and How to Handle Them
Attending a job interview can be a stressful situation, no matter how well you think you have prepared. You can never be too sure of an interviewer throwing surprises at you. Some interviewers try to put you in a stressful situation and see how you will react. Knowing how to handle tricky interview questions helps in boosting your confidence as you are called in, and better handling surprises that get thrown at you.
You may not have all the answers, but you will be better able to cope with tricky situations, and wriggle out without much damage done. Here are the commonest scenarios.The Inexperienced Interviewer
It is not everybody that sits on that table that is experienced in interviewing people. Some of them have next to no clue in sizing up candidates through asking the right questions. For some, their boss that is supposed to be on the panel is unavoidable absent at the last minute, so the poor reluctant guy is roped in at the last minute to represent his department at the interview panel.
This guy is unfocussed, obviously unprepared and lacks he skills to rise to the occasion. He has obviously not read your CV and has no clue where he misplaced, and may start asking questions in all directions.
Like driving, all you need is to be in control of the situation. Confidently steer him back to the subject matter at hand. Offer the disorganized interview a copy of your CV while asking "Can I take you through some of my recent experience in this field?"
If he brings in what you think is an unrelated issue, try to tie back the answer into what you believe is the requirements of the job. If he is a talkative, don't interrupt him. Take mental notes of useful information he dishes out in his uncalled for narrative. Let the leader of the panel call him to order if necessary. Listen attentively. Everything that has a beginning has an end. Sometime soon, he will end up with a question. Use the information he has provided to answer him.
Tell Me About Yourself
This is a rhetorical question of no much value, but can still rattle some candidates. Your CV has said pretty much that needs to be said about you. The interviewer is not asking for details of your personal life not reflected in your CV, but rather wants to size you up as you speak. This is an opportunity to sell yourself. Bring out relevant portions of your CV that relate to the job and ram your point home. Give a career summary that fits into the profile of the job you are being interviewed for.
Demonstrate You are the Man/Woman for the Job
Employers employ not as a social service, but primarily because that they have a need in their organization and they are looking for the right people to fix it. The general notion in Nigeria is that you need connections or "long leg" to get a job, especially high paying jobs. While that may not be entirely untrue, the fact remains that very few organizations would want to be saddled with misfits in the name of cronyism. In the competitive marketplace, only the best candidate is good enough.
Employers employ not as a social service, but primarily because that they have a need in their organization and they are looking for the right people to fix it. The general notion in Nigeria is that you need connections or "long leg" to get a job, especially high paying jobs. While that may not be entirely untrue, the fact remains that very few organizations would want to be saddled with misfits in the name of cronyism. In the competitive marketplace, only the best candidate is good enough.
A serious business owner knows that business and pleasure do not mix well. Filling positions in is company with relatives and friends is a recipe for heartache and business failure. Practitioners of mediocrity are mainly employees in decision-making positions who do not have a stake in the company's bottom line. Business owners that have goals look for people who will deliver those goals.
Employers go to great lengths to get the right man/woman for the job. They take out expensive adverts in major national dailies and hire consultants in their search. Their is a dearth of skilled manpower in many sectors of the economy, especially Oil & Gas and Telecommunications. Companies in this sector have taken their search beyond the shores of Nigeria, advertising in foreign media and holding job fairs abroad targeted mainly at Nigerians in diaspora and Nigerian students abroad.
It is now left to the interviewee to demonstrate that he/she is the person the employer is looking for. You have to prove that you have what it takes in terms of skill, charisma, and people skills to drive team cohesion and deliver superior results.
Everybody invited to the interview, based on CV, have what it takes to clinch the job, so having experience is not enough to clinch you the job. It is now left to each candidate to prove that he/she has an edge over other candidates as the preferred candidate.
