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Interview Basics: The Twelve Commandments
Twelve key points to bear in mind in order to transform your hard-won job interview to a lucrative offer.
Below are twelve key points to bear in mind in order to transform your hard-won job interview to a lucrative offer.
1. Practice
The importance of practice and preparation cannot be emphasized enough. Generally, a jobhunter is much more versed in the fine art of interviewing if they have been out looking for jobs and interviewing for a while; it is critical however for newcomers to the interviewing scene to know what to expect, how best to behave in an interview setting and how to answer the questions in a manner that reflects on them most positively. Read the current literature on interview trends, prepare answers to the most common interview questions and perhaps rehearse by having a friend or better still, a peer in the industry conduct a realistic mock interview and analyze your conduct and answers. You should know your CV inside out and be able to answer any questions that relate to it without hesitation. Job descriptions for a given role are key wellsprings of information on the skills required - aim to present each and every one of these required skills in a personal skills inventory as you answer the interview questions.
2. Have the company, industry and product line well researched
You are much more likely to impress and convince the employer of your unique suitability for the job if you are intimately familiar with the company, its position in the industry, its product lines and what may be required for a candidate in your role. Once you can see yourself as part of a "big picture" you can better formulate your answers, prepare your skills inventory and formulate your success stories as they directly relate to the company's requirements.
3. Arrive early
Respect the interviewer's time. Aim to arrive 15 minutes early and busy yourself with the company or industry literature while you wait. You can also use the time to go over your CV and answers you have prepared so you feel more relaxed and in control during the interview. If disaster strikes and you are running late, make sure to call the interviewer to inform them.
4. Be aware of the importance of first impressions
As you have heard a myriad times before, you will not get a second chance to make a first impression so make sure your first impression conveys a successful, enthusiastic, well-mannered professional who will be an asset to the team. Smile and shake hands firmly when you meet the interviewer and be aware that over 60% of the cues being communicated to the interviewer are non-verbal cues. Watch your body language, gestures and tone of voice and bear in mind that the manner in which you are conveying information may be as important as what you are saying. Stay calm and focused and demonstrate self-confidence and professionalism in your answers and how you deliver them. Your attire MUST be professional and you must be well-groomed for your interviews, it is far better to err on the conservative side than to arrive dressed in a slovenly manner and communicate a complete disregard and disrespect for industry norms and the company culture.
5. Keep your answers brief and to the point
Answer the questions directed at you in a precise and succinct manner and make sure you do not ramble or get carried away on an irrelevant and inconsequential tangent. The more you get carried away on a given question the more likely you are to slip up and communicate weaknesses or factoids that are best not brought to bear at the interview stage. Demonstrate clarity of mind and thought process by making your answers simple and to the point - this does not however involve killing the conversation flow with yes/no answers. Aim to keep the conversation going on a pleasant professional respectful tone with answers that illustrate your strengths and experience and keep the intervi ewer excited to learn more.
6. Bring to bear facts and data from your past experiences to support your answers
Make sure to support all your answers with accurate facts and figures to gain credibility with the interviewer and show you have a keen eye for the bottom line. Expound in detail on targets achieved or overachieved and talk about measurable milestones and contributions to the bottom line whether they be in terms of money made, money saved, losses averted or otherwise. Be very specific about your skills and describe past success stories that support them in accurate, quantifiable detail.
7. Know your strengths and make sure you communicate them at least once
The interviewer is looking to hire a winner who has had a record of achieving success in a similar capacity in the past. Be prepared to elaborate on past successes that bear in a direct manner on the present job and show how those experiences are directly relevant to the role, responsibilities and skillset required for the present job. Keep in mind that the employer is looking to minimize his/her risk by hiring a candidate who has excelled in a similar or identical role in the past and can brings these skills to bear on the present job. Even if your past job was very different than the present one, you will be able to come up with success stories that relate directly to the job requirements in that they highlight key skills or character traits whether they be creativity, initiative, problem-solving acumen, sales skills, negotiation skills, communication skills etc.
