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How to Answer Job Interview Questions

Human Resources personnel, professional recruiters and various other career experts all agree: one of the best ways to prepare yourself for a job interview is to anticipate questions, develop your answers, and practice, practice, practice.

There are plenty of websites that offer lists of popular job interview questions, and knowing the types of questions to expect can be very useful. But knowing how to answer those questions can mean the difference between getting the job and getting the "reject letter."

HOW TO ANSWER QUESTIONS

First, know these important facts:

1.There is no way to predict every question you will be asked during a job interview. In other words, expect unexpected questions--they'll come up no matter how much preparation you do.

2.Treat any sample answers you find, such as in discussion forums, books or on Internet job sites, as GUIDES only. Do not use any sample answers word for word! Interviewers can spot "canned" answers a mile away, and if they suspect you are regurgitating answers that are not your own, you can kiss that job goodbye. You must apply your own experiences, personality and style to answer the questions in your own way. This is crucial, and it will give you a big advantage over candidates who simply recite sample answers.

3.Job interview questions are not things to fear, they are OPPORTUNITIES TO EXCEL. They allow you to show why you are the best person for the job, so instead of dreading them, look forward to them! The key is to give better answers than anyone else, and that's where your preparation comes in.

Now, take these actions:

1.Make a list of your best "selling points" for the position. What qualifications, skills, experience, knowledge, background, personality traits do you possess that would apply to this particular job? Write them down and look for opportunities to work them into your answers.

2.In addition to any sample job interview questions you find through various resources, you absolutely must develop your OWN list of probable questions based specifically on the job for which you are applying. Put yourself in the hiring manager's shoes -- what kinds of questions would you ask to find the best person for this job?

3.Write down your answers to likely questions. Study the job announcement carefully. (If you don't have one, get one!) Note the phrases they use when describing the desired qualifications. You'll want to target these as much as possible when developing your answers. For example, if the announcement says they want someone with "strong customer service skills," make sure you include "strong customer service skills" in at least one of your answers. That will make a better impression than saying "I helped customers."

4.Review and edit your answers until you feel they are "just right." Read them over and over until you are comfortable that you know them fairly well. Don't try to memorize them; don't worry about remembering every word. Practice saying them out loud. If possible, have a friend help you rehearse for the interview.

Be A (Short) Story Teller
Make use of this old marketing tip: "Facts tell but stories sell." During a job interview, you are selling yourself. Whenever possible, answer questions with a short story that gives specific examples of your experiences. Notice I said "short." You don't want to ramble or take up too much time; you want to be brief but still make your point.

For example, imagine two people interviewing for a job as a dog groomer are asked, "Have you ever dealt with aggressive dogs?" Candidate Joe answers, "Yes, about 10% of the dogs I've groomed had aggressive tendencies." Candidate Mary answers, "Oh yes, quite often. I remember one situation where a client brought in his Pit Bull, Chomper. He started growling at me the moment his owner left, and I could tell from his stance he wasn't about to let me get near his nails with my clippers. I think he would've torn my arm off if I hadn't used the Schweitzer Maneuver on him. That calmed him down right away and I didn't have any problems after that." (NOTE: I know nothing about dog grooming; I made the Schweitzer Maneuver up for illustrative purposes.)

Don't you agree that Mary's answer is better? Sure, Joe answered the question, but Mary did more than that -- she gave a specific example and told a quick story that will be remembered by the interviewers.

In today's job market where there are dozens of highly qualified candidates for each opening, anything you do that will make you stand out and be remembered will greatly increase your odds of getting hired.

Keep the Interviewer's Perspective in Mind; Answer His "What's in it for Me?" Question
While many questions asked during job interviews appear to focus on your past accomplishments, here's an important tip: they may be asking about what you did in the past, but what they really want to know is what you can do NOW, for THEM.

The key is to talk about your past accomplishments in a way that shows how they are RELEVANT to the specific job for which you are interviewing. Doing advance research about the company (such as at their website or at www.hoovers.com) and the position will be extremely helpful.

Here's another example with Joe and Mary. The interviewer asks, "What is the most difficult challenge you've faced, and how did you overcome it?" Joe answers with, "In one job I was delivering pizzas and I kept getting lost. By the time I'd find the address, the pizza would be cold, the customer would be unhappy, and my boss was ready to fire me. I overcame this problem by purchasing a GPS navigation device and installing it in my car. Now I never get lost!" Mary answers, "In my current job at Stylish Hounds, management ran a special promotion to increase the number of customers who use the dog-grooming service. It was a bit too successful because we suddenly had more customers than we could handle. Management would not hire additional groomers to help with the workload. Instead of turning customers away or significantly delaying their appointments, I devised a new grooming method that was twice as fast. Then I developed a new work schedule. Both efforts maximized productivity and we were able to handle the increased workload effectively without upsetting our customers."

Joe's answer shows initiative and commitment (he bought that GPS gadget with his own money, after all). But Mary's answer relates specifically to the job they are applying for (dog groomer). And Mary had done research about the company and discovered it was about to significantly expand it's dog-grooming operations. So she picked an example from her past that addressed an issue the interviewer was likely to apply to a future situation in his company. See the difference?

Here's one more example. Joe and Mary are asked, "What's your greatest accomplishment?" Joe answers, "I won two Olympic Gold Medals during the 2000 Olympics in the high-jump competition." Mary answers, "I was named Stylish Hounds's Dog Groomer of the Year in 2003 for increasing productivity in my section by 47%."

Joe's accomplishment is pretty spectacular. But remember the interviewer's perspective. He might be impressed, but he's thinking "What's in it for me? What does being a world-class high-jumper four years ago have to do with helping me to increase sales in my dog-grooming department?" Mary's answer is much less spectacular than Joe's, but it's relevant to the position and indicates that she has what it takes to be successful in this particular job. It tells the interviewer, "I have what you're looking for; I can help you with your specific needs."

Looks like Mary has a new job!

Do Not Lie
Last but not least, tell the truth. It's sometimes very tempting to "alter" the truth a bit during a job interview. For instance, say you quit instead of being fired. But the risk of being discovered as a liar far outweighs the potential benefit of hiding the truth.

If you are thinking about telling a lie during the interview, ask yourself these questions (this technique has helped me make many major decisions): "What is the BEST thing that could happen? What is the WORST thing that could happen? Is the best thing WORTH RISKING the worst thing?" In this instance, the best thing would be getting the job. The worst thing would be getting discovered as a liar, which could lead to getting fired, which could lead to unemployment, which could lead to more job searching, which could lead to another interview, which could lead to the stress of deciding whether to lie about just getting fired, and so on -- a cycle that can go on indefinitely. Is all that worth getting the one job, perhaps on a temporary basis?

Always consider the consequences of your actions.

In Summary, Here's What You Need To Do When Preparing To Answer Job Interview Questions:

1.Study the job announcement.

2.Research the company.

3.Anticipate likely questions.

4.Prepare answers to those questions that are relevant to the position and the company.

5.Promote your best "selling points" (relevant qualifications, capabilities, experience, personality traits, etc.) by working them into your answers.

6.Practice. Practice. Practice.

Winning at Behavioural Interviews

Describe an experience when you had to calm down an angry customer.
Describe a situation when you had to perform under pressure.
Describe how you formed a team and led it.

No two persons can give same answers to the above questions. Behavioural interviewing – asking questions about your past behaviour in certain specific situations - is one of the hot trends in hiring.

The underlying logic is that your past behaviour is the predictor of your future behaviour – and performance. So, if you handled an angry client well in the past, most likely you'll be able to do so in future as well.

At the root of BI, it seems, is what Russian physiologist, psychologist and physician Ivan Pavlov (Nobel prize in 1904) proved about a century ago: We behave in a conditioned way. Pavlov's observed that if you give a dog something to eat every time you ring a bell, soon the dog starts to salivate when you just ring a bell. Dog gets conditioned to associate one stimulus (ringing bell) with another (food) and behaves accordingly. We are no different.

