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By Catherine Adenle http://catherinescareercorner.com Get Hired! Ace that Job Interview

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Why Interview? Types of Interview Interview Preparation Interview Success What Next? Outline By Catherine Adenle http://catherinescareercorner.com

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Can (s)he do the job? Is (s)he better than the others? IS Will (s)he fit in? WILL Does (s)he really want the job? DOES Why Interview? CAN By Catherine Adenle http://catherinescareercorner.com

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Panel Formal/Informal Telephone/Video Link Competency Assessment Centre Telephone and Video Employers use both as a way of identifying and recruit candidates for employment. Phone interviews are often used to screen candidates in order to narrow the pool of applicants who will be invited for in-person interviews. Both are also used to minimize the expenses involved in interviewing out-of-town candidates. Formal/Informal Usually 1:1 or 1:2. They both allow a candidate to familiarize themselves with the position. Prepared questions and job information are aimed at the candidate. Panel Panel interviews involve having a group of hiring stakeholders (3 to 6 is a typical number) conduct the interview jointly and lob both prepared and off-the-cuff questions at a candidate . Competency In a Competency Based Interview, the questions will all be Behavioral Based and for this reason these interviews are referred to as Behavioral Interviews . Indeed they are sometime referred to as Structured Interviews and this is because each candidate is asked the same questions in the same order with no deviation. Assessment Centre These are an extended period of interviews, assessed tasks and assessment exercises, organized and held by recruiters for small groups of graduate level candidates (usually between 6 and 20 people). Recruiters use assessment centre to find out how candidates perform in various situations,. By Catherine Adenle http://catherinescareercorner.com Types of Interview

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Presentation Psychometric Group Role Play Aptitude Tests Group This is a group interview where tasks and exercises are held by recruiters for groups. Recruiters use this to find out how candidates perform in various situations, in particular group situations, which are often modeled on real life work-based scenarios. Psychometric tests These tests aim to measure attributes like intelligence, aptitude and personality, providing a potential employer with an insight into how well you work with other people, how well you handle stress, and whether you will be able to cope with the intellectual demands of the job. Presentation Candidates are asked to prepare and present on a topic chosen by the recruiter. In the average interview presentation, a candidate will only have around ten minutes to get the message across. Role Play Role plays may be conducted 1:1. A member of the recruitment team may play the role of an awkward customer and the candidate is asked to deal with their complaint. A role play interview will test candidate’s problem solving, decision making, verbal communication, analytical reasoning skills, and your ability to put forward a persuasive case . Aptitude Tests These tests are designed to assess logical reasoning or thinking performance. They consist of multiple choice questions and are administered under exam conditions. They are strictly timed and a typical test might allow 30 minutes for 30 or so questions. By Catherine Adenle http://catherinescareercorner.com Types of interview contd...

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By Catherine Adenle http://catherinescareercorner.com Body language Voice Interview Presentation numerical value to how people receive communication Content Visual : What the listener sees Body language, stance, enthusiasm, dress, eye contact, handshake, smile, warmth, friendly greeting and confident approach. Vocal : How you say it Tone of voice, hitting the right spot, flow and confidence. Verbal : What you say The content of the message.

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By Catherine Adenle http://catherinescareercorner.com Interview Presentation “ You never get a second chance to create a first impression” 30 seconds 3 seconds 3 minutes Greetings Handshake Eye contact Smile Small talk Quick acknowledgement Calming down Getting comfortable

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Preparation The more thorough your preparation, the most likely your chance of being hired. Practice Practice answering a list of anticipated questions. Turn the answers to illustrate your skills. Presentation Look to create a lasting impression that will get you noticed and remembered Don’t forget the 3 P’s Interview Success By Catherine Adenle http://catherinescareercorner.com

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RESEARCH the company : This includes the company’s products and services, details of how the company was formed or developed, the markets, turnover, plans for the future, number of branches, people employed, the company’s values etc. Take steps to obtain as much information as possible. RESEARCH Look to SHOWCASE your Skills or Prime Selling Points : Look at a copy of your CV, consider your skills that are linked to their requirements. Go through the evidences that will showcase the skills. Remember that the skills won you the interview, now is your opportunity to use them as part of the main agenda in your interview. SHOWCASE REVIEW the job application : Read the job specification carefully again. See if there are any new points that were not apparent in the advertisement or were not covered in your original application. Go through each point and tick off the requirements that you meet, and note potential areas of weakness, do not be discouraged about these areas. Think of how to improve the areas of weakness just in case they ask. REVIEW PREPARE questions and practice answers : It is a brilliant idea to prepare a list of anticipated questions and suitable answers. Look at ways of turning the answers to further illustrate your skills. Share your questions and answers with your mentor, friend or family and know how to answer all the question. Practice in front of a mirror. PREPARE Before the interview By Catherine Adenle http://catherinescareercorner.com

