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Interview Tips

1. Do some research on the business before the interview. (See "How to Find a Job," "Research the Employer.")

2. Practice interviewing.

3. Go alone. Do not take children or friends.

4. Greet the employer with a handshake.

5. Make frequent eye contact.

6. Smile, be polite, and try to relax.

7. Listen carefully to the questions asked. Ask the interviewer to restate a question if you are confused.

8. Answer questions as directly as possible.

9. Be upbeat and make positive statements.

10. If you've worked before, talk about what you learned from it.

11. Use examples of how your skills and abilities would fit the job.

12. Bring your "Fact Sheet" with telephone numbers and addresses of your references and former employers, just in case you are asked to complete an application. (See "The Application," "Fact Sheet.")

It is important as you prepare for your interview to anticipate what questions the employer might ask. The following questions are examples of the types of questions that you may be asked to answer.

Questions to Expect (What the Employer May Ask You) :

1. Tell me about yourself. (This is often an ice-breaker question. Keep the answer job or skill related.)

2. What do you know about the type of work we do? (This is your chance to tell what you know from the research you completed ahead of time.)

3. What is your weakness? (Always make this a positive answer. For example, "My spelling is not always perfect, so I always use a spell checker.")

4. What are your strengths? (Describe your skills in a way that will show you as a desirable employee for the company.)

5. Why did you leave your last job? ( Answer with a positive statement. Try not to say: "I was fired," "terminated," "quit," "had no babysitter," or "couldn't get along with coworkers or supervisor". However, you can say: "new job," "contract ended," "seasonal," "temporary," "career change," "returned to school," to raise a family," or "relocated.")

6. Why have you been unemployed for such a long time? (Tell the truth. Emphasize that you were looking for a good company where you can settle and make a contribution.)

7. Why should we hire you? (Make a positive statement, such as "I would like the opportunity to work with you and believe that I can do the work.")
Do you have references? (It is most important that you contact your references ahead of time and have their name, current address, and telephone numbers.)

At the end of the formal interview the employer will ask if you have any questions. The following are examples of acceptable questions to ask.

 Questions To Ask The Employer :

1. Who would supervise me?

2. When are you going to make a hiring decision?

3. What are the opportunities for advancement?

4. What kind of training is provided or available? 5. Is there a dress code?

Pitfalls (Reasons Why People Don't Get Hired) :

Untidy personal appearance
Inability to express information clearly
Lack of genuine interest or enthusiasm
Unwillingness to start at the bottom
Negative attitude
Lack of eye contact
Incomplete or sloppy application
Being late for the interview

Closing

At the end of the interview:
Thank the interviewers for their time.
Request a business card.
Shake hands in closing. Two or three days after the interview send a thank you note addressed to the interviewers.

Thank You Notes :

After your interview, be sure to write a thank you note to the employer or interviewer. This is very important because a thank you note gives you one more chance to remind the employer about the special skills that you can bring to the company.

It is a good idea to request the interviewer's business card before leaving the interview. This will help when writing your thank you note to correctly spell the interviewer's name and job title. Tips for thank you notes :

1. Neatly hand write or type the note.

2. Address the note to the interviewer or the lead interviewer.

3. Keep it short. (No longer than one page.)

4. First paragraph: Thank the employer for the interview. Also, mention that you are interested in the position.

5. Second paragraph: Briefly state a few of your skills without repeating the information on your resume word for word. Include any important information not mentioned at the interview.

6. Third paragraph: Provide your contact information, telephone number with area code, and an e-mail address, if available.

