Here is some important information, as well as points to consider prior to interview:
The right attitude is everything! Make sure that you are relaxed before the interview so that you can project a positive attitude. Be: friendly, motivated, ambitious, professional and alert. Remember to smile. If you get very nervous, tell the client that you are very nervous and this will immediately make you feel more relaxed.
First impressions count most. Dress neatly, be clean and fresh and ensure that you are groomed appropriately. Ask the consultant what the company would expect for each interview (informal, corporate, conservative, etc) and make sure that you are able to make the initial good impression through your appearance.
Ask someone close to you to help you prepare. Stage a mock interview at home the night before and make sure you can answer questions like:
Get feedback from your mock interview about the way you answered the questions, your posture, whether you understood the questions, your facial expressions: did you smile or did you look tense?
Make sure you know what you want from yourself. If you go to an interview for a creditor’s clerk position and you tell the interviewer that you wish to go into computer programming, he/she will not take you seriously. Employers are looking for people who want to grow and learn in a particular field, and they will not be able to accommodate you if your short-term goal is to be something totally different to the position you are applying for.
If, by the end of the interview, you are feeling that you would really like the job, make it known! Enthusiasm and commitment, if felt, must be shown - it is not cool to be cool.
If you do not understand a question, ask the client to repeat it so that you are able to answer correctly. Do not feel shy in this regard. Make sure you know what is being asked and answer appropriately. Do not only answer ‘yes’ and ‘no’! For example if you are asked whether you can handle pressure, ‘yes’ is not an appropriate answer - give examples of situations where you have handled a pressurized situation in the past.
Try to find out a little about the company before you go on the interview. Either ask the consultant who has set up the interview, or consult magazines in your local library or the Internet. It also helps to watch the press for a few days prior to the interview as you may pick up useful information relating to the company’s performance (e.g. developments in the money markets might give you insight into Nedbank).
Do not be shy to ask the client questions. Interviewers enjoy telling you about their companies and your interest in them will give them an indication of your commitment. If you know the answer, don’t ask the question. Examples of questions which you may ask:
About the company:
About the position you are applying for:
The most important thing to remember is BE YOURSELF.
Let the client see your best qualities come forward and make sure that you emphasize your skills and competency to do the required job. But remember: you can only present your skills and experience relative to the job if you fully understand the position. It is your responsibility to make sure that you establish this either prior to or during the interview. Don’t be afraid to ask questions!
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There are several types of questions that you may be asked in a job interview. These can be categorized as follows:
Example: It is your first week at a new job. You fail to meet an important deadline. What would you do?
Don’t focus on what you would do if you failed; focus on what you will do to make sure your efforts are a success.
Example: Will you be able to do the job on your own right away?
Don’t respond with a hasty "yes". Answer in a positive way, but qualify your answer. For example, "From the information I have now, it looks as if things could go smoothly, but I may need to consult you if the situation changes or if I need more resources to run it successfully".
Example: How do you think your supervisor will view your leaving your present position?
Avoid being a mind reader. You might respond to such a question as follows: "My supervisor agreed to write a reference for me and she appears to understand my need for change and the decision to advance in my career. I’m sure she will answer any questions you may have about my performance".
Example: I’ve enjoyed reading your CV, but I don’t think your background matches our needs.
Take up this challenge by turning it into a question, such as: "Are you wondering how I can best serve you on the job? Let me explain in which ways I am the best candidate for it".
Example: Between you and me, do you really think that you learnt much at the company where you did your experiential training?
Do not tell the interviewer anything that you wouldn’t openly share in public. Secrets shared in confidence have a way of getting out. Also, if you answer the question, you will be in an awkward position of gossiping about someone else and this may create some doubt about your loyalty to an employer in the future.
Example: What is more important to you: salary or experiencing the job as personally fulfilling?
You need not exclude one or the other; you should feel free to say that both are important to you and explain why this is so.
Example: Most Technikon students with your qualification are alike. Why should we hire you?
When you hear the question why, try to put yourself into the employer’s shoes and think about what this person needs, e.g. "Judging from the job description and our conversation, I gather that you are looking for someone who is a self-starter, can set goals and isn’t afraid of a challenge. I am that kind of person". (Illustrate how you have demonstrated these qualities in the past).
