INTERVIEW DO'S AND DONT’S

Ma. Martha Manette A. Madrid, Ed.D.Lecturer

Heritage Mansion, Baguio City, PhilippinesOctober 2010

THE DO’SDO prepare for the meeting.  Bring

copies all of your forms and all your document originals.  You should be able to respond to questions about your forms without extensive referencing and confusion.DO be prepared to answer personal questions if you are at an interview.

(for ex. related to your marriage)

DO follow the directions of the officer.  If the officer wants to interview you and the others separately, that is perfectly appropriate.

DO listen carefully and answer only the question that the officer asks you.

DO bring an interpreter with you if you do not understand English.

DO dress appropriately for the occasion.  This is an important meeting for you, and a good impression can't hurt.

DO remain calm.  If you don't understand the question, ask the officer to rephrase it.  If you really do not know the answer to a question, it is better to admit ignorance than make something up.  It also helps to be prepared.  If you know there is a part of your application that will raise suspicion, practice a truthful response. 

DO show up on time.  The officers are notoriously difficult to reach and requests for changes in interview times are not well received.  If you fail to show up for your appointment, you may have to endure a lengthy process to get another interview.

DO hire an attorney to accompany you if the thought of going through an interview alone is too overwhelming.

APPLICANTS

THE DON’TSDON'T joke around with the officer.  In particular, avoid joking or sarcasm related to drug dealing, communicable diseases, bigamy, or smuggling people into the country.

DON'T argue with anyone or on phone in the middle of an interview.  Agree before hand on what you will do if a disagreement arises during the interview.

DON'T argue with the officer.  If the officer says part of your application is incomplete, ask for an explanation and attempt to remedy the situation by using the documents and forms you have brought with you.

DON'T lose your patience with the officer and refuse to answer questions.  Questions that may seem inappropriate or unimportant to you are probably within the boundaries of what is allowed by the organization or team.  Just remember what the pay off is for going through with the interview.

DON'T lie to the officer.  If you feel you have something that would be difficult to explain, hire an attorney.  Your attorney should be able to defuse difficult situations during an interview.

DO'S AND DONT'S IN A HR INTERVIEWThere are a number of things that you

will want to avoid during the HR interview process. While some of these things are directed at the interviewer, the other things are directed at the applicant. If interviewers fail to follow the proper procedures throughout the interview process, it could lead to problems with the company, and they could lose the chance to hire a qualified applicant.

The first thing that you will want to pay attention to is your appearance. The way you are dressed when you arrive to an interview will often play a role in whether or not you are hired. Unfortunately, we live in a world where the appearance of a person is important. Even if you are highly qualified for the job, you may not be hire for the position if you do not have an appearance which is acceptable to the person who is interviewing you. If you are getting an office job, it is best to be dressed in a nice suit. You should also be well groomed

Avoid bringing gadgets to the interview process.

These things include MP3 players, PDAs, or any handheld devices, especially those that make noises. If your cell phone goes off while you are being interviewed, there is a high probability that you will not be hired by the company. When it comes to your appearance, it is also important to make sure you smell good. You should consume a breath mint before the interview starts, and while wearing perfume or cologne is good, you should never wear too much. A number of studies have indicated that about 60% of the things interviewers look for during interviews are non-verbal instead of verbal.

Your body language and appearance is crucially important, and you will want to pay attention to it.

Never laugh during an interview unless the interviewer laughs first. When you first walk in, shake their hand firmly, and do it again at the end of the interview. It is important to make sure your palms are not sweaty. If you wash your hands before the interview, make sure they are dry before it begins. Human resources interviews can be a difficult process. The applicants tend to be nervous, and the interviewers must make sure they ask questions that are appropriate. However, the interview process will go smoothly is both sides understand the procedures that must be carried out.

If you are the applicant, it is important to avoid saying negative things about your former boss, even if you feel your statements are justified. This will convey a bad message to the person that is interviewing you. It is also important to make sure you speak properly.

