JOB INTERVIEW SKILLS

JOB INTERVIEW SKILLS UHL 2112 CMLHS KUKTEM 26/9-14/10/05 DEFINITION • A job interview is similar in many ways to a social conversation, but it requires more than just conversational skills. • At least two people are involved, interviewer and interviewee, although increasingly group interviews are becoming common practice. INTRODUCTION job interview: a formal meeting in which one or more persons question, consult, or evaluate another person. • Interviewer – the person who conducts the meeting or controls the conversation. • Interviewee – the person being interviewed. Types of interview • • • • • Promotion interview Appraisal interview Counseling interview Disciplinary interview Grievance interview GENERAL PURPOSES • get to know you on a personal level • learn more about your qualifications • allow for the gathering of information relevant to organizational needs • provide additional information on the position and organization; and • assist the organization in identifying the applicant who should receive a job offer. DO’S AND DON’T’S AFTER THE INTERVIEW 5 KEYS THAT EMPLOYER CONCERNS TIPS ON SUCCESSFUL INTERVIEW TYPES OF QUESTIONS BEFORE THE INTERVIEW DURING THE INTERVIEW HOW TO ACT BEFORE INTERVIEW HOW TO ACT DURING INTERVIEW HOW TO ACT AFTER INTERVIEW Interview Tips Part 1 How to Act Before Interviews Before the interview Things that interviewer has to prepare are: 1.Shortlist interviewees 2.Aims 3.Information on vacancies 4.Settings and Structures Things to be prepared by interviewee are: 1.Research 2.Punctuality 3.Documentation 4.Presenting yourself RESEARCH Find out as much as you can about the company – goods or services they provide, how long they have been established, top management/ branch you are applying for people, company policy, past, present and predicted growth patterns, special programs the company is involved in, etc. PUNCTUALITY Be sure of the person you are to see, the address and the time of the interview. Plan how you will get there and know the length of journey; with and without traffic jam. Aim to be there at least 10 minutes early so that you can relax and compose yourself before the interview. DOCUMENTATION Don’t forget to bring original and copies of documentation such as certificates, assessments, reviews, etc. The original copy will validate your claims while copies may be asked for reference/ filing purposes. PRESENTING YOURSELF Dress for success. Wear to the interview what you would wear on the job. Do not overdress or over accessorize. Be neat and clean. MALE CANDIDATES • Fingernails should be short and clean; manicured if possible. • Hair should be clean, well groomed and freshly trimmed. Use a dandruff shampoo, if necessary, and always comb hair . • Shirts should be white, freshly laundered and well pressed. • A navy blue or dark gray suit is appropriate for most positions. • A quiet tie with a subtle design is suitable for a first interview. Avoid loud colors and busy designs. • Shoes that are black and freshly polished (including the heels) are a safe choice for an interview. • For good posture cross legs at the ankles, not at the knees. • Maintain good eye contact. • Do not take portable phones or beepers into an interview. FEMALE CANDIDATES • Fingernails should be clean; manicured if possible. • Wear a suit or tailored dress in basic navy or gray. Don't wear big bows or ties. • Hair should be neat, clean. • Use deodorant and avoid perfumes or fragrances. • Jewelry should be limited and subtle. • For good posture cross legs at the knees, not at the ankles. • Maintain good eye contact. • Do not take portable phones or beepers into an interview. SUGGESTED INTERVIEW ATTIRE INTERVIEW TIPS PART 2 HOW TO ACT DURING INTERVIEWS ROLE OF THE INTERVIEWER • Opening the interview : • Your aim is to put the interviewee at ease and help him/ her to relax by being friendly and reassuring. • Create a climate of confidence. You can do so by giving the interviewee your undivided attention. • Smile, nod, use appropriate gestures to exhibit genuine interest in the interviewee and what he/ she has to say. DURING THE INTERVIEW • Question-types : • Beware of closed questions; instead use open questions. • Keep an open mind and don’t just stick to your prepared questions; allowing the interviewee to speak freely. • Avoid allowing the interviewee to ramble irrelevantly. • Keeping interview on track : • If your interview meets a dead end, you should