| Index »JOB INTERVIEW TECHNIQUES |
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| JOB INTERVIEW TECHNIQUES |
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| Summary |
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| In the UK this single aspect of the entire employment-finding process takes on an even greater significance.If an employer likes what they see in your application form or CV, you may be invited to go to an interview. As well as a chance for an employer to find out more about you and judge whether you would fit the job, it's an opportunity for you to ask questions about the job to see if it's what you're looking for.Showing that you have an understanding of the wider industry as a whole will make you stand out from other interviewees.
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| Wherever you may be from, you may already have an appreciation of the importance of the job interview. Employers will often almost exclusively decide your suitability for any role on how well you come across in an interview. You can have the best experience and qualifications and be willing to work for much less than the going rate - but if you perform poorly at the face-to-face interview, then it is unlikely that you will secure the position.
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| Each industry has its standards and the individuals involved all try to find the best 'fit' for the personalities involved. When you get an interview you need to make sure that you are well prepared as this will help you to be more confident and to stay calm when you're under pressure.
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| You've bagged an interview for your dream job, and you're the best candidate by a mile. Interviewing well is a skill like any other, and it takes knowledge, commitment and hard work to come out on top. Remember, every employer is going to ask themselves two things about you: Are you qualified for the job? And are you enthusiastic? Taking the time to prepare a perfect interview will successfully answer both these questions.
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| If you are called in for an interview, this will mean that how you fit in person in line with what you put in paper. The employer will want to know what you will be bringing to the organisation.The employer wants to know their search is over, so for the length of the meeting, the job is yours. You need to make the most of it.
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| Having said that, first impressions are incredibly important. Be yourself right from the start, turning up the volume on those bits of you that most match the job; turning down the volume on the bits that don't. However, never ever shut the volume off entirely, as you will then be pretending to be someone you're not - a sure recipe for disaster.
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| When you're applying for a job, you will usually have to describe how well your skills and previous experience fit the job description. Even if you're short of experience in the workplace, there are key skills that employers look for that anyone can demonstrate. Such as Good communication skills, Evidence of teamwork, Building working relationships with others ,Computer and IT skills.
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| What The Employers Expect Of An Ideal Candidate
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| Who can:
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Cut costs |
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Get it done more quickly |
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Avoid potential problems |
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Improve appearance |
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Organise it |
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Increase sales/profits |
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Use old things in a new way |
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Cut down time |
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Reduce the risks |
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Meet deadlines easily |
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Cut staff costs |
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Develop staff performance |
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Introduce new systems |
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Improve teamwork and relationships |
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| TIPS ON SELLING YOURSELF AT THE INTERVIEW |
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| What You Can Do For You To Prepare Yourself For The Interview |
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| By being prepared and by practicing, you will make sure that you say all the right things and it will stop you from making mistakes or forgetting
things. You hear all sorts of rules about job interviews: interviewers decide about you in the first few seconds, and you have to make a good "first impression". You should ask insightful questions, learn as much as you can about the company, they will probably ask questions designed to trip
you up, so have some quick answers ready. |
| As far as rules go, some make perfect sense. However, getting the job you want is not about following the rules. It is about presenting yourself in the most marketable way possible, that takes care of you and the interviewers' needs. |
| If you want the job, chances are so do a lot of other other eager people, so your application has to stand out from the crowd. CVs. Edit it
ruthlessly. People usually put in too much detail. Highlight the bits that relate to the job you're going for. They don't need to know you went to St John Fisher`s school when you were 12. |
| You will make an impression in the first few minutes. It takes this time for people to assess someone and store this information. Once an
impression has been formed, it's seldom changed. It's important to make first impression work for you. Nervous tension may make your voice sound shaky. Familiarise yourself with the information in your CV and application form. |
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| Planning For The Interview |
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| Who will be interviewing? If it is your prospective manager, the interview may be more detailed. If the Personnel Manager is interviewing,it may be less direct or detailed, but could still be testing. Will there be a test to take? Find out before the interview and ask for an example of the things you'll be asked to do. |
| If you have a disability, contact the employer prior to the interview if you require any particular arrangements. Check the day before to ensure details have been noted prior to your arrival. |
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Try to think of any question that the interviewer might ask you. |
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Find out the time, date and location of the interview well in advance of your interview. |
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Have a think about how you are going to travel to the interview and if you are disabled, check the physical access to the premises. |
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Try to find out what the interview is going to be like - will there be a panel and will you be expected to do any tests? |
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It's always good to try and find out some background information about the company you are applying for. |
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| Try To Find Out The Answer To The Following Questions: |
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What do they do/make/sell? |
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Who are their customers? |
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What sort of organisation are they? |
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Financial information - turnover, profits etc. |
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What exactly will the job involve? |
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What sort of person do you think they want? |
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How can you best fit your skills to match the job? |
| Make sure that you indicate any additional support that you might require in the interview - for example a communicator for deaf people.
