Articles on Career Matters:

10 Commonly Asked Questions In An Interview Process

So, that painstakingly crafted resume you sent out months ago has done the trick. You've secured that coveted job interview. The next step: living up to that promise.

Tomorrow is the big day and -gasp - you do not know what to wear, what to say or how to behave. Should you do this, or should you do that. But here are 10 commonly asked questions in an interview process.

1. Why should we employ you?
This can be unnerving if you read it as "so, what makes you think you are good enough for this job?". Well don't read it so. Consider it a God-sent question to allow you to summarise your strengths in relation to the job. Interviews are never a time to be modest - sell, sell, sell.

2. What are your weaknesses?
Pick one flaw that you feel can also be perceived as a strength because strengths and weaknesses can be relative. One example: "I tend to expect my colleagues toperform at the same speed and level of efficiency that I always apply to the projects that I handle. However, I've learnt to appreciate that people are different, and they will have their own styles and preferences and I try not to impose my style on them.

3. You do not have enough experience for this job.
Well, ask yourself: "Why am I sitting in front of the interviewer if he seriously feels this way?" The fact that you are given the time and opportunity to be interviewed should give you the confidence that you have what it takes to do the job.

So, there is no need to be defensive. Reply that you have the interest and the confidence, and that you will try doubly hard to get up to speed. Many times, interviewers just want to see how you respond. If you blink, you lose.

4. Given that you have two young children, we anticipate you'll have problems fulfilling travelling requirements.
Again, there is no need to be defensive and say that you are totally capable of planning your own life. Share whatever arrangements you can put in place. Reassure them you are able to manage your business and personal commitments professionally and efficiently.

5. We cannot match your salary expectations.
Every job has a value. Focus on how you arrived at your expected salary. Bring yourself out of the equation. Do not negotiate based on what you were making before or currently, what you want or what you need. Try something like: "I've done some research and I believe others with similar qualifications are commanding this amount, but I'm open to discussion."

6. What are your career goals for the next five years?
This is a tricky question which often has candidates saying awful things like "I want to be in your job by that time". Rather than focus on job titles, focus instead on the skills and experiences you would like to gain.

Try this: "I'd like to take up a post-graduate course in business management and gain the necessary skills before leading my own team." This is a lot more realistic and shows your eagerness for continued growth.

7. Tell us about yourself.
This is a great open-ended question to sell yourself. Ask one of the following questions to find out what the interviewer wants: "Would you like me to focus on the professional or personal aspects?" or "With pleasure! Should I develop something in detail or just give you a brief summary?"

Go on to give your answer to no longer than two minutes. Remember, they just want to know something about you, not your entire life story.

8. Why did you leave your last position?
If you have a short employment history with a previous employer or if you have been unemployed for some time, you will most likely be asked this question.

The best approach is to be honest and straightforward. I(nterviewers willl see through you if you are evasive, and they will be concerned that you left your last job under bad circumstances. Whatever you say, do not launch personal attacks on your previous boss and colleagues. If you come across as a job-hopper in your resume, be honest and say something like "I felt I should move or rather than stick with a job in which I've stopped growing".

9. If you were an animal/flower/dessert, what would you be?
Many candidates freeze when a question as "silly" as this is thrown at them. But if you think about it, it is not that difficult a question because you prefer to be a rabbit rather than a lion. Interviewers ask such a question to see how you handle the unexpected. They are not interested in what you choose but how you explain your choice.

10. Do you have any questions?
This question always has to be answered with a resounding "yes". Always have at least one question ready in response, such as "How would you describe, such as "how would you describe the culture of the company?" or "What does your company do to support the career growth of its employees?"

Mak Mun San
Singapore
14 Apr 2007

This article is an abstract from Urban, The Straits Times, January 25, 2007

Post An Article

If you would like to post something please click the link below

Post A Query

Testimony

Feedback

Copyright © 2006 - 2007 Tons Of Matters.com. All rights reserved.

If you matter, then we matter!

