KEYS TO SUCCESSFUL INTERVIEWS
INTRODUCTION
KEYS to successful job interviews? Why another book about interviewing? Because the others stop at that critical point when the tough questions start flying. They lack the practical advice of what to do to get the interview, at the heat of the battle and how to excel during the interview itself and move on further to land the job.
In this series that come in two volumes secrets to job interview and getting the job you want, you will learn how to package a convincing resume, and then gets right to the heart of your biggest interview, dread “How do I answer these dreaded questions?” It takes command where the others admit defeat.
Perhaps you are trying to land your first job or are returning to the workplace, whoever you are, this post will help you because every interviewer consistently tries to evaluate every candidate in same three ways:
Are you able to do the job?
Are you willing to put in the effort to make the job a success?
Are you manageable?
You will learn how to demonstrate your superiority in each of these areas under all interview conditions.
Once you are ready for action, this book will help you examine all the approaches to getting job interviews and teaches you simple and effective ways to set up multiple interviews. It also includes techniques to steer you successfully through those increasing common telephone interviews.
All successful companies look for the same things in their employees and all they are looking for you have or can develop with the twenty keys personality traits which every successful company wants you to show them.
Now get to it – step ahead in your career when you have the keys to successful interviews at your finger tips. Good Luck
PEACE A. YOUNG
THE TELEPHONE INTERVIEW
In this technological age, the first, contact with a potential employer is always by telephone. It’s the way business is done today.
It happens in one of three ways:
When you are networking, and the company representative goes into a screening process immediately because you have impressed him or her.
A company phones unexpectedly as a result of a CV you have mailed and catches you off guard, or you or an agency you have spoken to, have set up a specific time for a telephone interview.
Whatever circumstance creates this telephone interview, you must be prepared to handle the questioning and use every means at you disposal to win the real thing the face to face, and is an opportunity not to fumble, your happiness and prosperity may depend on it.
This, the first contact with your future employer, will test your mental preparation. Being prepared for a telephone interview takes organization; you never know when a company will ring once you have started networking (the word gets around), although it is usually at the worst times, such as 8 o’clock on Monday morning when you are sleeping late or 4.56pm in the afternoon, just as are returning from an outing. You can avoid being caught completely off guard by keeping your CV and company dossiers with you.
Remember, you can plant in your mind any thought any plan, desire, strategy or purpose and translate it into reality. Put your goal down on paper and read it aloud to yourself daily because if you do it constantly, it will crystallize in your memory and it provides the most solid base of preparation.
The most obvious (and often most neglected point to remember is this: during the interview, the company representative has only ears with which to judge you. This is something you must overcome.
Here are some tips:
Take a surprise phone call in your own stride.
If you receive a call as a result of a mailed CV or a telephone message you left, and you are unprepared, be clam. Sound positive, friendly and collected:
Thank you for calling/phoning Mr. Olaribiro. How do you spell that? Would you wait just a moment while I close the door?
Put the phone down, take three deep breaths to slow your heart down, pull out the appropriate company dossier and your CV, put a smile on your face (it improves the timbre of your voice) and pick up the phone again. Now you are in control of yourself and the situation.
Beware of over-familiarity
You should always refer to the interviewer by his or her surname until invited to do otherwise.
Allow the company representative to do most of the talking, to ask most (but not all) of the question.
Keep up your end of the conversation. This is a sales presentation, you are expected to sell yourself so be sure to ask few question of your own that will reveal you as an intelligent person and provide you with the opportunity to promote your candidacy.
For example, ask what immediate projects the interviewers department is involved in, or the biggest challenges that are being tackled. When the interviewer answer your question, you will have a clear picture of how to sell yourself, or you will ask following question for clarification, For example: what specific skills and personality trait do you think are necessary for a person to succeed with those challenges? Everyone employs a problem solver find the problem and you are already halfway towards the offer.
Beware of giving yes/no answers: They give no real information about your abilities.