Example: So, tell me about yourself/your previous job/your part-time employments while still a student…
These questions provide an excellent opportunity to show why you are the best candidate for the job. Prepare for such questions in advance as far as possible by putting together a summary statement, outlining positive experiences, qualities, accomplishments which are likely to have some relevance to what is required in the position for which you are applying.
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Here are some questions that are invariably asked in some form or other at most interviews:
Also:
This is a chance to show that you have done your homework and have researched the company and that you have thought about the job and what you can bring to it.
In answering this question, indicate how your skills, experience accomplishments, education and training have equipped you to be able to contribute to the employer immediately or in the future. Try to demonstrate your understanding of the employer’s situation and needs, the responsibilities of the job, and trends in the local and international environment.
Listen for cues in the interview. If the interviewer mentions some area in which you are involved, and you have training in this area, make a comment about what you can do in this area.
(Also: What is your salary requirement at this time?)
Avoid being the first to mention a figure or giving a number. Ask the interviewer instead: "What is the job worth to you?" / "What are you willing to pay for this position?"
You could respond by saying: "I expect to be paid in relation to the training and experience that I can bring to the company". If the interviewer pushes you to make a more concrete answer, a useful suggestion is to quote a range, never give a single figure.
(Also: Why are you prepared to leave/are you leaving your present job?)
Do not mention anything other than the job itself as being your reason for leaving. Mention reasons such as needing to seek new challenges, stagnation, the fact that the job was not in line with your education/experience etc.
The employer wants to hear about your experiences, your exposure to people from different cultures, your accomplishments and your education. Do not spend much time talking about where you were born, raised, your family etc. Emphasize what makes you unique and suitable for the job. In other words, do not repeat your entire CV. Prepare a short three-minute description ahead of time.
Illustrate with concrete examples what your strengths are and how you put them into practice. Think of your strengths in relation to the job situation.
Do not mention your weaknesses unless asked to do so! Mention one or two weaknesses that you are aware of and indicate how you are attempting to remedy them.
Note: sometimes one’s greatest strength taken to the extreme can become a weakness, e.g. someone who is very careful and meticulous in their work may at times be too perfectionist and this could affect work by slowing down the pace at which tasks are completed.
It is possible for anyone to accurately determine the future course of his or her career.
Limit yourself to the foreseeable future. When you go for a job interview you should ideally indicate to the employer (on the basis of your research on the company and the industry) that you understand the prospective employer’s corporate or developmental structure. Look at the position you have applied for and determine what the next two levels above you are. Set your goals relative to what is achievable in the prospective employer’s environment.
Your goals could be in terms of what you can contribute to the company, recognition for your achievements or furthering your educational qualifications.
Be cautious as to how you share your long-term goals with the interviewer. Saying that you eye the CEO’s job if you are entering the job market may be perceived as a little far-fetched.
Beware of just selecting one of the options; rather illustrate your ability to be flexible.
The current trend in most working environments is toward teamwork. Relate some of your successful experiences in working in teams, using examples from work situations and with reference to other activities such as sport, societies and teamwork engaged in during your studies.
You also need to indicate an ability to work on your own, using your own initiative.
This question will give the interviewer information regarding the applicant’s character. Mention personal qualities which are positive (and true) of you and which give some indication of how you relate to people close to you. Don’t give answers such as: "I’m a fun person to be with. I work hard and I play hard". While this response is partly positive, the "play hard" part may raise some potentially damaging questions, for example, concerning alcohol or drug abuse.
The response to this question gives the interviewer an overall impression of ability to communicate effectively. Not fitting in with the other employees is a frequent reason why people leave their jobs.
Your reply could include indications as to how you resolve conflict. An answer that emphasizes the need to focus on the problem rather than on the personalities involved is likely to impress the interviewer.
Here the interviewer is seeking to assess aspects such as your problem-solving ability, your perseverance in the face of difficulties, and your determination to realize goals.
Be honest about how you came to make your particular choice and mention whom or what (e.g. a teacher, a relative, a TV programme, etc.) influenced your choice. If the career was not your first choice originally, you may say so, but be enthusiastic about the career eventually chosen, especially if the job for which you are applying is in this field.
