The time you spend at a job interview will have a profound effect on your future career. This guide, combined with the advice provided by your Consultant, will equip you with valuable information on how to conduct yourself during the interviews and improve your chances of winning the job you want.
Preparation is the most important step towards a successful interview.
Be Prepared:
Know the time and place of the interview.
Know the interviewer's name, including correct pronunciation and title.
Dress for Success:
Pay attention to all aspects of your dress and grooming.
You both want and need to look professional and appropriate.
Research
What:
Where are the offices based .
What the company's products and services are.
What its growth has been .
What its growth potential is for the future.
Be clear on why you want to work there.
Where:
The Internet is an excellent source of information if used wisely. Find out the company website address and browse through its site and any links.
Call the company and ask for recent reports and copies of marketing information - this also provides up to date information.
Research publications that also provide this kind of information. Among the most helpful are:
The Business Who's Who of Australia.
Kompass Australia.
Resources are also available in public libraries.
Remember to refresh your knowledge of the facts and figures of your past and present employers. It is expected that you will know a lot about a company for which you have previously worked.
It is a good idea to have your questions prepared before the interview. This will let you determine whether the company will give you the opportunity for the growth and development you seek.
Here are some ideas on what to ask:
For detailed description of the job.
Why the position is available.
The culture of the company.
Anticipated induction and training programs.
What sort of people have done well in the job before.
Are advanced training programs available and what are the criteria.
Earnings of those successful people in their third to fifth year.
Company growth plans.
Best-selling products or services.
What the interviewer likes about the company.
The next step?
Answer Questions
Be prepared to answer a variety of questions, such as:
Why you chose this particular role.
What you really want to do in your next career move .
Why you would like to work for this particular organisation.
Where would youlike to be in your career 5 years from now, and why.
Details about your last salary package and bonuses.
What style of management you work best with .
What interests you about their products and services.
Who you nominate as referees, and what you think they will say about you.
What you have learned from some of the jobs you have held. Which you enjoyed the most and why.
What you have done that displays initiative in your career.
What your major weaknesses are, and what you are doing about them.
What you think determines a person's progress in a good company .
Your willingness to relocate.
How you spend your spare time - ie your hobbies.
What teamwork means to you.
The Common Sense Do's and Don't of a Successful Interview
Through the interaction which takes place during the interview, they will be searching for your strong and weak points. The interviewer will be evaluating you not only on your qualifications, skills and intellectual qualities, but also on your ability to handle pressure. They will probe deeply to determine your attitudes and motivation, competence and professionalism.
Do's
DO arrive a few minutes early.
If presented with an application, DO fill it out neatly and completely. If you have a personal resume, be sure the person you hand it to is the person who will actually do the hiring.
DO greet the interviewer by name. If you aren't sure about the pronunciation, ask them to repeat it.
DO shake their hand firmly.
DO wait until you are offered a chair. Be alert - a good listener as well as a good talker.
DO maintain good eye contact.
DO follow the interviewer's leads, but try to get the interviewer to describe the position and the duties to you early in the interview so that you can relate your background and skills to the position.
DO be confident - you are being interviewed because the interviewer wants to hire somebody, not because he/she wants to trip you up or embarrass you.
DO be as prepared as possible in terms of your knowledge of the company, products and services.
DO make sure you are answering the question being asked. Listen carefully!
DO be enthusiastic and interested. What's the point in being there otherwise?
DO show the interviewer that you have plans and goals for your career.
DO ensure that your expression, diction and grammar are good. Interviewers often take this into account, as well as your concept/thought formation.
DO be mindful of your personal presentation.
DO make sure that your good points get across to the interviewer in a factual, sincere manner. Keep in mind that you alone can sell yourself to an interviewer. Make them realise the need for you in their organisation.
DO conduct yourself as if you are determined to get the job. Never close the door on an opportunity. It is better to be in the position where you can choose from a number of jobs rather than only one.
DO Smile!
Don'ts
DON'T be evasive, making excuses.
DON'T make derogatory remarks about your present or former employers.
DON'T be aggressive or overbearing.
DON"T SMOKE prior to the interview because your breath and clothes will smell.
DON'T forget to ask educated questions about the job and the company.
DON'T answer with a simple "Yes" or "No" - explain whenever possible. Tell the interviewer those things about yourself which relate to the position.
DON'T lie. Answer questions truthfully, frankly and as much to the point as possible.
DON'T "over-answer" questions. The interviewer may steer the conversation into politics or economics. Since this can be rather ticklish, it is best to answer the questions honestly, trying not to say more than is necessary.
DON'T enquire about salary, holidays, bonuses and so on in the initial interview, unless they raise the issues first. You should however know your market value and be prepared to specify your required salary or range when asked.
If you are interested in the position, ask for it! Ask for the next interview if the situation demands. If they offer the position and you want it, accept on the spot. If you need some time to think it over, be courteous and tactful in asking for that time. Set a definite date when you can provide an answer and keep to it.
Don't be too discouraged if no definite offer is made or specific salary discussed. The interviewer will probably want to communicate with his/her office first or interview more applicants before making the decision.
If you get the impression that the interview is not going well and that you have already been rejected, don't let your discouragement show. Once in a while an interviewer who is genuinely interested in you possibilities may seem to discourage you in order to test your reaction.
Thank the interviewer for their time and consideration. You have done all you can if you have answered the two questions uppermost in his/her mind:
Why are you interested in the job and the company?
The last and the most important - call your consultant at who referred you to the position immediately after the interview, and tell us how it went! They will want to talk with you before the interviewer. If you are interested in progressing further it will assist if your feelings towards the position are known, together with your perception of what the client's reaction is likely to be.
Send a thank you email or personal letter to the interviewer for their time.
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