How to write your C.V... From the BBC News !!
BBC News explains how to get a head start in the job hunting race and make sure your CV is up to scratch.
Your Curriculum Vitae is the single most important weapon in your armoury when it comes to job hunting.
A prospective employer will often make a snap judgement the second they read it and even the most qualified people on the planet can find themselves rejected if the resume fails to come up to scratch. So how can you give yours the edge?
Avoid making it too fancy and complicated. You only have about five seconds to grab the attention - if it is too clever and unreadable it will go in the bin.
Don’t try to make jokes and never slag off previous employers.
CV length
There are no set rules governing the length of your CV - this will be decided on your career history, education and achievements. If possible try to keep it to one page, but if this looks too cramped then feel free to spread it out over two sheets.
Everyone has a different theory when it comes to CV design. Don`t get too bogged down over this, just make sure everything is clearly marked. Include your career progression, education and achievements prominently so your prospective employer doesn`t have to search.
Here is a basic format: Start off with your name, address and contact details clearly listed at the top of the page. Follow this with a profile of yourself which should include an outline of your skills, experience and immediate career goals.
After this you can put in your career history - in reverse chronological order over the past 10 years - with brief descriptions of your responsibilities and achievements. Then comes education, interests/personal details and references.
Stick to the truth
Make sure it is printed on good quality A4 size paper and never attach extra documents, letters or certificates - save these for the interview. Read and re-read your CV, and then ask a friend or family member to read it as well.
Make sure there are no spelling errors or coffee stains as these will be fatal.
It might sound obvious, but be truthful. Never try to smudge dates and jobs to hide periods of unemployment. The most basic of checks will expose your deceit and ruin any chance of getting the job.
Follow all instructions on the job advert. If they want four copies of your CV then you should send four. It is also vital to get it in on time. The covering letter should be customised for each job you apply for as this is your chance to tailor your skills to the demands required.
Cover Letters Resumes and the Job Hunter... Whats it all about?
By: Heather Eager
Any good job hunter needs a resume package. The cover letter and resume always go together and do the same basic thing in slightly different ways. A job hunter without both of them will probably not get very far in the search for a good career position.
With that in mind, let's take a look at what these crucial documents should do for you. The first part, the cover letter, is a short one page letter consisting of three or four paragraphs. It serves as an introduction to the resume. It is the part that will always be seen by the gatekeeper.
The second part is the resume itself. Many job hunters make the mistake of thinking they can just leave a resume without a cover letter. That is like putting on a suit and tie, but forgetting the shirt or the pants. They are a package and they go together.
The resume itself may be in either functional or chronological format. The functional format concentrates on skills. The chronological format concentrates on employment listings. The most effective resumes use elements of both formats to create a combination resume that gets results. It should be laid out in a graphically appealing style, with adequate use of white space, bullet points to draw attention to important parts, and conservative fonts used. While you will occasionally bold face or italicize a font to draw attention to a point or break up a large section of type, changing fonts often makes it hard to read, so stick with one basic font. Also never go smaller than ten point type, and if possible stick with twelve or eleven point. Those sizes are easier to read. If your cover letter and resume are in a small type and hard to read, they simply will not be read, and will not help you.
Many job seekers wonder how they should present the resume package to the decision maker. There are several acceptable methods. If mailing it, use a large nine by twelve white envelope to avoid folding your materials. The white envelopes look nicer than the tan manila commonly used in business. Also large envelopes are generally the first thing people open when they get their mail. If not the first then they may save the large envelope for last. Since people tend to remember the first and the last - the alpha and the omega - while forgetting much of what is in the middle, either first or last is a good thing.
Showing posts with label Interview Tips. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Interview Tips. Show all posts
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Unexpected Job Interview
Are You Ready for an Unexpected Job Interview ?
1. Can you concisely state your value proposition in 30 seconds or less? A value proposition is meant to intrigue your listener with a quick overview of your skills, expertise, and industry know-how. If you can offer a precise summary of why you are the perfect candidate for that job, you are more likely to get to the second or third interview. A concise value proposition can make a critical difference in winning you a new position.
