QUESTIONS ABOUT THE CANDIDATE part II

1. How do you handle criticism?
Suggestion: Choose your answer wisely.
Sample Answer: A nice and constructive criticism helps me. Although abusive or bad criticism may hurt my feelings, it will not reduce my performance.
2. How do you manage your time?
Suggestion: Should be positive, and explain with example.
3. How do you handle deadline and pressure?
Suggestion: Be positive in your answer and explain with example.
4. How do you persuade someone to agree with your point of view?
Suggestion: Answer may include explaining your view, showing the positive side, etc
Sample Answer: By communication, I tell them what benefit my point of view will bring for them. I explain the up side and the down side of my proposal and most the time they agree. I am always to negotiate and modify my plan with their input, if situation demands. So things always work out.
5. What do you find frustrating?
Suggestion: Be positive in your answer, explain with example.
6. Are you willing to learn new skills? Can you learn fast?
Suggestion: Answer should be yes. Give them an example where you really learn fast
7. Do you have problem in getting along with others?
Suggestion: Be positive, should not be a problem.
8. How do you deal with surprises? For example; In an exam, you have been asked a question from a topic that has never been taught to you; how do you handle it?
Sample Answer: I try not to get nervous. First I answer all the questions I know and then I go back to this problem. I answer it as best as I can.
9. Did you prepare for this interview? How?
Suggestion: Answer may include; researching about the company, reviewing your skill etc.
Remember this question may generate more questions and you must be ready to answer them.
10. What are your hobbies?
Suggestion: Talk about your good hobbies.
11. Do you like to travel?
Suggestion: Answer should be yes, however be honest.
12. Do you have any problem in relocation?
Suggestion: Tell the truth. Remember, the more flexible you are, the more chances you have to get the job.
13. Where would you like to be in five years?
Suggestion: Be positive and honest. Do not give an impression that you will leave or take over someone else’s job (worse if that is the position of the interviewer)
Sample Answer: In five years, I want to be a valuable part of this company and help it o reach its goal. I also want to mange a challenging project and bring in the latest technology that will benefit the company.

Resources;
1. job interview success
2. Guide to job interviews
3. Principals interview

QUESTIONS ABOUT THE CANDIDATE part I

1. Why did you choose this profession?

   Suggestion: Answer should be close to actual reason. If the job is in advertising, the reason can be you have artistic ability; you can visualize what people will like etc. Avoid negative answer, such as, for money, you do not know what to do so you have chosen this profession, etc.

   Sample answer: I always liked math and problem solving, even when I was kid. When I was in high school, I was fascinated with the computer and the programming so I decided to be a computer scientist. Now I know I made the right decision and I am happy about it.

2. What can you tell us about yourself?

   Suggestion: Answer may include where you came from, what school you went to, your education, skill, job and accomplishments. Try to answer the questions in one to two minutes. Use the information from your resume and cover letter for this answer. Do emphasize your strong points.

3. What are your strong points?

   Suggestion: Talk about strong points related to the job you applied.

4. What are your weak points? How do you correct them?

   Suggestion: Be honest and choose one or two less damaging correctable weak points and tell them how you are planning to correct them.

   Sample answer: Sometimes I do not succeed on an assignment on the first try; I get demoralized and become less enthusiastic. Since I identified my problem, I am working on it. I am convincing myself that it is not possible for anyone to succeed anywhere on the first try and I am not an exception. To tell you the truth, it is working .Now; if I fail I do not give up any more and try harder.

5. Why should we hire you for this position?

   Suggestion: Your answer should include your education, skill and experience pertaining to the job position. Talk about some skill you have which may put you above other applicants.

6. What is the toughest problem you have solved so far?

   Suggestion: Talk about a problem you have solved. if you have solved many tough programs, chose the one that may be related to this company’s work and/or which may impress them. For example, if the company is a financial institution, talk about some financial problems you have solved.

7. Tell us about one of work assignments or dealings where you failed. What should have you done?

   Suggestion: Choose a less damaging situation.

8. How do you handle failure or disappointment?

   Suggestion: Answer positively. Answer may include you may feel bad and take caution so that it does not happen again.

   Sample answer: As a normal human being, failure hurts my feeling. However, I do not let it get in my way.

9. Do you criticize others? Under what condition?

   Suggestion: Use your judgment. Remember criticism hurts feeling and does not help in any normal situation

10. Are you a good communicator?

     Suggestion: Interviewer looks for a good communicator. If you are not a good communicator, start practicing.

