| Top 10 Interview Tips |
Great interviews arise from careful groundwork. You can ace your next interview if you:
- Enter into a state of relaxed concentration. This is the state from which great
basketball players or Olympic skaters operate. You'll need to quiet the negative
self chatter in your head through meditation or visualization prior to sitting down
in the meeting. You'll focus on the present moment and will be less apt to experience
lapses in concentration, nervousness, self-doubt and self-condemnation.
- Act spontaneous, but be well prepared. Be your authentic self, professional yet
real. Engage in true conversation with your interviewer, resting on the preparation
you did prior to coming to the meeting. Conduct several trial runs with another
person simulating the interview before it actually occurs. It's the same as anticipating
the questions you'll be asked on a final exam.
- Set goals for the interview. It is your job to leave the meeting feeling secure
that the interviewer knows as much as he or she possibly can about your skills,
abilities, experience and achievements. If you sense there are misconceptions, clear
them up before leaving. If the interviewer doesn't get around to asking you important
questions, pose them yourself (diplomatically) and answer them. Don't leave the
meeting without getting your own questions answered so that you have a clear idea
of what you would be getting yourself into. If possible, try to get further interviews,
especially with other key players.
- Know the question behind the question. Ultimately, every question boils down to,
"Why should we hire you?" Be sure you answer that completely. If there is a question
about your meeting deadlines, consider whether the interviewer is probing delicately
about your personal life, careful not to ask you whether your family responsibilities
will interfere with your work. Find away to address fears if you sense they are
present.
- Follow up with an effective "thank you" letter. Don't write this letter lightly.
It is another opportunity to market yourself. Find some areas discussed in the meeting
and expand upon them in your letter. Writing a letter after a meeting is a very
minimum. Standing out among the other candidates will occur if you thoughtfully
consider this follow up letter as an additional interview in which you get to do
all the talking. Propose useful ideas that demonstrate your added value to the team.
- Consider the interviewer's agenda. Much is on the shoulders of the interviewer.
He or she has the responsibility of hiring the right candidate. Your ability to
do the job will need to be justified. "Are there additional pluses here?" "Will
this person fit the culture of this organization?" These as well as other questions
will be heavily on the interviewer's mind. Find ways to demonstrate your qualities
above and beyond just doing the job.
- Expect to answer the question, "Tell me about yourself." This is a pet question
of prepared and even unprepared interviewers. Everything you include should answer
the question, "Why should we hire you?" Carefully prepare your answer to include
examples of achievements from your work life that closely match the elements of
the job before you. Obviously, you'll want to know as much about the job description
as you can before you respond to the question.
- Watch those nonverbal clues. Experts estimate that words express only 30% to 35%
of what people actually communicate; facial expressions and body movements and actions
convey the rest. Make and keep eye contact. Walk and sit with a confident air. Lean
toward an interviewer to show interest and enthusiasm. Speak with a well-modulated
voice that supports appropriate excitement for the opportunity before you.
- Be smart about money questions. Don't fall into the trap of telling the interviewer
your financial expectations. You may be asking for too little or too much money
and in each case ruin your chances of being offered the job. Instead, ask what salary
range the job falls in. Attempt to postpone a money discussion until you have a
better understanding of the scope of responsibilities of the job.
- Don't hang out your dirty laundry. Be careful not to bare your soul and tell tales
that are inappropriate or beyond the scope of the interview. State your previous
experience in the most positive terms. Even if you disagreed with a former employer,
express your enthusiasm for earlier situations as much as you can. Whenever you
speak negatively about another person or situation in which you were directly involved,
you run the risk (early in the relationship) of appearing like a troubled person
who may have difficulty working with others.
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Tips for Job Seekers
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Dos
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- Be specialized in an occupational field and have work experience in that field.
- Be precise and accurate when describing the nature of your previous job(s), use
technical terms and statistical figures as much as possible.
- Be honest with your work history, personal profile and especially your salary.
- Be multilingual, take up foreign language proficiency courses.
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Dont's |
- Do not hop from one job to another frequently without good reasons.
- Do not badmouth about your previous boss or company.
- Do not judge a job only by the pay it offers.
- Do not hesitate to work for long hours.
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Common questions expected in an Interview |
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All interview questions are designed to find out your ability to fit-in and contribute
to the specific workgroup. Here are some of the most commonly asked questions to
help you prepare for your interview. Tell us about yourself?Tell them in detail
how your experience would relate to the position you are being ..interviewed for.
