Are you well prepared for an interview? Find out how to prepare

  

Date Posted: 4/8/2017 6:05:28 AM

Posted By: Abced  Membership Level: Gold  Total Points: 1085

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Make sure you do a thorough research.Whenever you research about the company before the interview and learning as much as possible about its services, products, customers and competition,the research will give you an edge in understanding and addressing the company's needs. The more you know about the company and what it stands for, the better chance you have of selling yourself in the interview.Also find out about the company's culture to gain insight into your potential happiness on the job.Do research on the company's location as well to determine the easiest route to reaching the place.
Always keep time.Never ever make any mistake of arriving late to an interview place. Allow extra time to arrive early in the vicinity, allowing for factors like getting lost. Enter the interview building room about 20 minutes before the interview.This is a very important part since the interviewer will rate your punctuality.It will determine your future punctuality in case you land a job at the company.

Confirm that you own a resume/curriculum vitae and other academic documents.Entering an interview with a well written curriculum vitae is a good impression to the interviewer that you are an organised person.Make sure it is not hand written, it should be a print out.You should also carry your documents like certificates ranging from KCPE,KCSE,degree,to certificate of Good Conduct,and identification card.The following are the hints to know about writing a curriculum vitae:
(i)The main purpose of your resume.Its purpose should be actually to drive the interview but not necessarily to land a job.It should give the interviewer a hint of what to ask you by simply looking at it.Never let the purpose of your resume be landing a job,but instead let it be used to land an interview.
(ii)Back up your strengths and qualities.Instead of creating a long and probably boring

list with all your qualities (e.g disciplined, creative, problem solver,etc) try to connect them with real life and work experiences. In other words, you need to back these qualities and strengths up, else it will appear that you are just trying to inflate things so that you seem so desperate for the job.
(iii)Explain the benefits of your skills.Merely stating that you can do something will not catch the attention of the employer. If you manage to explain how it will benefit his company, and to connect it to tangible results, then you will greatly improve your chances.
(iv)Consider writing important information first.This point is valid both to the overall order of your resume, as well as to the individual sections. Most of the times your previous work experience will be the most important part of the resume, so put it at the top. When describing your experiences or skills, list the most important ones first.
(v)List achievements instead of responsibilities.Resumes or curriculum vitae that include a long list of responsibilities are plain boring, and not efficient in selling yourself. Instead of listing responsibilities, therefore, describe your professional achievements.This will sell out more nicely since you will be viewed as not only a doer but also an achiever
(vi)Structure your resume well.Structure your CV well starting with personal details,career objective,competence and skills,education,work experience,achievements,interests and hobbies and finally referees.

Groom well.Plan out a wardrobe that fits the organization and its culture, striving for the most professional appearance you can accomplish. Remember that it’s always better to be overdressed than under — and to wear clothing that fits and is clean and pressed. Keep accessories and jewelry to a minimum. Try not to smoke or eat right before the interview — and if possible, brush your teeth or use mouthwash.Consider grooming well depending on the kind of the job.Professional jobs will require men to shave nicely,put on a smart ironed suit that is well buttoned and tucked in,wear black leather shoes that are well shone and brushing your teeth.Ladies can put on women suit too but reduce make up for it send a different signal to the interviewer,the interviewer can imagine whether you came for a date or actually to seek a serious job.Avoid noisy shoes and tight skinny pair of trousers.

Always strive to remain enthusiastic.A firm handshake and plenty of eye contact demonstrate confidence. Speak distinctly in a confident voice, even though you may feel shy.Take turns wisely to proof you are a good communicator. Know when and how to answer.Let your answers be concise and straight to the point.Don't be gloomy throughout the interview session,but rather be jovial by smiling.

Ask and answer questions precisely.Many interviewees don't ask questions and miss the opportunity to find out valuable information. The questions you ask indicate your interest in the company or job.Therefore always ask questions whenever you are in doubt about anything concerning the company and your intended career.Most interviewees often don't think about whether they are actually answering the questions their interviewers ask. Make sure you understand what is being asked, and get further clarification if you are unsure.Always seek for clarification every time you are in doubt of given question.This will give a chance to give a precise answer to the question.

Be a good listener and communicator.One of the most neglected interview skills is listening and communication skills. Make sure you are not only listening, but also reading between the lines. Sometimes what is not said is just as important as what is said.Observe the interviewer keenly for facial expressions,and link them to verbal communication to come up with a consolidated message.

Put body language into consideration.While the content of your interview responses is paramount, poor body language can be a distraction at best — or a reason not to hire you at worst. Effective forms of body language should be practiced throughout the interview session,and they include; smiling, maintaining eye contact,maintaining a solid posture, active listening, nodding. Destructive forms of body language should be avoided at all cost if you want to be counted among the unique interviewees.They include; slouching,looking at the watch often,looking off in the distance, playing with pen, fidgeting in chair, brushing back hair, touching face, chewing gum, mumbling,among others.

Be grateful to the interviewers whether or not you are considered for a job.Being thankful to the interviewers should be everyone's habit.As you have already seen from previous tips, common courtesy and politeness go far in interviewing; thus, the importance of thanking each person who interviews you should come as no surprise. Start the process while at the interview, thanking each person who interviewed you. Writing thank-you emails and notes shortly after the interview will not get you the job offer, but doing so will certainly give you an edge over any of the other finalists who did not bother to send thank-you’s.Even the story of the ten lepers in the Bible's new testament teaches this.Only one returned to thank.

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