THE INTERVIEW GETS YOUR “FOOT IN THE DOOR”, AND MORE OFTEN THAN NOT AN INDIVIDUAL IS RIGHT FOR THE JOB BUT STUMBLES IN THE INTERVIEW BECAUSE OF A LACK OF SKILL AND CONFIDENCE. THERE IS MUCH PREPARATION TO BE DONE BEFORE AN INTERVIEW AND THERE ARE CERTAIN RULES OR STEPS THAT CAN BE FOLLOWED:
KNOWING AND UNDERSTANDING YOURSELF, that is, your career history. This point cannot be understated, you have much to learn from your past work experiences, for instance, what were your achievements or disappointments? This information will help cement your ideas and expectations as well as the sacrifices you will be willing to make in your new position.
RESEARCH THE COMPANY. Most companies today, big and small have websites. You do not have to wait until you work for a company to understand it inside and out. The sorts of information that is important here would probably be organizational structure, what they do, etc. Whilst doing this research write some questions down for the interview. This shows interest and intelligence. As well as researching the company, one should also research the position they are being interviewed for. The position may be wrong for you! Do not take the chance.
INTERVIEW YOURSELF. Once you have gone through your own CV and the companies history have your own question and answer session. This would comprise of those issues you believe that will be highlighted in the interview, such as knowing your strengths, and reasons for leaving your last job. It is also imperative that your answers are direct and consistent.
INTERVIEW ETIQUETTE IS ESSENTIAL. This parallels to your dress code and other paraphernalia you bring to the interview. Be smart, first impressions are important Also, make sure you have a pen and paper handy to jot down notes and questions, you do not need to stress yourself fumbling around for these things during the interview.
GET DETAILED DIRECTIONS TO THE COMPANY. You must eliminate unnecessary anxiety before the interview. Also, try to arrive 15-30 minutes earlier than the scheduled time of the interview. Use this time to go over the company information. Check in at reception about 5 minutes before the interview. Smile and relax. Remember to shake hands with your interviewer, and hold your head up high – you are worthy.
BODY AND OTHER LANGUAGE. Speak slowly and precisely. If you are not sure of a question ask the interviewer to rephrase it. Maintain eye- contact, do not fold your arms, and remain open and approachable. Be honest. Sell yourself. Your aim is to paint a brilliant picture in a short period of time so do not ramble on or offer unnecessary information. When it comes to the point when they want you to ask questions be choosy. Good questions to ask include what are my duties? Who will I report to? Will be working in a team? It is important to ask questions that parallel to your “potential” new role in the company. In other words it is not all about what you want or need but rather what you can offer the company. Salary and other benefits are not first interview questions. If the salary issue comes up, rather ask for a fair- market related salary or deflect the issue completely by saying, “my recruitment agent has my salary details”. In the long run it is better to play the waiting game on this issue, as this gives the company time to realize your value as well as allowing you to calculate the long term potential or benefits this job has for you. The crux here is that you do not want to come across greedy and would rather indicate that you are more interested in how you could contribute to a companies potential and not fixated on the monetary value they assign to you.
BE YOURSELF. It makes no sense to pretend that you are someone you are not. You have nothing to lose by being yourself. In fact, you have more to gain, especially in terms of ensuring you are going for the right job.
Examples of the most common questions asked in Interviews:
Tell me about yourself.
Why do you want to work for us?
What value could you add to our company?
What are your strengths?
What are your weaknesses?
What are your goals, where do you see yourself in 5 years?
What kind of salary do you want?
Do you like to work by yourself or in a team?
What are the obstacles to achieving your goals in your current position, and why?
What would be the most exciting aspects of this job? Which aspects would give you the permanent headache?
How would you measure your performance over the next year?
What would you like to achieve in your current job in the next couple years?
What is your greatest contribution to your current job?
What gives you job satisfaction?
How long will this job remain challenging/ exciting/ interesting?
What are the potential problems that you think you will face and how will you deal with them?
In your life, what do you wish you could have done differently?
How do you cope with stress?
Which one of your achievements are you most proud of?
Who has been your mentor in your career and why?
If you were promoted, what skills would you look for in your successor?
How do you plan your own time?
How would you motivate your subordinates?
How would you deal with someone who has a problem with your authority?
