The Interview

This is the 'make or break' stage. !ts also the most demanding and potentially the most difficult.
There are three stages Preparation, Performance and Follow up.
Prepurution
Cuidelines
ou must research the organization, the job and if possible the person who will interview you.

ou should also research the industry/sector in which then organization operates.

ou should practice before the interview.
Tips for an interview
1. o your research on the organization as you did when you were considering where to
apply but do much more and do some of it again things will have changed. Update
you file/dossier.
2. Cet both objective and subjective information.
3. Cet uptodate information eg from the press. Read the main sources of info right up
to the time you have the interview ( up to date 'snippets' will impress at the interview).
4. Cet a friend to simulate the interview with you before you go ie to ask you some
questions ( see below).
S. Set yourself some goals for the interview eg some key points you want to get across.
6. Re read your Covering letter and Resume before, and take them with you.
&ome questions to be prepared for:
1. hat are you reading at present?
(Say you have read XX books on your Program. Say what papers/journals you read
regularly. Say that for leisure when you have time you read 'whatever').
here do you want to be in X years?
(Be ambitious but realistic. Refer to continual development. on't give the impressions
that you will be difficult to satisfy/handle/manage).
2. hat are your strengths?
(on't be vague. Link your strengths to your achievements. !f necessary refer to generic
things such as energy, commitment, ambition, resilience, determination, adaptability
but don't produce a long list).
3. hat are your weaknesses?
(Have some minor ones to refer to but do not bare your soul. on't go into detail
unless you a have to. on't elaborate. Nake sure the weaknesses will not be seen as
disadvantages in the job. Be prepared for the questions how important are they and
what are you going to do about them? Say its important that people recognise their
weaknesses then they can do something about them. Say you will expect to continue
to develop and learn from your experiences. on't give the impression that you will want
to go on lots of courses).
4. hy do you want this job?
(Refer to what you think you can achieve and what it can do for you).
S. hy should we hire you?
(Say that the only reason you want them to hire you is that they believe you are the
best person for the job).
6. Cive me three recent major achievements
(Have this answer ready but give the impression of having to think back then give
the examples. Be specific say what you achieved and in what circumstances and with
what obstacles. Say why you were pleased with what you did).
7. hat is your management style?
(!t probably does not matter what your style is providing you have one. The question
is probably to see what you know about yourself. on't use jargon. on't quote text
books. !f you feel that the organization has a particular style/culture describe yourself
in a way that will fit. Use general terms eg your openness, energy etc. Avoid phrases
like 'lead from the front'. on't describe yourself in an inappropriate way. For example if
you are in for a middle management job don't refer to your strategic thinking.).
8. hat do you know about this organization?
(Tell them you have done your research point to your file/dossier).
3. hat do you look for when you hire people?
(!f you have experience of this refer to specific situations . Nake the point that different
types of people do well in different types of role. on't give the impression that you only
value people like yourself. Refer to generic things ambition, energy, commitment,
flexibility ).
10.How would someone you know describe you?
(Again mention some of the characteristics you have used to describe yourself before
but add two or three personal things eg sense of humour, supportiveness etc).
11.How do you spend your spare time?
(!f you are currently doing an NBA say you have no spare time. !f you would normally
do any of the following mention them sport or other things to keep you fit, Culture,
community work ).
12.hat makes a job enjoyable for you?
(Refer to evident achievement, personal development, the people you work/interact with
and being associated with a respected an successful organiszation).
13.hy are you doing/did you do an NBA?
(Speak briefly about the need for challenge, the benefits of working with different
people, the importance of a rigorous approach, personal development etc. on't give
the impression that the NBA gives you answers but rather that it develops your
confidence etc).
PerIormunce
Cuidelines
ou should be yourself in the interview don't pretend, don't try to be someone different.

