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Interview guide
The interviewer hopes that YOU are the right person for
the job. They are under pressure to fill the position so
that they can get back to their own work. Therefore you
are in a greater position of strength than you think.
Concentrate on what you have to offer in the way of
qualifications and experience instead of feeling
intimidated.
An interviewer has 3 aims:
1) To learn if you are the right person for the job.
2) To assess your potential for promotion
3) To decide whether you will fit into the company
environment.
The key to a successful job interview is in preparation
Be prepared: For the types of questions you will be asked
Be prepared: To ask questions yourself
Be prepared: To research the company
Be prepared: To look the part
Be prepared: To turn up on time
Questions you may be asked
Example question: Your answer:
How would you describe yourself? Should describe
attributes that will enhance your suitability for the
position. Have some ready in advance.
What are your long-term goals? Should be career
orientated. Make sure you have goals to discuss.
Why did you leave your last job? Could be more
responsibility; better opportunity; increased income.
Do not be detrimental to your previous employer. He could
be the interviewer’s golfing partner.
Why do you want this job? Your answer should be: more
responsibility or better opportunity or similar.
Not: because it is closer to home or the gym.
What are your strengths? Should highlight accomplishments
and experiences that relate to the position for which you
are applying. Also give examples of situations where your
strengths have been demonstrated.
What are your weaknesses? Should not be a list of
deficiencies. Don’t mention anything that could make the
interviewer question your ability to do the job, for
example “I am always late for everything.” Instead,
discuss a weakness that could also be a strength such as
“I am a workaholic!”
More Examples of Interview Questions
Tell me a little bit about yourself.
Describe your current / most recent position.
What made you want to make this change?
What do you most enjoy doing in your current /most recent
position?
Describe your future ambitions.
How would you describe yourself?
Questions for you to ask
Asking questions at interview has a number of positive
effects:
It helps you find out more about the company and the
position.
It can be used to divert the interviewer away from a
subject you may wish to avoid.
It can help build a rapport with the interviewer.
It demonstrates an interest in the job and the company.
The questions must be about the position and the company.
Avoid questions about salary, benefits and facilities
until after you have been offered the job.
You should already have researched the company and it’s
products and services. Your questions should demonstrate
knowledge of the company’s history, successes and
problems. If the interviewer is a representative of the
personnel department the questions should relate to the
company and be general. Specific questions relating to the
position should be kept for the line manager who will have
a more detailed knowledge.
Example questions relating to the position
What are the main responsibilities of the job?
What are the most difficult aspects of the job?
How did the vacancy arise?
What is the career path relating to this position?
How will my work be assessed?
Example questions relating to the company
What is the company hoping to achieve in the next 12
months?
What new products are the company planning to introduce in
the future?
Are any major changes planned for the department/company
Who are your biggest competitors
Where to find company information
Information relating to companies, financial data,
industries and business trends is available in business
magazines which often publish on the World Wide Web and
allow you to order Annual Reports relating to specific
companies.
Companies often have their own web site.
Newspapers – search on-line press reports including
archived articles.
Local library
Presentation Tips
Obviously you should be clean and smart in appearance but
you should also dress appropriately for the position, for
example: a student placement that is more expensively
dressed than the Managing Director may have a negative
impact.
Clothes should be on the conservative side, which is more
acceptable to people of all ages, cultures and
backgrounds. After all, you are asking to be accepted into
the company. Therefore always avoid extremes in hair,
clothes, make-up and jewellery. Taking trouble over your
appearance shows the employer that the job is important to
you.
Travel tips
Arrive 15 minutes early.
Make sure you have the correct address and know how you
will get there:
Parking? Public transport access?
Do a dummy run if you are not sure.
Make sure you have a mobile phone and a telephone number
so that you can ring ahead if circumstances beyond your
control are making you late.
Be polite to everyone you speak to, it could be the
Managing Director’s cousin! Have a copy of your CV with
you.
Summary
You should show interest in all aspects of the job and the
company especially if shown around the premises.
Do your homework on the company and the nature of its
business.
Take care in how you dress for the job interview. First
impressions still count!
Some of the main influences on the interviewer are:
Your experience in other employment or life situations
Your personal presentation. How your personality comes
across in the interview
Your background and references
Your enthusiasm for both the job and the organisation.
Relevant qualifications for the position.
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