First Round Job Interview

First Round Job Interview

In my last article I wrote about how to be successful in telephone interviews, once you have successfully completed your telephone interview, the next stage will be the first round of interviews – face to face.

Most of us wonder what could take place at the next stage. Who will the interviewer be? What type of questions will be asked?…
Corporate companies have changed the way they organize interviews and the process of hiring. Generally if there are a large number of applicants for a job advertised, candidates are short listed by written examinations or a telephone interview.  Once you have cleared the written tests and/or are successful in your telephone interview, you will enter the first round of face to face interviews. It is more than likely that your first round of interviews would be with  HR personnel. Some companies name them the "Talent Management Team" but most call them the "HR Team".
You may wonder why HR (Human Resources) personnel conduct the first round of interviews instead of the head or a member of the department with the vacancy. Gone are the days, where the personnel of the departments with available positions actually recruit the candidates. Employers have now become more focused on the first and the most important criteria – attitude, followed by your energy level, communication, interpersonal skills, etc. If you are the right person with the right attitude, then it is easy for the employer to mould you to their requirements and culture of the company. As most HR know, the strategy previously was "Recruit Talent and Develop Attitude" but now the trend seems to be "Recruit Attitude and Mould Talent"

Success Guide
Make sure that you look professional, because your appearance creates a first impression, ensure you look your best. Formal clothing, polished shoes and a smiling face all add to your first impression. Do not be too casual, over confident, and rude, be polite and humble.
Do the basic research about the company that has invited you for the interview and demonstrate the interest, knowledge and enthusiasm. You must enter an interview with information about the company, their products, recent news in the market. Be knowledgeable about the position you have applied for and show evidence about your achievements which relate to the job. Think of examples beforehand that you can use to demonstrate your skills.
Body language is important, make eye to eye contact with the interviewer, a confident hand shake and avoid negative body language, such as, crossing your arms, leaning back, hands on your face, etc. Do not fidget.
Most importantly listen to the questions and answer them clearly, precisely and smartly. You must show your interest and link your experience on how you can contribute to the role. Do not show any signs of impatience or jump from one topic to another.
Word of mouth is very important when it comes to hiring, studies reveal that 35% to 50% of hiring comes through referrals and networking. So if you know anyone who is employed in the organization, talk to them and mention the person to the interviewer, this will add value and improve your chance of selection in the interview and lead you to a job offer.

Article source: articlebase.com

A few tips to get you through the final interview stage

Its interview time, so here are a few important tips to greaten your chances of success. Let's face it, it all depends on the interview, you have got this far, you've been picked for an interview from probably many job hunters from what is actually written on your CV. It could be your qualifications or it could possibly be your experience or just a mix of both.

Now you're at the final stage, and this is where you have to make a good impression on your prospective employer. A lot of induviduals, no matter how good they look on paper, in there related field ,will blow it at the interview stage. Not all of us are good at interviews including myself, you need to have silver tongue, to sell yourself, some of us have this gift and some of us don't, it seems unfair but it's just the way it is.
Here are a few things you can do to greaten your chances at the interview process.
1 Personal presentation: All ways and I mean always turn up for the interview smartly dressed. This is an absolute must, the way you look portrays a lot about you. A scruffily dressed person portrays the image, that he or she can't be bothered and that is the impression that a prospective employer will pick up on in the interview process. If you can buy some new clothes and shoes for this purpose then do it, they don't have to be designer clothes, just neat and tidy. Pay a visit to the barbers or hair dressers and treat yourself to a haircut, and if you male don't forget to shave.
2 Be honest: The worst thing that you could possibly do in an interview is lie, well lie and then get caught out by the interview panel. Apart from making you look like a complete idiot it will blow your chances of getting that job that you have worked so hard to get, really it's not worth it. Some of these big corporate companies employee specially trained interviewers who are as sharp as a samurai sword and will catch you out if your not truthful. Always answer the interviewers questions as accurately and a truthfully as you possibly can. You will come across as a genuine person and the interviewer will appreciate your honesty, let's face it would you employ someone who is dishonest.
3 Be Prepared: Before you even think of entering the interview room, get yourself ready. Read through your CV and memorise it word for word. The interview panel will have a copy of your CV in front of them and will be drilling you on the information based on the details that it provides.  The interview team will be quizzing you, and if they ask you a question that is based on the information that you have supplied via your CV and you give them a wrong answer it will make you look like one of two things, a liar or a an idiot. Either way it will not do you any favours and will lessen your chances of getting the job.

 

Article source: articlebase.com

Interview Process Made Easy - A Step by Step Solution

The majority of us experience nervous before facing an interview. Why? This nervousness stalks from improbability. While little butterflies in the stomach are really good, since it remains us fully alert; extra fear will influence performance unenthusiastically. This alarm can be controlled by preparing well, and following the appropriate interview process.