If someone tends to become irritable under pressure, he will do so every time pressure is applied on him. If someone gets unduly impatient when he has to wait, like in a queue at a bus or taxi stand or at an airport, he would do so every time such a situation arises.

How to prepare
If you're going for an interview, it makes sense to be prepared for some BI questions. If not, these questions can put you off balance. For example, a well qualified and experienced candidate pursuing a leadership position was asked by the interviewer to share an experience of creating a new team from scratch. Since he was not expecting such a question, he failed to reply convincingly and lost the opportunity.

Here is a way to prepare for such interviews:

Study the job requirements:The first step is to carefully study the job requirements and ask yourself: What kind of behaviour might be expected in this position? Does it involve leadership skills, working under pressure, handling conflicts, working in a team or what? Sometimes, the expected behaviours will be clearly listed in the job advertisement. For example, for the job of a finance manager, an advertisement has listed “good teamwork” as one of the requirements. This is a good enough hint to be ready for some questions about behaviour in a team setting.

Prepare stories:Based on your assessment, scan your past experiences and prepare a few stories, which demonstrate that you possess the required behavioural traits. For example, if you’re applying for the job of a contracts manager, you may want to be prepared to describe how you handled situations involving conflicts and claims from suppliers or customers.

It will be easier to put together the stories if you construct them in three parts (S-A-R):

1.Situation:First describe the situation that prompted you to act or react.

2.Action/response/behaviour:What action you took or how you reacted?

3.Result:What was the end result?

Your stories will appear credible and interesting if you keep them short, stick to facts and avoid heaping praise on yourself. Let the facts do the talking.

Practise:After preparing the stories, practise narrating them so that you can be fluent during an interview.

In situations with many candidates having similar qualifications and experiences, it is the behavioural aspects that can eventually differentiate you from the crowd and get the job. Being prepared for behavioural interviewing can prove to be the winning stroke.

Interview Preparation – Success at Interview

In the April 2000 issue of the Reader's Digest magazine, Nick Corcodilos, a famous headhunter, recounts how Zagorski, a professional seeking a new job, wowed an interviewer at a big corporation and got the job.

Zagorski went for an interview at AT&T. At the outset, even before Zagorski could settle in his seat, the interviewer told him that he had only 20 minutes to spare. Instead of feeling belittled or nervous, Zagorski got up and walked up to the marker board. He then started writing down the challenges faced by the company. Fifteen minutes later, he wrote down his estimate of what he would add to the bottom line. When he paused to take a look at the interviewer, he found him completely dazed. The next thing he heard was interviewer telling him that there was no need for any further interview. The interviewer called in his team, introduced Zagorski to everybody and they began a working meeting, which lasted for two hours.

Most people go to interviews hoping to be questioned and assessed by an interviewer (s). They go anxious and worried, wondering whether they would get the job. People like Zagorski approach an interview with a completely different mind-set. They go well-prepared to demonstrate how they would fit into an employer’s needs and bring value to their business. They go as a value provider, not as a job seeker.

Would you also like to impress your would-be employer just like Zagorski? If yes, the next time when you get an interview call, do not lose any time and get down to preparing a powerful presentation. Here is a road map:

Know the employer
Go to the company’s website and learn about its products and services. What initiatives this company is taking? Who are their competitors and what challenges are they facing? Read the “news” section to pick up the latest happenings there.

Review the job
Next, zero down to the job that you are pursuing. What are the employer’s expectations in terms of responsibilities, actions and goals? Also note the job requirements – qualifications, experience and skills – that the employer is expecting the right candidate to satisfy.

Review yourself
Look at your resume and review the assets you have: your experience, education, achievements, skills, knowledge and strengths.

Prepare a presentation
Having done the homework, now it is time to prepare a short PowerPoint presentation. The presentation should essentially comprise the following parts:

Part 1: About yourself
Prepare a short introduction to yourself in terms of education, experience and achievements.

Part 2: Employer’s business
This part is about showing your understanding of the company’s business: products, services, markets, competition, etc.

Part 3: Employer’s needs
In this part, list all of the employer’s expectations – responsibilities, actions and goals – you will be expected to meet. Also talk about the challenges you will be facing in the job.

Part 4: How would you deliver
This is the heart of your presentation. Demonstrate how you would tackle the challenges and go on to show how not only you can meet the employer’s expectations but exceed them. To make it credible, share actual examples from your past experience and use quantitative information.

On the whole, keep your presentation limited to 10 slides and 15 minutes long.

Practise
The last and final step is to practise delivering the presentation. The more you practise, the more relaxed, confident and convincing you will be during the interview.

Zagorski would not have been able to make that job-winning presentation if he had not done a thorough preparation. Now, it is your turn to follow his way and enjoy success at the interview.

Interview Question – Tell Me About Yourself v2

Tell me about yourselfis a question that most interviewees expect and it is the most difficult to answer as well. Though one could answer this open-ended question in a myriad of ways, the key to answering this question or any other interview question is to offer a response that supports one’s career objective. This means that you should not respond with comments about your hobbies, spouse, or extra curricular activities. Trust me, interviewers are not interested. To start with there is no correct answer to this interview question. I would lean in the favour of a quick reference to some personal traits that give a quick view of who you are. From there one could move to a one sentence of any relevant education/qualification. There should also be a mention of employment history.

Purpose of the Question:
In one of my write-ups,Across the interview table, I did mention that there is a purpose to each and every question in the interview. One cannot ask anything and everything. Again, a set of interview questions varies from industry to industry and position to position. Interviewers use the interview process as a vehicle to eliminate your candidacy. Every question they ask is used to differentiate your skills, experience, and personality with that of other candidates. They want to determine if what you have to offer will mesh with the organization's mission and goals.

What type of answer is expected?
Try to avoid this type of answer: I am a hard-worker who is good with numbers. After I worked as a financial analyst for a few years, I decided to go to law school. I just finished and now am looking for a new challenge.

Say something like this: I began developing skills relevant to financial planning when I worked as a financial analyst for three years. In that role, I succeeded in multiplying the wealth of my clients by carefully analyzing the market for trends. The return on the portfolios I managed was generally 2% more than most of the portfolios managed by my company. My initiative, planning, and analytic skills were rewarded by two promotions. As the manager of a team, I successfully led them to develop a more efficient and profitable strategy for dealing with new accounts. My subsequent training in the law, including tax law and estate law, gives me an informed view of what types of investments and charitable gifts would be most advantageous for your clients.

Preparing for the answer:
Follow the following steps as outlined below to ensure your response will grab the interviewer’s attention:

Provide a brief introduction.Introduce attributes that are keys to the open position.
Provide a career summary of your most recent work history.Your career summary is the "meat" of your response, so it must support your job objective and it must be compelling. Keep your response limited to your current experience. Don't go back more than 10 years.
Tie your response to the needs of the hiring organization.Do not assume that the interviewer will be able to connect all the dots. It is your job as the interviewee to make sure the interviewer understands how your experiences are transferable to the position they are seeking to fill.
Ask an insightful question.By asking a question you gain control of the interview. Don't ask a question for the sake of asking. Be sure that the question will engage the interviewer in a conversation. Doing so will alleviate the stress you may feel to perform.

There you have it: a response that meets the needs of the interviewer AND supports your agenda.

When broken down into manageable pieces, the question "So, tell me about yourself?" isn't overwhelming. In fact, answering the question effectively gives you the opportunity to talk about your strengths, achievements, and qualifications for the position. So take this golden opportunity and run with it!

When asked by different people?
HR managers or CEOs of the company or the Departmental Heads can ask the same question and your answer should vary. The expectation of each person is different.

When asked by the HR Manager your response must be like this: "My career has been characterized by my ability to work well with diverse teams. I seek out opportunities to involve others in the decision-making process. This collaboration and communication is what has enabled me to achieve success in my department. People are the most valuable resource of any organization."

