Tips for job seekers
Get the job of your dreams by following these powerful interview pointers. To be interviewed for a job may seem quite intimidating from the outset. You want to be sure that you end up as the top candidate for the job you have applied for. That is why these pointers can be your road map to a new and exiting future. Here you will find the answers to some of the best techniques and approaches that have already been used by many successful candidates, ordinary questions and answers in addition to ideas about other considerations that may prove vital when meeting your future employer.
Here you can find pointers on what to wear, how to write an impressive thank you letter, as well as other useful information. In short, you will find information on how to maximize your chances of getting dream job.
Many people believe that what is most important about an interview is simply to show up and look
fantastic. Of course it is important to look professional and competent, but that is
unfortunately not the whole story. To achieve one’s goals – whether that being
paying your bills on time or creating your dream career – depends very much
on your behaviour during the interview itself. It may be only minor details that spoil
your chances of getting the job of your dreams or continue life as an ever lasting job
applicant.
As you well know, it may be minor details that may spoil an interview. If you think
about it, in most cases, when you are called for an interview, it is because you
have what is needed for the job. Your task is therefore to use this first victory
for a logical conclusion so that you get an offer from the company. Let us start at
once. Look at the list of articles below. Go through them while asking yourself
how you can adjust this information to suit your specific situation. Write down
ideas as they come, and put your enthusiasm into the preparation. Then go out
and get the job you have always dreamed of.
The best questions to ask
The best questions to ask during an interview. If you are a job applicant, it is important to be prepared to ask questions during the interview. To ask questions is the surest way to signal your genuine interest for the job you are trying to get. Furthermore, you need to remember that the job interview is not to be an one-way communication. In the same way that the company assesses you, you should assess the company. When you ask questions, you convey a discreet signal that you feel relatively certain that you wish to work for the company, but that you have some thoughts of your own. Questions well thought through in an interview indicate that you are an organized person, who is serious when it comes to choosing the right position. This is among the more unknown, but very effective pointers for an interview.
Below are some questions to ask during an interview. You should of course think of additional questions, suited to your concrete situation or to the organization you have applied to.
• Why is the position vacant now?
• How many persons have held this position the last three years?
• What are the main challenges that this position entails?
• What key results are expected of the candidate for this position?
• What results are expected over the course of six months?
• What advancement possibilities do I have?
• Which independent decisions can I make in this position?
• What changes do you wish to see in a new person in this position compared to
the former employee?
• Which key factors will contribute to success in this position?
• Which factors have been the key to the company’s previous success?
• Are any major changes planned within the organisation in the near future?
Also remember that there are some questions that you must not ask during an
interview. You cannot pose any personal questions about the interviewers or any
other of the company’s employees.
Generally speaking, do not ask any questions that are not related to the job, organization or working environment, Keep focused!
Example questions
Examples of job interview questions – get going and get a head start in the competition. Here are a few job interview questions that you are usually asked during an interview. Some questions are without limitations, and give the employer insight into what kind of person you really are. It is important to know these questions, so that you may prepare yourself and give good answers.
The very best pointer we can offer is actually – be prepared! There is no substitute for making a profound preliminary study and to think through answers to questions you may get. This will put you in a favourable position during the interview and differentiate you from other candidates that are to be interviewed, and help you, so that is precisely you who land the job offer.
The biggest advantage to being prepared is that you will appear as very self-assured when you answer the questions. And precisely this self-assurance that you radiate will be a very important factor in a successful job hunt. Let us start with the most common questions.
• Tell me about yourself. Most people dread this question from the interviewer. (You will learn to love it – especially after having read more on how to answer this question).
• What is your best performance to date? (Have a clear answer for this question).
• Why should we hire just you? (Pointer – because it is a great opportunity for you!).
• How do you cope with a stressful job?
• Why do you think that you will fit into our internal company culture? (Check the company, the position you apply for etc. before the interview).
• How do you define success? Are successful now?
• Why do you want a position with us and not with one of our competitors?
• Do you work better alone or as part of a team?
• How do you react to criticism, should your supervisor criticize your job performance?