How does your experience relate to this position?Try to convince your potential
employer as to why they should consider you for the job. Prove to them why you are
the best candidate for the job. Why are you interested in this position?Tell your
employer why you chose the organisation for a job opportunity. Explain why the organisation
is the perfect place for you to propel your career forward at this point Describe
how you recently handled a difficult situation?Cite the instance of a challenging
situation in your career and mention the strategy you adopted to overcome it. In
short, illustrate how you turned a negative situation around to a success. What
is your greatest weakness?This is perhaps one of the sure shot questions that needs
to be tackled with tact. Try to make your weakness sound like your strength. However,
do not go overboard, lest it makes a negative impact! What do you know about this
company?You should research the company well before applying to it. There would
be a question asking you about the organisation. You must be prepared to discuss
the industry, the company's relative size within that industry and show that you
know who the major players and competitors are. How do you work in a team situation?Teamwork
today is an essential aspect of an organisation. People believe that working in
a team makes one a better person. Be prepared to cite examples of teamwork highlighting
your role in handling a project or problem well. Where do you see yourself in five
years?A clichéd question, but one that is asked all the time! An employer needs
the assurance that he will not be going through the rigorous process of interviewing
a candidate in another six months! Assure them that you intend to stay at the company
and advance through the ranks These are some of the questions you can expect to
be asked. You need to prepare yourself in advance to do well at the interview. The
interview is just one of the hurdles that has to be surmounted to secure a good
job. |
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Watch out of these mistakes when you appear for an Interview
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- Don't be late! Be on time. It shows professionalism, maturity and reliability. Arrive few minutes
early ( not more than that) to catch your breath and make your mind calm before
interview.
- Don't go unprepared : Go after a thorough research on the employer. Be
informed of their history, products and goals. Ask questions when you are allowed
to.
- Don't think the interviewer has memorised your resume: Practice what you are
going to say about your relevant experience, achievements and about yourself in
brief. keep it to a maximum of two or three minutes.
- Don't overlook dress code :Call the company and ask about their dress code. Look neat, appropriate, confident
and PREPARED. Bring copies of your resume', a pen and a notepad.
- Don't badmouth your current or past employer! : Speak maturely and clearly. Don't go badmouthing
your past or current employers or even colleagues.
- Don't forget to send a thank-you letter: It shows professional courtesy and makes a perfect business sense!
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More Interview Tips
Before The Interview
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- Find out as much as you can about the company. Ideally you should know where
it is headquartered, what its main products or services are, how big it is in terms
of annual sales or number of employees, who its primary customers are and who are
its main competitors.
- If you can find out something about the person or persons
who will be interviewing you, that can also be helpful. Particularly their job title,
how long they've been with the company, who do they report to and their reputation
within the industry. Any interests you may have in common might also be of value.
- Make sure you have directions for getting there.
- Be familiar with your strong points-those
attributes that you have that other applicants for the same position do not necessarily
have. Or, to put it another way, be ready to give the interviewer reasons for hiring
you and not somebody else.
- If you are entry level or a career changer, make sure
you know as much as you can about the industry you're seeking to enter and your
future job function in particular. Keep up with the latest trade publications or
professional journals. Be familiar with the latest trends as well as industry jargon
and buzzwords.
- Think you're right for the job? Then bring along tangible proof.
Employers are scared to death of hiring the wrong person and know that mistakes
in hiring occur all the time. Anything you can do to alleviate those fears definitely
strengthens your position.
- Bring along a list of three or four references.
- Bring along a pen and pad in case the interviewer provides information you need to jot
down.
- Though casual dress is becoming more common in many companies, unless you've
been advised otherwise, it's best to dress in conservative business attire.
- Be sure to allow ample time to get there, especially if you've never been to that location
before. Be sure to telephone ahead if you are running late.
- Have the right attitude.Always keep in mind that you are going on the interview because you have valuable
skills and other attributes (such as the ability to get along with others, a good
work ethic, etc.) that employers need.
- Be yourself. Both you and the employer
need as much relevant information about one another as possible. Be prepared to
present yourself in an honest, forthright manner.
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At The Interview
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- Be sure to look the interviewer in the eye when greeting him/her. Shake hands
in a firm but not overbearing manner.
- Unless the interviewer immediately takes the
lead, you may want to say something to establish rapport and break the ice. Comments
on a picture or a piece of office furniture, the weather, a current well-known community
or sports event can all be appropriate. Mentioning a mutual friend or acquaintance
can be even better.
- When answering a question, be sure to maintain eye contact with
the person to whom you are speaking. This is important, as it is indicative of both
sincerity and commitment on your part. If you're being interviewed by more than
one person, concentrate primarily on the one who asked you the question, but also
look at all of the others, each for a few seconds.
- When you are discussing what
you would do in the job, speak as if you know you're the one who is going to get
the position.
- Nearly every hiring situation has to do with the employer's need to
solve a problem. Find out why the position is vacant and what are the main problems
the employer needs solved by you. You may ask how and why the position became open.
Explain how you will (not would or could) solve the problems and how and why you
will (not can or could) do a better job than the former occupant of the position.
- You will be asked a number of questions. You may be asked to describe your weaknesses
as well as your strengths. We all have weaknesses. However, your weaknesses ought
not to reflect on your ability to do an effective job. For example, a terrific sales
professional may be weak at handling paperwork. A gifted artist may be a poor public
speaker. A capable writer may be poor with numbers, but a bank employee should not
be. You may be asked why you left previous positions and what former employers liked
and disliked about you. Again, whatever they disliked should be irrelevant to your
ability to do a good job for the company with which you're interviewing.
