Interview

• Self Assessment
  
  
• CV Preparation
  
  
• Job Application
  
  
• References

Interview

• Preparation
  
  
• Selling Yourself
  
  
• Questions
  
  
• Do's
  
  
• Don't Do's

Preparation

• Research the employer and become familiar with the position for which you are interviewing.
• Determine your strengths or key selling points.
• Prepare questions to ask about areas that are unclear.
• Anticipate questions the interviewer may ask, including "What if?" questions.
• Role-play the interview.
• Practice speaking with confidence.
• Wear job-appropriate clothing, avoiding loud colours, excessive jewellery, and too much cologne. 
  Women: Avoid big earrings and things that jingle; avoid patterns and bright colours; keep make-up light and natural; hair should be kept neatly combed and not hanging in the face. 
  Men: Wear a suit with a white shirt neatly pressed; keep ties conservative; wear dark, over the calf socks that match the suit; clean shaven or neatly trimmed facial hair; make sure your shoes are clean and polished.
• Be punctual.

• Walk into the interview room confidently, greeting the interviewers and shake their hands firmly.

Selling Yourself

A job interview is like a sales presentation.  Good salespersons always begin their presentation by selling themselves before they start selling their services.   You can best achieve this by establishing a rapport verbally and non-verbally in the opening minutes by the following means:

• Giving a firm handshake;
• Establishing eye contact and smiling;
• Using the interviewer's name;
• Giving their undivided attention;
• Showing that you accept and respect the interviewer;
• Demonstrating respect for your employer and colleagues;
• Showing calmness and confidence;
• Looking the part and being well-groomed.

Interviewers like:

• Good Manner - polite, sincere and alert;
• Presentation - clear, concise and well prepared;
• Timekeeping - punctuality, and no time wasting;
• Knowledge - good knowledge of the company (both working in and applying for);
• Sensitivity to Needs - listening, and not trying to sell where there is no need;
• Appearance - smart, fresh, and clean appropriate dress.

Questions

Questions to prepare for:

• Tell me about yourself
• What do you know about our organisation?
• Why do you want to work for us?
• Why should we give you the job?
• What other jobs have you applied for?
• Why do you want to leave your current job?
• What was wrong with your current or last position?
• What do you look for in a (this) job?
• What skills and qualifications do you regard essential for success in the position you have applied for?
• Describe your management style?
• What are your best management skills?
• What do you believe to be the most difficult part of being a supervisor of people?
• Why are you looking for a new career? Or Why are you leaving your present job?
• How would your colleagues/boss describe you?
• How would you describe yourself?
• What do you think of your present or last last employer?
• What are the five most significant accomplishments in your previous job or career so far?
• What projects have you undertaken and whether they were successful or not?
• Can you work well under pressure?
• What are your career goals?
• What are your strong points?
• What are your weak points?

Questions to ask:

• The organisations short and long term objectives.
• In what ways has this organisation been most successful over the years?
• What advancement opportunities are available for the person who is successful in this position, and within what time frame?
• What are some of the objectives you would like to see accomplished in this job?
• What are the areas in which the organisation feels it needs to make improvements?
• What type of support does this position receive in terms of people, finances, etc.?
• Why is this position open?
• Where does the company think you could make effective contribution?

Do's

• Sit upright and look alert and interested.
• Maintain eye contact.
• Talk with pride, honesty, and confidence about your accomplishments, potential, interest, and commitment to the job.
• Convey a readiness to learn on the job.

Don't Do's

• Criticise former employers.
• Answer only yes/no to questions; poor self expression.
• Be late to the interview.
• Be overbearing, aggressive, conceited "know it all" complex.
• Put too much emphasis on money.
• Put too much emphasis about the next higher job.
• Give a weak, limp handshake.

info@academicjobs.co.uk