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By Catherine Adenle http://catherinescareercorner.com Interview preparation <ul><li>Research and get prepared </li></ul><ul><li>When – Day, date and time </li></ul><ul><li>What – The position, job description and required skills </li></ul><ul><li>Where - Location, office, room. Journey details </li></ul><ul><li>Who – Who is interviewing? </li></ul><ul><li>What to wear – Smart business wear </li></ul><ul><li>Know all the company’s information – products, news updates and developments </li></ul><ul><li>Re-read the application and CV </li></ul><ul><li>Print and take along extra copies of your CV and any other necessary documents. </li></ul>

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By Catherine Adenle http://catherinescareercorner.com Top 10 qualities of a successful candidate <ul><li>Presence </li></ul><ul><li>Connect the Dots </li></ul><ul><li>Confident Enthusiasm </li></ul><ul><li>Strong Vision </li></ul><ul><li>Ethics </li></ul><ul><li>Evolution verses Revolution </li></ul><ul><li>Power of Sharing </li></ul><ul><li>Be in the Moment </li></ul><ul><li>Sense of Urgency </li></ul><ul><li>Consistency </li></ul>

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1. Ability to Take Direction 2. Positive, Proactive Attitude 3. Productivity 4. Flexibility 5. Integrity and Honesty 6. Communication and Interpersonal Skills 7. Teamwork Style 8. Loyalty 9. Willingness to Learn 10. Initiative 11. Willingness to Help 12. Time Management Skills 13. Problem Solving Skills 14. Planning and Organizational Skills 15. Decision Making 16. Goal Setting 17. Motivation Level and Energy 18. Stress Management 19. Creativity 20. Leadership Abilities and Style By Catherine Adenle http://catherinescareercorner.com 20 Qualities that will be examined

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By Catherine Adenle http://catherinescareercorner.com Interview Do’s <ul><li>Do your research and know the type of job interview you will be encountering. Prepare and practice for the interview </li></ul><ul><li>Do take a practice run to the location where you are having the interview — or be sure you know exactly where it is and how long it takes to get there. </li></ul><ul><li>Do dress the part for the job, the company, the industry. And do err on the side of conservatism. If you’re not sure, you should consider dressing conservatively. </li></ul><ul><li>Do plan to arrive about 15 minutes early. Late arrival for a job interview is never excusable. </li></ul><ul><li>Do greet the receptionist or assistant with courtesy and respect. This is where you make your first impression. </li></ul><ul><li>Do bring extra CVs and your skills Portfolio to the interview. </li></ul><ul><li>Do greet the interviewer(s) by title (Ms., Mr., Dr.) and last name if you are sure of the pronunciation. (If you’re not sure, do ask the receptionist about the pronunciation before going into the interview. </li></ul><ul><li>Do shake hands firmly. Don’t have a limp or sweaty handshake! </li></ul><ul><li>Do wait until you are offered a chair before sitting. And do remember body language and posture: sit upright and look alert and interested at all times. </li></ul><ul><li>Do make good eye contact with your interviewer(s). </li></ul><ul><li>Do show enthusiasm in the position and the company. </li></ul><ul><li>Do avoid using poor language, slang, and pause words (such as “like,” “uh,” and “um”). </li></ul><ul><li>Do have a high confidence and energy level, but don’t be overly aggressive. </li></ul><ul><li>Do make sure that your good points come across to the interviewer in a factual, sincere manner, remember evidences to support your skills claim </li></ul>

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By Catherine Adenle http://catherinescareercorner.com Interview Don’ts <ul><li>Don’t just rely on your application, cover letter or CV to do the selling for you. No matter how qualified you are for the position, you will need to sell yourself/skills to the interviewer. </li></ul><ul><li>Don’t excuse yourself to go for a cigarette and don’t ask for tea or coffee unless you are offered. </li></ul><ul><li>Don’t tell jokes during the interview and don’t do any impressions. </li></ul><ul><li>Don’t smoke beforehand so that you smell like smoke. And do brush your teeth, use mouthwash, or have a breath mint before the interview. </li></ul><ul><li>Don’t be too soft-spoken. A mildly forceful voice projects confidence. </li></ul><ul><li>Don’t act as though you would take any job or are desperate for employment. </li></ul><ul><li>Don’t say anything negative about former colleagues, supervisors, or employers. </li></ul><ul><li>Don’t ever lie. Answer questions truthfully, frankly and succinctly. </li></ul><ul><li>Don’t answer questions with a simple “yes” or “no.” Explain. Describe those things about yourself that showcase your talents, skills, and determination. Give examples. </li></ul><ul><li>Don’t bring up or discuss personal issues or family problems. </li></ul><ul><li>Don’t respond to an unexpected question with an extended pause or by saying something like, “boy, that’s a tough/good question.” </li></ul><ul><li>Don’t answer mobile/cell phone calls during the interview, and do turn it off (or if you must, set to silent). </li></ul><ul><li>Don’t inquire about salary, vacations, bonuses, retirement, or other benefits until after you’ve received an offer. Be prepared for a question about your salary requirements, but do try and delay salary talk until you have an offer. </li></ul>

