Interview

Job Meeting (Interview)

Companies or institutions give employment adverts and wait for a certain time period for applications. At the end of this time, the employer or the human resources authority evaluates the CV and job application forms. If you are invited for an interview congratulations! This means that you have prepared an effective CV and put yourself one step ahead of the other applicants. Since your acceptance to the job might be evaluated during the interview, you have to be thoroughly prepared.

The reason employers practice interviews: to decide whether you can settle into the workplace in harmony, learn about your existing talents and whether you can succeed in this job.  

Things You Should Do Before You Go To The Interview :

- Think about the kind of job you want to work in and your qualifications which set you apart form

- Do research about the workplace your applying for, be informed.

-  If there are any documents required from you, have them ready for the interview.

- Have your CV, cover letter and ID with you on the day of the interview.

- Learn the location of the interview. Learn how to get there.

- Wait at the interview location before the actual time of the interview.

- Your hair should be clean, groomed and tidy.

- Prefer a suit but avoid overdoing it.

- Your socks should match your attire (males black, females skin colour).

- Your shoes should be shined.

- Be prepared for questions which can be asked.

- Research their salary policy.

- Prepare the questions you might want to ask.

- Don’t be tired on the interview day. Take a good night sleep be energetic etc.

 

General questions which might be asked in a job interview :

- Can you briefly introduce yourself?

- Do you believe you can be successful in the job area your applying to?

- Why do you want to work with us?

- Can you talk about your weak and strong points?

- Why should we choose you for this job?

- What are your career objectives?

- When did you graduate from university?

- Do you like the job you have chosen? Or are you working in the job you desire?

- Can you inform us on the projects you have done?

- Do you intend to pursue a master’s degree or a doctorate?

- Why have you changed jobs this frequently?

- Why did you leave your last job?

- How much salary are you aiming for? Etc.

Questions you can ask the employer or the human resources personnel :

- What’s your future growth plan?

- What are your objectives?

- How do you evaluate and promote your employees?

- What’s your institution’s culture?

- Will I be trained at the beginning?

- Do your employees have any say in your decisions? Etc.

Things you should care for during the interview :

- Button your jacket when you enter the interview room.

- Be self-confident, show it with you attitudes.

- Don’t chew gum.

- Dry your hands since you will be shaking hands.

- Avoid overdoing any cologne or perfume.

- Seem energetic and willing.

- Try to understand the questions correctly.

- Answer questions sincerely, short and clear.

- Look into the employers eyes whilst talking.

- Avoid too many hand gestures and jokes.

- Don’t rock your legs, don’t scratch your head.

- Don’t give any personal information.

- Don’t talk about previous problems.

- Don’t get into a salary discussion.

- Don’t interrupt your counter-party.

- You can thank and reject a drink offer.

Behavioural Interview Questions

- How would you act if asked to do something you’ve never done?

-  How did you advance your skills when there was no support, help or feedback?

-  How did you act when an unexpected incident ruined your plans? How did it end?

- Can you make decisions quickly? Express an incident on this subject which ended positively.

- Share a problem you had faced in school with its solution in detail.

- Share an incident where you encouraged others and led them to action

According to the answers you have given, questions such as “Could you give an example? What did you do? How did you act? What were you thinking? How did you feel? What was the result”  can be asked.

Be honest when answering these questions. Share the example incidents in detail without exaggerating.

The reason employers and human resources authorities using this technique is the fact that the candidates are not prepared in advance.

Action Interview Questions

These are questions to test your ability to think towards resolving situations undr stress with inadequate information, identify key points, developing ideas in the correct order, and separate important and unimportant information. This tests whether you have necessary information to resolve a work related problem. It aims to understand whether you have the talent to solve a problem in a way that’s never been thought of before

Sample question: The profit of a company, where you work in charge of marketing, which distributes dairy products such as cheese, yoghurt and ayran, is declining. What can be the reason of this?

When Answering Action Interview Questions :

  • Listen carefully to the questions and be sure you understand
  • Don’t rush to answer, if you need a minute or two to give an answer, state this.
  • Plan your answer; explain your solution in detail according to this plan.
  • Be aware of the resources in relation with the question. If relevant, ask questions about the budget, capital and other resources.

If you feel that the job and the employee fulfil your expectations, state to the employer that you want the job. If you don’t like the job don’t hesitate to say so. Don’t forget that your actual objective is to be content in your career in the long term.

 

 

 Source : Penn State University Career Guide

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