How to succeed at interviews.Introduction The recruitment or selection interview represents an opportunity to present yourself to a potential employer as someone who has the skills, experience and knowledge to do the job and make a significant contribution to the organisation. Many people face interviews with trepidation trepidation /trep·i·da·tion/ (trep?i-da´shun) 1. tremor. 2. nervous anxiety and fear.trep´idant trep·i·da·tion n. 1. An involuntary trembling or quivering. , but good interview skills can help you to make a good impression and secure the job or the promotion you seek. Whatever type of interview you face, careful preparation is a key factor in how you perform on the day and the impression you create. Definition Interviews are formal face to face meetings between existing or potential employers and existing or potential employees. In some circumstances, where a face to face meeting is impossible, interviews may also be conducted by telephone. This checklist focuses on selection interviews which aim to assess (or partly assess) an individual's suitability for a job whether inside or outside their current organisation. Action checklist 1. Clarify your objectives Always think through in advance what you want from the interview--a job offer, more information on the job and the organisation, an opportunity to meet the decision makers. If your objective is unclear, it will be obvious to the interviewers--and these people could be significant in your future. 2. Do your research Find out as much as you can about the interview, the job and the organisation. This will involve some research, especially with regard to the organisation. The Interview: Make sure you know: * how to get there * who will interview you * what format the interview will take (group, one to one, tests, presentations). The Job: A careful review of any documentation you have been sent, especially copies of the job description and the person specification, if there is one, will help you to establish: * the extent of duties and reporting relationships * the history and background to the appointment * the employer's expectations of the appointee APPOINTEE. A person who is appointed or selected for a particular purpose; as the appointee under a power, is the person who is to receive the benefit of the trust or power. * the conditions of employment conditions of employment that part of an employment that sets out the duties, responsibilities, hours of work, salary, leave and other privileges to be enjoyed by persons employed, for example a veterinary nurse, in private practice. and location of work. The Organisation: Discover as much as you can about: * history, ownership and products * size, structure and location of sites * stability, prosperity and financial strength * reputation, strengths and weaknesses * competitors. 3. Know yourself You need to make an impression that will bring attention to you as the candidate for the job rather than just another runner. Review your personal experience, skills, strengths and weaknesses and evaluate what makes you special, how you fit the position, and what you have to offer. Consider how you will convey these messages to the interviewer. 4. Prepare yourself for success Fear of failure can paralyse par·a·lyse v. Chiefly British Variant of paralyze. paralyse or US -lyze Verb [-lysing, -lysed] or -lyzing, interview candidates. Focusing on your shortcomings A shortcoming is a character flaw. Shortcomings may also be:
5. Your appearance First impressions count. An impression is made before you respond to any questions. Ensure that your appearance is professional and smart: * appropriate clothes are essential * finer points including hair, nails and shoes, must not be forgotten * avoid too much scent or after-shave * avoid extremes of colour or pattern in clothes. 6. Prepare for questioning Think about the questions you may be asked, and prepare appropriate answers. Questions may include: * Self-assessment: What can you do for us that someone else can't? Why should we appoint you? What are your strengths and what limits you? How would you describe your own personality? How do you react to pressure and deal with deadlines? * Work history and experience: Tell me a little about yourself. Why are you leaving your present position? What have been your successes? * Organisation: How much do you know about our organisation? How long would it take you to make a meaningful contribution to our organisation? What important trends do you see in our industry? * Job: Why do you want to work for us? What do you find most attractive about this position? What seems least attractive to you? What do you look for in a job? * Management style: What is your management style? Are you a good manager and why? What do you think is the most difficult thing about being a manager? If I spoke to your former boss, what would they say were your strengths and weaknesses? * General interests and knowledge: What was the last book you read, film you saw, sporting event you attended? What do you do to relax? 7. At the interview Before the interview begins, there are certain steps to take which will help you succeed: * arrive at your interview with sufficient time to enable you to relax a little beforehand * when meeting the interviewer(s), smile and use good eye contact * use good body language (sit upright and lean slightly forward) convey an impression of interested alertness * don't fidget fidg·et v. fidg·et·ed, fidg·et·ing, fidg·ets v.intr. 1. To behave or move nervously or restlessly. 2. with your hands or keep crossing and uncrossing your legs etc.. 8. Answering questions Bear in mind that interview questions are designed to find out about you and your suitability for the post. Listen attentively and answer succinctly suc·cinct adj. suc·cinct·er, suc·cinct·est 1. Characterized by clear, precise expression in few words; concise and terse: a succinct reply; a succinct style. 2. . Remember, too, that you are interviewing the employer at the same time as they are interviewing you. When replying to questions you should: * keep to the point * structure your answer so that it is logical and easily understood * maintain good, but not excessive, eye contact * speak out with confidence and ensure you can be heard clearly * look prepared and have appropriate information to hand * project interest in the organisation and job, and be interesting in your replies and questions * be honest: admit to limitations, and don't exaggerate accomplishments. Answer the questions in a way which demonstrates your qualities. Use statements which: * are assertive as·ser·tive adj. Inclined to bold or confident assertion; aggressively self-assured. as·ser  tive·ly adv.