Be factual in your answers: Be brief if yet thorough
Speak directly into the phone: Keep the mouthpiece about I inch from your mouth. Do not smoke or eat while on the phone. The phone has excellent ability at picking up and amplifying background music and voices. It can also transmit the sound of food being chewed or smoke being inhaled or exhaled. Smokers please remember that non-smokers naturally discriminate. They know even if you don’t smoke at the interview, you will have been chain-smoking before and will carry the smell with you as long as you are around them. So, they won’t even give you a chance to get through the door. Take notes: They will be very important to you in preparing for the face to face meeting. If for any reason, the company representative is interrupted, jot down the topic under discussion. When he or she gets back on the line, you helpfully recap: “We were just discussing…”. This will be appreciated and will set you apart from others.
The company representative may talk about the organization, and from the dossier in front of you, you will also know facts about the setup. Little flattering goes a long way. Admire the company’s achievements and you are, in fact admiring the interviewer. Likewise, if any areas of common interest arise, comment on them, and agree with the interviewer when it is possible, people engage people like themselves.
If the interviewer does not give you the openings you need to sell yourself, be ready to salvage the situation and turn it to your advantage. Have a few work related questions prepared. For example, what exactly will be the three major responsibilities in this job? Or would I be using a personal computer while you are getting the explanation, wait for a pause so that you can tell the interviewer your appropriate skills; would it be of value if I described my experience in the area of office management? Or then my experience in word processing should be a great help to you. Under no circumstances, though, should you ask about the money you want or benefit and holidays; that comes later.
Remember that your single objective at this point is to sell yourself and your skills, if you don’t to that, you may never get the face to face interview.
The telephone interview has come to an END if you are asked whether you have any questions. Ask any more questions that will improve your understanding of the job requirement.
If you haven’t been asked to meet the interviewers now is the time. Take initiative e.g. It sound like an interesting opportunity, Mr. Olaribiro, and a situation where I could definitely make a contribution. The most pressing question I have now is, when can we meet? (Note, even though the emphasis throughout has been on putting things in your own words, do use “make a contribution”. It shows pride in your work a key personal trait.
Once the details are confirmed, finish with this request: “If I need any additional information before the interview, I would like to feel free to get back to you. The company representative will naturally agree. No matter how many questions have been asked, there must be something you will forget please one phone call will be appreciated and all question asked. Not four of five calls.
Taking care to ascertain the correct spelling and pronunciation of the interviewers name shows your concern for the small but important things in life and it will be noticed. This is also a good time to establish who else will be interviewing you, their tittles and how long the meeting is expected to last. Follow with a casual enquiry as to what direction the meeting with take.
“Can you feed me some of the critical areas will discus on Thursday? You might ask. The knowledge will help you prepare and even brush up any weak or dusty area.
Note that: it’s difficult to evaluate an opportunity properly, over the telephone, even if the job doesn’t sound right, go to the interview. It will give you more practice, and the job may take better when you have more facts.
You might even discover a more suitable opening when you go to the face to face interview.
FACE – TO FACE INTERVIEW
Here are some information that may help you to successfully overcome the hurdles of attending an interview. Some of them you may find obviously, but sometimes we can forget the most obvious things!
This guide is broken down into four sections:
Before the interview
On the day of interview
The interview itself (including practice interview quiz)
Potential questions for you ask
BEFORE THE INTERVIEW
Preparation for an interview is an absolutely key process and will often be the difference between success and failure for applicants. Good preparation not only gives an idea of what to expect but it will give you the all important confidence, which will carry you through.
So what specific preparation should you carry out?
COMPANY RESEARCH:
Interviewers will expect you have a good gasp of what the company does, how big it is, how it is divided up and who it’s main competitors are. With these facts at your command you will be able to hold a meaningful conversation about the company and put other company information into context.