An interview is a step by step process, one stair neatly following the other. Remain all the steps in mind, and there is nothing to panic the interview.
Here is a checklist, which catalogs down all the potential steps of an interview process in a trouble-free format. Now take a printout and go from side to side it before preparing for an interview-

• Do a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) study about yourself.
• Investigate the company. Go through its executive website, study it's once a year reports and talk to its past and present workers.
• Practice and perform a few frequent questions and their answers. The questions will consist of both what the board might pose you, and what you will inquire them when given a possibility.
• Prepare the interview with a friend, a assistant or a family member. observe before a mirror.
• Dress conventionally.
• Get there 15 minutes early.
• Mind your body language. Smile!
• Answer exactly and crisply. Don't just answer in a yes or no. stay away from verbosity.
• Be sincere and truthful in your answers.
• Continue you calm and self-assurance during the interview process. Don't get aggravated if an unambiguous offer is not made, or if a predictable salary is not discussed.
• In the end, inquire the questions that you had equipped beforehand. Even if the board does not inquire you whether you have any questions on your part (they usually do), you can still inquire the questions with their authorization. It will reveal your interest in the job.
• Instantaneously after the interview is over, list down the questions asked and your reply to them. Stay this as a future allusion for yourself.
• Write a short and specialized thank you letter and launch it to the interviewer within 24 hours of the interview.
• In case a suggestion is made, respond within the specified episode. If no time period is declared, 7-10 days is a sensible time. Construct a written respond; even of you do not admit the offer.
• In case of a unenthusiastic answer, do not mislay heart. Remain trying. Stay learning from your know-how, and get better the next time.

An interview is the majority vital part of the interview process . Yet, you can crack the interview process into simple steps, and endeavor them individually. This will greatly boost your chances of achievement in the interview. Follow the above checklist, and you cannot go wrong. Wish you all the best!

Article source: articlebase.com

Management Consulting - Worst Interview Mistakes

The worst thing you can do is give bland, generic answers to the interview questions.
If you do not give unique answers that impart a bit of your personality, the interviewer will simply think you are the kind of person who is not willing to put forth an effort.

First of all, let's discuss anecdotes. If you are not much of a consulting interviewee, you will fail to provide anecdotes. Here is an example.

What interests you about management consulting?
I like the intellectual challenge of the job. I also like to be able to work with ambitious, clever people solving difficult business problems.

That is a generic response. There is nothing personal about it - no story, no anecdote.
Do you understand the problem with this answer?

If you tell a little story or an anecdote about why you want to be a management consultant, it will stick out in the interviewer's mind. If you just give a run of the mill, plain answer, it will just blend in with all the other run of the mill plain answers. You won't get a job offer, and neither will anyone else who answered that way.
Once the consultants are done with interviews, they usually have a group discussion about the applicants. Applicants who leave a strong impression get discussed. Applicants that the interviewer can't remember don't. If the interviewer doesn't remember you, he won't have anything to say about you.
Here's how you can add an anecdote or a takeaway.

A takeaway is a conclusion. It is a lesson learned or a 20/20 hindsight. Call it what you may.
In the answer that was given, there was no takeaway. No conclusion was given.
So let's put in a takeaway, and you will see that just one sentence will make a big difference in the strength of the final response.

What is it about management consulting that interests you the most?
Ever since I did my internship in asset management, I have realized that it is important to me to work with a top-of-the-line team facing difficult business challenges. The people I worked with then really knew what they were doing, and I admired that. The work I did every day was a little dull, but I liked watching them. Now I know that if I want to get ahead in the business world, I will need to have work that challenges me and become a key member of a top-notch team like that.

Article Source: EzineArticles.com

Dressing for a Job Interview in Summer

Dressing for a job interview on a hot and humid day presents some challenges. How to feel comfortable and stay cool and unflustered while still presenting a professional and polished image when the temperatures are up in the 90s and it is sticky and sweaty? Follow these tips on how to dress for your interview when the heat is on:

Select the right interview clothes
You still need to look professional and poised whatever the weather. For men choose an unlined light wool suit that is made from super fine wool with a smooth weave. Wool absorbs perspiration helping you to stay dry and cool. As well as been the coolest choice it doesn't wrinkle like rayon and linen blends. Match you suit with a light colored crisp cotton dress shirt.  Manufactured fabrics are less breathable and tend to trap body heat making you feel sticky and sweaty.

For women a light wool skirt and blazer is also a good option. A linen suit absorbs humidity but if you have to travel any distance to your interview it is likely to get creased. In this case try a silk-linen mix which is crease resistant and cool. A percentage of lycra in the fabric also keeps the wrinkles away.  A crisp cotton shirt in white always looks light and airy. Remember that the arteries in your neck generate a lot of heat so avoid scarves or heavy necklaces in summer. Keep the top button of your shirt open. If the position is less corporate you could select a sleeveless dress with a light, matching jacket.

Avoid a wilting hairdo
Long hair can make you feel and look very hot when it clings to your neck and face. Keep your hair away from your face and off your neck. Choose a hairdo that is simple, secure and cool. Avoid an elaborate hairdo that is likely to result in stray pieces that stick to your neck and face in the heat. A low chignon always looks professional.
If you have short hair make sure that you don't have a fringe that hangs across your face, making you feel hot and uncomfortable. For men, shave closely and have a neat hair cut before the interview.