When asked by the CEO your response must be like this: "I have achieved success in my career because I have been focused on the bottom line. I have always sought out innovative solutions to challenging problems to maximize profitability. Regardless of the task or challenge, I always established benchmarks of performance and standards of excellence. I have never sought to maintain the "status quo." An organization that does not change and grow will die. I would enjoy working with you to help define new market opportunities in order to achieve the organization's goals."

In each instance, we responded to the "needs of the individual." It is almost guaranteed that when you respond appropriately to the diverse needs of the different managers, you will become the standard by which all of the other candidates will be measured.

Conclusion:
The question is very tricky and being the first question of the interview…one need to be a bit more careful in answering the same. This question can make or break the interviewer’s interest in you.

Job Interview Tips – Be a good listener

Are you good at listening? It's an interesting question because listening, as apart from just hearing, is an acquired skill. And by being able to listen well, you have a skill that can be put to good use during job interviews.

Good listening skills, however, just don't happen. You will have to work on improving them. Active listening requires that the listener receive both the speaker's spoken and unspoken message. This can be difficult because very often, the listener is so busy thinking about responding to what the speaker is saying that he misses much of what the speaker is trying to say across. If you want to be an effective communicator, especially in the job interview, you need to develop your active listening skills.

One way to help you become a better listener is to take notes while you listen. Here's why.

It gives the interviewer a non-verbal message that you are serious and you value what the interviewer is communicating.
The notes helps you raise significant questions when the interviewer asks, "Do you have any questions?"
They help you with your follow-up communications because you can refer to specific comments or topics covered in the interview. The more specific and customised your thank-you follow-up is, the greater the chance it will make a favorable impression on the interviewer.

But while most interviewers will respect your need to get accurate information, some may find your note taking to be a distraction. So before you start taking notes, always ask the interviewer for permission first.

Other helpful hints:

Be discreet. Don't make a big show out of pulling a pad of paper from your briefcase.
Maintain eye contact even while taking notes. Keep looking at the interviewer. Don't give him the impression that taking notes is more important than actually listening to him.
If the interviewer seems distracted, stop your note taking. It's best to let your notes be out of the interviewer's direct sight. Don't try to write complete sentences; jotting down the key words or questions will do.
After the interview, review your jottings to fill in the blanks and complete your thoughts.

Job Interview Skills

Whether you’re a student job seeker or a polished and proven executive, the first thing you must come to terms with is, “Regardless of the position you seek, you are now in sales!” The product you are selling is YOU! The interview is your opportunity to differentiate yourself in the eyes of your customer [the interviewer] when compared to your competitors [other job applicants].

Successful companies today, are focused on building what’s known as, corporate “Unique Value-Add Propositions.” Simply put, a unique value proposition is designed to differentiate companies / products and services, by making a decision to do business with you, an easy one. This is accomplished by means of removing the risk in customer’s minds through obvious value-add.

So before you go into an interview, ask yourself, “What is my unique Value-add for this company? What can I say, do, or show, that will separate me from all other candidates?” And, “How convincing am I?”

There is no secret that in many cases today, the most qualified are not always the ones hired. Sadly, many qualified individuals lose out on opportunities expressly due to their inability to distinguish themselves [in the interview] by showing unique value-add. You may then ask, “How does one construct a value-add interview?” The process is surprisingly simple.

#1: As quickly as you can, write down all the words that describe your unique strengths that relate to the position to which you’re applying. [Note: Five words are not enough. Try for at least fifteen / you may also ask others for their input].

#2: As quickly as you can, write down all the words that describe your potential weaknesses as they relate to the position to which you’re applying.

#3: Turn each word into a sentence or statement. It does not have to be complicated. For example, if one of your strength-words was, “experience” - you could simply say, “I am experienced.” [Note: Do the same for your weaknesses list as well].

#4: Take each sentence / statement, and turn them into a question. “I am experienced” becomes, “Why am I experienced?”

To answer the question, “Why am I experienced?” inexorably brings to light your real Value-Add. From a selling point of view, ‘being experienced’ may be true, but it is only, however, a fact. “How specifically, am I experienced, and, How it will therefore benefit the new company,” is the real Risk-Removing, Unique-Value-Add-Information needed to showcase your talents.

Knowing the answers, ahead of time, to questions like, “Why is [this] a potential weakness for me - for this position?” is equally integral to the success of any interview.

For more detailed information on Interviewing Skills, visit [www.s150.com]. On the ‘Speaker Profile’ page, is a hot-link to “The Art of the Interview”. There you can order [$5 Admin-Fee] a 55-page booklet that guarantees better interviewing results. It details the specific types of questions trained interviewers will ask and the reasons why they ask them. The do’s and don’ts of a good Résumé’s as well as ways to better prepare mentally for an interview are also there in a comprehensive easy to read format.

Remember that in business, “The degree to which you cannot provide a unique Value-Add Proposition is in direct proportion to the degree you hurt yourself, your company and your industry.” In any job interview, “You are the company. The product you’re selling is YOU!”

by Paul Shearstone

How should I dress for an interview?

A few years ago, as a newbie applicant fresh out of college, I remember making my way to various job interviews dressed in black pants and a black blazer, sweating under the sun and wondering if there’s a more comfortable way to go about job hunting.

Fresh graduates, used to the college dress code of jeans and T-shirts, get apprehensive taking on a more corporate look. I went to an interview dressed in cargo jeans and a shirt,” shares Crissy, a marketing graduate from a Manila university. “The company is in media and I thought that they had a relaxed dress code. The hiring manager took one look at me and I could tell she was annoyed. The interview didn’t even last fifteen minutes and, needless to say, I didn’t get a call for another interview. Should I have come in corporate attire? Wouldn’t I appear overdressed?”

On this question, our Career Coaches advise dressing to impress – appropriately.

"It is like selling yourself to employers," says Rem Villareal of Itochu Corporation. “Generally, one’s attire reveals some of his character traits – neatness, being organized, etc.”

"I usually expect my interviewees to come in corporate attire, even though our office is in a residential community,” shares Melle Roxas-Pitalgo of iDnet Consulting, Inc. “In selling yourself and your expertise, what you wear – how you present yourself – is part of the package.”

For Beth Pamatmat of Infodyne, Inc., dressing in corporate attire communicates to the interviewer that you are serious about the job. She also suggests doing some research first. Some companies adopt a more casual dress code but applicants can’t always be sure if the companies they are applying to subscribe to that dress code.

The rule of thumb is to dress one or two levels higher than the job are applying for. Remember, it’s not so much that you’re trying to get hired because of what you wear, but it’s more a matter of not getting yourself eliminated from consideration because of how you present yourself.

How important is it to stand apart from others in an interview and how difficult is it?

Any professionally trained interviewer can verify these questions are the most asked by people involved with job-hunting. How important is it? Absolutely vital! … How difficult is it? Not hard at all.

I can demonstrate the importance with a true story from my book 'The Art of the Interview'.
[*Now on CD-ROM]

In the early 1980s I interviewed a young man who, in our meeting, began to quote information pertaining to the company he was applying. He talked about the previous year's corporate gross revenue figures, the number of employees country wide, projected new product launches and other related information. Needless to say, I was impressed. He got the job.

In retrospect, although I tried to be unbiased, when comparing him to the other candidates, his knowledge of the company [The Company I worked for and Loved] coloured in his favour, the whole interview. My impression was he had spent a lot of time researching the organisation, which showed considerable interest and effort on his part. Not one of his competitors had done so.

Months later, I asked him where he had done his research to find so much about the company. He smiled and said, "Remember our meeting was scheduled for 2pm that day and you were running 15 minutes behind?" I nodded affirmatively. "Well, as I sat in the reception area waiting for you, I noticed, among the magazines on the coffee table, a Corporate year-end report in which, among other things, contained the company's complete history. Fifteen minutes gave me plenty of time to 'research' the company." [And then he grinned]

This story is true although the important lesson here is, he did something so simple, that in the end, made such a huge difference. He beat out 20 other candidates - many of whom had more impressive credentials than he. The fact remains, when the moment counted, and with little effort, "He was Impressive!"

