Self Improvement

Art Of Clearing Interviews

By : Pallavi Singh	Previous \| Next
Posted on : 21 Jan, 2006	Total Views : 438

Assess your strengths----
Assess your skills, and you will be able to identify your strengths. Make a list of your skills, dividing them into three categories as follows:
�Knowledge-based skills, acquired from education and experience, for example, computer proficiency, languages, degrees, training and technical ability.
�Transferable skills or your portable expertise that you gain from one job to another. These include, for instance, communication and people skills, analytical, problem-solving and planning skills.
�Personal traits - your unique qualities like being dependable, flexible, friendly, hard working, expressive, punctual and a team player.
�Once you have listed all your abilities, choose three to five of those strengths that match what the employer is seeking for the job in question. Make sure that you can cite specific examples, if probed further, to demonstrate why you claim a particular thing as your strength.

Identify your weaknesses----
Everyone has weaknesses, but who wants to admit them, especially in an interview? The best way to handle this question is to play down the characteristic and emphasize its positive aspect. Select a trait and come up with a solution to overcome your weakness. Avoid talking about your personal habits and concentrate more on the professional qualities you have. For example, you can say, "I pride myself on being a 'big picture' guy. I admit that I sometimes miss small details, but I always make sure that there's someone who is detail-oriented in my team."

Script your answers-----
Write a positive statement, which you can pronounce with confidence, something like, "My strength is my flexibility to handle change. As the customer service manager at my last job, I was able to turn around a negative work environment and develop a very supportive team. As regards weaknesses, I feel that my management skills could be stronger, and I am constantly working to improve them."
When confronted with the query, remember the interviewer is looking for a fit. He is building a picture of you based on your response. A single, poor answer will probably not keep you from landing the job, unless of course it is something blatant. Put your energy into your strengths statement - what you have to offer to the prospective employer. Then, let the interviewer know that although you may not be perfect, you are working on any shortcoming you might have.

Job interview basics--------
Dos
Don'ts
Qualities the interviewer is probably seeking
First interview
Before the interview
Interview after job loss
D-day

Dos
�Be sure you know where exactly the place of interview is and how long it takes to get there.
�Arrive about 10 minutes early. Late arrival for a job interview is never excusable.
�Do your research and know the type of interview you will be facing.
�Prepare and practice for the interview, but don't memorize or over-rehearse your answers.
�Bring in extra resumes to the interview. If you have a job skills portfolio, even better!
�Greet the interviewer(s) by title (Ms., Mr., Dr.) and last name if you are sure of the pronunciation. If you're not sure, ask the receptionist about the pronunciation before going into the interview.
�Wait until you are offered a chair before sitting. Remember right body language and posture: sit upright and look alert and interested at all times.
�Make good eye contact with your interviewer(s).
�Make sure that your good points come across to the interviewer in a factual, sincere manner confidently.
�Show what you can do for the company rather than what the company can do for you.

Don'ts
�Don't rely on your application or resume for selling yourself. No matter how qualified you are for the position, you need to sell yourself to the interviewer.
�Don't fidget or slouch or tell jokes during the interview.
�Don't smoke, even if the interviewer does and offers you a cigarette. And don't smoke beforehand so that you smell like smoke.
�Don't be soft-spoken. A forceful voice projects confidence.
�Don't act as though you would take any job or are desperate for employment.
�Don't say anything negative about former colleagues, supervisors, or employers.
�Don't ever lie. Answer questions truthfully, frankly and succinctly. And don't over-answer questions.
�Describe those things about yourself that showcase your talents, skills, and determination. Give examples.
�Don't bring up or discuss personal issues/ family problems.
�Don't respond to an unexpected question with an extended pause or by saying something like, �Boy, that's a good question.� You can repeat the question out loud or ask for the question to be repeated to give you a little more time to think about an answer. Also, a short pause before responding is okay.
�Don't answer cell phone calls during the interview, turn off (or set to silent ring) your cell phone and/or pager.
�Don't inquire about salary, vacations, bonuses, retirement, or other benefits until after you've received an offer. Be prepared for a question about your salary requirements, but try and delay salary talk until you have an offer.

FOLLOW THESE STEPS AND I'M SURE YOU WILL CRACK THE INTERVIEW..
ALL THE BEST..

Written By : Pallavi Singh

Visit personal website of Pallavi Singh

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