When dressing for a job interview in the summer months lighten up on your makeup. A fresh summer look means less heavy makeup and more natural shades. Avoid heavy eyeliner and dark shades.

Don't overdo the scent
While your personal hygiene should be good in hot weather don't overdo the fragrance. It is extremely uncomfortable to be sitting in a closed interview room with a candidate who has too much perfume or cologne on.
Men can use aftershave instead of cologne. It is much milder smelling. Be aware of other strong cosmetic smells like hair lotion or gel. Women should use their perfume moderately and apply it a good couple of hours before the interview. Don't overpower the interviewer with just applied perfume or deodorant.

Travel lightly
Stay cool and comfortable on your way to the interview. Take off your jacket for the journey to your interview, this will keep perspiration down and stop you from becoming overheated. 
If you are wearing heels, take them off and wear a comfortable pair of flats on your journey. Wearing comfortable shoes avoids arriving with swollen and sweaty feet and just makes you feel cooler. Slip your heels back on just before you arrive at your interview. Sprinkling your feet with foot powder before putting on your heels can keep them cool and dry.

Give yourself extra time, about 15 to 20 minutes, to cool down properly before your interview is due to begin. Go to the lobby bathroom or a nearby restaurant and take a breather. Take a few moist toilettes and freshen up before you slip your jacket back on. Wash and dry your hands well, you don't want to subject the interviewer to a sweaty, damp handshake. Check your hair and makeup.
Feel and look cool for your summer job interview. Arriving hot and flustered will make you feel uncomfortable and unprepared for getting the job you want. For some good ideas on dressing for a job interview go to Job Interview Attire


Article Source:articlesbase.com

Police Officer Oral Board Panel Interview Questions and Answers

If you want to become a cop unfortunately you'll have to face the oral board panel. You see you'll have to answer questions like "why do you want to become a police officer" or what's your biggest weakness/strengths. Those type questions shouldn't be hard to answer at all. The questions that are a bit tough are the scenario base questions.

Here's a typical scenario base question that you'll have to articulate to the panel your next course of action.
Sample interview question:
Q. You are on patrol responding to a fight in progress. Dispatch informed you that the complainant indicated that one of the males involved in the fight is extremely intoxicated, and is refusing to leave the bar. You arrive at the scene known as Terry's bar and tavern. You quickly assess the situation and notice that the fight has stopped prior to your arrival.

As you turn to leave, you notice a male subject to be screaming and yelling at the bartender. You approach the male, and informed him that he had to leave. The male refuse your verbal commands and stood in a fighting stance, while advancing towards you with his fist clinched. what would you do next?

A. Unholster your firearm and shoot the male
B. Engage the male physically and hope that you win the fight
C. Disengage the situation and walk back to your car until backup arrives
D. Verbally instruct the male to stop walking towards you, and have your non-lethal weapon (baton or taser) in hand.
The correct answer is D. You must give the male subject clear verbal commands to stop advancing towards you before escalating to the next level of force. In this case, you would not be justified in shooting the man as you have other non-deadly options like a baton or a taser at your disposal to subdue male.


Article Source: articlesbase.com

The DOs and DON'Ts Of A Successful Interview

Whether you're presenting a product, a company, your artwork or yourself, the words you chose, your tone, your delivery and how you carry yourself all play a part in how your message will be received. Although an interview on CNN or the Wall Street Journal is different than an interview for a new job, in essence the basics of effective communication remain the same. The following are some dos and don'ts to keep in mind before going on any interview:
DO: Know your message and how to articulate it. Plan this. You might have the best product or service; you could be the number one expert in your field, or you could be the perfect candidate for a particular job, but if you don't know how to articulate your message, you're in trouble.
DO: Learning effective interview skills is not only important for business owners who are trying to effectively present their company to the public via TV, print and radio interview; it's also a necessary skill for anyone who is going on a job interview, or hoping to move up the ladder within a company.
DON'T decide to go to an interview and wing it. DO: Prepare. Review two or three primary points that you want to get across during the interview and practice your delivery.
DON'T anticipate questions. DO: Wait until the question is asked and then respond.
DON'T approach an interview as a string of facts. DO: Listen.
DON'T try and force the information. DO: Weave your main points into the interview. Make it a conversation, not a monologue
DON'T slouch. DO be aware of how you are sitting or standing.
DON'T wait to bring up important information. DO: Lead with your most important information. Job interviews and media interviews can both be very short. If you don't lead with what's truly important, you could miss your chance.
DON'T tense up. DO: Relax; smile; breathe. People have a tendency to hold their breath when nervous; so remember to breathe.
DON'T answer a question you don't understand. DO INSTEAD: ask an interviewer to clarify a question if you're unsure about what's been asked. The last thing you want to do is give an answer to a question you don't fully understand.
DON'T ramble and get off point. DO: Keep your information short, concise, and to the point.
Whether you're going on a media interview, or trying to land that perfect job, keep these points in mind, prepare, relax, have fun - and nail it.

Article Source: EzineArticles.com