ROLE RESEARCH
You need to make sure you have fully understood the job description and know how it fits in to the overall company structure. If you have any queries about it then try to raise them before the interview or be prepared to bring them up as you go along.
Ask yourself what the key skills are that job requires and think of example of occasions when you have demonstrated those skills.
INTERVIEW RESEARCH
Make sure you find out what format the interview will take. Often they can be combinations of standard interviews and role specific tests (such as role plays or psychometric questionnaires) The fewer surprises on the day, the better.
PERSONAL APPRAISAL
You can never predict every question that you will encounter, so approach the interview with an inventory of important points.
Make a list of the points about yourself that you want the interviewer to know. For example, if you were to apply for a job as sales Representative, you might want to list the products you have sold before, types of customers (by industry, age, etc.) languages spoken, personal experience in that industry and related knowledge (perhaps from your academic programme).
Each question will be an opportunity to provide some of this information to the interviewer.
ON T HE DAY OF THE INTERVIEW
First impressions are the strongest you make, and they are based on appearance. The only way to dress for the first meeting; Clean, cut and conservative. You may not see yourself that way, but how see yourself is not important now, your concern is how others see you. Take special care to dress appropriately, most of the time smart business dress will be appropriate. In some rare occasions smart casual may be appropriate but ensure you are on the side of smartness. You must be in constant state of readiness. Keep you best two suits of clothing freshly cleaned, shit ironed and shoes polished. Here are some more tips personal appearance on the day of the interview.
Regardless of sex or hairstyle, have your hair trimmed once a month
Keep jewelry to a minimum. A weeding or signet ring is acceptable
While a shower or bath prior to an interview, is most decidedly. You are trying to be appointed not dated.
You should never drink alcohol the day before interview; it affects your eyes, your skin and your wits.
Nails should be trimmed and manicured at all times, even if you work with your hands.
FOR WOMEN:
Wear a suit or a dress with jacket. Do not wear a trouser suit or jeans
If you carry a briefcase, don’t carry a handbag as well. You may meet a number of people and will have trouble juggling your luggage to shake hands.
Wear low heels Spike heels make you wobble and you are regarded by many as inappropriate in the workplace.
Avoid linen, it creases too easily
Stay away from anything low cut, tight or transparent.
FOR MEN:
Avoid loud colours and anything that has been faddish
Avoid that day glo tie. Do not wear a wide tie unless you are applying for a job as a carpet salesman
Blue or Grey for suit primarily. White for shirts is always safest.
Black shoe with plain socks
The way you dress, the way look to a potential employer at the first interview tells him or her how you feel about yourself. It also portrays how seriously you take both interview and interviewer.
ARRIVAL
To arrive at an interview too early indicates over anxiousness; to arrive late is inconsiderate. The only sensible solution is to arrive the interview on time say 15 minutes earlier. This allows you time to visit the ladies or gents to make the necessary adjustment to your appearance. Take a few minutes to perform your final mental preparations.
Review the company dossier
Recall the positive things you will say about past employers
Breathe deeply and slowly for a minute, this will dispel your natural physical tension.
Repeat to yourself that the interview will be a success.
Smile and head for the interview
Under no circumstance back out because you do not like the receptionist or the look of the office, that; would be allowing interview fever get the better part of you. As you shown into the office, you are on.
INTERVIEW AT A GLANCE
The interviewer’s job is to find a reason to turn you down; your job is to not provide that reason.
Do not assume anything. You will be evaluated on your answers, not your C.V. Therefore, ensure you incorporate the relevant information from your C.V. in your answers.
If During the interview, the job requirements are unfolded for you; meet them point by point with your qualifications. If your experience is limited, stress the key profile traits, your relevant interests and desire to learn. If you are weak in one particular area, keep your mouth shut, perhaps that area not arise. If that area is probed, be prepared to handle and overcome the negative by stressing other traits that complement and always show your desire and willingness to learn.
Do not show discouragement, if the interview appears to be going poorly.
