Preparing for Interviews

Preparing for Interviews

This is an important process that many job seekers overlook. It is not a process that requires a lot of time but it does require some discipline. Often, the toughest part of getting any job is likely to be the interview—the moment when you come face to face with a prospective employer and just when you need all the confidence you can muster it seems to completely disappear. Getting through interviews and making them work effectively for you are something that everyone can do—it just takes careful planning. If you want to make a good impression, preparation is necessary.

Homework

In an interview has been set, you will know the name of the employer (company name). Do your homework; find out more about the employer. Find out as mush as you can about the job, analyze the job description, try and work out what sort of person is required and match that to your own strengths and skills. This information can be found using many sources. Business directories and listings and company websites are useful sources and full of information. Company profiles can also be found in their annual reports. You could also speak to friends, relatives and acquaintances that are working to find out what they know about a certain company or job.

If you are confident enough, you may also wish to call up the company and speak to their corporate communication or human resource department. Staffs in corporate communication or human resource are generally willing to assist by giving our non- sensitive information on their company provided you explain your purpose. Larger companies and foreign companies tend to be more open to giving information. Some questions you can ask—nature of business, where they are based or where they are based or where their headquarters is and what their main products are.

Time and place of interview

Take mental note of this information. Often people tend to forget or get flustered over last minute details. If necessary, check a street directory on the exact location of the building and the location of the stopping points of the public transport system nearest to the place of interview.

Attire

Plan what you are going to wear the day before the interview. Ensure your clothes clean, fresh and well pressed. Take cue from others you know in that profession or sector. It is better and safer to be slightly conservative. Some men wear suits for interviews. It is not really necessary unless it is a senior appointment. A conservative simple tie, a well pressed long sleeved shirt and dark trousers is adequate for men. For women, a dark jacket with a plain or light pastel shade blouse always gives a professional appearance. Skirts should be of an appropriate length. Jewelry and accessories must not be distracting to the interview. Avoid clothing that is ill-fitting, revealing, casual or unprofessional.

Ensure your hair is properly combed or brushed. If you wear aftershave or perfume, choose something with a light fragrance; avoid anything that is “overpowering”. For ladies, light make-up is permitted. Ensure you appear fresh and relaxed.

Documents

Be sure to place the important documents, references and information in a presentable well- organized folder. A folder wit clear plastic sheets is handy and you can display all your certificates nicely without having to take them in and out of an envelope. Some applicants bring their documents and references rolled up or all crumpled and folded—this creates an impression of a disorganized person. Make it easy for you to display all your documents easily to your prospective employer. Carry the folder in a presentable briefcase that makes you look professional. Avoid shopping and travel bags.

Mental preparation

Our minds need dressing up just like our physical bodies. Prepare yourself mentally. Spend some time to review your achievements and praise yourself for what you have done so far. This is not the time to be self- critical or compare yourself with others. Tell yourself that the fact they want to interview you means half the battle is won, you have gotten a foot in the door. Visualize yourself succeeding at the interview and being happy with how you performed. If necessary, practice and rehearse how you will respond and conduct yourself. Practice speaking out your answers to frequently asked questions at interviews so that you can do it naturally. If the interview is in the morning, try to have an early night the day before the interview. For an afternoon interview, avoid scheduling activities 2 to 3 hours before the interview in order to arrive at the interview clam and relaxed.

Timing

Allow sufficient time for travel so that you get there on time. Bring more than 15 minutes early is a little rude but being even a minute late is very rude. If your interview is in a large building, you may have to wait for elevators that may take a long time. Allow sufficient time, get there early and monitor the situation. Walk around if you are early but keep track of time. If you need to use the restroom, do so before you do for the interview.

Walking in the door

It’s hard to tell what to expect behind that door. It could be a busy office with many people, or a very quiet office where everyone looks up when you enter the door. Many people forget to smile as a result of nervousness. You cannot see your face but others can. Walk with a confident stride and a smile. Be nice to everyone, not just the interviewer. Do not touch anything in the interviewer’s office or in the open reception area. Just sit quietly and wait. If you are concerned about having to wait a long time, bring along a book to read. Some employers may make you wait on purpose to see how you react to those around you and if you get impatient. Sometimes you may have to wait because they may have a problem to solve. Remember that they do not interview people for a living, they have business as usual to conduct

Filling forms

Some employers may want you to fill a form before the interview. Do not attach the resume and write “refer to resume” on the form. If they wanted a resume, they would have asked you for it. If they want you to fill a form, complete it properly, include all information and check for accuracy. As tedious as it may be, form filling is a routine chore you have to come to terms with if you are a job seeker. Always bring your own pen that you are comfortable using, in case you have to fill a form.

