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Knowing what the interviewer wants will make you ace that interview
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Ace the InterviewMaximizing your Potentials to Getting the Job You Want
a primer for Fresh Graduates
Ace the InterviewMaximizing your Potentials to Getting the Job You Want
Part 1: PREPARING
Knowing the Interviewer
Preparing yourself
Answering Questions
The Three Cardinal Rules in an Interview
Anatomy of an Interview
Questions they ask Everybody
Overcoming Nerves
Agenda
Know your enemyBefore you prepare for the interview, it’s useful to understand how most organizations decide what they are looking for in a candidate
What do they want?
Someone who can do the job.
Experience
Knowledge Skills
Someone who will do the job.
Personal characteristics
Enthusiasm Commitment
Check if you have the relevant skills and
experience stated in your resume;
Clarify any puzzling, missing or less than
favorable features;
Complete the picture of you presented in
the resume
The Purpose of the Interview
Essential skills (qualifications, abilities and achievements)
Desirable skills (qualifications, abilities and achievements)
Industry Knowledge
Career Development
Consistency and stability of employment within the industry
General employment stability
An Interviewer Looks For…
The Anatomy of an Interview
STAGE 1: The Welcome
STAGE 2: The Questions
STAGE 3: Over to You
STAGE 4: The Finish
Two Kinds of Interview Questions
Structured Questions• The same for all applicants• Usually compiled well in advance of of the interview• Designed to probe how well each applicant matches the criteria for a specific job• Questions like:• How do you deal with an aggressive client? • Tell me about an occasion when you had to motivate another person into doing best in his/her job? • Tell me something about yourself? • How do you see yourself in this company after five years?
Person-Specific Questions• Makes the interview process fair• Designed to explore your particular circumstances• Aims to uncover your weak spots• Questions like:• What’s your greatest weakness?• Tell me about a time you lost your temper?• How do you feel about deadlines?• I noticed that you took a 4-year course for seven years. May I know why?
What you should prepare for?
• Evidence that you meet their needs with regard to skills, qualities and experience
Evidence 1
• Reassuring answers and satisfactory explanations for those unclear areas in your resume
Evidence 2
• Some knowledge of the industry or business sector, and the interviewing company in particular
Evidence 3
• Sound reasons why you are applying for the job
Evidence 4
What you should prepare for?
• Evidence that you meet their needs with regard to skills, qualities and experience
Evidence 1
Reread the advertisement and the job description
Find examples that will highlight your skills and qualities
Make notes that show how, when and where you’ve experienced them and what were the results
Draft anecdotes that will show how you can bring BENEFITS for the company
PRACTICE!
What you should prepare for?
• Reassuring answers and satisfactory explanations for those unclear areas in your resume
Evidence 2
Look at your resume or application form with an employer’s eye and match it to the job description or job ad. Are there any obvious mismatches such as:
Shortage of relevant skills or experience?
Shortage of experience in certain areas?
Lack of qualifications?
Find ways on how you can highlight other areas to demagnify these mismatches.
What you should prepare for?
• Some knowledge of the industry or business sector, and the interviewing company in particular
Evidence 3
The simplest way to find out about the industry or the company is to ask information from those who know
How do you find out?
Any customer newsletter or magazine
An employee
Company website
Job ads
What you should prepare for?
• The reasons you want this job
Evidence 4
Don’t be vague about your reasons. Be clear on how the position fits in your career path and progressions
Show the interviewer that this position may have been made for someone like you
Ace the InterviewMaximizing your Potentials to Getting the Job You Want
Part 2: THE INTERVIEW
Making a good impression Openness
Be open, accessible, responsive, and communicative
Avoid one-word, yes-no answers if you possibly can
Enthusiasm
Show that you are happy and excited to work with them (but don’t overdo it!)
Express interest in the job and in the people (again: but don’t overdo it!)
Confidence
It may be the last thing you’ll feel but confidence is the one thing you must always project!
Energy
Sit up straight, look alert, speak clearly, smile and make eye contact
Appearing energetic and lively, projects a positive vibe, optimism and positivity
The 3 Cardinal Rules
STICK TO THE POINT
ILLUSTRATE YOUR ANSWERS
STOP WHEN YOU NEED TO STOP
The 3 Cardinal Rules
STICK TO THE POINT
Listen to the question and make sure you answer it
Keep your answers relevant to the job you are interviewing for
Remember: most people have a two-minute attention span, so keep you answers shorter than this
If at first, you didn’t get the question it’s perfectly all right to ask the interviewer to repeat or rephrase it
The 3 Cardinal Rules
Illustrate your Answers
Don’t just say you can do, x, y, or z
Support your claim with concrete examples.
