Job interview

TECWRIT – Jon L. Tiu

T h e

J O B

I N T E R V I E W

If you’re dead serious about snagging that prized job catch, take to heart these
interview reminders and come out looking good in the interviewer’s eyes.

What is a JOB INTERVIEW? What are its PURPOSES?
•

A job interview is an employment requirement which basically determines
whether the applicant is fit for the job or not.

•

The three stages of the job interview and their purposes:
a.

Preliminary Interview - is conducted by the company’s Personnel
Manager or Human Resource Manager to verify the veracity and
accuracy of the information in the applicant’s resume. This interview
assesses the applicant’s personality, attitude, educational background
and general qualifications which should meet the requirements of the
job.

b.

Secondary Interview – is conducted by the Middle Level Manager
(the applicant’s immediate boss if hired) to evaluate the applicant’s
skills and technical know-how which are part of the job description. So
if the job requires computer skills, expect questions about information
technology and be ready to do hands-on demonstration as well.

c.

Final interview - is conducted by the company’s top level officers
(e.g. President / Chief Executive Officer, General Manager, VicePresident) and is usually a panel interview. This stage of the interview
process evaluates the applicant’s potential for growth and promotion
in the future. Remember, when a company hires a new personnel, he /
she is considered a good investment and a long-term asset of the
company.

INTERVIEW DO’s AND DON’Ts
DO’s:
1. Do your homework about the company. With the advent of the internet,
information is just a click away. Use this information to engage in
deeper discussion and demonstrate your knowledge about the
organization and its services.
2. Do get to know the interviewer beforehand, if possible. You can either
ask from contacts inside the firm or undertake research if the
interviewer is a prominent person.
3. Do ask a friend or family member to join you in a mock interview to
prime you up for the real “confrontation.”
4. Do a practice run to the interview venue to give you some idea on how
long it takes to get there.
5. Do dress up appropriately : men should be in formal slacks, long
sleeves with tie; women should be in a three-piece suit (formal slacks or
skirt, shirt with collar, and blazer/formal jacket). Choose neutral colors
(e.g. shades of brown, blue, grey, white, cream, pastel colors). Avoid
loud and bold colors and print. Wear jewelry to a minimum – remember,
less is more.
6. Do greet the receptionist and everyone you meet in the office. Prove at
the outset that you can fit right in with the team.
7. Do prepare in advance questions about the company – its culture, main
goals, focus – and the position you’re applying for – its requirements
and responsibilities.
8. Do have extra resumes handy. If you have a portfolio (a compilation of
your work and output), bring it along as well.
9. Do talk about yourself and your skills in a professional and confident
manner.
10. Do address your interviewer by title and last name (Ms., Mr. or Dr…..). If
unsure of the pronunciation, ask the receptionist to teach you how to
say it properly.

11. Do shake hands firmly, but wait for the interviewer to offer a
handshake.
12. Do wait until you are offered a chair before sitting. And remember your
body language and posture : sit upright and look alert and interested at
all times. Don’t fidget or slouch.
13. Do make eye contact and show genuine enthusiasm.
14. If you have employment gaps (let’s say you were out of work for 6
months), do be honest about it but explain in a positive manner.
15. Do have high confidence and energy levels, but don’t be overly
aggressive.
16. Do avoid controversial issues (e.g. religion, politics, sexual preference,
etc.).
17. Do make sure to put your good points across to the interviewer in a
factual yet sincere manner.
18. Do remember that you are not the only one being interviewed. You are
also evaluating the interviewer and the company to see if this is where
you would like to work.
19. Do always conduct yourself as someone interested in the position,
even after you sense that you did not get the job. You’ll never know
when a similar position might arise within the company and you might
be given another shot at it.
20. Do show that you can be an asset to the company as opposed to the
company being an asset to you.
21. Do prepare intelligent questions about the job, the company and the
industry.
22. Do observe proper hygiene!
23. Do showcase your talent, skills and experience by giving specific
examples.

