CAREER GUIDANCE

CAREER GUIDANCE

Job Interview Preparation, Techniques, and Tips

Manimaran Subramaniam University Malaya

CAREER GUIDANCE

INTERVIEW
Your value is what makes an employer want to hire you. Nothing impresses an interviewer more than showing how you can add value and profit to their bottom line by: increasing sales, saving them money, obtaining more new customers while retaining existing ones, etc.

Prove this during your interview and the job is yours.

Manimaran Subramaniam University Malaya

You might be one of hundreds of people who respond to a job opening. However, most of the people who respond won't get interviewed. They'll get screened out through a process of elimination by an individual or committee which will determine the final candidates. In essence, here's how the screening process works. Generally, between 5 to 10 candidates are invited to a preliminary interview out of every 100 resumes a company receives for a job opening. Then, only those candidates with the highest "score" will qualify for second interviews. This continues throughout subsequent interviews until the list is whittled down to about three final candidates. When you reach this point you can count on having at least two, or as many as five interviews, before a final candidate is chosen.

The Selection Process

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Typically, this is how you'll be scored during interviews:

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50% Good chemistry Can you "fit" into the organization:

Grooming/General appearance: Does candidate fit our image Social fit: Communicates and listens well, good fit with co-workers, customers, management Shared Values: Personal interests and beliefs consistent with the companys goals and objectives Present/Future/Leadership potential: Honest, mature, stable, likable, relates well to others Attitude: Positive and upbeat with a can-do attitude, follows directions, accepts criticism Technical Fit: Has the skills, talents and ability to do the job Expertise: Has the background and experience to do the job Education: Has the required knowledge to do the job Ambition: Has the desire to learn, grow and excel Intelligent/Energetic/Motivated/Team Player: comprehends and adapts quickly, achievement oriented

30% Competence and ability Can you do the job:

20% Willingness and enthusiasm Will you do the job:

Manimaran Subramaniam University Malaya

CAREER GUIDANCE

Tips For A Winning Interview

Understand the employer's perspective Make a good first impression Communicate interest and enthusiasm Focus on what you can do for the company Prove that your skills, talents and abilities match the employer's needs Show that you can quickly contribute value and profit to the organization Have a list of questions to ask that were not found when researching the company Never bring up salary, perks or benefits unless a job is offered When interview concludes, say "I've enjoyed our time together, where do we go from here?" After the interview, make notes of what you did well and what you need to improve upon Always send a thank you letter/note within 24 hours of your interview

Manimaran Subramaniam University Malaya

Interview Tips:

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Do some research on the business before the interview. Practice interviewing. Go alone. Do not take friends. Greet the employer with a handshake. Make frequent eye contact. Smile, be polite, and try to relax. Listen carefully to the questions asked. Ask the interviewer to restate a question if you are confused. Answer questions as directly as possible. Be upbeat and make positive statements. If you've worked before, talk about what you learned from it. Use examples of how your skills and abilities would fit the job. Bring your "Fact Sheet" with telephone numbers and addresses of your references and former employers, just in case you are asked to complete an application.

Manimaran Subramaniam University Malaya

CAREER GUIDANCE

Why the Best-Qualified Candidates Usually DON'T Get the Job Research indicates that about 65% of the time, the hired employee meets fewer than 50% of the job qualifications. How can this be? The reason is because job offers are given most frequently to those candidates who, regardless of formal qualifications, sell themselves best, intimidate least and listen the most.

Manimaran Subramaniam University Malaya

All About Interviewing

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Practice interviewing with a friend or loved one. Better yet, videotape the entire interview. Have a friend or career coach act the part of interviewer by asking you selected questions based on the type of job you're interviewing for. Plan your interviews. Take the Interview Worksheets with you to your interview. Make sure to place them on top of your note pad for a quick reference should you need them. By listing your top 3 or 4 achievements and having written down the questions you want to ask the interviewer, you'll be focused, organized and ready for your interviews.

Manimaran Subramaniam University Malaya

CAREER GUIDANCE

Keep in mind what employers want to know

about you and prepare accordingly:
Ability Attitude Education Experience Fit Intelligence Interests Motivation Skills
Manimaran Subramaniam University Malaya

CAREER GUIDANCE

Standard & Common Questions

Tell me about yourself.

What did you most enjoy about your last job?

How would your colleagues or supervisor describe you? What can you offer us that other people cannot? What about this job attracts you? What is unattractive? How long do you see yourself with us? How would you describe an ideal working environment?

Manimaran Subramaniam University Malaya

CAREER GUIDANCE

Pitfalls (Reasons Why People Don't Get Hired):

Untidy personal appearance Inability to express information clearly Lack of genuine interest or enthusiasm Unwillingness to start at the bottom Negative attitude Lack of eye contact Incomplete or sloppy application Being late for the interview

Manimaran Subramaniam University Malaya

CAREER GUIDANCE

Closing

At the end of the interview: Thank the interviewers for their time. Request a business card. Shake hands in closing. Two or three days after the interview send a thank you note addressed to the interviewers.

Manimaran Subramaniam University Malaya