QUESTION:

What is an interview?

An interview is a meeting between an applicant for employment and a company representative determine whether the candidate is qualified for a job or not. The previous experience or education is not enough to convince an employer that you are the right person for the job. The outcome of a job interview is entirely dependent on how well you sell yourself.

What's the purpose of an interview?

There are purpose for interview process because everythings has a reason in life, including an interview. An interview is the employer's way of selecting the right applicant from a group of equally-qualified candidates. An interview is an elimination process, whereby the winner receives a job offer. For the interviewer: 1. The employer wants to know if you're a good fit for his/her company. The interviewer is interested in three things: i. ii. iii. Can you do the job? Will you do the job? Will you fit in?

2. To gather relevant information about you, the candidate, including previous job experience

3. To promote the organization and find the best match between the organization and prospective employees.

For the interviewee: 1. You want to sell yourself as the ideal candidate and you want to know if the company is suitable for you and your career goals.

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2. An interview is your opportunity to tie your skills and experience directly and enthusiastically. ii. iii. iv. v. vi. vii. What are your strengths? What are your weaknesses? How are you suitable for this job? How long do you plan to stay with the company? What is your ideal position? Why do you want to change jobs?

3. An interview is also your opportunity to assess the company: i. ii. iii. iv. v. Is this the kind of place where you want to work? Can you contribute? Will you acquire new skills? Is there a possibility to advance? Will these position open doors for you?

Types of Interviews

Screening Interview

An employer may use a screening interview to determine the top candidates to bring in for the actual face-to-face interview. A screening interview can be done in person, but more often will be over the telephone. Sometime the screening interview will be conducted by the hiring managers assistant or someone from HR, but usually they conducted by the person who will be doing the hiring.

Face-to-Face Interview

The person who will make the hiring decision usually conducts the face-to-face interview, which is usually granted to the top candidates. A face-to-face interview can involved more than just you and hiring manager, though. Sometimes, an employer may use group of interview to allow others to ask questions of you, too (someone from HR or your potential peer, for example. When face-to-face interview cant be done due to distance or scheduling conflicts, telephone or video conference interviews may be conducted instead.

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Group Interview

A group interview usually involved the hiring manager and your potential peers. Sometimes, it includes people from other groups within the company; groups that you may have to work with in some way. The purpose of having you talk with many individuals at one time is to both save time and to see how well you communicate within a team environment. This type of interview is most common for government or educational jobs.

Full day interview

During the full day interview, several member of organization interview you individually, each with their own departmental interests in mind. The head of the marketing department may meet you to determine the level of skill in you communications background, while the project management team may try to discern tour ability to manage large-scale team projects. Sometimes, a full day interview will included behaviour interview questions and an audition interview. The full day interview will likely include lunch interview, so be ready for that, as well.

Behaviour Interview

During behaviour interview, the employer asks you questions about your previous employment behaviour to try to gauge what you future performance from them may be like. The questions focus on how the skills, abilities and accomplishments of your past can benefit their organization.

Audition Interview

The audition interview is used by potential employers who want to see you in action before they make their hiring decision. Computer programmers may be asked to write code, software testers may have to locate and fix a problem, chefs are often asked to prepare a dish, and a corporate trainer may asked to present new material. All of these are examples of the audition interview, with the hiring manager (or the hiring team) serving as your audience.

What to do Before an Interview? How do I prepare myself for an interview? Here are some things to do the day before an interview. Remember, first impressions usually last.

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1) Research the company Interviewers will expect you to have a good grasp of what their organization does, who their customer are, how big it is, how its divided up and who its main competitors are. So, it is important to you find out a few things about the company you want to work for. Than come up with 2 or 3 questions that you would like to ask about the company. Usually your interviewer will give you a chance to ask questions, and it looks better when you have some. Showing you have done some independent research on the company also shows that you really want the role. These questions shouldnt be about money or benefits; the best time to negotiate those is after you receive an offer. While thinking about what questions you want to ask, also prepare an answer to why you want to work for this company. The interview is the time to show that youre passionate about the job.

2) Prepare what you're going to wear. Plan carefully what you will wear to the job interview. It is important to know what attire is appropriate for your job. It is great idea to find out before hand what kind of dress code a company abides by. Not all interviewers expect you to show in a suit and tie, so do your homework first. If youre interviewing for a very casual job, a suit may not be appropriate, but wrinkles never are. If you have a chance to scout out the place you want to work at, see what kind of clothing the employees wear. Dress at least that nice for the interview. If you dont have a chance to scout it out before you go, use your best judgment. Typically, its better to overdress rather than under dress, but if youre interviewing for a construction job in an Armani suit, overdressing can be just as damaging. Take a look at the below examples of appropriate dress for an interview.

