Employment interview is mainly aimed at selecting the best candidate foe the job. Getting a job offer mostly depends on performance during the interview session. The following guidelines can help the job seekers a face interview successfully.
1. Taking adequate preparation:
Before appearing at the interviewer, job seekers should take sufficient preparation to boost up their confidence.
For this purpose, they can prepare a list of probable questions and can practice them at home. A sample list of questions is given below:
a. General question:
1. Introduce yourself
2. In what type of job you are interested. Why?
3. What are your carrier goals?
4. What is your key strength?
5. Can you identify one of your weaknesses?
6. How do you spend your spare time?
7. Tell about your extracurricular activities and interests?
8. What type of leadership style you prefer?
b. Education related questions:
1. Why did you choose major?
2. What courses did you enjoy? Why?
3. What your future education plans?
c. Company related questions:
1. What did you know about our organization/company?
2. Why did you want to work in this organization/company?
3. What are the major services or product of this company?
4. How you can contribute to success of this organization/company?
5. What is your expected remuneration? (where remuneration is to be fixed through negotiation)
d. Previous job related question:
i. Why did you leave your last job?
ii. Why did you change your present job? (if the candidate is doing job elsewhere)
2. Creating good first impression:
There is a popular saying that “first impression last long”. If the interviewee can create a positive impression, the interviewer is likely to show a positive attitude towards him/her. Creating a favorable impression requires the following:
a) Grooming: the interviewer get first impression about the job candidates from their appearance. Therefore, they should well-groomed through neat and well-trimmed hairs, shining shoes, clean and trimmed fingernails.
b) Appropriate clothing:
Dress or clothing of the interviewee should be gentle looking. Dress indicates personality, sincerity, and interest of the applicant for the job. Dress should reflect the knack or liking for the profession or job.
c) Punctuality:
Punctuality of the interviewee is a factor that interviewer observes very cleanly. In a job interview, the candidate should never be late rather should arrive at least fifteen minutes before the interview. This will help to be relaxed and to be familiar with the situation.
3. Listing carefully:
Interviewee should listen to the interviewer very carefully. When interview starts, interviewee should wait for interviewers’ cues both verbal and nonverbal. For instance, interviewee should not sit until invited to do so.
4. Giving concise answer:
Questions should be answered concisely and directly. Unnecessary talking or responses should be avoided.
5. Clear speaking:
Clear speaking is an integral part of creating good impression. Whatever the interviewee says, it should be clearly voiced and pronounced.
6. Confidence in speaking:
Interviewee should have confidence in speaking. While answering the questions, he/she should believe that the answer is correct.
7. Interest in the employer’s business:
Interviewers try their best to select the committed candidates. For this purpose, they want to know the extent to which the applicant is interested to get the job. Therefore, the applicant should show his/her interest in such a way as if he/she is already working in this company.
8. A firm handshake:
The candidate should shake hands firmly rather than loosely. A firm handshake reflects the level of confidence and mental strength of the interviewee.
