Job interviews

Fact: 63% of all hiring decisions are made during the first 4.3 minutes of a job interview (SHRM Study, reported in USA Today). The rest of the time is typically spent confirming this nonfactual ‘gut-feeling’.
What this means for you is that if making an excellent initial impression is not your strongest suit, then you have to be extra prepared and well-rehearsed to sway the interviewer into wanting to hire you.
Luckily we have included everything you need to know to do just that...

1. WHAT IS A JOB INTERVIEW?
It is a business meeting to determine if there is a good fit between you and the job. Your interviewer will ask you a number of questions about your past and present activities, values, attitudes and personality. Their objective is to predict your future success on the job based on what you have shown about yourself already.

2. HOW MANY INTERVIEWS CAN I EXPECT BEFORE GETTING THE JOB?
At least one interview for sure. But two is more typical. The first is intended to get a feel for your personality and to go over your CV and outline the expectations of the job and to see that you meet basic requirements. If there are only two interviews, the second one would be to confirm their feelings about you, and to negotiate salary and other items like bonuses, use of company car, etc.
For more executive positions expect up to 3-4 interviews, with each one getting more detailed, and perhaps to even have you take psychological tests to map you competencies, personality and job-fit.

3. HOW SHOULD I PREPARE FOR THE BIG DAY?
Dress Appropriately - It is important to dress in a professional manner. This generally means a suit, tie and regular shoes for men; a dress, women's suit or skirt and blouse for women. Proper attire is important, but remember: You likely won’t win points for wearing expensive clothes or the latest fashion. Just make sure you don't lose a job opportunity by being inappropriately dressed.

Check Your Appearance! – Seriously, look yourself over in the mirror, make sure everything is where it should be; check that there isn’t a piece of lettuce crammed between your teeth; check your breath; wear deodorant. If something about your appearance turns off the interviewer, then the only thing that you and your stale breath will be kissing…is that job goodbye.

Arrive Early – There is no excuse for being late. Traffic tie-ups, car problems, a late train all happen. But if they make you late for your interview, you can forget getting the job. Know where you are going and exactly how to get there. Leave plenty of travel time so you won't be late. In fact, plan to arrive 5-10 minutes early so you can collect your thoughts, and check your appearance before your interview begins.

4. LET THE INTERVIEW BEGIN…
Typically at first you will be asked questions intended to relax you and to be polite:

Hint: Do not be too chatty, but be genuine and polite. Remember, though, there is no power difference. They need someone for the job as much as you need a job, so be confident and be yourself.

Usually the interviewer will go through your resume asking you to elaborate on certain points of interest.

Hint: Make sure you have studied your CV several times, and bring a copy with you for reference. Prepare answers to likely questions, many of which will likely revolve around your previous work experience and training.

5. GREAT ANSWER TIPS TO COMMON INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

The following questions are favorites for many HR managers. They are common for the simple reason that they are able to quickly determine who is serious about getting the job and who is just interested in getting any old job. Study them well and make sure you have answers well prepared.

Why should we hire you?
A job applicant gets hired because the employer believes that s/he has the skills and personal attributes to do well. So, to answer this question you must know what the job is about, what skills and abilities are needed and what would be expected of you. Start by stating these one by one to the interviewer (this shows you have a solid understanding of the job). Next demonstrate how you possess each of these skills and attributes by giving examples. If you cannot think of job related examples, cite achievements in school, or in the community, like any leadership or teamwork activities, etc. (this shows that you have the skills to do the job) The employer wants to be sure s/he is about to make a right decision so help him/her see how you are better suited than other candidates.

Hint: Make sure you have an understanding of the job beforehand, otherwise answering this important question will leave you with egg on your face and without the job.

Why do you want to work for us?
Your answer to this question will directly reflect on your motivation to land the job. You must consider not only the job itself, but also the company and its area of operation. Concerning the job, you could state that it seems both interesting and challenging, and it would allow you to use your strengths (list the ones that are relevant to the job, e.g. communication, teamwork, analytical skills, etc.) Concerning the company, you need to know about the company and its style. For example you could say, “I was impressed by your company’s teamwork operating style, its potential for growth, and its image in the marketplace”. Whatever you say make sure you have researched the company.

Hint: If you do not know why you want the job or to work for a particular company you will leave the impression that you are desperate or just do not bother with serious matters. Researching a company and telling the interviewer facts that you know will put you miles ahead of most other job seekers just for your interest and motivation. Do you want the job or not? Then you need to do some homework.

What is your major weakness?
At first, answering this question may seem like a suicidal thing to do. Before you stammer out that you are irresponsible, unmotivated and a lousy leader, think about how this question can be used to your advantage. Great answers could go as such, “Probably my biggest weakness is my need for perfection, I am often going over my work to ensure that all the details are taken care of, when I know that sometimes I need to move on to other tasks”. Or, “I should delegate tasks more often, but sometimes I find this hard to do because for important matters I want to be the one in control since I trust my judgment more than other peoples.”
Get the idea? Simply turn it around to your advantage.

