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  • 8/6/2019 Articles on Interviews

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    * If you are asked to bring certificates, references etc, get them ready before the day.

    * Take your interview letter.

    * On arrival ensure the receptionist knows you are there, visit the toilets to tidy up etc.

    If you are well organised and have planned for the day your confidence will increase.

    The interview is a chance for you and the employer to get to know one another. It is

    NOT the time to get to know about the post or the employers business.

    Do gather information about your employer before you are interviewed - what do they

    do, what are their current projects, what other interests do they have? Ask staff - many

    companies will offer you the chance to talk about the vacancy with someone, use theopportunity to find out more about the company.

    Bigger companies will have PR departments, smaller ones will provide you with some

    information - libraries can provide information on local business and keep directories

    of national business. Use the internet - many companies have a presence here now.

    Make sure you know what the job entails - get a job description, ask someone in a

    similar post; ring the company to clarify if unsure.

    Remember the employer is interested in you as a person, your experiences and your

    opinions (in most cases). Do take the time to sit down and think about you, who you

    are and what you've achieved. It can be highly embarrassing to know more about the

    employer than yourself.

    Sit down with your CV and make notes, about your work record, what you've

    achieved. Look at yourself as a person in employment - how do you see yourself,

    what have you done, what ambitions do you have. Make notes and prepare and

    rehearse sound bites about yourself. Remember that one of the most common of

    interview questions is 'Tell me about yourself' prepare a sound bite for this in

    particular, but not a life history. Usually interviewers want to know about personal

    qualities not achievements - though examples can be included to support yourstatement.

    Interviews vary tremendously, from very informal to formal. However, some

    questions can be anticipated, as can the subject matter. If you are well prepared, then

    the majority of problem questions should not arise. You will know about the

    company, you will know about yourself and you will have a good idea of the demands

    of the job - these questions will not be a problem to the well prepared interviewee.

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    Nonverbal Communications: Escape the Pitfalls

    It begins even before you say your first word in an interview. As the interviewer

    walks toward you to shake hands, an opinion is already being formed. And as you sit

    waiting to spew out your answers to questions you've prepared for, you are already

    being judged by your appearance, posture, smile or your nervous look.

    Look back at speakers or teachers you've listened to. Which ones stand out as

    memorable? The ones who were more animated and entertaining, or the ones who just

    gave out information? This is not to say you have to entertain the interviewer -- no

    jokes required -- but it does mean the conversation should be animated and

    interactive. If you say you are excited about the prospect of working for this company

    but don't show any enthusiasm, your message will probably fall flat. So smile, gesture

    once in a while, show some energy and breathe life into the interview experience.

    And don't underestimate the value of a smile. In addition to the enthusiasm it

    expresses to the interviewer, smiling often makes you feel better about yourself.

    Nonverbal Messages:

    * The Handshake: It's your first encounter with the interviewer. She holds out her

    hand and receives a limp, damp hand in return -- not a very good beginning. Yourhandshake should be firm -- not bone-crushing -- and your hand should be dry and

    warm. Try running cold water on your hands when you first arrive at the interview

    site. Run warm water if your hands tend to be cold. The insides of your wrists are

    especially sensitive to temperature control.

    * Your Posture: Stand and sit erect. We're not talking ramrod posture, but show some

    energy and enthusiasm. A slouching posture looks tired and uncaring. Check yourself

    out in a mirror or on videotape.

    * Eye Contact: Look the interviewer in the eye. You don't want to stare at her like

    you're trying to look into her soul, but be sure to make sure your eyes meet frequently.Avoid constantly looking around the room while you are talking, because that can

    convey nervousness or a lack of confidence with what is being discussed.

    * Eye Contact: Look the interviewer in the eye. You don't want to stare at her like

    you're trying to look into her soul, but be sure to make sure your eyes meet frequently.

    Avoid constantly looking around the room while you are talking, because that can

    convey nervousness or a lack of confidence with what is being discussed.

    * Don't Fidget: There is nothing worse than people playing with their hair, clicking

    pen tops, tapping feet or unconsciously touching parts of the body.

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    Preparing what you have to say is important, but practicing how you will say it is

    imperative. The nonverbal message can speak louder than the verbal message you're

    sending.

    Avoid the Top 10 Interview Mistakes

    The best way to avoid the most common and dangerous interview mistakes is to think

    ahead and decide not to make them... Read on for a whistle-stop tour of the top ten

    interview clangers!

    1. Lying

    Although it's tempting, it doesn't work. By all means gloss over the unflattering

    things. But out-right fibbing NEVER pays.

    Mark Twain said: "If you tell the truth, you never have to remember anything." Think

    about it. They will catch you out later.

