Job Interview

1. Job Interview By Raji.V

2. Job Interview • Introduction • The function of interview • Preparation • Dress smartly • Body language • Important tips • Interviewed by a foreign enterprise

3. Job Interview • Get yourselves prepared for these questions • Questions for you to ask • How to impress the company ? • Follow-ups • hat kind of company is right for you ?

4. Introduction • 95% of the jobs require an interview. • Don’t think the employers only evaluate you by the answer you give to their questions. If they do, reading your CV is good enough to make that decision. • Most of the supervisors believe that they can know a lot more about job applicants through an interview.

5. The Function of Interview • To evaluate your future potentials, possible advancement. • To know if the job applicants can work well with their co-workers. • To observe job applicants’ non-verbal communication skills.

6. The Function of Interview • Remember, no matter what questions are asked in an interview, the purpose of these questions is for the interviewer to evaluate - • if you have the skill, experience, training and interest necessary to fulfill the requirements of the position. • if you fit the job and their corporate culture (company personality) • if you are hired, are you going to remain with the employer for at least several years ?

7. Preparation • After you have made contact with an employer and scheduled an interview, you will need to do some preparation. • Interview is not only a conversation, the purpose of questions asked by interviewer are for employers to judge if you’re the best candidate for the position.

8. Preparation • To prepare your answers to the questions most likely to be asked, you will need to know more about the company before the interview • Surf the internet to find and go through the website of the company. (company history, products, market…) • Read the recruitment advertisement again to find out what qualifications are the most wanted for this position.

9. Preparation • An interview may include: IQ Test Aptitude test Written examination Oral examination

10. Preparation • First, purchase a presentation folder (twin-pocket portfolio folder). • Place in the folder a copy of your resume, autobiography, certificates, reference, samples of your work. • Be prepared to leave the folder with the employer. • By preparing this folder, you demonstrate outstanding planning, organizing, and presentation skills.

11. Preparation • You should also purchase a small notebook to take notes during the interview. • You should take notes when interviewer - 1. mentions about the responsibilities of the position 2. tells you about the company’s background 3. asks you to provide some additional information. (ex. University transcript…) • When you make a note of above mentioned matters, it again emphasizes your organizational ability.

12. Preparation • “Would you please tell me about yourself?” – is one of the most feared questions asked in an interview. • Prepare a “three-minute” self-introduction including your - working experience - skills - educational background. • Next slide will help you prepare for the introduction.

13. Preparation • Do you really understand yourself ? Do you have an answer for the following questions ? • What are the strengths in my working experience, educational background and skills directly related to this job ? • What qualification and skills I have will impress the interviewer ? • What qualification and skills I have can demonstrate my future potentials ?

14. Preparation • To simulate an interview • Prepare and memorize the answer for possible questions asked in an interview. • Record your answer with a recording device. (audio recorder / digital camera / camcorder) • Ask opinion from a friend. • practice, practice and practice. • Attend all the interviews you can.

15. Dress smartly • A growing number of firms realize that their employees’ appearance is important. Therefore, many companies are introducing dress codes for their staff. • Your potential employer gets the first impression by the way you dress, so don’t overlook the importance of it. • Your dress also tells the company if you know how to dress properly in a business situation.

16. Dress smartly • Appropriate clothing need not be expensive. • Often the person interviewing you will be older and more conservative than you. It is usually best to dress a bit more conservative. • Some of the dress or jewelry items that your friends think are cool may not be viewed the same way by the interviewer. • The rule of appropriate dress in an interview is to dress as you would if you were employed in the position for which you are applying

17. Dress smartly • For a female interview applicant - • Business dress – modest in length, color and style. Business suit or a skirt and a blouse are suggested. • Stockings should complement your outfit – if the interviewer’s attention is drawn to them, they are not appropriate. • Shoes should be clean, polished, and in good repair – usually a low heel is appropriate. Do not wear slippers*.

18. Dress smartly • For a female interview applicant - • Nails should be modest in length and natural in color. • Tattoos on the arms should be covered by wearing long sleeves. • Minimal jewelry such as a watch, ring, plain necklace, or pin are in good taste. Do not wear more than two earrings per ear, nor should earrings be too large or long. Avoid noisy jewelry, such as clanging bracelets.

