Tag: job interview

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3 Ways to Improve The Interview Outcome

Job interviews are competitive. It simply isn’t good enough to discuss your past experiences.  Instead you need to stand out in the job interview, you need to create an unbreakable bond with the interviewer and you need to be seen as pure gold.

These 3 techniques will help you influence the job interview outcomes.

Taking off the Invisibility Cloak

You might not believe this, because you put so much effort into your job interview……but most job interviewers forget the people they have interviewed.

Thats right, interviewers will forget the people they have interviewed, wrongly believe that one applicant said a key point when in actual fact it was there competitor who discussed it and interviewers can even associate their mad-mood onto the applicants interview.

You need to be remembered and to be remembered in a positive light. To stand out in you job interview it is important to make the interview an emotional journey. 3 ways to create an emotional journey are:

  • Use intriguing stories instead of generic interview answers
  • Embed your answers with emotionally based words
  • People remembering being praised. If you make the interviewer, through positive praise, feel good about themselves, they will remember you more 

Having a Unique Selling Point

People applying for positions in the same salary bracket tend to have similar experiences, skills and qualifications.

To boost your chances of having a positive interview outcome  you need to stand out in the job interview. But more then standing out, you need to be seen as a valuable asset. To stand out you need a Unique Selling Point

  • What do you possess in terms of skills, qualities and experiences that others don’t:
  • Can you turn around under performing teams?
  • Can you make companies on the bleak of bankruptcy profitable? 
  • Can bring in high levels of business? 

Ensure you discuss your unique selling point throughout the job interview

Come Across Confident

Confidence is undervalued in the job interview.

People believe what confident people say, people are influence by confidence and confidence is an attractive quality.

You need to boost your confidence levels by going to the job interview well prepared, practiced and feeling good about yourself. Boost your confidence by:

  • Predicting the job interview questions – read the job spec and turn each criteria into an interview question
  • Record and re-write your interview answers 3 times as this improves the quality of the interview answer and helps you to remember your answers
  • Attend a mock interview with a friend or interview coach, as this helps you prepare for unrehearsed questions 

Practice and preparation create confidence.

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3 Reasons To Talk About The Future Not The Past In Job Interviews

It is common for interviewees to talk only about the past during the job interview.

The past is where you have been successful, where you have built up your skills, qualities and expertise, which is why it is easy to fall into the “past trap”

To influence the job interview you need to focus your answers on how you will impact their company in the future. Here are 3 Reasons To Talk About The Future Not The Past In Job Interviews

I Did, I will

Lots of interviewers will ask questions around your skills “What is your key strength” “Give me an example of when you have used X skill”

And most interviewees answer by talking about a past success “In my last company I DID, A, B and C…” This type of answer does highlight your skills and successful achievements but it doesn’t have a massive impact on the interview outcome. Remember everyone attending the interview will have had similar experiences and will give similar past success stories.

To add power to your answer you need to talk about how you will use this skill to help the company achieve their goals. By focusing the interviewer on you being successful in their company has a higher emotionally impact on the interview outcome.

“My key skill is X, the way I WILL use this skill to meet our KPIs will be to A, B and C” This is a simple tweak in the interview answer structure but this simple tweak has a massive impact.

Imagine….

Certain words can influence the interview. “Imagine” seems a simple word but in actual fact this word is a POWER word.

Imagine is known as a command word, when used in a sentence it commands the listener to take action. Imagine is so powerful that it is used in conversational hypnosis, by pick up artist and in mentalism shows.

When asked an interview question, you can use “imagine” to get the interviewer to focus on you being successful in their company which is highly motivational. If say “imagine a duck balancing on a blue ball” you have to picture this image, to process what I have said – did you picture a duck on a blue ball?

It’s the same in the job interview, if you say “Imagine me using my experience to help you achieve X and Y..” the interviewer has to imagine this positive outcome.

Future Questions

At the interview end you be invited to ask questions.

Most interviewees will ask questions around development opportunities, staff retention and holiday entitlement.

But this an opportunity missed. You can use the questions you have to focus, once again, to focus the interviewer on you being employed and successful in their organisation.

Ask questions that make the interviewer see you working for them. If, throughout the interview the interviewer keeps imagining you working for them and being successful, they will increase the desire to recruit you

An example question to ask would be “If I was to start working for you, what would you like me to achieve first?” This simple sounding question will make the interviewer imagine, first, you working for them, and secondly, even more powerful, you achieving something important for them.

