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| Saturday, 14 February 2004 |
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Face a job interview with confidence and poise by Prasanna Perera Marketing and Management Consultant Job interviews for most people, are fairly stressful and challenging. Facing interviews is not the most exciting thing, but there is no alternative, you have got to face it! The starting point to enjoying the process of job interviews, is to develop a positive mental framework. Condition your mind, that the interview must be a success, not only for yourself but for the prospective employer as well. Hence, it has to be a mutual win-win situation. By adopting this approach, the general stress levels can be reduced and the opportunity provided to yourself, to enjoy and make the most of job interviews. 1. The Do's The list is quite exhaustive. Hence, I will only dwell on the most important aspects. (a) Do your homework before the interview. For example, try and learn about the organization and the business activities carried out. Interviewers are generally impressed with candidates, who demonstrate knowledge about the prospective organization. It indicates seriousness of purpose, as well as genuine interest in the job. (b) Speak confidently and fluently. Nothing irritates an interviewer than to be faced with a candidate, who cannot express himself or herself clearly. Confidence in speech, demonstrates self confidence. (c) Dress in a presentable manner, not flashy but smart. Even before you utter one word, your attire gives away your personality. Since first impressions count at interviews, pay attention to your attire, when facing job interviews. (d) Make it a point to clarify areas, which are not clear to you. For example, regarding the job related responsibilities, remuneration systems etc. Please remember that asking questions to clarify, also demonstrates your genuine interest towards the job. (e) Decide on your strengths and weaknesses, prior to the interview. Many candidates are quick to provide a long list of strengths but say they do not have weaknesses. A human being will always have weaknesses and to say "no weaknesses", means not being human! For key strengths, it is prudent to provide examples to illustrate. When stating weaknesses, also be quick to mention the corrective steps that are being taken. (f) Discuss and negotiate your remuneration package. You cannot do this, once you have signed your letter of appointment. Also aspects of your remuneration package, should be discussed and nothing left unclear. (g) Give the interviewers good enough reasons, as to why they should engage your services. What this means is to prove that you are capable of meeting their hands, and delivering the expected results. In order to do this, you must utilize your qualifications, skills and experiences. (h) Provide references to highlight your academic and career achievements/pursuits. Ideally all references should be non-related, and persons who can provide an objective assessment of your abilities. Academic referees would be your Professors, lecturers and work related referees would be your Former and/or present employer. Let us now move on and examine the "Don't's" at interviews. 2. The "Do nots" (a) Be always punctual for interviews. Whatever valid reason you may have for being late, you start off the interview on a negative footing. Therefore, keep adequatic time for unexpected delays and plan to arrive well on time. (b) Try not to be too anxious to get the job. Anxiety could indicate desperation, and this is a clear negative at an interview. Even if you badly need the job, try and stay calm and composed. (c) Do not lose your temper and appear to be too emotional. Emotional stability is an important trait for all employers. At interviews, interviewers try and test emotional stability, through behaviourial interviewing techniques. (d) Always try and demonstrate that you are interested in the interview process. Do not look uninterested and in a hurry to depart. This amounts to being discourteous. (e) Never be untruthful at interviews. Experienced interviewers have the ability to trap you, without you even knowing it! Further, by being truthful, you have demonstrated your true value and this can be a major advantage. (f) Do not try and speak out-of-turn at interviews. Try and be a good listener and respond after understanding clearly. If you become too chatty, this can irritate people and may go against you at an interview. (g) Never ask the interviewer, personal and sensitive questions. For example, how many other candidates will be interviewed? This is not your business at all. Keep all your questions, clearly focused on the interview itself. (h) Do not speak badly about your former or present employer. This is clearly a give away. In most instances, this will cost you the job, as interviewers hate candidates who are disloyal to organizations, that have provided their bread and butter in the past. In conclusion, you would do well to be confident and interested in the interview. Basically, consider the interview as an "opportunity" to learn something constructive, irrespective of whether you get the job or not. For example through an interview, you could get an opportunity to find out your "net worth" as a person, in both financial and non financial terms. |
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