INTERVIEW  TIPS

Do not see interviews as a chance event rather  think of it as an opportunity to present yourself  to a company. It is a chance for you to prove yourself in front of the interviewer, so you should come with full preparation of questions you need answers.

How can you dramatically increase your odds of winning at the job interview? 

1- 85% of the verbal content of the interview will be forgotten within an hour of the candidate's departure. What remains is the overall impression, documents submitted, and a few notes.

2- Remember that the interview is an informal chat to determine if your background fits into the organization's needs to your mutual satisfaction.

 3- Arrive at least 15 minutes early; spend the previous day in the community if possible.

4- Dress appropriately. Be businesslike, approachable, and confident in your appearance. Wear appropriate and becoming dress and minimum of jewelry. Avoid exotic and bright colors especially red, orange, pink, yellow. No gum, heavy scents or makeup.

5-Carry an attractive portfolio. It provides a tidy, efficient place to store questions you may want to ask, information about yourself you want to be sure to transmit, a place to carry additional resumes for distribution to department heads, search committees, and others you may meet who have not seen your resume.

6- Do your homework on the organization.

• Review annual reports, mission statements, website

• Talk to colleagues, friends, fellow alumni who are/have been connected to the organization

• Visit informally ahead of time if possible

7- Prepare/practice responses to likely questions. Good preparation always creates confidence.

8- You should take the opportunity to ask questions about the entire work environment. Your ability to ask straightforward, insightful questions lets the interviewer understand your perspective and concerns, as well as your judgment and analytical ability.

9-PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE

• In front of a mirror

• With an audience of friends/colleagues

10-Review/evaluate your interview's strengths/weaknesses immediately after the interview.

 Do’s and Don’ts of Job Interview

1. Checklist

While going to interview you must consider the following things:

1.      You have to confirm about the time, date and location of the interview and name of interviewee where appropriate.

2.      You have to plan to get there no earlier than half an hour before the interview time.

3.      You must ready with your dress which is professional.

4.      Concentrate on the interview at the interview.

5.      If you are asked to bring certificates, references etc., get them ready before the day. Your interview letter must be with you.

6.      On arrival ensure the receptionist knows you are there.

 

2. Emotional preparation

Preparing emotionally for the interview is also important. The right mood helps you perform at your best. Try out following points for preparing emotionally:

-          Get moving that means go for a walk, run, exercise, meditate, do yoga, stretch, dance.

-          Sing your favorite song while driving to the interview.

-          Repeat an inspirational phrase aloud that's meaningful for you

 

3. Be on time!

Public transport may be useless if the traffic is heavy. Always keep in mind that you never get a second chance to make a first impression. So be on time at the particular location of interview. Also if you are there so early, you can wait nearby cafe of shop. And if you are going to be late, then best option is call them.

4. You never get a second chance to make a first impression!

First keep in mind that you never the second chance to make a first impression so be careful.
Some points are here to remember:

• Smile is one of the things which may matter in your impression. Good smile always please people.
• Dressing also an important thing. You should be in professional dress. And must be looking formal.
• Eye contact without glaring is showing your confidence.
  
   
4. It is OK to be nervous

Not only is it OK to be nervous about an interview, but it is essential for you to accept how you feel. Telling yourself you should feel differently than you do is unrealistic and just makes you feel bad about yourself. What's the worst that can happen at an interview? For many, it would be not getting an offer. Did you ever think that maybe the job wasn't right for you? Try to look at the process as a learning experience.

6. Do not talk too much!

Always remember that communication is two-way things so give them a chance. Also don't interrupt to interviewer when he/she is talking. Give him/her full chance to talk. One common mistake candidates make when interviewing is talking too much. It is important to listen to the question asked and briefly answer that question. When it is your turn to speak, do not hesitate to talk about yourself.

8. Be enthusiastic and positive!

During interview always enthusiastic. Do not say bad points for the previous employers. Focus on positive achievements and views.

9. Ask Questions

There is always the opportunity to ask them questions at the end of the interview, remember the interview is a two-way process, you need to be sure you want to join them. Try to concentrate on issues, which are both important to you and combine an apparent interest in the company. Write your questions down prior to the interview and take them with you.

