Tips On Final Interview

Tips on final interview: Things to ponder…. 1. The interviewer(s) will look for chemistry, “How will you fit into the work unit and company? Do you think and act in ways that are compatible with the company’s values?”

step 2 Match your skills and experience to the job specifications one more time and address any concerns or problems that surfaced during previous interviews. Interviewers will probe all questionable areas. Step 3 Become familiar with a variety of techniques that may be used to choose the final candidate. Here are some of the most common ones: a) Informal Meal Discussions – These are final opportunities to observe your social graces and see if your personality is a fit. Breakfast or lunch discussions are usually held to get acquainted, assess your communication ability, observe how comfortable you appear to be in such settings, and to see how you interact with people on various levels within the company.

How to avoid that bad interview

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Don’t Say Too Much During an Interview!! •

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Do you tend to give long answers when someone asks a question? Giving long answers is not desirable during the job interview , unless perhaps you are interviewing with a panel of government employees. In “100+ Winning Answers to the Toughest Interview Questions,” Casey Hawley notes: “Interviewers want exactly the information they ask for--and not a sentence more.” Dare to perform better in your next interview using these three ways to avoid providing lengthy answers: 2. Step 2

The Power of the Pause This is an obvious tip that many people have heard before. What is the power of the pause? It is not just a chance for you to gather your thoughts before replying to a question. The pause is also a chance for the interviewer to watch you and anticipate what you are going to say. The pause shouldn’t be too short or too long, but it should always be there. 3. Step 3

Leave Out Unimportant Details If you are giving an answer to your interviewer, you might be tempted to explain things too much. The explanation is the part where your answer becomes too long. If you focus on providing only the most important details and ideas in your answers, you can keep the length reasonable. Occasionally, there comes a question that does require a longer response. It is okay to respond more once or twice during the interview, but save that longer response for a really important question. 4. Step 4

Don’t Rephrase the Question In school, you learned that rephrasing a question is a good way to start an essay. Remember the time factor that your interviewer faces. Every moment you waste is keeping the interviewer away from other duties. You need to get to the point right away after your powerful pause. Don’t waste time rephrasing the question. The only time you should is if you are really not sure what the interviewer is asking. Interviewing for a new job is challenging. Some people tend to give long answers because they are nervous or because they want to portray exactly why they are right for the job. Sometimes interviewing is not about showing why you are exactly right. It is about the combination of why you might be right and why you are a good person to have around the office.

How to Avoid Negative Things During an Interview (interview Tips) Member By Jin Li eHow Community Member Article Rating:

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interview tips

This article talks about avoiding negative things during an interview to increase the chances of you getting the job. Negativity during an interview should be carefully avoided by preparing what to say. •

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preparation

1. Step 1

Avoid having big gaps between employment; this is one of the biggest "negative things" that catch the hiring manager's eyes. When you are staying at home for more than 3

months, you are sending the "nobody wants me" message. If the hiring manager interviews you, be ready to explain it to him/her. 2. Step 2

You don't have any references listed. It's very important to have solid references on your resume to even get an interview. Hiring managers are very careful about who they pick and good references will often tip the favor in your direction. If you don't put down any reference on the resume; write down "reference available upon request" 3. Step 3

Avoid too many job changes. It's natural for people to want to get ahead. But having too many job changes doesn't look good on resume. The hiring manager is thinking, "ok, I spend all this money for the hiring process and the person is not even going to stay for six months??". If you have lot of job changes; avoid listing it by time, list it as positions held. 4. Step 4

You were fired and couldn't explain it. 5. Step 5

You don't have much flexibility. You have a family, kids, and other obligations. So, you need lots of time off and vacation. But the hiring manager likes to hire someone that puts work on their top priorities list. I was a reference for one of my co-workers. And while I was working, a hiring manager calls me and caught me off guard. I wasn't expecting a call and was not prepared. So, one of the questions they ask me is "is this person reliable? Do they call in sick a lot?" Right away, I knew the hiring manager is trying to weed out those that do not put work on their top priorities list. Many people knows that family is their top priority, but work is very important too. Because without work, how are you going to pay the expenses for your family? 6. Step 6

You are not prepared for the interview. Careful preparation can make you sound less nervous. Most hiring managers will score you base on how well you answer the question, so it's important to answer all aspects of the question clearly. Without proper preparation, you will sound "negative" to the hiring manager. 7. Step 7

You are inconsistent in your interview. Nowadays, most hiring manager will ask similar questions over and over again to see if you are consistent in your response. Keep it honest for the best result. And being honest is important for you as well because the hiring manager can evaluate whether you are a good fit for the company.

How to Phone Interview

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Make a personal connection.