Appropriate Interview Dress. The examples range from what is appropriate for an workplace to a professional

interview at a casual workplace.

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Inappropriate and Risky Interview Dress

Example of inappropriate interview attire i. Dangling Jewelry The movement dangling, big earrings, and loose bracelet can cause distraction while you talking in a interview. Wear a small and simple jewelry to maintain the interviewers focus. If you are a man, a watch or one ring is fine. Do not wear earring in the interview for a man.

ii. Tie Sometimes men are scrutinized for their choice in ties. It is best to use colour that blend well and pattern that are simple.

iii. Poor fit Tight clothing can be unflattering and uncomfortable in an interview

3) Prepare what you plan to bring with you to the interview (including a list of references).

After you have decided what to wear, it is time to think about what you should bring along with you to the interview. In addition, it is equally important to know what you should leave at home or in your car.

Interview Checklist Bring: A positive and friendly attitude

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A copy of your resume with notes for you to use during the interview Additional clean, quality copies of your resume (one per interview) You own list of questions to ask about the job or company A pen and some paper A list of references (include name titles, and contact information) The name, title, department, and phone number of the person who is interviewing you Previous employment information

Dont Bring (into the interview) Your cell phone. While it is tempting to text a friend or to call your spouse while waiting for the interview to begin, it is often considered unprofessional. If you must keep you phone with you during the interview, turn off completely, do that it will no interrupt your meeting The contents of your pockets. Many job candidates jingle the change in their pockets or play with their keys when they are nervous. Put these things away before hand, so you wont be tempted. You own food and drink. If you have something to eat or drink with you, put it away or throw it out before you go into the interview. Do NOT chew gym during the interview.

4) Practise answering questions Many interview questions are predictable. Since the largest portion of your interview will be spent answering questions, the best way to prepare for an interview is to anticipate the questions you will likely be asked and then practice your answers to those questions. Practise speaking out loud in front of a mirror, into a tape recorder, or with a friend. All interviewers will ask some common interview questions to determine if you are the best candidate for the job. These questions usually deal with your career goals, your level of interest in the job and company, your job skills and motivation, and your interpersonal communication skills.

Common Interview Questions

Tell me about yourself.

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Employers will ask this question for a variety of reasons. Some may want to hear a brief summary of your work experience (including your current job), while others use it as an icebreaker to get a sense of your personality and what motivates you. Many human resources professionals recommend keeping your answer brief, stating two professional

accomplishments and one personal fact. What you choose to say, and how you say it, says a great deal about you.

Name your three greatest strengths.

Employers ask this question because they want to know what your strengths are, but more importantly, they want to know if you're capable of discussing your strengths. Now is not the time to be bashful. Emphasize strengths that can be directly applied to the job.

What is your greatest weakness?

Most of us would like to respond, "I don't have any," but that's not what the interviewer wants to hear. After all, who doesn't have a weakness? However, be cautious. Think about what you want to reveal. Pick a weakness that is not important in this job or one that you have taken steps to strengthen. Always try to transform your weakness into strength.

What are your most significant accomplishments within and outside of the workplace?

Emphasize accomplishments that are most relevant to the job. Don't waste time talking about details that would not be of any use to the employer. Be as specific as possible without revealing too much about your former employer, especially proprietary or confidential information. Don't downplay your achievements; instead, mention any difficulties you may have had (without being negative) and how you overcame them. If you are asked to describe a personal accomplishment, you may want to mention something you've accomplished outside of work that is related to your professional development.

What attracted you to the company/position? Why do you want to work for us?

Interviewers ask this question to find out how much you know about the company. Having done your company research, talk about the needs of the company or business and how your skill set can contribute to their goals. Talk about your work experiences and how they have prepared you for this particular position. Also, point out your own career goals.

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How do you feel about your most recent position? What was your reason for leaving?

Interviewers ask this question because they want to find out if you were successful in your last/current position. Avoid terms such as illness, quit, personal reasons, fired, or didn't like my supervisor. Remain positive; never badmouth a former employer. Use positive reasons such as pursuing degree, relocated, or simply state you are seeking an opportunity to further your professional growth.

Describe a conflict with a manager or co-worker. How was it resolved?

Everyone has experienced workplace conflict at some point. The interviewer is assessing your ability to solve problems and interact with others. Don't use this as an opportunity to say negative things about your former manager state the problem and describe steps you took to resolve the issue. Do not say that you have never had a conflict: it is too unbelievable.

What are your career goals? Where do you see yourself in five years, ten years?