The more the interviewer imagines you being successful while working for them – and the outcomes this achieves, the more they will want to hire you, which is why you need to focus your answers on future successes not past experiences.

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Does a Handshake Effect a Job Interview?

Interviewees are always looking to get an advantage over other applicants.

We already know that the way you answer the job interview questions; the structure you use, the tone of your voice and the passion you state your words with have a powerful influence in  a job interview.

You will also understand the power of a first impression.

A first impression isn’t just based on what you wear (which is what most people wrongly believe) The first impression is assessed at an unconscious level, and your facial expressions, body language and handshake effect the outcome of the employer’s prejudices.

Visual and Touch

Your brain is in its own world. The mind cant see or feel. Instead, it relies on electrical impulses that are fired off via your senses – what your body see’s, hears and feel’s sending a different electrical impulse to your brain, your subconscious then through learned experience tells you how to respond.

If you see an overweight man, as an example, you will have an instant opinion about this person. Maybe your experience has taught you that overweight people are lazy? Or maybe you have the belief that overweight people are kind and hardworking. We all have and make instant opinions about new people we meet, and we make them instantly.

These opinions can be changed, but often the opinion the interviewer has created about you is a filter that they will use when they interview you – which means you need this first impression to be a positive one.

Your handshake, which is physical, which means its a highly powerful influence, has to help you to create a positive first impression.

   

Powerful Handshake in a Job Interview

Below you will learn a basic technique to give you a powerful handshake. It will sound so basic, that you won’t at first believe the power of it. So, I recommend you test the different shakes out on a friend. Do this with your eyes closed and focus on the feeling you get when shaking their hand in the following ways

As we said before, handshakes like all body language give away how you are feeling – nervous or confident? And employers prefer to offer jobs to confident interviewees. Employers are not taught what a certain handshake represents but unconsciously your handshake and body language will give clues to the employer’s subconscious mind.

  • If your Palm is facing up this can be taken as a sign of submission
  • A palm facing down can be taken as aggressive
  • A palm facing sideways is taken as a sign of equality

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Job Interview Diction

With a job interview due in a couple of weeks, you have spent your time preparing and writing your well researched interview answers.

After answering each interview question, using prepared and well researched answers, you are surprised that you rarely revive job offers, why is this?

It doesn’t matter how much effort you put into your interview preparation, if the interviewer cant understand your point, communication or perspective, you will fail to win over any employer.

Professional interviewees practice their diction, tonality and the delivery power of their voice. This creates an a confident, persuasive and charming interview.

Job Interview Diction

With a well prepared interview, you may believe that your answers will go down well. But, unless the interviewer can clearly hear each word, your well prepared answers wont hit the mark.

These are 3 key reasons why audiences turn off when listening to a poorly delivered interview answer

  • Nervousness speaker, lacking in confidence – people mumble during the interview when feel emotionally stressed 
  • Talking to fast – with a lot top say in such a short period of time, the interviewee may rush to get the words out 
  • Poor diction – rushing words or not pronouncing words clearly can leave the interviewer thinking “What did they say?”  

   

How to Improve Diction Before a Job Interview

A great technique for improving your diction, to practice talking slower and to boost your confidence is to use Tongue Twisters.

Here is a famous example to use as a practice tool “I am the very pattern of a modern Major-General; I’ve information vegetable, animal, and mineral; I know the Kings of England, and I quote the fights historical, From Marathon to Waterloo, in order categorical; I’m very well acquainted too with matters mathematical, I understand equations, both simple and quadratical, About binomial theorem I’m teeming with a lot o’ news, With many cheerful facts about the square of the hypotenuse. I’m very good at integral and differential calculus, I know the scientific names of beings animalculous, In short, in matters vegetable, animal, and mineral, I am the very model of a modern Major-General.”    

3 Steps to Improve Diction Prior to your Job Interview

Step 1 – Start by practicing your diction using tongue twisters before practicing the diction of your forthcoming job interview

Step 2 – Start by saying the tongue twister out loud slowly, ensure each word is said clearly and that each word is crisp at the word start and end.

Step 3 – Once the statement is communicated clearly, repeat the tongue twister faster and faster, repeating the paragraph if a word is not said cleanly.

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Your Values and Their Impact on the Job Outcome

Values shape the person you are. Your values affect your work ethic, personality, beliefs and what you deem to be important.

Often people with similar values create strong rapport and build strong friendships.

In the job interview, you can use values to create likability with the interviewer increasing your chances of a job offer. The employer will value certain aspects of the job more than others, they deem certain company policies and procedures over others and they will reference ways of working. 