You may think me a little adamant as to the importance of this point. The fact remains that 'Little Things' can make 'All the Difference'. For other examples of this we need only look at Olympic athletes.

The runner that crosses the finish line 1/100th of a second faster than the next, wins the Gold. A Gold Medal can mean the difference of millions of dollars in future endorsements.

One might ask; Is this Gold Medal winner ten times faster or better than the second runner? No, he is only 1/100th of a second faster - the length of a pencil. Decades of training and practice to become a Gold Medal winner, a celebrity and a multi-millionaire all came down to 7-inches - When It Counted!

For us, the other important factor to remember is that when interviewing for a new job, there is no Silver Medal, second place, so to speak. We either get the job or we don't!

The Bottom Line:

Although it is easy to see the task of standing apart in an interview is a little daunting, it is, nevertheless, absolutely integral to anyone's success in today's Unique Value-Add driven marketplace, whether it is products, services and/or especially when it relates to us. In the end, we are all trying to make a sale. Potential employers must buy-off on the value and uniqueness of us.

The good news? Standing out in a 'Huge' way is rarely necessary and often, we find standing out a 'Little' is not all that difficult.

Good Job Hunting!

Interview Questions – Managing Bad Interview Questions

Who has not felt nervous during an interview? Sometimes an applicant can become so anxious about giving the right answer that he does not realise that he is being asked the wrong question.

Illegal interview questions are queries that a person may refuse to answer as they violate his rights as an applicant. In fact, in the United States, some states allow a person to sue an interviewer for asking such questions.

But with jobs scarce to come by on the local market, it may be more prudent to think of how best to answer brash questions than to reject them outright. It may be that these “unethical” questions are being asked to determine if an applicant meets specific requirements for the position.

Illegal questions?
The following are some questions that the employer need not ask but may do so occasionally:

Questions about one’s origins. These may include citizenship issues. They may be applicable if the position will require travel to different areas. The interviewer may be interested to know if you can speak a particular dialect.
Questions concerning one’s marital/family status or relationships. These include those about your civil status - if you are married with children, or are a single parent, or have a boyfriend or a girlfriend. Normally, questions of this nature are intended to check out the applicant’s capacity to work long hours or do overtime work.
Questions concerning one’s personal attributes and background such as height, weight, likes, etc. Again, such queries need not be asked unless relevant. Some jobs obviously have special requirements, such as height for a basketball player. Or you may be asked your musical preferences if you are applying with an audio store.
Questions regarding one’s disabilities. As with personal questions, these may be asked with tact and only if necessary. Candidates for pilots, for instance, have to have 20/20 vision.
Questions regarding one’s social standing including any arrest record. This information need not be asked as it should already be included in the requirements requested.
Questions about one’s religious affiliation or beliefs. To discriminate against one’s religion is against the law and related questions should not be asked.
Questions concerning one’s age. Information on age should be available in your resume and need not be asked.

Focus on the real issue
If you are thrown such posers, you could opt to give them the benefit of the doubt: The employer may not be aware that they are inappropriate. According to HR manager Jig Blanco-Yan: “These interviewers might not be aware that they’re asking sensitive questions. Chances are, they want to hear something and sometimes, they get too carried away to notice the discomfort of the interviewees.”

Rather than telling the employer that you are not comfortable with the questions and that you feel they are irrelevant, try to determine first the intent of the interviewer, the purpose behind the question, then answer in relation to the responsibilities of the job.

For example, if you are queried about children, the interviewer may want to know if you can work long hours away from home if necessary. A good answer is to say that if there is a need to work extra hours, you would be available. Misty, an HR applicant, was once asked by an employer if she had a boyfriend, and she replied with an assurance that she was willing to do overtime work if needed. “I simply assumed that there was no malice or hidden motive behind the question. I didn’t want to react in a negative manner as I was really keen on getting that position.”

In some cases, an interviewer may ask this type of questioning believing it would put the interviewee at ease. Instead of starting the interview on a serious note, the interviewer may pose light and personal questions first to break the ice. Again, it is up to the jobseeker to phrase his or her answers in such a way as to show that he or she is a professional who will be an asset to the company if hired.

by Neil Palabrica

Interview questions and answers: Have you thought about your answers lately?

Sometimes I think the entire interview process is turned on its head.

In a typical interview the recruiter commences with a slew of exploratory questions aimed at extracting key information that will help the candidate differentiate him or herself from the other 230 candidates being interviewed.

Our ultimate objective as interviewers is to narrow the hundreds of homogenous Resumes into a crème pile of 20 quality individuals. Pure and simple. Contrary to popular belief, we are not out to get you. Rather, we are trying to assist you in highlighting your strengths and capabilities so that we can meet our quality quota and happily go home.

Despite this obvious intention, I, as a recruiter, seem to spend excruciatingly tedious amounts of time probing the interviewee for information that, really, is aimed at helping them market themselves to me. It is at times like these that I exasperatingly ask myself: "How come I am doing all the work?"

More often than not, it seems that the candidates are quite happy to marinate in their sauces and curtly answer questions in a very superficial manner.

The key to creating the right impression lies in your ability to truly listen to the questions asked of you and respond with the kind of information sought by the interviewer. From my experience, most candidates seem to be having a terribly difficult time in understanding this very basic objective of the interview. The majority of candidates have shown a disappointingly slender grasp of the process of analysis - whether that be a true reflection of their ability.

Before you fire your pre-programmed answers at the interviewer, make that extra effort to examine the true motivation behind the questions asked of you.

Do I merely want to know about the list of extra-curricular activities you participated in or do I want to know about how these activities have added to your capability profile? When I ask you to talk about a topic like the environment, do I want to get the definition of the term or do I wish to gauge your ability to explore wider issues and think outside the box?

When I ask you to tell me about your most significant achievement; take the time to delve into the motivation of your chosen project, the manner in which you applied yourself, the challenges you faced, how you managed the situation and why you feel its achievement deserves the merit you accorded to it. Avoid rattling on an exhaustive list of bullet points that serve only to cursorily answer me with face-value information, making me no wiser as to your accomplishment.

Ultimately, if we have to prise the information from you with a crowbar, you're digging your own grave with a foot in it. The fact that you are not thinking about your responses presents us with a none-too-complimentary view about your ability to perform and advance in our company.

The interview is all about figuring out the kind of person you are, the capabilities you possess and the way your mind works. When you go into your next interview, remember these key points and respond in a manner that will define who you are and why we should be snapping you up like a hot cake.

Yes and No answers will just not cut it anymore. If you want the job, impress the interviewer. No more, and definitely no less.

You have the power to convince us. Whether or not you make the cut is up to you.

by Koon Mei Ching

The art of stalling a job offer after a successful interview

"We'd like to make you an offer." Boy, words just don't get any sweeter when you're hanging out to dry without a job. In this current market swinging on a downturn, many professionals may be freshly laid-off, or have been suffering that same fate for a while now. In any case, when your bills need attention and prevailing obligations abound, getting employment is all that counts, isn't it? Maybe, maybe not.

You want me? You got me.
Congratulations! You've just been offered a job you've been waiting for. Only catch: cut your expected salary in half, relocate to another city on your own account and, oh, forget about taking that family vacation for at least a year of hard labour.

The process of accepting an offer of employment is often trickier than expected in real life. While that glorious phone call may seem like a godsend most of the time, the question really is, do I accept this offer now or wait for other replies from employers I prefer to consider? To alleviate the pressure of accepting the first job offer that strolls along, consider tactfully stalling for additional time to consider all your options and make the right decision.

Why stall?
For obvious reasons, accepting a job immediately rules out any hope of evaluating the offer thoroughly and precludes your ability to leverage parts of the offer by weighing contracts from other "suitors" you have not heard from yet. Hasty decisions can cost you more than you are willing to bear.