ou should try to be relaxed but not casual.
Tips
1. ress smart and formal.
2. Be spontaneous don't try to have scripted answers.
3. Try not to appear nervous or shy remember if you have got this far the organization
is interested in you.
4. Be the first to say 'hello' when you go in.
S. Take you file/dossier don't spread it out on the desk but let it be seen.
6. on't be presumptious on't refer to 'we' as if you were a part of the organization
already.
7. !f given the opportunity to ask questions ask one at most. Nake it simple and have it
ready. on't pull out a long list.
8. atch for non verbal cues, make eye contact, lean forward, look interested, be
enthusiastic.
3. Ask for clarification of any question you do not understand.
10.on't be critical of a previous employer or person.
&alary Questions
on't get into a lengthy discussion about money. Attempt to postpone a discussion on salary till
a later stage 'when you would have a better understanding of the requirements of the job' etc.
!f necessary ask what the normal/expected salary range is for the job.

However be clear about your previous salary and have a salary range in mind for this job eg
' ! believe that the normal salary range for the type of job ! understand to be available would
be '
ollow op
Always follow up the interview irrespective of how it ended. rite to/Email the person who
interviewed you within 24 hours (letter) or 48 hours (E mail). Try to choose the method of
communication to suit the company (use E mail if they have E mailed you or if they have given
you an E mail address). Be sure to have the right name and job title.
Tips
O Be brief and polite.
O on't appear 'pushy' or impatient.
O Thank them for the interview.
O on't send multiple , identical notes if you were interviewed by more than one person
send one to the person who was in charge.
O !f you were not rejected on the day say that you will be happy to provide any further
information that might be required.
O













O What do you consider your most significant weaknesses?
O I have never enjoyed this question as it basically forces you to tell the
interviewer something negative about yourself. Don't feel the need to
reveal deep character flaws, but tell the interviewer you have a few faults
that you are working to improve and then give a few examples. A good
way to turn this question around and turn a weakness into a strength is
the best way to answer this question. Don't actually tell the interviewer
that you have a problem; though we all have something wrong with us,
but don't come right out and say it as it will sound like a weakness and a
reason not to hire you.
O est answer:
O . "I pay close attention to details which does result in a higher quality of
work and saves additional time down the road, though it does take more
time up front and sometimes overtime."
O . "I am a person who likes to meet deadlines and deliver what I promise
and sometimes I can get a little frustrated with my fellow co-workers if
I'm waiting on them in the last hour before something is due."
O Every Question Is ExpIained -- Then Shows
The Best Answer
It's Like Knowing AII The Answers Before A Test
O What do you consider your most significant strengths?
O %his is another top question that you can surely expect to hear in any
interview. Prepare yourself and make sure you can rattle off three to five
of your strengths as it relates to your past or present job, work
experience, and the requirements for the job for which you are
interviewing. %hough it's something to be proud of, they don't want to
hear what a wonderful mom you are or what a good basketball player
you are. Be prepared and know your strengths and don't tell the
interviewer that you don't have any, even if you don't. Relate your
strengths to the job for which you are applying.
O est answer:
O . "I have a solid background in Accounts Receivables, great problem
solving abilities and I get things done with little direction." And then
elaborate a bit on your specific skills, but don't turn this answer into a
book. Keep it short and move on.
O . "I have great communication skills and can work with many different
types of people of varying personalities and skill levels. I am motivated,
disciplined, and focused and am determined to get my job done well and
on time."
O . "I meet deadlines. I deliver what I promise. As a result, I've always
made my managers look good."
O By Using The Answers In This Guide
You WiII Be More Prepared Than 489 Everyone EIse
O ow do you get along with different types of people?
O %he workplace is loaded with a variety of different people with varying
personalities and the interviewer wants to know how you think you will fit
in. You want to show the interviewer that it does not matter what kind of
people you work with - just that work gets done. %his shows the
interviewer that you are more concerned with outcomes than
personalities.
O est answer:
O . "I work well with anyone who delivers what they promise."
O . "I have always been able to get along with anyone. It does not matter
how difficult some of my co-workers can be, I've always managed to get
along with them. I even manage to get along with those that I don't
work with on a daily basis. Getting along with others simply boils down to
personality. When you can understand and recognize other personality
types, other than your own, getting along becomes that much easier. I
may not get it right on the first try, but once I learn more about that
person and discover their hot buttons, I won't have any problems."