Job Interview Handling (Part-II)

In our earlier chapter we discussed about the essentials for a job interview. That was just the tip of the iceberg. Here is what we call the "Insight into Job Interview".
Go by instructions and you will ace the skills of not just facing the interviews but "Master" them.

Prepare yourself with effective interview strategies before you actually go to an organization and meet with the interviewer. Increase your chances of success by using these tips from the experts. Prepare yourself with effective interview strategies before you actually go to an organization and meet with the interviewer. Increase your chances of success by using these tips from the experts.

GROOMING

Shower

Hair shampooed

Clothes – clean, neat, appropriate for a job interview

Shoes are cleaned and shined

 

WHAT TO BRING

Resume/Application form

Pen

Knowledge of organization to which you are applying

ATTITUDE

Be punctual, realistic, relaxed, courteous, enthusiastic

Show initiative

Smile, pleasant greeting, firm handshake

COMMUNICATION SKILLS

Clear, concise, well organized thoughts

Good listening skills (eye contact)

Use expressive effective vocabulary

Participate in conversations and prepare closing question

REMEMBER YOUR STRENGTHS

Come with three stories that give examples of your Strengths and skills

Complete these statements:

I have always been glad that I have the ability to…

My greatest achievement this year was…

One of my skills that I hope to use in my work is…

Prepare in advance for the following questions:

How would you describe yourself?

Why did you leave your last job?

What are your long range and short range goals and objectives?

What specific goals other than those related to your occupation, have you established for yourself for the next ten years?

What do you see yourself doing five years from now? Ten years from now?

What do you really want to do in life?

What are your long range career objectives?

How do you plan to achieve your career goals?

What are the most important rewards you expect in your career?

What do you expect to be earning in five years?

Why did you choose this career?

Can you explain this gap in your employment history?

How well do you work with people? Do you prefer working alone or in teams?

How would you evaluate your ability to deal with conflict?

Have you ever had difficulty with a supervisor? How did you resolve the conflict?

What’s more important to you -- the work itself or how much you’re paid for doing it?

What do you consider to be your greatest strengths and weaknesses?

How would a good friend describe you?

Describe the best job you've ever had.

Describe the best supervisor you've ever had.

What would your last boss say about your work performance?

What motivates you to go the extra mile on a project or job?

Why should I hire you?

What makes you qualified for this position?

What qualifications do you have that make you successful in this career?

How do you determine or evaluate success?

What do you think it takes to be successful in a company like ours?

In what ways do you think you can make a contribution to our company?

Do you have any hobbies? What do you do in your spare time?

Have you ever been fired or forced to resign?

What qualities should a successful manager possess?

Do you consider yourself a leader?

What are the attributes of a good leader?

Describe the workload in your current (or most recent) job.

Which is more important: creativity or efficiency? Why?

What’s the most recent book you’ve read?

Describe the relationship that should exist between the supervisor and those reporting to him or her?

What two or three accomplishments have given you the most satisfaction?

Describe the most rewarding experience of your career thus far.

If you were hiring a job-seeker for this position, what qualities would you look for?

Do you have plans for continued study? An advanced degree?

In what kind of work environment are you most comfortable?

How do you work under pressure?

Are you good at delegating tasks?

What's one of the hardest decisions you've ever had to make?

How well do you adapt to new situations?

Why did you decide to seek a position in this company?

What can you tell us about our company?

What interests you about our products?

What do you know about our competitors?

What two or three things are most important to you in your job?

Are you seeking employment in a company of a certain size? Why?

What are your expectations regarding promotions and salary increases?

What criteria are you using to evaluate the company for which you hope to work?

Do you have a geographic preference? Why?

Are you willing to relocate?

Are you willing to travel for the job?

Why do you think you might like to live in the community in which our company is located?

What major problem have you encountered and how did you deal with it?

What have you learned from your mistakes?

What have you accomplished that shows your initiative and willingness to work?

