Posts Tagged ‘Interview Advice’
Many people think of the interview process as an interrogation; however, the interview should be looked at as a two-sided conversation in which both sides play an equal role. Admittedly, the major reason for being there is for the interviewer to get to know you and what you are capable of but also you are there for you to decide if this is the right position or company for you.
Therefore, the interview should be a two-sided process with you answering and asking relevant questions; the interview is also your chance to sell yourself and show yourself in the best possible light. You should do this by answering all questions briefly and honestly in a relaxed and confident manner while inputting your own thoughts and questions.
You should have researched the company beforehand in preparation for the interview and you can use this knowledge to your advantage during the interview and it can be the basis for your questions.
By asking questions of your own during the interview you are showing that you have done your homework and are taking an active interest in the company and what the company has achieved or intends to achieve in the future, this will be your opportunity to show how you could be a benefit to the company in the future. Questions you could ask during the interview are:
The interviewer will often use the behavioural interview technique as a way of assessing how you could positively affect the company should they hire you, they will base this on past events you have handled that you give clues about during your interview. How do you know if the interview is a behavioural interview?
Well It is a clear give away if the interviewer looks you in the eye and says with a smile “so tell me about a time when you.”, depending on how you answer, will determine if you get the position or if you will be considered for the job. Tips for successfully surviving the behaviour technique interview are:
Answer consistently and elaborate on your achievements
When asked about past achievements don’t be afraid to speak out and give clear concise examples of your past achievements, there is no getting around the fact that getting the job depends on your past experiences so elaborate on them. If you are lacking in experience then relate questions the interviewer is asking to something close to which you achieved, but above all be honest, don’t forget you have to be able to back up any claims you make.
The biggest asset you have when it comes to interview and resume techniques is yourself; you should sell yourself and show yourself in the best possible light at every opportunity you get. When sitting down to write your resume or preparing for the interview think about what you have to offer the employer and what differences you can make as reasons for why they should employ you and not someone else.
A successful resume should make you stand out from the crowd and make the potential employer remember you, the same applies to attending interviews, you won’t be the only candidate but this is your chance to make sure that the employer sees you as the best one.
Sometimes, however much you are prepared for your interview it will go downhill quickly or begin to, with a little forethought however; you might be able to recover from the disaster if you don’t lose your head and panic. Nine times out of ten you will get the feeling that the interview isn’t going your way, always trust your instincts and go with your feelings, you are probably right.
The important thing to note at this point is not to panic, all might not be lost and it might not be entirely your fault. Interviews can take a turn for the worse for various reasons, don’t withdrawn and lose confidence and give up yet; you might be able to turn it back round to your advantage.
Turning the interview around
If you feel the interview is taking a turn for the worse then meet it head on and bring up the negative feelings you are having. The best way you can do this is by asking outright, simply say that you do not think the interview is going very well and see what reaction this brings from the interviewer.
You might be surprised and the interviewer might like your honesty and the fact that you aren’t afraid to challenge. The worse that can happen is that the interview will end and it was going that way anyway. If the interviewer likes your positive and open attitude you might get a break and suggest that you start over, whatever happens try to remain positive about the experience.
Sometimes it is hard to tell how the interview is going, some interviewers will conduct the interview with a straight face, and if this is the case, you can only go on the vibes you pick up from the interviewer. By being open and honest however you might steer the interview your way and direct the interviewer away from any negative thoughts or feelings they had about you.
If worse comes to worse and the interviewer ends the interview then you will have at the very least gained experience from the interview. You will also have turned negative feelings into more positive feelings by at least trying to remedy and turn the interview around.
Important notes to remember are
* Be honest and open during the interview and go with your feelings.
* Try turning the interview around by asking outright.
* If worse comes to the worse then thank the interviewer for their time and walk away with positive thoughts.
* Interviews can turn disastrous through no fault of your own.
* It could be that the interviewer has other things on their mind that are affecting the way the interview is going, by asking outright you could shake the interviewer up and bring the interview back around.
* If you deal directly with the interview going downhill then you have a 50/50 chance of coming out of it in good light.
We can all be overcome by nerves at some time or another and attending a job interview can cause even the most strong willed person to have a panic attack or at the very least to feel flushed and have sweaty palms. There are ways that you can overcome the stress and anxiety which is caused by going to interviews and some helpful advice you should remember is:
While most people think they have thought about everything when they are attending that all-important interview, unfortunately many forget all about the little things, instead only concentrating on the more important. Here are the 5 most common mistakes that people make during their interview:
Interviews are without a doubt high on the scale of one of the most stressful times, nevertheless as stressed as you might be you will have to appear confident and competent and present yourself in the best possible way if you are to succeed and come out a winner. There is not much can be done if you are anxious and stressed other than trying to remain calm or at least project calmness and control, here are some key strategies and tips to help you remain in control:
Your resume was a success
When you are preparing to walk through the door to come face to face with the interviewer remind yourself that your resume was a success and that because of this you are here right now.