If your values match the interviewer’s values you will increase interview rapport.

Understanding Your Values

What is important to you in your career? To understand what you value in  a career I would first ask you to write down your values on a piece of paper. 

Example Values

Your Values

Money

Career progression

Working with others

Seeing the end result to my work

Working close to home

Having targets

Feedback

Personal development

Flexibility

Reliability

Ongoing support

Variation

Now you have a list of your career values; you need to reorder them according to importance, which of your values is more important to you? If you had a choice would you take a job that had value A or value B?

Your Values in Order of Importance

 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Once you know your career values and the values you most require, ask your self “could I have a job that didn’t have Value X?” – Pose this question for all the values on your list.

People who accept a job offer with a company who doesn’t have the same values will soon become bored, agitated or stressed, which will lead to them quitting their job or becoming depressed and falling ill. If you have not reflected on and identified your values then you may fall into the trap of applying for similar unsuitable roles in which you quickly become bored, creating a cycle of negative career choices.

Once you know what you truly value in a career, you can match your values to that of the position you are applying for and I would add, once you find your values in the position you are applying for you will quickly become more excited about the position and this excitement will shine through during the interview which will lead to leaving a lasting positive impression.

Often enthusiastic, passionate and motivated interviewees gain job offers over experienced but boring interviewees – candidates might give the same answers but they are not always heard the same by the bored interviewer.

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Top 5 Telephonic Interview Bloopers to Avoid

Interviewing for a job, in-person or telephonic, is one of the most critical stages of job-hunting. Many of us experience stress and high anxiety. However, making interview mistakes in any form can make you pay for it!

Most of the companies prefer a telephonic interview, which is probably like a ‘mini job interview’ before the final ‘face-to-face’ interview. If all goes well, it paves the way for the final in-person interview.

If you have an upcoming telephonic interview and you are still thinking how to crack it, understanding some of the common telephonic interview bloopers would help you to excel in it.

These include:

Neglecting the importance of the right place for the interview

Most of us fail to understand the importance of a right environment for conducting a telephonic interview. Avoid a noisy location, in presence of friends, or while driving your car. Choosing your home or a private office cabin where no one disturbs you is a perfect place. When at home, avoid distractions like kids, other phone calls, TV, or your pet barking. Use a right phone connection with the proper network. Take out sufficient time to attend the call and do not assume that it will get over in ten minutes or so.

Treating it casually

Don’t think a phone interview to be just another casual ‘know you’ call. These are seriously taken by employers as a part of their screening process and choosing the best candidates for final interview. Never assume that you will get another call, as this might be your first and the last interview call from the company depending on your performance.

Lack of preparation

When you do not take this interview as real, the chances are high that you will lack in your preparation for the same. Like an ‘in-person’ interview, it is vital to prepare for a telephonic interview by researching about the company, job description, and practicing some common interview questions.

Not concentrating on your voice tone

Since you are not present in front of the interviewer, your voice is the only medium that will help you to send across the right impression. Make your pitch convey that you are interested, enthusiastic, and attentive to answer his questions. Speak clearly and slowly to convey your thoughts clearly. A right voice modulation is the key to overcome the disadvantage of the absence of facial expressions, body language, and eye contact.

Forget to keep the application form handy

Keeping your resume, application form and other required details handy is required to answer any related questions quickly. Do not hassle your phone interview by remembering and looking for required details, such as previous salary, at the time of attending the call. Not doing so gives an impression that you have not prepared for the interview, and hence, you are not much interested!

What to do then? Some important tips:

  • Do not drink, chew, or eat anything during the interview, as it might not sound pleasant while speaking.
  • Prepare some common questions such as reasons to leave the previous organization, what you know about the current company/role, what are your strengths and weaknesses, etc.
  • Choose a location that has an appropriate background to avoid any distractions.
  • Keep resume details handy to waste any time.
  • Keep relevant questions ready to ask the interviewer at the end.
  • Avoid multi-tasking (no emails, chats, household work, etc. at the time of phone interview).

All the best!

Author Bio:

Swati Srivastava is an avid writer who loves to pen down her ideas and career tips for job seekers and professionals. Her blog posts, new stories, and articles are focused on the extensive domain of employment sector in the gulf. Currently, she is writing for Naukrigulf.com. Follow her @LinkedIn 

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How to answer the “what is your experience” interview question when you have never worked before

Passing job interviews is hard! But it can be even harder when applying for a position when you have no experience in that sector, or for graduates with no experience what so all.

