Guidelines to Interviewing Skills.

In any interview situation, the interviewer is deftly attempting to find answers to three basic questions:

• Can the person do the job?
• Will the person do the job? And,
• Will he or she get along with their staff?

  Obviously there are numerous ways in which a prospective employer seeks answers to these three questions, plus others. Some interviewee tips that can help you provide the answers to them are:

  1. Ask yourself how your uniqueness and skills can be applied toward the job you are seeking.

  2. Be prepared to ask thought-provoking questions that will not only demonstrate your preparedness but also enable you to make an intelligent, informed decision as to whether you want to work for this organization.

   3. Finally, always send thank-you letters.

  With proper preparation, you can put your best foot forward when being interviewed for a job, while getting the feedback you need to make your own decision about that prospective employer.

  The interviewer‘s aims

  In any interview situation, the interviewer is deftly attempting to find answers to those three basic questions:

• In seeking the answer to the "can do" factor, the interviewer is trying to determine whether you are the job candidate who has the right skills, necessary education (or special certification if required) and experience to handle the job responsibilities. In other words, do your strengths match the job profile needs?
• As for the "will do" component, the interviewer seeks to determine what your motivation to do the job would be, and how you might overcome potential impediments.
• As for the "get along" component, nobody wants to hire an employee who will be a disruptive force in the workplace. All organizations want to determine as best they can how a prospective job applicant will get along and work with others. More often than not, after the interviewer has determined your "can do" abilities, the question of "Are we going to get along?" becomes his or her main focus.

  Obviously there are numerous ways in which a prospective employer seeks answers to these three questions, plus others. The interviewee tips given below can help you provide the answers to them, while also helping your cause in other ways.

  1. Know your uniqueness

  Knowing what is unique about you is consistent with your résumé preparation. What competencies, education, experiences and skills do you have that are special? Each of us has our uniqueness, and that is what a prospective employer is endeavoring to find out about you. Ask yourself how your uniqueness and skills can be applied toward the job you are seeking. For example, if you have determined that one of your competencies is creativity, consider how you are creative, and be prepared to provide great illustrations in an interview. Be ready in the interview to build visual stories for the interviewer about how you achieved your successes in your past employment experiences, and tell how those skills will have a positive influence in your new job.

  2. Match yourself to the job

  It is not enough to assess your competencies - you need to match them to the job you are seeking. For instance, if you‘re applying for a management position, ask yourself what skills, such as business intelligence, are indispensable in that role. Ask yourself if you are proficient in the skills considered necessary to do a good solid job. As just noted, be prepared to cite illustrations for the interviewer of how you‘ve used your particular skills in the past, and how you will put to use that experience if you are hired. This is especially true when making the connection to the "can do" component.

  If you see a potential misalignment or need for improvement, what action steps are you taking toward professional growth? No one is perfect. Employers realize that, and in many cases they simply want to determine whether you are cognizant of the areas you need to develop and have initiated a plan to improve.

  3. The value of research

  Many people often overlook this area, yet research can yield a great deal of information about your prospective employer, as well as help you to frame the questions you yourself ask during the interview. By researching the company, you‘re in a better position to understand what its particular needs are, and how you can fulfill those needs.

  The good news about researching is that it also helps you to make a better impression. It demonstrates your thoroughness, and it may make you stand out from other interviewees for the position.

  Your research might also tell you that the company has experienced growth or decline in a particular area. If that‘s the case, ask yourself what implication the growth or decline could have if you worked there. In this context, research not only makes you better prepared for the interview, but, more basically, helps you to determine if this is, in fact, an organization where you want to work.

  A different kind of research is also worthwhile. If, in arranging the interview, you have been referred to a particular person at the prospective employer, do not hesitate to ask your referral source for information about that individual. For example, what type of interviewer is he or she? What is she or he like to work for? What might be some of the skills he or she is seeking? This sort of information obviously can be exceedingly beneficial in making the "fit" connection.

  4. Inputs for your own decision

  It‘s important to keep in mind that interviewing is a two-way street. Not only is a prospective employer interviewing you; but also, during the interview, you need to ask questions to aid in your decision making process. Be prepared to ask thought-provoking questions that will not only demonstrate your preparedness but also enable you to make an intelligent, informed decision as to whether you want to work for this organization. For instance, how would the interviewer characterize the company culture? Is that culture consistent with what you desire? What are some of the particular challenges in this position? How does the company measure success, and how will you be evaluated? What is the prevalent leadership style in the company?

  Undoubtedly you will have many other questions to ask. For instance, why is this job open? How are decisions made and potential problems resolved?