    2. Slating your current company or boss

    Fed up with your current job and would give anything to leave because they've treated

    you badly? Your job interview is NOT the time to seek revenge. Bear in mind that the

    interviewer will be listening to your answers and thinking about what it would be like

    to work with you. Ask yourself: do you like working with people who constantly

    criticise others? Isn't it a bit wearing? The trouble is that the interviewer draws

    massive conclusions from your answers. So your throwaway comment about your

    boss or employer may be interpreted to be your "standard" way of thinking. It makesyou look bad, not your employer.

    3. Being Rude

    If you find you were accidentally rude, then apologise calmly and genuinely. Then

    leave it behind you and get on with the rest of the interview. If you dwell on it, it will

    affect your performance. What's "rude"? Well, that depends on your audience. As a

    rule of thumb, avoid cracking jokes about potentially sensitive topics and beware of

    being too "pally" with the interviewer: polite and friendly is enough. After all, you're

    not in the pub with them. So stay professional. Also bear in mind that everyone you

    meet could be involved in the selection process. So blanking the receptionist or

    talking down to the junior members of staff could cost you the job.

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    4. Complaining

    Ok, so your train journey might have been a nightmare and maybe you thought the

    tube would never arrive, or the tailbacks on the motorway were endless. But your

    interviewer doesn't want to know that!

    Complaining, even in jest, is not a recommended icebreaker. It may be completelyharmless, or it might simply make the interviewer switch off. Don't let complaining

    set the tone for the interview!

    5. Talking about people you don't get on with at work

    These days, it's common to be asked how you deal with conflict. Companies realise

    the importance of interpersonal relationships in the working environment. So if they

    ask you about difficult people or situations, make sure you hold back from character

    assassination and blaming others for problems because it won't do you any favours! If

    you accidentally do "break" this rule, apologise and explain what you "really" meant.

    6. Not Being PreparedRe-read the relevant version of your CV and the job advert, just before the interview.

    You'd be surprised how many people can't remember what they wrote on their CV.

    And if you remember what type of person the job advert was looking for, it's easier to

    demonstrate that you have those qualities.

    Make sure you've brought with you anything you were asked for. It's fine to bring a

    note-pad and pen, but make sure they're tidy. It's even ok to bring notes with you;

    particularly if you have any questions you want to ask. It shows you're taking the job

    application seriously. Ill-prepared candidates rarely get job offers.

    7. Appearing to be too nervous, or too confident

    If you appear too nervous they'll think you're not confident enough to do the job.

    However, appearing too confident will make them think you won't fit into the team. If

    interview nerves are an issue for you, it's worth getting practical help from a

    professional, such as an interview coach.

    8. Making a weak first impression

    Unfortunately, no matter how hard the interviewer tries, a lot of "don't want to hire

    them" decisions are made in the first few minutes of contact. If you make a strong

    first impression, the interviewer will be more inclined to overlook "imperfections" in

    your answers.

    9. Not having researched the company

    As a general rule, the more famous the brand, the more they will expect you to have

    done your homework. Researching the company shows you're serious about the job.

    10. Putting your foot in it and not noticing

    Yes, we know, you didn't mean to put your foot in it. But it doesn't really matter what

    you intended. What counts is how the other person reacts. So what can you do? Be

    prepared to simply say "sorry, that's not what I meant!" This requires you to actually

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    be paying attention to the interviewer, rather than your own thoughts and feelings.

    Once you've apologised, leave it there, take a deep breath to help you relax and move

    on with the job interview.

    The 10 Worst Mistakes Career Changers Make

    Changing careers is never easy. Half the world thinks you've lost your mind,

    headhunters say you'll never work again and your mother-in-law steps up the old, "I

    told you so" routine. But for many burned-out, bored or multitalented folks who are

    sitting on skills they're not getting a chance to use, changing fields is the only way to

    keep from losing their marbles.

    Regardless of your career change strategy, never make these 10 mistakes

    1. Don't look for a job in another field without some intense introspection.

    Nothing is worse than leaping before you look. Make sure you're not escaping to a

    field that fits you just as poorly as your last. Check out these self-assessment articles.

    Get thorough information about the fields you're considering by networking, reading

    and doing online research. Having informational interviews with alumni from your

    college, colleagues, friends or family is a fun way to get the scoop on different fields.

    2. Don't look for "hot" fields unless they're a good fit for you.

    You wouldn't try to squeeze into your skinny cousin's suit, so why try a field because

    it works for him? People who are trying to help you will come along and do the

    equivalent of whispering "plastics" in your ear. Instead of jumping at their

    suggestions, take time to consider your options. Decide what you really want to do.