Resources;

1. job interview success
2. Guide to job interviews
3. Principals interview

PRESENTATION AND BODY LANGUAGE

Wear what is appropriate for the post and the company. I may vary from, formal wear in some instance s to very formal dress in others. Try and get an insight into what the company would expect from employees or through observation, what would be appropriate for a building company is very different for a public relations agency.
Be well groomed and clean. Try to look calm and confident, simple things like deodorant can boost your confidence. Once you are ushered into the interview room there ill usually be a short exchange of pleasantries and ice breaking. Do not be fooled by this time-it really is designed to put you at ease in most circumstances, but these initial moments are the most formative-do not go over the top being exceptionally friendly or alternatively going rigid with fear feeling that your handshake was too limp! (only shake hands if it is offered)A pleasant natural smile, a firm handshake and a brief exchange of words in a natural manner of this greeting is sufficient. Some simple, but frequently broken rules!
• Sit comfortably with both feet on the floor, lean slightly towards the interviewer.
• Do not play with your hair or your hands. Keep them out of the pockets.
• Try not to create defensive barriers between you and them, like a brief case on your knees, folded arms or crossed legs…even if you feel you need to. It is natural, but your interviewer will not physically attack!
• Maintain natural eye contact with the interviewer-that is maintain eye contact, but do not stare like a snake!
• If there is more than one interviewer, look at who is talking.
• When you are talking, shift your glance from one to the other.
• Do not over use your hands, if you are a natural gesticulator.
• Do not squirm and fidget.
• Do nod and Mmmm, to show agreement and to show you are listening to them.
• Above all try to be you, try to be natural, unless you are naturally offensive!
Obeying these rules, will allow the interviewers to concentrate on you, and not what you are doing in the interview. Body language conveys all sorts of messages and the right body language will convey the message of a well balanced and confident individual……even if you are not!
Job interview skill.

Resources;
1.job interview success
2.Guide to job interviews
3.Principals interview

QUESTIONS FOR THE INTERVIWER

There is always the opportunity to ask them questions at the end of the interview-remember the interview is a two way process, you need to be sure you want to join them too!
Try to concentrate on issues which are both important to you and combine as apparent interest in the company, leave issues like terms and conditions until the very last even they may feel most important to you. Write your questions down prior to the interview and take them with you.
Generally, it is most unwise to ask about pay or benefits or other similar areas. The reason is that it tends to make you seem more interested in what the organization can do for you. It is also not a good idea to simply have no questions at all. Doing so makes you appear passive rather than curious and interested.
job interview skill.

Resources;
1. job interview success
2. Guide to job interviews
3. Principals interview

ANSWERING INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

Interviews vary tremendously, from very formal to formal. However, some questions can be anticipated, as can the subject matter. If you are well prepared, then the majority of the problem questions should not arise. You will know about the company, you ill know about yourself and you will have a good idea of the demands of the job. These questions will not be a problem to the well prepared interviewee.
A few general rules;
• Speak up when answering questions.
• Answer briefly, but try to avoid yes or no answers.
• Do not worry about pausing before you answer, it shows you can think and are not spitting out the sound bites you learned.
• Do not worry about admitting you don not know-but keep this to a bare minimum.
• Do not embellish answers or lie! Be as honest as possible.
• Be prepared for hypothetical situation questions, take time on these.
• Be prepared for the unexpected questions, which are designed to see how you cope with the unexpected.
• If you ask questions, keep them brief during the interview, remember you are the interviewee. At the end of the interview ask your questions in an open manner; that is questions which cannot be answered yes or no. Eg. Tell me about…..?,what is ……?,why……?
• Thank the interviewers for their time when you leave quietly and calmly, smile even if you now hate them.
job interview skill.

DO NOT FORGET YOU

Remember the employer is interested on you as a person, your experiences and your opinions (in most cases) do take time to sit down and think about you, who you are and what you have achieved. It can be highly embarrassing to know more about the employer than your self.
Sit down with your CV and make note, about your work record, what you have achieved .Look at yourself as a person in employment-how do you see yourself, what have you done, what ambitions do you have. Make notes and prepare and rehearse sound bites about yourself. Remember that one of the most common of the interview questions is ‘Tell me about yourself’ prepare a sound bite for this in particular, but not a life history. Usually interviewers want to know about personal qualities not achievements-though examples can be included to support your statement.
Job interview skill.

PREPARING TO MEET THE EMPLOYER

The interview is a chance for you and the employer to get to know one another. It is not the time to get to know about the post or the employers business.
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? Ask staff-many companies will offer you the chance to talk about the vacancy with someone, use the opportunity to find out more about the company.
Bigger companies will have PR departments, smaller ones will provide you with some information-libraries can provide information on local business and keep directories of national business. Use the internet-many companies have a presence here now.
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.
In summary, this is what you need to do before meeting the employer;
*Obtain a copy of the job description.

* Use the employer information and the employer’s websites to gather information (annual reports, employee handbooks, policy statements, employee newsletters) on the organization.

*Locate the employer’s home page on the Internet.

*Conduct informational interviews with persons in similar positions to learn about the career field and how your skills may apply.

* Develop a list of appropriate questions that reflect your research.

* Be sure to know the culture of the country where you are interviewing. Nigeria employers are expecting you to articulate your future career goals and past accomplishments. They are assessing you according to Nigeria values such as self-confidence, initiative, directness, and individualism.

job interview skill