7. Sign the note with your first and last name.

8. Proofread the note to check for spelling or grammar errors. Ask another person to proofread the note.

9. Mail the note within two to three days after your interview.

Interview Tips

1. Be on time! Practise getting to the venue to see how long it will take. Public transport may be useless, the traffic may have been heavy, but however reasonable it won't affect the fact that your chances are reduced if you are late. Always remember - You never get a second chance to make a first impression. Aim to be early - you can always find a nearby cafe/shop/pub to wait in. And if worst comes to worst and you are going to be late, then definitely ring in and let them know. 2. Be Prepared!   Look at the employers' website and learn something about the company before you attend your interview. Feed them the opportunity to talk proudly about something positive you have found. 3.  Write down and practice possible questions!   Writing them down and practicing them with someone will make it easier to remember when you get to the interview. Use the third person when talking about the job. Avoid sounding as though you assume the job is yours. It is fine to ask about the package on offer and accommodation - living in and living out are particularly relevant. Don't forget to find out if the company will guarantee a resort or chalet - many will only allocate you a country. You could also try a fewer more testing questions such as how they differentiate themselves from their competitors or what they think the toughest/hardest part of the job is. 4. What are your weaknesses? Don't be Spud from Trainspotting! 'None…ah well, ah'm a bit of a perfectionist actually!' Try to find an area of your experience/skill that is currently lacking. An interviewer will appreciate your candour - as long as whatever you disclose can be easily remedied. 5. You never get a second chance to make a first impression! SMILE! Dress professionally in simple business attire. Just because you are going to be working in a ski resort does not mean you should wear Oakleys and a fleece to your interview. And don't forget that firm handshake and to maintain eye contact - without glaring! 6. Be honest! There really is no point lying about your background and/or skills. If you get caught, or even manage to get out to resort and then get found out, you can be sure you won't be around for long! Job interviews are about matching needs - if there isn't a good match, then chances are that the job won't work out. 7. Check your CV for possible gaps!   Make sure you know how you are going to explain time gaps on your CV. 8. Talk about specific achievements! Interviewers like to know how you felt about about a particular success. Some will ask for specific examples of things you've done that you're particularly proud of; how you solved problems; how you learned - and improved - from difficult situations. 9. Don't talk too much!   Spud again - Communication is a two-way thing so give them a chance 10. Prepare a sample menu plan! If you are applying for a catering job then take along a sample menu plan. By this we mean a starter/main/dessert combination over six days, ideally with a vegetarian option. Think about teh balance of nutrients and how the colours will look on the plate. 11. Take a spare photo & CV with you! Your interviewer won't be expecting it so you will impress them. It also helps them remember you after the interview. 12. Be enthusiastic and positive! Don't criticize previous employers, particularly within the industry. Focus on positive achievements and views. 13. Be on time! And finally, Don't give up!  The fact is that you will not be offered every job however perfect you think you may be for it. Usually it's because the interviewer was completely blind to the talent that stood before them. However, just on the off chance that it was not, feedback from interviews where you have been turned down can be invaluable for improving future results. Ask politely if they can give you any feedback for the future - there's a job out there for you somewhere.

Interview Tips

The Right Mantras


1) Know about the company

• Read about the company before attending the interview
• Read about the company's businesses, performance in the past years and its products.
  

2) Discipline counts

• Be on time. Coming late denotes unprofessional behavior and careless attitude
• Wish the interviewers, shake hands with them while doing so
• Do not sit till you are asked to
• Be polite but not subservient. Show them you are interested in the job but not desperate for it!
• Thank them at the end of the interview as you are leaving and shake hands again

3) Hold the Interviewer's attention

• Maintain eye contact. Shift eyes do not get one the job.
  
• Appear confident. Don't let tension be writ all over your face.
• Be formally dressed. Avoid bright showy clothes.
  
• Stand erect, don't slouch

4) Resume Rules

• Carry a copy of your resume in a neat folder
• Know your resume inside out ! Be clear on all the points mentioned. If need be, talk about them in a short and crisp manner

5) Sound Knowledge

• You should have conceptual knowledge and clarity in your subject
• You should be thorough about the technical/ concept fundamentals.
• You should be able to apply theoretical knowledge.

6) Presence of mind

• Commonsense is too common. Don't state the obvious
• Think logically and on your feet. Need to be fast but not thoughtless
• Be careful about your responses as each response could lead you to the next question.
• In a group discussion, contribute to the group by taking initiative. You will score leadership factor! Do not be over aggressive. Listen to the other point of view and be polite but assertive. Body language is very important.
• Be inquisitive about the company, the job and their exceptions from you.

Interviews Tips

Interview Tip 1: Plan Ahead

- Do a little homework! Research the company and the position if possible, as well, the people you will meet with at the interview. Review your work experiences. Be ready to support past career accomplishments with specific information targeted toward the companies needs. Have your facts ready!

Interview Tip 2: Role Play - 

Once you have finished studying, begin role playing (rehearsing). Use the general questions provided below in the Interview Preparation Area. Write down answers if it helps to make your presentation more concise. Try to keep your answers to the information your new employer will want to know.

Interview Tip 3: Eye Contact - 

Maintain eye contact with your interviewer. Show you want the job with your interest.

Interview Tip 4: Be Positive - 

In particular, avoid negative comments about past employers.

Interview Tip 5: Adapt - 

Listen and adapt. Be sensitive to the style of the interviewer. Pay attention to those details of dress, office furniture, and general decor which will afford helpful clues to assist you in tailoring your presentation.