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Job Interview - Guide (ver: 08/01/2002)

Preparing

Finding Informations

Find out more about the company - you will be able to demonstrate your interest and motivation.

Find out more about your job position - you will be able to explain what you can do for the company.

Search for the following:

Philosophy
Products and services
Customers
Recent news
Financial info, including salary and stock
History
Office locations

Interview Simulation

Train answers to common questions - answer questions about your experience and qualification, then you ask questions about the job.

Train interview with a friend.
Record yourself on the tape to check your diction, speed, and the body language.

Personal Materials

Prepare your materials:

Several copies of your resume
References - previous contracts, confirmations
Certificates
Work samples - demo programs, photos, slides, documentation
Business cards

Appearance

First impress is VERY IMPORTANT!

Dress conservatively.

For women:

A simply business suit is the best.
Wear non-extravagant goodlooking shoes.
Be moderate with make-up and perfume.
Wear simple jewelry.
Hair and fingernails should be well-groomed.

For men:

A clean, ironed shirt and conservative tie are a must.
A simple jacket or business suit is a good idea as well.
Shoes should be polished and not old.
Face should be clean-shaven; facial hair should be neatly trimmed.
Hair and fingernails should be well-groomed.
Use cologne or after-shave sparingly.

Specialities : teeth appearance, hairs in nose, watch strap, dirty ears, pus in eyes.

Take a breath freshener, but don't use the chewing gum.

Take hankies.

Bring a good looking pen and diary, but don't take notes during the interview.

Interview Tricks

Before the Interview

Be on time - it is an evidence of your responsibility and professionalism.

Greet all with a firm handshake and smile.

Relax. Think of the interview as a conversation, not an interrogation. And remember, the interviewer is just as nervous about making a good impression on you.

During the Interview

Show self-confidence. Make an eye contact with the interviewer and answer his questions in a clear voice. Work to establish a relation with the interviewer.

When it is your turn, ask the questions you have prepared in advance. These should cover any information about the company and the job position you could not find in your own research.

Show that you want the job. Display your initiative by talking about what functions you could perform that would benefit the organization, and by giving specific details of how you have helped past employers.

Don't badmouth your last employer!

Don't focus on money!

Always have questions prepared!

Be positive and enthusiastic about the job!

Avoid negative body language. An interviewer wants to see how well you react under a pressure. Avoid these signs of nervousness and tension:

Avoiding eye contact
Slouching
Swinging your foot or leg
Playing with hands
Tight or forced smiles
Bite on your lip
Folding or crossing your arms

Stress - interviewer is may be sarcastic or argumentative, or may keep you waiting - don't take it personally, be calm and never rush into an answer.
Telephone interview - prepare near the phone : resume, pen, notepad. Push for a face-to-face meeting: "I am very interested in exploring the possibility of working in your company. I would appreciate an opportunity to meet with you in person so we can both better evaluate each other."
Telephone interview - if you were called unexpectedly, try to set an appointment to call back by saying something like: "I have a scheduling conflict at this time. Can I call you back tomorrow after work, say 6 PM?".

After the Interview

End the interview with a handshake and thank the interviewer for his or her time.

Let here your business card.

Send a brief "Thanks for the Interview" note.

Interview Questions

"Tell me about yourself."

Make a short overview of your education, professional experiences and professional goals. Then, briefly describe your qualifications for the job and the contributions you could make to the organization.

"Why do you want to work here?" or "What about our company interests you?"

Show what you have learned about the job, the company and the industry through your own research. Talk about how your professional skills will benefit the company.

"Why did you leave your last job?"

You must to show that you din't have any problems on your last job: no possibility of advancement, wanted a job better suited to your skills.

"What are your best skills?"

If you have sufficiently researched the organization, you should be able to imagine what skills the company values. List them, then give examples where you have demonstrated these skills.

"What is your major weakness?"

Be positive; turn a weakness into a strength. For example, you might say: "I often worry too much over my work. Sometimes I work late to make sure the job is done well."

"Do you prefer to work by yourself or with others?"

You are flexible - no problem to work alone, no problem to be teamplayer. Give examples describing how you have worked in both situations.

"What are your career goals?" or "What are your future plans?"

Talk about your desire to learn more and improve your performance, and be specific as possible about how you will meet the goals you have set for yourself.

"What are your hobbies?" and "Do you play any sports?"

The interviewer may be looking for evidence of your job skills outside of your professional experience. For example, hobbies such as chess or bridge demonstrate analytical skills. Reading, music, and painting are creative hobbies. Individual sports show determination and stamina, while group sport activities may indicate you are comfortable working as part of a team. Employees who have creative or athletic outlets for their stress are often healthier, happier and more productive.

"What salary are you expecting?"

You probably don't want to answer this one directly. Instead, deflect the question back to the interviewer by saying something like: "I don't know. What are you planning on paying the best candidate?" Let the employer make the first offer.

However, it is still important to know what the current salary range is for the profession.

Other Questions

Your Qualifications:

What can you do for us that someone else can't do?
What qualifications do you have that relate to the position?
What new skills or capabilities have you developed recently?
Give me an example from a previous job where you've shown initiative.
What have been your greatest accomplishments recently?
What is important to you in a job?
What motivates you in your work?
What have you been doing since your last job?
What qualities do you find important in a coworker?

Your Career Goals:

What would you like to being doing five years from now?
How will you judge yourself successful? How will you achieve success?
What type of position are you interested in?
How will this job fit in your career plans?
What do you expect from this job?
Do you have a location preference?
Can you travel?
What hours can you work?
When could you start?

Your Work Experience:

What have you learned from your past jobs?
What were your biggest responsibilities?
What specific skills acquired or used in previous jobs relate to this position?
How does your previous experience relate to this position?
What did you like most/least about your last job?
Whom may we contact for references?

Your Education:

How do you think your education has prepared you for this position?
What were your favorite classes/activities at school?
Why did you choose your major?
Do you plan to continue your education?