Beyond raw skills, what you can do is be personable and professional. Smile, look the interviewer in the eye, and engage in a two-way conversation. Listen carefully, respond thoughtfully, and don't digress into personal details. Interviewers need to be convinced that you will be able to fix their problems and help their company achieve its goals. One of the best ways to answer interview questions is to use your career success stories. Career success stories are tales of the defining moments in your career when you overcame significant challenges to succeed. These stories create a memorable impression and give the listener anecdotes about you that identify your ability to handle the tasks at hand, solve complex problems and provide a solution. ..
It is now left to the interviewee to demonstrate that he/she is the person the employer is looking for. You have to prove that you have what it takes in terms of skill, charisma, and people skills to drive team cohesion and deliver superior results.
Everybody invited to the interview, based on CV, have what it takes to clinch the job, so having experience is not enough to clinch you the job. It is now left to each candidate to prove that he/she has an edge over other candidates as the preferred candidate.
Beyond raw skills, what you can do is be personable and professional. Smile, look the interviewer in the eye, and engage in a two-way conversation. Listen carefully, respond thoughtfully, and don't digress into personal details. Interviewers need to be convinced that you will be able to fix their problems and help their company achieve its goals. One of the best ways to answer interview questions is to use your career success stories. Career success stories are tales of the defining moments in your career when you overcame significant challenges to succeed. These stories create a memorable impression and give the listener anecdotes about you that identify your ability to handle the tasks at hand, solve complex problems and provide a solution. ..
Dressing Job Interview for Success
You need all the self-confidence you can galvanize as you approach a job interview situation. One weapon in your arsenal is your dressing. In job-hunting, first impressions are critical. Like in every other scenario, you only have one opportunity to make a first impression. You are marketing a product, yourself, to a potential employer, and the first thing the members of the interview panel see when asking you in is your attire; thus, you must make every effort to have the proper dress for the type of job you are seeking. Dressing properly alone will not get you the job, but it sure appears in the score sheet, and you need all the points you can garner to come out tops.
You need all the self-confidence you can galvanize as you approach a job interview situation. One weapon in your arsenal is your dressing. In job-hunting, first impressions are critical. Like in every other scenario, you only have one opportunity to make a first impression. You are marketing a product, yourself, to a potential employer, and the first thing the members of the interview panel see when asking you in is your attire; thus, you must make every effort to have the proper dress for the type of job you are seeking. Dressing properly alone will not get you the job, but it sure appears in the score sheet, and you need all the points you can garner to come out tops.
Dressing well makes you comfortable before the panel, without having to squirm within ill fitting clothes, or having to adjust your skirt, tie etc, distracting the panel and losing your flow. So apart from first impression and getting maximum scores for dressing, you need full concentration to sell yourself well. If you are not well dressed, deep inside you know, and that impacts negatively on your self-esteem. Going into a job interview situation with low self-esteem is negotiating from a position of weakness..
Dressing conservatively is always the safest route, but you should also try and do a little investigating of your prospective employer so that what you wear to the interview makes you look as though you fit in with the organization. If you overdress (which is rare but can happen) or under dress (the more likely scenario), the potential employer may feel that you don't care enough about the job.
To find out the dress code of an organization, visit the organization Monday to Thursday and observe how employees dress. Friday is not a good day, as most companies dress own on Fridays (casual/traditional day). Alternatively, you can ask those already working there, if you know anyone. Better still; call Human Resources (the number in the invitation for interview letter). You may feel that you will not get a positive response, but you have no way of knowing that. Nothing ventures, nothing wins.
For men, you can hardly go wrong with a black/dark gray/blue trouser and a white/sky blue or any other mellow coloured shirt. This is not the time for coat or many colours, or anything funky.
For women, you can hardly go wrong with a pant/skirt suit, same colour as above, though females can get away with more colours and attires than men. .