So how do you answer the “what is your experience?” interview question when you have never worked in this role before?  This article will teach you one of the techniques to get around this tricky interview question.

First, you need to think about your employability skills and where you gained these skills from.

Many people have volunteered, worked part time while at college or undertook work placements.

When you have never worked in the sector your applying for before, you need to still be able to pull up stories that highlight your skills from previous experiences. A technique to help your creative juices flow is to mindmap skills. Write down a skills “customer service” and mindmap when you have used/or where you gained this skill from

The technique is a 3 step approach to answering the interview question “what is your experience” when you have never worked in this job sector before.

When asked this interview question you need to Step 1. Answer the question in the first answer

As an example, if you have been asked “what is your customer service experience” (applying for a retail position) you can summarise your customer service experience “I have over 2 years of customer service experience”

By stating that you have X years’ experience in this skill, the interviewer will be intrigued and will want to listen to the rest of your interview answer.  If this example your customer service experience doesn’t have to be in a retail setting, as customers come in all shapes and forms. If you were, let to say a scout leader, then your customers are your scouts and their parents.

Step 2. Give an example “an example of my customer service experience is when A, B and C…” again the example doesn’t have to be shop related when applying for a retail role, but it does have to highlight your experience in customer service. This second stage is about you explaining how you possess these required criteria. Really sell yourself here.

The final step, Step 3, is to relate your experience to the position you are applying for. Ideally, if you have direct experience in a similar role, you would use this as your example. But because you are using a different context to highlight your experience you need to make it relevant to the employer.

“…this is the same approach I would use in your store if a customer asked X I would A, B and C…”

The 3 Step Approach

The technique to highlight your skill base (because you have no direct experience) is to

Step 1 Answer the question in the first sentence

Step 2 give an example of you using the skill

Step 3 to make the experience relevant to the job role by explaining how you would do X in their company.

In most interview situations, the interviewee who lacks experience will often just state that “I haven’t really done that before.”

This type of answer will only lead to a lack of job offers. Most employers when recruiting low-paid positions are more interested in people’s work ethic, commitment and skill base, as they are willing to mentor and train new employees which is why the wage is set low.

Employers looking for high-paid staff required highly experienced employees who can join their company and with only a quick indication can carry out the required job duties.

By explaining how you have the skill and how you will transfer this skill to the new role the employer will see you as a positive investment.

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5 Things to Know if You are Interviewing with a ‘Future’ Bad Boss

It is important to get a job. But it is equally important to know if you are going to be a right fit for the organization and how is going to be your future manager. Many people believe that a boss can actually break or make a career. He can identify your strengths and make you feel committed to the company.

How to know this? Well, this becomes easier when you are interviewing with your ‘future’ boss. Hence, while he is evaluating you as a good fit for his company and team, the following tips will help you to assess if you are interviewing a bad boss.

The following signs will allow you to spot him:

1.      Intimidating body language

Body language speaks a lot about a person. Crossing legs on the table, too much-pointing fingers, or looking down at you are some of the easiest indications of an intimidating boss. No one wants a boss who will not offer much scope for growth. If he doesn’t let you prove your point, checking your resume repeatedly, or not maintaining eye contact, these signs herald that he is going to be a boss who is not much confident about his position, and will leave a little scope of work freedom for you.

2.     Begins straight away with the interview questions

Talking ‘to-the-point’ is good. However, a formal greeting, introduction, and saying something in the context of the job interview are certain interview etiquettes that people expect. If he just starts shooting interview questions after a “Good Morning”, be sure that he is a boss who is more interested in work only and not employees. So, asking for leaves, pay hike or promotions could be a challenge for you.

3. Does not pay the needed attention

Taking out a suitable time to assess a job candidate is vital. Going out to attend phone calls, checking time frequently, reading mails are all the signs of disrespectful communication habits. He is impatient to listen to your thoughts and more often interrupts you to ask another question. He will be a difficult boss who is never going to take out time for you- for your queries or grievances.

4. Invading personal space

It is fine to know a bit about your background, your family, hobbies, or interests. However, if he is not respectful of your personal space, this is a red flag. He could be a boss who is less interested in work and more concerned about your personal matters.

5. His team behavior

When your interview is scheduled near his cabin, it is the time to observe his team behavior. If you find employees rushing to their seats when the boss is around, or avoid eye contact or any conversation with him, such a boss does not share a good working relationship with his team.