2. Can you list your top five accomplishments, and can you communicate their impact to your employer`s bottom-line initiatives? A list of your top accomplishments will enable a prospective employer to imagine what you can do for he organization. Accomplishments give employers a way to associate your skills with their needs and a reason to remember you. Be prepared to list your top skills and show how they can help meet corporate needs.
3. Are you prepared to answer your own toughest interview questions, or do you hope they just won`t come up? Don’t leave yourself vulnerable to such questions as: "If you’re doing so well in your job, why do you want to leave?" A good recruiter or hiring manager will see you sweat and stutter and squirm; you`ll lose their confidence and destroy a chance to get your dream job. Think about the questions that will be your biggest pitfalls and be prepared to answer them.
4. Do you know how to find out your interviewer`s motivations to understand how best to answer his or her questions? This is a very important question. Without knowing your interviewer`s motivations, how will you know if your answers hit the mark of what he or she is looking for in a perfect candidate? Conduct research and determine exactly what that employer needs. Once you have those answers in hand, you can target your interview answers accordingly.
1. Can you concisely state your value proposition in 30 seconds or less? A value proposition is meant to intrigue your listener with a quick overview of your skills, expertise, and industry know-how. If you can offer a precise summary of why you are the perfect candidate for that job, you are more likely to get to the second or third interview. A concise value proposition can make a critical difference in winning you a new position.
2. Can you list your top five accomplishments, and can you communicate their impact to your employer`s bottom-line initiatives? A list of your top accomplishments will enable a prospective employer to imagine what you can do for he organization. Accomplishments give employers a way to associate your skills with their needs and a reason to remember you. Be prepared to list your top skills and show how they can help meet corporate needs.
3. Are you prepared to answer your own toughest interview questions, or do you hope they just won`t come up? Don’t leave yourself vulnerable to such questions as: "If you’re doing so well in your job, why do you want to leave?" A good recruiter or hiring manager will see you sweat and stutter and squirm; you`ll lose their confidence and destroy a chance to get your dream job. Think about the questions that will be your biggest pitfalls and be prepared to answer them.
4. Do you know how to find out your interviewer`s motivations to understand how best to answer his or her questions? This is a very important question. Without knowing your interviewer`s motivations, how will you know if your answers hit the mark of what he or she is looking for in a perfect candidate? Conduct research and determine exactly what that employer needs. Once you have those answers in hand, you can target your interview answers accordingly.
Monday, July 21, 2008
Best Interview Tips
You can't get a job without at least one interview.
Here is a list of tough interview questions. Always attempt to answer these questions with an on-the-job example or experience to support it. Make sure that you are as prepared as you can be because you have to assume your competition is.
15 Questions You Can Ask:
Reasons Why People Don't Get Hired:
For many people, interviews are the scariest part of job hunting. But they shouldn't be! If you know what to expect and are ready for anything, there's nothing to worry about. And with the help of Arabian Woman, you can ace any interview that comes your way. We know all the tricks, from what to wear to what to say - even how to improve your chances of success after the interview is over.
It's all in the mind
The first thing you have to do is make sure that you are going in with the right attitude. It may seem natural to be frightened about a job interview, but you just need to change the way you are thinking about it. Many people spend hours thinking about all the things that could go wrong, and then - not surprisingly - they do. Instead of thinking of an interview as a test where your potential employer is trying to trip you up, think of it instead as a chance to show off what you know and what you can do. This is your chance to prove yourself far better than a letter or a CV can ever do; think of it as a game or a performance.
Also, remember that the situation is not just about an employer interviewing you for a position - you are also interviewing them to see if the company is one that you would be happy being part of. If you believe this, you'll project the attitude of someone who has a lot of job offers to choose from, and is not just desperate to take the first offer that comes her way.
Positive thinking gurus such as Anthony Robbins recommend doing a 'visualisation' before going for an interview. Spend the evening before quietly picturing the interview going well in your head, like a movie. See yourself giving firm handshakes, hear yourself giving intelligent answers and feel yourself being relaxed and confident.