Off-the-cuff, you need to find out more about the role and evaluate the personal issues surrounding it. Is it a job with a future for your career? Is it paying a fair market rate for your skills? Where is it geographically? Can your financial status afford turning it down and waiting longer for another offer? The key is learning how to evaluate and accept the right offer and, most difficult of all, define what your bottomline requirements are in order to be happy with the offer. This may mean turning down a position that is outside of your desired parameters - even when there is no other job on the horizon.

Howard, a recent casualty of the airline industry, was laid-off a few weeks ago and has been zapping out resumes to aviation recruiters across the country and in the region. Finally, after 4 painfully quiet weeks, he gets an offer to work in another country. Did he take it? No. Even though he knew that it hundreds of other guys would have killed for the job, he chose to stall for a little time while he considered the offer in full. In the end, he discovered that paying for the relocation, moving to a place he did not fancy and accepting a 40% pay cut would not be worth it. He was willing to ride it out and wait for another employer to come a-knocking. Apparently, his wait was worth it. He got another offer from a company that was located in his ideal spot and paid 30% more than the previous offer.

The phone stall
So, now that your interest is piqued, how does one actually stall an offer? First things first, be polite. If you are on the phone with a recruiter/potential employer, change your "That sounds great! I'll take it." to a "Thank you for calling and I am certainly excited about your offer, but I would appreciate a little time to evaluate your offer. Would I be able to get back to you on my decision?" At this point, you should request for another date to get back to them (more on this below). Especially with a verbal offer, you should ask if the recruiter can provide you with a written letter of offer. This will allow you the time to thoroughly consider the terms of offer in full and assess the suitability of the employer with your personal criteria, without having to decide on the spot.

The write stuff
If you have received an email offer or a written letter in the mail, you typically respond to the recruiter with a letter. Most employers understand that you may not be ready to make a decision about accepting an offer straight away. Hence, it is permissible to request for a delay or extension to your decision deadline. Ensure that you make it known in the letter that you are very pleased to hear from them and greatly appreciate their offer of employment to you. This will keep the door open for you as they note your interest in the offer. Then you can make a simple statement that, at the present time, you are unable to commit yourself to a decision and need to consider the offer thoroughly. You do not need to inform them that you are evaluating other offers...this may come off as being arrogant and create a negative impression of yourself (even though it is the honest truth). Follow this up by a request for them to accept your decision at a certain date.

When shall we dance?
As with both the phone response and written letter, do try to negotiate a reasonable extension deadline for yourself. This allows you to evaluate other offers or possibilities. Usually, a week is okay; sometimes, maybe a little bit more time. Be fair though, in estimating how much time you might need to decide. Don't test their limits and ensure you stand by the specified deadline. It is never advisable to ask for another extension. In these cases, unless you know you are their top choice, you might as well kiss the offer goodbye.

Once the deadline hits, ensure you promptly respond to the recruiter via the telephone, email or written letter (to arrive on the date of the deadline, please) thanking them for their patience and stating your decision. Throughout it all, always be mindful that your decision affects their staffing operations and when you do decide to decline the offer, someone else who really needs the job might be anxiously waiting for a call.

Parting words
In the end, the experience of deliberating over job offers can be as much about a personal struggle to answer those philosophical questions ("What do I really want in my life? What am I worth? What kind of compromises am I willing to make to my personal/professional/social life in taking this job?") as it is about the vagaries of the job market. You may experience a good sprinkling of incredibly exciting leads and a dose of confidence-shattering moments.

Reality is, there are no perfect jobs out there - although there may be ones pretty close. Before you make a life-changing decision with regards your career, take the time to make the time in deciding. And this, my friends, is the art of stalling.

Sample letter requesting an extension:

23 Dec 2001

Sarah Lee
#01-01 Sunshine Plaza
Jalan Ampang
50430 Kuala Lumpur

En Abdullah Salleh
Technology Venture Sdn Bhd
354 Jalan Simpang
50000 Kuala Lumpur

Dear En Salleh
Thank you sincerely for your telephone call and letter dated 21 Dec 2001, offering me the position of Web Designer with Technology Venture Sdn Bhd. I am excited about the opportunity this position offers both in terms of the job scope and responsibilities.

You asked that I make a decision by next week on 28 Dec 2001. I consider this to be an important decision and as yet, I do not have all the information I need in order to make an informed decision by that date. Would it be possible for me to provide you with my decision by 1 Jan 2002? I would very much appreciate such an extension which I feel will be mutually beneficial to both of us. Should you accept my request, I assure you that I will promptly inform you of a firm decision by that deadline.

Thank you very much for your consideration of my request. I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,
Sarah Lee

by Koon Mei Ching

Job Interview Questions and Answers

This article is probably what most of you out there are waiting for. So, wait no more! The "Interviewer's Top 10 Hits" Best Compilation record is out! Here, you'll find a list of the 10 most popular questions used by those faithful interviewers world wide. I do want to caution everyone though, that this is only to provide you with a overall guide to what they want to know, and it should not be treated as text book answers, because there are none. If everyone started answering the same questions with the same answers, there would be (a) very bored interviewers, and (b) absolutely no selection process. But let me not digress.

And the Top 10 are...

1. Tell Me Something About Yourself
Now, this is a golden classic used at the start of interviews to break the ice and to get you to give them a good initial run down of who you are and your "hidden" characteristics, demonstrated in the way you present this self-story.

You should prepare a 2 to 3 minute presentation that briefly introduces your self (where you're from), your personal interests (hobbies, community involvement etc), your work history, and recent career experience. The most time should be spent on the accomplishments in the last two areas.

Interviewers look out for three things:

1.If you are able to give a brief, sequential summary of your life and career that relates to the job for which you're interviewing. Don't ramble on aimlessly on irrelevant nitty gritty details though. If you find yourself at the 5 minute mark talking about your high school days, you are WAY off the mark!

2.Your conversational style, your confidence level, your ability to organize and present information.

3.An idea of the person your are behind the suit.

2. Why Do You Want To Join This Company?
OK, now they want to know your motivations for joining the company. And this is usually where they can read between the lines in your answer, so think carefully when answering.

First, do your research on the company, its culture and market. Not enough job seekers do enough or ANY of this which is a real no-no! Make sure you understand who you are being interviewed by.

Second, DON'T give answers such as "Oh, because its such a cool place to work!", "I like your salary and benefits package," or "My friends are already there and it makes it easier for us to hang out together." OK, so maybe I exaggerate a little bit, but you should get the picture.

These answers seem "give-me" oriented and do not show the interviewer how your skills and experience deliver what the company needs.

Third, DO demonstrate to them how you can contribute to the company's goals and how your skills and experience match their requirements. Use concrete examples as if you were already working there. For instance, when I interviewed with JobStreet.com for the role of Editor, I drew up a list of things that would add value to the job seeker. Similarly, if research shows that the company is trying to be market leader, tell them how your experience/skills will be able to let you contribute to adding market share for the company.

3. Why Are You Looking For A New Job?
This may seem like a straightforward question to answer, but look again. It is very easy to slip up here if you are unprepared. Most people seek another job because they are unhappy/unsatisfied with their current employment. But relating ANYTHING in a negative light at an interview is bad form. Most interviewers don't look so much for the reason you left, but they way you deliver your response. So, always be honest and positive.

Even if you got fired from your last job, try to keep it brief yet honest. If you start ranting on about how your ex boss/company was a terrible employer, they may be thinking "Is he still dealing with bitter or sad feelings, or has he been able to focus his energy on the future and the next position? Does she place total blame on others for her situation or does she accept at least some responsibility for it?" Further, most terminations happen because of an ill-fit between company and employee, not so much performance. So, try to take this angle.

If you left voluntarily, don't dwell on the negative reasons for leaving, and focus on how you can contribute better to your new company/role.

Some examples of answers that would work are below. But again, don't just memorize these answers and throw them out again without being really honest. Interviews never work if you approach them like textbook exams.

1.I wanted to move my career in a new direction. (Make sure you mention what this new direction is.)

2.My company was restructuring and I chose to seek better opportunities elsewhere.