OB HUNTING TIPS
a) Prepare a CV
Prepare a CV (Curriculum Vitae). More often than not, this is your first contact with your prospective employer. Most companies nowadays do not have the time to go through “I beg to apply”. They simply ask for your CV. Your CV tells the story of who you are and what you have to offer.
a) Prepare a CV
Prepare a CV (Curriculum Vitae). More often than not, this is your first contact with your prospective employer. Most companies nowadays do not have the time to go through “I beg to apply”. They simply ask for your CV. Your CV tells the story of who you are and what you have to offer.
There are hundreds of sites on how to prepare a good CV. This is your calling card. It has to make a good first impression. Use a professional looking font, and not something funky or jazzy. Summarize your information and go straight to the point. If you have not been working since the days of the civil war, then your CV should fit into 2-4 pages. Nobody has the time to read stories, especially when he has a truck load of CVs to scan through. | |
Have a career summary on the front page, so that your prospective employer can see what he is looking for upfront. Include dates/duration in your job experience entries, and do not try to panel beat or make your CV look good, when you do not have the experience. Your façade will come crashing down during the interview proper. Make sure you qualify for the position before you apply in the first place. b) Promote Yourself After turning out a beautiful CV, a veritable work of art, the next step is in marketing yourself. This is where a lot of people develop cold feet. You have to first of all believe in yourself, and what you have to offer. Utilize your existing network (friends, acquaintances, church, old school mates etc) to distribute your CV. In these days of the internet, you can stay in Nigeria and get a job in UK, US, Australia, you name it. You don’t need to beat the streets, or get insulted by the gateman. Post your CV online. If you have the experience, don’t be scared of closing dates, send in your CV. The worst that can happen is, they through it away, or keep in view. A lot of company sites have vacancy/career links. Post your CV in season and out of season; that is if they do employ people in your field of study/experience. Some vacancies come up at short notice, and people with CVs already in the system are considered first. Also, some companies hardly advertise. They deal with the CVs they already have. If yours is already in, then you are in contention. That is why it is very beneficial to send in your CV. Employment agencies are also a good place to register with and upload your CV. Reputable ones have a large database of employers, and can match you with the right employer. They are more exposed than you are, and will have job openings in their database which are not in the public domain. Be confident, and know that you have something to offer. Employers are looking for you. They have a problem while you have the solution. They are not doing you a favor. Believe in yourself. | |
Guide to Oral Job Interview Preparation
The biggest mistake candidates for oral interviews make is not being fully prepared. Some feel that since they have passed the battery of tests, this is a formality. They are home safe and dry. Nothing can be farther from the truth. Passing the test is not enough to get you the job. You have the knowledge, now they want to meet you to see the stuff you are made of. The hood does not make a monk.
The biggest mistake candidates for oral interviews make is not being fully prepared. Some feel that since they have passed the battery of tests, this is a formality. They are home safe and dry. Nothing can be farther from the truth. Passing the test is not enough to get you the job. You have the knowledge, now they want to meet you to see the stuff you are made of. The hood does not make a monk.
It is your responsibility as a job seeker to use every conceivable means possible to prepare for the interview and to allow ample time to fully prepare.
Understand that interviewing is a skill; as with all skills, preparation and practice enhance the quality of that skill. Preparation can make the difference between getting an offer and getting rejected.There is no one "best" way to prepare for an interview. Rather, there are specific and important strategies to enhance one's chances for interview success. Every interview is a learning experience, so learning that takes place during the preparation and actual interview process is useful for future interviews.
Initial preparation requires recent assessment of skills, interests, values, and accomplishments; a re-assessment and updating of one's resume; and research on the targeted company/organization and position. Preparation also includes actual practice of typical and targeted interview questions. Final preparation includes details of dress and appearance, knowledge of the location of the interview, what to expect, and protocols for follow-up.
General preparation before you begin the oral interview process:
Self-Assessment
Asses yourself based on the requirements of the job you are being interviewed for. Go over the job advert, and not the key attributes required for the position. Assess yourself and see how you measure up. Note where you hit the mark, and where you come short. Prepare how to answer questions that relate to your areas of weakness. Don't wait until the interview day to be slammed with the question. Ask yourself the questions, and prepare your answer.