19. Dress smartly • For a female interview applicant - • Undergarments should never be seen through or below one’s outer clothing. • Clothing that is normally worn to parties, weddings is not appropriate for an interview. • Perfume / cologne that has a slight scent and cannot be noticed more than three feet away is appropriate.

20. Dress smartly • For a female interview applicant - • Makeup should be modestly applied. • Hair should be styled conservatively, and long, straight hair should be styled in such a way that is not constantly being brushed back from the applicant’s face. • If you have bad breath or an armpit odor, consider using deodorant.

21. Dress smartly • For a male interview applicant - • Clean, pressed pants in a conservative color are appropriate. • A shirt with a collar, pressed, tucked in, and in a color that matches or coordinates with the pants is in good taste. • More formal business dress is required if those on the job wear coats or suits and ties.

22. Dress smartly • For a male interview applicant - • Any tattoos on the arms should be covered by wearing long-sleeved shirts. • Socks that are nearly the same color as the pants should be worn. (not white athletic socks) • Casual shoes, leather, low-top, clean and shines are appropriate.

23. Dress smartly • For a male interview applicant – • Nails should be cleaned and trimmed. • You should be freshly shaven with hair, beard, and / or facial hair styles similar to those worn by the majority of workers in the department of the company where you are applying. • Use a deodorant, and if you wish, a mildly scented aftershave lotion (no strong colognes).

24. Dress smartly • For a male interview applicant – • Wear minimal jewelry – a watch and one ring are OK – and modest earrings only if commonly worn on the job by other employees. • It’s OK to wear a colorful / patterned tie.

25. Body Language • Your potential employer will observe your personality, your communication skills and if you are a responsible person in this interview. • Your body language is the answer to above question.

26. Body Language • Knock before opening interviewer’s door. • Close the door with caution w/o banging the door. • Wear a smile when you walk in. • Handshaking is a very important manner in business. 1. the “bone crusher” handshake 2. the “dead fish” handshake 3. the “upper hand” handshake 4. the “two-handed” handshake 5. the firm handshake

27. Body Language • Handshaking is a very important manner in business. 1. Women should offer to shake hands only if the interviewer extends his/ her hand. 2. Men should extend a firm handshake to another man. 3. Men should wait to have a hand extended by a woman interviewer.

28. Body Language • Wait to be asked to be seated. • Don’t look down. • Look straight. Maintain eye contact with the interviewer. (very important) • Don’t fold your arms. • Don’t cross your legs.

29. Body Language • Sit up straight in the chair. Lean forward in your chair. • Don’t lean back in your chair. • Keep your hands still. • Don’t open your mouth until you’re ready to say something. • Smile frequently during the interview.

30. Body Language • Be positive in your comments, outlook, and attitude. • Avoid chewing gum or eat candies. • Don’t smoke or even smell of smoke during the interview – the majority of employers don’t smoke.

31. Body Language • Six things you don’t suppose to do in an interview - • Don’t put your bag on the desk. • Don’t start a topic. Normally interviewers will decide what topics to talk about. • Don’t interrupt or argue with interviewer. • Don’t complain or criticize previous employers. • Don’t make suggestions unless you’re asked to.

32. Important Tips 1. Plan on arriving 10 minutes before it is scheduled. 2. Be sure you know the exact location (building and office) where the interview is to be held. 3. Consider traffic conditions at the time the interview is planned.

33. Important Tips 4.Be careful, you may take the same route your co-workers, the interviewer, even your future boss take. Watch your manner. 5. Go to the restroom and make yourself presentable – Male – Comb your hair if you ride a motorcycle to an interview,. Female – Check your makeup. Don’t look at yourself during an interview.

34. Important Tips 6.When you arrive for the interview, give the receptionist your name and tell him/her the name of the person who is expecting you (which you have memorized) and the scheduled time for your interview. 7. Anticipate a wait longer than 10 minutes. Interviews that go well often last longer than originally expected, and so the interviewer runs past the appointed time. 8. While waiting in the reception area before being interviewed, review your answer against anticipated questions.

35. Important Tips 9. If you don’t understand a question, ask the interviewer to say it again or ask a question to clarify your doubts. Don’t pretend you understand it. 10. Answer questions at a proper speed – not too fast or too slow. Your voice should be loud enough for interviewer to hear it. 11. Answer questions with clear, concise and logical sentences (listing, cause and effects, time sequence).

