FACING AN INTERVIEW
An employment interview is a formal meeting in which both employer and applicant ask questions and exchange information to learn more about each other.
Group interviews help recruiters see how candidates interact with one another.
Stress interviews help recruiters to see how you handle yourself under pressure.
Stress interview perhaps is the most unnerving type of interview. The recruiter asks pointed questions designed to irk or unsettle you. The candidate may be subjected to criticism of his appearance, purposeful interruptions, and abrupt and even hostile reaction by the interviewer.
Video interview: As employees try to cut travel costs the video interviews are becoming more popular. In video interview the candidate should sit straight, speak clearly, look up but not down and try to show some animation but not much.
What employers look for is a person with right personality traits. Basically they look for two things: whether the candidate will fit in with the whether the person can handle a specific job.
The candidate can impress the employer by being open, enthusiastic and interested. Some interviewers also look for courtesy, sincerity, willingness to learn, positive attitude and self-confidence.The candidate while describing his skills should be honest.
Preparing for a job Interview
For a successful interview, preparation is mandatory (essential).The best way to prepare for a job is to think about the job itself and prepare. It is perfectly normal to feel a little anxious before an interview. But good preparation will help you perform well.
Some tough questions asked in the interview:
1)What was the toughest decision you ever had to make?
Answer: - Be prepared with a good example. Explain why the decision was difficult and how you decided.
2)Why do you want to work for this organization?
In answer to this question you have to show that you have done your homework.Cite some good things done in the company.
3)Why should we employ you?
Answer about your academic strength, job skill your past experience speak with confidence but with humility.
4)If we hire you what changes can you make?
Answer: - I would take a good hard look at everything before making recommendations and spelling out what changes I can bring about in the organization.
5)What are your greatest strengths?
Answer: - “I work with others”, I am willing to make decisions. I can see what must be done and then do it. I can make my colleagues comfortable to work with me.
6)What are your greatest weaknesses?
To answer this question describe a weakness that sounds like a virtue. Sometimes to meet deadlines I drive myself too hard. I admit I am a bit crazy on that account.
7)How do you spend your leisure time?
Answer:- Instead of focusing on just one, mention a few interests – active and quiet social and solitary.
8)Where would you want to be five years from now?
Your answer should reflect your long-term goals. The answer should not be unrealistic. Say you expect to be in a more responsible and challenging position after five years.
9)What are your salary expectations?
Answer – Why don’t we discuss salary after you decide I am right for the job? However I expect my salary in accordance with my performance.
10)Tell us something about yourself?
To answer this question, speak politely that you would be happy to talk about yourself and ask what exactly the interviewers want to know. If the point is clarified then respond. If it is not, explain how your skills can contribute to the organization. This is a great chance to sell yourself.
The candidate’s answers must be sincere, truthful and positive. Before responding to the question the candidate should take a moment to compose his thoughts, so that the answers are to the point.
If you feel shy or self-conscious, remember that you are not alone. All other candidates for the job are just as nervous like you. Even the interviewer may be nervous.
To look like a winner, the candidate should
- Dress conservatively
- Be well groomed
- Smile when appropriate
Body language during the interview is as important as your verbal communication. The candidate should sit straight, keep eye contact with the interviewer and make appropriate gestures with hands.
What employers do not like to see in candidates…
- Poor personal appearance
- Over aggressive conceited demeanour, superiority complex: Know all attitude
- Poor voice; poor communicative skill.
- Lack of enthusiasm.
- Lack of confidence
- Over emphasis on money
- Unwilling to work at bottom and expecting too much too soon
- Lack of courtesy, ill manners
- Lack of vitality
- Failure to look interviewers in the eye
- Limp, weak handshake
The candidate must be physically, mentally and psychologically prepared to face the interview. It is not only information and knowledge of the candidate that is assessed at the interview, the whole personality is assessed. The interviewers watch the candidate’s manners while assessing his merit. So the candidate has to be very careful about these two aspects. Manners please the heart but merit wins the soul.