• Have you ever lost a job? Why?
• What will you do should you have a major difference of opinion with one of your superiors?
• What results have you achieved the last five years?
Consider these questions and potential answers seriously before your interview.
Preparing your answers, is what will show the difference between you and your competitors.
What to wear
How do I dress for a job interview? It is important to think through how to dress for an interview. Whether you like it or not, how you look has a great impact on the interviewers opinion of you. Even if you usually do not care what you wear, be aware of the dress code that applies to an interview. If not you may spoil your chance to get the job that you want. Here is a key pointer to an interview. Check how the company employees dress, and dress a bit more formally or conservatively. What to wear will of course depend on the position you apply for. Some occupations, such as consultants, finance etc. have rather strict dress codes. A suit in blue or grey with a white shirt is suitable for men interviewing for such positions. Women, interviewing for such positions, have more options and can be more colourful.
Are you interviewing for a position in a less conservative industry, as engineering, public health service, schools, etc. the dress code may differ Check how the employees dress and dress accordingly. Here are some more pointers to what you should have in mind. Try to avoid a 100% synthetic outfit. Remember
to check that your clothes are not creased. It is important not to show to much bare skin – this may convey the wrong image of you. The clothes should be loose and light instead of tight. Avoid using new cloths that you have not worn at least once before – that way you avoid unexpected problems during the interview.
Apart from the clothing, you should also contemplate what accessories to wear. A pair of newly polished shoes and a nice wrist watch can strengthen a man’s impression. A silk scarf can add the little extra to a for a woman’s looks. See to it that the pen, jewellery, briefcase, coat etc. look tasteful. Minor details mean something when you are to be the star of the interview and shall land the job you do want.
Remember a Thank You Note/Mail
The secrets of an effective thank-you-for-the-interview note:To send a note/mail with thanks for having had you for an interview, is an important part of the interview process. Amazingly enough, very few job applicants do not do this after an interview. You can turn this to your advantage by sending a note the same day or the day after at the latest. To whom should you send the note? Each person involved in the interview. Your effort in this follow-up thank-you-for-letting-me-come-for-an-interview is two-sided. Firstly, you get to repeat your competence and strength, and how that meets with the company’s requirements. Secondly, this gives you one more opportunity to present yourself prior to the other job applicants.Such a feedback always brings about a positive effect. For instance, should you be one of two potential candidates, your note may be what tips the scales in your favour. In the note/e-mail you send, you should emphasize your interest in the job. Summarize briefly a couple of items in the job description, where you think that you will be a resource for the company and thank them for having let you come. Also let them know that you are available should they need any further information/clarifications. Close by saying that you look forward to hearing from them again.Make use of this little piece of advice and you will be in the finals for the dream job.
Avoid mistakes
Experienced HR interviewers say there are seven major interview mistakes that repeat themselves during an interview. If you make one of these mistakes you will most probably end up in the rejection pile. It is beneficial to be aware of these most common mistakes.
This is mistake number 1: that is done during an interview.- arriving at the interview with a job applicant mentality. What does this mean? Ask yourself why they want to interview you. Because they have problems to solve or goals to achieve, etc. Who is the right candidate? One who is looking for a job, or one who looks upon himself as one who can solve the company’s requirements and be a resource person? Are you the job applicant, you will come across as if your a job hunting, and this will show. You will appear as self-centred. For instance, you will constantly use phrases as, I require – I am looking for – etc. These are serious mistakes during an interviewing phase. Instead, consider your new employers point of view. Find out what kind of competence they are looking for, and recapitulate this with how you can fill this part. You will appear as a problem solver, one who will really be a resource.
Here is mistake number 2: that is repeated during an interview.One appears way too carefulThose conducting the interview meet candidates like this very often. They sit as if they are glued to the chair, have problems answering questions and struggleto find the right answers. By appearing constrained and formal, you reduce your chances for a successful interview. You will not be on the same wavelength as the interviewer, neither be in control of the situation.
Here is the third most common mistake – omit doing research on the company. You cannot present yourself as a problem solver, if you know nothing about the company and what they want. For this facts are needed. Not doing this prior to an interview is a big mistake.
