INTERVIEWING TECHNIQUES

Interviewing Techniques

Preparation

Before you walk into any interview, you should know as much about the company and the position as you possibly can. If you found the position through a placement agency, they should be able to provide that information for you. If not, search the web or go to the library.

In today’s world of mass communication, there’s no excuse for lack of research. After you have studied the company, write out a list of questions to ask the employer.

Why is this position available?
Will there be opportunities for further training?
What are your goals for this position?
What obstacles will I need to overcome to succeed?
How will my performance be evaluated?
Are there opportunities for promotion?
What growth do you anticipate for your firm?

No one can predict the exact questions that an interviewer will ask, but you can rehearse your resume and get a good idea of a few important questions that the employer is likely to ask. To prepare, think about how you would answer the following questions:

Tell me about yourself? (professionally)
Review your career, education and other strengths?
What do you know about our organization?
Why are you interested in this position?
What are your most significant career achievements?
Describe a situation in which your work was criticized?
How would you describe your personality?
How do you perform under pressure?
How have you improved yourself over the past year?
What did you like least about your last position?
Why are you leaving your present company?
What is your ideal working environment?
How would your coworkers describe you?
What do you think of your boss?
Have you ever fired anyone?
What was the situation and how did you handle it?
Are you creative?
What are your goals in your career?
Where do you see yourself in two years?
Why should we hire you?
What kind of salary are you looking for?
What other types of jobs are you considering?

Interview Do's and Dont's

To Do's -- Arrive 15 minutes early. Late attendance is never excusable. Clarify questions. Be sure you answered the questions the employer really asked. Get the interviewer to describe the position and responsibilities early in the conversation so you can relate your skills and background to the position throughout the interview. Give your qualifications. Stress the accomplishments that are most pertinent to the job. Conduct yourself professionally. Be aware of what your body language is saying. Smile, make eye contact, don’t slouch and maintain composure. Anticipate tough questions. Prepare in advance so you can turn apparent weaknesses into strengths. Dress appropriately. Make your first impression a professional one. Ask questions throughout the interview. An interview should be a mutual exchange of information, not a one-sided conversation. Listen. This is probably the most important "do" of all. By concentrating not only on the employer’s words, but also on the tone of voice and body language, you will be able to pick up on the employer’s style. Once you understand how a hiring authority thinks, pattern your answers accordingly and you will be able to better relate to him or her.

Not To Do's -- Don’t answer vague questions. Rather than answering questions you think you hear, get the employer to be more specific and then respond. Never interrupt the employer. If you don’t have time to listen, neither does the employer. Don’t smoke, chew gum or place anything on the employer’s desk. Don’t be overly familiar, even if the employer is doing all of these things. Don’t wear heavy perfume or cologne. Don’t ramble. Long answers often make the speaker sound apologetic or indecisive. On the other hand, don’t answer questions with a simple "yes" or "no." Explain whenever possible. Do not lie. Answer questions as truthfully as possible. Do not make derogatory remarks about your present or former employers or companies.

Too many people second-guess themselves after an interview. By closing strongly and asking the right questions, you can eliminate the post-interview doubts that tend to plague most interviewees. If you feel that the interview went well and you would like to take the next step, express your interest to the hiring authority and turn the tables a bit. Try something like the following:

"After hearing more about your company, the position and the responsibilities at hand, I am certain that I possess the qualities that you are looking for in the (title) position. Based on our conversation and my qualifications, are there any issues or concerns that you have that would lead you to believe otherwise?"

You have a right to be assertive. This is a great closing question because it opens the door for the hiring authority to be honest with you about his or her feelings. If concerns do exist, this is a great opportunity to overcome them. You have one final chance to dispel the concerns, sell your strengths and end the interview on positive note.

A few things to remember during the closing process: Don’t be discouraged if no definite offer is made or specific salary discussed. The interviewer will probably want to communicate with the office first, or interview other applicants, before making a decision.

Make sure you answer the following two questions: "why are you interested in the company?," and "what can you offer?"

Express thanks for the interviewer’s time and consideration. Ask for their business card so you can write a thank you letter as soon as possible.

When you get in your car, immediately write down key issues uncovered during the interview. Think of the qualifications the employer is looking for and match your strengths to them. This follow-up processes is very critical. A "thank you" letter should be written no later than 24 hours after the interview.

