about you is based on the way
you look, and you know what they say about first impressions. According to
Joe Hodowanes, J.M. Wanes and Associates career strategy advisor, "The way
a person dresses is the single biggest non-verbal communication you make
about yourself." The right dressing is a measure of the seriousness that
you place on the position, as a person normally spends time on his looks
if he considers an event important enough.
"Although proper
dressing by itself will not get you the job, a poor dress sense may
exclude you from further consideration," warns Gerry Ditching, managing
partner of Filgifts.com. Besides, given two equally good applicants, the
company may choose to hire the person who is dressed more professionally.
Here are some tips to give you a head start.
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Men
Long-sleeved
shirt and dark slacks. White is still the safest and the best color for
shirts. The color is also appropriate for our tropical weather. Also
acceptable: pale shades such as beige, blue, and other pastels.
Tuck in the shirt
and do not roll up the sleeves. Never wear a short-sleeved shirt to an
interview or any business purpose. Wearing a short-sleeved shirt will
destroy your executive image.
Ties.
Optional. But if you do wear one, choose a conservative pattern. Solids,
small polka dots, diagonal stripes, small repeating shapes, subtle plaids
and paisleys are all acceptable.
Belts.
Belts should match your shoes. Those with smaller buckles with squared
lines look more professional.
Socks.
Black socks are the best, followed by blue or gray, depending on your
attire. Never wear white socks! Check your sock length, too--no skin
should show when you sit down or cross your legs. Shoes. Black or burgundy
leather shoes with laces on them, because tassel loafers are very casual.
Other suitable colors are brown, cordovan and navy.
Hair.
Keep neat, short and preferably parted on the side. And shave off all
those facial hair.
Jewellery.
Wear no or little jewellery. The watch and wedding ring are the only
acceptable pieces of jewellery to go with the male attire. Thin gold or
leather-strapped watches look professional but not digital watches. Also,
avoid political or religious insignias, necklaces or bracelets. Definitely
no pierced body parts, and covers up your tattoos!
Accessories.
As much as possible, use leather briefcases or folders to hold copies of
your resume. Use narrow briefcases and avoid plastic folders and plastic
ball pens as they are out of place.
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Go for a mock exercise
before the real talk at the job table
Hone your interview
etiquette................ Churn the right mix of deportment, attitude and
dressing skills for a great job talk!
Never make the big mistake of treating an
interview lightly. It's not an impromptu thing where you depend on your
improvisation skills. An interview requires careful thought and planning
before you take it. Keeping in mind some basic attitudes and presentation
techniques will help you sail through it with panache.
So if you thought that going for an interview
just meant pulling your best suit out of the wardrobe and updating your
resume, please think again. You are forgetting the other essentials: body
language, basic etiquette and attitude.
Remember that you are actually selling an
entire package and the packaging; in this case, is as relevant as the
product inside. Ultimately you are presenting yourself as a valuable
professional to a new job environment. And you can't do that without
minding the basic interview etiquette to get you ahead of the rest of the
pack.
An interview is the sum total of many parts.
It's not just what you say but how you say it that matters equally. So
it's good to brush up on more than just your training skills when you do
go in for an interview.
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ATTIRE
How you dress for an interview is perhaps as
relevant as the way you lay out your resume. Says Nina Kochar of Upgrade
Management Services, an organization which coaches' executives in the
basic rules of corporate etiquette: "A person who is sloppy in appearance
shows a sloppy personality, so you have to be decently dressed." Of
course, decently dressed does not necessarily mean being dressed to the
gills. In most cases, this would mean you would wear long sleeved shirts
and a pair of formal trousers. In fact, Nina Kochar does not recommend
suits, especially for younger people. "A lot of young people do not have
the money to invest in suits, consequently, they wear ill-fitting or
borrowed suits and that looks even worse. A tie, shirt and pant should do
the trick for most junior level positions."
Most HR experts would also tell you to mind
the accessories like ties, belts and shoes. To be sure, badly matched
shoes and ties can have a jarring effect on an interviewer. Similarly,
please avoid heavy jewellery or personal accessories as they would look
incongruous on you.