The forth mistake. Not listening. When the interviewer speaks, concentrate and register what is being said. To listen is not just waiting to speak yourself. If you answer in an objective, matter-of-fact sort of way, the employer will loose mistake
No. 5 of the interviewer – not be aware of the body language.
Understand the interviewer’s body language and personal style. This alone will bring you closer to a job offer.
Effective answers to interview questions
We shall address a few good answers to important interview questions. By following this advice, you will bebetter prepared that most others that are going for an interview.
This one of the most common introductory questions: «Tell med something about yourself». Many really struggle to find a proper answer to this question in an interview.
First and foremost, remember to prepare your answer in advance. In most cases it is actually more important to have an answer to this question than to those that may follow. The interviewer is trying to find out how you think, what your focus is and how you present your opinions while answering this question.
Secondly, give concise answers. Sincere questions are not an invitation to long answers. You need not tell absolutely everything about yourself. If suffice to point to a few of your important qualities.
Describe your professional rather than your personal aspects. Do not start with «I was born …..» or «I am single». Apart from where this information is pertinent.
Here are some things that you can address in your answers:
• Show enthusiasm about being at the interview (if you have not done so already when you first met the interviewer)
• Describe your present work situation. What you do, as well as a little extra information, a few complementary items.
• Tell about you two to four strong points or professional advantages. Below is an example of how to answer this heavy question.
«First, I would like to say how nice it is to meet you, not least because I have
heard so much exiting about your company and about your personal
achievements in this line of business. And I think I could be the right person for you.
I am presently employed as the manager for the accounting department at the ABB Corporation.
I have eight years experience in accounting and internal auditing having been
employed by two Fortune 500 companies. As far as I know, my superiors regard me
as an effective supervisor, good problem solver, and I am good at
improving and preparing new office systems and procedures, so I am capable of
developing all three, should you require me to do so»
It may be easier to answer the following question after a question like that. Here
is a similar key question you may get. «What are your weaker points?» Another
question that gives you goose bumps.
Here are a few aspects to this question. First of all do not try to pass on your
strong points as weak points. If you try to indicate that you are a workaholic
and control freak, it will not come across as positive.
Your weak points must not seem improper in view of the job you do.
Are you working in assurance, do not say that your weak point is statistics.
Do tell them that you lack some theoretical knowledge rather than that you are
unsuited for the job. A lack of theoretical knowledge is more easily replaced than
personality.
Pointers to a Telephone Interview
Telephone interview – pointers that will help you get the job.These telephone interview pointers will increase your chances for a successful interview and bring you closer to a job offer. Usually, a telephone interview more is the exception than the rule. It is used is there a great distance between you and the company. This interview format is usually followed up by a meeting face to face. It is rare that a decision is made solely on a telephone interview.Telephone interviews do have their advantages though. Your looks, what you wear, body language do not count. You feel more relaxed since you are in familiar surroundings. Beware the following pieces of advise. Telephone interviews also have their negative sides. The communication becomes more difficult since both parties do not register non-verbal signals. Establishing a good rapport over the telephone may prove difficult for the same reason, and will be an additional challenge during the job application process.A few useful pointers to a telephone interview follow:Even if your are invisible to the interviewer, dress to feel well. The reason being psychological – most people will feel more self-confident and relaxed when they feel at ease. When preparing for the interview, you should write down things you wish to ask or raise. It is advantageous to have these at hand. When you talk to the interviewer – stand. This increases you energy level and provides an increased self-confidence. However, do not move across the floor - you might seem out of breath even if you do not notice it yourself. Keep a comfortable tone of voice and express yourself clearly. This also applies to ordinary interviews.Avoid noices such as «umm», «uh» etc. This does not sound good over the telephone. Your voice is the only thing the interviewer can relate to. Such noices seem to be perceived negatively. This is a general piece of advise, but make sure not to be disurbed with phone calls, intercom office visits etc. If you are at home, see to it that you will not be interrupted by children.By adhering by this pointers your chance of success will increase