Assess your current skills, talents, abilities, strengths, weaknesses, interests, and work values. Re-examine accomplishments and achievements, particularly those that may be relevant to a prospective employer. Keep letter of recommendations and accomplishments you received from past employers handy.
Understand that interviewing is a skill; as with all skills, preparation and practice enhance the quality of that skill. Preparation can make the difference between getting an offer and getting rejected.There is no one "best" way to prepare for an interview. Rather, there are specific and important strategies to enhance one's chances for interview success. Every interview is a learning experience, so learning that takes place during the preparation and actual interview process is useful for future interviews.
Initial preparation requires recent assessment of skills, interests, values, and accomplishments; a re-assessment and updating of one's resume; and research on the targeted company/organization and position. Preparation also includes actual practice of typical and targeted interview questions. Final preparation includes details of dress and appearance, knowledge of the location of the interview, what to expect, and protocols for follow-up.
General preparation before you begin the oral interview process:
Self-Assessment
Asses yourself based on the requirements of the job you are being interviewed for. Go over the job advert, and not the key attributes required for the position. Assess yourself and see how you measure up. Note where you hit the mark, and where you come short. Prepare how to answer questions that relate to your areas of weakness. Don't wait until the interview day to be slammed with the question. Ask yourself the questions, and prepare your answer.
Assess your current skills, talents, abilities, strengths, weaknesses, interests, and work values. Re-examine accomplishments and achievements, particularly those that may be relevant to a prospective employer. Keep letter of recommendations and accomplishments you received from past employers handy.
Oral Interview Do's and Don'ts
Thou Shalls, and Thou Shall Nots
You have scaled the written test and have been short-listed. One more river to cross before you become a serious contender for the job. Here is a simple Do's and Don'ts guide. We call it Thou Shalls, and Thou Shall Not's Here goes.
Thou Shalls, and Thou Shall Nots
You have scaled the written test and have been short-listed. One more river to cross before you become a serious contender for the job. Here is a simple Do's and Don'ts guide. We call it Thou Shalls, and Thou Shall Not's Here goes.
Oral Interview Do's and Don'ts
Thou Shalls, and Thou Shall Nots
You have scaled the written test and have been short-listed. One more river to cross before you become a serious contender for the job. Here is a simple Do's and Don'ts guide. We call it Thou Shalls, and Thou Shall Not's Here goes.
Thou Shalls, and Thou Shall Nots
You have scaled the written test and have been short-listed. One more river to cross before you become a serious contender for the job. Here is a simple Do's and Don'ts guide. We call it Thou Shalls, and Thou Shall Not's Here goes.
JOB ORAL INTERVIEW TIPS
You have been invited for an interview, and you are in cloud nine. You were able to pass the written test despite the array of intimidating fellow applicants. One more major river to cross
After the euphoria has died down, first and foremost, read the letter again, and note the salient points. Make sure that you have everything they are asking for (e.g. originals of certificates, or original of “To Whom It May Concern”, if you are yet to get your certificate.
You have been invited for an interview, and you are in cloud nine. You were able to pass the written test despite the array of intimidating fellow applicants. One more major river to cross
After the euphoria has died down, first and foremost, read the letter again, and note the salient points. Make sure that you have everything they are asking for (e.g. originals of certificates, or original of “To Whom It May Concern”, if you are yet to get your certificate.