    When you enter a field just because it's hot, burnout isn't far behind.

    3. Don't go into a field because your friend is doing well in it.

    Get thorough information about the fields you're considering by networking, reading

    and doing online research. Having informational interviews with alumni from your

    college, colleagues, friends or family is a fun way to get the scoop on different fields.

    4. Don't stick to possibilities you already know about.

    Stretch your perception of what might work for you. Read some job profiles and

    explore career fields you learn about from self-assessment exercises.

    5. Don't let money be the deciding factor.

    There's not enough money in the world to make you happy if your job doesn't suit

    you. Workplace dissatisfaction and stress is the number-one health problem for

    working adults. This is particularly true for career changers, who often earn less until

    they get their sea legs in a different field.

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    6. Don't keep your dissatisfaction to yourself or try to make the switch alone.

    This is the time to talk to people (probably not your boss just yet). Friends, family and

    colleagues need to know what's going on so they can help you tap into those 90-plus

    percent of jobs that aren't advertised until somebody has them all sewn up.

    7. Don't go back to school to get retreaded unless you've done some test drives in the

    new field.

    You're never too old for an internship, a volunteer experience or trying your hand at a

    contract assignment in a new field. There are lots of ways to get experience that won't

    cost you anything except your time. A new degree may or may not make the world sit

    up and take notice. Be very sure where you want to go before you put yourself

    through the pain and debt of another degree program.

    8. Be careful when using placement agencies or search firms.

    Do some research to be sure to find a good match. Ask those who work in the field

    you're trying to get into or other successful career changers for suggestions. Try tofind a firm that knows how to be creative when placing career changers -- not one that

    solely focuses on moving people up the ladder in the same field.

    9. Don't go to a career counsellor or a career transitions agency expecting they can tell

    you which field to enter.

    Career advisors are facilitators, and they'll follow your lead. They can help ferret out

    your long-buried dreams and talents, but you'll have to do the research and the

    decision making by yourself. Anyone who promises to tell you what to do is

    dangerous.

    10. Don't expect to switch overnight.

    A thorough career change usually will take a minimum of six months to pull off, and

    the time frequently stretches to a year or more. Changing fields is one of the most

    invigorating things you can do. It's like experiencing youth all over again, except with

    the wisdom of whatever age you are now.

    Still Sweating After the Interview?

    The interview is over. Wouldn't it be nice if the interviewer handed you a rating slip

    on your way out the door to let you know how you rated in the interview? But lacking

    such a luxury, you must learn to review your own performance so that you can learn

    from the experience.

    Use this opportunity to be objective about the situation. Were you prepared and

    practiced, or were you just "winging" the answers? Could you have been more

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    effective with additional practice? What will you do to prepare for your next

    interview?

    One of the most helpful things you can do post-interview is to let go of your self-

    recriminations by venting. After the interview, go to your car, or stop in at a coffee

    shop, and take pen to paper to write about what just happened. Just let your thoughtspour out. When you've finished, put the writing away, and let go! After a few hours,

    or a day, when you have had a chance to relax and digest the information, go back and

    revisit what you wrote. What can you learn from this experience? What will you do

    differently next time?

    Rate Your Performance

    On a scale ranging from one to ten (ten being high) how do you rate yourself?

    My overall feeling of satisfaction with this interview. ________

    Did I arrive on time? _______

    How was my introduction -- good greeting/handshake/posture? ______

    Was I confident and professional at all times? _______

    How did I speak - calm, clearly, not overly aggressive? __________

    How was my nonverbal communication (body language)? _________

    Did I handle the difficult questions with ease, or did I fumble aimlessly? _________

    Did I have good rapport with the interviewer? __________

    Did I talk about my strengths? ________

    Did I talk about my weakness in a positive manner? ______

    How did you do? Are you satisfied with your rating? If most of your rating numbers

    are in the 5 to 10 range, you're probably doing all right. Look carefully at the lower

    ratings -- what were the problems? You may want to consider practicing with

    someone so that you can obtain more objective feedback on your answers and style.

    No matter how your ratings added up, remember that some of what goes on in an

    interview, and behind the scenes, is out of your control. Also, keep in mind that

    interviewing is a learned and practiced skill. If you didn't do as well as you would

    have liked this time, work on your problem areas. Try scripting and practicing

    difficult questions or issues.

    By critiquing your own performance, and learning from your successes and mistakes,

    you will be more prepared the next time. And, as a result, you will become more

    confident and accomplished at interviewing. You will also become more objective in

    choosing whether the job is right for you -- not just whether you are right for the job.

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