Preparation is vital
Like any test, you should prepare for a job interview ahead of time. Think about what the employer will want to know, and have some good answers ready. Employers want people who are motivated and positive, so make sure that any answer you give reflects these qualities.Although every interview is different, there are stock questions that always come up, and having an answer at your fingertips will make you more confident, and impress the interviewer. Take the time to think about a few scenarios where you have excelled yourself in the past, solved a difficult problem or made a real difference to your company; interviewers will often ask for examples of these and they can be hard to remember on the spur of the moment.
Another popular question is asking your weaknesses or faults; the savvy interviewee will know how to turn these negatives into a positive, admitting a weakness that can also be viewed as a strength. Explaining you have difficulties delegating, pay too much attention to detail or always feel the need to be challenged are good answers. The trick with answering negative questions about previous mistakes or failed jobs is to explain how you learnt from the experience and are now a better worker because of it. Practice one or two with a friend.
Employers are also looking for someone who has the skills that the job entails, rather than having to train someone from scratch. Research the company thoroughly, as "what do you know about us?" is another popular question, and "nothing" is not an acceptable answer. Look on their Website, ask around, read the newspapers. Think about what the company and the position needs, and prepare your skills so that they fit the picture. The job advertisement should also give you some clues as to what they are looking for. Think of an example or a way that you fit every specification that they have mentioned. Remember, the more prepared you are, the more confident you will be.
First impressions count
Know exactly where you are going and the name of who you will be meeting and speaking to when you get there. Although it may seem like common sense to arrive on time, always give yourself a good 15 minutes extra; this is not a day you want to get caught in a traffic jam and arrive flustered. Also, this gives you time to fill out an application form neatly when you arrive, if they have one. Give a firm handshake, look the interviewer in the eye and greet them by name.
It may sound obvious, but an interview is one occasion where you must be on your best behaviour. You never get a chance to make a second impression, and you want to be remembered for all the right reasons. Treat everyone you meet with politeness, from the MD to the office boy. Be on show from the moment you walk into the office; you may think no-one is watching you send gossip on your mobile for half an hour while you are waiting to be seen, but secretaries will often report back to the boss. There is a big list of don'ts; never chew gum or smoke, don't fidget, don't leave your phone on, and don't interrupt. Most importantly, don't be rude about your previous employers or anyone else in the market. Not only will this make you seem like negative rather than positive, but you never know what the interviewer's relationship to them might be. Your previous boss may be his golf partner
You will probably be asked why you are looking at moving on from your previous job. Make sure that the answer makes you look like a motivated person who is trying to grow, rather than a difficult one who can't work with others.
Look the part
Research shows that a first impression has been made, based on what you look like, in the first ten seconds of a job interview.
The best advice we've ever heard is to dress as though you already have the job. Know what professionals in that field wear (discounting things like uniforms, of course!) and dress at the same level or above. However, if the office is casual, still dress smart. This is not the time to try out a new fashion trend or be even slightly shocking; a conservative suit fits any occasion. Make sure that it fits well and you are comfortable in it; nothing looks worse than someone who is constantly tugging on ' straps, pulling down a shirt, or stumbling on high heels.
Navy, black and grey give the most 'professional' image. Let the colour psychologists guide you for your accessories; red says you are confident and outgoing, yellow that you have a sense of humour, blue that you are intellectual and efficient and green that you can keep your head in a crisis.
Body language is exceptionally important.
Although you and the interviewer may not consciously notice how you are holding yourself, it does have an influence on the interview. Eye contact is a must, as this shows that you are confident, sincere and have nothing to hide. Avoid touching your face or ears, or fiddling; this indicates evasiveness or lying. Crossed arms or legs will make you seem unapproachable. Don't slouch, as this indicated slovenliness, and don't sit too far forward, as you'll appear tense. The trick is to sit upright but relaxed; drop your shoulders slightly and take a breath before starting.
Have an interview strategy
The interviewer is there to ask questions, and you are there to give confident, intelligent answers. No matter what they ask, make sure that your answers do one thing; explain how you are the right person for this position. There are no wrong answers to interview questions; but there are answers that will make you seem more suited for the job than others. One way to make sure that yours do is to verify your answers; when ask about strengths, give examples. Rather than saying "I'm a good salesperson" , say "My ability to sell is shown in the fact that I exceeded my targets by 50 per cent every month last year." It may feel like showing off, but if you don't tell them, how will they know?