You have nothing to gain when you show defeat it could sometimes be an interview tactic to test your confidence.
If for any reason, you get lost, keep a straight face and posture, and gain time organize your thoughts by asking “would you repeat that? Or that’s a good question, I want to be sure I understand.” Could you please explain that again?”
Most first interviews follow a relatively standard format made up of three stage. An understanding of these will help you improve your interview skills.
What is your goal at this point? Simple… To present the image of an intelligent, likeable, confident and competent job candidate who will easily fir into the work environment.
INTRODUCTION
The interview gets an impression of you in the first twenty seconds of the interview. Make it a good impression! This is the social stage of the interview where the candidate and the interviewer establish a rapport with one another. The interviewer will probably take the lead by providing some background on the company and the position.
Below are some tips to excel in this stage:
Greet the interviewer with a smile, wait until you are asked to be seated
Offer a firm handshake; this will demonstrate you are confident
Ask if it is ok for you to take notes. If given permission to do so, this brief not might trigger good question for you to ask later.
Address the interviewer respectively by his or her last name.
Try to be yourself and show interest in the company. You may want comment on what you have learned about the company through your research.
Speak clearly and maintain eyes contact.
Information exchange
Here, the interview allows you and your interviewer to gather information about each other. Always remember it is a two way process. You are determining if it’s the type of company you want to work in and the interviewer is trying his or her best to determine if you would be a good employee to fit to company’s work environment.
HERE ARE SOME TIPS:
Relax, be yourself, maintain good posture and positive body language and be attentive to the interviewer
You must be prepared to respond to questions here. Provide details.
Examples and stories that will help the employer to remember you.
Do not be afraid to ask for a question to be re-stated: You want to make sure you have a good understanding of the question.
Ask a probing question that will give you a good understanding of the responsibilities of the job
Maintain eye contact
THE CLOSE
This is the final stage of the interview. Here you can ask any additional question and show how interested you are in the company.
At this point, do the following
Recap your strength as they relate to the position
Let him or her know you are capable and willing to perform the tasks involved.
Show enthusiasm for the job
State that you would fit into the organization structure as it was outlined to you
Ask when decisions will be made; make sure you have the interviewer’s complimentary card.
Maintain eye contact
In conclusion, in addition to being polite, sending a thank you letter is crucial to your marketing plan. It gives you an opportunity to get your name, qualifications and interest in the position across to the interviewers once more. Make sure you send it immediately.
If you didn’t hear from the interviewer within the stipulate time mentioned, call or email to find out where you stand in the job competition. TEN INTERVIEW DO NOT’S
Do not speak poorly of past employers
Do not project a cynical attitude
Do not try to be funny
Do not complain, whine or blame others
Do not appear needy or desperate for a job
Do not flirt with interviewer
Do not be a know it all
Do not be rude to the receptionist of office staff
Speak neither too softly nor too loudly
Do not ever show bad manners
Never be late for an interview
INTERVIEW SKILLS
I’m not sure you are suitable for this job
How long will you stay with this company?
Describe a situation where your work or one of your ideas was criticized
Tell us something you are not proud of
Can you answer all these question off the top of your head, in a way that will set you above the other candidates? I doubt it. They are designed to catch you off guard.
There are 20 key personality traits; they are the passport to your success at an interview. Use them for reference as you customize your answers.
PERSONAL PROFILE:
These are keys search for, by the interviewer to determine what types of person you really are. The presence of these keys tells the company representative how you feel about yourself, your chosen career and what is will be like to work with. Few of these keys will arise from direct questions. Your future employer will be searching for them in your answers to specific job performance probes.
The following words and phase are those you will project as part of your successful healthy personal profile.
Drive: A desire to get things done. Goal oriented
Motivation: Enthusiasm and a willingness to ask questions. A company realizes that a motivated person accept added challenges and does that little bit extra on every job.
Communication Skills: More than ever, the ability to talk and write effectively to people at all levels in a company is a key to success.
