I'm very happy to let you know about the release of our most recent report, How to Prepare for a Successful Job Interview. The report guides you through how to handle a job interview professionally and successfully. It guides you through the importance of making good first impressions and gives you hints on what the interviewer is looking for. It also gives you suggestions on what to say, and perhaps more importantly, what not to say in a job interview relative to your past experience and motivation for the next step. In addition it’ll help you prepare some good questions to ask the interviewer to show your genuine interest.

1. How to Prepare for a
Successful Job Interview

2. First impressions are important and will influence the hiring manager's
decision. You only have one chance to make a first impression so make
sure to smile while giving a nice greeting.
Try to find out the dress code of the company from the recruiter
beforehand and dress appropriately. If you are not sure, stay safe and be
on the conservative side with your clothing, hairstyle, accessories, etc.
Don’t be late!! Arrive at the lobby of the building 15 minutes before the
interview. Some buildings require you to go through the reception desk to
register yourself, get a security card, etc. You want to take the elevator to
go up to the designated floor and introduce yourself at the reception desk
at least 5 minutes prior to the start of the interview. Building reception
and elevator sometimes take longer than expected especially at the top
of the hour when many visitors arrive. Call if you are going to be late.
First Impressions

3. Can this person deliver results? Does this
person have the right skill set, experience
and track record for the role? Will this
person contribute to the organization?
Is there good “chemistry”, given that I would
be spending more hours with this person
than with my family for the next X years?
Does this person fit into the existing team
culture?
The purpose of the interview is to make
sure you are the person described on your
resume. Be ready to explain anything that’s
written on your resume.
The interviewer is asking two questions from
various angles to avoid hiring mistakes.
Why should we hire you?

4. Why
did
you
move?
(1) Push Factor --- dissatisfaction, anxiety or problems you had with
Company A resulting in a desire to leave.
(2) Pull Factor --- feeling that Company B is more attractive to you,
resulting in a desire to join the company.
“Why did you move from Company A to Company B?” --- This is
asked in almost every interview. Prepare “stories” about the reason
for leaving (RFL) and the reason for joining (RFJ) companies. Only
YOU know the "real reason" for resigning or changing jobs, and you
don't need to tell this to anyone. The "real reason" can be either or
both of the following:
The important thing is to emphasize (2) without mentioning (1). You
want to give a positive impression of yourself. So don’t say anything
negative about your previous experience, even if your previous
company was a mess and you had problems with your boss. Saying
something negative about others does not help you keep your
good reputation. It’s okay to talk about your experience of being
made redundant with a separation package due to closing of the
business in Japan or transferring of your function out of Japan and
you decided to stay here because of your family.

5. PAUSE!
Some people never stop
talking. This is damaging!!
Respond to the interview
question with a short,
concise answer first. Then
go into details if the
interviewer shows interest in
hearing more.
TEST?
Sometimes the interviewer intentionally
disagrees with you to test your critical
thinking skills. He/she wants to find out how
you would react and your ability to further
support (without wavering from) the
previous statement. You don’t want to be in
a situation during the interview where you
need to keep changing your opinion.
Keep in mind ...

6. “Why are you here?” “Why are we
talking?” --- Again, you should be
able to give positive reason why you
are interviewing today. Similar to the
discussion on "Why did you move?"
you want to be ready to give positive
reasons for leaving (RFL) and positive
reasons for joining (RFJ). You don’t
want to sound desperate. Don’t say
anything negative about your
current status, current boss or
current employer.
“Are you serious?” --- You are not just
attracted to the company name or the
brand. Show you have a good
understanding of the company, the
business and your fit for the role. Again
the interviewer wants to avoid hiring
mistakes and wants to make sure you
will stay for a long time. If you work for
a competitor, the interviewer will be
extremely careful about your
motivation, and that you are not
interviewing to find out what the
competition is doing.
Motivation

7. What does the interviewer like about this company? What does the
interviewer think the reasons are for him/her being successful at this
company? What are the common traits of successful people at this
company? People love to be asked about their own success stories.
What’s working well and what needs to be changed in the current
organization and business? This is not publicly available and the answer
gives you insights on what is expected of the position.
What would you like the new person in this role to accomplish within the
first 3 to 6 months? Depending on the answer, you can highlight similar
accomplishments you had in the past.
Usually, toward the end of the interview, you will be asked if
you have any questions. The worst answer is, “No, I don’t have any
questions,” since this sounds like you’re not really interested.
Prepare two or three good questions beforehand. Don’t ask questions on
things that you could have researched by reading publicly available
information (news, website, etc.), since this shows lack of preparation. Use
this opportunity to show you have done your research and that you are
seriously interested in the opportunity. You may want to ask the following
types of questions:
Your Questions

8. Be careful when you talk about your
contacts. Candidates (particularly for
business development roles) sometimes
“name drop” people he/she knows.
Unless asked by the interviewer about a
specific name, avoid this talk. Someone
you like maybe someone the interviewer
hates or vice versa.
Don’t bring up discussion on
compensation, benefits and vacation
(unless the interviewer starts talking
about these). The executive search
consultant will help you on these
subjects near offer stage.
Compensation
Name Dropping
Be Careful!!

9. Presented by
Kazuhiko Mori
Senior Director
Makana Partners K.K.
+81 80 1147 1133
km@makanapartners.com
Good Luck!