Make sure you ask questions too. Interviews are not a one-way street. Asking your own questions shows that you have thought seriously about the company before coming, and that you want to make sure that they would fit in with you as well as you with them. And remember, you need to find out if you really want this job!
Have at least half a dozen questions prepared that need more than a yes or no answer. Ask about the nature of the work, the opportunities for growth and development and the training given to new staff. Ask how the position you are applying for fits into the company structure, and what it means on a day-to-day basis. Also ask some questions about where the company is going and what its future strategies are, and how it is adapting to industry trends. Knowing what is going on in their industry and asking how they see it always comes across as very impressive to interviewers, so read around first.
Another good question is to ask what they are looking for in the perfect person to fill this job; you can then make sure you let them know that you fit all their criteria before the end of the interview. And remember - questioning the interviewer does not mean asking about wages or benefits! Wait until you have been offered the position to talk about money, and don't be the one to bring it up.
Stay calm, speak slowly and try to let the interview turn into a conversation, rather than a question and answer session. If the dialogue flows naturally then the interviewer will think that they have more in common with you and know you better than they actually do. Therefore, let them direct the conversation but take an active part in it by speaking freely and not giving one-word answers. You should never be over-friendly, but take the lead from the interviewer as to the tone of the discussion. If they are friendly and open, make yourself personable; if they are formal and reserved, be as businesslike yourself. Don't ramble and don't interrupt; if you feel you are going on too much, pause, collect your thoughts and summarise what you want to say. Research shows that successful job interviewees spend 50 per cent of the time listening, rather than doing all the talking.
Leave on the right note
Always express your interest in the job just before leaving. This doesn't mean saying anything desperate or false; just let them know that you are impressed with what you have seen so far, and that you look forward to hearing from them. Find out what the next step is; will they contact you or will you send them examples of your work? And then thank them for their time. You want to leave them with no doubt in their minds that you are the right person for the job.
The day after the interview, send a brief but polite letter or email saying how much you enjoyed meeting the interviewer, how interesting the discussion was, and how much you look forward to hearing from them. Keep it short and undemanding; selling yourself all over again will make you look desperate. Just say that you are very interested in the position, and thank them again for their time. Not only is it polite, but it puts you back in their mind in a positive way.
After it's all over, take time to think about the interview and write down what you think went wrong, and what you think came across well. Even if you don't get this job, you can only get better and better with each interview!
Practice makes perfect
Although you can never prepare for every eventuality in an interview, here are some of the common questions that come up:
Why did you apply for this job?
Why do you want to work for this company?
Why should I hire you?
What would you do if this happened?
What is your biggest strength?
What is your biggest weakness?
What was your worst mistake, and how did you learn from it?
What accomplishments in your last position are you most proud of?
Describe a challenge you faced and how you overcame it?
Why did you leave/ are you leaving your last job?
What do you want from this job?
What are your career goals and how do you plan to achieve them?
- Greet your interviewer with a firm handshake and a smile, address your interviewer by name, and make eye contact.
- Never sit until asked to do so.
- Ensure you are informed about the position and the organization before your interview. Wherever possible get a job description or review the details of the position. Go to their web site. You should know approximately what the salary range is for the position (particularly if going through an agency). Research the organization and affiliations. Be aware of all products or services.
- Make sure you are familiar with all dates and information on your resume. Be prepared to go into detail and to give examples of various difficult work situations you have successfully handled.
- Make sure you know the exact location and how to get there. Get there five to ten minutes early.
- Dress should be appropriate, businesslike and conservative. Always look successful.
- You may be asked to talk about yourself, but keep your entire life history for non-business situations! An interviewer is interested in how you and your experience best suit the position and the company. Do not take notes, and do not be concerned if your interviewer takes notes. Never speak negatively about present or previous work situations.
- At the end of the interview you may have an opportunity to ask questions. Express enthusiasm and interest in the company and the position. Thank the interviewer for their time. You may ask what the next step would be in their hiring process. Do not discuss money/salary during the interview, or ask about benefits and vacation, unless the interviewer brings these subjects up for discussion. End the interview with a handshake.
