Job interview preparation - Part V

Preparation for the interview

Find out specific facts about the company – where its plants, offices or stores are located; what its products and services are; what its growth has been; and what its growth potential is for the future. Prepare the questions you will ask during the interview. Remember that an interview is a "two- way-street", the employer will try to determine through questioning if you have the qualifications necessary to do the job. You must determine through questioning whether the company will give you the opportunity for the growth and development you seek.

General

Even the smartest and most qualified job seekers need to prepare for job interviews. Why, you ask? Interviewing is a learned skill, and there are no second chances to make a great first impression. So study these 10 strategies and caveats to enhance your interview IQ. It’s about demonstrating confidence: standing straight, making eye contact and connecting with a good, firm handshake. That first impression can be a great beginning – or quick ending – to your interview.
Today’s casual dress codes in the office do not give permission to dress as “they” do when you interview. It is important to look professional and well-groomed. Whether you wear a suit or something less formal depends on the company culture and the position you are seeking. If possible, call to find out about the company dress code before the interview.
From the very beginning of the interview, your interviewer is giving you information, either directly or indirectly. If you are not listening, you are missing a major opportunity. Good communication skills include listening and letting the person know you heard what he said. Observe your interviewer and match that style and pace.
Telling the interviewer more than he/she needs to know could be a fatal mistake. When you have not prepared ahead of time, you may tend to ramble, sometimes talking yourself right out of the job. Prepare for the interview by reading through the job posting, matching your skills with the position’s requirements and relating only that information.
The interview is a professional meeting to talk business. This is not about making a new friend. Your level of familiarity should mimic the interviewer’s demeanour. It is important to bring energy and enthusiasm to the interview and to ask questions, but do not to overstep your place as a candidate looking for a job.
It’s a given that you should use professional language during the interview. Be aware of any inappropriate slang words or references to age, race, religion, politics or sexual orientation –   these topics could send you out the door very quickly.
Attitude plays a key role in your interview success. There is a fine balance between confidence, professionalism and modesty. Even if you’re putting on a performance to demonstrate your ability, overconfidence is as bad, if not worse, as is being too reserved.
When an interviewer asks for an example of a time when you did something, he is seeking a sample of your past behaviour. If you fail to relate a specific example, you not only don’t answer the question, but you also miss an opportunity to prove your ability and talk about your skills.
When asked if they have any questions, the majority of candidates answer, “No.” Wrong answer. It is extremely important to ask questions to demonstrate an interest in what goes on in the company. Asking questions also gives you the opportunity to find out if this is the right place for you. The best questions come from listening to what is asked during the interview and asking for additional information.
We know – it’s a tough job market and you need a job. But when you interview with the “please,   please hire me” approach, you appear desperate and less confident. Maintain the three C`s during  the interview: cool, calm and confident. You know you can do the job; make sure the interviewer believes you can, too.

List of questions most commonly asked

What kind of job are you looking for?
What are your strengths?
What are you really good at?
Your weaknesses?
What have you done about addressing them?
What do you know about our company?
Why did you choose your particular career?
What are your qualifications?
Why did you choose this particular role?
What do you really want to do in your next career move?
Why would you like to work for our organization?
What do you want to be doing in your career in 5 years? Why?
What was the size of your last salary or bonus?
What style of management gets the best from you?
What interests you about our products or services?
What have you learned from some of the jobs you have held?
Which did you enjoy most?   Why?
What is your major weakness?
What have you done about it?
What do you think determines a person’s progress in a good company?
Are you willing to relocate?
How do you spend your time?
What are your hobbies?
What does teamwork mean to you?
Have you saved any money?
What entrepreneurial activities have you been engaged in?
What type of books do you read?
What was the last one?
What are your major strengths?
What skills have you developed from previous jobs?
What were your biggest achievements in your last jobs?
How would others describe you?
What are you major goals in your career and life?
Why are you looking to move right now?
What concerns do you have with your current employer?
Do you prefer to work on your own or as part of a team?
Why do you want this job?
What is the biggest mistake you have ever made?
What is the biggest challenge you have ever faced?
How do you cope with colleagues you don’t get along with?
You have changed jobs “three” times in the past years. Why should I think you are more serious about this one?
We are looking for someone with more experience than you so why should we give you the job?
How much / what do you know about our business?
What other jobs are you applying for? Why these companies? Why this sector?