What you choose to talk about here directly reflects on your level of maturity as much as the position you take. Observe the "no money talk" rule, unless you’re in negotiation, and avoid talking about money. Focus rather on matters such as the job providing you with opportunities to do what you do well, to apply your knowledge, to provide challenges so that you could develop further and give you a sense of satisfaction and fulfillment.
This will tell the interviewer how careful you are. Your answer will reveal information about your sense of quality and your willingness to do a thorough job.
Emphasize the need for quality, thorough planning, organization and control.
The interviewer is trying to determine whether you are a self-starter, a problem-solver and a decision-maker. Illustrate this by describing in short logical steps how you have solved problems in one or two areas of your life in an effective and unique way e.g. at work, at an organization of which you are an active member. Avoid answering these questions with a simple yes or no answer.
This question is concerned with your ability to respond to and handle difficult people without being intimidated. An answer should be given to the effect that the customer should be reassured of the company’s dedication to providing quality goods and service and that everything possible will be done to look into the problem.
In your answer try to respond in a positive way, even if you do not particularly thrive on pressure. Also, indicate how you try to alleviate pressure as far as possible by being organized, keeping up to date with tasks and managing your time effectively. Give illustrations from your own experiences in the past, even if these are not specifically work-related. Realize, however, that all jobs have some form of pressure that’s not entirely avoidable.
Mention aspects of your course that are relevant to the particular position for which you are applying. Talk about your experiential training and the way in which this prepared you directly or indirectly for this job. Tell the interviewer how extra-mural activities and other aspects of student life have contributed to your personal development, e.g. learning how to chair meetings, plan events, working out a budget, managing your time etc.
Mention a success experience or significant event or involvement that had a significant impact on you and your development personally and/or with regard to your career.
Be honest, if you failed some subjects during your studies, explain what happened. Not everyone has a perfect academic record and if you had difficulties at some stage, it is important that you point out how you recovered from any failures and eventually made a success of your studies.
State in which ways your participation in cultural societies, sports or church organizations etc. have provided you with opportunities to develop skills which could be of relevance in the workplace. Illustrate your response with concrete examples. For instance: "As chairperson of the Technikon Debating Society, I obtained experience in organizing and chairing meetings. I also had the opportunity to improve my public speaking skills and to meet with students from other institutions when we competed with other Technikons and Universities".
This question requires a similar approach to the last one. Even if the job was very different from the one for which you are applying, talk in general terms about what you learnt about being an employee and the world of work and some of the skills the vac or part-time work enabled you to develop.
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When preparing for the interview, you also need to think of questions you would like to ask the interviewer, for example opportunities for career development and personal growth within the organization, the type of work you will be doing in your first year, the training provided, etc.
Some interviewers may assume that you are not really interested in the position if you do not have relevant questions to ask.
Here are some questions you could ask the interviewer:
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Finding a job is easy but finding the right job is difficult. Stress that you are being selective and are looking for the perfect “fit”.
Explain that your job is no longer challenging and that you feel your talents are best used elsewhere.
Be as positive as you can, even if you don’t believe it.
Be as positive as you can and emphasize what you learned from the situation.
Keep your answer related to this companies field and don’t give out specific company names.
Keep your answer to one or two minutes and don’t ramble. Use your resume summary as a good place to start.
Do your homework before the interview. Spend some time on the internet or at the library researching the company. Find out as much as you can, including products, size, income, reputation, image, management talent, people, skills, history and philosophy. Project an informed interest in the company and allow the interviewer to tell you about their company.
Don’t talk about what you want; instead, talk about their need. You would like to be part of a specific company project, or you would like to solve a company problem. You can make a definite contribution to specific company goals.
Relate past experiences that show you’ve had success in solving previous employer problems that may be similar to those of your prospective employer.
Ensure that you list three or more attractive factors and only one unattractive factor.
Due to your knowledge, abilities and skills.
An opportunity to use your skills, to perform well and to be recognised.
Keep it brief and give an action and results orientated definition.
Not long at all – you expect only a brief period of adjustment to the learning curve.
As long as we both feel that I am making a meaningful contribution and am growing within my role and the company.
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