6th July 2008Having read Part 1: Way Before an Interview, you would notice that even before getting an interview, there is some hard work that u need to put in bcoz no company will come and knock on your door and say "Hey, I have a vacancy, are you interested?". You would need to do something and that something is the one i mentioned in that previous section.
Part 2: Before Interview
So, let say ...... you manage to land yourself an interview...........an interview ok... not the job yet, what do you do then? Well, i guess you need to prepare yourself for it rite? So, as you read on, you will know a thing or two on how you can get yourself prepared for something that it worse then facing your own mother-in-law (if you are married that is).
1. Know the company
Basically you would need to know the company that has called you in for an interview. Try to search the background of the company by going through the net or perhaps through friends, but the latter kinda risky as we might not know whether he/she is giving the correct information about the company. Anyhow, from my experience, the question pertaining to the background of the company has rarely make its way to the list of questions to be asked during an interview but imagine if that this kind of question being ask and you do not how to answer it, then i would think that ur 50% chance of landing the job has gone down the drain. They would think that you do not aware of your own responsibility to get yourself to know about your future company and thus, a bad impression to the interviewer. Its like asking why you see through your eyes and not through your nose and you even can't answer it.
2. Understand the job that you have applied.
Basically when you applied for that position, you would read throught the requirement for that job right and since you already manage to get the interview you wanted, now make sure you really read it through again and this time, make sure you try to link every points to your experience or ability and if possible, your achievements.
3.Know your job history or University projects
For those with job experience, get ready to have all those experiences in your mind like what you have done or achievements/accomplished or perhaps what you have learned over the years in your past/current company. For fresh grad people, well, think about your projects in Uni that you have done. The reason for this is simple, they most probably will ask something about your previous project on how it was done so that they will be able to know your personality or ability in handling certain things. So, pls take note on this and from my experience, 90% of them asked me these related questions.
4. Know your questions
This segment is quite tricky but yet interesting. People normally advice you guys to know what expected questions that the interviewer will ask, some sort like 'leaked questions' and although its not easy to do so but we call always try because we have nothing to lose.
The following are some leaked questions or instructions which i believe is kinda important to take note:
a. Would you mind introducing yourself.
This one you better train hard as from my experience, it come out everytime and if this one you fail to answer nicely then you are in deep sh*t. The easiest question in the book and yet, it explain a lot about you. Confidence, communication skills and many more will be the main target for interviewer to evaluate you.
b. What is your strengths and weakneses?
These questions came out only 40% from my overall interview but nonetheless,you still need to be ready on this one. Well, my way of solving this is to try to make the solution to your weakness to become your strength and in that way, you could 'kill 2 birds with one stone'(although i'm against this phrase, killing animal is not my thing). Example: Weakness - I tend to overlooked small detail of something. Strength: I'm keeping tabs on every discussion by writing down every details so that i can review it later. Something like that. :P
c. Do you have any question to ask? (near the end of the interview)
This one you can set a few questions ready in your mind which is kinda general but do make sure you ask the interviewer, else they would think that your mind is not processing at all during the interview. Just prepare a simple and yet basic question like "Are you available?" (crap.......you ask this question then there is no different between you and a suicide bomber), actually i wanted to say "Would this job require travelling?" or "How many people are there in your team?". Just ask something that won't expose more on your weakness and make sure you don't go ask 10 questions else, you are sitting duck.
Well, i'm not listing a lot of sample questions here because there there are so many out there and i don't want to list down all coz i want you to prepare what's coming rather then to have you memorize all these questions.
And point to note, pls answer all those interveiwer questions carefully coz every answer you gave out might be the bullets for them to shoot you back in their next question.
5. Appearance.
Part 2: Before Interview
So, let say ...... you manage to land yourself an interview...........an interview ok... not the job yet, what do you do then? Well, i guess you need to prepare yourself for it rite? So, as you read on, you will know a thing or two on how you can get yourself prepared for something that it worse then facing your own mother-in-law (if you are married that is).
1. Know the company
Basically you would need to know the company that has called you in for an interview. Try to search the background of the company by going through the net or perhaps through friends, but the latter kinda risky as we might not know whether he/she is giving the correct information about the company. Anyhow, from my experience, the question pertaining to the background of the company has rarely make its way to the list of questions to be asked during an interview but imagine if that this kind of question being ask and you do not how to answer it, then i would think that ur 50% chance of landing the job has gone down the drain. They would think that you do not aware of your own responsibility to get yourself to know about your future company and thus, a bad impression to the interviewer. Its like asking why you see through your eyes and not through your nose and you even can't answer it.