Chemistry: The company representative is looking for someone who does not get rattled, wears a smile, is confident and get with others-a team player for short.
Energy: Someone to give that extra effort in little thing as well as important matters.
Determination: Someone who does not back off when a problem or tough situation arises.
Confidence: Not braggadocio, poise, friendly, honest and open with all employees, high or low. Neither intimidated by top brass, nor overly familiar. Good attitude.
PROFESSIONAL PROFILE:
All companies seek employees who respect their profession and their employer. Projecting these professional trait will identify you as loyal, reliable and trust worthy.
Reliability :
Following up on yourself, not relying on any one to make sure the job is done and informing management every step of the way.
Honesty/Integrity: Talking responsibility for your action both good and bad. Always ma1king decisions in the best interest of the company, never on whom or personal preference.
Pride : In a job well done. Always talking extra step to make sure the job is done to the best of your ability. Paying attention to details.
Dedication : Whatever it takes in time and effort to see a project through to completion on deadline.
Analytical skills : weighing the pros and cons not jumping at the first solution to a problem that presents itself. The short and long term benefits of a solution against all its possible negatives.
Listening skill : Listening and understanding as opposed to waiting your time to speak.
Achievement profile :
Always remember that companies have very limited interests.
Making money,
Saving money,
Saving time.
Therefore projecting your achievement profile in however humble a fashion is the key to wining any job.
Money saved: Every dime saved by your thought and efficiency is money earned for the company.
Time saved: Every time saved is a durable bonus for your company
Money earned: Generating revenue is the goal of every company.
SAMPLE QUESTIONS AND GREAT ANSWERS
During an interview, employers ask you dozens of searching questions: that test your confidence, poise and desirable personality traits; question that trick you into contradicting yourself, and questions that probe your quick thinking and job skills.
Determine what the interviewer is looking for in a candidate and give those qualities back to him or her bearing in mind how they relate to the position in question.
In general the employer is impressed by people who show the following qualities among others:
Good communication skills
Strong work ethic
Flexibility
Good attitude
Professionalism
Some general questions always asked during a first interview and tips on how to answer them.
1. Tell me about yourself
This is not an invitation to ramble on. You need to know more about the question before giving an answer. What area of my background would be most interesting to you? This will help the interviewer to help you with the appropriate focus, so you can avoid discussing irrelevances. Never answer the question without finding out whether the interviewer wishes to hear about your business or personal life.
However the interviewer responds to your qualifying question, the tale you tell would demonstrate one or more of the personality profiles.
For example honesty, integrity, being a team player or determination. Note that the interviewer is looking for communication skills and clear thinking and your recent history not childhood stories. If you choose team player, part of your answer may include this “I put my heart into everything I do, whether it is sport or work. I find that getting along with your peers and being part of the team makes life more enjoyable and productive.
2. What do you consider your biggest accomplishment?
This can help you score big. Keep your answers job related. Take time to prepare your answer. Do not exaggerate. Describe in detail your situation and what the outcome or result was. You might begin like this “Although, I feel my biggest achievements are still ahead of me, I am proud of my involvement with------ I made my contribution as part of that team and learned a lot in the process. We did it with handwork, concentration and an eye for the bottom line.
3. Why should I hire you?
Your answer should be short and to the point. It should highlight areas from your background that relate to current needs and problems. Recap the vacant position and job description and match it point by point with your skills. Finish your answer with. “I have qualifications, I’m a team player, and I take direction and have the desire to make a thorough success.
4. I’m not sure you’re suitable for the job
Don’t worry about the tone of the question –the interviewers’ I’m not sure really means, ‘I’d like to hire you, so here’s a wide open opportunity to sell yourself to me. He’s probing three areas of your profile-your confidence, determination and listening profiles. Remain calm and put the ball straight back into his court. Why do you say that?’ you need both the information and time to think up an appropriate reply, but it is important to show that you are not intimidated. If your skills and experience are light, show your competence and desire to learn and try to convince him that you can pick up new skills quickly.
