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Seminar on Interviewing SkillsOn May 22, 2015 at ICMAP Islamabad

Resource Person: Ms Aisha Javed, Deputy Director Financial Control Zong

Organized By:CPD, Seminars and Conferences Committee- National CouncilInstitute of Cost and Management Accountants of Pakistan

How to WOW them in an Interview

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3 Most Important Things to do before Interview

1.1. PREPARE!PREPARE!

2. PREPARE!2. PREPARE!

3. PREPARE!3. PREPARE!

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Preparation for Interview

¨ Research the employer

¨ Find out what the job responsibilities are

¨ Find out and record where, when, and with whom you will interview with

¨ Prepare a resume

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Why spend time finding out about the employer /job?

¨ Your goal is to show the employer why you are the best person for the job

¨ Relate your strengths and experience to the job

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Creating First Impression

¨ “You never get a second chance to make a first impression.”

¨ Employers form a first impression of the candidate in less than a minute

¨ The first impression affects the rest of the interview

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Make a Good Impression

Speak up, don’t be afraid to talk about yourself!

¨ Listen closely to the interviewer. Show a real interest in the company and the job.

¨ Sell yourself! Tell the employer about your abilities and good qualities. Know what value you bring to the company. Answer all questions carefully and honestly.

¨ Be as positive as you can.

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Be Professional

¨ Greet your interviewer with eye contact and a SMILE

¨ Shake hands firmly

¨ Sit up straight, look attentive, do not cross your arms (crossing your arms tells the employer you’re not interested)

Make a Good Impression8

Take Deep Breathes

¨ Before the interview, take a few deep breaths, inhale through your nose and blow out through your mouth. This will help you relax your muscles and help you relax mentally too.

¨ Do some self-talk about how you are the perfect match for the job!

Make a Good Impression9

¨ Punctuality¨ Clothing¨ Posture¨ Tone of Voice¨ Handshake¨ Eye contact¨ Body Language

Non Verbal Factors10

Punctuality

¨ Leave as early as possible leaving room for something to make you late.

¨ Show up at least 20 min early.

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Dress for interview – For Men

¨ If possible, wear a suit to the interview¨ Belt and shoes should be same color¨ Avoid ties with elaborate patterns or too many colors¨ A wedding ring and/or watch is generally the only jewelry that should be worn¨ Head to Toe: Hair should be well groomed and shoes should be polished¨ Neat shave/ well trimmed beard¨ Minimal Cologne

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Dress for interview – For Men13

Dress for interview – For Men14

Dress for interview – For Women

¨ Simple formal dress is preferable¨ Don’t wear very bright colorful dress¨ Wear Heels only if you are comfortable¨ The amount of jewelry should be minimized¨ Make-up should be light¨ Avoid perfumes and scented powders

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Posture16

Tone of Voice

It’s not what you say, it’s how you say it”

Three types of tones:¨ Nonassertive-lack of action or energy¨ Assertive- direct, but tactful¨ Aggressive- pushy or brash

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Handshake

¨ It’s should be firm¨ Definitely not a bone crasher¨ Not too timid

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Body Language- Don’ts

Rub the back of your head or neck. Even if you really do just have a cramp in your neck, these gestures make you look disinterested.

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Body Language- Don’ts

Rub or touch your nose. This suggests that you're not being completely honest.

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Body Language- Don’ts

Don’t Play with your hairs or beard.

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Body Language- Don’ts

Sit with your armed folded across your chest. You'll appear unfriendly and disengaged.

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Body Language- Don’tsDon’t Sit in waiting Area like this. You'll appear confused and tensed.

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Body Language- Don’ts

Cross your legs and idly shake one over the other. It's distracting and shows how uncomfortable you are.

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Body Language- Don’ts

Lean your body towards the door. You'll appear ready to make a mad dash for the door.

Slouch back in your seat. This will make you appear disinterested and unprepared.

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Body Language- Dos

Show your enthusiasm by keeping an interested expression. Nod and make positive gestures in moderation

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Body Language- Dos

If you have more than one person interviewing you at once, make sure you briefly address both people with your gaze (without looking like a tennis spectator) and return your attention to the person who has asked you a question.

Interruptions can happen. If they do, refrain from staring at your interviewer while they address their immediate business and motion your willingness to leave if they need privacy.

Switch off your cell phone or make it silent.

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What does the Interviewer look for?¨ Good all-round intelligence¨ Enthusiasm, commitment and motivation¨ Good communication skills¨ Team work ability¨ Ability to solve problems¨ Capacity to work hard

¨ Initiative and self-reliance¨ Balanced personality¨ Drive for Results¨ Know the Business¨ Open Exchange of Information¨ Makes Difficult Decisions

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How to Handle Tough & Behavioral Questions29

Tell me about yourself

The most often asked question in interviews

¨ Tell your academic record¨ Your skills¨ Your qualification etc.¨ Talk about things you have done and jobs you have held that relate to the position

you are interviewing for¨ Time: 3 minutes¨ Prepare written answer for this question and rehearse

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What are your strengths ?¨ Strength of your subject knowledge¨ Your ability to prioritize,¨ Your problem –solving skills,¨ Your ability to work under pressure,¨ Your ability to focus on projects,¨ Your professional expertise, ¨ Your leadership skills and ¨ your positive attitude.

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What are your weakness ?¨ Here you have to tell your weakness As strength¨ I am always committed to the work assigned to me and I expect the same

from my coworkers, this affects the interpersonal relationships sometimes but I get the work done with all integrity and focus.