3.I want to keep developing new skills but was unable to pursue this in my previous company. I decided to make a change to allow this to happen.

4. What Kind Of Position Are You Looking For?
Avoid vague answers such as "I want an exciting job" or "I want to grow my skills in this area." It shows lack of focus and motivation for your career objective. Instead, focus on your desired position and how your skills and experience can help you be an asset within that position. For example, "I have a strong ability to communicate and market a product as proven in my 2 years experience as marketing officer at University/company A. I believe that I understand the consumer industry and can add value to your company's marketing efforts."

5. What Do You Consider Your Strengths and Weaknesses?
This is a time to be honest, but don't go to extremes either way. You don't want to start telling them that you are really terrible at organizing and can never be on time. Neither do you make yourself out to be the next best thing since sliced bread. Instead, be clear and concise about qualities that demonstrate you take responsibility for your work ethic, actions, and experiences learned (or failures) on the job, problem-solving ability, and values.

6. What Do You Know About Our Company?
This is where your research has come in handy. It is a way to demonstrate that you are serious about joining the company and was motivated enough to learn about it before the interview. Don't respond by repeating each and every fact you learnt about the company, because it can seem arrogant and memorized. Do mention its major product, markets and latest development. Keep things positive. Also try to show your eagerness to learn more about the company by asking some questions to the interviewer him/herself.

7. What Do You Consider Your Greatest Achievements?
Try to mention about 2-3 achievements. This is a way for interviewers to gauge how you managed people/projects/yourself in a successful manner - which can translate into how you may be able to succeed in the company if they hire you. Try to choose a set of achievements that allow you to display a variety of strengths. Ie. A successful event that you set up showing your organizational skills, successfully resolving a situation at work which demonstrates your problem solving skills and delivering an important report under difficult circumstances which shows your ability to handle pressure.

8. Where Do You See Yourself One / Five Years From Now?
Respond to reflect your confidence and drive to reach a level of work that will be rewarded for your success. State realistic expectations and propose a real plan of where you intend to go within the company. Never sound overly confident, fearful or confused.

9. What Type Of Job Assignments Did You Perform In Your Last Job?
Be honest and to the point answering this, even if the assignments performed don't exactly match those required in the new position. However, also take the opportunity to mention any projects your volunteered for, special projects you took on outside your work scope or elected positions held in committees in other past jobs/university. The key point here is to try to tell them about experience gained in areas that might be relevant to your new position.

10. When You Start A New Job, How Do You Establish Good Relationships With Your New Colleagues and Supervisors?
It is important here to be enthusiastic and positive. Tell them how you worked well with your past colleagues or peers in projects etc. Networking skills is important so show how you used yours in your past to good stead.

So that wraps out the countdown! The bottomline is, be prepared, do your research, and understand the job you are being interviewed for and how your skills / personality / experience match the job's requirements. Close the interview with any last questions, pass on your namecard if you have one, thank them for their time and give a firm handshake before smiling and saying good bye.

The first interview is just a lead into the second interview or offer to a job. Not everyone is suited for the job or the company. So don't be discouraged if you were not offered a position right away. Keep your chin up and your cool, and don't give up on yourself!

Besides, things could be a lot worse at interviews and you could be asked a question like the one used by Goldman Sachs in the USA, "There are eight balls, one of which is slightly heavier than the others. You have a two-armed scale, which you are allowed to use only twice. Which ball is heavier?" Now where is my physics textbook again...

by Koon Mei Ching

Interview Tips – How do you beat the competition?

I have been receiving a deluge of queries about interviews and how to get it right the past few months. I thought a logical way to attack the growing pile of question marks, was to shed some light on that game we play – the Interview. It should arm you with the right tactics and tools to make it happen for you! So, without further ado, let the games begin!

You Have 10 Brown Eggs, But Which Makes the Best Ommelette?
The interview is basically a tool used by employers/HR managers to select the right candidate for the right position. Now, it seems pretty simple, but the mechanics behind the process lends more than the eye can see. Most employers will start the recruitment process by using objective minimum requirements - i.e. skill, education, experience, expected salary etc. - to shortlist the candidates down to a manageable number out of the confusion of applications.

So how do they pick from say, 10 equal candidates who match up to the minimum requirements mentioned above? Even if you hit a match of 5 out of 5 for job requirements, someone else may get the job instead of you.

And so your intrigue rises. This is where the interview steps in to siphon out those more suitable based on "touchy feely" emotional aspects of the candidate.

Let's Get Touchy Feely, Shall We?
The emotional aspects being selected in the interview are generally as follows: initial impression, management potential, motivation/enthusiasm, personal chemistry, and competence.

Initial Impression:
Making the right first impression on your interviewer is vital to setting the scene for the rest of the interview. Humans naturally make a judgement about another by the way they look, act, speak etc. So the first few minutes in the interview are crucial to get across your nonverbal factors such as: vocal quality, body posture, eye contact, and facial expressions. Project self-confidence, professionalism, and eager interest in the company through your actions and demeanor, and you will make an effective initial impression.

Management Potential:
Employers hire people with potential to advance in the company as they usually prefer to grow their own management team. They look for people who have the capacity to take on more responsibilities, lead their team members and manage projects. Typically, this evaluation is based on a gut feel and the onus falls on you to point out relevant experiences that indicate your potential to adapt to a changing environment and growing roles.

Motivation/Enthusiasm:
This translates into the positive drive to accomplish a task/goal. Employers want to hire people who are genuinely excited about working for them and developing their product. They are trained to spot phony enthusiasm a mile away, so don't go trying to fake it, I beg of you. Research the company and its product before you apply to make sure that you have an honest enthusiasm for what you will be doing with the company if they hire you, and project this during your interview.

Personal Chemistry:
Know how you feel when you "click" or don't "click" with someone you meet? The same theory applies during an interview.

It sounds logical that employers prefer to hire people they like over those they don't feel comfortable with. This is personal chemistry. The reason for this is simply…simple. It is easier to work with and accomplish tasks effectively in a team with people you genuinely like. Whilst this hypothesis seems a little "vague", it is human behaviour and that, my friends, is the world we work in. Do note though, that it is difficult to "make" personal chemistry happen. Eye of newt and a bag of bat wings are useless, I am afraid. But if you step out of the interview feeling like you connected with the interviewer, your chances definitely shine brighter.

Competence:
This element is colored a slight shade of gray. While it should be measurable, it is more subjective than objective. This has to do with characteristics like adaptability to change, lateral thinking and people management skills. Employers want people who can contribute in a variety of ways, not only directly to the task they are working on. It could mean brainstorming on innovative ideas, helping to manage a team for a project or dealing with problems on your feet. If you can highlight competencies gained through your own past experiences in your interview, you can add one more point to your interview score!

In ending, understand that fulfilling the minimum requirements stated in the job advertisement is not the "end all be all" that determines if you get the job. The "hidden" emotional factors that are determined in the interview play a very strong role in deciding who wins the prize at the end of the day. So even if you don't have strong qualifications, you may still be able to leverage the interview to your advantage by laying up your "emotional" strengths. You're in the last quarter and the game depends on your next shot. You've got the talent. You've got the skills. Now go out there and score that killer interview!

by Koon Mei Ching

Interview Tips for Job Seekers

Dos and don'ts during job interviews:

Dos

1.Be specialized in an occupational field and have work experience in that field.

2.Be precise and accurate when describing the nature of your previous job(s), use technical terms and statistical figures as much as possible.

3.Be honest with your work history, personal profile and especially your salary.

4.Be multilingual, take up foreign language proficiency courses.

Don'ts

1.Do not hop from one job to another frequently without good reasons.

2.Do not badmouth about your previous boss or company.

3.Do not judge a job only by the pay it offers.

4.Do not hesitate to work for long hours.

nterview tips: What the interviewer is looking for

In most interviews, knowing what the interviewer is looking for means you have won half of the battle. The other half of the battle: be prepared to show your knowledge about the organisation, ask tactful questions about the job, and give a good impression that you can do better than others, if you are offered the job.