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ENTRANCE AND INTRODUCTION
Even though most of us are primed for the
basic grilling that we would face during the interview, we seldom pay
attention to the way we enter an interview room or how we introduce
ourselves. Says Subhashish Mitra, deputy manager, Essar Cellphones: "A lot
of people do not think it important to knock properly while entering the
interview room. They assume that as an interview is taking place, the
panel will be expecting them. To my mind this is a very major faux pas
which really jars."
In fact, the best way to enter an interview
is to knock, ask for permission to enter and then wait for a while before
you actually sit down. Few interviewees know this but the interview panel
needs a little quiet time to discuss the previous candidate before they
get around to the next one. So your silence till you actually get seated
would be very valuable. Try and keep a bag with you for all your papers
and certificates; make sure this bag is an unobtrusive as possible.
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ATTITUDE AND RESPONSE
This is a grey area for most interview
candidates. While dressing up and resume writing are skills you can Go for
a mock exercise before the real talk at the job table handle with a little
practice, cultivating the right attitude as an interviewee requires a lot
of patience and reading between the lines. The usual complaint of most
interviewers is that few interviewees are able to stir perhaps the best
thing you can do for getting your answer right. Most interviewers like to
give a lead to the candidate in the way they ask the question, so it's
entirely up to you to note facial expressions and the tone of the words.
Do you show your certificates immediately to
the interview panel?
Not till you are asked actually. You might
already have sent in your resume, so you shouldn't try and offload all
your achievements and skills onto the panel till a turn in the interview
leads to such a situation.
Try and take cues form the tonal variations,
facial expressions and thrust of questions from the interview panel. That
in itself will give you a clue as to where this interview is heading.
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TEN THINGS THAT AN INTERVIEWER LOOKS IN
YOU!
1. Family Background
2. Education
3. Experience
4. Stability
5. Initiative
6. General Ability
7. Interpersonal Skills
8. Confidence
9. Aptitude
10. Pleasant Looks
How one wished that an interview were a
simple meeting of minds and hearts. Just one casual meeting where an
employee's future gets sealed. Unfortunately, it's not something as
pre-ordained as you would like it to be; it's a pre-meditated exercise
which fetches you dividends only if your homework is done right.
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Your resume is the first
interface you have with your employer
Your resume is the first
interface you have with your employer. Make the most of this
opportunity............. The employment market is changing all the time
and so have resumes, evolving from a one-size-fits-all standard. Here are
our tips to convert your resume into a catching one.
Follow These Basic
Standards....
·
Don't overcrowd your
resume; allow for plenty of white space.
·
Keep your resume to one
page whenever possible.
·
Keep the number of fonts
you use to a minimum -- two at the most.
·
Use a font that is easy
to read. Times Roman works well.
·
Do not justify the lines
of type on your resume. Allow the right side of the page to "rag."
·
Do not overuse
capitalization, italics, underlines, or other emphasizing features.
·
Make sure your name,
address, and a phone number appear on your resume and all correspondence,
preferably at the top of the page.
·
Print your resume on
white or cream paper using a good-quality printer.
·
Second- and
third-generation photocopies must be avoided
·
Print on one side of the
paper only.
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Avoid Mistakes:
Spelling Mistakes:
To avoid spelling mistakes:
·
Don't use words with
which you aren't familiar.
·
Use a dictionary as you
write.
·
Perform a spell check on
your finished resume.
·
Carefully read every
word in your resume.
·
Have a friend or two
proof-read your resume for you.
Punctuation Mistakes:
Things to look for:
·
Periods at the end of
all full sentences.
·
Be consistent in your
use of punctuation.
·
Always put periods and
commas within quotation marks.
·
Avoid using exclamation
points.
Grammatical Mistakes:
Grammar hang-ups to watch for:
·
Do not switch tenses
within your resume.
·
The duties you currently
perform should be in present tense (i.e., write reports)
·
Duties you may have
performed at past jobs should be in past tense (i.e., wrote reports).
·
Capitalize all proper
nouns.
·
When expressing numbers,
write out all numbers between one and nine (i.e., one, five, seven), but
·
Use numerals for all
numbers 10 and above (i.e., 10, 25, 108 etc.).
·
If you begin a sentence
with a numeral, spell out that numeral (e.g. eleven service awards won
while employed.).
