How to face a job interview?

By Dita Indra Febryanti, S. Pd., M. Han.

CV
Content Format Guide: 4 Steps
1. Contact information

2. Find out to whom you’re writing (Dear Sir/Madame)

3. Introduce yourself:
Begin by telling the employer the position you are applying for and how
you learned about the opportunity.
The rest of this paragraph should briefly present basic info about
yourself, including: degree, area of study/expertise, and your career goals
in terms of how they align with the goals of the company
4. The second paragraph: Describe how your previous job
experiences, skills, and abilities will allow you to meet
the company’s needs. To make that easier, you can literally
include words and phrases from the job description in your
cover letters.
5. Do some research: In a third paragraph, explain how you can
fit into that schema, and help push the company forward
and achieve any goals you suspect they may have.
6. The final paragraph is called the “call to action.” Inform
them that you’d love to get interviewed. Tell them that you’ll
be in contact with them in a week if you don’t hear back.
Thank them for spending the time to read your letter.
EXAMPLE
Interviewer’s Worst Fear
1. If hired, you’ll be incompetent. Or, you’ll need too much
time to learn the job.
2. You won’t take your work seriously and someone must
constantly check your work.
3. That you’ll be lazy, giving only the minimum effort and
have to be told when to do everything.
4. That you’ll frequently call in sick, arrive late, leave early
and constantly ask for raises.
5. That you’re a constant complainer, a braggart, or
someone who blames others for your mistakes, sloppy
work, etc.
6. That you’re arrogant, rude, pushy, broody, or moody.
7. That you show no pride in your work or appearance.
 Interview Strategy
 Have advance knowledge of the company and the
answers to the “Fear Factor” questions.
 Know what the interviewer is asking and trying to
discover about you.
 Be prepared to convince the interviewer you can
accomplish his three goals: 1) you can do the job, 2)
you will do the job, 3) you will get along with other
employees.
 Most interviews are pleasant and friendly. Try to enjoy
it.
 Knock Their Socks Off
 You only have seconds to make your best impression.
 It’s all about connecting; bond with people in order to put them
at ease.You’ll be more socially desirable.
 It starts from the time you first see someone (30 seconds).
 A first impression is an emotional, not a rational reaction.

Make eye contact at least half to 2/3
of the time. Not every so often.
Smile, even if not in mood. Fake
social generosity.
Be careful about oversharing, i.e.
disclosing too much.
Check your impulse to use other
person’s name repeatedly. Never use
first name in interview.
Radiate accessibility. Show interest in
others.
Match speech cadence to other
person. Listen closely.
Common Questions/ Answers
 Tell me about yourself.
 Highlight your background as
it relates to particular job.
 In what ways will your
education or training help
you in this position?
 Demonstrate your capacity
to make practical application
of formal knowledge &
training.
 Why did you specialize in
your particular field?
 Solicits clues about basic
value system.
 Tell me about a problem you
solved on your previous job.
 Provide information that
includes problems you have
handled, actions you have
taken and the results-
premise that past behavior
predicts future behavior.
 Do you prefer to work alone,
or do you to prefer to work
as part of a group?
 Double-edged sword; work
alone could be self starter,
work in group could be team
player. Stress both attributes.
Common Questions/ Answers
 What do you know about  In a job, what interests you
our company? most/least?
 Use company research.  Relate to the position
 Why are you interested in  Give me one good reason I
working for this company? should hire you.
 Relate your skills to what  What would you most like to
you know about the improve about yourself?
company.
 How does this position fit
into your future plans?
 Where do you see yourself
in three years?
 Demonstrate ambition,
potential and flexibility.
 Strengths and Weaknesses
Strengths
 Identify your key strengths
related to job description
 Provide evidence of strength
utilization (as demonstrated
in major contributions, job
success)
Pretend you’re the
employer, what qualities
match job demands.
Weaknesses - probing
 technical shortcomings
(knowledge & skills to
perform job)
 interpersonal shortcomings
(ability to relate to others)
 personal shortcomings
(personal traits that influence
your effectiveness)
Weakness control: turn
into positive
3-4 weaknesses
What are your strengths and weaknesses?
 If you're applying for a leadership position, it's important to
emphasize your leadership qualities and your self-reliance. A
good strength might be, "I'm good at communicating my vision
to people and getting others excited about a common goal." A
good weakness might be, "I have to remember to slow down
and take on one project at a time. Sometimes I want to do too
much."[1]
 If you're applying for an entry-level position, the interviewer
won't be looking for you to prove leadership credentials. A
good strength might be, "I follow directions extremely well and
I'm a fast learner. If I don't know how to do something, I'm
always keen to learn and improve, so I won't have to ask
twice." A good weakness might be, "I'm not always the best
idea person, I'm mostly happy to help other people implement
their ideas."
Why should I hire you?
Marketing about yourself
Tell me what you know about the company
Your Questions
 What qualifications does
your ideal candidate need?
 What are the opportunities
for personal growth? Or If
you were to offer me this
job, where could I expect to
be in 5 years?
 What are the plans of the
company for the future?
 How would someone with
my background fit into the
company plan?
??
 Is there a career path? Or
Where can I go from here,
assuming that I perform the
job’s responsibilities?
 What is the overall
structure of the
department where this
position is located?
 What are some of the
challenges and priorities of
the company?
 What do you visualize as
the major opportunity
areas for this position?
 Tips
 Bathe and use deodorant-antiperspirant before
the interview.
 Bring only essential items to the interview (resume, references,
portfolio, datebook, transcripts of college work, licenses, etc.).
Organize items so can refer to them readily in interview.
 Know location of office and how to get there. Make a trial trip
getting to the interview.
 Arrive 15 minutes early for actual interview.
 Be pleasant, polite and friendly but businesslike to everyone you
meet, including office staff.
 Check your appearance before going in.
 If you have bad breath, take a breath mint.
 Professional Dressing
Dress Up even if Casual Environment

