2. What is an interview?
A job interview is a conversation which
occurs between a potential employer and a
job applicant. During the job interview, the
employer hopes to determine whether or
not the applicant is suitable for the job,
while the applicant tries to learn more
about the position while also impressing
the employer. As a general rule, a job
interview is an important part of the
process of applying for a job, and it may
range in formality from a casual
conversation to a series of serious
discussions with an assortment of people
working within the company.
3. Different types of interviews?
Formal Interview
Phone Interview
Many of the questions will deal with hypothetical
situations, past experiences, and qualifications
A phone interview is conducted between
candidates and employers who are in different
areas of the state, country, or world.
Panel Interview
when a candidate is interviewed by several
people at once. Each person at the table will
have his or her own set of questions to ask, and
each interviewer will generally focus on a
specific area to discuss.
4. What does the interviewer
want?
What can you do for us?
If hired, how can you contribute
to the department and/or
organization differently than
other interview candidates? This
can be demonstrated through
your educational background,
prior experience, special skills
and knowledge.
5.
Why do you want to work with us?
An employer wants to make sure the
candidate chosen has a solid
understanding of the organization,
department and position. If not, chances
are the individual will not be a good hire,
which can lead to ineffectiveness,
resignation or termination. All scenarios
cost the employer resources, time and
money. As a candidate you need to state
why you want to work in a particular
industry, for a particular organization
and/or department. Also, you need to
convey to that employer that you have a
realistic picture of the job and how this
industry/position fits within your short and
long term goals.
6.
What are you like once we’ve
gotten to know you?
Employers are looking at areas such
as your motivation, initiative,
creativity, problem-solving abilities
and team-work skills, and how these
skills will continue once you are hired
and part of the organization and
department. Also, an employer is
looking for a good personality fit
within the organization and
department.
7. Common questions
Practice Commonly Asked Interview Questions
You have no way of knowing what specific
questions will be asked of you during an interview.
However, there are certain questions that are asked
in nearly every interview, such as:
Tell me about yourself.
Why are you interested in working for us? What do
you know about us?
What are your greatest strengths and weaknesses?
What are your short term/long term goals?
Why are you the best candidate for the position?
What questions do you have for us?
8. Research
Research about the
organization in their website
about their current state, culture,
vision and mission statement.
Check who are the people in the
management.
Work timings
9. Preparation for the Interview
Arrive about 15- 20 minutes
prior to your interview. You want
to be prompt, but not too early.
Camping out in the lobby for an
hour doesn’t make you look
professional but instead shows
a lack of scheduling ability.
10. Your questions
At this time an interviewer will
typically ask if you have any specific
questions.
A good candidate will ALWAYS have
questions to ask. Your questions will
show an interviewer you have done
some research on the company and
the position, and are serious about
the job. This is not the time to ask
questions about vacation time,
perks, loans or benefits.
11. Follow through
Send a Thank you note with
individual names mentioned of
the people who took the
interview.
A follow up email is also
appreciated.
12. Illegal questions
I understand that your father
expired but why did you not
pursue further studies.
Do you plan to marry in the
future.
Do you plan to have children. If
yes, how many.
13. Interview questions
Tell me something about yourself.
This is an innocent questions just to get
the conversation started but the
following questions will lead to a fishing
expedition with more questions.
Carefully phrase your answer here.
Begin with your current area, position
and then go back. Add some
background and why you are suitable
for this position.
Match up your qualification with those of
the company.
14. Why should I hire you.
I'm sure if you asked my friends
that question they would say
you should hire me because I
have the skills outlined in the job
description and I bring 10+
years of expertise to this
position. Words they've used to
describe me are: hard working,
professional, trusted and a team
player.
15. What kind of work
environment do you prefer?
I can be flexible when it comes
to my work environment. What
is the environment in the
Engineering department here at
RRS, Inc? (Once they've
described the work
environment, include key
phrases they've used when you
describe your preferred work
environment).
16. What do you know about our
company?
Prepare in advance, and in a word, research, so,
Start by researching the company online. Review the
"About Us" section of the company web site. Google the
company, read blogs that mention it, and check
Discussion Boards and social networking sites.
If you're a college graduate check with the Career Office
at your school to see if you can get a list of alumni who
work for the company. That's an ideal way to get an
insider's view of the employer, and to get information that
might not be available elsewhere.
Remember the slide of research : Use the information
you have gathered to create a bulleted list of relevant
information that you can easily remember during the
interview. Taking the time to research will help you make
a good impression with how much you know about the
company.
17. Why will you do if I do not hire
you
I am committed to this company
and its advancement so, should
I not be selected, I will work with
and support whoever might get
selected. However, I do feel that
my experience in the
department and with the team
would make me the best
candidate.
