Reposting : Job Area : Tip Interview
Original By :http://www.working-smart.co.uk/default/interview.asp
It is not possible to guarantee questions in any interview, but you should consider asking yourself the following questions so that you will be fully prepared during the interview. You are best placed to know your own shortcomings and where you might fall below the expected standard, so it is important to anticipate and practice the answers. Focus on your strengths and what skills you can bring to a position. The interview is a prime opportunity for you to sell yourself to the interviewer.
INTERVIEW QUESTIONS:
The questions most typically asked at interviews have been grouped into the following topic areas (but are seldom as structured during the interview process). The questions below are focused towards a European market; please note that the style and types of questions do vary from one country to another. This list is not exhaustive but should provide food for thought. You should prepare for questions about your background, your aspirations, the potential employer and the position, your personality and your interests.
Potential Employer
bullet Why did you apply to us?
bullet Where did you hear about the position?
bullet What do you know about our organisation?
bullet Do you know anyone who works for us?
bullet What interests you about the position?
bullet What do you think we have to offer you as a company?
Career Ambitions
bullet What are your long/short term goals?
bullet Tell me about your career aspirations.
bullet What are you looking for in a career?
bullet Do you have plans to gain further qualifications?
bullet Where do you see yourself in 2/5 years time?
bullet Describe your ideal employer.
Skills and Requirements
bullet Why should we hire you? - Give me three reasons.
bullet What have you got to offer the company? - What skills will you bring?
bullet How do you work best? - Leading a group, in a team or alone?
bullet Are you prepared to travel?
bullet Are you looking for a position with training?
bullet What has been your main career achievement to date?
bullet What was the most difficult problem in your current/previous position - how did you find the solution ? You say you have xxx skills…how did you demonstrate these in your previous position ?
Personality
bullet Describe yourself - strengths/weaknesses?
bullet How would your friends describe you?
bullet What motivates you?
bullet What are your strengths/weaknesses?
bullet How do you spend your spare time?
Problem/Sticky Questions
bullet What salary or benefits are you looking for ? (We can give you advice regarding how to deal with this question prior to your interview).
bullet Why are you changing your career?
bullet Explain the gap in your work history.
bullet Given your career plans, how long do you expect to stay with our organisation?
bullet Can we contact your current employer for references ? (this question is usually only asked after an offer letter has been sent - nevertheless be prepared).
Questions to ask the Interviewer
bullet Why is the position available?
bullet What skills are needed to succeed?
bullet What are the initial priorities of the position?
bullet How does the position fit into the organisational structure?
bullet How much scope (autonomy, flexibility, career growth, responsibilities) is there within this position ?
bullet What is the company’s managerial style/culture ?
Questions typically asked of Graduates.
bullet Why did you chose your particular degree/discipline ?
bullet Why did you chose your college/university ?
bullet What did you most/least like about your course ?
bullet What was your strongest/weakest subject ?
bullet Tell me about your project work ?
bullet How are your studies related to this position/vacancy ?
bullet Tell me about your career aspirations ?
bullet Describe your ideal employer ?
bullet Do you plan to gain further qualifications ?
bullet How do you spend you spare time ?
bullet How would your tutor describe you ?
bullet Besides your degree, what else do you feel you gained from college/university ?
bullet Were you active in any societies ?
bullet What positions of responsibility do you hold/have you held ?
PRIOR TO THE INTERVIEW
Prepare - Prepare for Interview Questions, have a few to ask the interviewer, dress well.
Identify - Who are you meeting? their titles, relationship to job.
Research - Find out what the job entails. A good agency will always provide you with a detailed job specification. Make sure you have all the information.
Plan Ahead - Get a location map, contact telephone numbers, have money, mobile phone if possible, allow yourself a good 30-60 minutes of additional time to arrive, etc.
Check Out - Company brochures or website. Most companies today have a Web Site and they expect you to have researched their company. If going for a marketing/sales/finance position - research company products and the company potential (e.g. Annual review report, etc.)
DURING THE INTERVIEW
bullet Smile and make eye contact.
bullet Relax and be friendly.
bullet Be positive and enthusiastic.
bullet Think about your body language.
bullet Don’t discuss salary until you’re offered the job.
REMEMBER
7-10% is what you say
20-30% is how you say it
60-80% is your image, your body language and the overall impression you create.
Good Luck with your interviews and don't forget you may not succeed the first time but practice makes perfect.
JOB AREA
Attitude interview
Good grooming is essential. Your hair should be neat and stylish. Your nails should be well manicured and clean. Men's nails should be short. Women's nails should be of a reasonable length and polished in a neutral color. Also for women, makeup shouldn't be heavy. Perfume or cologne should be avoided as some people find certain scents offensive.
Establishing Rapport
Since the interviewer's job is to make sure that not only your skill, but your personality as well, is a good match, you must establish rapport with the person or persons interviewing you. That begins the instant you walk in the door. Let the interviewer set the tone. Nothing is as awkward as offering your hand and having the gesture not returned by the other person. Therefore you should wait for the interviewer to offer his or her hand first, but be ready to offer your hand immediately. Some experts suggest talking at the same rate and tone as the interviewer. For example, if the interviewer is speaking softly, so should you.
Body Language
They say that body language gives more away about us than speech. Eye contact is very important but make sure it looks natural. A smiling, relaxed face is very inviting. Hands resting casually in your lap rather than arms folded across your chest also is more inviting. If you normally move your hands around a lot when you speak, tone it down some. You don't want to look too stiff, but you don't want to look like you're a bundle of nervous energy.
Answering Questions
When it comes down to it, isn't this the main point of the interview? Speak slowly and clearly. I tend to speak very quickly, so this is something I must pay careful attention to when I am on an interview. Pause before you answer a question. Your answers will seem less rehearsed and it will give you a chance to collect your thoughts. Keep in mind that a very brief pause may seem like an eternity to you. It's not.
Prepare answers to some basic questions. There are several books that list questions and sample answers. There are also some online resources that do the same. You can find those listed in the of the Career Planning Site. Don't memorize the actual answers but become familiar with how you will answer the questions.
Asking Questions
Usually toward the end of the interviewer, the person conducting it will ask you if you have any questions. You should have some. You should ask about what a typical day would entail. You could also ask what special projects you would be working on. As in every other aspect of the job search, you are trying to show the employer how you can fill their needs. By asking about a typical day on the job or special projects, you are putting yourself in the job and showing the employer how you will satisfy the employer's needs. Don't ask about salary, benefits, or vacations, as those all imply "what will you, the employer, do for me?"
1 comment:
Usefull tips... nice post!!
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