- Not every
employer is a great interviewer. Do not depend on the interviewer to bring up all
the issues that are significant to you and your ability to demonstrate what you
have to offer. Here are some questions you may need to ask:
- What are the main responsibilities
for the person in this position?
- What are the key attributes you are looking for?
- What are the primary results you want me to produce?
- What do you consider ideal experience?
- What else can I tell you to help you evaluate my background?
- Only ask
the questions if they will turn the conversation in the direction in which you want
it to go. Suppose you have a major strength you believe might be relevant to the
job but hasn't yet been discussed. It is important to bring up anything that might
give you an edge-anything that would make the employer think they would be getting
more for their money if they hired you.
- Besides questions intended to enable you
to point to your strengths and what you have to offer, there are questions you can
ask that serve to show both knowledge of the position and an interest in it.
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Here are some examples:
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Questions about the specific nature of the business. For example,
if it's a law firm: What type or types of law do you specialize in? - To whom will I report?
- Why did this position become vacant?
- Are there any specific problems you
would need me to solve? (Then explain how you can solve them.)
- What changes do you foresee for this company (or department) in the near future?
- Can you share some
insight regarding the company's long-range plans and goals?
- Would you be willing
to try me out on a freelance basis? (Ask this only if you don't think they're going
to offer you a regular position.)
- When would it be ideal for me to start?
- Do not ask about salary, vacations, medicals or other benefits
until you are offered or know that you are going to be offered the position.
- Be confident. Present yourself
as competent, capable and very professional, but at the same time, NON-THREATENING.
At the end of the interview thank the people for their time and indicate you look
forward to being in touch.
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Resume Writing Tips
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A resume is as good as an advertisement for oneself. Ensure that you market yourself
well
- It's your resume, so make it as professional as you can
- The sole purpose of
your resume is to ensure that you are short-listed for that much-wanted interview
- It is advisable to hand over your resume directly to the person who will be doing
the hiring
- Avoid making a flashy resume. Keep it simple and precise.
- Avoid using coloured envelopes or papers
- Get your resume proof-read! There should be NO mistakes!
It reflects carelessness
- There should be no misspelled words or incorrect grammar.
- Print your resume on quality bond paper. Do not use dot matrix, it is not only outdated,
but does not appeal to read either. Instead, use a laser print.
- Use clean paper
devoid of smudges, marks, or creases
- Your resume should be easy to read. Using "bulleted
points" is helpful.
- Keep sentences short and concise. Use action verbs.
- Avoid the
usage of: I, me, my, and "Resume of."
- Use text formatting utilities like bold, underline,
or italic to emphasise relevant sections in the resume. Possible sections on a resume
include:
- Objective
- Summary of Qualifications Education
- Education & Training
- Work Experience
- Other Experience
- Related Experience Skills
- Computer Skills
- Additional
Information Awards and Merits Publications References
- Left and right margins should
be no smaller than one inch
- Make sure that the document looks balanced and attractive
- Use a conservative, pleasant, and readable font Highlight your skills and characteristics
on the resume and cover letter. Examples:
- Honest Dependable Excellent interpersonal
skills
- Team oriented Organised Manage time well
- Work well under pressure Flexible
Quick learner
- Leadership skills Enthusiastic Assertive
- Friendly Presentation skills
- Sincere Thorough Tactful
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Remember, it takes time to draft a great resume. Good luck!
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Covering Letter
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Is your cover letter complete? There are two simple rules that apply in almost all
circumstances:
- Do not send application without a covering letter.
- Do not send the same letter twice!
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The covering letter forms a vital part of the normal application package. A covering
letter is as important as an effective application for a job. It enables you to
not only link your background as shown in your resume, or application form to the
particular job, or the particular employer, but also to make a specific case to
merit consideration for the post. However, there is no need to send a covering letter
while you are filling an online application. It is also applicable when an application
form provides an "open-ended" section that enables you to write what you might normally
include in a letter. Each covering letter needs to be different because it provides
a specific link between your background (educational and professional), and the
specific requirements of the job or employer. Keeping this factor in mind that it
is unlikely that you would ever use the same letter twice. There could be an instance
where you may apply to two firms whose requirement is similar. In such a case it
is alright if you enclose the same covering letter. However, always ensure that
you change the name and address!! Essentially, what should a covering letter include?
Clearly indicate the position you are applying for. There should not be any confusion
about the vacancy you have applied for. If you are enclosing any documents along
with the cover letter, make a mention of it. Do not go overboard, but show your
enthusiasm in working with the organisation. A cover letter should address the requirements
of the job directly. It should emphasise the skills, qualities and qualifications
that fit the job requirements advertised and at the same time reflect some of the
language used in the advertisement. Don't forget to include a summary statement
of why you think you would be a good choice for the position. A cover letter should
not be more than one page. If you are taking a print out of the covering letter
then ensure that you use fonts like Arial or Times New Roman. Avoid using any other
font. One last tip - ensure that you always keep a copy of the covering letter.
You will need to refer to it when you prepare for an interview. The interviewer
knows what you have said- and it is vital you remember what you said!
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