- A follow-up note or thank you letter sent after the interview, if you are particularly interested in the position and organization, is a good way to keep your name visible. A follow-up call within a week is a good idea, if you have not been contacted.
- 10. If an agency arranged the interview for you, call them immediately. It is important for the agency to get your response about the position, before they talk to the employer. A positive response from you can often lead to a positive response from the employer. Keep in touch with your agency.
Interviewing Questions:
Here is a list of tough interview questions. Always attempt to answer these questions with an on-the-job example or experience to support it. Make sure that you are as prepared as you can be because you have to assume your competition is.
- Tell me about yourself.
- Why have you decided to change jobs? Why are you looking?
- Why did you leave your previous positions?
- What motivates you?
- Describe your ideal job.
- Describe your ideal manager/supervisor.
- What salary/rate are you looking for?
- How do you spend your free time?
- What are your short, medium and long-term goals?
- How do you react to criticism?
- Tell me about yourself. How would you describe yourself?
- What are your long and short-range career goals?
- What are the most important things you are seeking in a career?
- What do you consider to be your greatest strengths and weaknesses?
- Site some examples of your ability to be a team player.
- Why should I hire you?
- How could you contribute to our organization?
- Why did you choose the college you attended?
- Why didn't you go to college?
- What do you know about our organization?
- Why are you interested in working for our organization?
- What extracurricular activities are you involved in?
- Are you willing to relocate?
- What type of a work environment are you seeking?
- What do you know about the position you are applying for?
- What do you know about our industry?
- What are you proudest of in terms of your accomplishments at you present position or former position?
- What do you think will be the toughest aspects of the job if you were to accept the position? What will be the most enjoyable aspects - the least enjoyable?
- What do you think your greatest contribution will be or what aspects of the job or the company do you think you would be able to make your greatest contribution to?
- If you are selected for this position, how would you deal with the situation of individuals in the company who were competitors for the job for which you are being interviewed and who may feel that they are better qualified? (Some of them may be your subordinates. )
15 Questions You Can Ask:
- To whom would I report?
- What is the most important (crucial) part of this job?
- What is your management style?
- Is relocation necessary or mandatory after a certain period of time?
- How much will I be expected to travel?
- Could you describe your perception of an ideal candidate for this position?
- What is a typical career path for this position?
- What is your perception of what I'll be doing on a daily (weekly) basis?
- What are some of your company's foremost aims and goals?
- What are the short/long term goals for this department and how do they relate to the company as a whole?
- Where does this company see itself five years from now?
- How would you describe the environment I'll be working in?
- How would my performance be assessed?
- Please describe the organization of the company.
- When could I start?
- What will be my main responsibilities for this position?
Reasons Why People Don't Get Hired:
- Poor personal appearance
- Lack of interest and enthusiasm: Passive, indecisive and indifferent.
- Over emphasis on money: interested only in best dollar offer.
- Condemnation of past employers.
- Failure to look at the interviewer when speaking.
- Limp, fishy handshake.
- Unwillingness to travel or relocate to employers preferences.
- Late for interview.
- Failure to express appreciation for interviewer's time.
- Asks no or poor questions about job.
- Vague, indefinite response to questions.
- Overbearing, over aggressive, conceited with superiority or "know it all complex."
- Inability to express self clearly; Poor voice, diction, grammar.
- Lack of planning for career; no purpose and goals.
- Unwilling to start at the bottom; expects too much too soon.
- Lack of confidence and poise, nervous, ill at ease.
- Makes excuses, evasive, hedges on unfavorable aspects of job history.
- Lack of tact or cynical.
- Lack of courtesy; ill mannered.
- Lack of maturity.
- Wants job for short time.
- No interest in company or industry.
- Low moral standards.
- Intolerant: strong prejudices.
- Inability to take criticism.
Interview Tips -- 2
For many people, interviews are the scariest part of job hunting. But they shouldn't be! If you know what to expect and are ready for anything, there's nothing to worry about. And with the help of Arabian Woman, you can ace any interview that comes your way. We know all the tricks, from what to wear to what to say - even how to improve your chances of success after the interview is over.