10. Look Them in the Eyes

Eye contact is showing your confidence. Eye contact is one of the most important aspects of nonverbal communication and can make a significant difference in how you present yourself. If you look away when speaking to someone, you are viewed as lacking confidence or interest. So always answer the question with eye contact to interviewer.

11. Talk about specific achievements!

Interviewers like to know how you felt about a particular success. Some will ask for specific examples of things you have done that you are particularly proud of; how you solved problems; how you learned - and improved - from difficult situations.

12. Bring Up a Weakness

In an interview, bring up a weakness before you are asked for one. For example, "I really need to work on my leadership skills. I am a good worker and totally competent, but sometimes I lack the confidence to stand up and take a leadership position." This will help you a lot as you want to improve yourself.

13. Explain Why You Left

Follow these guidelines when interviewers ask, "Why did you leave your company?" Carefully describe the reason for your departure, and do not go into details unless asked. Provide references to support your reasons for leaving and job performance. Stay with the facts of what happened, what you did, how you felt and what you learned. Then describe how you will handle things differently in the future.

14. Your References

For your reference list, you want three to five people and their contact information. Do not forget to get permission to use your references' names, and while you are at it, ask how they prefer to be contacted. You should also send them a copy of your resume so they will be aware of what you are saying about yourself.

15. The World's Toughest Job Interview Question

Great questions to ask early in a job interview: "What are you most hoping to find in the person you hire?" and "What would be my first priorities on the job?" The earlier you can ask these questions, the sooner you can start tailoring your answers to the employer's priorities. At the end of the interview, ask, "Based on what we've talked about today, I feel good about the position. Do you have any concerns about my ability to do the job?" Often, that gives you a chance to counter any objections.

16. Sell Yourself

Interviewing is about selling yourself. The product you are selling is you. Give them reasons to buy. Tell them what you can do for them. Emphasize what you can bring to the company, department and position. Convince them that your product is better than the competition's

17. Talking Salary

Timing is everything in the interview. Let them bring up the subject of money. If you are asked what your salary expectations are too early in the process, just say you would rather postpone that discussion until you have more information about the position.

18. Ask your way into a better job

You can not really tell how good a job is from a want ad. There's often a gap between the exciting opportunity portrayed in the ad and the actual job.

You can often get the straight scoop about a job by asking the right questions. For example, in the job interview, ask, "What attributes are most needed to succeed in this job?"

After you are offered a job but before accepting it, ask a few more questions or even ask permission to talk with your future coworkers.

19. Do not forget to listen

Listening is one of the most underused interview skills. Most candidates are so nervous about answering interview questions correctly that they forget to listen. Follow these tips:

1. Listen through eye contact.
2. Listen with nonverbal expressions.
3. Listen until the speaker is finished.
4. Do not interrupt.
   
    
19. Put up with rejection?

If you are rejected from the company, you may feel hurt, angry or fed up. Instead of being stuck in feeling rejected, take back the power by staying proactive. If you really wanted to work for that particular company, sit down and write a letter. Remind them of all the positive points you could bring to the organization. Let them know you are still interested in working for the company if something should change or open up.

21. Face the feedback

If you ask for feedback from an interviewer, be prepared to hear things that could be upsetting. You should listen carefully, and take notes to refer to and react to. Do not argue or defend yourself. At last do not forget to thank the interviewer. Then, take the advice and think about changing some techniques to improve on your next interview.

22. Be honest!

Be honest with every question. No need to lying about your background and/or skills. If you get caught then you will definitely out. Job interviews are about matching needs, if there is not a good match, then there is no chance of job.

23. Check your CV for possible gaps!

If there is any gap between your academic then make sure you know how you are going to explain time gaps on your CV.

24. Presentation

Dressing is also important aspect at the time of interview. Dressing should be appropriate for the post and the company. Try to get information about what the company would expect from employees. What would be appropriate for a building company is very different for a public relations agency. Be well-groomed and clean and above all try to look confident.

Following are the points which we have to avoid during the interview:

1. Treating the receptionist rudely:

The first person you meet on an interview is a receptionist. The receptionist has the power to say about your positive or negative points before you even set eyes on the interviewer. The interviewer may also solicit the receptionist's opinion of you after you leave.