Personality tests/ other tests

You may be asked to sit for a test or a series of tests. Do them willingly and do your best. Answer the question or do the exercises to the best of your ability. Do not panic if you cannot finish the test in the time specified or if you are unable to answer the questions or exercises. Read the instructions for the test carefully. If unsure, clarify before you commence the test. What matters is not how you perform but whether you are willing to give yourself a chance.

Telephone interviews

Some companies use telephone interviews to draw up their shortlist so it is worth giving some thought to how you would cope with this technique. In many ways you need to prepare for a phone interview in the same way as you would for a face-to face interview. In this instance it is particularly important to think of some questions that you may want to ask the interviewer. You should also try and ensure that you have some privacy—so try and find a quiet phone that you can use. Then you need to get yourself into interview ‘mode’. Try and imagine you are sitting in front of the interviewer and use facial expressions as you would in a one to one interview because your attitude and frame of mind is always reflected in your voice—so don’t forget to smile and be positive.

Don’t forget the 5W’s – Who, What, Where, Why and When

Prepare honest and persuasive answers to likely questions such as:

• Why do you want to join us?
• What can you bring to the job/ company?
• Why did you leave your last job or why are you leaving your present job?
• Tell me about your last/ present job?
• How will you set about tackling this job if you are successful?
• What do you think the main changes will be between your last/ present job and this one?

During the Interview

DOs

§ Be positive—watch your body language. E.g. don’t cross your arms (it gives the impression of putting up a barrier between you and the interviewer), make frequent eye contact, good posture is important

§ Listen—engage in active listening; acknowledge that you understand what is communicated by nodding your head or verbal acknowledgement

§ Reply to any questions clearly and concisely

§ Make note of points to return to

§ Be courteous to everyone you meet

§ Be honest

DON’Ts

§ Interrupt

§ Fidget

§ Shift or move about frequently on the chair you are seated

§ Let your mind wander

§ Be afraid to sell yourself

§ Just answer with a yes or no—expand

Remember to thank the interviewer for seeing you and again shake his/ her hand firmly and confirm that you want the job. Remember to believe in yourself, your skills and abilities. You wouldn’t have been selected for the interview in the first place if the company didn’t think you could be the right person for the job. Every interview is a learning experience and each one teaches you a little bit more about what to say and do and what to avoid. If you are unsuccessful then don’t be too dismayed—there is always a next time. The better your interview technique the more likely it is that you will succeed.

After the Interview

You need to take a systematic approach to this. Record your notes on each interview, for example, who you met, what they asked about you, what you feel about the job and the interview process. This will come in useful especially if you get offered the job. We often meet applicants who are torn between two jobs. Such is life: when you get offered one job, you usually get another one soon after! Your prospective employer will expect you to give them an answer soon. You need to make decisions based on your impressions and not the interviews you attend.

If the interviewer has requested you to call him/ her, make sure you do. Even if you have decided that you don’t want the job, it is only courteous to call the interviewer to inform him/ her of your decision. You may never know when you may need their assistance again.

Write a short thank you note to the interviewer for his/ her time and reiterate a couple of your strengths, which makes you a highly suitable candidate. Very few candidates do this. The discreet aim of the thank you note is to get him/ her to take a “second look” at your application and assist in “recalling” you as a short—listed candidate.

Some useful pointers to think about:

1. Do you like the job?

2. Do you like the company?

3. Can you do the job?

4. Do you think the company needs someone like you to do this job?

Why do you think they are hiring you?

5. Do your values match those of the company? Mentally put yourself through a day in the job in that company, what will your typical day be like?

TRUST YOUR GUT FEEL, your feelings about a situation or a job is probably right!

Do not compromise yourself and accept a job just for the sake of a job. You are going to spend a major part of your life working—make it work for you!

What if you get turned down?

Do not put yourself down. Remember that there will be something better waiting for you out there.

If you want to, you may wish to ring up the employer and ask him why you were not selected, but very few employers will be honest. You can only do this with those you feel comfortable with.

1. Think about possible areas that may have caused a problem for you at the interview. Could it be something you said or did during the interview?

2. Be in touch about how you feel about the rejection. Clear any negative feelings before you go to your next interview.

3. Speak to friends and ask for advice if you feel a need.

4. Engage a career coach for guidance.

5. Keep looking for your perfect job, never give up!

Preparing for Interview Checklist

1. Put your resume and certificates in a folder so that you can present these with ease.

2. Prepare yourself mentally; see yourself doing well at the interview.

3. For morning interview, have an early night before the interview. For an afternoon interview, avoid any activities to 2-3 hours before the interview so that you are calm and relaxed.

