Interviews

Interviews

• Before the job interview
• At the interview​
• Typical interview questions to expect​

Count yourself lucky if your CV and covering letter makes it and you are selected to the next stage of the recruitment process.  The interview is very critical in demonstrating how you would be a good fit for role. It affords you the opportunity to discuss in greater detail how your skills and experience fits in the requirement and what you bring on board. It also allows the recruiter evaluate your gestures and mannerism.

Some tips to consider in preparation

• Before the job interview

1.1.2 Do a thorough check

Prove that you have interest in the organization by going on their website to read about what it does and how their mission/vision fits in your own desires.  This even allows you to review your CV .  Once you have a fair understanding of what the organization does, think about how you can demonstrate the use of your skills in contributing to what they do.

1.1.3 Plan your trip to the interview venue

The invitation to interview will normally state the location;- make an effort to locate this before the interview date.  Getting lost could make you panic and lose focus. Keep contact numbers of the recruiter or the organization so that should the unexpected happen you notify them promptly.  Getting the interview location early helps you relax and be better prepared.

2.1 At the interview​

2.1.1 Be yourself and professional

Feeling nervous about an interview is an experience many people have had but it should not degenerate to panic should you realize that things do not go according to your plan. Take time to answer every question and if you feel stressed feel free to take a sip of water or ask for a little time to reflect.  Not so long though…..  Give an accurate picture of yourself in the interview, do not exaggerate. Just be yourself and reveal your personality, this will make you more comfortable with your answers.  Do you fiddle with a pen, bite your nails or play with items around you, the panel will be watching your body language

2.1.2 First impressions last

Your outlook is very important for the interview, look your professional best but don’t over-dress. Don’t wear clothes that makes you uncomfortable as the interview period is already uncomfortable.  Smell good but don’t use a perfume that irritates the nose or which changes your body odour should you sweat. Should the interview extend a handshake to you, return the handshake firmly and look into his or her eyes.  A smile will not be a bad idea

2.1.3 Be attentive

It is important to avoid answering a question with an inappropriate answer.  It is better to let the interviewer know you have no clue or seek for clarification to give the best answer. Think properly before giving an answer to a question.  Do not use the same example throughout the interview period. Do well to provide different scenarios and experiences to express your answer. This will help to give your experience more context and depth.

2.1.4 Prepare your own standard questions

Get to the interview with already prepared question about the organization, its strategy, the team members, their achievements and when a decision will be taken.  This will show to the recruiter that you are actually prepared for the interview and is interested in the organization.

2.1.5 Leave a positive impression

Show unison, smile, nod and seek clarifications when necessary. Show to the interviewer that you are interested in the job.  Do not put up a ‘laissez-faire’ attitude; should you feel by the time the interview finishes that you are not interested in the job, leave with a positive impression.  Thank the interviewer for the opportunity, you never know where you will meet again.

2.1.6 Expected questions

There are standard questions a recruiter may ask although s/he will ask different others depending on the job.  You just need to be prepared to answer these questions adequately. Let the job description, the advert and the organizations information guide you; match these against your skills and think through how to demonstrate your capabilities to the interviewer.

Some questions worth considering are:

1. why the interest in the role

Explain what motivated you to apply for the position, should you appear clueless, the chances that the recruiter will consider you is very small. Give convincing explanation to show why you are suitable for the position. Show enthusiasm for the role and the good match between the skills you possess and the job requirements.

1. What do you know about our organisation?

Show you have researched about the organization, what it stands for, achievements it has made over the years and if there are branches where these are located. If you know who their competitors are and their marketing strategy put this up.  You need to make a difference by showing you know a lot about the organization.

1. Tell me how you manage pressure.

This question seeks to elicit feedback on any piece of challenging work you have undertaken and how you dealt with the pressure associated with it. What were the challenges, how did you deal with that, did you find a solution or you abandoned it? How resilient are you under stressful moments?

.

1. Recount a conflict you had to resolve in a team

This question seeks to know if you can deal with challenging issues within a team particularly misunderstanding. Be brief in giving the background and what role you played in this matter and what the outcome was.

1. Tell me about yourself

This allows you to sell yourself.  Don’t presume your CV says it all, you are being given the opportunity to market yourself verbally.  Do a proper rehearsal of this question and match it against your skills and abilities not your age and where you come from. Don’t be tempted to give a short response.  Let the job description guide all your answers.

1. What are your weaknesses?

The interviewer knows that you have a weakness and an area requiring improvement, don’t try to exaggerate.  Make sure the weakness you recount to the interviewer is relevant in a professional context and not unofficial.  Note that the interviewer is also not perfect, each person is making an effort to be his or her best.  However, put forward the efforts you are making to overcome your weakness and how you are working on it.

1. Where do you see yourself in five years?

This is a very common question.  It seeks to solicit whether or not your personal long-term plans fits in that of the organization, whether you will stay for another 5years to help grow the organization or you will be gone in the shortest time possible should you be considered.  Inasmuch as it sometimes affects the interviewer’s decision it also shows that you are an individual who plans his/her life and carry the same to the job.