2. Talking negatively about current or past employers/managers:

The fastest way to talk yourself out of a new job is to say negative things. Even if your last boss was not good, never state your ill feelings about him/her. No matter how reasonable your complaints, you will come out the loser if you show that you disrespect your boss because the interviewer will assume that you would similarly trash him or her. When faced with the challenge of talking about former employers, make sure you are prepared with a positive spin on your experiences.

8. Asking about benefits, vacation time or salary:

Do not ask about the benefits, vacation time or salary during the first interview. Wait until you have won the employer over before beginning that discussion.

9. Verbal ticks:

The first signs of nervousness are verbal ticks. We all have them from time to time "umm," "like," "you know." You can also sometimes avoid verbal ticks by pausing for a few seconds to gather your thoughts before each response.

To reduce the verbal ticks practice for sharing your best success stories ahead of time, and you will feel more relaxed during the real interview.

10. Not enough/too much eye contact:

Eye contact shows your confidence but it may happen that it creates a negative effect also. Avoid eye contact and you will seem shifty, untruthful, or disinterested. If you sometimes have trouble with eye-contact balance, work this issue out ahead of time in an interview practice session with a friend.

11. Failure to match communication styles:

It is almost impossible to make a good first impression if you can not communicate effectively with an interviewer. But you can easily change that situation. Following points will help to you.

• If the interviewer seems all business, then you must be behave like business.
• If the interviewer is personable, try discussing his/her interests.
• If the interviewer asked a direct question, answer directly.

Allowing the interviewer to set the tone of conversation can vastly improve your chances of making a favorable impression.

12. Final Thoughts

Just as a strong resume wins you an opportunity to interview, strong interview skills will win you consideration for the job. You already know that you won't earn an interview unless your resume sets you apart as a candidate of choice. Start your job search with a resume that creates a stellar first impression.

Winning Answers to Key Interview Questions

1. Why do you feel you can be successful in this position?

OK Answer: “I don't know; I am pretty good at most things I do. If I get offered this job and decide to take it I'm sure I could rise to the occasion. I've always been successful in the past”.
Winning Answer: “Given my history, this is the perfect position at this point in my career. I have been studying this field and watching your organization for several years in anticipation of such an opportunity. I have the requisite skills [tell a brief story to prove it]. I am in a perfect position to take this job and really run with it”.

2.  What is your greatest strength and weakness, and how will these affect your performance here?

OK Answer: In terms of strengths, I really can't pinpoint one thing that stands out. I think my skills are pretty well rounded. As far as weaknesses go, I guess I get bored if a project drags on too long.
Winning Answer: In terms of strengths, I believe my greatest asset is that I have a highly organized mind, capable of creating order out of confusion. My greatest weakness perhaps is that I have little patience for people who don't value the same sense of order that I do. I believe my organizational skills can help this organization achieve its goals more quickly, and that my appreciation of streamlining complex problems can sometimes rub off on my coworkers.

3. For job advancement, would you consider further education?

OK Answer: I don't know; I've got my B.A. in management and I think I got a pretty good education. I think real world experience is far more valuable than anything you learn in school.
Winning Answer: I learned a lot as an undergraduate and would certainly consider an advanced degree for the right reasons. I'd want to be careful though; I think a lot of people go back to school for the wrong reasons. If I feel that I am doing the work that I really value and I need more education to excel in that field then I won't hesitate at all.

4. How do you go about influencing someone to accept your ideas?

OK Answer: I usually depend on the value of the idea. If it's a good idea and the people I'm dealing with are reasonable, I generally don't have much trouble getting my ideas accepted.
Wining Answer: That's something I have worked very hard on over the years. At some point I realized that good ideas, even great ideas, sometimes don't get accepted. I now appreciate the fact that the way you present an idea is just as important as the idea itself. When trying to influence people I usually try to put myself in their position and think about their perspective. I'm then able to present thoughts to them in a way more likely to succeed.

5. How should supervisors and subordinates interact?

OK Answer: I like to think that we can be friends. After all if you're going to work closely with someone you might as well get to know that person. That way everyone understands each other and you can avoid a lot of unnecessary conflict.
Winning Answer: I believe clear communication throughout the hierarchy of an organization is critical to the company's success and well being. I'd like to think I've developed good strong skills in that area. In terms of superior-subordinate relationships, I think