Interview Presentation

You hear all sorts of rules about job interview success:

• people decide about you in the first 10 seconds
• you have to make a good first impression
• always ask insightful job interview questions
• learn as much as you can about the company
• they'll probably ask interview questions designed to trip you up
• have some quick answers to interview questions at the ready

Not bad, as far as rules go: some of them make perfect sense. But getting the job you want isn't about following rules or giving the 'right' interview answer.

It's about presenting yourself in the most authentic way that takes care of you and the interviewers at the same time.

So many people chuck their chances away: they don't take enough care and interview preparation time so that the whole process is enjoyable, stimulating and informative for both parties.

Your First Opportunity: Getting The Interview

If you want the job, chances are so do about a million other eager people, so your application has to stand out from the crowd. British CVs are usually dull and boring, and people create them as historical documents, rather than as marketing tools. You can boost your chances of getting an interview by making your CV look and 'sound' special.

Use good paper, design a personal logo, fiddle with the layout to make it easy on the eyes. Edit it ruthlessly. People always put in too much detail. Highlight the bits that relate to the job you're going for. They don't need to know you went to St Mary's School when you were 12! Put 'who you are now' at the beginning of your CV, and leave education and qualifications for the end.

If you don't have what you think are the right educational qualifications, don't worry. Just leave them off. If you include enough interesting and intriguing material about who you are now, what you didn't do is far less important.

I recommend a short paragraph at the beginning that says something about your personal qualities and your business skills. A short statement about what you're seeking can also go down a treat.

As we know, a job for life is so rare nowadays, that eclectic, unusual and even inconsistent CVs are OK as long as they're presented well.

Even if you think your current job stinks, look at the good points as though you were looking at it from the outside in. Most jobs appear much better from the outside than they do from the inside (only you know the real truth); so pump up the goodies and soft-pedal the baddies!

So that worked. You've got the Interview; now what?

Preparing For a Job Interview

Here's the key and the most important thing to remember when preparing for interview

Before you go through the door, tell yourself that unless they are simply going through the motions because they've already appointed someone, they want it to be you.

They want to know their search is over, so for the length of the interview, the job is yours. You need to make the most of it.

Having said that, first impressions are incredibly important. Be yourself right from the start, turning up the volume on those bits of you that most match the job; turning down the volume on the bits that don't. However, never ever shut the volume off entirely, as you will then be pretending to be someone you're not - a sure recipe for disaster.

Not a good idea to lie! You can be judicious with the truth, but lies have a tendency to return and bite you in the bum! Even if they don't know you've lied, you will be giving out signals that are a give-away that something is wrong.

Being put on the spot can feel very uncomfortable, and it's easy to fall into a defensive posture. If you're not sure of answering interview questions or feel boxed into a corner it's all right to buy time - including saying 'I need some time to think about that.'

No matter how nervous you are, you do need to look after the people interviewing you. Show that you know how to communicate and relate to people: ask surprising questions.

Have a stockpile of question to ask at interview and anecdotes of past triumphs (and even a few disasters, as long as their funny or humorous side is apparent). This is not just a list of what you can do, but some personal examples that paint the whole picture.

There are no right answers to job interview questioning. In fact a good interview question is one that allows you a chance to talk about yourself.

Interview Questions

Successful Interviews
No nonsense do's and don'ts and common Interview Questions

Interview Questions you may be asked
Most frequently asked job Interview Questions

Tough Interview Questions
Good list of tough or difficult Interview Questions

Your questions
Good and bad Job Interview Questions

How to have a Good Job Interview
Solid advice from Roger Darlington

Phew! Got through that; anything else I can do?

Job Interview Follow-up

At the end of your interview, if you haven't been advised, ask when they think they'll be making their decision. At least then you'll know how long you’ll have to wait before you hear.

Many places don't automatically let people know if they haven't got the job; so one follow-up call is allowable. More than that and it can feel like badgering.

No matter how badly you think the interview went, if you want the job, always send a follow-up interview thank you letter. Since most of us think of clever things to say after the fact, include one or two of those, referring to something specific from the interview.

Use phrases such as:

1. 'I've given a lot of thought to our interview and...'

2. 'Something you mentioned got me thinking...'

3. 'What you said about _______ really struck home...'

If you don't get the job and you're curious why not, phone up and get some feedback. It may help you for the next interview.

Happy job hunting!

Grooming Standards

Grooming in aviation assumes great significance with the fact that It can be quite repetitive serving food and drinks on each flight while constantly having to appear happy and be assertive.