redirect the conversation back toward your subject matter. • You must also be precise in your questions and project your point of view such as giving examples of answers needed. • Assessing the candidate: • You need to assess the candidate’s professional, technical (if the job is of this nature), practical and communication abilities. • Be sure to listen carefully to what they are saying but observe closely their body language, voice and eye contact too. • Ending the interview : • Sum up the interview by stating any action you are going to take or anything expected of the interviewee after the meeting. ROLE OF THE INTERVIEWEE LISTEN CAREFULLY You will be judged on the basis of your answers to questions, so listen to them carefully. Pick out the key details of the question and pause briefly before answering, keep answers on target. Never interrupt the interviewer. TAKE CARE TO USE CORRECT EXPRESSIONS Interviews, especially those for jobs, tend to be fairly formal occasions, so utilize language suitable for the situation. At all costs avoid slang and expressions like `you know’, `sort of’, `er’, etc. Speak clearly and distinctly. OBSERVE ETIQUETTE Even if you are invited to do so, don’t smoke, eat, or drink during the interview. Address the interviewer as “Mr.” or “Ms” unless if he/ she indicates otherwise. Never touch objects and papers on the table. MAINTAIN EYE CONTACT Look directly at the interviewers and project that you are confident. Sit up straight, control nervous habits and smile naturally as you are greeted. These are all nonverbal behavior that you will be observed. BE HONEST Do not say what you think the interviewer wants or expects you to say. Putting your views and your personality across as courteously as possible is better than giving bland, non-committal responses to the interviewer’s questions. Also do not pretend you have qualifications or experience which you do not – you are bound to be caught. ASK QUESTIONS A good interviewer will give you the opportunity to ask questions. This does not mean you should ask about holidays and salary. Find out about potential for the future, your responsibilities, training and other work-related questions. OTHER TIPS: -Smile, offer firm handshake, introduce yourself, wait to be told to take a seat or ask if you may, & say thank you -Sit with good posture avoid crossing arms over your chest. If you don't know what to do with your hands, keep them folded in your lap. - Maintain eye contact with the interviewer - Avoid staring or you might make the interviewer uncomfortable - Don't eat, drink, chew gum or smoke, or even ask if it's okay INTERVIEW TIPS PART 3 HOW TO ACT AFTER INTERVIEWS • Immediately send a thank-you letter to each of your interviewers • Be prepared to attend two or three interviews at the same company • Be patient Do’s and Don’ts Do’s- during interview • • • • Face interviewer Listen carefully and concentrate to the questions Understand the question before answering Allow the interviewer to finish the question before offering an answer • If you miss the question or not sure about it, do not ask the interviewer directly to repeat the question but use key words the interviewer has used to asked for clarification such as “Do you mean…?” or “Do I understand correctly that you mean…?” • Give the answer with the relevant evidence • Be honest and sincere about your weakness and turn into something positive • When you cannot avoid a negative answer, you should soften the tone of the reply first, then offer affirmation to reassure the interviewer of your ability and eagerness for the job. eg: “ I do not have the answer to the question at this moment, but my past experience shows that I can learn fast. I believe I can acquire knowledge of that field on the job” • • End your answer promptly when you have offered all necessary details Be humble and smart • Use of body language in interviews I. II. Handshake- help you create friendly and professional image Posture – put you portfolio or briefcase on the side of your chair or on your lap. Make sure you feel comfortable with your posture. III. IV. V. VI. Eye contact –you should look at all interviewers when answering the question. Make sure you look sincere and honest. Facial expressions – keep a friendly smile on your face to show your enthusiasm. Try to project a serious and professional image on your interviewers. Voice – you should speak clearly and relatively slow . You can