It's all in the mind
The first thing you have to do is make sure that you are going in with the right attitude. It may seem natural to be frightened about a job interview, but you just need to change the way you are thinking about it. Many people spend hours thinking about all the things that could go wrong, and then - not surprisingly - they do. Instead of thinking of an interview as a test where your potential employer is trying to trip you up, think of it instead as a chance to show off what you know and what you can do. This is your chance to prove yourself far better than a letter or a CV can ever do; think of it as a game or a performance.
Also, remember that the situation is not just about an employer interviewing you for a position - you are also interviewing them to see if the company is one that you would be happy being part of. If you believe this, you'll project the attitude of someone who has a lot of job offers to choose from, and is not just desperate to take the first offer that comes her way.
Positive thinking gurus such as Anthony Robbins recommend doing a 'visualisation' before going for an interview. Spend the evening before quietly picturing the interview going well in your head, like a movie. See yourself giving firm handshakes, hear yourself giving intelligent answers and feel yourself being relaxed and confident.
Preparation is vital
Like any test, you should prepare for a job interview ahead of time. Think about what the employer will want to know, and have some good answers ready. Employers want people who are motivated and positive, so make sure that any answer you give reflects these qualities.Although every interview is different, there are stock questions that always come up, and having an answer at your fingertips will make you more confident, and impress the interviewer. Take the time to think about a few scenarios where you have excelled yourself in the past, solved a difficult problem or made a real difference to your company; interviewers will often ask for examples of these and they can be hard to remember on the spur of the moment.
Another popular question is asking your weaknesses or faults; the savvy interviewee will know how to turn these negatives into a positive, admitting a weakness that can also be viewed as a strength. Explaining you have difficulties delegating, pay too much attention to detail or always feel the need to be challenged are good answers. The trick with answering negative questions about previous mistakes or failed jobs is to explain how you learnt from the experience and are now a better worker because of it. Practice one or two with a friend.
Employers are also looking for someone who has the skills that the job entails, rather than having to train someone from scratch. Research the company thoroughly, as "what do you know about us?" is another popular question, and "nothing" is not an acceptable answer. Look on their Website, ask around, read the newspapers. Think about what the company and the position needs, and prepare your skills so that they fit the picture. The job advertisement should also give you some clues as to what they are looking for. Think of an example or a way that you fit every specification that they have mentioned. Remember, the more prepared you are, the more confident you will be.
First impressions count
Know exactly where you are going and the name of who you will be meeting and speaking to when you get there. Although it may seem like common sense to arrive on time, always give yourself a good 15 minutes extra; this is not a day you want to get caught in a traffic jam and arrive flustered. Also, this gives you time to fill out an application form neatly when you arrive, if they have one. Give a firm handshake, look the interviewer in the eye and greet them by name.
It may sound obvious, but an interview is one occasion where you must be on your best behaviour. You never get a chance to make a second impression, and you want to be remembered for all the right reasons. Treat everyone you meet with politeness, from the MD to the office boy. Be on show from the moment you walk into the office; you may think no-one is watching you send gossip on your mobile for half an hour while you are waiting to be seen, but secretaries will often report back to the boss. There is a big list of don'ts; never chew gum or smoke, don't fidget, don't leave your phone on, and don't interrupt. Most importantly, don't be rude about your previous employers or anyone else in the market. Not only will this make you seem like negative rather than positive, but you never know what the interviewer's relationship to them might be. Your previous boss may be his golf partner
You will probably be asked why you are looking at moving on from your previous job. Make sure that the answer makes you look like a motivated person who is trying to grow, rather than a difficult one who can't work with others.
Look the part
Research shows that a first impression has been made, based on what you look like, in the first ten seconds of a job interview.
The best advice we've ever heard is to dress as though you already have the job. Know what professionals in that field wear (discounting things like uniforms, of course!) and dress at the same level or above. However, if the office is casual, still dress smart. This is not the time to try out a new fashion trend or be even slightly shocking; a conservative suit fits any occasion. Make sure that it fits well and you are comfortable in it; nothing looks worse than someone who is constantly tugging on ' straps, pulling down a shirt, or stumbling on high heels.
