Are You Prepared For The Interview

You have read my previous articles on getting yourself prepared for any interview opportunity. So, what have you done so far?

There are a few steps you need to take to prepare yourself for the interview. Remember them always.

• Research prospective companies and industries

You need to do the research because you need to win the opportunity!

- You can use the internet to do your research. These days most companies have their own websites with information of their businesses and industries. You can use the friendly search engines to help you.

- Your local library may also keep some annual reports or news about the companies you want.

- If it is a small local company, you can ask for information from your local network. The receptionist can also provide some useful information about the company.

- You can get a little information from the company advertisements. These advertisements provide the public valuable insight into the company products, services and culture.

- Newspapers and other publications like magazines can also help to provide some useful information.

Concentrate on useful information such as products/services, target markets, challenges, competitions, company financials and industry trends. Identify the strengths and weakness of the company too. You can ask questions about the company using the information you have gathered. This shows you have great interest of the company.

• Answer the common job interviewing questions

In one of my earlier articles, I have listed some of the possible questions interviewers or hiring managers like to ask. The same questions will be listed here again. Brainstorm on all of them. Jot down the answers.

× Why are you interested in this position/job?

× What are your greatest strengths?

× What is your greatest weakness?

× Why do you think you are ideal for this position/job?

× Give us the highlights of your resume.

× Tell me more about yourself.

× What are your interests?

× What are your short and long term goals?

× What motivates you to succeed?

× Describe your ideal job.

× Describe traits you want in an ideal job and company.

× What qualities do you think are important to be successful in this job?

× What previous experience has helped you to develop the skills necessary for this job?

× Can you lead a team?

× Describe how you work in a team. (As a leader or team player)

× What was your greatest challenge and how did you overcome it?

× Is there any reason why we should we hire you over other candidates?

× What are your compensation expectations? (What is your expected salary?)

× Do you have questions about this position?

× Why are you leaving your current position?

× What is your definition of success?

× Can you explain why you choose to work as a _______?

× Are you willing to accept a lower salary?

× Have you ever held a leadership role?

× How did you motivate your team to succeed?

× How do you prioritize when you are given too many tasks to accomplish?

× Can you conform to company policies that you dislike?

× Do you set goals for yourself?

× How did you accomplish your goals?

× What is your goal for the next five years?

Well, to tell the truth, you need to be able to answer these questions without any hesitation. Of course, during the half an hour interview, hiring managers will not ask all the questions. However, you must be ready.

• Have lots of interview practice. Rehearse and role play interviews with your friends and family members. Be serious. Do not crack jokes during the sessions. You can also practice in front of a full length mirror. With this you are able to work on your smile, posture, facial expression as well as appearance.

• This is the checklist after you have done the things listed.

× Check again the name(s) of the interviewer(s). Do not get them mixed-up or wrong. Ask for the title of the interviewer(s) e.g. Ms, Mrs, Mr and so on.

× Get your direction to the company right too. You do not want to lose your way and end up being late for the interview. Time is precious, so is the opportunity.

× Plan your journey so that you can arrive early. You will not panic if you arrive earlier than the appointed time.

× Pick out your interview attire in advance so that you will not waste lots of precious time in matching colors.

× Your appearance puts a weight in the interview. Wear a suit of formal attire, but keep it simple. Popular business colors are black, dark blue, and grey. Make sure your shoes match your attire too!

Well, now is the time you get yourself ready. Be busy!

Getting Into The Mind of the Interviewer

Is that possible? Not really. On a certain level, we may have the same opinion of certain topics. We may even have the same likes and dislikes. Yet, there are many things that set each and every one of us apart; experience, education, locality, culture, social and so on.

It is wise not to outsmart the interviewer or anyone that may jeopardize you chance to secure a position in that particular company.

Questions any interviewer would likely ask are:

Q: Please introduce yourself.

A good chance for you to exaggerate for a few seconds (but not too much). Remember, if you exaggerate even a little about yourself, you may need to tell some lies to cover the ‘exaggeration’ you have made. Never do that. You just do not have enough reasons for telling too much. It is enough if you are able to describe yourself briefly.

Most interviewers are not ready to spend more than one minute to listen to your ‘greatness’. They know you would not be there if you are so great! Just tell what they want to hear; your most recent projects or assignments.

Q: What attracts you to work in this company?

