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Interview This is the ‘make or break’
stage. Its also the most demanding and potentially the most difficult There are three stages: 1- Preparation: Ø
Practice
before the interview. Ø
Some
questions to be prepared for 2- Performance: 3- Follow up Preparation Guidelines- You must research the
organization, the job and if possible the person who will interview you. You should also research the
industry/sector in which then organization operates. You should practice
before the interview Tips- 1.
Do your
research on the organization as you did when you were considering where to
apply - but do much more and do some of it again – things will have changed.
Update you file/dossier 2.
Get both
objective and subjective information 3.
Get
up-to-date information – eg from the press. Read the main sources of info
right up to the time you have the interview ( up to date ‘snippets’ will
impress at the interview) 4.
Get a
friend to simulate the interview with you before you go – ie to ask you some
questions ( see below) 5.
Set
yourself some goals for the interview – eg some key points you want to get
across 6.
Re read
your Covering letter and Resume before, and take them with you Some questions to be
prepared for: 1.
What are
you reading at present? (Say you have read
XX books on your Program. Say what papers/journals you read regularly. Say
that for leisure – when you have time – you read ‘whatever’). 2.
Where do
you want to be in X years? (Be ambitious but
realistic. Refer to continual development. Don’t give the impressions that
you will be difficult to satisfy/handle/manage) 3.
What are
your strengths? (Don’t be vague.
Link your strengths to your achievements. If necessary refer to generic
things such as energy, commitment, ambition, resilience, determination,
adaptability – but don’t produce a long list) 4.
What are
your weaknesses? (Have some minor
ones to refer to – but do not bare your soul. Don’t go into detail unless you
a have to. Don’t elaborate. Make sure the weaknesses will not be seen as
disadvantages in the job. Be prepared for the questions - how important are
they and what are you going to do about them? Say its important that people
recognise their weaknesses – then they can do something about them. Say you
will expect to continue to develop and learn from your experiences. Don’t
give the impression that you will want to go on lots of courses) 5.
Why do
you want this job? (Refer to what you
think you can achieve - and what it can do for you) 6.
Why should
we hire you? (Say that the only
reason you want them to hire you is that they believe you are the best person
for the job) 7.
Give me
three recent major achievements (Have this answer
ready – but give the impression of having to think back – then give the
examples. Be specific – say what you achieved and in what circumstances and
with what obstacles. Say why you were pleased with what you did) 8.
What is
your management style? (It probably does
not matter what your style is – providing you have one. The question is
probably to see what you know about yourself. Don’t use jargon. Don’t quote
text books. If you feel that the organization has a particular style/culture
– describe yourself in a way that will fit. Use general terms - eg your
openness, energy etc. Avoid phrases like ‘lead from the front’. Don’t
describe yourself in an inappropriate way. For example if you are in for a
middle management job – don’t refer to your strategic thinking.) 9.
What do
you know about this organization? (Tell them you
have done your research – point to your file/dossier) 10.
What do
you look for when you hire people? (If you have
experience of this refer to specific situations . Make the point that
different types of people do well in different types of role. Don’t give the
impression that you only value people like yourself. Refer to generic things
– ambition, energy, commitment, flexibility ) 11.
How
would someone you know describe you? (Again mention
some of the characteristics you have used to describe yourself before but add
two or three personal things – eg – sense of humour, supportiveness etc) 12.
How do
you spend your spare time? (If you are
currently doing an MBA – say you have no spare time. If you would normally do
any of the following- mention them – sport or other things to keep you fit,
Culture, community work ) 13.
What
makes a job enjoyable for you? (Refer to evident
achievement, personal development, the people you work/interact with and
being associated with a respected an successful organiszation) Performance Guidelines- You should be yourself in the
interview – don’t pretend, don’t try to be someone different You should try to be relaxed –
but not casual Tips- 1.
Dress
smart and formal 2.
Be
spontaneous – don’t try to have scripted answers 3.
Try not
to appear nervous or shy – remember – if you have got this far the
organization is interested in you. 4.
Be the
first to say ‘hello’ when you go in 5.
Take you
file/dossier – don’t spread it out on the desk but let it be seen 6.
Don’t be
presumptions – Don’t refer to ‘we’ as if you were a part of the organization
already 7.
If given
the opportunity to ask questions – ask one at most. Make it simple and have
it ready. Don’t pull out a long list 8.
Watch
for non verbal cues, make eye contact, lean forward, look interested, be
enthusiastic 9.
Ask for
clarification of any question you do not understand. 10.
Don’t be
critical of a previous employer or person Salary Questions- Don’t get into a lengthy
discussion about money. Attempt to postpone a discussion on salary till a
later stage – ‘when you would have a better understanding of the requirements
of the job’ etc. If necessary -ask what the normal/expected salary range is
for the job. However – be clear about your
previous salary and have a salary range in mind for this job – eg ‘ I believe
that the normal salary range for the type of job I understand to be available
would be -----‘ Follow up Always follow up the interview
irrespective of how it ended. Write to/E mail the person who interviewed you
within 24 hours (letter) or 48 hours (E mail). Try to choose the method of
communication to suit the company- (use E mail if they have E mailed you or
if they have given you an E mail address). Be sure to have the right name and
job title. Tips- 1.
Be brief
and polite 2.
Don’t
appear ‘pushy’ or impatient 3.
Thank
them for the interview 4.
Don’t
send multiple , identical notes – if you were interviewed by more than one
person – send one to the person who was in charge 5.
If you
were not rejected on the day – say that you will be happy to provide any
further information that might be required Source : http://www.mbajobs.net/graduates/advice_interview.html |
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