Then find out as much as you can, about the company. You can use your network to link up with someone who works there, who will give you information about the company, and the position you are to be interviewed for. Keep it at the back of your mind your employer has a need, which is why there is a vacancy in the first place. He is looking for someone to meet that need, to fill that vacancy or void. | |
You have to be convinced that you are the person he is looking for. If you exude that confidence, the panel will pick it, and you are in business. If you are jittery and not sure of yourself, you will fall be the wayside. So find out what the job is about, what the need is. Then come up with a solution. Become an asset. The background information you garner about the company will stand you in good stead in proffering solutions, and discussing the company knowledgeably. Before applying for the position, you would have made sure that you are suitably qualified for the post. Dress smartly and corporately for the interview. Dress formally. Don’t overdress, or wear something that is uncomfortable which causes you to fidget and shift in your seat. Be well prepared, with your credentials intact. As you come in, greet the members of the panel courteously, and wait to be shown to your seat. Don’t be too forward. | |
Some big companies first of all take you through a written test(s). The main reason is to prune down the number of applicants. They get swamped by the number of applicants, and to bring it down to a manageable number, they send you back to school.
There are different types of tests. There are aptitude tests and other tests that are academic in nature, varying from O’ Level, A’ Level to University grade materials. There are also professional tests that zero in on the job subject matter. Preparing for the test depends on the type of test. The first thing you should do when invited for a test is to find out what type of test it is going to be. | |
Some employers are nice enough to spell it out in the invitation letter what type of test it will be, while others prefer to play hide and seek, and spring surprises. If it is an aptitude test, then you need to have your brain in top form to go through the test. You need to think fast and smart. There are many types of aptitude test. Some comprise of very simple questions, which you are to complete in a very short time. Under this scenario, you do not have the luxury of long analysis. You have to think fast. Some are simple trick questions. They look simple and straight forward on the surface, but if you read carefully, there is a booby trap. Again, you have to think fast, and smart. The best way to prepare for this type of test is to practice and practice. Some of such tests may be found in GMAT/GRE past question papers. The best way to get the right material to prepare is by utilizing your existing network of friends etc. Some aptitude test are IQ based. You are given some puzzles to crack. Again, you have to think smart, and fast. There are various sources of these type of aptitude tests/IQ test to practice with. What you will see on the day of the test will be different of course, but you would have put your brain through the paces | |
SO YOU ARE LOOKING FOR A JOB?
We all have to work for somebody sometime. Even if you are an aspiring entrepreneur, you need to cut your teeth under the tutelage of a master.
We all have to work for somebody sometime. Even if you are an aspiring entrepreneur, you need to cut your teeth under the tutelage of a master.
Looking for a job in today’s Nigeria seems like an intimidating prospect. The word out there is that if you do not have a godfather or “long leg”, you will not land a job sometime soon. This is not strictly true. There is still room for merit. If you have ever run a business, you will discover how hard it is to get an experienced and faithful employee. There is a saying: | |
“Jobs are not scarce, faithful men are” Quite often, the employer is more eager to get a good employee than you are to get a good job. The issue is, “How does an eager employer meet a faithful and willing employee?”. Getting a good staff is a tough proposition. Faithful men are scarce, very scarce. Employers are looking for them. They comb nooks and crannies for them, and enlist all the help they can. That is the reason employers commission employment agencies, and splash full page adverts on papers in their hunt for the elusive faithful employee. That is why Shell is advertising in every medium imaginable. On the other side of the divide, job hunters are eagerly looking for who will hire them. That is also the reason job seekers comb nooks and crannies looking for a job, registering with employment agencies etc.. How does these two finally get to meet? Due to the volume of job related enquiries to Nigeria Galleria, we have decided to provide job links, resources and articles to our visitors who are in the job seeking phase of their lives. We hope to, in our own little way assist in making the meeting happen; by opening up the playing field so that employer can reach out far and wide, and employees can have better access to information. We are not an employment agency (the match makers) nor do we have any links with the companies/organizations listed herein. You will find below useful articles and tips on every aspect of job hunting. One final word; before you go looking for a job, discover your dreams. Have a clear cut short term and long term personal development plan en-route fulfilling your dreams. This plan will determine which jobs you go for, and how long you stay on each job. “If you do not know where you are going, any road will take you there”. Happy job hunting henryoshoremoh.blogspot.com | |