The interviewer has two methods of judging your suitability for the job. First, by questioning you and evaluating the things about you and your experience, based on what you tell him. Second, by observing person-to-person how you handle the interview.

If you have obviously planned your interview well, for example by showing that you are knowledgeable about the organisation, the interviewer will assume that you are also capable of planning and making a good job of your tasks. The converse is also true – a bad performance at interview could mean an unsatisfactory performance at the job.

If you have the experience and ability to do the job, make sure that you do not let your interview performance let you down. Since in most cases, the interviewer has no prior knowledge of the candidates except their letter of application, the first impression you give is extremely important. If you are of average intelligence or have few qualifications, do not despair. The most important factor is your actual achievements and the positive way in which you put these over to the interviewer.

Here are five areas that help the interviewer select the right person for the right job: intelligence, qualification, adjustment, impact on others, motivation and achievements.

Intelligence means your cognitive powers to take in and interpret information. You should be quick in understanding all questions posed by the interviewer, and providing simple and concise answers to them. Nevertheless, a person who is too intelligent, by giving complicated answers to simple questions, may give an impression that he is a thinker not a doer.

Qualifications is necessary for certain professional jobs. So make sure you possess the formal qualifications required or the experience needed when applying for that particular position. It is important to show your knowledge and interest of the relevant professional institution in your field of work, as this will also reflect your enthusiasm towards the profession.

Adjustment means adaptation to life in general and work in particular. The interviewer would like to know whether you have a good capacity to withstand stress, whether you are always in control even in the most unfavourable situations, whether you are emotionally stable, and whether you can do things on your own initiative. Most important of all, your friendly or hostile relationship with the people around you. Impact on others means anything from the use of simple language, the way you speak, the way you dress, to your physical appearance throughout the interview. If you can talk from your own personal experience using real life situations, make sense of things happen around you, think in terms of things and not people, you are more likely to give an impression of a mature person and a problem-solver much in demand by any employer.

Motivation and achievement are two important indicators of your general attitudes toward work and career. Assessment will be based on the following:

Can you motivate yourself and work on your own initiative?
Do you set yourself goals and achievements?
Can you get things done even when faced with difficulties?
Are you a dreamer or an action-driven person?
Have you long term career objectives?
Have you reached the level one would expect for your age or qualifications?
Which kind of work or activity has given you the most satisfaction?
Are you a person who can deliver on time and meet deadlines?
Do you present your boss with problems or solutions?
Do you have initiative to finish work?
Do you pay attention to detail?
Do you perform well when the going get tough?
Are you good at problem solving?

The interviewer will not ask the above questions directly as the answers should come from what you have accomplished, not what you plan to do in future. The interviewer will skillfully find out the answers by asking what you have been involved in, your interests, your strengths, your weaknesses, the challenges in your pursuit of knowledge or previous work, your perception of yourself, your dreams and objectives in life.

If you are honest with yourself in the interview, you can avoid being worried about inconsistency in your answers. Never mind if the first impression you give is imperfect to the interviewer. The worst thing that could happen is when you lie about yourself, and have the interviewer sense it before the end of the interview session.

byNgeow Yeok Meng

Job Interview Question – Tell Me About Yourself

This is one of the most popular questions asked, and your response will probably set the tone for the rest of the interview. It is the most challenging question for many people, as they wonder what the interviewer really wants to know and what information they should include.

How would you respond? One thing is for sure: the interviewer does not want to know about your family details or personal background. What he is interested in are your achievements and the milestones in your career. As you cannot afford to get your answer wrong, here is how you should start preparing yourself for this question.

Focus
List five strengths you have that are pertinent to this job (experiences, traits, skills, etc). What do you want the interviewer to know about you when you leave?

Scripting
Prepare a script that includes the information you want to convey. Begin by talking about past experiences and proven success: "I have been in the customer service industry for the past five years. My most recent experience has been handling incoming calls in the high tech industry. One reason I particularly enjoy this business, and the challenges that go along with it, is the opportunity to connect with people. In my last job, I formed some significant customer relationships resulting in a 30 percent increase in sales in a matter of months."

Next, mention your strengths and abilities: "My real strength is my attention to detail. I pride myself on my reputation for following through and meeting deadlines. When I commit to doing something, I make sure it gets done, and on time."

Conclude with a statement about your current situation: "What I am looking for now is a company that values customer relations, where I can join a strong team and have a positive impact on customer retention and sales."

Practise
Practise with your script until you feel confident about what you want to emphasise in your statement. Your script should help you stay on track, but you shouldn't memorise it -- you don't want to sound stiff and rehearsed. It should sound natural and conversational.

Even if you are not asked this question in the interview, this preparation will help you focus on what you have to offer. You will also find that you can use the information here to assist you in answering other questions. The more you can talk about your product -- you -- the better chance you will have at selling it.

Attending A Job Interview

A candidate is successful in job interview if he can convince the interviewer that he is more capable of doing the job than any other candidates. Unless a candidate has established personal networks with the company, a job is usually offered based on the assessment of the candidate's performance during the interview. This assessment places great pressure, both mentally and emotionally, on the candidate who needs the job desperately.

What then, are the criteria for selection in this process?

Successful candidates often manage to select key items from their own experience which show that they can do the job, and will do it better than any of the other candidates. They are the ones who project themselves into the job by asking the right questions, knowing the problems faced in that position, and even offering the solutions to such problems.

Successful interviewers, on the other hand, conduct an interview to find the right applicant to fill a particular job vacancy. They are not trying to trick or trap the candidates, nor are they going to penalise or find fault with the candidates. In fact, they are most relieved if the candidate can convince them that he or she is the right person for the job.

Whether you are leaving your present job, or fresh from campus or school, you should always be prepared for the interview by anticipating questions that will be asked in the interview. Challenging questions, apart from personal details and qualifications, asked by an interviewer to facilitate the process of selection are:

What are your career objectives?
What courses did you take up and why?
What do you do particularly well at school?
Where does your main experience lie?
What are your main responsibilities in your present job?
How much time do you spend on each aspect of your job?
Which aspect of the job do you like most?
What are the main problem areas of your job?
Do you have a solution for that problem?
Why do you want to leave your present employer?
What is expected in your first year if you are offered this job?
What do you want to be doing in five years' time?
How will you benefit from this job?
Are there any people you find difficulty working with?
What are your strengths?
What are your weaknesses?
Why should the company hire you?

The above questions are not standard or model questions but preparing for them will build up your confidence before and while attending a job interview. Avoid using "trial and error" in job interviews, by making mistakes in front of your prospect employer. Tactful answers to the above questions will impress the interviewer and most importantly of all, you will stand out among other candidates to get the job offer and also his confidence in doing the job.

by Ngeow Yeok Meng

What then, are the criteria for selection in this process?

What are your career objectives?
What courses did you take up and why?
What do you do particularly well at school?
Where does your main experience lie?
What are your main responsibilities in your present job?
How much time do you spend on each aspect of your job?
Which aspect of the job do you like most?
What are the main problem areas of your job?
Do you have a solution for that problem?
Why do you want to leave your present employer?
What is expected in your first year if you are offered this job?
What do you want to be doing in five years' time?
How will you benefit from this job?
Are there any people you find difficulty working with?
What are your strengths?
What are your weaknesses?
Why should the company hire you?

byNgeow Yeok Meng

Phone Interview Tips

Trying to prove your mettle during a 30-minute interview is hard enough as we well know. Trying to achieve the same effect over a 30 minute telephone interview is another ballgame altogether.

The advantages you can leverage through a freshly pressed suit, a brilliant Colgate smile or a firm handshake are no longer available. You are now challenged to convey the very same effects via the tone of your voice, content of your speech and the cadence of your answers. No mean feat.