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You should always dress smartly for your interview. Make sure you turn up on time and that you know a bit about the job and the person or
company you would be working for. |
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If you are disabled and you have trouble speaking or hearing, you could get someone to interpret for you in an interview. |
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Most job interviews go to plan. But it is worth following some basic tips on how to stay safe when you go to any interview. |
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Find out as much as you can about the company or the person the interview is with. Sort out how you will get to the interview and back. |
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Tell a friend or relative where you are going and what time you expect to be back. For jobs that offer accommodation with them, always make sure you check out the accommodation before accepting the job. |
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If possible, don't go alone, even if this means a friend or family member has to wait outside for you. If the interview takes place outside normal working hours, try to arrange for someone to collect you. |
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Make sure the interview is at the company's place of work or in a suitable public place. |
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Never give an employer your personal financial details until you actually start the job. |
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Don't talk about personal matters that have nothing to do with the job. Don't accept a lift home from the person interviewing you. |
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After you apply for a job you may be invited for an interview. This is usually with the person or company you could be working for, or it may be with an employment agency. This leaflet gives you advice on and practical help with interviews. |
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Find out as much as you can about the company or the person the interview is with. |
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Sort out how you will get to the interview and back. Tell a friend or relative where you are going and what time you expect to be back. |
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For jobs that offer accommodation with them, always make sure you check out the accommodation before accepting the job. If possible, don't go alone, even if this means a friend or family member has to wait outside for you. |
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If the interview takes place outside normal working hours, try to arrange for someone to collect you. |
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Make sure the interview is at the company's place of work or in a suitable public place. |
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Never give an employer your personal financial details until you actually start the job. |
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| Types Of Interviews You May Face |
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| Not all interviews will follow the same one-to-one model. You may have to face other interview situations. There are different types of interview. |
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| Panel Interview |
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| The panels are often made up of two or more members, for example Personnel Officer and Head of Section/Foreman/Supervisor.Try not to be intimidated by this situation. Look at the person asking the question, and glance at the others occasionally as you reply. Remember the decision will be made by more than one person which in turn could increase you chance of success. |
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| Competency-Based Interview |
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| These interviews are designed to allow you to demonstrate your level of competency in key areas of the job. You may be asked to discuss examples
of your previous work and achievements. The examples you give should be different from those on your original Application Form. Before the interview you will need to list the competencies needed for the job and think about things you have done which illustrate each one. |
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| Group Interviews |
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| You may be invited to be assessed as part of a group. This is to test how you might work as part of a team. Be prepared to take an active part in
the discussion/task and put forward your ideas in an assertive but not aggressive way. |
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| TYPES OF TEST YOU COULD BE GIVEN |
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| Skills Tests |
| These are designed to measure the level of your knowledge, or understanding of the job, such as typing test, driving tests, manual dexterity, etc. Find out what the test will involve and try to practice before the interview. |
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| Personality Tests |
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| You could face questions on your thoughts, feelings and behaviour in certain situations. There is no such thing as a right or wrong answer as the overall picture is what is important. The end result is a personality rating used to see if the person fits the job advertised. Analysis of these tests is highly skilled and may be used by larger organisations to supplement other recruitment methods. |
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| Aptitude Tests |
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| These are designed to predict how well you might do certain tasks. They test abilities such as reasoning with words/number/diagrams; problem-solving; following instructions. These are usually set as a test paper which you have to complete within a set time limit. You can try to improve your ability to do these tests by answering or completing practice tests. |
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