DON ‘Ts
1. Don’t be LATE! If you are running late for legitimate reasons, call the
interviewer ahead of time to alert him/her to your situation.
2. Don’t wear informal clothes to the interview even if the office observes a
casual dress code.
3. Don’t ever lie about or exaggerate your skills. Answer questions truthfully
but without putting yourself or others down.
4. Don’t take alcoholic beverages before going to the interview. Don’t chew
gum either!
5. Don’t tell jokes to dispel nervousness. You can have a pleasant and
comfortable interview without making wise cracks.
6. Don’t rely on your application letter or resume to do the selling for you.
You still need to market yourself during the face-to-face conversation.
7. Don’t smoke before or during the interview (even if the interviewer offers
you a smoke).
8. Don’t use poor or slang language. Don’t respond to an unexpected
question with an extended pause. Don’t use cuss words.
9. Neither be too soft spoken nor overly forceful. Just exude confidence
about your skills and experiences.
10. Don’t act desperate or show that you are willing to take any job offered.
11.

Don’t say anything negative about former colleagues, supervisors,
employers and yourself.

12. Don’t answer with a simple “yes” or “no”. Respond in sentences, not
fragments or phrases.
13. Don’t bring up personal issues or family problems. This is an interview,
not a confession.
14. Don’t be shy but don’t be very talkative either. Strike a good balance of
speaking and listening. Focus on the issue under discussion.
15. Don’t answer mobile calls during the interview, and do turn off or set to
silent mode your cell phone.

16. Don’t initiate discussions about salary. Try to delay salary talk until you
have an offer.

The key to a successful interview is learning from your
previous engagements. Learn the art of self-analysis
without beating yourself up for your “stupidity.” Just
remember : be prepared, be on time, be professional, be
positive and most of all, be yourself!

TEN FREQUENTLY ASKED INTERVIEW QUESTIONS (FAQ’s)
Study each of the following frequently asked interview questions and think
of ways on how to answer them successfully:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

Why do you want to work for us?
Why should we hire you?
What can you tell me about yourself?
What are your strongest (and/or weakest) personal qualities?
What do you expect to be doing ten years from now?
Do you prefer working with others or by yourself?
How well prepared are your for this job?
What have been your most rewarding (or disappointing) work (or school)
experiences?
9. Have you established any new goals lately?
10. What are your short-term and long-term goals?
Be prepared for follow-up questions to the FAQ’s. Expect unexpected
questions too about your personal life, but be polite to decline from answering
if you are not ready to discuss about it or disclose personal matters.
************************************************************************************************

INTERVIEW APPRAISAL SHEET
(to be accomplished by the interviewer)
Please rate the applicant in each of the following criteria in a scale of 1 – 10 (10 being
the highest):
SELF – PRESENTATION………………………………………………….. __________
(Grooming, bearing, hygiene, posture, health, appropriate attire)
COMMUNICATION SKILLS ………………………………………….…… __________
(Language, choice of words, pronunciation & enunciation, fluency & spontaneity,
grammar & sentence structure)
PERSONALITY TRAITS …………………………………………………… __________
(Inter-personal relation skills, patience, appreciation for teamwork, maturity)
LEVEL OF CONFIDENCE ………………………………………………… ___________
CAREER GOALS & MOTIVATION ……..……………………………….. ___________
T O T A L ………………………………………………………………… __________

FOR THE ORALCOM STUDENTS ONLY:
Please accomplish properly this form and submit to the interviewer before the
start of the interview.
FULL NAME:
POSITION APPLIED FOR:
DEGREE COMPLETED:
UNIVERSITY / COLLEGE GRADUATED FROM:
OUTSTANDING PERSONALITY TRAITS:
SKILLS RELEVANT TO THE POSITION:
FUTURE PLANS AND GOALS:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------INTERVIEW APPRAISAL SHEET
Please rate the applicant in each of the following criteria in a scale of 1 – 10
(10 being the highest):
(Language, choice of words, pronunciation & enunciation, fluency &
spontaneity, grammar & sentence structure)

T O T A L ……………………………………………………………… ___________
COMMENTS:
Signature of the Interviewer: ________________________

the highest):

T O T A L ………………………………………………………………… __________

the highest):
T O T A L ………………………………………………………………… __________

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