* begin "I am ...." * show that you are proud of your achievements. 9. Prepare your own questions Prepare some questions of your own in advance, relating to relating to relate prep → concernant relating to relate prep → bezüglich +gen, mit Bezug auf +acc the job or the organisation. This helps to demonstrate your interest. Your questions should not relate exclusively to money or conditions of employment. 10. Deal positively with the closing moments of the interview Last impressions are important. Thank the interviewers for their time, re-affirm your interest in the position and state that you look forward to hearing from them in the near future. How not to succeed at interview: Don't: * arrive late * interrupt, argue, overreact o·ver·re·act v. To react with unnecessary or inappropriate force, emotional display, or violence. or get on your soap box * let your nervousness spoil spoil v. spoiled or spoilt , spoil·ing, spoils v.tr. 1. a. To impair the value or quality of. b. To damage irreparably; ruin. 2. the impression you make * be evasive e·va·sive adj. 1. Inclined or intended to evade: took evasive action. 2. Intentionally vague or ambiguous; equivocal: an evasive statement. , speak too quickly or give long, involved answers * criticise Crit´i`cise v. t. 1. To examine and judge as a critic; to pass literary or artistic judgment upon; as, to criticise an author; to criticise a picture s>. [ imp. & p. third parties, or former employers * become over-familiar. Additional resources Books Ultimate interview book: make a great impression and get that job, Lynn Williams Lynn Williams can refer to:
London: Kogan Page 2005 How to pass professional level psychometric tests psychometric test Any test used to quantify a particular aspect of a person's mental abilities or mindset–eg, aptitude, intelligence, mental abilities and personality. See IQ test, Personality testing, Psychological testing. , 2nd ed, Sam Al-Jajjoka London: Kogan Page, 2004 Rob Yeungs Rob Yeung is a British business psychologist and management author. He presented the BBC television series Who Would Hire You? in which real life candidates went through the recruitment process. insider guide to successful interviews, Rob Yeung Oxford: How to Books, 2002 Tackling interview questions in a week, Mo Shapiro and Alison Straw London: Hodder and Stoughton, 2002 Succeeding at interviews in a week, Alison Straw and Mo Shapiro London: Hodder and Stoughton, 2002 How to succeed at an assessment centre: test taking advice from the experts, Harry Tolley and Robert Wood There are have been several people named Robert Wood:
London: Kogan Page, 2001 This is a selection of books available for loan to members from the Management Information Centre. More information at: www.managers.org.uk/mic Related checklist New joiner join·er n. 1. A carpenter, especially a cabinetmaker. 2. Informal A person given to joining groups, organizations, or causes. : getting the job you thought you did (201) Internet resources The Chartered Management Institute Inspiring Leaders The Chartered Management Institute is a professional institution for managers, based in the United Kingdom. In addition to supporting its members, the organisation encourages management development, carries out research, produces a wide variety Career Development site at www.managers.org.uk/careers offers interview advice for members including guide notes and sample questions and answers. Many jobsites offer tips on job hunting, including handling interviews. For example: Jobcentre Plus Jobcentre Plus (Welsh: Canolfan Byd Gwaith) is the government-funded employment agency facility and the social security office for working-age people in the United Kingdom. : www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk Look under "Looking for Looking for In the context of general equities, this describing a buy interest in which a dealer is asked to offer stock, often involving a capital commitment. Antithesis of in touch with. a Job" for advice on job hunting, including preparing for interview. Workthing.com: www.workthing.com Look under Career Advice and then select Interviews and Negotiations. Monster Career Centre: http://content.monster.co.uk Look under Get the Job and then select Interviews and Assessments. The Psychological Testing psychological testing Use of tests to measure skill, knowledge, intelligence, capacities, or aptitudes and to make predictions about performance. Best known is the IQ test; other tests include achievement tests—designed to evaluate a student's grade or performance Centre: www.psychtesting.org.uk provides advice for those taking tests from the British Psychological Society The British Psychological Society (BPS) is the representative body for psychologists and psychology in the United Kingdom. The BPS is a charity and, along with advantages, this also imposes certain constraints on what the society can and cannot do. . |
|
||||||||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion