JOB INTERVIEW

So you got a call from the Recruitment office for an interview, congratulations. You’re now one step closer to becoming part of the company. The next thing you should think about is how to ace the job interview to score the job you’ve long been wanting to get.

Remember that there are probably ten, or maybe even a hundred, other people applying for the position you’re eyeing. So the first thing to ask yourself is “Why should I get the job?”

Here are some points to consider when you’re up for a job interview:

Prepare. A job interview requires careful preparation. You should take the time to sit down, assess your career plans and your career experience, and make some notes.

Here are some questions that may be asked during the interview:
· What are the things that encouraged you to apply to the company?
· What are your career objectives?
· What courses did you take up and why?
· What do you do particularly well at school?
· What are your main responsibilities in your present job?
· Which aspect of the job do you like most?
· What are the main problem areas of your job?
· Why do you want to leave your present employer?
· What is expected in your first year if you are offered this job?
· How do you see yourself five years from now?
· Are there any people you find difficulty working with?
· What are your strengths?
· What are the things you like to improve on about yourself?
· Why should the company hire you?

Whether you are a fresh graduate or you have several years of work experience, it is important to prepare for the job interview. Try to anticipate the questions that will be asked in the interview. Get a friend to act as an interviewer so you can practice. Preparing for the job interview will help build and boost your confidence.

Research. Thanks to the Internet, information is now available more than ever. Go online and find out what you can about the organization and the position. This will give you more information about the company’s business, its people and the work environment. The interviewer would also be impressed that you did your homework and get the impression that you really are interested in the job.

Stop, Look and Listen. During the interview, listen attentively to the interviewer. Look at the interviewer to show interest. Before answering a question, take a pause to think about your answer.
Try to cite evidence for your statements. For example, if you say that you have good leadership skills, mention some previous projects where you had to assume a leadership role. Pay attention as well to your body language – posture, handshake, attire, personal grooming. Sit properly. Keep your hands free from pens, keys or cellphones to avoid fidgeting. Put your phone on silent mode, or better yet, turn it off.
Also, remember that interviewers conduct the interview to find the right person fit for the job. They are not there to find flaws in you, nor to make your life difficult. Interviewers need to be convinced that you are indeed the right person for the job.

Interview the Interviewer. At some point during the interview, the interviewer will ask you if you have any questions. This is the right time for you to know a bit more about the company, the position you are applying for, the work environment, the people, to name a few. Prepare your questions way ahead so that when you’re given the chance to ask, you already know what to ask.

Thanks. When the interview ends, make sure to thank the interviewer for his or her time. Extend your hand for a good shake. If you have the interviewer’s email address, you may also send a brief note of thanks. This would show that you’re really interested in the job, and this gesture is something very rarely done by applicants.

The job interview plays a very big role in your application. Knowing that you only have a couple of minutes to demonstrate your competency and your desire for the job can cause some pressure. But with the right preparation, your interview should go smoothly. Remember that your objective is to show the interviewer that you are the one most capable of doing the job among all the applicants.

Before you enter the door, take a deep breath, relax and project confidence. Now, go on and show the interviewer they should hire you.