Tons of Matters.com

<<  previous  1  2  3  4  5  next  >>

All The Matters Adult Matters Adventure Matters Advertising Matters Ancient Matters Animal Matters Art Matters Astrology Matters Astronomy Matters Automobile Matters Baby Matters Beauty Matters Bible Matters Bike Matters Blog Matters Book Matters Brand Matters Business Matters Car Matters Career Matters CEO Matters Charity Matters Child Matters Christmas Matters Church Matters Coaching Matters Communication Matters Community Matters Computer Matters Consultancy Matters Creative Matters Cuisine Matters Cultural Matters Decor Matters Digital Matters Dining Matters D.I.Y. Matters ECommerce Matters Education Matters Electronic Matters E-Magazine Matters Entertainment Matters Entrepreneur Matters Environment Matters EPL Matters Events Matters Family Matters Fantasy Matters Fashion Matters Feng Shui Finance Matters Financial Matters Fishing Matters Fitness Matters Food Matters Funny Matters Gadget Matters Games Matters Gardening Matters Global Matters Golf Matters Google Matters Gracious Matters Happy Matters Health Matters History Matters Hobby Matters Hollywood Matters Holy Matters Home Matters Horoscope Matters HR Matters Hygiene Matters Image Matters Industrial Matters Inspiration Matters Insurance Matters Internet Matters Investment Matters Leadership Matters Legal Matters Lifestyle Matters Love Matters Luxury Matters Machine Matters Management Matters Manufacturing Matters Marine Matters Marketing Matters Marriage Matters Material Matters Media Matters Medical Matters Men Matters Money Matters Motivation Matters Movie Matters Music Matters New Matters! New Year Matters Occasion Matters Office Matters Organization Matters Outsource Matters Parenting Matters Passion Matters Personal Matters Pet Matters Photography Matters Popular Matters PR Matters Printing Matters Professional Matters Project Matters Psychology Matters Publishing Matters Real Estate Matters Recipe Matters Relationship Matters Religion Matters Research Matters Resource Matters Retail Matters Safety Matters Sales Matters Science Matters Seasonal Matters Service Matters Sexy Matters Shopping Matters Social Matters Speaking Matters Spiritual Matters Sports Matters Strategy Matters Success Matters Survival Matters Teaching Matters Teen Matters Technology Matters Tennis Matters Trading Matters Training Matters Transportation Matters Travel Matters Trend Matters Vacation Matters Video Matters Wealth Matters Weather Matters Web Matters Wedding Matters Wellness Matters Wine Matters Wildlife Women Matters WOW Matters Writing Matters Xtreme Matters Yahoo Matters

10 Fashion Tips For An Interview

1. Be safe rather than sorry
Dress the part for the position, the company and the industry, erring on the conservative side. Most times, you won't be privy to the way the interviewer will be dressed, so wear a more formal, layered attire that can become more casual if necessary.

You will rarely be faulted for being slightly overdressed. When you wear layers, you can always take off a jacket, tie, scarf or jewellery to appear less formal. Safe doesn't mean boring. You can make your attire interesting by adding a dash of colour, like a pink top beneath a grey jacket.

2. Project a personal fashion style
This can help differentiate you from the others. The fact is you can create a positive impression even if you are not feeling particularly charming. As long as you have a sense of who you are and wear what looks great on you, you will convey self-assurance and charisma.

For example, if you're not used to wearing skirts, don't. Nothing is worse than fidgeting in a tight skirt while trying to concentrate on the questions asked. Stick to a pair of nicely tailored pants.

3. Check that tyour clothes fit you well
You don't want to turn up in clothes that are one size too small or too large. If that jacket is from 10 years ago when you were 8kg lighter, please get a new one.

4. No overpowering fragrances
Interviews are held in offices or discussion rooms which can be pretty small. You are likely to be sitting very close to the interviewer and the last thing you want is to suffocate your potential boss with some off-the-counter fragrance. Stay fresh and clean by having a bath before you leave home. If possible, choose a mode of transport that will take you to the venue without you perspiring excessively.

5 Look groomed
Ensure that you are neat and tidy, not scruffy and unshaven. Iron your clothes well and make sure they are spotless. Polish your shoes and do a final check in the washroom before you go into the interview room. Don't tease your hair with too much gel. Keep it simple. Tie your long hair into a bun and if you must let it down, tame it properly. Fingernails must be clean and trimmed. No nail art or over-the-top colours, please.

6. Wear neutrals
Choose subtle, earthy colours instead of bright ones. You will never go wrong with black, white, cream, navy, grey and brown. However if you fancy a dash of colour, say red, you can pair it with a more sombre colour like navy blue. A word of caution: Don't throw too many colours together if you're not an expert. Stick to the basics.

7. Wear black sparingly
Many people mistake black as the natural choice for looking formal, but black can make you look severe and unapproachable. Avoid wearing black from top to bottom or in big proportions. Instead go with dark charcoal grey or navy blue. If you must wear black, opt for textured material to soften the effect.

8. Choose simple accessories
Small pearl earrings or simple ear studs are fine, but avoid dangling or chunky ones that scream for attention. If in doubt, don't wear any.

9. Safe materials only
Cotton is always a safe choice as it is comfortable and presentable. No satin, chiffon, sequins or anything you'd wear to a club as these are too showy. And that means no inner wear doubling as outer wear, either.

10. Be plain, not gaudy
Don't wear clothes with bold prints or too many details that may distract the interviewer. Let the focus be around your neck area so people will remember your face. A little frill or ruffle will do the trick. Keep the rest of your outfit understated and subtle.

Mak Mun San
Singapore
01 May 2007

This article is an abstract from Urban, The Straits Times, January 25, 2007