For women For men

 Wear a suit, skirt and tailored
jacket, dress with sleeves, or dress
with jacket in conservative style,
color and fabric. Be feminine, but
business-like. Do not dress sensually
unless sex appeal is part of the job.
 Hair in conservative style; nails
manicured, short to mid-length,
clear or light color polish.
 Keep make-up and accessories to
minimum; less is more.
 Wear a suit, blue or gray, in
conservative style. Blazer, slacks
and shirt with collar but w/o tie
are acceptable in few instances.
Freshly pressed.
 Shirts solid color; ties
conservative.
 Eliminate earrings, flashy jewelry
or strong after-shave.
 Conservative style hair, beard.
 Dress style shoes, polished and
repaired.
 After the Interview
 Review & analyze your performance. Take notes, modify
any items to improve your next interview.
 Send a thank you note to the manager immediately
after the interview. Don’t put this off!
 Make a return visit or a telephone call two or three
days after your interview.
 Reintroduce yourself and remind which job you interviewed for.
 Add any additional thoughts you may not have covered when
interviewed.
 Emphasize your strengths for the job.
 Find out if a hiring decision has been made. If decision has been
made and you’re not it, ask for suggestions for creating a better
impression.
 Thank the interviewer for speaking to you & for his time.
 100 Marion Street
Liberty, MO 64068
816-792-2000
March 17, 2010

Dr. Richard Lambert, Recruiter

One World Center
2000 Liberty Street
New York, NY 10281

Dear Dr. Lambert:

Thank you so much for meeting with me to review and discuss my skills for the exercise
specialist position. I enjoyed learning more about your company and plans for the future.

The position sounds very interesting, particularly since it would be an opportunity for me to use
my skills in designing sound individual exercise prescriptions and administering safe, specific
activity programs. I am eager to develop and deliver exercise programs to your clients.

Dr. Lambert, I want this job. I can quickly become a member of your team if you’ll give me a
chance. If I may, let me call you in a few days to see if you have reached a decision favorable to
both of us. I look forward to talking with you. Thank you again for your consideration.

Sincerely,

(written signature)

Cynthia L. Smith
How to write a CV
 https://www.wikihow.com/Write-a-CV-(Curriculum-Vitae)