36. Interviewed by Foreign Enterprise • First impressions are important. Make sure your telephone message is professional in its entirety. • The message you leave on your answering device / voice mail should be concise, contain correct grammar, be easily understood. • Here is an example for your reference - “Hello, you have reached (telephone number). I’m not available to take your call right now. Please leave your name, number, and the time you call. I’ll return your call as soon as possible.”

37. Interviewed by Foreign Enterprise • A way to check is to have someone you respect and who is familiar with good business practices – perhaps a family member or neighbor who is in business – call your number and see if they think your message is appropriate. • When you’re called into the office to be interviewed, address the interviewer by name using Ms. / Mr. and smile.

38. Interviewed by Foreign Enterprise • To start an interview Hi ! My name is Barbara Chen. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to be interviewed. * Optional: Do you mind if I ask your English name ?

39. Get yourselves prepared for these questions • I’m going to introduce some frequently asked questions and suggested answer for you to prepare for your interviews. • However your responses should be personalized to you and your qualifications.

40. Get yourselves prepared for these questions • “Warm-up” type of questions • How do you do ? • How do you get to our company ? • Where were you born ? • Where are you from ? • Where do you live ? • Could you tell me a bit about your family ?

41. Get yourselves prepared for these questions • “Warm-up” type of questions • So, tell me about your family ? • How many people are there in your family ? • Please tell me about yourself. • Please give me a brief introduction about yourself in 3 minutes.

42. Get yourselves prepared for these questions • Regarding your qualifications: • What are your strongest skills ? Possible answer: I believe my strongest skills are… • Why should we hire you ? Possible answer: By hiring me you will be getting… • Will you please tell me about any training that relates to this job ?

43. Get yourselves prepared for these questions • Regarding your qualifications • Please describe your work experience. • Tell me about your previous jobs ? • What sort of companies did you work for ? • What was your position ? • Are you interested in your job ? • How do you like your job ?

44. Get yourselves prepared for these questions • Regarding your previous jobs • How long have you been with that company ? • Why did you quit ? • What made you decide to change jobs ? • Have you applied for a similar post to any other companies ? * • Why do you want to join us ?

45. Get yourselves prepared for these questions • Regarding your previous jobs: • Describe your best and worst bosses ? Suggested response: I’ve not had any really bad bosses. The best bosses give clear instructions, let me use my initiative, are always available for questions. I think I would like to be a supervisor some day.

46. Get yourselves prepared for these questions • Have you down any research about this job ? • What do you know about this job ? suggested response: I downloaded …. from the internet… • Why do you want to work for this company ? suggested response: I found that you are one of the fastest growing xxx firm according to the xxxx, I see long-term opportunities and possible promotions in this job……)

47. Get yourselves prepared for these questions • Regarding your educational background • To a candidate with several years working experience: 1. What was your major in college ? 2. What did you study in college ? • To a newly graduate: 1. Were you a member of any student club in school ? 2. Were you ever involved in any student organization ? 3. Did you ever do any part-time job ? 4. What was your favorite part-time job ?

48. Get yourselves prepared for these questions • Regarding your career objectives: • What do you want to be doing in 15 years ? • What kind of work interest you the most ? • What are your salary expectations for the future, say 5 years ? • What motivates you ? • Do you consider yourself a leader or a follower ? • Do you plan to continue your education ? *

49. Get yourselves prepared for these questions • Regarding your character: • What kind of personality do you have ? • What types of things irritate you about co-workers ? • If you had to choose one word to describe your personality, what would it be ? • What’s most important to you ? • Are you OK working for a younger supervisor ? • Can you work under pressure ? • What have you learned from your mistakes ? • What type of things do friends or family criticize you about ?

50. Get yourselves prepared for these questions • Regarding your character • What do you think your strengths and weaknesses ? suggested response: My strengths are to work as a team member, take instruction, learn, quickly and constantly look for better ways to complete assignments. Perhaps a weakness might by that I sometimes work on a project until it’s perfect. I’m beginning to realize that this is not always practical from a time management point of view and it may give my co-workers too much pressure.