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By Catherine Adenle http://catherinescareercorner.com 1. Do your homework : Research the company on the internet and get as much information as possible. Use various specialist sites such as ft.com/marketsdata to familiarize yourself with the company or organization. Remember the 3Ps – P repare, P lan, and be P ositive. 2. Prepare: Before hand, get a paper and a pen, prepare a list of interview questions that you expect to be asked and decide how to answer them. Read through several times to understand how to answer the questions. Do not learn the answers by heart as this will increase your stress level. 3. Plan : Plan properly as this will allow you to find the best path to achieve your objectives. You have to set out planning for the predictable and the unpredictable. What if your car should break down or the train is late? Have you got the telephone number of the company and the name of the person to call just in case? 4. Sleep For two consecutive days before the interview, ensure you get good amount of sleep. Being tired the day of your interview can make you irritable and less prepared. It is easy to get stressed due to lack of sleep. 5. Arrive early Arrive to your interview at least 30 minutes before your interview is supposed to begin. Stay inside your car to review any notes that you may want to go through again as well as mentally prepare yourself for your upcoming interview. This will let you compose yourself and freshen up. Enter the building where your interview is taking place 10 – 15 minutes before the interview. 10 ways to manage interview stress

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By Catherine Adenle http://catherinescareercorner.com 6. Stay cool : Irrespective of how annoyed you get with the interviewer, try hard to control your anger and your body language. Always keep yourself calm and composed throughout any stressful interviews. Pause, take a few deep breaths, smile while you think of an appropriate answer or response. 7. If in doubt, clarify: If in a panic because you don’t understand the question, be sure to clarify the question and the kind of answer desired. This will buy you some extra time to think about the answer to give. Never be afraid to ask questions, it is important that you ask if you are not sure. 8. Give concise answers : Maintain your focus on the questions and not how irrelevant or biased they sound. Avoid making an issue of the questions. Make your answers concise, sharp and straight to the point. 9. Be prepared for a Conversation : Don’t just answer questions, be prepared for a conversation because if you focus on the conversation you are having, you will forget about stress. Be careful not to get carried away. Focus is the answer to stress. 10. Put things in perspective: The fear of failure or disappointing others is the cause of the stress that most people feel. That fear is then compounded by the fact that many job seekers are at a point where they have very low self-confidence, whether because they have been unemployed for sometime, or because they are unhappy about where they are. Be positive – look at it this way, it is only a job interview, not a life or death situation, so chill out and relax! If you don’t get the job, you will have another chance somewhere else. 10 Ways to manage stress continued…

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By Catherine Adenle http://catherinescareercorner.com Interview Questions The ones to prepare for <ul><li>Tell me about yourself </li></ul><ul><li>What do you know about our organisation? </li></ul><ul><li>Why are you the right person for the job? </li></ul><ul><li>Strengths? </li></ul><ul><li>Weaknesses or areas of improvement? </li></ul><ul><li>Ambition? </li></ul><ul><li>What values can you add? </li></ul><ul><li>Your past achievements and examples? </li></ul><ul><li>Technical details? </li></ul><ul><li>A difficult work problem that you solved? </li></ul><ul><li>Your own questions to the hiring managers? </li></ul><ul><li>Leaving statement? </li></ul>

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By Catherine Adenle http://catherinescareercorner.com Demonstrate Your Skills Use the STAR method Situation : give an example of a situation you were involved in that resulted in a positive outcome Task : describe the tasks involved in that situation Action : talk about the various actions involved in the situation’s task Results : what results directly followed because of your actions

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By Catherine Adenle http://catherinescareercorner.com What are your strengths ? ‘ What are your strengths?’ This is another popular, almost an inevitable question. It may come in a variety of other guises, but they all mean the same thing. Using the information you have prepared regarding your skills, the answer should be obvious. Give your answers without any hesitation, list your skills in order of importance for the job you are after one after the other and provide each with evidence using the STAR method. Answers to most asked questions: Part 1 ‘ Tell me something about yourself’ The invitation question often comes within seconds of your arrival in the interview room. Do not be caught unawares so that you do not provide a waffling or muffled response. This is a wonderful opportunity to set the scene and fully outline your capabilities and attributes . So, write a two-minute sales pitch that embodies each of your skills. Keep your message to the point and do not include unnecessary information. Practice aloud until it rolls off your tongue!

