THE JOB INTERVIEW

Tuesday, July 29, 2008

The job interview is the step to a new position. It provides you with the opportunity to present your credentials or qualifications for employment. It’s a stressful time that you need to prepare for. You don’t just walk in and chit chats. You need to research the company and know as much as possible about its history and future. An annual report or articles from the internet would be helpful. Maybe you can talk to someone inside the company that can give you information that would help. From this information you can draw upon your experience and how you can best fit the position. Make sure you get a good nights rest. You need to be alert and sharp. Have a good breakfast or meal before the interview. Come with a good attitude, don’t let outside problems distract you from your goal of getting the job. Plan what clothes you’ll wear. You want to fit in, so you have to decide carefully on your appearance. It used to be suit and tie or dress and heals. Today it’s not so easy. Whatever you decide make sure you’re neat and clean. At the interview present yourself with confidence and a solid handshake. Sit up and straight. Be relaxed and comfortable. Your mannerisms are important and will be a part of your evaluation. Talk clearly and make sure you’re understood. Ask questions when the opportunity arises. There may be one or more interviewers and make sure you make eye contact when speaking or responding to questions. You want to maintain a friendly conversation where you answer the questions, but also sell your credentials and abilities. Always be positive, never negative. Don’t criticize your past employers or bad experiences. It’s not that you want to hide anything but that you need to explain certain things in a positive manner. Some times you need to deliberate before you speak to avoid a bad impression. You want to be honest and show good character. You want to display yourself as a person they can trust and depend on. The interviewer(s) may have certain questions prepared to ask and evaluate you. Be honest and thoughtful in your responses. If the question is not clear ask for clarification. The questions should pertain to your work experience and qualifications to do the job. Be careful in handling any personal questions. You are not obligated to answer questions on politics, sexual orientation or other personal matters. Try to keep the interview on the job, company, your experience and qualifications. Some interviewers may be very good while others lack interview skills. Just as you present an impression the interviewer gives you an impression of the company. You want to answer the interviewer questions while you want responses to your questions. You must not present an image were you are only interested in benefits and you offer little in return. Some interviews go very well while others are bummers. You may know or the interviewer knows this won’t work and the interview is short and quick. Hopefully this is not he case and you become a serious candidate for the job. The problem is that you do not know who is your competition is and how they compare to you. It is hoped that the interviewer will tell you if you will be considered or they may give you the old “we’ll let you know in a few days” answer. Always end the interview on a positive note, thanking the interviewer for the opportunity and that you would very much like to be considered for employment. Most of the time it’s difficult to assume how good or bad the interview went. You may be disappointed or very surprised by the outcome. You have to wait and see. Follow up the interview with a thank you note.Some interviews may be a pretext to justify a hiring of someone that is already known or working in the organization. This is an unfair practice and may waste your time. Whatever happens, especially if you like the organization and their policies, try to create an impression that you would like to work for the organization when positions arise. You may want to keep in touch for future opportunities. Whatever happens you need to be sure this is the company that you want to work for. Are you sure you will fit in.You may hit it off or resent the interviewer, while the reality of working with its staff may be contrary to this evaluation. The fit is very important to your success or failure once inside the company. You want to be sure this is the place you will be happy. You don’t want to make a mistake and have to be looking for another job in a short period of time. If you get a job offer or don’t get an offer this is a very important decision for you to make.If the company is professional and has good policies you should hear from them within a short period of time, they will notify you if you are being considered, if you will be given an offer or you have been rejected. The process may require you to return for more interviews, testing or evaluation to insure you meet the companies’ needs and requirements. If accepted for employment you must negotiate or accept the terms for employment: salary, hours, benefits, and other working conditions. Negotiation will depend on the level of your employment, the higher the position the more room for negotiation. The lower the position there will be less room for negotiation. Take it or leave it. You have to make the decision. Most of the time we accept instead of rejecting an offer. Maybe we need to be more careful and sure that this is the right decision. Better to right than sorry.
Posted by FROM THE FRONT PORCH at 10:28 AM