The objective of a job interview is for the employer to evaluate and assess the job seeker to determine whether he is suitable for the job. The employer uses the interview to verify the claims the job hunter made in his Resume/CV and / or other communications made earlier. The other side is for the candidate to evaluate whether the employer meets his own specifications.
There are three important keys to success at job interview: (1) Preparation (2) Adequate Preparation (3) Thorough Preparation. The following are preparation tips for you:
i. Begin by gathering all information and document you may need for the interview – certificates, resume, references (if required), of commendation etc.
ii. Research the job, the company and the industry. It’s to your advantage to know as much as you can about the job before the interview. It gives you an idea of what kind of question the employer may ask, and enables you to match your qualifications to the requirements of the job
iii. Rehearse and practice. Acquire and/or formulate possible questions, prepare answers (better in writing) before the interview date. Get a partner for role – playing, who can assess your performance. Get a job counselor if you feel you require one. It is important to anticipate and be ready for questions that may make you uncomfortable. Also match your skills, experience and accomplishments to the needs and requirements of the employer.
As part of your preparation, there are certain things that you need to keep at the back of your mind:
a. Observe the 50: 50 rule. The rule says that you share the talking time with the employer equally. Don’t do the talking all through. O k, 40: 60, 30: 70, 70: 80 or whatever. What is important is that put in your questions (do you have questioning skills?) during the interview to get the employer talking as well. After all, he needs to convince you he is worth working for. Actually, the reason for this is for you not to appear as talking about yourself all through.
b. Observe the 20 sec – 2 min rule. This rule says that your response to any question should last between 20 seconds and 2 mins, and not longer. Train yourself (through practice and rehearsal) to give the required information within 2 mins. If your answer is much longer than this, you may lose the interviewer’s attention, or you become boring or repetitive.
c. Be seeing as part of the solution not a contributor to his many problems. Do you know the employer problems and challenges? Position yourself as capable of helping him solve his problems.
d. Employers think the way you conduct you job search is the way you do your work (this is true, to a very large extent) so let your actions (before, during and after) the interview provide the “living” proof of that. Or what do you say of a candidate who kept hammering she was a very thorough person, but could not mention even 2 names of the company’s many popular products?
e. Go with evidence, if you can. If you have anything that can show tangible evidence of your past performances, go with it to your interviews. Previous designs, completed work, marketing plans, project reports, proposals, etc., are all proofs.
f. Determine not to ‘bad – mouth’ your previous employer or boss. It shows immaturity, and employers are likely to take side with ‘one of than own’. It may also place you as somebody who cannot manage work – place relationship.
g. Employers are scared too. Unlike you, he has managed to learn to hide his fear. He his afraid that if he hires you, you won’t be able to do the work, that you won’t do full day regularly, that you won’t stay for long, that you won’t master the job on time, that you won’t get along with others or cause disruption in the work, flow, that you will bring discredit the to the boss/department/organisation, that you will cause a lot of monetary loss if they make a mistake by hiring you. He will be sweating too. But like the fowl, he has covered himself with ‘feathers’ to hide his fears. So in your answers, make him at ease, address all this fears that he subtly exposes by his questions. Remember, he will only take you if he is comfortable with you.
Please permit me to quote Nick Bolles in “What Colour is Your Parachute” “hiring process is more like choosing a mate. The employer is only trying to decide whether they like you or not…” You must not put off employer by failure or indiscretion in the areas of appearance and etiquettes. A critical part of the impression you make with the employer is based in your physical appearance. Neat, clean and conservative is the safe standard for dress and grooming. Dress a step above (or at the level – for executives) the best employee for that job would wear. Stay away from fads in clothing and shoes. Avoid excessive jewelry (non for men, except moderate wrist-watch), perfumes and colognes. Be clean shaven. Wash your mouth (and possibly use mouth wash), comb your hair, wear clean and pressed clothes, shine you shoes and avoid smoking before the interview. Ok.
Observe the following etiquette:
i. Be on time, and never, never arrive late (‘Bad traffic’ is no excuse, please)
ii. Don’t seat down, except you are offered a seat
i. Control your hands – don’t grip or pocket or fiddle. Avoid excessive gesticulation.
ii. Don’t take any food or drink, except you are offered (avoid it altogether if you can, except it is general, say in a group interview).
iii. Be courteous and polite to everybody, including gatemen, secretary, receptionist etc. It could be part of you assessment!
Non – verbal communication is vital if not more important that verbal communications. Research showed that 55% of the message is sent through non-verbal communications. You appearance is part of you non-verbal communication. The other things to note in respect of this include
(i) manage your points of contact – your eyes and hands. Maintain eye contact with your interviewer(s). Looking away from them or towards the ceiling shows lack of confidence or signals of lie. Firm handshake elicits warmness, likeability and confidence. (It should not be a “crushing hold”). Loose, cold or limp handshake indicates weakness, aloofness or unfriendliness
(ii) understand and manage body language. You send signals with your body, and receive non-verbal feedback from the interviewer(s) on your own part, sloppy posture / sitting position conveys indiscipline or lack of confidence.
At the end of the interview
o Take the initiative; ask when the position will be filled.
o Ask what the next step is in the hiring process
o Summarize why you are qualified or suitable – stress you skills, strength, qualifications and accomplishments.
o If you want the job, say so: ask for the job, directly.
When you get home:
i. Evaluate the interview. What went well? How can you improve?
(ii) Within 24 hrs, send a thank you letter or note to the interviewer(s), and possibly all those who helped you one or the other. It is extremely important. I hope we will deal with this in future.
By Anonymous
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Job interview