You’ve been out of work for 6 months, why is this?
This question will come up because the employer is concerned that you have been looking for a job but nobody wants you. So be prepared to explain why. “Finding the right company is very important to me. Since my job will be a large part of my life, then it has to be something I enjoy and for a company that I can contribute to in a significant way”. Likewise, you may have been upgrading your skills, or simply taking time off to travel and gain some life experience. Whatever you tell them, don’t admit that you just can’t get hired!

What will you be doing 5 years from now?
This question is designed to see if you have serious career plans, that you are ambitious, and that your future plans involve staying with the company. Here is an example of a good answer. "Firstly I hope that I will be fully established in the company by then and well-regarded not only professionally but personally by my colleagues. As for promotion, one of the reasons I applied to work here is because of its reputation for rewarding excellence and consistent effort. I believe I possess these qualities and in five years times I'm convinced my position in the company will reflect this"

What questions would you like to ask me?
This is an often-overlooked question by jobseekers, but again one that shows whether you are interested in any old job or do you have a serious interest in this particular job. Make sure you have questions prepared beforehand, because we guarantee this question will come up. I know a girl who got a highly competitive position as a stewardess simply because she knew the airline had just come out with a new plane and so she asked the interviewer about it. He was so impressed he hired her on the spot. Ask about things you care about or things that will show off your knowledge and interest in the company.

Hint: If you need info about a company, start with an internet search. A great way is to simply call the company and explain that you are coming in for an interview and want to know a little more information about the company.

6. TYPICAL BEHAVIORAL QUESTIONS TO PRACTICE
Apart from the more general questions discussed so far you will encounter behavioral/competency-based questions. The key to answering any of these is not to answer simply yes/no but to elaborate and give examples. For example, when asked “Do you like working in teams?”. An answer of “Yes I do” will ensure that your next steps with that company are towards the door. However saying something like, “Yes I do. In my last position we were organized in small work-teams to accomplish a common goal. The value of having people with different skills and strengths working together proved to be a valuable strategy for our company.” Listed below are some common behavioral based questions.

Hint: Remember to answer each question by drawing upon an example from your past that demonstrates that you have the competencies to do the job.

Communication – Are you an effective communicator?
Leadership – What challenges have you faced in leading people?
Analytical skills - How do you go about solving problems at work?
Flexible to change -What do you do when priorities change quickly?
Initiative – When you have a good idea what do you do about it?
Time Management – How do you manage your time to accomplish your goals?
Organization – How do you go about planning and organizing projects?
Pressure – Do you work well under pressure?

7. HOW TO HANDLE STRESSFUL/AGGRESIVE INTERVIEW QUESTIONS
Occasionally an interviewer will take a more aggressive approach to interviewing you. You may even get the idea that the person does not like you, or is asking irrelevant questions. This is a strategy some interviewers like to use, so do not take it personally. Above all DO NOT PANIC because they are simply testing how you react to stressful and unpredictable situations. Here are some examples of questions designed to unnerve you:

Question: Would you like to have my job?
Ideal Answer: At this moment no. I am more looking to enhance my current skills and develop myself so that eventually, yes, I will be occupying a position similar to yours.

Question: What would you say if I told you that your interview so far is not going very well?
Ideal Answer: I would be very interested in finding out what exactly you didn’t like so that I could address those issues specifically.

Question: Rate yourself on a scale of one to ten.
Ideal Answer: As with anybody I have my strengths and weaknesses, so nobody can be considered a ten. I have ambitions and goals meaning I am not yet where I want to eventually be professionally, but since I have the initiative, skills and ambition to make it happen I would say I am about an eight.

Question: Tell me a funny story.
Ideal Answer: Tell something short and non-offensive (no sexist, racist or vulgar jokes). If you can’t come up with anything, say with a smile on your face and a bit of a laugh, “If I don’t get the job because I couldn’t tell jokes on the spot then this will likely be my next funniest story.”

Question: Why aren’t you earning more at your age?
Ideal Answer: Money has never been my primary motivation. Of course I want a comfortable life for my family and myself, but I am more interested in positions that stimulate me and allow me to use my skills to contribute to an organization.

Although there are many more examples, the most important things to remember are:

Have you recently been to an interview, and not gotten the job? Perhaps the way you addressed some of the interview questions was the reason. So that this doesn’t happen again why not send in your interview questions and we will post them with our recommended answers? comments@cveurope.com

Next topic: Salary issues – How do you answer the question “what salary would you expect for this job?” Read our practical advice to help you earn what you are worth.