How to do an effective phone interview. Step by step plan to succeed in a phone interview. Avoid common pitfalls. •

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Information about the phone interview

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Notepad

1. Step 1

Research. Review the position description and have a copy nearby. Identify the key requirements in experience and qualifications. Evaluate your experience and note your most important matches. If you have any contacts in the company, learn what you can about the position and the

individual you will speak with. If you're working with a recruiter, ask them to brief you about the position and interviewer. Keep a notepad handy to take notes. 2. Step 2

Get comfortable. Make sure you're in a place where you can hear, and talk clearly. Avoid situations where you'll be interrupted or distracted. Make sure the radio and tv are turned off. Turn any other phones in the room silent or off. 3. Step 3

Smile. It's amazing how someone can hear a smile through a phone. Relax and take your time with your answers and questions. Don't forget to breathe. 4. Step 4

Answer questions, then confirm. After you've addressed a question, make sure you communicated what you intended. Ask things like: "Did that cover that question?" or "Is there anything else about that I can tell you?" If you get a request for more information, ask a second confirming question again at the end. 5. Step 5

Let them know you're interested. Assuming you're interested in the job... be sure to let them know. As the conversation is coming to a close, say something like: "based on what we've discussed today, I want you to know I'm interested in the next step". This gives them the opportunity to setup an in person interview. If they don't, it may not mean they're not interested, but rather may have to evaluate other candidates or ask someone else to setup a meeting. Thank them for their time, and discussion about the position.

Interviews are still the most popular form of selection for most positions and often individuals that perform well at interview are selected ahead of those that are perhaps better qualified but who do not perform as well. Good interview technique is vital to securing the top jobs and like exam success it can be learned. Here are 10 tips to improve your interview skills before, during and after the interview.

Before the Interview By conducting thorough research you have a better chance of success as you identify issues and practise questions that are likely to be asked. 1) Research yourself, your skills and experience At least half of the interview will be about you, particularly your skills, experiences and career goals. It’s therefore essential that you know everything there is to know about yourself and be

able to answer any question confidently and concisely. You are likely to be probed about your profile and so you need to be able to describe and portray yourself in a positive and balanced manner. Review your career to date and understand your key skills and strengths, your reasons for making a move both now and previously as well thinking about your short and medium term career goals. 2) Research the company, its products/services, culture and vision It’s important to research the company for several reasons. You want to know for your own purposes that it's a company you want to work for in a sector you want to work within. For the purposes of the interview you may also be asked a question or wish to ask a question. A popular interview question is “How much do you know about our company?”. It helps if you can respond with a brief summary about the company. It shows that you are someone that does their research which is a positive feature. During the course of your research you may also unearth an issue or two about the company that you want to clarify which may, for example, be related to their trading performance or a new product or service. 3) Research the job It's important to spend time analysing the job specification for two reasons. Firstly, is it a role that interests you and why and can it help advance your career? Secondly, how can you use your skills and experience to add value to the role? The interviewer will be focusing heavily on this latter aspect so it helps for you to be able to answer this question effectively. 4) Research likely questions and answers There will be questions back and forth on both sides and it helps if you have an idea about both the questions to be asked by the interviewer and the questions you wish to ask of them. It’s a similar process to knowing what the questions are before you take an exam. The questions asked are likely to be related to you and your profile and your relevance to the role and how you can add value in the future.

During the Interview 5) You never get a second chance at a first impression Ensure that you are professionally presented and have maximum impact. In the first five minutes, your interviewer will form an impression about you that is rarely overturned so it's essential that you are wearing the right clothes and your handshake, eye contact and smile all portray a strong image. Be prepared to conduct some small talk before the body of the interview. 6) The interview should be a two way conversation It’s preferable for the interview to be a dialogue rather than a monologue or a quick fire question and answer session. Some interviewers are good at achieving this, others are not. This means it’s partly your responsibility to ensure that it’s a pleasant informative conversation. If the interviewer enjoys the meeting they are more likely to think positively about you. Whatever the style of the interview you want to ensure that your answers to questions are thorough but concise. 7) Expect the unexpected Often interviews don’t go as planned and something goes wrong with the timing, location, numbers of people interviewing or the questions asked. Expect the unexpected to happen and

take such events in your stride because if you remain ‘calm in a crisis’ this will be to your advantage. Your prospective employer will view you as someone who can cope with unusual issues. 8) Ask questions of the interviewer You have researched the questions you want to ask and you should ask them. If you can, ask as part of the dialogue or a specific Q & A session. Your questions should be about the job and the company, the sector and a good one is to ask the your prospective manager about their background and why they would be a good person to work for. Often if you can get the interviewer to talk about themself you not only learn more about them but they feel better about the interview and about your performance. 9) Confirm your interest in the assignment and the company and ascertain the next step in the process It always helps you if you finish the interview in a positive way. This is the reverse of the first five minutes. Thank your interviewer for their time and reaffirm your interest in the position. Even if you’re not interested, it is better that you have the option to proceed once you have “thought” about it. Try and ascertain the next step and by when that you should hear. A firm handshake and eye contact is necessary here.