8. Do not dwell on weaknesses or personal matters
Two areas that have no place during the interview stage are your weaknesses and your personal life. Avoid talking about personal matters and answer any question on weaknesses with either a brief explanation of what area you would like to further develop your skills in or by reiterating a key strength of yours that you perhaps take too far. The first shows you know what key skill you need further work on and are willing to take action on it and the second approach reiterates a key point of strength. You may also mention a weakness that is completely unrelated to the position at hand eg if you are applying for a creative role in and advertising agency you can mention that your accounting or investment management skills are not your strongest point and you are much more comfortable in a creative role. Whatever you do don't open a can of worms and torpedo your chances of securing the job by dwelling on real weaknesses and shortcomings that directly relate to your ability to excel at the job.
9. Ask questions
Have a list of questions prepared beforehand that are designed to impress the employer and show that you are familiar with current company/industry issues. An appropriate line of questioning can make for excellent conversation and will leave the employer with the impression that you have done your due diligence and researched the company and industry thoroughly. Do not ask about salary and vacations at the early interview stages.
10. Talk like an insider
If you have researched the company, industry and product lines thoroughly you will be able to talk like an insider and impress with your insider's insight on relevant issues. Keep the conversation flow fluid and informative by bringing up facts you have learned about the company and its products and competitors and show how you, armed with your unique skillset and experiences, can positively impact the bottom line.
11. Do not discuss salary too early
Asking about salary too early in an interview will make you appear mercenary. A potential employer will look for enthusiasm for the job itself, not just the salary on offer. Most serious companies will have a formal wage structure - so don't be afraid to ask about it at the appropriate time. Prior research into realistic salary expectations will also help avoid embarrassment.
12. Do not overpromise
Don't promise what you are not in a position to deliver. Your over confidence will eventually catch you out, with potentially serious consequences, should you actually get the job. Promote your skills enthusiastically but stick to the facts.
This article and all other intellectual property on Bayt.com is the property of Bayt.com. Reproduction of this article in any form is only permissible with written permission from Bayt.com.
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Reader Comments
شكرا نصائح سديدة ومجهود مشكور شكــــــــــــــــــــــــــــــــــــــــــــــــرا
Mon 28-Sep-2009 10:49 AM - Report Inappropriate Comment
شكرا جميعا على مجهودكم
Fri 18-Sep-2009 16:42 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
أشكر لكم مجهودكم المبارك
Sat 12-Sep-2009 11:57 AM - Report Inappropriate Comment
نصائح غاليه وفي غاية الأهميه ..الله يعطيكم العافيه
Thu 03-Sep-2009 05:28 AM - Report Inappropriate Comment
ما شاء الله نصائح غاية الروعة بارككم الله وعافاكم وأتمني لكم دوام الإزدهار والتقدم وشكرا جزيلا على هذه النصائح القيمة
Mon 17-Aug-2009 21:11 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
Thanks alot for the article
Sat 15-Aug-2009 12:28 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
شكرا كتير على النصائح الجميله
Mon 27-Jul-2009 20:51 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
فعلا معلومات مهمة جدا شكرا بيت دوت كوم على المجهود الرائع وتزويدنا بكل هذه النصائح
Sun 19-Jul-2009 06:14 AM - Report Inappropriate Comment
شكرا بيت كوم علي هذا الموقع الفريد وارجو مساعدتي في الحصول علي فرصتي
Sat 18-Jul-2009 11:02 AM - Report Inappropriate Comment
ربنا يستر ادعوا لى بالتوفيق لى ولكم ان شاء الله شكرا بيت
Mon 29-Jun-2009 17:13 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
than s alot
Fri 26-Jun-2009 03:13 AM - Report Inappropriate Comment
شكرا بيت كوم
Thu 11-Jun-2009 19:02 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
Thanks Alot, جزاكم الله خيرا
Sun 07-Jun-2009 16:15 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
thank you very much it is important informations which give us confidence during interviews.