My personal advice; you will not be able to answer this question if you did not do any research about the company beforehand. Always be ready at any interview. As we are all living in societies with overloaded information, it is not too difficult to do any background searching.

Be sincere when you answer this question. Although you are attracted with the position or the benefits, do not mention so. You can tell them what you can contribute to the company. Be convincing when you do that. Some interviewers are good in reading body language and facial expressions.

Q: Where will you be in 5 years’ time?

A common question which can be asked in any interview.

You have to think carefully before you answer. You may choose to answer it assuming that you are still with the company but in a higher position. You may also choose to answer that by then you are an established business owner.

No matter how you choose to answer, be aware that this is not an easy question although it sounds easy. It is asked so that the interviewer will know your plans for the future.

Do not answer it with a joke. The interviewer may be amused at that time, but how you are assessed is another matter. Always be serious. Eye contact is important.

Q: What do you expect from this job? Or What is your expectation of this job?

Whenever this question is asked, candidates have the feeling that they have the better chance of being chosen. Then, begin the long description of one’s expectation. Sometimes it can be so ideal that the interviewer will raise his/her eyebrow and give a wry smile.

Be brief. It is enough just to say that you wish to bring things to a higher level. You are not even sure if you are the right candidate. The company has many other candidates waiting to be interviewed. It is not good to let others wait an extra hour.
Q: Why do you think you are the right person for this job?

You can give lots of reasons but not too many. The interviewer knows more about the right person for the job than you. You can start by saying how you suit the job, the advantages if you are hired, and so on.

Everyone has some good in him. Use that to your advantage. Be humble, though. Presenting yourself as someone capable is good. Do not overstate your competence or you will be seen as boastful.

If the interviewer thinks that there is another job opening which is suitable for you, ask more questions about that too. There are chances, although that job is not a managerial one, you can work your way up. If you are keen to join the company, why not accept the offer, instead of competing with other higher qualified candidates.

Q: Do you believe in socializing with your colleagues as a way to enhance workplace
relationship?

No pointers for this question. You can say whatever you think is right. Just remember that in every workplace, there will be many other employees too. Socializing is good to enhance relationship among the employees.

You may choose not to attend certain functions later if you dislike them. However, you must please the interviewer by giving an honest answer.
Q: Are you an opportunist?

Well, each of us is an opportunist. Just make sure you know where you stand. Answering this question is not going to jeopardize your chance to get the job. Usually, only a good opportunist able to achieve high. So, think carefully before you answer.

Nobody likes to be taken advantage of by others. An opportunist may take advantage of his work, position or even his colleagues in order to get something of his desire. In another word, an opportunist is a very ambitious person. Not everyone likes an opportunist, except the CEO himself!

Q: What is your expected ROI (Return of Investment)?

So far, not many interviewers will ask this question. Yet, some interviewers from the Human Resource Department will ask it.

It is interesting to note that we all seldom think of the ROI we would get from the job apart from the salary and other fringe benefits we will receive.

Ask yourself questions like: What am I going to get from this job? Will there be a promotion opportunity? Can I apply to another department after some time? Is the contract benefiting me or the company?

Everyone has a different expected ROI. Do not worry too much about that. Just remember that whatever your answer is, there is no right or wrong.

These are some of the questions I found my trainees having trouble answering every time they attend interviews. Apart from the questions, your competence in a certain language, such as English, has to be good. You will need to do all the communication in English.

Other issues maybe how you dress to an interview. Stop wearing that old, faded torn pair of jeans. Even if the company belongs to a family, please wear something formal. Ladies can wear simple business suits. No red or any bright colored coats. A brown, blue, gray or black will do just nice. Do not overdo your make-up. Use light perfume and best of all, smile.

(Most)Young men know how to dress formally. Just make sure the pen in your breast pocket does not leak. You will be embarrassed when facing the interviewer. Do not wear a belt with a big buckle. It will definitely take away all the attention.

Body language is another factor an interviewer will look at. Just one look and he/she can tell if you are nervous or scared. Take a deep breath before you walk into the room. Avoid drinking too much water or you will end up going to the toilet every few minutes. If the interview takes half an hour or more, it will definitely make a bad impression when you need to excuse yourself so often. Just relax and be yourself.

Always be courteous, even when you are told that you may not be suitable for the position. Do not show any anger or dejection when you receive the bad news. You may not have the heart to smile, but do so anyway. Do not let others see how desperate you need the job.

When you are ready, good luck!