If you think you know what to say in an interview, think again

Ace the Interview
Maximizing your Potentials to Getting the Job
You Want
a primer for Fresh Graduates

Ace the Interview
Maximizing your Potentials to
Getting the Job You Want
Part 1: PREPARING

 Knowing the Interviewer
 Preparing yourself
 Answering Questions
 The Three Cardinal Rules in an Interview
 Anatomy of an Interview
 Questions they ask Everybody
 Overcoming Nerves
Agenda

Know your enemy
Before you prepare for the interview, it’s useful to understand how most
organizations decide what they are looking for in a candidate
What do they want?
Someone who can
do the job.
Experience
Knowledge Skills
Someone who will
do the job.
Personal
characteristics
Enthusiasm Commitment

Check if you have the relevant skills and
experience stated in your resume;
Clarify any puzzling, missing or less than
favorable features;
Complete the picture of you presented in
the resume
The Purpose of the Interview

 Essential skills (qualifications, abilities and
achievements)
 Desirable skills (qualifications, abilities and
achievements)
 Industry Knowledge
 Career Development
 Consistency and stability of employment
within the industry
 General employment stability
An Interviewer Looks For…

The Anatomy of an Interview
STAGE 1:
The Welcome
STAGE 2:
The Questions
STAGE 3: Over to You
STAGE 4:
The Finish

Two Kinds of Interview Questions
Structured Questions
•The same for all applicants
•Usually compiled well in advance of of the interview
•Designed to probe how well each applicant matches the criteria for a specific job
•Questions like:
•How do you deal with an aggressive client?
•Tell me about an occasion when you had to motivate another person into doing best in his/her job?
•Tell me something about yourself?
•How do you see yourself in this company after five years?
Person-Specific Questions
•Makes the interview process fair
•Designed to explore your particular circumstances
•Aims to uncover your weak spots
•Questions like:
•What’s your greatest weakness?
•Tell me about a time you lost your temper?
•How do you feel about deadlines?
•I noticed that you took a 4-year course for seven years. May I know why?

What you should prepare for?
• Evidence that you meet their needs with regard to skills, qualities and
experience
Evidence 1
• Reassuring answers and satisfactory explanations for those unclear
areas in your resume
Evidence 2
• Some knowledge of the industry or business sector, and the
interviewing company in particular
Evidence 3
• Sound reasons why you are applying for the job
Evidence 4

• Evidence that you meet their needs with regard to
skills, qualities and experience
Evidence 1
 Reread the advertisement and the job description
 Find examples that will highlight your skills and qualities
 Make notes that show how, when and where you’ve experienced them
and what were the results
 Draft anecdotes that will show how you can bring BENEFITS for the
company
 PRACTICE!

• Reassuring answers and satisfactory explanations for
those unclear areas in your resume
Evidence 2
 Look at your resume or application form with an employer’s eye and
match it to the job description or job ad. Are there any obvious
mismatches such as:
 Shortage of relevant skills or experience?
 Shortage of experience in certain areas?
 Lack of qualifications?
 Find ways on how you can highlight other areas to demagnify these
mismatches.

• Some knowledge of the industry or business sector, and the
interviewing company in particular
Evidence 3
 The simplest way to find out about the industry or the company is to
ask information from those who know
 How do you find out?
 Any customer newsletter or magazine
 An employee
 Company website
 Job ads

• The reasons you want this job
Evidence 4
 Don’t be vague about your reasons. Be clear on how the position fits in
your career path and progressions
 Show the interviewer that this position may have been made for
someone like you

Ace the Interview
Part 2: THE INTERVIEW

Making a good impression
 Openness
 Be open, accessible, responsive, and communicative
 Avoid one-word, yes-no answers if you possibly can
 Enthusiasm
 Show that you are happy and excited to work with them (but don’t overdo it!)
 Express interest in the job and in the people (again: but don’t overdo it!)
 Confidence
 It may be the last thing you’ll feel but confidence is the one thing you must
always project!
 Energy
 Sit up straight, look alert, speak clearly, smile and make eye contact
 Appearing energetic and lively, projects a positive vibe, optimism and
positivity

The 3 Cardinal Rules
STICK TO THE
POINT
ILLUSTRATE
YOUR ANSWERS
STOP WHEN YOU
NEED TO STOP

STICK TO
THE POINT
 Listen to the question and make sure
you answer it
 Keep your answers relevant to the job
you are interviewing for
 Remember: most people have a two-
minute attention span, so keep you
answers shorter than this
 If at first, you didn’t get the question
it’s perfectly all right to ask the
interviewer to repeat or rephrase it

Illustrate
your Answers
 Don’t just say you can do, x, y, or z
 Support your claim with concrete
examples.
 Remember to still stick to the point,
though

Stop when you
need to stop
 When you’ve answered the question,
stop talking
 However, don’t let the silence wallow
 You can close your response by asking
“I hope that answers your question” or
“Does that cover all the points you
need to know?”

