Tips for a Succesful Interview

Posted Date: 30 Apr 2008 Resource Type: Articles/Knowledge Sharing Category: Career Guidance

Posted By: Raghav Member Level: Gold
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Points: 6

Most of us have aims to get the dream job of our choice. But Interview is a very important aspect where we have to be succesfull to get the dream job of our liking. Interviewing successfully is perhaps the most crucial element in securing that dream job. In order to help our members to be as effective as possible in their interviews, I have assembled the following tips to help everyone succeed in their interviews:

1. Everyone should look their best when going for an interview. Here's some pointers on how your appearance matters to employers and what to look out for going to that interview...

Dressing for Success: Your dress sense is very important to be succesful in interview. Most of the employers expect the candidate to be clean shaven. The important dress related things which have influence on your interview are given below.

Grooming ---- Strong Influence
Ear ring (Male) ---- No Influence
Beard ---- No Influence
Moustache ---- NO Influence
Unusual hair style ---- Slight Influence
Obvious Tattos ---- Slight Influence
Body Piercing ---- Slight Influence
Hand Shake ---- Slight Influence

2. Understanding what questions to expect from the interviewer is an important part of your interviewing success. Here are some of the excellent suggestions on how to answer those tough questions...

The following are some typical questions you might be asked. The whole idea of an interview is to talk about your positive traits. Don’t worry if you don’t have much job experience. You can simply tie in the answers to experiences at home or school. Employers want to know how you handle problems and if you are a team player.
Read the following answers carefully and adapt them to your particular situation.

Question: Tell me about yourself.

Typical answer: Well, I was born in Seattle, but we moved to Portland when I was three. I have a dog and like to swim.

Borrrrring! That answer doesn’t tell the employer anything about you that relates to the job. You want to use every opportunity to show that you are a smart, hard working potential employee.

Better Answer: Last year in school, I played on the basketball and soccer team. It kept me busy, but I learned to manage my time. I’m also involved in volunteering with my sister’s Girl Scout troop. That’s been a great experience in learning how to work as a team with other leaders plus plan activities.

See what you’ve just done? You’ve shown the employer you are involved in positive activities, work as a volunteer and know the importance of teamwork. Who wouldn’t want to hire you?

Question: How would your teachers describe you?

Average answer: Oh, I guess they’d say I was an OK student.

Better answer: My teachers would tell you I work hard to get my assignments in on time and I’m not afraid to ask for help if I need it. They’d also tell you I try to be friendly to shy kids in my class.

Question: Why should I hire you over the other 8 students waiting to be interviewed?

Average answer: I really need the money to buy a new CD player and my mom said I have to do something constructive this summer.

Better answer: I’m a reliable person. I’ll arrive to work on time and do the best I can on the job. I’ve done volunteer work, but now I’d like to gain actual work experience. If you hire me, you’ll get someone who isn’t afraid to learn.

Question: Tell me about a time you had a problem and how you solved it.

Average answer: My parents and I don’t always get along. I usually yell and then go to my room for a few hours.

Better answer: There was a boy at school that really bothered me. He bumped into me and would slam my locker shut when he walked by. He’d also say sarcastic things to me. I talked to a teacher about it and she offered to be a mediator. She brought both of us into her class and basically let me tell the boy I wanted him to stop being a bully. I confronted him in a strong way. The situation is much better now.

Question: What do you like best about school?

Average answer: I really like hanging out with my friends.

Better answer: I especially like working on projects together with my friends. I just got done being in charge of decorating for our school dance. I organized my friends and we worked together to set up the gym with a Hawaiian theme. I also like participating in school events like sports teams and student government.

There you have it. Five questions employers might ask you. Try to answer every question with a positive answer. Demonstrate that you are an honest, hard working person.

Good luck on that interview and don’t forget to send a thank you note afterwards!

3. Want to know the 10 Steps to Interview Success?
Here are 10 steps for a succesful interviewof what to look out for, how to succeed, and what not to do when preparing for that interview

Step 1 - Know The Company

Companies like candidates who know what they want. They are also impressed with someone who has done some digging before arriving at the interview. Make the effort to research your target organization, and you’ll find yourself ahead of the competition. Given two equal candidates, the one who shows the most interest usually wins.

You can find out about larger organizations by using Web search engines or, even better, by going to your target organization’s Web site. There are other Web-based sources, too. If your company is smaller or local, visit the library and ask the research librarian for help.

Step 2 - Know the Company

In an interview, your job is to sell yourself . . . so you need to know precisely what you’re selling. Once you define that, you can apply these insights to the needs of your target company. Connecting the two successfully is the best way to get yourself hired. Above all else, be authentic. Like a dog that can sniff fear on a person, an employer can intuit your sincerity and true level of interest and commitment.

You’re "selling" your skills and yourself as a person. First: Your skills. An easy way to uncover yours is to list your accomplishments and then think of which skills it took to do them. Did baby-sitting require psychological sensitivity? Did selling kitchen knives require skills of persuasion? Review your list, and refine your skills into a "package" you can explain easily in a minute or two.

Next: You as a person. Most organizations want honest, smart, friendly, motivated, and responsible employees. Do you deal well with people? Are you flexible and open to learning? Did you, for example, show determination to get back on the slopes after you broke your leg skiing? Again, after you make your list, refine it so you can explain your personal "assets" in a minute or two.

Step 3 - Practice

You can make all the lists you want, but there’s no substitute for rehearsing how you’d handle an interview. Ask your parent, sibling, or best friend to be the interviewer, and give her or him a list of questions to throw at you. There are ways to handle each of these. If you know what they are before you're in the "hot seat," your confidence going into the interview will soar. And remember, if you get a question that you can't answer, simply say you don't know.

