| |
| |
|
Careers & Employment Information |
|
|
|
Great Interview Skills
Going for a job interview can be a harrowing experience. The reasons are varied: A job applicant may not have the necessary relevant working experience or may be worried about the inability to answer difficult questions. Even the pressure of needing a job to pay for the living expenses can cause a job applicant to "freeze" or go numb with anxiety during the interview. Being appropriately attired and well groomed is a definite must. Punctuality is also an important criterion. Here are some more pointers to help make your job interview a relaxing and effective experience. Speak Clearly: The interview is going to be a useless exercise if the interviewer cannot make out what you are talking about. Thus if you are nervous, take a deep breath and focus on the interview questions. Don't rush through your answers or make unqualified statements. Most interviewers take down answers just in case a group of job applicants are short-listed. Bring Supporting Documents: Remember to bring supporting documents that you did not include in your initial resume. This can be a letter of commendation, ECA achievement or even the journal of an overseas field trip. These documents can supplement your strengths and provide a positive impression to the interviewer that you can provide intrinsic benefits to the workplace. Don't Rebut the Interviewer's Questions: It is rude to rebut the interviewer's questions. Here is a case in point: The interviewer asks you about your achievements in school ECA and your curt reply is that the information can be found in your resume. The interviewer may have the intention of hiring you and wanted you to elaborate more on your other achievements to confirm that his decision is sound. Give Consistent Answers: When answering the interview questions, you must remember to be consistent. Do not make unsubstantiated statements because you will have a high chance of singing to a different tune in another related interview question. This may reflect that you are not serious about getting the job, which may not be your intention. Think "Team-Player": Do not get too caught up with your achievements and forget that you are working in a team. The "team player" concept is important. Thus your strengths must be relevant to helping your department excel in what it has set out to achieve. Show That You have Researched About The Company: You must do some groundwork before your interview. It is essential that you find out about your job specifications and about the industry competitors. This will put you in a good position when you are asked about how your strengths can benefit the organization and department. Importance Of Skills Upgrading: During the interview, you should also convey the message that skills upgrading is important to you. This gives the interviewer the positive impression that you will continually improve yourself, which will provide direct rewards to your organization. On the other hand, the interviewer is also reminded of your expectation for his organization. Your Salary Expectations: During the interview, you may be asked about your salary expectations. It is good practice not to reveal a figure but provide a range. You can justify by saying that you are willing to accept the lower end of your salary expectation if there are other fringe benefits or training programme. Ask For Clarification If Necessary: Do not feel ashamed to ask for clarification if you do not comprehend the interviewer's questions. You can politely ask him to re-phrase the question. This is much better than providing an inappropriate answer. It also shows that you have initiative. Thank The Interviewer: No matter how the interview turns out, remember to thank the interviewer for providing you with the interview opportunity. It does not take too much effort to be courteous. Who knows? Your paths may meet again. About The Author Colin Ong TS is the Managing Director of MR=MC Consulting (http://www.mrmc.com.sg) and the Founder of the 12n Online Professional Networking Community (http://www.mrmc.com.sg/12n) - colin@mrmc.com.sg
MORE RESOURCES:
Employment - Google News |
|
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Closing the Gap on Your Career Goals If you still picture a steady progression up the ladder when you think of your career goals, it is time to shift your thinking. For most people, climbing the career ladder is no longer an option. CVs And Resumes Sometimes Just Get In The Way As a head-hunter and Career Coach I see so many CVs and resumes that look as though they are designed to get in the way of what I (or any other recruiter) might need to know about you the candidate. They vary from pure meaningless waffle without any identifiable facts to lengthy tomes with so much detail they send me to sleep. Career Change - Creating Wealth & Happiness Whether you have a business idea or not, here's what I want you to do?I want you to take a pen and paper and go and sit somewhere quiet