Tips for Candidates
The Interview - Interview Tips
Entering the job market for the first time as well as changing
jobs are daunting experiences. It could be argued that it is the
interview rather than surviving the first day is the most intimidating
part of this process. The interview gets your “foot in the door”,
and more often than not an individual is right for the job but stumbles
in the interview because of a lack of skill and confidence. There
is much preparation to be done before an interview and there are
certain rules or steps that can be followed:
Knowing and understanding yourself, that is, your career history.
This point cannot be understated, you have much to learn from your
past work experiences, for instance, what were your achievements
or disappointments? This information will help cement your ideas
and expectations as well as the sacrifices you will be willing to
make in your new position.
Research the company. Most companies today, big and small have websites.
You do not have to wait until you work for a company to understand
it inside and out. The sorts of information that is important here
would probably be organizational structure, what they do, etc. Whilst
doing this research write some questions down for the interview.
This shows interest and intelligence. As well as researching the
company, one should also research the position they are being interviewed
for. The position may be wrong for you! Do not take the chance.
Interview Tips yourself. Once you have gone through your own CV and the
companies history have your own question and answer session. This
would comprise of those issues you believe that will be highlighted
in the interview, such as knowing your strengths, and reasons for
leaving your last job. It is also imperative that your answers are
direct and consistent.
Interview Tips etiquette is essential. This parallels to your dress code
and other paraphernalia you bring to the interview. Be smart, first
impressions are important Also, make sure you have a pen and paper
handy to jot down notes and questions, you do not need to stress
yourself fumbling around for these things during the interview.
Southern Solutions in Coimbatore, Get detailed directions to the company. You must eliminate unnecessary
anxiety before the interview. Also, try to arrive 15-30 minutes
earlier than the scheduled time of the interview. Use this time
to go over the company information. Check in at reception about
5 minutes before the interview. Smile and relax. Remember to shake
hands with your interviewer, and hold your head up high – you are
worthy.
Body and other language. Speak slowly and precisely. If you are
not sure of a question ask the interviewer to rephrase it. Maintain
eye- contact, do not fold your arms, and remain open and approachable.
Be honest. Sell yourself. Your aim is to paint a brilliant picture
in a short period of time so do not ramble on or offer unnecessary
information. When it comes to the point when they want you to ask
questions be choosy. Good questions to ask include what are my duties?
Who will I report to? Will be working in a team? It is important
to ask questions that parallel to your “potential” new role in the
company. In other words it is not all about what you want or need
but rather what you can offer the company. Salary and other benefits
are not first interview questions. If the salary issue comes up,
rather ask for a fair- market related salary or deflect the issue
completely by saying, “my recruitment agent has my salary details”.
In the long run it is better to play the waiting game on this issue,
as this gives the company time to realize your value as well as
allowing you to calculate the long term potential or benefits this
job has for you. The crux here is that you do not want to come across
greedy and would rather indicate that you are more interested in
how you could contribute to a companies potential and not fixated
on the monetary value they assign to you.
Southern Solutions in Coimbatore, Be yourself. It makes no sense to pretend that you are someone you
are not. You have nothing to lose by being yourself. In fact, you
have more to gain, especially in terms of ensuring you are going
for the right job.
Whether this interview is about your dream job or the ultimate
nightmare, each interview should be seen as a learning curve, an
opportunity to grow in your career.
Examples of the most common questions asked in Interviews - Tips for Candidates
1. Tell me about yourself.
2. Why do you want to work for us?
3. What value could you add to our company?
4. What are your strengths?
5. What are your weaknesses?
6. What are your goals, where do you see yourself in 5 years?
7. What kind of salary do you want?
8. Do you like to work by yourself or in a team?
9. What are the obstacles to achieving your goals in your current
position, and why?
10. What would be the most exciting aspects of this job? Which aspects
would give you the permanent headache?
11. How would you measure your performance over the next year?
12. What would you like to achieve in your current job in the next
couple years?
13. What is your greatest contribution to your current job?
14. What gives you job satisfaction?
15. How long will this job remain challenging/ exciting/ interesting?
16. What are the potential problems that you think you will face
and how will you deal with them?
17. In your life, what do you wish you could have done differently?
18. How do you cope with stress?
19. Which one of your achievements are you most proud of?
20. Who has been your mentor in your career and why?
21. If you were promoted, what skills would you look for in your
successor?
22. How do you plan your own time?
23. How would you motivate your subordinates?
24. How would you deal with someone who has a problem with your
authority?
Interview do's and don't's
Southern Solutions in Coimbatore, Learn from mistakes of others. Here's "18 Deadly Interview
Mistakes Job Seekers Make," adapted from Drs. Caryl and Ron
Krannich's 101 Dynamite Answers to Interview Questions.
DO's
DON'T'S
Be on time.
Arrive at least 15 minutes early in order to give yourself time
to acclimate to the environment.
Visualize yourself working in the company for three months, six
months. Questions will take on the tone of the first person rather
than the third person. Try to image what you will you be doing in
six months.