Interviewers ask this question because they want to find out if you're likely to stay with the company for a while. Don't proclaim that you'd like to be promoted within a year or that you see this position as a way to get your next job. Try to keep your answer brief and focused on how your career goals are in alignment with the company's needs.

Why are you changing careers?

If you are in fact changing careers, be prepared for this question. Interviewers will want to know if you have thoroughly researched your new career, and are not switching jobs on a regular basis. Stress how your skills can transfer to your new career.

Tell me about the best/worst supervisor you've ever had.

Interviewers want to find out how your work style fits with the management style of the company. Be sure to emphasize positive experiences. If you have to mention a worst case, try not to dwell on it. Instead, mention the strategies you developed in order to work under less than-perfect circumstances.

Are you interviewing with other companies?

Interviews might try to find out if they need to act quickly. Don't mention any specifics. Say that you are extremely interested in the company, but are keeping your options open.

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Will you relocate?

Interviewers may be asking if you would relocate, or they may be testing your flexibility and a willingness to consider new things. Be honest in your answer. If the job seems perfect and you are very interested, say you may need some time to think about it and would be open to discussing the possibilities.

What kind of compensation/salary are you seeking?

Usually, a first interview is not the time to discuss salary. An interviewer may just be testing you to see how you react. At this point, it's best to say that it's negotiable or that you're interested in a competitive salary.

5) The STAR Method for Answering Questions You may not know exactly what questions you will be asked during your interview, but there is something you can do to make sure you are as prepared as possible to answer them. Practice using the STAR method for answering. The STAR method begins with a description of a Situation, and then describes the Tasks that were necessary for the situation, the Actions that you took to address that situation, and the Result. The following is a sample STAR answer for the question Tell me about a time you were able to satisfy an upset customer.

6) Preparing Your Own Questions to Ask An interview is as much for you as it is for the hiring manager. It is your chance to find out more about the job, the company, the industry, and your potential boss. Your questions should show your genuine interest in or understanding of the company. Knowing what questions to ask and NOT to ask can help you get more out of your interview, and maybe even get you the job.

Questions to Ask To find out more about the job duties, consider asking: 1. What is the primary goal or responsibilities of this position in the first year? 2. What is a typical day like for someone in this position? 3. With whom will I work in this position?

To find out more about the company, consider asking: 4. How and when does an employee have the chance for advancement here?

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5. What is the companys perspective on employee development and training? 6. How and when will my performance be evaluated? 7. How does this position fit into the company as a whole? 8. How does this position support the companys goals or mission? 9. How are my job duties and priorities established? 10. What are sources will I have access to that will help me perform my job duties?

To find out more about the company culture, consider asking: 1. Describe your typical employee. What do they like most about their jobs? What do they like least? 2. What one character trait would you use to describe a successful employee here? 3. Why is this position open right now?

If you don't ask any questions during your job interview, the hiring manager may believe that you are not really interested in the job.

What to do During the Interview? Before you say your first word, the interviewer will make a judgment about you. There are a few key things that they will be looking for, including: a genuine smile, a firm handshake, a confident demeanour, good eye contact, and a friendly, enthusiastic introduction. They'll notice instantly whether your hair is clean and neat, whether or not your attire is appropriate, whether or not your breath is fresh, and if your hands and fingernails are clean. Your qualifications and skills are only a part of what the hiring manager is looking for when conducting an interview. Whether you get the job depends largely on how you behave at the interview: what you do, what you say, and how you say it. From the first door you walk through to the final handshake on your way out, this lesson will help you learn how to behave during an interview. It will help you identify basic business etiquette that can improve your chances, as well as show you how your tone of voice and body language can be interpreted by the interviewer. It will also outline the basic rules for answering questions well.

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Following up AFTER an interview

After you completing the interview it does not mean you are finished. There are several things you should do afterwards to make the most out of your interview.

Reflecting on Your Interview After an interview, you may experience many emotions. Regardless of whether you feel the interview went well or went poorly, you should take time to reflect on the experience. This type of reflection can help you come up with additional questions that you can use in a follow-up or thank you letter, and it can better prepare you for future interviews.

Follow up with interview Send the company a "Thank You" note regardless of the outcome of the interview. It show one way to demonstrate your good manners. But that isn't all a Thank You letter does for you.

A Thank You letter: With sending a thank you letter its shows the interviewer that you respect their time and appreciate the opportunity they have given you. It also gives you the chance to highlight key qualifications that make you stand out from the crowd. allows you to expressly demonstrate an interest in the position and company one more time. is a great opportunity to clarify something or mention whatever you may have forgotten during the interview.

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