Preparation for the Interview

Here are some general interview tips for candidates:

Research the company: Learn as much as you can about the company and the position you are applying for. This will show the interviewer that you are genuinely interested in the role and the organization.

Practice your answers: Prepare for common interview questions such as "tell me about yourself," "why do you want to work for this company," and "what are your strengths and weaknesses." Practice your answers with a friend or in front of a mirror.

Dress professionally: Dress in professional attire appropriate for the industry and company culture. First impressions are important and you want to make sure you are dressed appropriately.

Be on time: Arrive at least 10-15 minutes early to the interview. This shows that you are punctual and respectful of the interviewer's time.

Be positive and enthusiastic: During the interview, maintain good eye contact, a positive attitude, and enthusiastic energy. This will help to build rapport with the interviewer.

Ask questions: Come prepared with thoughtful questions about the company and the role. This shows that you are engaged and have done your research.

Follow up: After the interview, send a thank-you note or email to the interviewer. This is a professional courtesy and can help to keep your name top of mind.

Be yourself: Finally, be yourself, it is important to remember that you are unique and have something special to offer.

Interview Techniques
During the interview, you will be assessed for your strengths and weaknesses/areas for development. In addition to this, specific personal characteristics will be probed, such as attitude, aptitude, stability, motivation and maturity.

Some interview dos and don'ts follow:
· DO arrive on time or a few minutes early. Late arrival for a job interview is never excusable.
· DO fill out any application forms neatly and completely. If you have a personal resume, be sure that the person to whom you release it is the person who will actually responsible for the hiring.
· DO greet the interviewer by his or her title and surname. If you are not sure of the name pronunciation, ask the interviewer to repeat it.
· DO shake hands firmly.
· DO wait until you are offered a chair before sitting. Sit upright in your chair and look alert and interested at all times.
· DO be as charismatic as possible; it is very important that you demonstrate your interpersonal skills during the interview.
· DO be a good listener as well as a good talker.
· DO smile.
· DO look the interviewer in the eye.
· DO follow the interviewer's leads. Try, however, to obtain a full description of the position and duties it incorporates at an early stage so that you can relay your appropriate background and skills accordingly.
· DO make sure that your good points get across to the interviewer in a concise, factual and sincere manner. Waffle will get you nowhere. Bear in mind that only you can sell yourself and make the interviewer aware of the benefits that you can offer to the organisation.
· DO always conduct yourself as if you are determined to get the job you are discussing. Never close the door on opportunity. It is better to be in a position where you can choose from a number of offers - rather than only one.
· DON'T smoke even if the interviewer smokes and offers you a cigarette.
· DON'T answer questions with a simple 'yes' or 'no'. Explain yourself whenever possible. Describe those things about yourself that relate to the position on offer.
· DON'T lie. Answer questions truthfully, frankly and as close to the point as possible.
· DON'T make derogatory remarks about your present or former employers.
· DON'T 'over answer' questions. The interviewer may steer the conversation into politics or economics, which can be controversial topics. It is best to respond to such issues honestly, yet trying not to say more than is necessary.
· DON'T enquire about salary, holidays, bonuses etc. at the initial interview unless you are positive that the interviewer wants to hire you. You should however, know your market value and be prepared to specify your required salary or range.

Be prepared to answer questions such as:
· Why did you choose a career in ".................." ?
· What kind of job are you seeking?
· What is your technical experience?
· Why would you like to work for the company?
· What do you want to be doing in your career five years from now?
· When was your last salary review?
· What style of management gets the best from you?
· What interests you about our product/service?
· What have you learned from some of the jobs you have held?
· Which job did you enjoy the most and why?
· What have you done that shows initiative in your career?
· What are your major weaknesses and what are your strengths?
· What do you think determines a person's progress in a good company?
· Are you willing to relocate?
· What are your hobbies?
· What does 'teamwork' mean to you?

Negative factors to avoid
During the course of the interview, the interviewer will be evaluating your negative attributes as well as your positive ones. Listed below are some negative traits that are frequently evaluated during the course of an interview and which most often lead to rejection:
· Poor personal appearance
· Overbearing, aggressive, conceited 'superiority complex' - 'know it all' attitude
· Inability to express thoughts clearly - poor diction or grammar
· Lack of career planning - no purpose or goals or foresight
· Lack of interest and enthusiasm - passive and indifferent
· Lack of confidence - nervousness
· Over-emphasis on money - interested only in remuneration
· Condemnation of past employers
· Failure to look the interviewer in the eye
· Limp handshake
· Failure to ask good questions about the job and company
· Lack of interview preparation - failure to research the company
· resulting in an inability to ask intelligent questions

Closing the Interview
· IF you are interested in the position enquire about the next interview stage. If the interview offers the position to you and you want it, accept on the spot. If you wish for some time to think it over, be courteous and tactful in asking for that time. Set a definite date on which you can provide an answer.
· DON'T be too discouraged if no definite offer is made nor a specific salary discussed. The interviewer will probably want to consult colleagues or interview other candidates (or both) before making a decision.
· IF you get the impression that the interview is not going very well and you have already been rejected, don't let your discouragement show. Once in a while an interviewer who is genuinely interested in your possibilities may intend to discourage you in order to test your reaction.

One of the last questions the interviewer will ask you is "Do you have any questions?" If you reply with a simple "No" you are telling the interviewer that you aren't really interested in the job or the company. You should always prepare a list of questions to ask the interviewer before going to the interview.

Below are some possible questions you might want to ask during a job interview. Avoid asking about salary, vacation time, employee benefits, etc. until you have asked a number of other questions that demonstrate your interest in working for the company. You will impress the interviewer if you ask questions that indicate you've done some research beforehand, such as "I read in the Wall Street Journal last week that your company is planning to expand its retail operations in the region. Could you give me more details about the company's plans for expansion?"

Good questions to ask the interviewer:
· Why is this position available?
· Is this a new position? How long has this position existed?
· How many people have held this position in the last two years?
· Who would be my supervisor? To whom would I report?
· Whom will I supervise?
· With whom will I be working most closely?
· What do you like about working for this company?
· What are the current plans for expansion or cutbacks?
· What kind of turnover rate does the company have?
· How financially sound is this company?
· What projects and assignments will I be working on?
· What happened to the person that held this position before? Was he promoted or fired?
· What is this company's culture? (Ex: Is it rigid and formal or relaxed and flexible?)
· What are the current problems facing the company (or my department)?
· What do you consider to be the company's strengths and weaknesses?
· What are the company's long and short term goals?
· Describe the work environment.
· What attracted you (the interviewer) to this organization?
· Why do you enjoy working for this company?
· Describe the typical responsibilities of the position.
· What are the most challenging aspects of the position?
· Describe the opportunities for training and professional development.
· Will I receive any formal training?
· What is the company's promotional policy?
· Are there opportunities for advancement within the organization?
· When can I expect to hear from you?

Ending the Job Interview: If you're interested in the position, let the interviewer know this by stating at the end of the interview: "I am very interested in this position. Is there anything that prevents you from offering me this position right now?" Don't forget to send a follow up letter immediately afterward the job interview.

THANK the interviewer for the time spent with you.