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An interview is a formal consultation or meeting for the purpose of ascertaining and evaluating the qualifications of a person, group of people, or company to fill a particular job situation
INTERVIEW TYPES
Initial Screening interview: A short session during which the employer is trying to narrow down the field of applicants who meet the job qualifications. Screening interviews may be conducted either over the telephone or in-person with one person or several. The objective is to narrow the field down to fewer candidates who become finalists for the position.
Follow-up interview: Follow-up interviews are almost always conducted in person and can last from an hour to one or two days. They can involve either a single interview or a series of sequential interviews with individuals and groups. Occasionally a presentation, meals, and/ or social events are included depending on the nature of the job. There are multiple objectives to these follow-up interviews: to further evaluate candidates' match with the position, to choose among the top candidates, and to "sell" the workplace and position to the candidates.
Telephone interview: An advantage to being interviewed over the phone is that you can easily refer to notes that remind you of key points to include. A disadvantage is that you will not be able to receive or convey non-verbal cues. It is important to speak clearly and more slowly than you might in person. Don't be shy about asking the interviewer to repeat something you are not sure you heard or understood. Show your level of interest by what you say, e.g. "I'm excited to be considered for this position", and by the inflection in your voice.
One-on-one interview: One person interviews the candidate and makes the hiring decision. These interviews can range from being very informal and conversational to being more formal and structured. Follow the lead of the interviewer, but keep in mind, no matter how informal, that this is a conversation with an agenda. Project positive enthusiasm, maintain good eye contact and be professional.
Panel interview: If you are being interviewed by a group of people, remember to make eye contact with all of your interviewers. Connect first with the person who asked you the question and then glance at the others in the room to gauge their responses and interest, finally, re-connect with the person who initially asked you the question. Try to link your answers to others that were asked and get the interviewers to talk among themselves. Make sure you get the names and roles of all of those who participated in the interview.
INTERVIEW TIPS
Preparation and confidence
Prepare yourself practically for the interview.
Gather information which is useful during the interview
Checklist
Confirm time, date and location of the interview and name of interviewee where appropriate.
Get there no earlier than half an hour before the interview time.
Dress professional.
Ensure the receptionist knows you are there.
Write down and practice possible questions!
Be on time!
First impressions are usually last impressions. It’s better to be early than late to strike a conversation or two with staff members while waiting. This will help you learn about the organization and you can use this information in your interview.
Be Prepared!
Look at the company's website and learn something about the company before you attend your interview.
You never get a second chance to make a first impression!
A good smile always pleases people.
Dressing professionally is very important. Keeping in mind the cultural preferences of the country you are working in.
Firm handshake.
Maintain eye contact.
Do not talk too much!
Don’t interrupt interviewer when he/she is talking. Give him/her a full chance to talk.
It is important to listen to the question asked and answer that specific question.
Keep your answers to two to three minutes at the most. When you limit your time, you tend to stay more focused.
Be enthusiastic and positive!
Do not mention negative incidents with the previous employer(s).
Focus on positive achievements and views.
Look in the Eyes
Eye contact shows confidence and is one of the most important aspects of nonverbal communication and can make a significant difference in how you present yourself.
Talk about specific achievements!
This will help the interviewer understand your strengths in terms of measurable outcomes.
Explain Why You Left
Follow these guidelines when interviewers ask, "Why did you leave your company?" Carefully describe the reason for your departure, and do not go into details unless asked.
Questions to ask the Employer
Great questions to ask early in a job interview: "What are you most hoping to find in the person you hire?" and "What would be my first priorities on the job?" The earlier you can ask these questions, the sooner you can start tailoring your answers to the employer's priorities.
At the end of the interview, ask, "Based on what we've talked about today, I feel good about the position. Do you have any concerns about my ability to do the job?" Often, that gives you a chance to counter any objections.
Know What You Offer
Prepare answers for open-ended questions, like, "Tell me about yourself," by making a list of your skills and traits that match the employer's requirements.
The closer your skills and traits are to the job description, the better chance you have of landing the job.
You should leave the interviewer with a clear picture of what you have to offer.
Prove What You Could Do - Sell Yourself!
Always put a positive spin on your answers to difficult questions.
If you lack a particular skill or do not know a certain computer program, be sure to emphasize how quickly you learn.
Give an example of a time when you were able to get up to speed in a similar situation.
Companies are interested in people who can hit the ground running.
Talking Salary
Let the interviewer bring up the subject of money.
If you are asked what your salary expectations are too early in the process, just say you would rather postpone that discussion until you have more information about the position.
Ask your way into a better job
You can not really tell how good a job is from an ad. There's often a gap between the exciting opportunity portrayed in the ad and the actual job.
After you are offered a job but before accepting it, ask a few more questions or even ask permission to talk with your future coworkers.
Follow the interviewer
During the interview, your interviewer is giving you information that can guide you on how to behave during the meeting.
Observe your interviewer's style. Listen very carefully, and let him/her know that you have been listening by asking good questions and making good comments.
Be honest and Get to Work!
INTERVIEW FOLLOW UP TIPS
Purpose
Following an interview, promptly (within 2 business days) write the interviewer a letter expressing appreciation and thanks for the interview. The purpose of this letter is to:
Show appreciation for the employer's interest in you.
Reiterate your interest in the position and in the organization.
Review or remind the employer about your qualifications for the position. If you thought of something you forgot to mention in the interview, mention it in your follow-up / thank-you letter.
Demonstrate that you have good manners and know to write a thank-you letter.
Follow up with any information the employer may have asked you to provide after the interview.
Hard copy, handwritten or email?
Thank-you letters can be hard copy typed, handwritten or e-mailed. Hard copy are most formal and are appropriate after an interview. Handwritten are more personal, and can be appropriate for brief notes to a variety of individuals you may have met during on on-site interview. E-mail is appropriate when that has been your means of contact with the person you want to thank, or if your contact has expressed a preference for e-mail.
What to do if you don't hear from the employer
Before your interview ended, your interviewer should have informed you of the organization's follow-up procedures — from whom, by what means, and when you would hear again from the organization. If the interviewer did not tell you, and you did not ask, use your follow-up / thank-you letter to ask.
If more than a week has passed beyond the date when you were told you would hear something from the employer, call or email to politely inquire about the status of the organization's decision-making process. Someone (or something) or an unexpected circumstance may be holding up the process. A polite inquiry in form of Follow-up letter shows that you are still interested in the organization and may prompt the employer to get on schedule with a response. In your inquiry, mention the following: name of the person who interviewed you, time and place of the interview, position for which you are applying (if known), and ask the status of your application. Click here to see a sample of Interview Follow-up Letter.
Preparation and confidence