After the Interview 10) Follow up calls and emails/letters It adds weight to your application if you can follow up your meeting with a short thank you email or letter. This is both common courtesy but just serves to confirm your interest. If your interviewer has given you a decision timeline feel free to politely call them if that time has passed.

Questions likely to be asked….

Insiders Guide to Interview Questions Article Posted by Sally-Anne Blanshard.

Every interview consists of a series of questions from the interviewer to the job seekers and usually an opportunity for job seeker to ask questions. Interviewers do come in all shapes and sizes so different interviewers will ask different questions. They all try to satisfy themselves at the end of the interview and consider:

1. Can you do the job - what is the level and proficiency of your knowledge skills and experience? 2. Do you want to do the job - do you have sufficient drive and motivation. Also does this move fit logically into your career plan? 3. Will you fit into the team - do you have the right values and style?

Many interviewers now use behavioural based or ‘targeted’ questions which are trying to understand how you tackle situations that are similar to those that will face you in the job. This style of interviewing is based on the premis that past performance is a good indicator of future performance. Improve your Interview Technique - Online Workshop - Find out more.

Popular Questions Tell me About Yourself? This is usually used as an opening question and you do need to proceed with caution. Be concise but informative in your response. Depending on your career stage it should take 2-4 minutes and include the “highlights” (and lowlights) and be predominately focused on your professional career although include significant personal events and experiences if they have impacted on your career. You can also start with 'where would you like me to start?' so to get an idea of what they are really interested in. What are your three key strengths and can you give me a recent practical example that illustrates each strength? In almost every interview a question about your key strengths or skills will arise. Whether or not you are in job seeking mode you should know how and why you are different and (preferably) stronger than your contemporaries. You should be striving to make yourself better and stronger. What value have you added to your company in your current role and what value have they added to you? This is a double question so you have to remember both parts. Beginning with the first part, with employers seeking ‘added value’ it's important to be able to identify and quantify what value you have added to your company. Identify ways you have increased output or the responsibilities attached to the role and how you have benefited the company. In the second part of the question it's important to be able to identify how you have progressed and what skills and experience you have added to your profile. Employers like to meet people who are aware of key issues and perceptive of changing situations and so this can be an indicator. This question often complements the previous question. What are you most passionate about? Most Interviewers are seeking that special ingredient ‘X’ in their new hires. Someone who is passionate about what they do and this often can be outside as well as inside work. Indeed you should make the point that you are passionate about work and about being the best you can be but that you do have a special passion outside work in whatever area this may be. Improve your Interview Technique - Online Workshop - Find out more. Tell me about a time when you displayed (characteristic or quality) X. What was the result? What was the outcome?

This is often related to the skills and abilities required for the role as indicated in the job specification or advertisement and so before each interview try and construct an answer related around their specific requirements. They are looking for recent real life examples. Is there anything you would have done differently in your current role? This is a chance to outline mistakes you may have made or lost opportunities and often it's prudent to do so. You can portray your human side but ensure that your observations don’t portray you as negligent or careless. It's a delicate question and requires a well considered answer. Why did you make the move from Company X to Company Y? Employers are looking for new hires that make well-considered logical decisions and career moves can be indicative of one’s broader behaviour. They will like the fact that you made a considered move to gain broader skills. Increasingly employers are rejecting candidates who’s motives have been purely financial. If you have a series of quick moves on your resume, you need to be prepared to provide some logical reasons. What are your career goals over the next 3-5 years? You should for your own well being have a well thought our career plan. You should know what skills you wish to develop and how this translates in terms of job title and company and sector. Having a medium term career plan again reinforces the fact that you are a stable and ‘considered’ individual. How would you describe your relationship with your current manager how would they describe it? You are likely to have at least one question on how you relate to people particularly if the job involves contact with others. The interview itself will portray much of what the interviewer wants to know about your personal and social skills but you should be able to describe your relationship with your manager and contemporaries and if relevant subordinates. If you do have an issue then you need to provide a balanced rather than a one sided assessment What did your latest performance appraisal highlight about your recent performance? This is a good question and you should be able to discuss the contents critically. While you will want to portray the good points you should also be prepared to discuss some of the issues that were raised if any and how you are overcoming or improving on these.

Summary Whichever questions the interviewer asks, they wish to form an impression of you as a capable, ambitious and a likeable person. This is true however senior, junior, specialist or generalist the role. In all your responses you need to provide answers that accurately portray yourself in that way. Thinking about the answers you may give prior to your interview will be a valuable investment.

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10 Questions to ask at interview Article Posted by Sally-Anne Blanshard.