4. Get there on time; give allowance for elevator travel time if your interview is to be held in a larger building.

5. Walk into the prospective employer’s office with a smile and confident stride.

6. Be prepared to wait.

7. Be willing to do tests, if required.

8. Allow enough time for the interview. Try not to have other appointments on the same day, so that you can be available if they want to meet another person who makes the hiring decision.

9. Be prepared to attend more than one interview.

10. Be proud of your achievements and who you are. You deserve this job.

Think, Reflect, Choose

Dear fellow Filipinos,

Election is yet to come. We are again faced with one of the hardest decisions to take. This is not new to us anymore. Learn from our mistakes from the past and look ahead.

This upcoming election is neither about the people who will run nor their planned reforms. This is about politics per se. Their planned projects and reforms are less important until they succumb to the roots of the dilemma—unity amongst all players of politics and the people.

Fellow Filipino, we have a role in this election. Let us reflect on each candidate and weigh each of their competencies and capabilities to lead us and build a single community in which all of us will be in a common direction, in a common goal.

BusinessTrends (A Kelly Services Company) is one with the Filipino community in hoping for excellent choice and peaceful elections.

Good Career Hunting

People looking for jobs should make job hunting a full-time endeavor. Finding the right job means knowing where to look for opportunities and which employment resources are available at your disposal. There are a number of channels through which you can learn about career opportunities.

Referrals or word of mouth

This is one of the most powerful avenues for job seekers. Other people like friends or former co-workers can be a valuable source of job leads and referrals. Even if no one you know is in a position to hire you, they may be in a position to refer you to someone else.

Internet

Most people rely in the Internet since it is fastest and most efficient job hunting tool. Going online mean having access on the current information at all hours—meaning, the Internet is the most convenient channel in job search. Other than that, the Internet can help applicants explore career alternatives and options suited for them.

Region	Internet Users (as of 2009)	Global Users Percentage
Asia Pacific	738,257,230	42.6 %
Rest of the world	995,736,511	57.4 %
World Total	1,733,993,741	100.0 %

Source: http://www.internetworldstats.com/stats3.htm

Agencies and Headhunters

Perhaps, this is one of the most popular and effective avenue for job applicants. Finding a job through this channel alleviate a lot of job searching. Agencies and headhunters do all the searching to fit you with an appropriate employer. Applicants need only apply once, and the rest is up to them.

Headhunters	Specialization	People working	Revenue Origin
	Search	Staffing Consultants	Clients
Agencies	Recruitment	Agents	Employees & Employers

Newspaper and Recruitment Ads

For many job seekers, the newspaper and other online job ads continue to be the primary source of information. Employers advertise vacancies in newspapers and job sites so candidates can get information about the company.

Recruitment Drive and Exhibitions

This tool is effective because it helps job seekers get an overview of the types of jobs available and it opens up wider network of prospective employer contacts.

Top 5 most promising entry-level careers

Choosing the right career is laden with difficult choices and unexpected challenges. Students nowadays tend to choose a course that would generate a high-paying income. Let’s face it: everyone wants a career that allows their responsibilities— and their income—to grow year after year. Students are now wiser in choosing a career path that is both right for them and for their future.
Here is a list of entry-level careers that is a sure fit for every graduate’s goals.

Environmental Engineers
Issues concerning the environment are becoming more important, now more than ever. Most companies are venturing into ecological initiatives and other projects to improve their business. That’s why Environmental Engineers are hired to manage and develop the demands of this growing business.
One of the benefits of this career is that one has the opportunity to work outside the four corners of an office. It is flexible and offers a great package.

Network Systems/Data Communications Analyst
Information Technology is one of the fastest growing industries worldwide. Here in the Philippines, the Business Process Outsourcing community is just one of the many IT-related industry that brings more jobs and more career opportunities to the Filpinos.
Formal education is not necessary in this field. As long as one has a certification of his skills or any has taken a two-year course, he can be considered in the position.

Marketing Research Analyst
Now more than ever, companies need research analyst to reposition their business in the market. Recession has weaken the economy that’s why most firms hire research analysts to build their business again.
Starting in this position can make one excel in terms of analysis and business conceptualization which could lead to a brighter future—going up the corporate ladder or managing your own business.

Copywriter
Contrary to popular belief, people can earn through writing. With the booming demand for online content writers and advertisements, copywriters have a huge position in the job market.
This field need not be a major of Journalism or Communication Arts. This job only requires fluency in English and a unique writing style. In some firms, it offers flexibility in terms of work arrangements.