 

Job Interviewing Do's and Don'ts

Here are the keys to successful job interviewing. Follow these simple rules and you should achieve success in this important phase of job-hunting.

Do take a practice run to the location where you are having the interview -- or be sure you know exactly where it is and how long it takes to get there.

Do your research and know the type of job interview you will be encountering. (See types of job interviews.) And do prepare and practice for the interview, but don't memorize or over-rehearse your answers.

(See our some of the best collections of interview questions.)

Do dress the part for the job, the company, the industry. And do err on the side of conservatism. If you're not sure, you should consider reading our article, When Job-Hunting: Dress for Success.

Do plan to arrive about 10 minutes early. Late arrival for a job interview is never excusable. If you are running late, do phone the company.

Do greet the receptionist or assistant with courtesy and respect. This is where you make your first impression.

Don't chew gum during the interview.

If presented with a job application, do fill it out neatly, completely, and accurately.

Do bring extra resumes to the interview. (Even better, if you have a job skills portfolio, do bring that with you to the interview.)

Don't rely on your application or resume doing the selling for you. No matter how qualified you are for the position, you will need to sell yourself to the interviewer.

Do greet the interviewer(s) by title (Ms., Mr., Dr.) and last name if you are sure of the pronunciation. (If you're not sure, do ask the receptionist about the pronunciation before going into the interview.

Do shake hands firmly. Don't have a limp or clammy handshake!

Do wait until you are offered a chair before sitting. And do remember body language and posture: sit upright and look alert and interested at all times. Don't fidget or slouch.

Don't tell jokes during the interview.

Do make good eye contact with your interviewer(s).

Do show enthusiasm in the position and the company.

Don't smoke, even if the interviewer does and offers you a cigarette.

And don't smoke beforehand so that you smell like smoke. And do brush your teeth, use mouthwash, or have a breath mint before the interview.

Do avoid using poor language, slang, and pause words (such as "like," "uh and "um").

Don't be soft-spoken. A forceful voice projects confidence.

Do have a high confidence and energy level, but don't be overly aggressive.

Don't act as though you would take any job or are desperate for employment.

Do avoid controversial topics.

 

Don't say anything negative about former colleagues, supervisors, or employers.

Do make sure that your good points come across to the interviewer in a factual, sincere manner.

Don't ever lie. Answer questions truthfully, frankly and succinctly. And don't over-answer questions.

Do stress your achievements. And don't offer any negative information about yourself.

Don't answer questions with a simple "yes" or "no." Explain whenever possible. 

Describe those things about yourself that showcase your talents, skills, and determination. Give examples.

Do show off the research you have done on the company and industry when responding to questions. (See our Guide to Researching Companies.)

Don't bring up or discuss personal issues or family problems.

Do remember that the interview is also an important time for you to evaluate the interviewer and the company she represents.

Don't respond to an unexpected question with an extended pause or by saying something like, "boy, that's a good question." And do 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.

Do always conduct yourself as if you are determined to get the job you are discussing. Never close the door on an opportunity until you are sure about it.

Don't answer cell phone calls during the interview, and do turn off (or set to silent ring) your cell phone and/or pager.

Do show what you can do for the company rather than what the company can do for you.

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 do try and delay salary talk until you have an offer. (You might consider visiting our salary tutorial for more tips and strategies.)

Do ask intelligent questions about the job, company, or industry. Don't ever not ask any questions -- it shows a lack of interest.

Do close the interview by telling the interviewer(s) that you want the job and asking about the next step in the process. (Some experts even say you should close the interview by asking for the job.)

Do try and get business cards from each person you interviewed with -- or at least the correct spelling of their first and last names. And don't make assumptions about simple names -- was it Jon or John -- get the spelling.

Do immediately take down notes after the interview concludes so you don't forget crucial details.

Well, what is left to be said? I guess this topic is never-ending but till now you have got enough to prepare, to support yourself and finally to get your dream job.

Wish you Best of Luck !!!