Navy, black and grey give the most 'professional' image. Let the colour psychologists guide you for your accessories; red says you are confident and outgoing, yellow that you have a sense of humour, blue that you are intellectual and efficient and green that you can keep your head in a crisis.
Body language is exceptionally important.
Although you and the interviewer may not consciously notice how you are holding yourself, it does have an influence on the interview. Eye contact is a must, as this shows that you are confident, sincere and have nothing to hide. Avoid touching your face or ears, or fiddling; this indicates evasiveness or lying. Crossed arms or legs will make you seem unapproachable. Don't slouch, as this indicated slovenliness, and don't sit too far forward, as you'll appear tense. The trick is to sit upright but relaxed; drop your shoulders slightly and take a breath before starting.
Have an interview strategy
The interviewer is there to ask questions, and you are there to give confident, intelligent answers. No matter what they ask, make sure that your answers do one thing; explain how you are the right person for this position. There are no wrong answers to interview questions; but there are answers that will make you seem more suited for the job than others. One way to make sure that yours do is to verify your answers; when ask about strengths, give examples. Rather than saying "I'm a good salesperson" , say "My ability to sell is shown in the fact that I exceeded my targets by 50 per cent every month last year." It may feel like showing off, but if you don't tell them, how will they know?
Make sure you ask questions too. Interviews are not a one-way street. Asking your own questions shows that you have thought seriously about the company before coming, and that you want to make sure that they would fit in with you as well as you with them. And remember, you need to find out if you really want this job!
Have at least half a dozen questions prepared that need more than a yes or no answer. Ask about the nature of the work, the opportunities for growth and development and the training given to new staff. Ask how the position you are applying for fits into the company structure, and what it means on a day-to-day basis. Also ask some questions about where the company is going and what its future strategies are, and how it is adapting to industry trends. Knowing what is going on in their industry and asking how they see it always comes across as very impressive to interviewers, so read around first.
Another good question is to ask what they are looking for in the perfect person to fill this job; you can then make sure you let them know that you fit all their criteria before the end of the interview. And remember - questioning the interviewer does not mean asking about wages or benefits! Wait until you have been offered the position to talk about money, and don't be the one to bring it up.
Stay calm, speak slowly and try to let the interview turn into a conversation, rather than a question and answer session. If the dialogue flows naturally then the interviewer will think that they have more in common with you and know you better than they actually do. Therefore, let them direct the conversation but take an active part in it by speaking freely and not giving one-word answers. You should never be over-friendly, but take the lead from the interviewer as to the tone of the discussion. If they are friendly and open, make yourself personable; if they are formal and reserved, be as businesslike yourself. Don't ramble and don't interrupt; if you feel you are going on too much, pause, collect your thoughts and summarise what you want to say. Research shows that successful job interviewees spend 50 per cent of the time listening, rather than doing all the talking.
Leave on the right note
Always express your interest in the job just before leaving. This doesn't mean saying anything desperate or false; just let them know that you are impressed with what you have seen so far, and that you look forward to hearing from them. Find out what the next step is; will they contact you or will you send them examples of your work? And then thank them for their time. You want to leave them with no doubt in their minds that you are the right person for the job.
The day after the interview, send a brief but polite letter or email saying how much you enjoyed meeting the interviewer, how interesting the discussion was, and how much you look forward to hearing from them. Keep it short and undemanding; selling yourself all over again will make you look desperate. Just say that you are very interested in the position, and thank them again for their time. Not only is it polite, but it puts you back in their mind in a positive way.
After it's all over, take time to think about the interview and write down what you think went wrong, and what you think came across well. Even if you don't get this job, you can only get better and better with each interview!
Practice makes perfect
Although you can never prepare for every eventuality in an interview, here are some of the common questions that come up:
Why did you apply for this job?
Why do you want to work for this company?
Why should I hire you?
What would you do if this happened?
What is your biggest strength?
What is your biggest weakness?
What was your worst mistake, and how did you learn from it?
What accomplishments in your last position are you most proud of?
Describe a challenge you faced and how you overcame it?
Why did you leave/ are you leaving your last job?
What do you want from this job?
What are your career goals and how do you plan to achieve them?
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