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By Catherine Adenle http://catherinescareercorner.com Your own questions for the hiring manager(s) : Interviewers will always ask if you have questions for them. Create the right impression by preparing at least one question for them. Waste no further opportunities to promote your keenness at securing the job. Get a question from your research into the company and its activities, and strongly connect it to your skills. Your question can concern future training, technical matters, new products or anything to demonstrate your ability and illustrate your skills. Answers to most asked questions: Part 2 Possible ‘weaknesses’ or areas of improvements : There are both positive and negative aspects to any interview’s tactic. As expected, the first will explore your strengths to see why you are the right person for the job while the second will probe your weakness or areas of improvements to see if you are not a suitable candidate. The strategy here is to quickly satisfy the recruiter’s doubts, but also to immediately direct the interviewer to a relevant Prime Selling Point that should diffuse the perceived weakness .

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By Catherine Adenle http://catherinescareercorner.com What kind of salary do you need? A loaded question. A nasty little game that you will probably lose if you ask or answer first. So, do not answer it. Instead, say something like, “ That’s a tough question. Can you tell me the range for this position?” In most cases, the interviewer, taken off guard, will tell you. If not, say that it can depend on the details of the job. Then give a wide range. Answers to most asked questions: What do co-workers say about you? Be prepared with a quote or two from co-workers. Either a specific statement or a paraphrase will work. ‘ Jill Clark, a co-worker at Smith Company, always said I was the hardest workers she had ever known.’ It is as powerful as Jill having said it at the interview herself. Why do you want to work for this organization? This may take some thought and certainly, should be based on the research you have done on the organization. Sincerity is extremely important here and will easily be sensed. Relate it to your long-term career goals. Part 3

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By Catherine Adenle http://catherinescareercorner.com Leaving statement after the interview : It is important to prepare the scene for getting off the interview chair. Visualize gathering your belongings, rising with a smile, a firm handshake with a friendly but business like parting statement: ‘ Thank you for your time. I have enjoyed the interview and feel that it is been very useful. It has increased my interest in the job and confirmed my ability to be of value to your company.’ Remember that you are still creating a lasting impression that will get you noticed and remembered. Answers to most asked questions: Part 4 Explain how you would be an asset to this organization You should not be anxious for this question. It gives you a chance to highlight your best points as they relate to the position being discussed. Give a little advance thought to this relationship. What motivates you to do your best on the job? This is a personal trait that only you can say, but good examples are: Challenge, Achievement, Recognition

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By Catherine Adenle http://catherinescareercorner.com Never say these 10 things <ul><li>How much does the job pay? </li></ul><ul><li>What does your company make (or do)? </li></ul><ul><li>Do not use SLANG words or phrases in your job interview. </li></ul><ul><li>What can you do for me; what are the benefits like vacations, promotions and bonuses? </li></ul><ul><li>No profanity or cursing of any kind. </li></ul><ul><li>No stereotypical language </li></ul><ul><li>Do not criticize any former employer. </li></ul><ul><li>If you are asked if you have any questions don’t say “No.” </li></ul><ul><li>I don’t have any weaknesses </li></ul><ul><li>Don’t tell them your life story. </li></ul>

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By Catherine Adenle http://catherinescareercorner.com Always have some questions prepared. Questions prepared where you will be an asset to the organization are good. <ul><li>How soon will I be able to be productive? </li></ul><ul><li>What type of projects will I be able to assist on? </li></ul><ul><li>What are my key objectives for this role in the first 6 months? </li></ul><ul><li>What opportunities are there for me to utilize and develop my skills further </li></ul><ul><li>What are the challenges of this role? </li></ul><ul><li>Do you have any reservation about my ability to do the job? </li></ul><ul><li>What is expected of me in the first 3 months? </li></ul><ul><li>What is the next step after this interview? </li></ul>Your own question “ Do you have any questions for us/me?”

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By Catherine Adenle http://catherinescareercorner.com Steps to Success Plan, prepare, prepare and prepare Dress the part Get your message across perfectly – practice, practice, practice Be enthusiastic Be positive Be ready to impress Review, learn and improve

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By Catherine Adenle http://catherinescareercorner.com After the interview Review and Learn What went well, list them and congratulate yourself What were the questions you weren’t prepared for and how could you have answered them? Are there any improvements you can make? How can you work on these areas of improvements? Document all of the findings and while you wait to hear back, get prepared for the next interview.

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By Catherine Adenle http://catherinescareercorner.com Ace the interview If you think you can, or think you cannot, you are absolutely right!

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By Catherine Adenle http://catherinescareercorner.com Questions Contact: Catherine Adenle http://catherinescareercorner.com http://twitter.com/catherineadenle