What to say in Interview?

Tell me about yourself: This is really more of a request than a question. But these few words can put you on the spot in a way no question can. Many quickly lose control of the interview during the most critical time- the first five minutes. This is not the time to go into a lengthy history or wander off in different directions. Your response should be focused and purposeful. Communicate a pattern of interests and skills that relate to the position in question. Consider your response to this question as a commercial that sells your autobiography. Provide an answer that includes information about where you grew up, where you went to school, your initial work experience, additional education and special training, where you are now, and what you intend to do next. One of the most effective ways to prepare for this question is to develop a 60-second biographic sketch that emphasizes a pattern of interests, skills, and accomplishments. Focus your response around a common theme related to your major interests and skills. Take, for example, the following response, which emphasizes computers. "I was born in Canton, Ohio and attended Lincoln High School. Ever since I was a teenager, I tinkered with computers. It was my hobby, my passion, and my way of learning. Like most kids I enjoyed computer games. When my folks gave me a computer as a reward for making honor roll my sophomore year, I mastered DOS, Windows, and WordPerfect within six months. I then went on to teach myself programming basics. By the time I graduated high school, I knew I wanted to study programming. From that point on, everything fell into place. My life revolved around computing. By my junior year at Syracuse, I decided I wanted to work for a major software manufacturer. That is why I had an internship last summer at FastTrack Software.

I now want to work for a major player so I can be at the forefront of breaking trends and new technology. When my college roommate told me about his start in your department, I hounded him until he helped me get a referral, which brought me here today. I am prepared to answer any questions you may have about my education and experience." This response sets a nice tone for starting the interview. The interviewee is able to say a lot within 60 seconds by staying focused.

The message is clear: the interviewee has both passion and focus relating to the position. He stays on message and concludes by leaving the door open for additional questions about his education and experience. Unfortunately some candidates get off on the wrong foot by rambling on for
several minutes about their childhood, family, hobbies, travels, and interests.

What are your greatest strengths?


TRAPS: This question seems like a softball lob, but be prepared. You don't want to come across as egotistical or arrogant. Neither is this a time to be humble.

BEST ANSWER: You know that your key strategy is to first uncover your interviewer's greatest wants and needs before you answer questions. And from Question 1, you know how to do this.
Prior to any interview, you should have a list mentally prepared of your greatest strengths. You should also have, a specific example or two, which illustrates each strength, an example chosen from your most recent and most impressive achievements.

You should, have this list of your greatest strengths and corresponding examples from your achievements so well committed to memory it.

Then, once you uncover your interviewer's greatest wants and needs, you can choose those achievements from your list that best match up.


As a general guideline, the 10 most desirable traits that all employers love to see in their employees are:

1. A proven track record as an achiever...especially if your achievements match up with the employer's greatest wants and needs.
2. Intelligence...management "savvy".
3. Honesty...integrity...a decent human being.
4. Good fit with corporate culture...someone to feel comfortable with...a team player who meshes well with interviewer's team.
5. Likeability...positive attitude...sense of humor. 6. Good communication skills.
7. Dedication...willingness to walk the extra mile to achieve excellence.
8. Definiteness of purpose...clear goals.
9. Enthusiasm...high level of motivation.
10. Confident...healthy...a leader.

What are your greatest weaknesses?


TRAPS: Beware - this is an eliminator question, designed to shorten the candidate list. Any admission of a weakness or fault will earn you an "A" for honesty, but an "F" for the interview.

PASSABLE ANSWER: Disguise strength as a weakness.

Example: "I sometimes push my people too hard. I like to work with a sense of urgency and everyone is not always on the same wavelength."

Drawback: This strategy is better than admitting a flaw, but it's so widely used; it is transparent to any experienced interviewer.

BEST ANSWER: (and another reason it's so important to get a thorough description of your interviewer's needs before you answer questions): Assure the interviewer that you can think of nothing that would stand in the way of your performing in this position with excellence. Then, quickly review you strongest qualifications.

Example: "Nobody's perfect, but based on what you've told me about this position, I believe I' d make an outstanding match. I know that when I hire people, I look for two things most of all. Do they have the qualifications to do the job well, and the motivation to do it well? Everything in my background shows I have both the qualifications and a strong desire to achieve excellence in whatever I take on. So I can say in all honesty that I see nothing that would cause you even a small concern about my ability or my strong desire to perform this job with excellence."
Alternate strategy (if you don't yet know enough about the position to talk about such a perfect fit):
Instead of confessing a weakness, describe what you like most and like least, making sure that what you like most matches up with the most important qualification for success in the position, and what you like least is not essential.

Example: Let's say you're applying for a teaching position. "If given a choice, I like to spend as much time as possible in front of my prospects selling, as opposed to shuffling paperwork back at the office. Of course, I long ago learned the importance of filing paperwork properly, and I do it conscientiously. But what I really love to do is sell (if your interviewer were a sales manager, this should be music to his ears.)

How to give an Effective Interview

Preparation and confidence

These two essential ingredients are interlinked. Good preparation instills confidence.