Ace the Interview
Part 3: THE QUESTIONS

Questions They Ask Everybody
“Tell me something about yourself.”
I’m a (give a concise description of yourself in 15 words, or less). I’m an
experienced (what you are) with an extensive knowledge of (your relevant
knowledge area), including (a key point) and (another key point). My main
qualifications are (give at least two or three of your most relevant skills or key
qualifications).
I also have experience in (go on to your next most relevant skill or
knowledge area), including (develop one or two key points).
My achievements to date include (two or thee of your major
achievements).

“Why do you want to work here?”
I am looking for a position where I can use my (relevant skill, aptitude or
area of experience). I believe this job would allow me to make the most of
my (a talent, aptitude, skill or ability) along with (another skill, personal
quality, or ability). I see it, above all, as a natural development from (your
experience, further qualifications of training).

“Why did you choose the course/subject you did?”
 Try to relate your course to the type of work you’re applying for, as well as to
your own interests and tastes. The interviewer is looking for:
 Clearly thought out reasons that show you can analyze and evaluate
information and come to a decision
 Your sense of commitment to whatever decision you made
 Your self-awareness about your strengths, interests and talents
 An appreciation of what education and your course have taught you
 Your ability to match future goals to current action

“What are you looking for in a job?”
 Here the interviewer is looking for:
 The chance to start in your chosen career
 The opportunity to learn the skills required
 The opportunity to make a valid contribution even at a entry level
 The chance to use the knowledge and skills you’ve acquired

“Have you ever worked under pressure?
 The interviewer needs to know that you:
 Have experience of working under pressure – outline briefly how, when
and where
 Are able to cope with it – explain how you keep your balance
 Have tried and tested ways of handling stress and tension over the long
term

“Have you ever worked under pressure?
I would say I’m reasonably stress-hardy. I have experience of working
under pressure (while we were doing our college thesis). I kept the
pressure manageable by (being organized, planning, prioritizing, etc). I find
it very useful to (say what practical steps you take to prepare).

“Where do you see yourself in five years’ time?”
In five years’ time I would ideally like to be (say what you can reasonably
expect to be doing). I think I have the (skills and abilities) to achieve that,
especially with (requirements such as further training, experience, specific
professional qualifications). I believe this position will help me achieve
that goal because (give reasons, such as excellent training programs,
opportunities for advancement, leading company in the field).

“What are your greatest strength?”
 Even if you still lack experience and your skills are untried in the workplace,
you can turn it into a strength and emphasize your potential
 Although you can’t offer them experience, and expertise yet, you can bring to
the job:
 Enthusiasm and energy
 Your ability to learn
 Adaptability
 Freshness

“What are your greatest strength?”
I would say my greatest strengths are (give three of your talents and
personal qualities that you feel are genuine strengths and are appropriate
for the job). I believe I’ve demonstrated these in the past by (give a brief
story that shows you using your strengths). Although experience isn’t one
of my key strengths as yet, I do have (give the experience you have and
any theortical background). As well as that, though, I believe I can bring to
the job (enthusiasm, open mindedness, energy).

Ace the Interview
Part 4: MANAGING YOUR
EMOTONS

Overcoming Nerves
Almost everyone looks nervous in interviews, but believe it or
not, interviewers are quite tolerant. They’ve been there, too.
Also, they need someone to fill a vacant post.
There have this problem. And they want you to
succeed.
But if you continue to show your nervousness, they’ll start
to think if you’re ready for the interview, or worse, if you’re
ready for the job.

Overcoming Nerves
Don’t let fear of nerves prevent you from making a
positive impression:
 Practice (entering the room, shaking hands,
etc.)
 Get organized
 Know exactly where the interview will be
 Double check the time and date of the
interview
 Get everything ready THE NIGHT
BEFORE!!!
 Arrive at your destination early enough
 Check your appearance (hair, smile, fly,
buttons, etc.)
 Avoid tea or coffee an hour or so before the
interview

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If you think you know what to say in an interview, think again