You have to be well groomed, have a pleasant personality, be friendly and sensitive to people’s needs. It also helps to have a sense of humor and you must be able to communicate with all types of people. A positive attitude is essential, as is confidence, enthusiasm and a clear sense of professionalism.

Self grooming is a vital part of flight attendant training program conducted by any airline and we give you an insight into how it is all conducted through step by step detailing of all the aspects categorized for your convenience and self training

Grooming for the Lady

Beauty is not just skin deep - A reflection of your personality

Don'ts of beauty Care

Choosing the right jewellery

Wrinkles - How to avoid them

Some Beauty questions you always wanted to ask

Grooming for the Gentlemen

Right Shaving Techniques

Skin Care strategies for men

Wrinkle Reducer - Fight early ageing

Hair Loss and Dandruff control

Look your best - tips and techniques

Job Interviewing Do's and Don'ts

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by Randall S. Hansen, Ph.D.

Here are the keys to successful job interviewing. Follow these simple rules and you should achieve success in this important phase of job-hunting.

• Do take a practice run to the location where you are having the interview -- or be sure you know exactly where it is and how long it takes to get there.
• Do your research and know the type of job interview you will be encountering. (See types of job interviews.) And do prepare and practice for the interview, but don't memorize or over-rehearse your answers. (See our some of the best collections of interview questions.)
• Do dress the part for the job, the company, the industry. And do err on the side of conservatism. If you're not sure, you should consider reading our article, When Job-Hunting: Dress for Success.
• Do plan to arrive about 10 minutes early. Late arrival for a job interview is never excusable. If you are running late, do phone the company.
• Do greet the receptionist or assistant with courtesy and respect. This is where you make your first impression.
• Don't chew gum during the interview.
• If presented with a job application, do fill it out neatly, completely, and accurately.
• Do bring extra resumes to the interview. (Even better, if you have a job skills portfolio, do bring that with you to the interview.)
• Don't rely on your application or resume to do the selling for you. No matter how qualified you are for the position, you will need to sell yourself to the interviewer.
• Do greet the interviewer(s) by title (Ms., Mr., Dr.) and last name if you are sure of the pronunciation. (If you're not sure, do ask the receptionist about the pronunciation before going into the interview.
• Do shake hands firmly. Don't have a limp or clammy handshake!
• Do wait until you are offered a chair before sitting. And do remember body language and posture: sit upright and look alert and interested at all times. Don't fidget or slouch.
• Don't tell jokes during the interview.
• Do make good eye contact with your interviewer(s).
• Do show enthusiasm in the position and the company.
• Don't smoke, even if the interviewer does and offers you a cigarette. And don't smoke beforehand so that you smell like smoke. And do brush your teeth, use mouthwash, or have a breath mint before the interview.
• Do avoid using poor language, slang, and pause words (such as "like," "uh," and "um").
• Don't be soft-spoken. A forceful voice projects confidence.
• Do have a high confidence and energy level, but don't be overly aggressive.
• Don't act as though you would take any job or are desperate for employment.
• Do avoid controversial topics.
• Don't say anything negative about former colleagues, supervisors, or employers.
• Do make sure that your good points come across to the interviewer in a factual, sincere manner.
• Don't ever lie. Answer questions truthfully, frankly and succinctly. And don't over-answer questions.
• Do stress your achievements. And don't offer any negative information about yourself.
• Don't answer questions with a simple "yes" or "no." Explain whenever possible. Describe those things about yourself that showcase your talents, skills, and determination. Give examples.
• Do show off the research you have done on the company and industry when responding to questions. (See our Guide to Researching Companies.)
• Don't bring up or discuss personal issues or family problems.
• Do remember that the interview is also an important time for you to evaluate the interviewer and the company she represents.
• Don't respond to an unexpected question with an extended pause or by saying something like, "boy, that's a good question." And do repeat the question outloud or ask for the question to be repeated to give you a little more time to think about an answer. Also, a short pause before responding is okay.
• Do always conduct yourself as if you are determined to get the job you are discussing. Never close the door on an opportunity until you are sure about it.
• Don't answer cell phone calls during the interview, and do turn off (or set to silent ring) your cell phone and/or pager.
• Do show what you can do for the company rather than what the company can do for you.
• Don't inquire about salary, vacations, bonuses, retirement, or other benefits until after you've received an offer. Be prepared for a question about your salary requirements, but do try and delay salary talk until you have an offer. (You might consider visiting our salary tutorial for more tips and strategies.)
• Do ask intelligent questions about the job, company, or industry. Don't ever not ask any questions -- it shows a lack of interest.
• Do close the interview by telling the interviewer(s) that you want the job and asking about the next step in the process. (Some experts even say you should close the interview by asking for the job.)
• Do try and get business cards from each person you interviewed with -- or at least the correct spelling of their first and last names. And don't make assumptions about simple names -- was it Jon or John -- get the spelling.
• Do immediately take down notes after the interview concludes so you don't forget crucial details.
• Do write thank you letters within 24 hours to each person who interviewed you. (You can see some sample thank-you letters here.) And do know all the rules of following up after the interview