·
Make sure your date
formats are consistent (i.e.11/22/01 or Nov. 22, 2001, or 11.22.01. Choose
one and stick with it.).
·
Choose Your Words
Carefully:
·
Phrase yourself well:
·
Be on the lookout for
the following easily confused words:
·
accept (to receive),
except (to exclude)
·
all right (correct),
alright (this is not a word)
·
affect (to bring about
change), effect (result)
·
personal (private),
personnel (staff members)
·
role (a character
assigned or a function), roll (to revolve).
·
Use action words (i.e.,
wrote reports, increased revenues, directed staff).
References:
In most instances it is not
necessary to include names and address of references on the resume. If you
include a reference, make it sure that the referenced person knows very
well about you. It is also advisable to add the persons as references,
whom the employer can contact easily. If possible add the phone number and
e-mail ID of the reference. Never add a person as a reference, about whom
you know nothing.
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STICK TO THE POINT
Employers have a busy schedule,
so don't expect them to read through a long resume. Ideally, resumes
should be of one page or of two pages only if absolutely necessary, to
describe relevant work experience.
WORDS COUNT
Use of language is extremely
important; you need to sell yourself to an employer quickly and
efficiently. Address your potential employer's needs with a clearly
written, compelling resume. Avoid large paragraphs (five or six lines). If
you provide small, digestible pieces of information, your resume will be
read. Use action verbs. Verbs such as "developed", "managed", and
"designed" emphasize your accomplishments. Don't use declarative sentences
like "I developed the ..." or "I assisted in ...", leave out the "I".
Avoid passive constructions, such as "was responsible for managing". Just
say, "managed"; that sounds stronger and more active.
MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR
EXPERIENCE
Employers need to know what you
have accomplished to have an idea of what you can do for them. Don't be
vague. Telling someone that you "improved the company's efficiency"
doesn't say much. But if you say that you "cut overhead costs by 20 per
cent and saved the company 20 lakh rupees during the last fiscal year",
you are more specific.
HONESTY IS A GOOD POLICY
Employers will feel more
comfortable hiring you if they can verify your accomplishments. There is a
difference between making the most of your experience and exaggerating or
falsifying it. A falsified resume can cost you the job later.
DOUBLE-CHECK FOR MISTAKES
Check your resume for correct
grammar and spelling - evidence of good communication skills and attention
to detail. Nothing can ruin your chances of getting a job faster than
submitting a resume filled with preventable mistakes. Make your resume
easy on the eye. Use normal margins (1" on the top and bottom, 1.25" on
the sides) and don't cram your text on the page. Allow for some space
between the different sections. Avoid unusual or exotic fonts. Preferred
fonts: Arial and Times Roman.
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Type of Questions
Interviewers use
five different types of questions - directive, non-directive,
hypothetical, behavior descriptive, and stress. Being aware of the
different types can help you in the preparation stage as you build your
skills inventory. It may also help you focus in on exactly what is being
asked and what the employer is looking for in specific questions.
Directive
Questions
The interviewer
determines the focus of your answer. The information that the interviewer
wants is very clear. If you have completed the research on yourself, this
type of question should be easy to answer.
Example:
"What skills do you have that relate to
this position?"
"I have very
good communication and interpersonal skills that I have refined through
several summer and part-time jobs working with the public. In addition, I
am fluent in both English and French."
Non-Directive
Questions
You determine the
focus of your answer. The interviewer asks a general question and does not
ask for specific information. The most common non-directive question is
"Tell me about
yourself."
When answering
the question, keep in mind that the employer is interested in knowing how
your background and personality qualify you for the job. In your answer,
you should cover four areas: your education, related experience, skills
and abilities, and personal attributes. As you talk about these areas,
relate them to the job you are seeking. Decide what your response will be
before starting to speak, this helps to keep responses concise.
Example:
“Tell me about yourself."
"I have a
Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology, and have recently completed the
course in Volunteer Management through the Volunteer Center of Winnipeg.
These have given me a strong background in many of the principles of human
behavior and the recruitment, training, and supervision of volunteers. I
have experience in working with young adults in a helping capacity, both
through my position as a Peer Advisor at the University of Manitoba, and
as a camp counselor at a camp for behaviorally troubled adolescents. Both
of these positions involved individual counseling, facilitating discussion
groups, and teaching young people about health issues - all of which
relate directly to the services which I would be training volunteers to
provide within your organization. In addition, I thoroughly enjoy working
with young people, and can establish rapport with them easily."