  Although developing good questions is thus valuable, the interview process ideally should be approached as an exchange of information, and not an interrogation. You want to be ready to ask questions that ultimately help you and the prospective employer alike make an intelligent and informed decision.

  5. Retrieval of past information

  Before the interview, ensure you review your most recent previous experiences at prior jobs including certain key scenarios where you made a difference, in the event that the interviewer asks you a question involving a past experience where you achieved a certain outcome. (See frequently asked questions)

   

  Market Yourself on Paper

  The saying “You never get a second chance to make a first impression” has never been truer than in the case of a job application.  Since your job application will in many cases, be your first contact with the Human Resources Officer or Manager.  It is therefore important that you take care with both its content and appearance.   Therefore:

• Ensure that you complete all relevant sections clearly, accurately and neatly
• If you choose to attach a resume, do not answer the questions on the application, by referring to the “attached resume”

  Prepare for the Response

  After you submit your application, be sure to keep as a reference:

• A copy of your application and the job posting which you applied for

  When you are called for an interview, ensure that you receive and record the following information:

• Date and time of Interview
• Name and positions of persons facilitating the interview
• Location of the interview
• Directions
• Would you be required to take any assessments at the interview
• Are you required to walk with any samples of your previous work

  Pre-Interview Suggestions

• Believe in yourself and the value of your skills
• Remember that the interview is centred on the subject that you know best – YOU !
• Keep things in perspective:  Often we go into an interview with the fear of losing.  This is the worst thing that can happen, because you will not get the job! Take a new look at the situation; if you do not get the job, you have gained something.  You will now have valuable information about yourself and your competencies and you have had a chance to practise what you have learned.
• Approach the interview as a two way street:  While the interview is determining whether or not you are the right person for the position and the team, you are interviewing them to determine whether or not you want to work for the company. 
• Know when to stop preparing.  Preparation is ESSENTIAL; but not to the point of making yourself nervous.  Give yourself the opportunity to breathe and relax before the interview.

  How do you present yourself best in a TELEPHONE INTERVIEW:
  Here are a few pointers:

• Keep a folder near your telephone with  a copy of the job application;
• After the interview time has been arranged, ensure that the area in which you will be taking the call is private and free of unnecessary distractions (i.e. TV, radios)
• Remain Calm.  If the call comes at a time when you are unable to concentrate explain this to the interviewer and reschedule.
• Speak directly into the phone.  Pronounce your words as clearly as possible and refrain from using slang;
• SMILE.  This, improves the quality and tone of your voice and helps to convey an impression which is friendly and open
• Do not eat or drink during the interview
• Take notes.  This should include the interviewer’s name. 

  In Person

• Be as natural as possible, this will allow you to portray yourself in an enthusiastic and genuine manner
• Consider your non-verbal signs.  It is important that you send positive non-verbal signs.  Be aware of your:
  Facial Expression              Eye Contact            Handshake
  Posture                             Appearance             Body Language

  DO’s and DONT’S Checkpoints:

  DO

• Be confident, you have earned the opportunity to be interviewed
• Control your pre-interview jitters and remember to believe in yourself, keep things in perspective
• Approach the interview process as a two way street
• Know when to stop preparing
• Follow up and demonstrate professionalism
• Take the time to learn from each interview

  DON’T

• Dwell on what happened at the last interview. Focus on the next one
• Don’t worry about silent periods in the interview, it happens for many reasons including giving you sufficient time to think, allowing you to digest your response and deciding on additional information/ questions you would like to add in. It also allows the interviewer to take notes on your responses for future reference.

  10 Frequently Asked Interview Questions:

  1. Tell me about yourself
  2. Why did you apply for this job?
  3. What is the most enjoyable part of your current job?
  4. In your current or last position, what were your most significant accomplishments?
  5. What are your strengths and weaknesses?
  6. Tell me about a time when you came up with an innovative solution to a challenge your company/department was facing. What was the challenge?
  7. Tell of the most difficult customer service experience that you have ever had to handle -- perhaps an angry or irate customer. Be specific and tell what you did and what the outcome was.
  8. Tell us about the biggest challenge you’ve ever faced in your career and how you have handled it.
  9. Tell me an example to show that you’ve been able to maintain productive relations with others, even though they may have differing points of view.
  10. Tell me about a time when you came up with a new idea that was implemented.  What was the result?

  “Can do” refers to your Efficiency, Flexibility and Perseverance, three behavioural competencies that can benefit you in an interview.

  Efficiency: The interviewer will continually be on the look out for ways to simplify how things are done to improve efficiency.
  Flexibility: Being open and flexible to new ideas and approaches is an asset in today’s rapidly changing world.
  Perseverance: When tackling a tough problem or situation, I consistently develop and test different approaches until an acceptable result is achieved.