An interview is a two way selection technique - it’s just as important that you are able to make an informed decision about the company and the vacant position as it is for the company about you. It's important to select a role that provides short and long term benefits. You need to choose a job that you are going to enjoy doing, one that is challenging and satisfying in the aspects that you feel are important. It should be a job and company that will help you develop your skills and provide you with marketable experience. While the Interviewer will hopefully give you some information, asking questions can provide a greater insight to the company and the job itself enabling you to make a more informed decision. There are two benefits in asking good questions; firstly you get the information you need and secondly; if they are good questions asked in the right way you will impress the interviewer as someone who is thorough, analytical and professional. Delivery is as important as content. Sometimes you’ll need to phrase the questions in a certain way or use humour to ensure that you don’t project yourself as arrogant or hard faced. Improve your Interview Technique - Online Workshop - Find out more. You should ask questions about those aspects of the job or the company that concern you most. Since you rarely get the chance to ask ten questions in one go you should use those that appeal to you first. I have included ten of my favourites in four sections:

About the job itself

Assuming that you have a job description and/or the interviewer has described the job in some detail you will want to ask questions that will give you more information about the key issues. Three possible questions are: 1) What are the reasons that the job came about – if it’s an existing job why did the person move on? If it’s a new job why has it been created? What you are seeking here is clarity ie does the Interviewer /Manager really knows the reasons for the job AND are they logical. For example if it’s a new role you need to be convinced that the rationale for creating the position is sound and that you are going to have the support and resources required to do the job properly. If the job is a replacement job why did the person move .It’s a great sign if they were promoted to a new role in the same Company – not so good if they moved on from the Company after a short period of time. If they are still with the company it may be worth asking if you could speak with them about the role. Its an unorthodox request but can provide you with another perspective on the role and the issues and challenges associated with it. 2) What are the key challenges in the first few weeks and months of the role? Often the answer to this question will give you the meat of the job – and will outline the immediate issues and challenges. If this is different from what has been described you need to resolve the differences. If it’s the same it gives you some confidence that the role will be as described. 3) How will you assess that I’m doing a good job? What will I have achieved in 6 months or 12 months? In understanding how your performance will be assessed you better understand (again) the key issues of the job and what factors will be used to appraise your output. This is a reasonableness check for you. If you think that the job is too easy or too hard and the appraisal mechanism or resources available don’t reflect this then this should affect your decision on the job or at least provide you with further questions. You also get an idea of what achievements will be noted on your resume in 6-12 months and whether this aligns with your goals. 4) How and where does this position fit into the structure of the department? Do you have an organisational chart? Sometimes jobs have titles that portray a certain level of responsibility. If you ask the Interviewer to show an organisation chart and describe just how the people in the department or division work together with a particular emphasis on your role you will get a better idea of how you will fit in and whether it’s a role you want. Improve your Interview Technique - Online Workshop - Find out more.

About the Organisation In building your career it helps if you are working for an organisation that has a clear vision and good values and one that emphasises the importance of developing its people 5) What is the organisation’s Vision and values? If the Organisation is large with a web site you are likely to have researched this question prior to the Interview. However it’s still useful to ask possibly with reference to the division –what is its vision are what are its values? You can then deduce whether they correspond with yours.

6) I have noticed from reading your last annual report that your organisation faces the challenge of … in its key business sector? What other major challenges does it face in the near futur? Again your research may have revealed that the Organisation competes in a business niche or sector with specific challenges and issues which may be positive or negative. By phrasing the question as above you indicate that you have done some research and understand some of the issues but are interested to learn more –all good traits to display in an interview. 7) Assuming I have tackled the role successfully in 2-3 years what other opportunities would be open to me and do you have recent examples of people moving on within the organisation? The nature and seniority of the role will determine the way you ask this question but essentially you are trying to understand whether it’s usual for the Organisation to promote from within. You want to hear both reassuring words about the Organisation’s commitment to you and your career AND have recent examples to back it up

About your manager Issues and conflicts with one’s direct manager are one of the key reasons that people want to move jobs so it would be helpful to understand more about their pedigree and perspective on work 8) Can you tell me about your background and how and why you joined this organisation? This is a great question to ask. You want to learn about the pedigree of the person who is likely to be your mentor for the next phase of your career and from whom you will need to learn. Most managers are only too happy to talk about their background and you can often deduce all sorts of traits and qualities from their answer 9) What do you perceive as your strengths and what are the qualities you do and don’t like to see in your team members? This is more of the same and is really three questions in one – you’re asking them where they see their strengths which is obviously important for your ability to learn from them and to see if there are any unexpected issues arising from the qualities response

About the assignment process 10) What is the next step in the selection process from here and when should I expect to hear from you next? This is obviously helpful to you in understanding the process and time line’s involved which maybe important with regard to other opportunities you are considering.