Having the opportunity to carry out a considerable number of tele-interviews over the past few weeks, a number of glaring interview mistakes came to my attention as I attempted to screen for successful candidates. This is my advice…

Loud and clear
Nearly a forgone conclusion, but here we go: speak up! Pronounce your words clearly and speak confidently. The qualities of an impressive candidate must be conveyed through verbal aptitude. If you mess up this first criterion, it will adversely affect the praises detailed in your resume. In the end, the interview is about verifying your lofty claims made out in the CV - unless you speak up, we might never get that far.

Remember your interview appointment
Being greeted by an “erm…who is this again, ah?” response to my introduction is most definitely an impression-breaker. Your aim is to impress us…not to make us cringe.

Grab a quiet corner somewhere
We don’t care where you find it, just do it. I just held an interview this afternoon where the candidate told us that he was not free to take the call at the moment (a scheduled one at that), and suggested we call back later. Upon granting him that grace, he proceeded to conduct the interview whilst taking the time to have casual chats with passing friends or stifle a guffaw at what was perceived to be a joke whispered to him. If the recruiters don’t get to enjoy the joke, it certainly won’t help you.

Have your resume ready
The interviewer will most likely be basing the interview upon your submitted resume, so it would help to have the same materials ready before you for reference should questions be raised about its content. Hesitating or saying, “I don’t think I remember,” is not an option you should use.

When taking the time to think, share it with us
There may come moments of “blank canvas” when you need some time to unearth an appropriate answer from the recesses of your mind. If you were at a physical interview, we would be able to read your body language and understand that you are thinking. When you do the same thing on the other end of a phone line, it just translates into silence … usually a strange atmosphere for the “blind” interviewer. Hence, take the time to share with him/her that you need some time to think about it, so they patiently know what to expect.

Don’t assume anything and no exclamations of “What?!”
Although the advances in telephony have been great, the clarity of a speakerphone can be distorted. When you are unclear of what was said, you should neither pretend you heard the question, nor make reflex exclamations of “ha?” or “what?” This certainly jolted me at a recent interview and made a very bad impression on the professional etiquette of the candidate. Manners have never been more important than on the telephone. Use them.

Ask intelligent questions
Okay, so this applies whether or not you sit in a physical interview or in the comforts of your own home. Nonetheless, the interviewer will use any opportunity gauge your intelligence, thought process and potential for success. Usually, well thought out questions aimed at the interviewer shows preparation, research, interest in the company and ultimately, a brain. Ask about the company, graduate programmes, development opportunities, the economic impact on the company etc. Even surprise questions can work to your benefit if they display intelligent inquisitiveness. I was asked today why the company was hiring external consultants to conduct the screening interviews. That question threw me, but we liked being thrown.

Always bow out gracefully
With no eye contact and a good grip to seal the end of the interview, your last impression will hinge upon the end of the phone call. Be courteous, thank the interviewers and express your gratitude for the opportunity.

Although not entirely common, the tele-interview may occur especially if you are applying for a position in another city or country. In some ways, it is less nerve wracking than the physical event, but its importance to your application is not diminished by any degree. Make the effort … even if you are sitting there in your pajamas. Ultimately, the interviewers want to grab you as much as you want to convince them. So, help them and you help yourself.

by Koon Mei Ching

How to Dress for a Job Interview

Let's say you are going for an interview tomorrow. You have prepared yourself well for the occasion - anticipating the questions and getting ready the answers - but have you given a thought to what you will wear?

If you have not peeked into your wardrobe yet, it's time to take a real hard look now. Your application's fate depends not just on how well you answer the interview questions, but also on how well you project yourself physically.

The first impression your interviewer makes about you is based on the way you look, and you know what they say about first impressions. According to Joe Hodowanes, J.M. Wanes and Associates career strategy advisor, "The way a person dresses is the single biggest non-verbal communication you make about yourself."

The right dressing is a measure of the seriousness that you place on the position, as a person normally spends time on his looks if he considers an event important enough.

"Although proper dressing by itself will not get you the job, a poor dress sense may exclude you from further consideration," warns Gerry Ditching, managing partner of Filgifts.com. Besides, given two equally good applicants, the company may choose to hire the person who is dressed more professionally.

Here are some tips to give you a headstart.

Men

Long-sleeved shirt and dark slacks. White is still the safest and the best color for shirts. The colour is also appropriate for our tropical weather. Also acceptable: pale shades such as beige, blue, and other pastels. Tuck in the shirt and do not roll up the sleeves. Never wear a short-sleeved shirt to an interview or any business purpose. Wearing a short-sleeved shirt will destroy your executive image.

Ties. Optional. But if you do wear one, choose a conservative pattern. Solids, small polka dots, diagonal stripes, small repeating shapes, subtle plaids and paisleys are all acceptable.

Belts. Belts should match your shoes. Those with smaller buckles with squared lines look more professional.

Socks. Black socks are the best, followed by blue or gray, depending on your attire. Never wear white socks! Check your sock length, too--no skin should show when you sit down or cross your legs.

Shoes. Black or burgundy leather shoes with laces on them, because tassel loafers are very casual. Other suitable colors are brown, cordovan and navy.

Hair. Keep neat, short and preferably parted on the side. And shave off all those facial hair.

Jewellery. Wear no or little jewellery. The watch and wedding ring are the only acceptable pieces of jewellery to go with the male attire. Thin gold or leather-strapped watches look professional but not digital watches. Also, avoid political or religious insignias, necklaces or bracelets. Definitely no pierced body parts, and cover up your tattoos!

Accessories. As much as possible, use leather briefcases or folders to hold copies of your resume. Use narrow briefcases and avoid plastic folders and plastic ball pens as they are out of place.

Women

Three-piece business suits, blouse and skirt or slacks, and cardigan twin-sets. Sleeveless shirts should be rejected. Short-sleeved blouses are okay when they are tailor-cut or have features such as a sports collar or double breast design to create a business-like look. Skirts can either be long provided it does not create a Cinderella or barn-dance look or short where it falls no shorter than two inches from the knee. Nothing too revealing, please!

Panty-hose or stockings. A must for professional grooming, but nothing with overly fussy patterns. Bring an extra pair, just in case the ones you are wearing run.

Shoes. Closed shoes or pumps with at least 1½-inch heels suggest a more professional look. Dark colors are best.

Hair. Hair longer than shoulder length should be worn up or pulled back. Don't let it fall in front of your face and don't keep trying to fix it during the interview. Avoid large hair ornaments and trendy hairstyles.

Make-up. Be subtle; natural is the key word. Light shades of lip coloring and nail polish are recommended."

Jewellery. Be conservative. Studs of gold, silver or pearls are best. Do away with gaudy fashion jewellery, and those that clank and make noise when one moves.

Accessories. Folders and bags should blend well with the total professional look. Women should match their purse with their shoe colour.

Developing an enthusiasm for the interview

When you go for an interview, the first thing you should have is the right mental attitude or approach. Banish the negative or self-defeating thoughts from your mind, and replace them with more positive and productive ones. Here are four positive attitudes that you can bring with you to the interview:

Be confident.Just to get here to this stage of the interview means that you have already beaten some of the competition. So, build on this confidence.
Be optimistic.Why are you called to an interview? Because you have already been screened and this is a sign that the interviewer sees your potential and would rather prefer to employ you for the job than to reject you.
Be positive.Every job interview is a new beginning for you. If you have suffered frustrations in the past, as a result of an unsuccessful previous job interview or job search, forget about them! Focus on what is ahead: you are making an effort to advance your career and each interview brings you one step closer to a new job.
Be enthusiastic.Treat each interview as an interesting opportunity to learn something about the company, other people, and even yourself. Look at it as a chance to have a pleasant conversation with a fellow human being. But be forewarned. This is a serious meeting of minds. Do not forget what you are there for, so maintain a balanced perspective throughout and be focused.

Follow Instagram @kompasianacom juga Tiktok @kompasiana biar nggak ketinggalan event seru komunitas dan tips dapat cuan dari Kompasiana. Baca juga cerita inspiratif langsung dari smartphone kamu dengan bergabung di WhatsApp Channel Kompasiana di SINI

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