Chapter: 9Effective Employment

Interviewing

Sunan IslamFaculty-CBA

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Job Interview A job interview is generally a - face-to-face encounter between a recruiter and a candidate.

Recruiter looks into the candidate’s- background, skills, job objectives, interests, and attitudes;

Typically, recruiters ask a series of questions to learn if the candidate is right for the job.

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Common qualities for job candidates

Here are the most common qualities for which interviewers are looking when they question job

candidates:

1. Intelligence and analytical ability 2. Creativity and flexibility 3. Communication skills 4. Work experience and required technical skills

5. Leadership qualities /team-playing ability

6. Initiative and entrepreneurship 7. Energy and stamina 8. Maturity 9. Interest in the position 10. Personal qualities and personality

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Continued …….

While the interviewer is assessing the candidate for these qualities,

-the candidate is conducting an assessment of his own

to determine if the job is really desirable.

It is a process in which - job candidates and interviewers judge each other

to decide whether they want to work together.

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The Interview Sequence Most companies, especially large ones - put candidates through more than one

interview before deciding to hire them.

Typically, the series, known as the interview sequence, consists of:

a screening interview, an in-depth interview, a multiple interview, and a stress interview.

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The Interview Sequence

Screening Interview (in large companies, recruiters from the human resources department screen most job candidates)

In-Depth Interview (conducted by the manager who must hire a new employee)

Multiple Interview (Candidates being seriously considered meet with others in the company)

Stress Interview (Candidates are asked to respond to difficult job-related questions)

Smallest number of candidates

Largest number of candidates

JOB OFFER

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Preparing For an Interview First Impression is the most important thing.

Presenting an uncertain image may eliminate you as a candidate.

Surveys tell that – more than six out of ten interviewers decide

whether or not to hire a candidate within the first fifteen minutes.

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Some Basic Rules To Build Impression Doing your homework by finding out as much as you can

about the company and the position before the interview begins.

Generating a list of questions

Choosing an effective presentation style.

Being ready to handle difficult interviewers.

Arriving on time.

Using effective communication. Coming prepared with your resume & recommendations.

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Research The Company The goods and services that the organization sells.

The company’s organizational structure, including the functions and locations of subsidiaries and divisions.

Employment trends (has the company been hiring or cutting staff?)

Industry trends (are new products changing the field?)

Turnover

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Generate a List of Questions From your research, compile a list of

questions that you want the interviewer to

answer.

As you formulate your questions - remember that most interviewers respond favourably

when a candidate takes an active part in the interview.

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Questions that you may want to ask an interviewer:

What are the job responsibilities? May I get a copy of the job description?

To whom would I report and how many people would report to me?

What is the most serious problem facing this department?

Are there any unusual job demands that I should know about?

What would be my primary job challenge?

Can you tell me about your performance review system?

Do you have a training program for this position?

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A Model Interview Most interviews follow a general pattern that includes six distinct parts: An introduction

Questions about work experience

Questions about education

A discussion of current activities and interests

An analysis of strengths and weaknesses

Closing remarks

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An introduction: - A firm handshake, - eye contact, and - a smile tell the interviewer that you welcome the

opportunity to exchange information and demonstrate your worth.

General job-related questions are: Why are you interested in this job? What do you know about – this company and this

particular job?

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Work Experience: Questions like: Describe the most difficult problem - you faced in your last job and how you solved it.

What were you best at? Give me specific examples.

What things do you do less well?

Were deadlines a problem?

What is your career goal?

Why did you leave your last job?

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Education: Questions like: Why did you choose your major field of study? What were your favourite and least favourite subjects?

Describe your extracurricular activities.

Activities and Interests: Questions like: Your resume indicates that you are involved in

various community activities. What do you do in these activities?

Do your activities place you in a leadership role? Describe how you work with other people.

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Strengths and Shortcomings: Questions like: List three of your most outstanding qualities. What in your background makes you the ideal

candidate for this job?

Closing Remarks: In closing, the interviewer thanks the candidate

for discussing his or her background and qualifications and asks if there are any unanswered questions about the job or the company.

Finally, the interviewer will usually tell you what will happen next for instance, “ You can expect to hear from me within a week.”

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How and When to Negotiate Money and Benefits Naturally, such employment conditions as: - salary, - bonuses, - vacation time, - medical insurance, - pension plans, and - company savings plans are on every applicant’s mind.

your strategy should be to wait - until the company decides that it

wants to hire you.

Asking about the money prematurely may also send the message that the job is less important than what you will earn.

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How To Develop An Effective Presentation Style

Be a careful listener: Listen carefully to all questions and give concise and direct answers.

Be organized and goal-directed: Keep in mind that your purpose is two-fold ---

to be offered the job and to evaluate the opportunity. Don’t provide irrelevant background information and ask questions that will help you make your decision.

Provide specific examples: Concrete examples tell a story better than any generalization.

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Practice your delivery: Annoying speech mannerisms – such as - repeating - you know, okay, or um throughout your

conversation can affect the impression that you make.

Be conscious of your tone as well as your words: Convey the feeling that – you welcome the opportunity to talk about yourself and the position.

Don’t make the mistake of telling managers - what their companies are doing wrong and

then describing the changes you would make.

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Be ready to handle difficult questions: Try to maintain control of the interview, and be conscious of presenting yourself in a positive,

forceful way.

Dress for business: For men: - a two-piece dark suit, - a conservative business shirt and tie,

- socks that match the suit, and

- matching leather shoes with no buckles.

For women: avoid: - excessive jewellery, - spike heels, and

- heavy makeup.

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Be punctual: To make sure that you will arrive on time to an unfamiliar location. And always give yourself a cushion - a half-hour or so of

extra time that will enable you to get through the worst traffic jams.

Shake hands and make eye contact: In a job interview - the handshake initiates the communication

that will last throughout the meeting.

As you enter the meeting room- give a clear signal that you are indeed initiating a

handshake extend your hand in the direction of the interviewer.