Master the Interview

As many other concepts of corporate communication, interviews constitute specific parts that can be harnessed and mastered like any other concept. This blog includes helpful tips on how to master the art of the interview.

1. Before anything else: Thinking

• Think, reminisce and gather all the skills you have acquired through the years.

• You may divide the list between technical skills and general skills.

• Think about general aspects of your growth-things like: discipline, accountability, team work, group communication, etc.

• This way you will have a concise and specific record of the ammunition you can use not just in terms of your technical skills, but equally important, in regards to your soft skills.

2. Read about the company

• This is a must for interview preparation. Don't stay on the shallow water, go and check out their current efforts through different platforms- their social media, their community outreach, current/ongoing projects.

• Educating yourself in these aspects shows real interest. It can be compared to a real sports fan versus a bandwagon fan. A real fan will know the names of the players of his/her favorite sports team.You don't want to be a band-wagoner that jumps in the band-wagon because that's where the "winning team" is.

3. Read about the position you are applying

• Carefully think of specific ways you meet and fulfill their qualifications. It is okay if you do not meet all of them. You must however have a sit-down session where you write down - justify how you meet these requirements. This will help with your confidence levels, the day of the interview this information will be internalized in your mind. At times, although your skills and knowledge are laid out on your resume, the interviewer will be looking to see this translate into your answers, the way you handle yourself, and your overall aptitude during the interview process.

4. The Mock interview using the following scenario:

1. Hi, thank you for your interest in the company. We are looking to fill out the position for "x", with someone that we find the most fit.

2. First, I would like to know about your experience

3. Great, what qualities- whether personal or professional, do you think you can bring to the company?

4. Thank you, you have worked among groups, how would you describe your level of engagement? Are you comfortable working in groups?

5. Ok, what are your greatest strengths and your greater weaknesses?

6. What skills do you think set you apart from the rest

5. You can play a part in managing the interview

• As the interview process starts, if you feel like you don't have an entirely thought out answer for a question you have just been asked, you can ask politely to return to this question at a later time.

• Remember that the company wants you, they are trying to recruit you. There is something to say about this situation, you are a valuable investment for any company that wants to hire you.

• Defend yourself against illegal or discriminating questions. Questions regarding your age, gender, nationality personal life, personal dynamic of your family life (if you have children) are illegal. Companies cannot ask questions regarding any of the aforementioned topics.

Usually interviewers will go this general when it comes to identifying the one person that they will hire.

I will do another blog soon on ways to answer the mock questions I posted above.

See you next time,

hefzi

Hefzi Julieta