Hypothetical or
Scenario Questions
When asking a
hypothetical question, the interviewer describes a situation, which you
may encounter in the position and asks how you would react in a similar
situation. This is a good way to test problem-solving abilities. When
answering this type of question, try applying a simple problem solving
model to it – gather information, evaluate the information, priories the
information, seek advice, weigh the alternatives, make a decision,
communicate the decision, monitor the results and modify if necessary.
Example:
"Suppose you are working your first day
in our laboratory, and a fire at nearby work station breaks out. What
would you do?"
"Before I start
working in any laboratory, I always locate the emergency equipment, such
as eye washes, fire blankets and alarms. I would also review the safety
protocols. So in this situation, I would be aware of these. As soon as I
noticed the fire, I would shut down my experiment and if the fire is
significant, I would pull the firm alarm and help to evacuate the lab. In
the case of very small flame, I would ask the staff member at the station
what I could do to help, which would vary with the type of substances
involved.”
Behavior
Descriptive or Behavioral Questions
This type of
question is becoming increasingly popular in interview situations. It asks
what you did in a particular situation rather than what you would do.
Situations chosen usually follow the job description fairly closely. Some
employers feel that examples of past performance will help them to predict
future performance in similar situations. There is no right or wrong
answer to this type of question, but keep in mind that you should relate
the answer to the position. If you are interviewing for a research
position, talk
about a research
project you completed.
Example:
"Give me an example of a work situation
in which you were proud of your performance."
"While working
as a sales representative for XYZ Company for the summer, I called on
Prospective clients and persuaded them of the ecological and economic
benefits of Recycling. I also followed up on clients to ensure that they
were satisfied with the service they received. This involved both
telephone and in-person contacts. I increased sales 34% over the same
period in the previous year."
When preparing
for this type of questioning, it is crucial that you review the skills and
qualities that the position would require and identify specific examples
from your past which demonstrated those traits.
Stress
Questions
Some questions
will surprise you and possibly make you feel uncomfortable during an
interview. For
Example:"
Which do you prefer, fruits or vegetables?" There are many reasons
why an interviewer might ask such questions. They may want to see how you
react in difficult situations, or they may simply be trying to test your
sense of humor. Such questions may directly challenge an opinion that you
have just stated or say something negative about you or a reference.
Sometimes they ask seemingly irrelevant questions such as,
"If you were an
animal, what type of animal would you be?"
The best way to
deal with this type of question is to recognize what is happening. The
interviewer is trying to elicit a reaction from you. Stay calm, and do not
become defensive. If humor comes naturally to you, you might try using it
in your response, but it is important to respond to the question. What you
say is not nearly as important as
maintaining your composure.
Example:
"Which do you like better, Lions or
Tigers?"
"Oh, lions
definitely. They appear so majestic and are very sociable. To be honest, I
think that seeing The Lion King four times has probably contributed to
this!"
Way of Answering
Regardless of what type
of question you are asked, you will find it easier to respond effectively
if you keep in mind some basic question answering strategies:
You can never predict every
question that you will encounter, so approach the interview with an
inventory of important points. Make a list of the points about
yourself that you want the interviewer to know. For example, if you were
to apply for a job as a Sales Representative, you might want to list the
products you have sold before, types of customers (by industry, age,
etc.), languages spoken, personal experience in that industry and related
knowledge (perhaps from your academic program).
Consider each question an
opportunity to provide some of this information. Don't assume anything.
You will be evaluated on your answers, not your resume. Therefore,
ensure you incorporate the relevant information from your resume in your
answers.
Pause a couple of seconds
before you respond to each question, even if you know exactly what you
want to say. Take this time to quickly plan your answer, this helps to
avoid misunderstandings and produces much more concise answers.
If you don't understand a
question, ask for clarification. This is expected and is preferable to
providing an unsuitable answer. If you need time to collect your thoughts
- take it. When people are nervous they tend either to "draw a blank" or
to babble. It is better to think for a few moments and make sure that your
answer is doing you justice and that there is a point to what you are
saying.
Always expand. Never answer a
question with a "yes" or "no."