Job Interview Handling (Part-I)

Basically, above mentioned details are concerned to our "Job Interview Preparation" course. The course is very intensive in nature and prepares a candidate from all prospective of a job interview. Well, for the students, aspirants and go-getters, who are not able to join the classroom sessions, I am willing to offer a helping hand and with this blog I have accepted the responsibility to provide best of me. So, here we go....

Only a fool would tell you that looking for a job isn’t stressful.  And it would take an even bigger fool to tell you that interviews will not produce stress.  After all, you’re in an unfamiliar setting, meeting strangers, risking your ego, and about to embark on a conversation that can affect the rest of your life.

Focus on “A-B-C” method for preparation.

•Always

–Research the company with a focus on customers and competition

•Research can be done on the internet, by reading annual reports, and by talking with credible people in the industry

–Provide examples of when you have successfully worked in team environments

–Demonstrate creativity and responsibility

•Beware of

–Having an “I” attitude

•Don’t overstate your accomplishments  - be honest

–Negotiating too early

•Doing this during the job interview sends a message that you are more interested in money than the job

–Being too casual with the interview

•Recognize that the job interview starts when you first arrive and does not end until you are out the door and on your way home

•Crash and Burn

–Displaying bad manners

•Poor etiquette and boorish manners send a message to the interviewer that you will behave that way with clients

–Demeaning your current or past employer

•It is a very small world, and reputations are made and broken on the basis of sometimes unknown relationships

–Being dishonest

•An interview is the time to put the best spin possible on your career, but not at the cost of your integrity

Before the interview:

•Review your skills -- be positive and honor your achievements.  Do not underestimate your skills.  Write your top accomplishments down on paper

•Know your resume well.  Look at ways that your qualifications meet the job description

•Are there things NOT on your resume that are relevant to the job?

•Recognize areas for improvement and develop a plan for downplaying these weaknesses in the interview

Know the specifics of the job:

•Become very familiar with the job description and the requirements for the position

•List the specific qualifications and requirements sought by the employer. 

•Match these qualifications with the accomplishments that you already wrote down

•In order to support this, identify and list specific examples (quantify if possible) of your past accomplishments

•Be prepared to answer questions regarding gaps in your skill level.

Know your employer:

•You should learn as much about the company as you can

•Company website.  Know it well!

•Company literature

•Annual reports

•Network with current employees

•Attend employer informational session at the Career Center, if applicable.

During the interview:

•Arrive 15 minutes early to allow time to relax and complete any paperwork

•Learn the interviewer’s name and greet with a firm handshake

•Make sure you have a clear understanding of the job and the company

•Consider offering examples of your work

•Structure your answers to speak to your qualifications, be concrete and detailed

•Be sure to answer ALL parts of a question

•Closure and timeline for decision

•Thank You and a firm handshake

After the interview:

Write down notes after you leave the building, like the questions and answers, your opinion about your interview and any other minor details that may help you in future.

In our next chapter we discuss other essential elements in job interview preparation. Don't miss!!!

 

 

Public Speaking (Speaking with confidence) Part-II

Now, since you know basics of public speaking with our section Public Speaking (Speaking with confidence) Part-I, this is the time to master them 

with advanced ways.

·  Research a topic – Good speakers stick to what they know. Great speakers research what they need to convey their message.

·  Focus – Help your audience grasp your message by focusing on your message. Stories, humour, or other “sidebars” should connect to the core idea. Anything that doesn’t needs to be edited out.

·  Organize ideas logically – A well-organized presentation can be absorbed with minimal mental strain. Bridging is key.

·  Employ quotations, facts, and statistics – Don’t include these for the sake of including them, but do use them appropriately to complement your ideas.

·  Master metaphors & idioms – Metaphors enhance the understandability of the message in a way that direct language often can not.

·  Tell a story – Everyone loves a story. Points wrapped up in a story are more memorable, too!

