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Or perhaps it's some snotty-nosed little punk that's interviews
you - he doesn't know you. He doesn't understand what you do -
or what difference you can make. But because he's a link from
where you are to where you want to be, you indulge his little
power-trip, attitude and incompetence.
Sometimes it goes ok. Sometimes it's a total waste of time.
Sometimes you ace it. Sometimes you just don't know. That's
interviewing for you.
Ok - so let's examine some key ideas on how you can get yourself
ready, walk in, and "take it away" successfully.
The first bit of
info you need in order to prepare properly is what position
you're applying for. What's the title? What's the role or
function? You've got to have some idea. Avoid taking the "I'll
take anything that comes up" job hunting strategy. It's for
losers. Winners are focussed, they know what they want, they
don't leave things to chance. So, know what position you're
interviewing for.
Then your homework begins. Brainstorm the position - what will
it likely involve? What will the different duties be? How does
the position fit into the success of the department or
organisation? What will likely be what's expected of you in the
role? If you're struggling to come up with ideas - speak to
someone who fills a similar role or speak to more experienced
people to get ideas.
Why do this? 2 Reasons. Your mind will be getting itself ready,
getting into the groove of the role/subject for discussion. And
secondly, knowledge like this will give you the basis for
knowing what's likely to be discussed in the interview, and
therefore you'll be able to prepare more thoroughly. More on
this later.
"Do some research on the company." Nothing new here. So you
visit their website take a look around and there you go - you've
done "some research on the company". Right? Wrong.
Now first - most often when going to agency interviews they
won't divulge the name of the employing company at all until
perhaps the last minute before your company interview. That's
typical. And infuriating. Anyway ... let's take two angles on
this subject.
- When you know the name of the company. When researching the
company, here's what you're looking for:
- How do they make money? What processes are involved? Where do
you fit in?
- What news is there - what's recently been launched, what new
technology is affecting their business or sector, what contracts
have been won, what's the industry outlook?
- What problems, challenges, obstacles and competition are being
faced?
- What keeps the business people in this sector awake at night -
worrying?
- What could be 'hurting' them - their efficiency, smooth
running of company/department etc?
- Where are they losing money/efficiency/clients/profits/time
and why?
- In what areas do you see yourself fitting in and making a
strong contribution?
Here's your purpose: Knowledge is power. It impresses. It helps
you to envision how you can help make things better - don't
leave that to the last minute, or to the interview room. Your
mind needs time to process what you learn and come up with
answers that could make all the difference. Check out websites,
speak to contacts, read relevant trade journals - gather your
intelligence.
- If you don't know the name of the company. Here's what you
should try:
- Push the recruiter hard for information on the company. Tell
them you don't necessarily want the name but you want as much
info as possible to prepare properly - remind him/her tactfully
that they stand to make a big commission if you get the job. But
if no luck with that - you'll have to ask some questions in the
interview with the employer.
- Tell the interviewer how you were not told the company name
until the last minute - then ask if you can just quickly discuss
the company (see questions above in scenario 1). It's not much
but it's something. Just don't forget to do it.
This point is brief but crucial. Manage your expectations. Don't
expect that you're going to get the job. You probably won't.
Harsh? Maybe. But the statistics show it. Negative? Yes, a
little, but by 'negative' I don't mean insolent, cynical,
bitter, depressed, down on yourself, or pessimistic. The job
market is just like that - people get hired for all sorts of
crazy reasons - you may be the best person for the job - but you
won't get hired. It happens. All the time. So just understand
that that's how it works.
The benefit of being a little 'negative' in your attitude?
You'll feel more relaxed. It's a mistake to rest all your hopes
on one interview to get your next job. Prepare as if it's the
only interview - but don't invest too much in the result (one
way or the other) of that one interview.
It's much better for your nerves and stress levels to line up as
many interviews as possible.
So you know the position. You know the company.
In your experience, using common sense too, what are the 5 key
tasks/functions and outcomes you'll likely be asked to deliver
if given that job?
Done it? Ok - well there you have a rough blueprint of what's
likely to be explored in the interview. The interviewer will be
trying to establish whether you can deliver on those 5 key
things or not.
As a person of some experience yourself (or in discussion with
someone who has) what questions would you logically raise if you
were in the interviewer's seat? What would you want to know?
What examples would you ask for? What would you be looking for
and how would you go about extracting it?
Brainstorm, discuss - get clarity. Again, get your mind in the
groove - so that when you face the 'fire' of the interview,
you're ready and waiting.
So you know the position. You know the company. You have a good
idea of what questions will be asked.
Now - how do you answer? Just two tips here.
- Keep it short. Don't be intimidated by long silences. They're
a tool used by the interviewer to make you go on and on and
divulge irrelevant, sometimes compromising information which is
then interpreted as representing the "real" you. So, answer the
question quickly. Then shut up. Don't waffle. Rather ask the
interviewer if they'd like you to expand on any one facet. Let
them lead you. Don't assume you know what information they want
- you'll risk being very dull and boring, and totally off track.
- Use lots of examples in your answers. They add credibility.
They add interest and believability. It's all good. How to do
it? Use the P - A - R formula. Problem faced. Action taken.
