Interview Tips & Questions
HOW TO WIN THE BEST JOBS!
Wise candidates are savvy researchers. They have given substantial thought to what job they want and position themselves well to secure the best opportunities.
THE BEST RESUMES
Your resume is your ultimate marketing tool. It is important to know exactly what you are marketing and selling. It is vital you have a thorough understanding of your skills, knowledge, experience and achievements. You need to be able to articulate clearly you have what it takes to be a top achiever. When writing your resume remember to put yourself in the employers shoes. They want to know what you can offer them, not what they can offer you. Once you are through the interview stage and the client wants you, that is the time for the employer to sell themselves to you!
Make sure you research the job and identify the selection criteria. Once identified make sure you match your skills against the job requirements. Always ensure you have a "Key Achievements" section after each job you have had. This area should highlight areas like where you have either saved increased profitability, saved the company money, improved productivity or come up with great ideas that have assisted the company. These are particularly successful when you can quantify your achievements in either $ or %. Don't forget small achievements can also save companies lots of money, so don't undersell yourself.
RESEARCH PRIOR TO YOUR INTERVIEW
Prior to your interview don't forget to do your research. This will help you stand out from other candidates. This can be as simple as searching for the company name on Google. You will be surprised how much information you can obtain!
PRESENTATION AND INTERPERSONAL SKILLS COUNT
Arrive early for your interview. Do a search on www.whereis.com.au to find out how far away the interview location is and how long it will take. Even go for a drive the day before if you are nervous to make sure you arrive well ahead of your scheduled interview time.
DRESS APPROPRIATELY
If you are going for a corporate or professional job, make sure you wear a suit and tie. If you are going for a role with an industrial company or labouring job, this is offen inappropriate. It's always best to check prior to the interview with the employer if you are uncertain. They will be impressed you have taken the initiative to ask. Make sure your clothes are neatly pressed, hair tidy and if your a male, that you are clean shaven (unless you have a mostache or beard of course)
FIRST IMPRESSIONS
Make sure you make eye contact and shake the hand of each person interviewing you, often there will be more than one interviewer. Don't let this throw you. When you are introduced, smile and shake each person's hand firmly. No one likes a limp hand shake, nor do they like their hand crushed... there is a happy medium.
THE BEST JOBS ARE WON OR LOST AT INTERVIEWS
Make sure you are prepared for those tricky interview questions. Stick to what has been asked and tackle the hard questions the right way. Here are three important tips:
Answer only the question that is asked: Do not give any extra information until you are sure that it will help. More opportunities are lost in interviews by giving too much information than giving too little. When you have answered a question, stop. Don't elaborate too much or ramble. Avoid giving boring details, determine prior to the interview what experience you have that is really relevant to the role and if the opportunity arises bring this up at the relevant time.
Prepare for unexpected, embarrassing or difficult questions: The more embarrassing a question is, the shorter your answer should be. For example if you are asked why you are leaving your current job be brief. Do not put down your employer or waste valuable interview time with negatives because they will always go against you. People like to employ likeable positive people. Negativity will go against you.
TIPS ON HOW TO ANSWER THE 64 MOST DIFFICULT QUESTIONS
Click on this link to visit one of the most valuable sites you should visit before any interview. We believe this site should be mandatory! It will give you the answers to the 64 most difficult, commonly asked interview questions. If you master these you will be well prepared for any interview!
http://dev.fyicentre.com/Interview-Questions/Sixty-Four/index.html
