preparation for job interview

1. TIPS FOR JOB INTERVIEWS
J.A OTEGBAYO
UNIVERSITY OF IBADAN & UNIVERSITY
COLLEGE HOSPITAL, IBADAN, NIGERIA.

2. WHAT IT IS
• The job interview is a strategic conversation
with a purpose.
• A highly focused professional conversation.
• Interviewer’s goal is to weigh suitability for the
job
• Interviewee’s goal is to convince the employer
that he/she has the skills, background, and
ability to successfully fit into the organization.
• When the 2 goals meet, the deal is sealed.

3. JOB INTERVIEW TYPES
• Involves the interviewer and the interviewee.
• Types:
-One on one
-Panel
-Group
-Phone
-Online
-Employer interviewer
-Contracted interviewer
May be multi-levels: written, oral, practical, etc

4. JOB INTERVIEW
• The interviewer’s interest:
-applicant's experience
-skills
-work history
-availability
-personal attributes for the job
-credentials
-guarantors/referees
The interview gives both the opportunity to
exchange enough information to determine if both
are a good "fit" for each other.

5. PREPARING FOR JOB INTERVIEW
• Note that most employers do not hire people based on
merit alone.
• Personality, confidence, enthusiasm, a positive outlook,
and excellent interpersonal and communication skills
count heavily in the selection process.
• See an effective strategy to market yourself
(Commodity)
• Know that you can practice and develop an effective
interviewing skills.
• Polish your speaking style, mannerisms, poise etc.
• There are things to watch and guard against
(colloquialisms/slangs, such as she you know, you know,
as in etc.

6. PREPARING FOR JOB INTERVIEW
3 Phases:
•Before
•During
•After

7. BEFORE THE INTERVIEW
• Background check: Research the profile eg vision,
mission, important dates and events, leadership and
hierarchy, type of interview etc
• Learn about the principal officers
• Engage people who are currently working there and
tap from their experience.
• Think about likely questions eg about your
profession, future career goals, what value you want
to add to the institution, why the institution, where
do you see yourself in the next 5-10 yrs etc
• Practice with a colleague
• Research current affairs and trends in your job sector
• Prepare for “do you have any question for us?”
Don’t ask about salary

8. The day before
• Ensure that your clothes and all necessary
documents are kept ready in a folder (Original
and copies)
• Go to bed early the day/look rested.
• Pray for favour

9. On D-day (Before the interview starts)
• Wake early/Use alarm if necessary
• Revise a few essentials
• Eat a healthy breakfast.
• Some advocate exercising remove stress and
increase blood flow.
• If you are generally nervous or fidgety (employ
biofeedback/?drugs)
• Ensure complete credentials with additional copies,
including referees report
• Leave anything that can distract eg phone
• Dress well and wear perfume/cologne to smell good

10. On D-day (Before the interview starts)
Dress formal:
-Women:a skirt suit or trouser/pant suit, dark colour,
along with closed toe shoes, subtle makeup and quiet
jewelries
-Men: dark-coloured suit and tie with polished shoes.
-Handkerchief could be handy and useful
-Hair styles/Hairdo
-Remember sartorial and tonsorial conservatism

11. Scoring for appearance

14. The D-day DURING
• Arrive at least 30 minutes before the scheduled time.
• Be courteous, pleasant and respectful to everyone you meet
eg clerks.
• (Yes sir or Ma costs you nothing)
• First impression counts.
• Be confident, smart, friendly and smile modestly
• Be attentive and be all ears
• Don’t exhibit undue familiarity, even if your godfather is on
the panel
• Let your responses be concise, straight to the point, complete
and clear.
• Maintain good eye contact with the interviewer(s)
• Don’t speak too slow or too fast
• Start every answer with Thank you Sir/Ma
• Remember your body language is being watched

15. DURING THE INTERVIEW
• Be positive and look positive
• Show your interest
• Be organized
• Be yourself
• Say thank you sir/ma when
departing.
• Be culturally sensitive

16. AFTER THE INTERVIEW
• Write down specific instructions if given, you
may forget
• Always follow up
• Pray for favour

17. Thank you