How To Sell Yourself

• Dress appropriately for the industry; err on the side of being conservative to show you take the interview seriously. Your personal grooming and cleanliness will be taken into consideration in the hiring decision. Remember, you never get a second chance to make a first impression!
• Know the exact time and location of your interview. Know the names and correct pronunciation of the people with whom you are interviewing.
• Arrive early; 10 minutes prior to the interview start time. Bring extra resume.
• Treat all people you encounter with courtesy and respect. Their opinions of you might be solicited during hiring decisions.
• Offer a firm handshake, make eye contact, and have a friendly expression when your interviewer greets you.
• Maintain good eye contact during the interview. Sit still in your seat; avoid fidgeting and slouching.
• Respond to questions and back up your statements about yourself with specific examples whenever possible. Ask for clarification if you don't understand a question.
• Be thorough in your responses, while being concise in your wording.
• Be honest and be yourself. Dishonesty gets discovered. You want a good match between yourself and your employer. If you get hired by acting like someone other than yourself, you and your employer will both be unhappy.
• Exhibit a positive attitude. The interviewer is evaluating you as a potential co-worker. Behave like someone you would want to work with.
• Have intelligent questions prepared to ask the interviewer.
• Evaluate the interviewer and the organization s/he represents. An interview is a two-way street. Conduct yourself cordially and respectfully, while thinking critically about the way you are treated and the values and priorities of the organization.
• After the interview, make notes right away so you don't forget critical details (including pay rate, start date, other information you need to supply).
• Contact Madden Industrial promptly to inform us of how the interview proceeded and next steps we need to prepare for.

Interview DON'TS: Common Interview Pitfalls

• Don't make excuses. Take responsibility for your decisions and your actions.
• Don't make negative comments about previous employers or others.
• Don't falsify application materials or answers to interview questions.
• Don't treat the interview casually, as if you are just shopping around or doing the interview for practice. This is an insult to the interviewer and to the organization.
• Don't give the impression you are only interested in salary; don't ask about salary and benefits issues until your interviewer brings up the subject.
• Don't act as though you would take any job or are desperate for employment.
• Don't make the interviewer guess what type of work you are interested in; it is not the interviewer's job to act as a career advisor to you.
• Don't be unprepared for typical interview questions. You may not be asked all of them in every interview, but being unprepared looks foolish.
• A job search can be hard work and involve frustrations; don't exhibit frustrations or a negative attitude in an interview.
• Don't go to extremes with your posture; don't slouch, and don't sit rigidly on the edge of your chair.
• Don't assume that a female interviewer is "Mrs." or "Miss." Address her as "Ms." unless told otherwise. Her marital status is irrelevant to the purpose of the interview.
• Don't chew gum or smell like smoke.

Typical Interview Questions:

Not every interviewer will ask you every one of these questions. However, if you are asked one of these questions, and are not prepared, you will leave an impression that you were not prepared for a basic element of a job interview.

• What are your long-range goals and objectives?
• What are your short-range goals and objectives?
• What are the most important rewards you expect in your job?
• What are your strengths, weaknesses, and interests?
• How do you think a friend or former supervisor who knows you well would describe you?
• What motivates you to put forth your greatest effort?
• How do you determine or evaluate success?
• In what ways do you think you can make a contribution to our organization?
• Describe your most rewarding job experience.
• Which past job experiences have prepared you for this position?
• In what kind of work environment are you most comfortable?
• How do you work under pressure?
• What two or three things would be most important to you in your job?
• Are you willing to spend at least six months as a trainee?