Then say the question is something to which you would like to give more thought and that you are willing to learn what it takes. Again, an employer will respect someone who is honest and open about his or her limitations.

Body language is the other thing to be well aware of. If you have a video camera, use it for the practice; otherwise a mirror will do. Hand and arm movements shouldn’t be too large. Don't fiddle. Your posture should be relaxed, but alert. Don't slouch; if you look bored in the interview why wouldn't the recruiter presume that you'd then be bored in the job too? Communicate interest and energy. Be yourself.

Clichés aside, practice does make perfect; it works for interviewing too.

Step 4 - Dress The Part

You wouldn’t wear a white suit to a funeral (unless you’re in China, where it’s expected), and you wouldn’t wear cargo shorts to an interview. With any organization, the way to dress is the way you would dress if you got the job. If you don’t know what that is, ask. If you can’t get any information on the company's style of attire, dress a little more formally than you think you might need to.

Personal grooming is part of your "dress" too. A good haircut or trim will impress. So will clean fingernails, a fresh-scrubbed look, pleasant breath, and a white smile (a recent teeth-cleaning can’t hurt). And please, no perfume or aftershave ... you might love how you smell with that scent, but others may not!

Step 5 - Get There Early

This may seem obvious, but if you’re not on time for your interview, the game is over. Getting there early allows you to take a few deep breaths, organize your notes, refresh your memory on a few points that you’ve found difficult in your practices, and scan any company materials that may be available in the waiting room. It also allows you to answer the "call of nature" (if there is a call) and to make any last-minute appearance adjustments.

The result? You’ll feel better about yourself, and you’ll be more relaxed in the interview. So leave plenty of time, and get there early. It gives you a psychological edge.

Step 6 - Make A Good Impression

It may seem cruel, but first impressions can be deal makers... or breakers. The interviewer starts forming opinions from the moment the two of you shake hands. No kidding. And by the way, that handshake is critical. Here’s how to do it correctly:

* Look the interviewer in the eye as you offer your hand.
* Shake his or her hand firmly ... but not like a vise.
* Smile at the same time, and say something enthusiastic like, "Hello Mr. McGillicutty, it’s great to meet you!"

As you walk to his or her office, make some small talk-- team or sports scores, how great the lobby looks, a recent storm... you get the gist. Establish positive vibes and the rest of the interview will feel more natural and less like you're being grilled at the Spanish Inquisition.
Step 7 - Answer Well

You’re going to be asked some questions, but there are some tricks to answering them well:

* Don’t ramble. It’s better to give a shorter answer with strong points in it than to babble on for five minutes in a disorganized fashion.
* Look the interviewer in the eye when you’re answering. If you don’t, he or she may think you’re fabricating your answer right there on the spot.
* Gather your thoughts. If you need a minute to collect your thoughts in order to answer a specific question, feel free to say: "I need to think about that for a moment ... " or "That's a great question ..." The interviewer will respect your honesty and your desire to offer a thoughtful answer. If a question is a difficult one, try to remember how to approach it. If you blank out, be honest, but definitely put a positive spin on your answer. A little humor never hurts either.

Step 8 - Ask Questions

Usually at the end of an interview, you’ll be asked if you have any questions. If you don’t ask something, it can be taken as a sign of lack of interest . . . so prepare some questions before the interview. There are two areas to question -- the organization and the job itself. We recommend asking about the job first. Are you clear on the responsibilities of the job? If not, ask for clarification.

Do you see where the job fits into the structure of the organization? Do you understand whom you’ll be working with, and what their expectations of your work are? By the way, do not ask about the salary or benefits -- vacation, holidays, sick days, etc. -- in the first interview. Leave that for after they have presented you with an offer.

Be sure you know what the next steps are after the interview. Are they going to contact you? When do they think they can do that? Would they prefer you to follow up with them? How is the best way to do that?

The end of the interview is also a good time to emphasize how interested you are in taking the process to the next step and why you think you’d be the perfect candidate for the job. Do not beg for the job, but let your positive energy and enthusiasm win the day. Upon leaving, make sure to shake the person's hand again and make sincere eye contact. And, of course, don't forget to thank him or her.
Step 9 - Be Yourself

This is the most important step. No matter what anyone says, you can’t pretend to be someone you’re not. In the interview, let who you really are shine through. Trained interviewers spot actors quickly. Be proud of that precious collection of talents, motivations, and skills that make you the individual that you are. Believe in your ability to learn, grow, and develop, and act accordingly. Show "the real you" -- sense of humor and all -- and you'll be well on the way to getting hired.
Step 10 - Follow Up

Your interview isn’t over when you walk out the door. As soon as you get home, write a short thank-you note to your interviewer. You appreciated the time they spent with you and the chance to learn more about the job and the organization, so tell them.

If you promised to send something additional --writing samples or another copy of your resume, for example -- make sure to enclose it. Keep your note short, and restate your understanding of the next step. If you’d like to add something you forgot to say, this is the time and place.

You’d be surprised how many candidates never offer this simple bit of courtesy. Send a thank-you note, and you’ll stand out in the crowd.

4. So what are the Qualities Employers look for?
Here are some tips on what recruiters seek in a candidate. You might be surprised...

1. Communication Skills ( Verbal and Written)
2. Honesty / Integrity
3. Team Work Skills
4. Interpersonal Skills
5. Strong Work Ethic
6. Motivation / Initiative
7. Analytical Skills
8. Computer Skills
9. Flexibility / Adaptability
10. Organizational skills

So all of you keep in mind the above things and you will definitely succeed in your interview. I hope this article will be useful to all.

Raghav

Responses

Author: Karthika M 18 May 2008