2. Understand the job that you have applied.
Basically when you applied for that position, you would read throught the requirement for that job right and since you already manage to get the interview you wanted, now make sure you really read it through again and this time, make sure you try to link every points to your experience or ability and if possible, your achievements.
3.Know your job history or University projects
For those with job experience, get ready to have all those experiences in your mind like what you have done or achievements/accomplished or perhaps what you have learned over the years in your past/current company. For fresh grad people, well, think about your projects in Uni that you have done. The reason for this is simple, they most probably will ask something about your previous project on how it was done so that they will be able to know your personality or ability in handling certain things. So, pls take note on this and from my experience, 90% of them asked me these related questions.
4. Know your questions
This segment is quite tricky but yet interesting. People normally advice you guys to know what expected questions that the interviewer will ask, some sort like 'leaked questions' and although its not easy to do so but we call always try because we have nothing to lose.
The following are some leaked questions or instructions which i believe is kinda important to take note:
a. Would you mind introducing yourself.
This one you better train hard as from my experience, it come out everytime and if this one you fail to answer nicely then you are in deep sh*t. The easiest question in the book and yet, it explain a lot about you. Confidence, communication skills and many more will be the main target for interviewer to evaluate you.
b. What is your strengths and weakneses?
These questions came out only 40% from my overall interview but nonetheless,you still need to be ready on this one. Well, my way of solving this is to try to make the solution to your weakness to become your strength and in that way, you could 'kill 2 birds with one stone'(although i'm against this phrase, killing animal is not my thing). Example: Weakness - I tend to overlooked small detail of something. Strength: I'm keeping tabs on every discussion by writing down every details so that i can review it later. Something like that. :P
c. Do you have any question to ask? (near the end of the interview)
This one you can set a few questions ready in your mind which is kinda general but do make sure you ask the interviewer, else they would think that your mind is not processing at all during the interview. Just prepare a simple and yet basic question like "Are you available?" (crap.......you ask this question then there is no different between you and a suicide bomber), actually i wanted to say "Would this job require travelling?" or "How many people are there in your team?". Just ask something that won't expose more on your weakness and make sure you don't go ask 10 questions else, you are sitting duck.
Well, i'm not listing a lot of sample questions here because there there are so many out there and i don't want to list down all coz i want you to prepare what's coming rather then to have you memorize all these questions.
And point to note, pls answer all those interveiwer questions carefully coz every answer you gave out might be the bullets for them to shoot you back in their next question.
5. Appearance.
Before going for an interview, pls cut your long hair and buy new formal attire (if you don't have one that is) so that when people look at you, they will think here come the new employee instead of here come that monkey......then you are a goner already. First impression is the most important and remember to ready a pen in your pocket coz we don't want to go looking around for one when they ask us to fill up something. Damn embarrassing man. I know coz i faced it once.
6. Soul searching on the net
Lastly, my way of preparing myself, i would go online and i'll search for anything concerning that particular company, and also do some searches on how to prepare for an interview or what to expect during an interview article as it would help you in gaining your confidence(besides reading my blog that is). You can find lots of sample questions and you got nothing to lose by doing so as you can learn more things in the process. You can try few sites listed below:
a. Interview Q & A
b. Typical Interview Questions
c. Sample Interview Questions
d. Prepare for an Interview
Simple and yet general term was used in my explaination above as i'm trying to generate an open minded thinking in you as focusing on something like answering this particular question well, would basically created more stress in yourself and thus, not making this interview tips a succesfull one. You should think that you are able to get through this interview well and focus on that as you would be the one to see that result and only you alone. I will accept emails/comments to further questions my term in my tips as i believe, different people might have different perception and for this, i'm prepare to answer and learn.
Well, i guess that's all for Part 2: Before Intervew and i do hope you manage one or two understanding from my experience. I guess i will update this segment again when there is anything pops up in my mind for tips Before Interview. Anyway, do stay tune for my Part 3: During Interview which should be out in the next 2 weeks and till then, good luck.
No comments:
Post a Comment