¨ Fear of Public Speaking¨ Talk too fast¨ In ability to Say NO¨ Can’t remain hungry for too long ¨ Addicted to Tea/coffee¨ Can’t tolerate disorganized places

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What motivates you?

Bad answer:

"Doing a good job and being rewarded for it.”

Good answer:

“I’ve always been motivated by the challenge of meeting a tough deadline – in my last role, I was responsible for a 100% success rate in terms of delivering our products on time and within budget. I know that this job is very fast paced, and deadline-driven – I’m more than up for the challenge. In fact, I thrive on it.”

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Don’t you think you may be too young/ inexperienced ?

Admit that you have no experience. However explain your academic strength

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Would accept this job, if offered to you ?

Yes, I will accept the opportunity and will deliver my best for the company & organization.

If you say No, you have to explain your reservations.

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What you look for in a job?36

What do you think of your previous boss?

Bad answer:

“He was completely incompetent, and a nightmare to work with, which is why I’ve moved on”

Good answer:

“My last boss taught me the importance of time management – he didn’t pull any punches, and was extremely deadline-driven. His no-nonsense attitude pushed me to work harder, and to meet deadlines I never even thought were possible.”

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How would others describe you ?

Bad answer:

"I’m a really good listener.”

Good answer:

“My friends would probably say that I’m extremely persistent – I’ve never been afraid to keep going back until I get what I want”.

“As never ending source of motivation”

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Why You want to leave your current Job?

Bad answer:

“I can’t stand my boss, or the work I’m doing.” Again, stay away from badmouthing your job or employer. Focus on the positive.

Good answer:

“I’ve learned a lot from my current role, but now I’m looking for a new challenge, to broaden my horizons and to gain a new skill-set.

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Where you see yourself in 5 years?

Bad answer:

“Relaxing on a beach,” or “Doing your job.”

Good answer:

“In five years I’d like to have an even better understanding of this industry. Also, I really love working with people. Ultimately, I’d like to be in some type of managerial role at this company, where I can use my people skills

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Why we should Hire you?

Bad answer:

Because I am good in Communication & Blah Blah

Good answer:

Use FAB techniques i.e.Feature – Something that is fixedAdvantage – That allows you to do somethingBenefit – How it will benefit the company

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Why we should Hire you?Interview features can be:

¨ Excel skills¨ IT skills ¨ Problem solving skills¨ Communication Skills¨ etc…

Advantage:Think about your skill that match the JD

Benefit:How it will benefit the company

FAB RULE

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What Question You can Ask

¨ Don’t ask questions that say “What’s in it for me?” Such as; “when is my first day off?”

¨ Ask questions such as:

o Why did you choose to work for this company?o How will my performance be evaluated?o What is the most difficult task I will be doing?o What is the process you use when training for this position?o Career development opportunitieso What happen next or what are next stages?

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What not to Ask in First Interview

Avoid questions about the following:

¨ Salary¨ Vacation¨ Health & Retirement

They reflect misplaced priorities

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How to evaluate Job offer?

¨ Company Culture¨ Work environment¨ Commuting time¨ Hours required¨ Opportunity for personal development¨ Opportunities for advancement in the company¨ Type of Work¨ People with whom you will be working¨ Performance/Salary review timing

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Closing Interview

¨ Thank the interviewer for their time¨ Ask what the next steps will be (such as a second interview)¨ Ask when they plan to make a decision¨ Tell them you are interested in the job (only if you are!)¨ Ask for a business card(s) of the interviewer(s)

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How to ruin your interview

¨ Poor personal appearance

¨ Negative attitude – evasive, using excuses

¨ Lack of interest and enthusiasm

¨ Lack of preparation

¨ Poor knowledge of role

¨ Failure to give concrete examples of skills

¨ Over emphasis on money/rewards

¨ Lack of career plan

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Salary Negotiation

¨ Do your research about salary slabs

¨ Quote a range

¨ Don’t go lower than the low side of range in negotiation

¨ Don’t accept low offer thinking you will get a raise later

¨ Know your worth

¨ Don’t undersell yourself

¨ Don’t be afraid to walk away in case you have low offer

¨ Be calm, Keep your emotions in check

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Emotional Intelligence

5 Areas of Emotional Intelligence:

¨ Self Awareness & Self Control

¨ Empathy (Understanding Others)

¨ Social expertness (Relationships)

¨ Personal Influence (How you influence others)

¨ Mastery of purpose & Vision

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Emotional Intelligence

No one pays you for being JUST Book smart, you need to show emotional Intelligence too.

Some Emotional Intelligence Questions are:

¨ Tell me about a time when you felt confident in your abilities. What was the situation? Why did you feel confident? How did you know? What was the result?

¨ Think of a situation you faced where you felt angry or frustrated at work (whether you showed it or not). How did you know that you were feeling this way? Why were you frustrated? What did you say or do? What was the impact you had on the other people who were involved?

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Emotional Intelligence¨ Everyone is better at some things than others. What is an example of something

that isn’t one of your strengths? What have you done in your professional life to accommodate for this?

¨ How would your current or previous co-workers, supervisor and staff describe your communication and interpersonal style? Give me an example or two.

¨ Describe a difficult conversation you faced at work. What was it? What did you do? What was the result?

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Last but not the Least

¨ It takes time and persistence to reach your goal

¨ Consider every interview a learning experience

¨ Don’t get discouraged

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