TOP 10 INTERVIEW BLUNDERS1. Don't Prepare

Not being able to answer the question "What do you know about this company?" might just end your quest for employment, at least with this employer. Background information including company history, locations, divisions, and a mission statement are available in an "About Us" section on most company web sites. Review it ahead of time, then print it out and read it over just before your interview to refresh your memory.

2. Dress Inappropriately

Dressing inappropriately can work both ways. You will certainly want to wear a suit if you are interviewing for professional position. When interviewing for a summer job at your local theme park or as a lifeguard, for example, dress accordingly in neat and casual attire. If you aren't sure what to wear, visit the organization and watch employees coming in and out of the office to see what they are wearing.

3. Poor Communication Skills

It's important to communicate well with everyone you meet in your search for employment. It is, however, most important to positively connect with the person who might hire you. Shake hands, make eye contact, exude confidence, engage the person you are speaking with, and you will let the interviewer know that you are an excellent candidate for this position - before you even answer an interview question.

4. Too Much Communication

Believe it or not, a recent candidate for employment, who, by the way, didn't get the job, didn't hesitate to answer his cell phone when it rang during an interview. Leave the phone behind or at least turn it off before you enter the building. Same goes for coffee, food and anything else other than you, your resume, your job application, and your list of references. They don't belong at an interview.

5. Talk Too Much

There is nothing much worse than interviewing someone who goes on and on and on... The interviewer really doesn't need to know your whole life story. Keep your answers succinct, to-the-point and focused and don't ramble - simply answer the question.

6. Don't Talk Enough

It's really hard to communicate with someone who answers a question with a word or two. I remember a couple of interviews where I felt like I was pulling teeth to get any answers from the candidate. It wasn't pleasant. So, even though you shouldn't talk too much, you do want to be responsive and fully answer the question as best you can.

7. Fuzzy Facts

Even if you have submitted a resume when you applied for the job, you may also be asked to fill out a job application. Make sure you know the information you will need to complete an application including dates of prior employment, graduation dates, and employer contact information.

8. Give the Wrong Answer

Make sure you listen to the question and take a moment to gather your thoughts before you respond. Like the following candidate, you'll knock yourself out of contention if you give the wrong answer.

9. Badmouthing Past Employers

Your last boss was an idiot? Everyone in the company was a jerk? You hated your job and couldn't wait to leave? Even if it's true don't say so. I cringed when I heard someone ranting and raving about the last company she worked for. That company happened to be our largest customer and, of course, I wasn't going to hire someone who felt that way about the company and everyone who worked there.

10. Forget to Follow Up

Afraid you didn't make the best impression? Are you sure that you aced the interviewed? Either way, be sure to follow up with a thank you note reiterating your interest in the position and the company.

Finally, even if you do flub the interview, don't take it to heart. I don't think there is anyone hasn't blown an interview or two. If it happens, look at it like it just wasn't meant to be, learn from your mistakes and move on to the next opportunity.

PREPARATIONS FOR THE INTERVIEWKnow the Company

Dress properly

Be punctual and patient

Review and Practice

TIPS DURING THE INTERVIEW• Relax

• Maintain Eye Contact

• Listen attentively

• Speak clearly and to the point

TIPS DURING THE INTERVIEW• Be Confident

COMMONLY ASK QUESTIONS IN A HR INTERVIEW• Will you tell me about your

self?

• What do you know about our organization?

• Why should we hire you?

• What do you looking for in a job?

• Please give me your definitions of the position for which you are being interviewed.

• How long would you stay with us?

• What important trends do you see in our industry?

• What do you feel this position should pay?

COMMONLY ASK QUESTIONS IN A SINGAPOREAN INTERVIEW

• What is your personality? • Tell something about your

personality• What are your hobbies?

• Tell something about your OJT.• What are the kinds of snacks? • What is Food and Beverage?• And other things about your course?

• Why do you want to go to Singapore?

• Tell something about Singapore.

• How will you handle customers’ complaints?

• Others might be given situations and ask how to deal with it?