interview skills

The Interview : 

The Interview Doorway to Your Future Career

How to Prepare for an Interview : 

http://engg.kau.edu.sa/~bkaragoz How to Prepare for an Interview Your college career office or library may have a sheet or booklet on interview technique. Take as much advice as you can. Try and 'practice' an interview. Ask a friend, or college teacher, to pretend to interview you. Make notes of your achievements and study the way you talk about them by practicing.

How to Handle an Interview : 

http://engg.kau.edu.sa/~bkaragoz How to Handle an Interview Be positive, and confident (if you can!) but not over-confident. Be well-informed about the company, its record and achievements, about the job and why you want it. Have questions ready to ask about the company and the job. If you are not accepted, some employers may be kind enough to look at your interview notes, and explain to you how you could improve your CV and interview technique. Ask - you can only be refused, and it shows you are prepared to develop and learn; they may make a note about you for future reference.

Some General Job Interview Tips : 

http://engg.kau.edu.sa/~bkaragoz Some General Job Interview Tips Do not smoke, chew gum, or eat garlic beforehand. Wear suitable interview clothes. Take copies of your CV with you. Arrive on time for your job interview. Any applications handed before the interview begins, are to be filled in as accurately as possible, make sure they match the information in your CV and Cover Letter.

General Tips – At Start : 

http://engg.kau.edu.sa/~bkaragoz General Tips – At Start Always greet the interviewer by his/her last name and try to pronounce it correctly. Have a good firm handshake. Look alert and interested. Scan the room once and then keep your eyes on the interviewer. Wait until you are offered a chair before you sit down.

Ice Breakers : 

http://engg.kau.edu.sa/~bkaragoz Ice Breakers Your answer to the initial opening statements in the job interview are important, these are called "ice breakers" Some times the interviewer will ask whether you had difficulty finding the company premises. Your answer should be brief and polite. The interviewer is merely being polite - if you had problems in finding the premises he/she doesn't need to know that.

Tips During Interview : 

http://engg.kau.edu.sa/~bkaragoz Tips During Interview Stress your achievements. Always conduct yourself professionally and if something beyond your control occurs, show a sense of humor. Be enthusiastic and show it in your replies and body language. Answer the interview question by more than a simple yes or no but try not to go over the 60 second limit. Avoid at all cost complaining about your current or former employer in your job interview. Do not answer questions about politics or religion if the job is completely unrelated.

Conversation Tips : 

http://engg.kau.edu.sa/~bkaragoz Conversation Tips Use replies such as I'm fine thank you, and you? I'm very well, thank you. These replies express a careless attitude So, so OK Not so well Do not raise salary discussions on your first interview - this is usually done on the second interview. Make sure you do your wage research before hand.

Various Kinds of Interviews : 

http://engg.kau.edu.sa/~bkaragoz Various Kinds of Interviews One to One Job Interview Panel Job Interview Group Job Interview Phone Job Interview Lunch Job interview

One to One Job Interview : 

http://engg.kau.edu.sa/~bkaragoz One to One Job Interview The most common interview type - interviewer with interviewee. The One to One Job Interview is a test/conversation and both parties will end the conversation with an opinion. The interviewer: if the candidate is right for the job and the interviewee: if the organization is right for him. The interview starts when the interviewee meets the interviewer. We read a lot in body language signs & other non-verbal communication. The clothes you wear are also important. The interviewer is going to conduct an 'investigation' in order to see if you are fit for the job vacancy and whether you are better at the job than the other candidates. The interviewer will ask questions of a technical nature and of a general nature.

Use of General Questions : 

http://engg.kau.edu.sa/~bkaragoz Use of General Questions General questions will analyze your problem solving abilities and your ability to socialize with the rest of the team. Always use previous achievements to back any facts you mention. Even if such achievements were at the school newspaper, employers under stand that school leavers have to start from some where.

Interview Sequence : 

http://engg.kau.edu.sa/~bkaragoz Interview Sequence Apart from trying to see if you have the experience and qualifications for this job, interviewers also want to see how you fit in the work environment, the team and how you relate to your immediate supervisor. Therefore, if you have a one to one interview it is very likely that you will have several other one to one interviews. This is a disadvantage over a 'panel interview'. Each time the interviewer is satisfied you move a rung up in the corporate ladder until you're interviewed by the departmental manager (this depends on the kind of job you are being interviewed for). Treat each one to one interview with great attention. Do not assume that the next interviewer knows what you told the first one. You will need to mention your preparation and qualities each time.

Panel Interview : 

http://engg.kau.edu.sa/~bkaragoz Panel Interview This kind of interview is conducted by an interviewing panel that is made up of the supervisor and some members of the team. The interview panel can also consist of top level CEOs although this depends the kind of position you are applying for. The panel interview is stressful and this is why organizations use it: to see the candidate's reaction to stress. You will be asked questions from all the panel members, sometimes the same question by different panel members. It is difficult to build the kind of connection with the interview panel as you can in a one on one interview. You can buy time by asking questions. You should always remain calm and composed during a panel interview. Take a breath and even count to five (in your head), if you see the situation getting out of hand.

Group Interview : 

http://engg.kau.edu.sa/~bkaragoz Group Interview The group interview is more stressful than the panel interview. You will be "interviewed" in a group. All the candidates/job seekers will be in the same room during the interview. The group interview will show Leadership qualities Stress Communication with possible team mates How the candidate will face the public and customers What level of knowledge candidates have How knowledge is used in a discussion Show your opinion but let the other candidates speak. Ignore any candidates who are too aggressive or make any personal remarks. Try to avoid getting in one to one conversations. It is always a good idea to have the final statement in a group interview. Generally this is not the final interview and short listed candidates will have a panel or one to one interview

Phone Interview : 

http://engg.kau.edu.sa/~bkaragoz Phone Interview This kind of interview is often the first contact with an employer. A phone interview is also used when candidates reside in other countries. The most important thing to remember in phone interviewing is that you are working towards a face to face discussion.

Overview of Phone Interviews : 

http://engg.kau.edu.sa/~bkaragoz Overview of Phone Interviews Show interest and enthusiasm. Keep the receiver in front of your lips and speak clearly and slowly. Do not use slang and try to minimize accents. Write notes and do Job Interview Preparation and Wage Research. Concentrate on your positive in the phone interview. At the close of the phone interview ask for a face to face interview.

Lunch Interview : 

http://engg.kau.edu.sa/~bkaragoz Lunch Interview This is simply an interview held over lunch. It takes a different approach and different preparation. The interview will probably be slightly longer than normal.

Lunch Interview Etiquette : 

http://engg.kau.edu.sa/~bkaragoz Lunch Interview Etiquette Do not worry too much about lunch interview etiquette, employers are more interested in your ability to do the job rather than your table manners although a certain level of education and manners have to be shown. If you follow the normal table manners you will be fine unless VIP dining is part of the job.

Do Not of Lunch Interview : 

http://engg.kau.edu.sa/~bkaragoz Do Not of Lunch Interview Sneeze on food. Dunk bread in soup. Be rude to the waiter. Place elbows on table. Speak with your mouth full of food. Chew with your mouth open.

Tricky Interview Questions : 

http://engg.kau.edu.sa/~bkaragoz Tricky Interview Questions Why should we hire you? Why do you want to work here? What are your greatest weaknesses? Why did you leave your last job? Describe a problem situation and how you solved it What accomplishment are you most proud of? Tell me about yourself.