in your home where you will not be distracted. Get comfortable. Careers-Changing Jobs: The Fantasy of the Ideal Job Most people would agree that the concept of a job today is vastly different from that of 20 years ago. Organisations are changing at speed, technology has changed the face and pace of work, and globalisation is pushing every business to examine it's operations in a totally different context. Preparation is Key Interviewing for a new job, or a promotion, can be a stressful situation. However, Preparation is the KEY! When preparing for that all important interview, take time to reflect upon your career experiences; and look for at least five good examples of your accomplishments and challenges--we will call them "bragging points". What Do Accountants And Doctors Have In Common? Freshly qualified accounting graduates when asked by the interviewer "Are there any questions you want to ask?" usually respond with "What are my duties and responsibilities"Be careful. Some interviewers intentionally do not mention anything about duties and responsibilities to test the reaction of the candidates. Why a Professional Resume? As a job search tool your Resume is your main calling card. It explains who you are and what you have to offer. Job Search Blurts I coined this word to draw attention to the nervous and apprehensive way of saying something in the job search that makes you feel like a buffoon. A "blurt" is a catchy way of saying: Gaffe. Career Moves: Take Charge of Your Life Every day millions of people let their inner fears stop them from creating the life of their dreams. No one will deny that it is scary to step out of your comfort zone, but once you challenge your fear and take action, you can attain great things. 5 Simple Rules for A Great Job Interview Many years ago, when I was a young job-searching greenhorn, I ventured to New York City to take a bite out of the big apple of opportunity.When it came to finding a job in a crowded city of millions, I quickly learned that it's much easier on one's sanity to sign up with one of the many employment agencies which helps job seekers looking for work. References: Choose Wisely Sophisticated job seekers know and understand that sometime during the interview and hiring process you will be asked to supply references. With this in mind, here are five concepts to focus on in developing your reference list. Opportunities in Automotive Services Industries - How To Cash In I believe it would be safe to say that the transportation industry is one of the highest revenue producers in today's modern economies.Millions upon millions of private passenger vehicles rule the highways and rural roads in countries around the world. How to Evaluate Job Offers and Zoom In On the Right Opportunity for You You've been successful in your job hunt and have received a job offer. Maybe you received more than one offer. Don't Be Too Passionate About Your Work Of course, she then offered me a six-month process, costing thousands of dollars to get me back on track. However, I must say she was ethical in her approach and suggested I get a medical check up to rule out any physical or mental-health issues. Top Ten Networking Strategies To Get A Job, A Promotion, Or Make A Sale Whether you are networking to find a new job opportunity, gain a promotion, or close a sale, you have two main goals with the networking interaction:1. To be remembered so that when opportunities appear, people will think of you as the perfect person to handle things,2. Get Beyond Your Tasks Ever hear the story of the two masons working side by side at a building site? They're doing the same work under pretty much the same conditions. Then, one day a stranger comes along, approaches one of the men and asks him, "What are you doing?" "I don't know and I don't care," replies the man, his voice brimming with irritation. Job Search Secret #1 The job search secret that is so powerful it will blow your socks off is simple - if you think you want or need a Career Change all you have to do is understand this Job Search Secret:It's simple - Change your Thinking.When you're looking for the new job or career move it's easy to think that 'they' hold all the cards. Tales From the Corporate Frontlines: Here Today, Gone Tomorrow This article relates to the Job Security competency, commonly evaluated in employee satisfaction surveys. After a large scale cut in personnel, this particular group of employees needed some extra support. A Day in the Life of a Freelance Copywriter Ever wanted a job where you could spend all day, every day, writing clever and inspiring prose? Yes? Well don't become a freelance copywriter!Don't get me wrong, it's a great job, and for some of us it's a calling that won't be denied. And you definitely do get to write clever and inspiring prose. Power Resumes - Writing Your Objectives A powerful resume starts with a good statement of objective. This is the headline of your advertisement promoting yourself.
|
| home | site map |
| © 2006 |