Results achieved. Tell a little story. But keep it short. And be
specific when dealing with results - use figures, percentages,
situation before vs. situation after, etc. Answers given in this
fashion are a strong persuader. Use it.
Be early. But on-time early. Not "what's this person doing here
an hour early?" early. Be 5 minutes early. Not 45 minutes early.
Get to the building as early as you like - but don't walk in to
the office earlier than 5 minutes early. Too early has an air of
desperation about it. Of course, on the other hand, don't be
late. You'll feel rushed, sweaty, and you'll have no time to
catch a breath and compose yourself.
- Dress up rather than down.
- Be smart rather than casual.
- Don't be flashy, be conservative.
- Be clean.
- Brush/comb your hair.
- Be fresh - not sloppy, not jaded, not stale or worn.
- Wear deodorant. Although DON'T wear perfume/aftershave. Just
don't. In the confines of a small interview room it can be
overpowering. It's irritating for the interviewer to go around
the rest of the day with your aftershave ever present on their
hands or papers or desk, etc.
- Don't smoke just before the interview. In fact don't smoke at
all. It's such a big turn off to a non-smoker that it could just
prejudice your chances (you may get one of those "you're
overqualified" type feedbacks).
- Take a tooth-brush/paste and use it before the interview.
- Don't try to be sexy and don't dress sexy. Don't wear short
skirts. Don't reveal your cleavage. It may be your best asset -
but really, if you want to be taken seriously, rather tone it
down. Invest in an expensive suit/outfit. Be professional.
Following on from the above, but on a behaviour theme:
- Practice your smile. Practice a firm (and dry) handshake.
Practice looking people in the eye - not in a weird, prolonged
way - but just enough to look confident, friendly and strong.
- Show propriety - orderliness, politeness, be agreeable, show
courtesy and decorum, be modest, well mannered, etc. Sure, you
want to be yourself, and confident, but just reign it in a
little, ok, until you've established more of a relationship. And
guys, don't flirt with the receptionist.
- Sit upright. Don't lean back or forward. Be relaxed but not
sloppy.
You want to come across as a nice person to have around - not as
a risk, liability or overwhelming.
Yep - asking questions is important. But only if you ask the
right ones. There may be questions burning in your bones, like
"what's the money!?" but resist, resist, resist asking them, the
time to ask them is once interest has been established from both
sides (2nd or 3rd interview perhaps). Although the one exception
is money - it's good to establish early (the recruiter or HR
person will want to establish this too) that the position is
compatible with your expectations. But rather focus most
attention on questions like these:
- How did the vacancy arise?
- What are some of the failures in the position so far?
- What are some of the successes in the position/department so
far?
- What would you like to see the new person accomplish in the
first 3 months?
- What does Management value most in the person filling the
role?
A warning! Ask these questions in your own words. And know why
they're good questions - if you don't, don't ask them. You don't
want the interviewer saying - "what do you mean?" and then you
say "uum, I'm not really sure!?". Okay?
Why are they important? They 'mine' crucial information. They
provide insight and help you to tailor your presentation to suit
the client. They show confidence. They show you want to get to
the heart of the position - in order to provide a solution. Not
many other applicants will ask them, so you'll stand out.
There are any number of tough questions. And any number of slick
answers that could work or backfire badly. The bottom line is -
the interviewer knows it's a tough question. They're expecting
it to be uncomfortable for you. So the first thing you should do
is smile and take a breath. Listen carefully to the question
(every question in fact), make sure you've understood it
correctly, ask for clarification if required, and then take a
moment to gather your thoughts. Don't hurry your answers.
Here are some examples:
Why do you want to work here? - Don't make stuff up. Only speak
from your research and about things that have truly impressed
you. Otherwise just say, well I haven't really seen enough of
the company to answer that - but my first impressions have been
good so far (give impressions).
So tell me about yourself? - Give 5 seconds on your personal
life, give 20 seconds on your professional history/life, give 5
seconds on some interests you have, a little bit of trivia to
end off with.
What are your strengths and weaknesses? - For strengths, focus
on 2 or 3 qualities you have - and be prepared to back them up
with examples. Keep your comments relevant to the position
you're interviewing for. Regarding weaknesses - 1) Focus on an
area that you're lacking in for that position, perhaps a lack of
knowledge of a computer program the company uses or
specific/unique body of knowledge - a lack that can be easily
addressed/developed through a course or by reading a book. Or 2)
Take a weakness from your distant past - discuss briefly how
you've remedied it over the years so that it's no longer a
problem.
It's useful to have a mentor, someone you respect, someone with
experience who can guide, test, and coach you. It'll be time
well spent.
Right, so you don't like being interviewed. But if you're better
prepared. If you know what to expect and how to deal with the
challenges then you'll be more effective, you'll get better
results, and you'll land better job offers.
Gerard le Roux is a Professional CV Writer and Job Hunting Coach
- for free job hunting advice and insights to help you find a
better job fast please visit
www.jobsearching.co.za and
www.wowcv.net. Register free for his free 10 Day Job Hunting
E-Course by sending a blank e-mail to
tendays@getresponse.com -
you'll be sent "Day1" immediately.
Source information – Pnet |