Sales Associate
One good thing about sales is that you can enter the industry even without a diploma on Sales and other related courses. The position offers higher packages due to commissions and other benefits for every successful deal.
Like marketing, Sales also paves way for growth—stepping to a higher stage or managing your own business.

There are a number of jobs in the market that offers the best packages. But one needs to carefully decide and weigh the pros and cons before entering any paper agreements. Hence, a career should be evocative and boost one’s market value.


Source: Goodman, M. (2010). Entry-Level Jobs With Big Earning Potential. Retrieved March 5, 2010, from http://hotjobs.yahoo.com/career-articles

Social network your way to career

Networking is a vital element of any job search. Today, social networking concept and strategy makes it easier for anyone to land a job.

Most companies are using social media as means to market their job vacancies. Apparently, the trend now is that employers check out the social networks (blogs, Facebook, Friendster, etc.) of prospective hires and this usually has an effect on their decision to hire or not.

And just as they use tweets, social networks, blogs and the like to pitch their vacancies, they are also looking on how job seekers of today utilize these channels as means for job search.
Below are tricks to tweet, poke, ping and post your profile to the emerging virtual channels:

Master the art of omnipotence

The rule of thumb for any job search is to make yourself visible and available at any given time. You need to be visible across the web. Establish yourself in various avenues for easy access of prospective employers. One can do this by creating accounts to each of existing social networking sites today and by writing blogs to sell yourself.

Clean-up digital dirt

One’s online personality serves as their resume. Job seekers are cautioned in presenting themselves online. Online appearance projects the image you want your prospective employer to see. The best things one can do to assure that his online personality is ‘clean’: Proofread the information that you are going to post on these online channels; Avoid nasty photos and messages. According to CareerBuilder.com, the largest US online job site, candidates must “clean up digital dirt” before beginning a job search by removing photos, content and links which could hurt their chances.

Think of a good value proposition

Searching for a job is a marketing task--you are marketing yourself to a specific audience. And as with any good marketing plan, you need to develop the message that you want to get across. Define the message, and then figure out how to get that message heard. Find information that backs up the claims you make about yourself.

Establish professionalism from the start

Creating one’s accounts in each of the virtual sites is an easy task. However, a job seeker is liable with any information that he’s going to post. Be aware that employers are specialized in candidate hunting. They are using their own tools and resources to investigate and confirm information one has posted.

Information are collated from http://hotjobs.yahoo.com/career-articles-how_to_social_network_your_way_into_a_job-1133 and http://www.newmedia.com.ph/fix-your-facebook-get-a-job/

Gen Y Chooses Texting, E-mail over Social Networking

Although members of the so-called Generation Y spend a considerable amount of time visiting social networking sites such as Facebook and MySpace, majority of them are far more willing to give up visiting these sites for a week than forego texting or e-mail, according to a study conducted by the Participatory Marketing Network (PMN) and Pace University’s Lubin School of Business’ IDM Lab.

The behavioral study on the Gen Y group, the third one conducted by the two organizations, examined their time spent and their preference for visiting social networks, reading/writing email, texting, talking on the phone, watching TV, reading magazines and surfing the web on non-social media sites.
Some notable findings from the study include:

• E-mail and text messaging are activities least likely to be “given up for a week,” followed by TV, talking on the phone, visiting social networking sites, reading magazines and visiting non-social networking sites.

• Texting remains an important communication tool for Gen Y, with the average number of text messages sent per month exceeding 740.

• The Gen Y group spends more time e-mailing, texting and visiting social networking sites than talking on the phone, watching TV or reading magazines.Michael Della Penna, PMN co-founder and executive chairman, said it may seem surprising at first that e-mail still plays an important role in younger people’s lives. However, he said email and social networking sites currently work hand in hand. “As long as e-mail remains the collection point for social networking updates, including alerts around new followers, discussion updates and friend requests, it will remain a powerful force in marketing and our lives.”A separate analysis by Nielsen found a similar interplay between social networking and e-mail.

Low Interest in Mobile Promos

The study also found that interest in mobile marketing remains low among the Gen Y group, with only one in five now receiving targeted promotional messages and only 4% planning to do so in the future.

A study by 1020 Placecast, which asked a similar question, found a much larger percentage of young people at least somewhat willing to receive such messages. In that research, 40% of mobile phone owners between ages 18-34 said they were interested.About the study: The study was conducted in October 2009. It includes 203 panel members who ages range from 18 to 24.

The article is originally published at http://www.market ingcharts.com/television/gen-y-chooses-texting-email-over-socnets-10811/. 21 October 2009.