Remember to still stick to the point, though
The 3 Cardinal Rules
Stop when you need to stop
When you’ve answered the question, stop talking
However, don’t let the silence wallow
You can close your response by asking “I hope that answers your question” or “Does that cover all the points you need to know?”
Ace the InterviewMaximizing your Potentials to Getting the Job You Want
Part 3: THE QUESTIONS
Questions They Ask Everybody
“Tell me something about yourself.”
I’m a (give a concise description of yourself in 15 words, or less). I’m an
experienced (what you are) with an extensive knowledge of (your relevant
knowledge area), including (a key point) and (another key point). My main
qualifications are (give at least two or three of your most relevant skills or key
qualifications).
I also have experience in (go on to your next most relevant skill or
knowledge area), including (develop one or two key points).
My achievements to date include (two or thee of your major
achievements).
Questions They Ask Everybody
“Why do you want to work here?”
I am looking for a position where I can use my (relevant skill, aptitude or
area of experience). I believe this job would allow me to make the most of
my (a talent, aptitude, skill or ability) along with (another skill, personal
quality, or ability). I see it, above all, as a natural development from (your
experience, further qualifications of training).
Questions They Ask Everybody
“Why did you choose the course/subject you did?”
Try to relate your course to the type of work you’re applying for, as well as to your own interests and tastes. The interviewer is looking for:
Clearly thought out reasons that show you can analyze and evaluate information and come to a decision
Your sense of commitment to whatever decision you made
Your self-awareness about your strengths, interests and talents
An appreciation of what education and your course have taught you
Your ability to match future goals to current action
Questions They Ask Everybody
“What are you looking for in a job?”
Here the interviewer is looking for:
The chance to start in your chosen career
The opportunity to learn the skills required
The opportunity to make a valid contribution even at a entry level
The chance to use the knowledge and skills you’ve acquired
Questions They Ask Everybody
“Have you ever worked under pressure?
The interviewer needs to know that you:
Have experience of working under pressure – outline briefly how, when and where
Are able to cope with it – explain how you keep your balance
Have tried and tested ways of handling stress and tension over the long term
Questions They Ask Everybody
“Have you ever worked under pressure?
I would say I’m reasonably stress-hardy. I have experience of working
under pressure (while we were doing our college thesis). I kept the
pressure manageable by (being organized, planning, prioritizing, etc). I find
it very useful to (say what practical steps you take to prepare).
Questions They Ask Everybody
“Where do you see yourself in five years’ time?”
In five years’ time I would ideally like to be (say what you can reasonably
expect to be doing). I think I have the (skills and abilities) to achieve that,
especially with (requirements such as further training, experience, specific
professional qualifications). I believe this position will help me achieve that
goal because (give reasons, such as excellent training programs,
opportunities for advancement, leading company in the field).
Questions They Ask Everybody
“What are your greatest strength?”
Even if you still lack experience and your skills are untried in the workplace, you can turn it into a strength and emphasize your potential
Although you can’t offer them experience, and expertise yet, you can bring to the job:
Enthusiasm and energy
Your ability to learn
Adaptability
Freshness
Questions They Ask Everybody
“What are your greatest strength?”
I would say my greatest strengths are (give three of your talents and
personal qualities that you feel are genuine strengths and are appropriate
for the job). I believe I’ve demonstrated these in the past by (give a brief
story that shows you using your strengths). Although experience isn’t one
of my key strengths as yet, I do have (give the experience you have and
any theortical background). As well as that, though, I believe I can bring to
the job (enthusiasm, open mindedness, energy).
Ace the InterviewMaximizing your Potentials to Getting the Job You Want
Part 4: MANAGING YOUR EMOTONS
Overcoming Nerves
Almost everyone looks nervous in interviews, but believe it or not, interviewers are quite tolerant. They’ve been there, too.
Also, they need someone to fill a vacant post. There have this problem. And they want you to succeed.
But if you continue to show your nervousness, they’ll start to think if you’re ready for the interview, or worse, if you’re ready for the job.
Overcoming Nerves
Don’t let fear of nerves prevent you from making a positive impression:
Practice (entering the room, shaking hands, etc.)
Get organized
Know exactly where the interview will be
Double check the time and date of the interview
Get everything ready THE NIGHT BEFORE!!!
Arrive at your destination early enough
Check your appearance (hair, smile, fly, buttons, etc.)
Avoid tea or coffee an hour or so before the interview
Knowing the Interviewer
Preparing yourself
Answering Questions
The Three Cardinal Rules in an Interview
Anatomy of an Interview
Questions they ask Everybody
Overcoming Nerves
Agenda
Questions
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