Sat 30-May-2009 21:36 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
السلام عليكم نصائح جيدة جزيتم خيراً هل يمكن عرض اجابات لائقة لبعض اسئلة المقابلات الشائعة بعيداً عن الجانب المهني وشكراً
Wed 27-May-2009 21:45 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
hi all at bayt.com I have an interview for teaching out side my country,please can you provide me a sample of questions with their answers for teaching interviews??? thank you in advance
Thu 14-May-2009 08:54 AM - Report Inappropriate Comment
شكرا على هذه المعلومات الدقيقة لكن ارجو ان يرد على اى شخص و يقول لماذا اللغة الانجليزية اهم شىء بالنسبة للوظائف و نحن فى دول عربية وندرس اللغة العربية من صغرنا
Wed 01-Apr-2009 00:24 AM - Report Inappropriate Comment
سلام الله عليكم في كل مرة اتفاجئ بسحر عطائكم ونصائحكم القيمة و النافعة و المجدية لكم جزيل الشكر
Thu 26-Mar-2009 16:27 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
من الطبيعي أن يصدر من خبراء أسرة بيت كوم كل هذه الآراء التي طرحتمونها لكم جزيل الشكر مسبقا على الإضافات التي تضيفونها وأتمنى أن تبقى ثقتي بكم ثقة دائمة لاتتغير مع كامل الحب والتقدير .
Sun 22-Mar-2009 23:16 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
Merci pour vos précieures informations et bon courage.
Sun 08-Mar-2009 17:22 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
السلام عليكم و رحمة الله و بركاته أشكركم جزيل الشكر على المعلومات القيمة و بارك الله فيكم
Sun 08-Mar-2009 10:29 AM - Report Inappropriate Comment
نشكركم جزيل الشكر على هده الخدمة
Wed 04-Mar-2009 16:41 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
Thanks a lot for valuable advice.
Thu 26-Feb-2009 19:46 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
thx for the advice this is really helpfull
Thu 12-Feb-2009 08:56 AM - Report Inappropriate Comment
النصائح مفيدة ، ورائعة ، جزاكم الله الف خير ، والي الأمام إنشاءالله .
Thu 25-Dec-2008 09:18 AM - Report Inappropriate Comment
its great information for all
Mon 22-Dec-2008 00:14 AM - Report Inappropriate Comment
Already I am experienced. But any how these points are very useful for me in my future.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
Tue 16-Dec-2008 05:34 AM - Report Inappropriate Comment
All points are infact the key to success. Everyone should read it carefully and implement on own personality ...
Tue 09-Dec-2008 13:36 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
Great advice...These commandments can really make a difference in an interview
Sun 07-Dec-2008 16:41 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
it's excellent advices plz we need more from such information , thank's alot.
Sat 06-Dec-2008 11:42 AM - Report Inappropriate Comment
thanks fo these comments.This will be helpfull at the time of attending an interview.
Thu 04-Dec-2008 12:23 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
نصائح مفيدة والله يجزاكم بالخير.
Sat 22-Nov-2008 05:25 AM - Report Inappropriate Comment
نصائح مفيدة جداً ، واتمنى المزيد،ودائماً تطلعاتكم رائدة . تحياتي وتقديري ،،،
Thu 20-Nov-2008 05:14 AM - Report Inappropriate Comment
It's very much timely for my upcoming interview, Thank you very much for the pointers.
Sun 16-Nov-2008 07:21 AM - Report Inappropriate Comment
Thank you so much for this very important information
Wed 12-Nov-2008 11:16 AM - Report Inappropriate Comment
impressive, thanks
Tue 11-Nov-2008 09:44 AM - Report Inappropriate Comment
thank'sssss
Sat 08-Nov-2008 09:32 AM - Report Inappropriate Comment
Thanks For your recommendations I'll take it in my consideration in all my interviews
Sat 08-Nov-2008 07:35 AM - Report Inappropriate Comment
هو ده المنتظر من فريق عمل بيت. كوم ربنا يوفقكم جزاكم الله خيرا
Sun 02-Nov-2008 23:11 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
مقال ممتاز شكرا ليك
Mon 27-Oct-2008 20:13 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
جميله جداا هذه النصائح
Mon 20-Oct-2008 20:42 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
merci bq
Mon 20-Oct-2008 20:07 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
نصائح مفيدة جدا جدا وربنا يوفق الجميع
Sun 19-Oct-2008 16:40 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
Thank you for your valuable advises
Wed 15-Oct-2008 09:46 AM - Report Inappropriate Comment
so nice thank u for ur efforts
Wed 08-Oct-2008 11:08 AM - Report Inappropriate Comment
بصرحة جدا ممتازة ومشكور على الجهد
Tue 23-Sep-2008 07:39 AM - Report Inappropriate Comment
نصائح مفيدة للمبتدئين في البحث عن عمل , شكرا جزيلا متمنياتي للجميع بالتوفيق.