Arrive late for the interview -Tips for Candidates.
Top
Being early is usually interpreted by the interviewer as evidence
of your commitment, dependability, and professionalism.
Indicate you are late because the directions you were given were
not good.
Dress up for the interview. Greet people with a firm handshake and
smile.
Look disheveled and inappropriately dressed.
Avoid negative body language.
An interviewer wants to see how well you react under pressure.
Avoid these signs of nervousness and tension:
Faking a cough to think about an answer to a question
Gnawing on your lip
A tight or forced smile
Swinging your foot or leg
Folding or Crossing your arms
Slouching
Avoiding eye contact
Chewing gum
Make eye contact with the interviewer and answer all questions
in a clear voice. Try to establish a rapport with the interviewer.
Don't maintain good eye contact with the interviewer.
Research the company before the interview. Find out as much as you
can about the company culture and the position before the interview.
Do your company research at the interview by asking, "What
do you guys do here?"
Talk about what functions of the job you could perform that would
benefit the organization, give specific details of how you have
helped past employers. You might also ask about specific details
of the job position, such as functions, responsibilities, who you
would work with and who you would report to.
Don't make a connection between your skills and the needs of the
employer.
Show self confidence.
Listen. Communication is a two way street. If you are talking too
much, you will probably miss cues concerning what the interviewer
feels is important.
Brag about how great you are, but neglect to cite evidence of your
accomplishments.
Be positive and try to make others feel comfortable.
Respond in an unfocused, disorganized manner.
Imagine yourself working for the company. Imagine being there in
three months...in six months. Questions will take on a first person
tone. Ask "What will I be doing in this position", instead
of "What will the person you hire be doing."
Remain low-key and display no enthusiasm for the job.
Reflect before answering a difficult question.
Answer most questions with simple yes or no.
Show you want the job.
Appear desperate for a job - any job.
Know the names of the people who will be interviewing you.
Call the interviewer by his or her first name, or use the wrong
name.
Relax. Think of the interview as a conversation not an interrogation.
And remember the interviewer is just as nervous about making a good
impression on you.
Give memorized responses, forgetting parts in the process.
Speak positively about former employers.
Badmouth your current and former employer.
When it is your turn, ask questions you have prepared in advance.
These should cover any information about the company and job position
you could not find in your own research.
When asked, "Do you have any questions?" reply "No."
Focus on your technical skills and what you have to offer the company
Do not ask questions that raise red flags. Ask, "Is relocation
a requirement?" and the interviewer may assume that you do
want to relocate at all. Too many questions about vacation may cause
the interviewer to think you are more interested in taking the time
off than helping the company. Make sure the interviewer understands
why you are asking these questions.
Speak about salary only after the employer brings up the subject
and then only confirm what you are currently making.
Blurt out "I need to make at least $35,000. I hope this job
pays at least that much", near the beginning of the interview.
End the interview with a handshake and thank the interviewer for
their time.
Ask "How am I doing? Are you going to hire me?"
Send a note thanking the interviewer for taking the time to meet
with you.
Send a thank you note a week later.
Remember an interview is not an interrogation, so relax and good
luck!
How to resign
Changing jobs, particularly, when the new one offers better opportunities
is exciting. However, resigning from your current job can be stressful,
to say the least. Nonetheless, there are certain guidelines that
can be followed to limit your anxiety. Firstly, remember to leave
on a good footing. Secondly, be professional. This applies both
to your written and verbal resignation. Here are our useful tips:
The written resignation
Dear (Employers Name),
After serious consideration, I have reached a final decision to
resign from (company’s name), effective from (d/m/y). I would like
to thank you and the (company’s name) for allowing me the opportunity
to grow personally as well as in my career during my time spent
here.
Sincerely,
Your Name.
*(d/m/y) refers to your last day of work.
The verbal resignation
When you inform your employer of your decision, watch out for
the following employer comebacks:
* Why are you leaving?
Do not go in detail as this could lead to a debate about your reasons
for leaving. Perhaps answers such as “various reasons, but nothing
negative”, or “I feel that it is time to move on” would be sufficient
to neutralize the topic.
* What company are you going to be working for?
It is not necessary for you to disclose this information. Revealing
the name of the company you are going to be working for only serves
to give your current employer ammunition to use against you, as
well as to help convince you to stay
* How did you come by the job?
The best thing to say here is “through a personal contact” and leave
it at that.
* What salary will you be earning?
Your new salary is confidential, and you should say as much in the
nicest possible way. “I am not comfortable to disclose those details”,
is one example.
Lastly, we are all human. A resignation is an uncomfortable and
difficult experience for the employee as well as the employer. However,
the whole process can be handled amicably. Emotions such as anger
and disappointment will be common, but do not allow the “guilt trip”.
At the same time remember not to “burn bridges”. Listen to your
head and not your heart
Office Address:
Southern Solutions
No:23, Ganapathy Road
Near Roots Horn Company
(Opp) C.B. Vazhakai mandy
Coimbatore - 6
Our Email Id: southernsolution@gmail.com |
