Interview Preparation

Prepared by:Ahmadshah Nejati

Coming together is a beginning Keeping together is progress Working together is success.

Workshop Objectives

• Preparing for interview• The interview experience• Do’s and don’ts at interview • Questions to expect and to ask• Interview resources

The Interview Session

09.30 – Introduction 10:00 - Interviewers prepare in groups, for group

work. 10:30 – Ice breaking 10.45 - Tea break! 11:00 - Lecture 12.00 – Lunch break! 01:00- Team work 02:00 – Training Feedback (Closing of the session)

Introduction To identify the skills, knowledge, attributes, which is

necessary for interview success. To enable participants to experience the interview process in

a safe and supportive environment. To allow participants to understand the interview process

from both the interviewer’s and the candidate’s perspectives. To practice interview preparation, questioning and answering

techniques, and giving and receiving feedback. To increase participants’ awareness and experience of the

techniques as a recruiter may use to gain information from applicants.

Group Activity

Lets make the team. While considering the following tips:

• Gender • Age• Education Background• Different occupational background • Etc…

Ice Breaker !!!

Find 10 Things in Common

What is an interview ?

Cont.

• An interview is a conversation between two or more people (the interviewer and the interviewee) where questions are asked by the interviewer to obtain information from the interviewees.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

What is the purpose of an interview?

Conti…

• An opportunity to meet face to face

• To discuss your qualifications

• To assess your ability and skills

• To show your skills and personality

• To sell yourself

When does the interview start?

The interview starts when the employer calls to set up the interview!

What do you ask when you receiving a call for interview?

• The time and date of the interview

• The name of the person you are meeting with

• The address of the place where the interview is taking place

• The phone number of the office in case you need to call them.

What % of employers hire potential employees based on the following?

• Appearance and impression• Reliable and punctual• Work experience (depends on the job)• Education/training

Cont.

• 45 % on appearance and impression• 35% being reliable and punctual• 10% on your work experience• 10% on your education and training

Do YOU make a good first impression?

You need to research

• The post offered (Salary and benefit)• Know the employer • Your motivation • Your achievement and background • Your skills, qualities and weakness• Prepare the expected question

Occupational Knowledge

Ask Yourself:• What do I know about this type of work?• What attracts me to this type of work?• What relevant work experience have I done?• What kind of training/other skills am I hoping

to gain?• What have I done to find out more about this

kind of work?

Self Knowledge

Ask Yourself:• Why do I want the job?• Why am I a suitable candidate and what evidence do I have

of this?• What have I gained from my previous

employment/education background/achievement? • What are my career ambitions/what do I want to be doing

in 5 years?• When did I - work in a team/solve a problem/use my

initiative?• What are my main strengths and weaknesses?

Body language do’s and don'ts

DO Firm handshake Eye contact Smile! Open posture Relaxed, but alert Look neat & professional Adopt appropriate dress code Listen actively – ‘head nods’ Sit in the right seat Arrive early

DON’T Limp/clammy handshake Bring in carrier bags/clutter Wear jeans Look down Cross arms(?) Flop into chair Wave arms Stare out of window Adopt a threatening posture

Interview room

Interview process from HR view !

• Introductions – process explained by interviewer

• Warm up questions• CV/application form questions• Questions based on selection criteria –

“probing”• Questions from candidate• Summing up – next steps

Common Interview Question

• Tell me about yourself?• What is your greatest strength?• What is your greatest weakness?• Where do you see yourself in 5 years?• What about this position do you find most

interesting? • Why do you want to work for our company?• Why should we hire you?

Tell me about yourself?

• This is most often asked question in interviews. You need to have a short statement prepared in your mind. Limit it to work-related items unless instructed otherwise.

• Talk about things you have done and jobs you have held that relate to the position, you are interviewing for.

• Start with the item from back and work up to the present.

What is your greatest strength?

• Numerous answers are good, just stay positive. A few good examples:

• Your ability to prioritize,• Your problem-solving skills• Your ability to work under pressure• Your ability to focus on projects• Your professional expertise,• Your positive attitude

What is your greatest weakness?

• I am a sensitive person, and when I am seeing the things is going wrong, I am getting into heart and going to be disappointed.

• I am so impatient, and I can not stop myself when I want to achieve my goals, thus I will work day and night, and maybe this issue affect my personal life.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

• I want to be a good HR Officer with a professional organization, and as I studied your organization background, so I will see myself as a good HR Officer in your organization within 5 years.

What about this position do you find most interesting?

The main source of this question is the own vacancy announcement.

Why do you want to work for our company?

• If you've researched this company then you can say something like:

• I had a research about your company background, and during my research I had found it out, which you’re a successful company, and it will be my pleasure if I be a team member with this company.

Why should we hire you?

• “As I understand your needs, you are looking for someone who can manage the sales and marketing of your company. As you’ve said you need someone with a strong background in trade book sales. This is where I’ve spent almost all of my career, so I’ve chalked up 18 years of experience exactly in this area. I believe that I know the right contacts, methods, principles, and successful management techniques”

After interview

• Know your performance critically, what went wrong and right?

• Make some notes • Ask for feedback • Do not get disappointed, each interview event

is an opportunity for learning

Any question

Check out !

• Closing activity • Feedback Forms• Resource Packages

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME!