Before the Interviews

1. Conduct Basic Interview Research

Every interview must be preceded by research to give you an edge over the rest. Find out as much
as you can about the company before the interview.
Here is a list of the information that you must have:
Name of the interviewer
Organizational structure
Divisions/departments that interest you
Products/ervices
!raining Programs
ize of company
"areer paths
#ow long have they been in business
!ypes of clients
$rowth in the past and future potential
%ob description & 'ob title
New products and services they are developing
Employee benefits
$eographic location of home office( branches( stores
2. Sample questions
Here is a list of common questions usually ased in an interview. !repare them well
#ow would you describe yourself)
*hat are your long range and short range goals and ob'ectives and how are you preparing
yourself to achieve them)
*hat specific goals( other than those related to your occupation( have you established for
yourself for the ne+t ,- years)
*hat do you see yourself doing five years from now)
*hat are the most important rewards you e+pect in your career)
*hat do you e+pect to be earning in five years)
*hat do you consider to be your greatest strengths and wea.nesses)
*hy should / hire you)
*hy did you choose this profession) *hat 0ualifications do you have that ma.e you thin.
that you will be successful in this field)
#ow do you determine or evaluate success)
*hat do you .now about our organization)
*hy did you decide to see. a position with this organization)
/n what ways do you thin. you can ma.e a contribution to our organization)
*hat 0ualities should a successful manager possess)
Describe the relationship that should e+ist between a supervisor and those reporting to him
or her
*hat has been your biggest achievement and why)
!ell us about your previous 'ob e+perience. 1easons for leaving the previous 'ob.
Do you have a geographical preference and are
*ill you relocate) Does relocation bother you)
2re you willing to travel)
2re you willing to spend at least si+ months as a trainee)
*hy do you thin. you might li.e to live in the community in which our organization is
located)
*hat have you done that shows initiative)
*hat ma'or problem have you encountered( how did you deal with it and lessons that you
learnt out of them)
". Company e#pectations
Every company has a set of e+pectations from the prospective employee. /n order to .now that you
fulfill those e+pectations( you must as. yourself the following 0uestions3
Do you have the s.ills to do the 'ob)
Do you fit in the organization structure)
Do you understand the company and its purpose)
#ow do you stac. up against the competition)
Do you have the right mindset for the 'ob and company)
Do you have the right mindset for the 'ob and company)
Do you want the %ob)
$. !ic %our &utfit' and (o to Bed )arly
4ay out your interview outfit the night before( get a good night5s rest( and always get an early start.
!he last thing you want is to arrive at the interview flustered and panic.ed because you couldn5t find a
par.ing spot.
*on ver+al
,. *on,ver+al -essa.es3 Non6verbal language spea.s larger than words. 2s you wal. in the
interview room( here are a few things that you must .eep in mind3
Start it off lie a winner.
/he handshae3 Offer your hand( and give a firm handsha.e( a pleasant smile and a
positive and confident attitude. /ntroduce yourself.
!osture3 tand and sit erect
0on1t 2id.et3 !here is nothing worse than people playing with their hair( clic.ing pen
tops( tapping feet or unconsciously touching parts of the body.
)ye Contact: 4oo. the interviewer in the eye
-ove your hands3 $esturing or tal.ing with your hands is very natural( but .eep it in
moderation.
7. Be comforta+le. !a.e a seat facing the interviewer( however( slightly off center. 8e sure that you
are in a comfortable position
9. 3isten attentively. 4oo. at the interviewer directly( but don5t get into a stare down: it up straight.
!ry to rela+. /t5s o.ay to ta.e a few notes if the 0uestions are lengthy( or you need to remind
yourself of something you want to stress
;. 4void nervous mannerisms. Pay attention to nervous mannerisms. Everyone is nervous to
some e+tent( the .ey is to appear calm and composed
<. Spea clearly. =se good grammar and a friendly tone. Never answer 'ust >yes> or >no> to a
0uestion. 2lways clarify( e+pand on your answers. 8e sure not to go on rambling
?. Be positive and enthusiastic.Pump up your enthusiasm prior to the interview. Never whine(
gripe or complain about past employers( 'obs( classes etc
@. 4s pertinent questions. 8e prepared to as. a few 0uestions. Do not monopolize the
interviewer5s time( particularly if you .now they have appointments scheduled following your
interview. Do as. thoughtful 0uestions. Don5t as. about salary and benefits( this can be discussed
when the company is definitely interested in you
A. 5hile .ivin. answers to questions3
Be Concise3 4isten to the 0uestions carefully and answer to the point. 2n interviewee
rambling on is li.ely to turn off the interviewer.
!rovide )#amples3 upport your contentions with e+amples. !hin. of recent strong
strategic e+amples of wor. you5ve done( then when the 0uestion is as.ed( answer with
specifics( not in generalities.
Be Honest: /t is always better to state the truth than beating about the bush. /f you donBt
.now something then state the fact.
6eep %our (uard 7p: 2lways maintain your professionalism. DonBt get swayed by the
friendly behaviour of the interviewer and disclose everything. For all you .now it might be a
trap laid out by him.
4fter the Interviews
Say thans. !he ne+t day write the interviewer a brief note reiterating your interest in the
'ob. pell his or her name correctly:
2ollow up. /f you haven5t heard from the interviewer within the time frame indicated at the
close of the interview( call them to relay a polite reminder that you5re still interested in the
'ob. 2s. when they plan to ma.e a hiring decision.
/f you aren5t hired and you are still interested in the company( it pays to .eep in touch with
the interviewer. Often( through persistence( you may be offered a position at a later date.
Chin 7p. /f you don5t get the 'ob( don5t be disheartened. $ear up for your ne+t interview. 2fter all the
more interviews you tac.le the more polished you become. Cou may want to contact the interviewer
who re'ected you and see if you can get any pointers on what to improve before your ne+t interview.