All the preparation you want can be done at http://www.aptitudetestsonline.com/assessment-day-information-page1.htm

Job interview preparation - Part IV

What you should know before your interview

Interviews vary tremendously from very informal to formal. However some questions can be anticipated as can the subject matter. If you are well prepared, then the majority of problem questions should not arise. You will know about the company, you will know about yourself and you will have a good idea of the demands of the job. These questions will not be a problem to the well prepared interviewee

A few general rules for your interview:

Speak up when answering questions.
Answer briefly, but try to avoid yes or no answers. Explain what you mean and use examples.
Don’t worry about pausing before you answer, it shows you can think and are not spitting out sound bites you learned.
Don’t worry about admitting you don’t know – but keep this to a minimum.
Don’t embellish answers and don’t lie. Be as honest as possible.
Be prepared for hypothetical situation questions and take your time on these.
Be prepared for the unexpected question, that’s designed to see how you cope with the unexpected.
If you ask questions, then keep them brief during the interview. Remember you are the interviewee. At the end of the interview ask your questions in an open manner. There is always the opportunity to ask them questions at the end of the interview – remember the   interview is a two way process, you need to be sure you want to join them too.
Thank the interviewers for their time, when you leave quietly and calmly. Smile.
Try to concentrate on issues which are both important to you and combine as apparent interest in the company, leave issues like terms and conditions until the very last, even though they may feel the most important to you.

Good topics to touch on include:

-the competitive environment in which the organisation operates
-executive management styles
-what obstacles the organisation anticipates in meeting its goals
-how the organisation’s goals have changed over the past three to five years

Generally, it is most unwise to ask about pay or benefits or similar areas. The reason is that it tends to make you seem more interested in what the organisation can do for you. It’s also not a good idea to have no questions at all. Doing so makes you appear passive rather than curious and  interested. SHOW PROACTIVITY! You are interested in that company and what they do.

Suggested questions:

What are the main objectives and responsibilities of the position?
How does the company expect these objectives to be met?
What obstacles are commonly encountered in reaching these objectives?
What is the desired time frame for reaching the objectives?
What resources are available from the company and what must be found elsewhere to reach the objectives?

Wear what is appropriate for the post and the company. It may vary from smart, formal wear in some instances and informal in other. Better to wear a suit though if you are not sure. Be well groomed and clean. Try to look calm and confident. Once you have entered the interview room there will usually be a short exchange of pleasantries and ice breaking. Don’t be fooled by this time – it really is designed to put you at ease in most circumstances, but these initial moments are the most formative – don’t go over the top being exceptionally friendly or alternatively going rigid with fear. A pleasant natural smile, a firm handshake and a brief exchange of words in a natural manner of this greeting is sufficient.

Some simple but frequently broken rules:

Sit comfortably with both feet on the floor, lean slightly towards the interviewer.
Don’t play with your hair or your hands. Keep them out of pockets.
Try not to create defensive barriers between you and them, like a bag or folder on your knees, folded arms or crossed legs. This won’t give a good image of you.
Maintain natural eye contact with the interviewer but do not stare. If there’s more than one interviewer, then look at whoever is talking.
When you are talking, shift your glance from one to the other. This way you include them all.
Don’t over use your hands, if you are a natural gesticulator.
Don’t squirm or fidget. Do nod and Mmm, to show you are listening to them.
Above all try to be you, try to be natural.

Obeying these rules will allow the interviewers to concentrate on you and not on what you are   doing in the interview. Body language conveys all sorts of messages, and the right body language will convey the message of a well-balanced and confident individual.
The short time you spend at a job interview could have a dramatic effect on your career prospects. It is therefore important that you perform well because no matter how good your career record is to date, the employment interview remains an important step towards fulfilment of your ambitions.

Negative factors to avoid

During the course of an interview, the employer will be evaluating your negative factors as well as your positive attributes.
Listed below are negative factors frequently evaluated during the course of an interview and those, which most often lead to rejection.

Poor personal appearance.
Overbearing - aggressive-conceited “superiority complex”, “know-it-all.”
Inability to express thoughts clearly, poor diction or grammar.
Lack of planning for career - no purpose or goals.
Lack of interest and enthusiasm - passive and indifferent.
Lack of confidence - nervousness.
Over-emphasis on money - interested only in remuneration.
Evasive - makes excuses for unfavourable factors in record.
Lack of tact / maturity / courtesy.
Condemnation of past employers.
Failure to look interviewer in the eye.
Limp handshake.
Lack of appreciation of the value of experience.
Persistent attitude of “what can you do for me?”
Lack of preparation for interview - failure to get information about the company, resulting in inability to ask intelligent questions. More preparation can be done at www.aptitudetestsonline.com/interview-preparation-assessment-day.htm

We will continue with interview preparation later with Part V