Tell a story of how you came in not fully qualified but within a record time you picked up and contributed. This will demonstrate your determination and enthusiasm to work.
5. What are your outstanding qualities?
This is the same as asking what your greatest strengths are. Be prepared know your three or four key strengths or best stuff. Be able to discus each with example. Select those most compatible with the job. Be specific, don’t use “management or good interpersonal skill” they are too vague. Instead talk about planning, problem solving organizational or communication skill.
6. How do you handle pressure, can you work under pressure.
You might be tempted to give a simple yes or no answer, but don’t. It reveals nothing and you loose the opportunity to sell your skills and value profiles. This is a closed ended question. Please give a brief yet comprehensive answer. Example: Yes, I usually find it stimulating. However, I believe in planning and proper management of my time to reduce panic deadlines within my area of responsibility.
7. How do you manage to attend an interview while still working?
It’s best to make the answer short and sweet. Just explain you had some leave to take, or you took a day off in lieu of overtime. Example: I have a day off to take so I went to my boss and explained that I needed to take my day off and asked what day would be most suitable. Although I plan to change job, I don’t in anyway want to hurt my current employer in the process by being absent during a crisis.
8. Why do you want to leave your current job or why did you leave your last job?
This is a common trick question. You should have an acceptable reason for leaving every job you have held but if you don’t, pick any of the below.
Challenge :- You weren’t able to grow professionally in that position
Location :- The journey was unreasonably long
Money :- Your were underpaid for your skills and contribution.
Prestige/pride :- You wanted to be in a better company.
Security :- The company was not stable.
Example : my last place of work was a family owned affair. I had gone as far as I was able to. It just seemed time for me to join a more prestigious company and accept greater challenge.
9. How much are you earning? How much are you looking for? How much do you want? How much will it take to get you? What are you earning now? What is your current salary?
Current salary? These are direct question looking for direct answer, yet that are knock out questions.
Earning too much or too little could ruin your chances before you are given the opportunity to shine in person.
These are options that could serve you better than a direct answer.
A. Put yourself above the money: I’m looking for a job and a company to call home. If I’m the right person for you, I’m sure you’ll make me a fair offer. What is the salary range for the position?
B. Give a vague answer: In the 20’s or 50’s whatever the case may be. The most important things to me are the job itself and the company. What is the salary range for the position?
C. Answer with a question: How much does the job pay?
When you are pressed a second time for an exact figure, as honest and forthright as circumstances permit.
If you have the skills for the job you feel your current low salary will eliminate you before you have a chance to show your worth, you may want to add your benefits into your basic salary. If it turns out to be too much, you can simply say you were including the value of your benefits. Or you cloud say my previous employer felt I was worth the benefit because of my skills, dedication and honesty.
Another good response is: ‘I would expect a salary appropriate to my expenses and ability to do the job successfully. What range do you have in mind?.
When you are given a range, you can adjust your money requirement appropriately, latching on the upper part of the rang. Increase your name a figure and they respond like oh! That’s too much, do not be shaken, remain calm and ask “what did you have in mind”?’
In this case of what 1is your current salary, you need not to be specific. You could name a figure or rang and add especially if the two jobs are different.
In conclusions, always bear in mind that the point of your job search is not salary negotiation, it is finding a job you will be happy with, that you’ll grow and that will allow you to be yourself. If the starting is not the one you dreamed about but the job present the right opportunity, think about how easier it’ll be once you have had the chance to make your self invaluable to the organization.
On the other hand, if the salary or benefits fall far short of your realistic expectation, despite all your effort to negotiate nothing says you have to take the job. Don’t make mistake of accepting a position with which you’re fundamental unhappy. Trust your instincts IF you are not satisfy from the beginning, don’t bet the felling will change. I WISH YOU SUCCESS!!