·  Start strong and close stronger – The body of your presentation should be strong too, but your audience will remember your first and last words (if, indeed, they remember anything at all).

·  Incorporate humour – Knowing when to use humour is essential. So is developing the comedic timing to deliver it with greatest effect.

·  Vary vocal pace, tone, and volume – A monotone voice is like fingernails on the chalkboard.

Remember that not all public speaking will be scheduled. You can make good impromptu speeches by having ideas and mini-speeches pre-prepared. It also helps to have a good, thorough understanding of what's going on in your organization and industry.

·  Punctuate words with gestures – Gestures should complement your words in harmony. Tell them how big the fish was, and show them with your arms. Look at this video to understand properly. She is the iron lady "Kiran Bedi", the legend. This video may shake you very hard to drop your weakness and give you fresh air of confidence.

·  Utilize 3-dimensional space – Chaining yourself to the lectern limits the energy and passion you can exhibit. Lose the notes, and lose the chain.

·  Complement words with visual aids – Visual aids should aid the message; they should not be the message.

·  Analyze your audience – Deliver the message they want (or need) to hear.

·  Connect with the audience – Eye contact is only the first step. Aim to have the audience conclude “This speaker is just like me!” The sooner, the better.

                                     Do not fear to face people. They are just like me & you. 

·  Interact with the audience – Ask questions (and care about the answers). Solicit volunteers. Make your presentation a dialogue. Also, pay attention to how you're speaking. If you're nervous, you might talk quickly. This increases the chances that you'll trip over your words, or say something you don't mean. Force yourself to slow down by breathing deeply. Don't be afraid to gather your thoughts; pauses are an important part of conversation, and they make you sound confident, natural, and authentic.

·  Listen critically and analyze other speakers – Study the strengths and weakness of other speakers.

·  Act and speak ethically – Since public speaking fears are so common, realize the tremendous power of influence that you hold. Use this power responsibly. When we have to speak in front of others, we can envision terrible things happening. We imagine forgetting every point we want to make, passing out from our nervousness, or doing so horribly that we'll lose our job. But those things almost never come to pass! We build them up in our minds and end up more nervous than we need to be. Have a look at this video for getting the insight of the above mentioned point.

·  Obey time constraints – Maybe you have 2 minutes. Maybe you have 45. Either way, customize your presentation to fit the time allowed, and respect your audience by not going over time.

·  Be coherent when speaking off the cuff – Impromptu speaking (before, after, or during a presentation) leaves a lasting impression too. Doing it well tells the audience that you are personable, and that you are an expert who knows their stuff beyond the slides and prepared speech.

·  Seek and utilize feedback – Understand that no presentation or presenter (yes, even you!) is perfect. Aim for continuous improvement, and understand that the best way to improve is to solicit candid feedback from as many people as you can.

·  Conduct a Q&A session – Not every speaking opportunity affords a Q&A session, but understand how to lead one productively. Use the Q&A to solidify the impression that you are an expert, not (just) a speaker.

·  Lead a discussion – Again, not every speaking opportunity affords time for a discussion, but know how to engage the audience productively.

·  Handle unexpected issues smoothly – Maybe the lights will go out. Maybe the projector is dead. Have a plan to handle every situation.

· Master the art of telling stories. Own the stories you tell by using your real personal experience to bring life to the material you are delivering. These stories make you a real human, and animation can add color to them.

·  Use technology to sustain your momentum as a speaker but not vice versa. Your power point slides, if you are using one for your presentation, should contain visual graphics and not long sentences. Speak to your crowd and not your presentation. Look at this video and try to focus on the way the speaker has presented his ideas.

·  Focus on bringing the positive thoughts to your words and not on how you are doing as a speaker. Enjoying your speech helps you deliver a compelling message.

Now have a look at the masters in public speaking. These videos are a real boon to suit the people from every walk of life.  I personally suggest you to go through most of them as per your taste or according to your choice of favourite speaker.

Public Speaking (Speaking with confidence) Part-I

...