pause when you think but do not too long . Be careful do not fill your pause with too many fillers such as “ Emmm….” or “ Ugh..” Humor – you can use appropriately to lighten up a tense atmosphere in interview room. You can demonstrate your leadership quality by showing that your confident and relaxed and capable of controlling a tough situation. But be careful not too overly humorous. Your interviewer may feel you are not serious enough for the job. Don’ts – during interview • • • • • • • Curse Slouch Eat or drink or chew gum Handle item Ramble Discuss salary Discuss personal issue Do’s - After interview End of interview • Ask about the job • How to contact you? • Always say thank you • Shake hand Follow up • Send thank you letter • Call the company after one week Don’ts – after interview • Ask “ Will I get the job?” • Ask “ How much does this job pay ?” INTERVIEW MISTAKES AND HOW TO AVOID THEM MISTAKES Don’t present your real self Try to play it by ear - Wing it! HOW TO AVOID THEM Always be who you are. Employers spot fakes. Know yourself, the job, and the company. Prepare. Don’t be a fool. Present your skills and value first, then back that up with experience. Don’t ramble. Talk only about your most relevant skills and success. Don’t! If you bad-mouth former employers, you’ll be seen as likely to repeat the behavior. Answer questions fully and, when possible, with concrete examples. If you don’t have something positive to say about your value, be quiet. Review your career vocabulary and use it when appropriate. Show how your life, work, and educational experience can pay off for the employer. Keep focused on the job duties – not your lifetime of woes and sorrows. Emphasize experiences before skills and value Fail to present your relevant skills Complain about prior employers Present vague answers Talk too much about too little Don’t talk the job vocabulary Don’t present a complete picture of yourself Bring up negative personal information Can you do the job? Can the company afford you? Are you motivated to do the job well? 5 KEYS THAT EMPLOYER CONCERNS Are you manageable? Will you get along well with others? WHAT EMPLOYERS LOOK FOR? • • • • • • Qualifications Positive attitude Interest in the company and position Clear sense of purpose Communication skills High performance standards QUESTIONS FOR INTERVIEW SESSIONS QUESTIONING TECHNIQUES FOR INTERVIEWERS 1. Closed questions – yes/ no questions 2. Open questions – opinion, ideas seeking questions 3. Problem solving questions – work related questions 4. Probing questions – details, clarificationtype questions INTERVIEWEE INTERVIEWER INTERVIEW QUESTIONS About candidate Situations About ambition Types of Questions Interest & Hobbies Job and application Skill & knowledge The 25 most difficult questions you'll be asked on a job interview (for fresh graduates and experienced candidates) 1. Tell me about yourself. 2. What do you know about our organization? 3. Why do you want to work for us? 4. What can you do for us that someone else can't? 5. What do you find most attractive about this position? What seems least attractive about it? 6. Why should we hire you? 7. What do you look for in a job? 8. Please give me your definition of [the position for which you are being interviewed]. 9. How long would it take you to make a meaningful contribution to our firm? 10. How long would you stay with us? 11. Your resume suggests that you may be over-qualified or too experienced for this position. What's Your opinion? 12. What is your management style? 13. Are you a good manager? Can you give me some examples? Do you feel that you have top managerial potential? 14. What do you look for when you hire people? 15. Have you ever had to fire people? What were the reasons, and how did you handle the situation? 16. What do you think is the most difficult thing about being a manager or executive? 17. What important trends do you see in our industry? 18. Why are you leaving (did you leave) your present (last) job? 19. How do you feel about leaving all your benefits to find a new job? 20. In your current (last) position, what features do (did) you like the most? The least? 21. What do you think of your boss? 22. Why aren't you earning more at your age? 23. What do you feel this position should pay? 24. What are your long-range goals? 25. How successful do you you've been so far? MORE SAMPLE (INTERVIEW QUESTIONS) • • • • Sample 1 Sample 2 Sample 3 Sample 4 THE END