The basic approach to an interview is to be well prepared. Be sure you know the time, date and location of the interview and name of interviewee where appropriate.

Check out how you will get to the location, and when you need to set off to be there in good time. Plan to get there no earlier than half an hour before the interview time, anticipate delays.

If you are asked to bring certificates, references etc, get them ready before the day. Take your interview letter.

Preparing to meet the employer

The interview is a chance for you and the employer to get to know one another.

Do gather information about your employer before you are interviewed - what do they do, what are their current projects, what other interests do they have

Make sure you know what the job entails - get a job description, ask someone in a similar post; ring the company to clarify if unsure.

Sit down with your CV and make notes about your work record, what you've achieved. Look at yourself as a person in employment - how do you see your self, what have you done, what ambitions do you have.

Answering interview questions

Interviews vary tremendously, from very informal to formal. However, some questions can be anticipated, as can the subject matter. If you are well-prepared, then the majority of problem questions should not arise. A few general rules:

• Speak up when answering questions.
• Answer briefly, but try to avoid yes or no answers.
• Don't worry about pausing before you answer, it shows you can think and are not spitting out the sound bites you learned!
• Don't worry about admitting you don't know - but keep this to a bare minimum.
• Don't embellish answers or lie! Be as honest as possible.
• Be prepared for hypothetical situation questions, take your time on these.
• Be prepared for the unexpected question, that's designed to see how you cope with the unexpected.

Questions for the interviewer

Try to concentrate on issues, which are important to you and combine as an apparent interest in the company. Good topics to touch on include:

• the competitive environment in which the organisation operates
• executive management styles
• what obstacles the organisation anticipates in meeting its goals
• how the organisation's goals have changed over the past three to five years.
• Suggested questions:
  What are the main objectives and responsibilities of the position?
  How does the company expect these objectives to be met?
  What obstacles are commonly encountered in reaching these objectives?
  What is the desired time frame for reaching the objectives?

Presentation and body language

Wear what is appropriate for the post and the company. It may vary from smart, formal wear in some instances to very formal dress in others. Try and get an insight into what the company would expect from employees or gauge this through observation.

Once you are ushered into the interview room there will usually be a short exchange of pleasantries and ice breaking. A pleasant natural smile, a firm handshake and a brief exchange of words in a natural manner are sufficient. If there's more than one interviewer, look at who's talking. When you're talking, shift your glance from one to the other.

_________

kaam@kaamdhaam.com

How to Prepare an Effective Resume

Resume Essentials

Before you write, take time to do a self-assessment on paper. Outline your skills and abilities as well as your work experience and extracurricular activities. This will make it easier to prepare a thorough resume.

The Content of Your Resume

Name, address, telephone, e-mail address, web site address
All your contact information should go at the top of your resume.
Avoid nicknames.
Use a permanent address.
Use your parents' address, a friend's address, or the address you plan to use after graduation.
Use a permanent telephone number and include the area code.
If you have an answering machine, record a neutral greeting.
Add your e-mail address. Many employers will find it useful. (Note: Choose an e-mail address that sounds professional.)
Include your web site address only if the web page reflects your professional ambitions.

Objective or Summary

An objective tells potential employers the sort of work you're hoping to do. Be specific about the job you want. For example: To obtain an entry-level position within a financial institution requiring strong analytical and organizational skills. Tailor your objective to each employer you target/every job you seek.

Education

New graduates without a lot of work experience should list their educational information first. Alumni can list it after the work experience section. Your most recent educational information is listed first. Include your degree (A.S., B.S., B.A., etc.), major, institution attended, minor/concentration. Add your grade point average (GPA) if it is higher than 3.0. Mention academic honors.

Work Experience

Briefly give the employer an overview of work that has taught you skills. Use action words to describe your job duties. Include your work experience in reverse chronological order-that is, put your last job first and work backward to your first, relevant job. Include:

Title of position,
Name of organization
Location of work (town, state)
Dates of employment
Describe your work responsibilities with emphasis on specific skills and achievements.
Other information

Other information you may want to add:

Key or special skills or competencies,
Leadership experience in volunteer organizations,
Participation in sports

References

Ask people if they are willing to serve as references before you give their names to a potential employer.
Do not include your reference information on your resume.
You may note at the bottom of your resume: "References furnished on request."

Resume Checkup

Run a spell check on your computer before anyone sees your resume. Get a friend (an English major would do nicely) to do a grammar review. Ask another friend to proofread. The more people who see your resume, the more likely that misspelled words and awkward phrases will be seen (and corrected).

Use white or off-white paper. Use 8-1/2- x 11-inch paper.
Print on one side of the paper.
Use a font size of 10 to 14 points.
Use non-decorative typefaces.
Choose one typeface and stick to it.
Avoid italics, script, and underlined words.
Do not use horizontal or vertical lines, graphics, or shading.
Do not fold or staple your resume.
If you must mail your resume, put it in a large envelope.

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For any clarification mail me kaam@kaamdhaam.com