If you've got a speech or presentation in your future, start looking for what makes successful public speakers so successful. Note their styles and habits and keep them in mind as good examples. Whether we're talking in a team meeting or presenting in front of an audience, we all have to speak in public from time to time. 

Good public speaking skills are important in other areas of your life, as well. You might be asked to make a speech at a friend's wedding, give a eulogy for a loved one, or inspire a group of volunteers at a charity event. We can do this well or we can do this badly, and the outcome strongly affects the way that people think about us. This is why public speaking causes so much anxiety and concern. 


Following is a very intensive list of tips to improve your speech quality, confidence and skills to master public speaking.

· Channel/observe a speaker or teacher you really respect. What do they do well? Ask if you can observe them at future events/meetings (if they live locally) – or look for more examples and videos .Bookmark the speeches/speakers you most want to emulate.

· Pretend you are speaking to a non-native English speaker or a five year old. Does your pacing change? Another trick I use: pretend you are on The Today show, or speaking for the president, or some other super important thing with high visibility. How would you talk? How do you want to sound or come across?

· Make it a challenge for yourself to bring more awareness to your speech in every day interactions. Sometimes even when I’m talking with friends I will practice not saying “um” and other speech quirks that come across as unprofessional. Even though these are low-stakes situations, it helps me change my default speech to something that works in any setting.

·  Craft an introduction – Set the context and make sure the audience is ready to go, whether the introduction is for you or for someone else.

·  Exhibit confidence and poise – These qualities are sometimes difficult for a speaker to attain, but easy for an audience to sense.

 . Pay attention to your grammar & diction - This may sound a bit silly but your grammatical errors may lead to a funny situation. Pay extra attention to fix any holes, if there are any. Use our collection of Idioms for daily use , Vocabulary, prepositions and other contents.

Tongue Twisters

                    Tongue

        Twisters

Tongue

               Twisters

                          Tongue

 Twisters
  
"We are not perfect"
It is as simple as that. The worst case scenario is when this imperfection becomes 
obvious without any cause. We want to speak but feel tongue-tied. We want to participate in group discussions, meetings and talks but find ourselves unable to open mouth. There may be several reasons behind it.Sometimes attitude, sometimes hesitation and sometimes no reason at all. In order to tackle this problem, tongue twisters can play a vital role. Here is the list of some of them. I personally advise you to practice as many of them as possible.

 ·       They have left the thrift shop, and lost both their theatre tickets and the volume of valuable licenses and coupons for free theatrical frills and thrills.

·        I thought a thought, but the thought that I thought wasn’t the thought that I thought I thought.

·        If it was the thought that I thought I thought then I wouldn’t have thought so much,

·        Thank the other three brothers of their father’s mother’s brother’s side.

·        The thirty-three thieves thought that they thrilled the throne throughout Thursday.

·        Thirty-three thousand people think that Thursday is their thirtieth birthday.

·        She sells seashells on the seashore.

·        Betsy butcher bought a better butter.

·        The vines in the village are very vast.

·        Veronica’s voice has variety and vitality.

·        Stephen is a very valuable weaver.

·        The vitamins in vegetables are marvelous.

·        Leave the lovely vase in the van.

·        William’s woolens are wonderfully warm.

·        Which watch will you wear to the wedding?

·        We were waiting at the railway station.

·        Wendy works in the warehouse on Wednesdays.

·        Walking is a wonderful way to lose weight.

·        White Whales wade through the waves in the winter wind.

·        Why made, whales? Why whales why?? 

·        Swam swam over the sea, swim swam swim.

·        Swam swam back again, well swam swan!

·        She Sells sea shells by the sea shore; but the sea shells

·        That she sells by the seashore are not real seashells.

·        The vines in the village are very vast.

·        Veronica’s voice have variety and vitality.

·        Stephen is a very valuable weaver.

·        The vitamins in vegetables are marvelous.

·        Leave the lovely vase in the van