Wed 10-Sep-2008 23:56 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
مشكور اخى وفعلا كل ما سبق فعلا صحيح
Mon 01-Sep-2008 21:56 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
thanx for giving us golden advices to polish overslves for interview. thanx a lot
Thu 28-Aug-2008 03:02 AM - Report Inappropriate Comment
نصايح ثمينه جدا شكر جزيلا للكاتب وجزاك الله خير
Wed 27-Aug-2008 02:46 AM - Report Inappropriate Comment
شكرا جزيلا على هذه النصائح القيمة، و نتطلع للمزيد منكم كما عودتمونا، و بالتوفيق دائما
Thu 21-Aug-2008 04:13 AM - Report Inappropriate Comment
Thanks you for this advice, this is very important to us to get a good interview end get the first impression for the interviewer.
Tue 12-Aug-2008 09:16 AM - Report Inappropriate Comment
شكراااااااااااااا نصائح ضروريه جدا
Fri 01-Aug-2008 12:22 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
لكم جزيل الشكر والموقع ممتاز ومتكامل ويوجد فيه كل ما يلزم للباحث عن عمل
Wed 23-Jul-2008 05:58 AM - Report Inappropriate Comment
نشكركم على اهتمامكم
Wed 16-Jul-2008 02:17 AM - Report Inappropriate Comment
Dear Bayt.com what about telephone interviews? Beacuse for overseas applicants this is the first stage
Sun 06-Jul-2008 07:36 AM - Report Inappropriate Comment
thanks for this golden advices
Thu 26-Jun-2008 23:58 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
نصائح غاليه وفي غاية الأهميه ..الله يعطيكم العافيه .. متمنيا لكم دوام الإزدهار والتقدم
Tue 17-Jun-2008 00:00 AM - Report Inappropriate Comment
والله كلام جميل جداااااااااااااااااااااااااااا
Thu 12-Jun-2008 14:01 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
.important advices ... thanks for this
Wed 11-Jun-2008 21:32 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
جزيل الشكر لموقع بيت كوم المميز الذى يساهم و يساعد فى توصيل رسالة الشباب الى أصحاب العمل
Tue 10-Jun-2008 14:32 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
شكرا على النصائح المهمه
Mon 09-Jun-2008 09:30 AM - Report Inappropriate Comment
It is only common sense, that you must apply when you are interwied. ! However these 12 points should always be in our mind. Not only for a possible new job, but also for the present. Very good tips. For me ? 5/5 ! THX !!!!!
Mon 02-Jun-2008 12:42 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
لايسعني سوى ان ادعي الله ان يجعل هذا العمل في ميزان حسناتكم
Wed 28-May-2008 11:22 AM - Report Inappropriate Comment
السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته لكم جزيل الشكر ، حقيقة معلومات مفيدة جداً .
Sat 24-May-2008 06:16 AM - Report Inappropriate Comment
بصراحه عجزت يدى عن كتابة شئ للتعليق سوى ( يعطيكم الله كل صحه وعافيه& يكثر من أمثالكم)
Tue 20-May-2008 08:38 AM - Report Inappropriate Comment
this is the 12 golden points of carrier. we should learn about it . that will help us in our future.thanks bayt.com
Sun 18-May-2008 10:24 AM - Report Inappropriate Comment
thanks alot
Sat 17-May-2008 06:49 AM - Report Inappropriate Comment
نشكر اسرة بيت كوم للجهود التي يبدلوها لايصال المعلومات الضرورية للشباب
Sat 10-May-2008 10:48 AM - Report Inappropriate Comment
i may try this ,i ensure its good before i try.
Sat 10-May-2008 10:38 AM - Report Inappropriate Comment
معلومات مهمة وجيدة
Wed 07-May-2008 11:31 AM - Report Inappropriate Comment
شكرا اليك على النصائح
Mon 28-Apr-2008 12:26 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
فعلاً نصائح مفيدة وللكاتب جزيل الشكر وجزاك الله خيراً
Wed 23-Apr-2008 23:23 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
Thank you really for your valuable advices which give us the push to go directly into success.May God protect you
Fri 11-Apr-2008 09:58 AM - Report Inappropriate Comment
Thank you very much it is certainly value points, and god bless you.
Tue 08-Apr-2008 07:17 AM - Report Inappropriate Comment
نصائح غاليه وفي غاية الأهميه
Sat 05-Apr-2008 07:19 AM - Report Inappropriate Comment
شكرا
Wed 02-Apr-2008 17:55 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
لكم جزيل الشكر على هذه النصائح ..ونتمنى لكم كل التقدم والإزدهار
Wed 02-Apr-2008 17:23 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
Nice article. Let see how much it helps me in my first interview.
Wed 02-Apr-2008 12:13 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
Assalamalikum........... I am really impressed with this article and some more good points can be added to it. However, its a good checklist before a person goes for the interview
Sun 30-Mar-2008 12:18 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
نصائح قيمة تجعل الشخص واثقا من نفسه اتمنى لكم النجاح والتقدم باستمرار
Thu 06-Mar-2008 15:39 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
شكراً للكاتب وجزاه الله خير على هذا الطرح الرائع جداً موضوعاً ومضموناً
Thu 14-Feb-2008 17:46 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
Thanks For your recommendations I'll take it in my consideration in all my interviews
Sat 09-Feb-2008 20:27 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
شكرا على هده النصائح ونطلب من الله التوفيق للجميع
Fri 08-Feb-2008 19:18 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
كل الشكر للعاملين على هذه النصائح المفيدة خصوصا للشباب الذين لم يعملوا من قبل ، أي أنهم لم يمروا بمراحل المقابلة . أخيرا أقول زادكم الله من علمه النافع المفيد .... ودمتم بخير .
Wed 06-Feb-2008 23:57 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
thanks alot for all bayt .your effort apreciated &helpfull u r the best
Tue 05-Feb-2008 23:31 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
شكرا على هذة النصائح وسوف تنفعنى كثيرا
Tue 05-Feb-2008 14:41 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
The lecture bout ihnterview was really very nice and it will help a new job seeker .... Mamoon Durrani
Mon 04-Feb-2008 13:09 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
شكرا لكم على نصائحكم واتمنى لكم دوام التقدم والنجاح
Thu 31-Jan-2008 00:09 AM - Report Inappropriate Comment
شكرا جدا على الافاده
Tue 29-Jan-2008 01:26 AM - Report Inappropriate Comment
thanks alot for all these advices and we need more
Sat 12-Jan-2008 19:36 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
thie is great, your helping a lot of people through this information/ guidelines specially for the new ones. Bringing the people such information could actually be a usful for them. thanks soukri
Fri 11-Jan-2008 07:53 AM - Report Inappropriate Comment
شاكر ومقــــدر , هذا المجهود وهذه النصائح القيمة .... ودمـــــــــــــــتــم ,
Wed 09-Jan-2008 06:14 AM - Report Inappropriate Comment
الله يعطيكم العافية على كل هذه المقالات المفيدة و أرجوا من الله أن يقدرني على رد جميلكم و النجاح لكم و شكراً
Thu 20-Dec-2007 20:38 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
keep up the good work, your helping a lot of people through this information/ guidelines specially for the new ones. Bringing the people such information could actually be a great help for them. More power!
Mon 17-Dec-2007 06:02 AM - Report Inappropriate Comment
والله فعلا نصائح مفيدة اما عملت مقابلات كثيرة ولمست فيها كل كلامك وان شاء الله نستفيد منها مستقبلا...
Tue 11-Dec-2007 15:17 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
Great Commandments , thanks a lot
Thu 29-Nov-2007 19:03 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
شكرا ع الافاده
Tue 20-Nov-2007 21:26 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
نصائح غاليه فعلا الف شكر على التوجيهات
Tue 13-Nov-2007 13:43 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
I think it is agood advise & it lights the way to the aim
Tue 13-Nov-2007 07:13 AM - Report Inappropriate Comment
شكرا جزيلا على هذه النصائح القيمة، و نتطلع للمزيد منكم كما عودتمونا، و بالتوفيق دائما
Tue 13-Nov-2007 04:38 AM - Report Inappropriate Comment
اكثر من رائعه هذه النصائح الف شكر للكاتب
Sat 10-Nov-2007 23:08 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
نصائح غاليه وفي غاية الأهميه ..الله يعطيكم العافيه .. متمنيا لكم دوام الإزدهار والتقدم
Sun 28-Oct-2007 18:05 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
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