The interview is an opportunity
for you to sell yourself. Don't be afraid to 'blow your own horn.' As long
as you can back up what you are saying with examples which demonstrate
that what you are saying is true, you are not bragging. Third party
observations can also be mentioned. For example, "My last employer told
me that I was promoted because of how I handled conflicts with clients."
Be very positive. Don't
complain about anything - from your former employer to the weather - and
don't apologize for experience that you don't have. Just sell what you
do have and let the employer decide if you have what he/she is looking
for. Also, avoid negative words. For example, you would not say "I have
a little experience...," you would say "I have
experience......"
Don't be afraid to repeat
important points. In fact, it is a good idea to do this.
top
Go Through The
Process
There are many
different types of interviews designed to serve different purposes or
situations. Regardless of the type of interview, most will incorporate the
following stages: establishing rapport, exchanging information, and
closing the interview. Pay attention to the job titles of the
interviewer. This can help you decide how much technical detail to
provide in your responses.
Establishing
Rapport
This is a very
important part of the interview because while establishing rapport, first
impressions are made, and the tone of the interview is set. Some people
suggest that the decision to hire is greatly influenced by the first five
minutes of the interview. A good interviewer will introduce him/herself,
and take the lead. Follow his or her lead - if they are chatty, be chatty;
if they are formal, be formal. Some employers use what seems to be casual
conversation to get to know you on a more personal level – this may be
crucial to a hiring decision!
Tips:
·
Smile and
maintain eye contact. This is one way of communicating confidence, even if
you don't feel it.
·
If the
interviewer offers his or her hand, shake it firmly. If they don't, it is
appropriate to offer yours.
·
Wait until
the interviewer sits or offers you a seat before sitting down.
·
If the
interviewer is making small talk, participate. Keep your answers short and
positive.
Exchange of
Information
This is the bulk
of the interview. It is your opportunity to let the interviewer know what
you have to offer, and your chance to learn more about the organization.
Tips:
·
When you
answer a question, look the interviewer in the eye.
·
Be aware
of the interviewer's reactions. If he or she looks confused, ask if you
can clarify anything.
·
Be aware
of what your body is saying. Avoid closed postures. Sit upright, but not
stiffly.
·
Try to
find a comfortable position as that will make you feel more relaxed.
·
Control
your nervous habits. Don't swing your foot, talk with your hands (to an
extreme), or fiddle with jewelers, buttons, pens, etc.
·
Show that
you are interested in the job by asking questions.
·
Try not to
appear bored or anxious. Don't look at your watch.
Closing the
Interview
When the
interviewer is done gathering the information that is needed, he or she
will ask if you have anything to add, or if you have any questions. This
is your opportunity to mentally review your inventory of skills and make
sure that you have communicated everything that you wanted to. If any of
your questions have not been addressed during the course of the interview,
now is the time to ask them.
Tips:
·
Thank the interviewer
for his/her time and consideration.
·
Ask when you can expect
to hear from him/her.
·
If it is not known when
a decision will be reached, ask if you can phone in a week's time to
inquire about the progress.
·
If the interviewer
offers his/her hand, shake it firmly. Otherwise, it is fine to offer yours
first.
·
If not already
discussed, you can offer to leave a sample of your work, or portfolio if
you have one.
top
Think about the following
points. Do any of them apply to you?
Oversell
Trying too hard to impress;
bragging; acting aggressively.
Undersell
Failing to
emphasize the fact that you have related skills; discussing
experience using negative qualifiers (i.e. "I have a little
experience...").
Body Language
It is easy to create a negative
impression without even realizing that you are doing it. Are you staring
at your feet, or talking to the interviewer's shoulder? Be aware of what
your actions say about you.
Lack of Honesty
The slightest stretching of the
truth may result in you being screened out.
Negative Attitude
The interview is not an
opportunity for you to complain about your current supervisor or
co-workers (or even about 'little' things, such as the weather).
Lack of Preparation
You have to know about the
organization and the occupation. If you don't, it will appear as though
you are not interested in the position.
Lack of Enthusiasm
If you are not excited about
the work at the interview, the employer will not assume that your attitude
will improve when hired.
Great interviews arise from
careful groundwork. You can ace your nex | 