Smile when appropriate during the interview. Be enthusiastic and responsive. As you talk about your past and present activities, your passion and energy can be communicated both through your words and your body language (e.g., an excited tone of voice, leaning forward, nodding your head in agreement). Maintaining eye contact is important; failure to do so may imply a lack of confidence or worse, cause the employer to question your truthfulness. Sit comfortably, without slouching. Don’t put anything on your lap or in your hands if it will restrict your natural body movement or if you may be tempted to play with it. Keep your clipboard, note pad, briefcase, or portfolio on the floor beside your chair for easy retrieval. Respond to questions specifically and concisely but give sufficient details to enable the interviewer to evaluate your credentials. Interviewers become frustrated when they have to listen to long, rambling answers. Think before you speak. It is quite acceptable to pause before talking in order to organize your thoughts. Avoid verbal fillers such as “um,” “ah,” “you know,” or regularly repeating the question to provide thinking time. Use business language. Avoid slang. Speak clearly. Watch the interviewer for clues on how the interview is progressing. Is the interviewer’s face or body language telling you that your answers are too long, not detailed enough, too boring? If in doubt, ask the interviewer if more or fewer details are needed. Prepare in advance to talk about any topic that you are concerned or feel uncomfortable about. If there is something that you don’t want an interviewer to inquire about, it will likely be raised during the interview. Practice your answer out loud often enough to feel confident.

How to Use Nonverbal Communication to Impress

When interviewing for employment you could be thinking that if you are the candidate with the best answers to interview questions, you'll get the job. In fact, that isn't typically the case.

CollegeJournal reports that, according to some studies, "Body language comprises 55% of the force of any response, whereas the verbal content only provides 7%, and paralanguage, or the intonation -- pauses and sighs given when answering -- represents 38% of the emphasis."

As you can see, nonverbal communication is as important, or even more important than, verbal communication. The evaluation of your nonverbal communication will start as soon as you walk into the company's lobby and continue until the interview is finished.

What to Bring to an Interview

· Portfolio or pad holder with a copy of your resume and a list of references on quality paper

· Work Samples (if relevant)

· Notepad, Pen

· Breath mint (before you enter the building)

· Women: extra pair of pantyhose (keep in your briefcase or car)

What Not to Bring to an Interview

· Cell phone

· iPod

· Gum

· Cigarettes

· Candy

· Soda or coffee

· Scuffed shoes, messy and/or not-so-clean clothes

While You Wait

The way you sit in the lobby, the way you greet the receptionist and the interviewer, and the way you wait, will all have an impact on whether you are going to be considered for the job. Be friendly and pleasant, but, not overbearing. If you need to wait, sit quietly (no phone calls) and patiently. Shake hands with the interviewer. Your handshake should be firm - not sticky or wimpy. To avoid sweaty palms, visit the rest room, wash your hands, then run them under cool water prior to the interview. Keep your palms open rather than clenched in a fist and keep a tissue you in your pocket to (surreptitiously) wipe them.

Nonverbal Communication During the Interview

· Make eye contact with the interviewer for a few seconds at a time.

· Smile and nod (at appropriate times) when the interviewer is talking, but, don't overdo it. Don't laugh unless the interviewer does first.

· Be polite and keep an even tone to your speech. Don't be too loud or too quiet.

· Don't slouch.

· Do relax and lean forward a little towards the interviewer so you appear interested and engaged.

· Don't lean back. You will look too casual and relaxed.

· Keep your feet on the floor and your back against the lower back of the chair.

· Pay attention, be attentive and interested.

· Listen.

· Don't interrupt.

· Stay calm. Even if you had a bad experience at a previous position or were fired, keep your emotions to yourself and do not show anger or frown.

· Not sure what to do with your hands? Hold a pen and your notepad or rest an arm on the chair or on your lap, so you look comfortable. Don't let your arms fly around the room when you're making a point.

Your verbal communication is important too. Remember your manners and and thank the interviewer for taking the time to meet with you. Don't use slang. Speak clearly and definitely.

What's most important, is to remember that the image the interviewer has of you when he first meets you is the one that is going to last. If you're slouchy, sloppy or messy it won't matter how well you answer the interview questions. You are not going to get the job. When practicing for an interview, work on your nonverbal communications as well as your other interviewing skills. It could be what clinches the job offer for you.

Interested in how interviewers evaluate candidates based on nonverbal communication? Take a look at How Employers Use Nonverbal Communication in Hiring. "Awareness of nonverbal communication and the messages job searchers send does influence your evaluation of job candidates – and it should."