Wednesday, August 4, 2010

First Interview: The First Opportunity

www.zaheerwaheed.blogspot.comOR Job Interview
So, the way you presented yourself via your CV charmed the audience and you got the interview call. This is like being invited at a welcome dinner by the neighbor next door, and if you a good enough they you both are going to see one another quite often.
One hears different statements about job interviews, e.g.:
· Interviews decides in the first 5 minutes if they want you in or not
· First impression is the last impression
· Learn as much as you can about the company
· They love confusing the candidate
· Quickly answering the questions is the key
Some of them make sense but the interview game is not about getting every question right rather a successful interview is all about presenting oneself in the most authentic way to the interviewer.
The key is to make those few minutes of conversation enjoyable, stimulating and informative for both the parties.
Preparing for the Interview:
Following are few steps that release the tension and help you get you confidence when to sit in front of the interviewer
1.    Brush up your knowledge on those bits of you that match to the job description, this helps to you in your best, however be prepared to be questioned on   areas that do not relate to the job. In the latter case, if you do not know the answer for the love of God and money do not pretend that you know, the person in front must have plenty of experience of interviewing and may easily sense a lie coming out and lying is a sure recipe for disaster.
2. Look at their website: an organization cares about its website and in the current global village situation a website is a key tool for existence. Go thoroughly through the contents of the website to and “think” about these things
i. What does the website tell about the organization?
ii. What are the key elements of their existence?
iii. What are the current news of the industry and its impact on the company?
iv. How well are they established?
v. Who are their competitors?
vi. What makes you want to work for them?
3. Lying… not at good idea at all, they have a trait of biting back. When under pressure and lying to the interviewer it can easily be sensed.
So what to do if not to lie, tell the truth… :)
But this truth is to be routed through a proper channel because many a times an interviewer doesn’t expects the candidate to be too straightforward. J
So when you feel that the question is taking you to a corner, it advisable to buy your self some time – “I need some time to think about it”
If you do not know any thing, and when asked about it is advisable not to say “NO, I do not have any idea about it”, it doesn’t leave a good impression rather you can switch that unfavorable ignorance points in to favorable eager to learn points by saying: “I do not know about it or have never gained experience about it but it is some thing that I would like to master if given a chance”
4. Be presentable, get you dressed pressed, shoes ready, shave / trim the facial hair, go through the road map to know the location, these all are soft aspects but if missed they have their adverse impacts one of which is that you start cursing your self.
5. Handling the pressure at first interview:

People describe this pressure as worse then their first date; the problem is being your self under such sort of pressure.
There is a trick that helps to reduce the pressure. simple, give a good interview and the following are some will help:
    a. Apply to more jobs, if you have another interview lined up there will be less pressure
    b. Wear some thing formal and most importantly that is comfortable to you.
    c. Be prepared for the classic opening questions like:
I. Tell us about your self
II. What have you been doing lately?
III. What made you apply to this job?
6. Highly likely one of the following shall be asked
a. What attracted you to our company?
b. Why do you want to work for our company?
c. What do you see as your strengths and weaknesses?
d. How do you see yourself in “xx” years time?
e. How do you like to work?
f. What can you bring to our compnay?
g. Why should we employ you?
h. What do you do outside work?
Have at least one question that is based on the information provided on their website / broacher, it leaves a good impression
7. Remember you have the right to ask too, there is nothing wrong if you ask!!
a. What systems are in place?
b. What are the qualities they are looking for?
8. Leaving the interview well: even if the interview went a disaster, do smile to all of them as you leave, act as it has been a good session and say good bye to every one.
9. Got through the interview, what else: Interview follow up
At the end of the interview if it is not told that by what time they will get back to you it is advisable to ask, this act at least tell you the time frame they require to take a decision.
One follow up call is allowable because more then that seems like pestering.
If you do not make it and curious about it, phone up and get feed back. It will help you in the next interview.
Go and pin a star in your interview!!

Still Confused ??? :(  Don't worry Job Interviews for Dummies will further boost your confidence 

No comments:

Post a Comment