Though a bad boss cannot be the only reason to say NO to a job offer, however, knowing these signs can certainly help you to choose between two job offers.

Happy job hunting

Author Bio:

Swati Srivastava is an avid writer who loves to pen down her ideas and career tips for job seekers and professionals. Her blog posts, new stories, and articles are focused on the extensive domain of employment sector in the gulf. Currently, she is writing for Naukrigulf.com. Follow her @LinkedIn 

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Cracking the “Non-Verbal” Code of an Interview

Cracking the “Non-Verbal” Code of an Interview

Giving interviews is a tricky business. You are judged not only on the basis of your verbal skills, but on your non-verbal acumen as well. It is not just about the explicit meaning of words but about the implicit transfer of messages. Non-verbal behaviour involves interpersonal communication of a different level. It is but an un-intentional method of communication, playing at a very subconscious level.

Cracking the code of effective non-verbal communication is bewildering for the best of us. Its components can have you reeling in every dimension. From facial expressions and tone of voice, to body language and physical proximity, non-verbal signals give additional information and meaning over and above verbal communication.

dealing with criticise

1.      Kinesics

Kinesics refers to body language or body movements. This includes posture, gestures, hand movements, or body movements on the whole. The key attributes of this non-verbal component are:

  • Reinforces what a person is saying.
  • Gives additional information about the attitudes and emotions of a candidate.
  • Can conflict with what a person is saying. Hence, a skilled hiring manager can detect this discrepancy and catch you where you are weak.
  • Expressions of happiness, sadness, anxiety, etc. are globally recognized and can be sensed easily.

Examples of kinesics are socially and culturally diverse. Understanding the detailed nuances of body language is very important for effective job acquisition. For example, an Indian looking for an overseas job with a multi-national company must know how to acknowledge an employer of different nationality. Folding hands in Namaste may not be understood by the said individual, which could lead to an embarrassing start. Some other common examples are:

  • Glancing at your watch during the interview.
  • Tapping your feet – shows impatience and anxiety.
  • Fidgeting in your chair.
  • Coughing too much or clearing your throat every 2 seconds.
  • Moving your hands too much when enunciating.

2.      Oculesics

Bharatanatyam is all about eye movement, and so is an interview. The intensity of your glance, pupil dilation, frequency of glances, and blink rate can publicise hidden intent. A smile on your face can never mask the look of utter terror in your eyes when sitting in front of a panel. You can keep eye movements in check by focussing at a point close to the interviewers face; without staring at him directly. Oculesics matter in an interview because:

  • Eye contact is essential for giving and receiving feedback.
  • It lets the other person know that it’s their time to talk without having to say the words.
  • It is the bridge between listening and speaking.
  • It can be employed to convey silence, ignorance, and anger. For example: You look away when you want to avoid answering a question, you look down when you are unsure of what to say, and you look up when you are trying to remember a point.

3.      Paralinguistics

Para-language pertains to the tone and pitch of your voice. Girls are generally shrill and get squeakier in an interview. Boys on the other hand have a deeper baritone which all but disappears when it comes to answering questions. Being aware of how you talk, the speed and volume of your message delivery, and the pauses and hesitations between words is highly important. During an interview, if you put emphasis on certain words, they are sure to be picked up by the hiring manager.

4.      Proxemics

Different cultures display different levels of closeness that is appropriate for building corporate relationships. Violating this “appropriate” distance can leave individuals feeling defensive or uncomfortable. “Space” issues can open portals to misinterpretation. The main categories of proxemics include:

  • Intimate distance – upto 45cm.
  • Personal distance – 45cm to 1.2m.
  • Social distance – 1.2m to 3.6m.
  • Public distance – 3.7m to 4.5m.

Understanding distances will allow you to approach others in an appropriate and non-menacing manner. Interviewers will understand how you feel about the situation and, if required, will change their behaviour accordingly.

5.      Chronemics

Understanding the language of time is exceptionally important in an interview. It not only makes for good interview ethics but bodes well for your personality in case you get hired. People perceive time differently across cultures. It pertains to punctuality, interactions, and willingness to wait. Your time-usage acumen can define whether you are suitable for a particular job profile or not. Chronemics can define status as well.

For example: a boss can take a break from work any time of the day, but you will have to take permission for a 5 minute stroll in the park. Time across cultures in divided into:

  • Monochronic time: Everything is scheduled, organized, and pre-planned. Events are conducted at one particular point in time. Germany, Switzerland, and Canada employ a monochronic culture.
  • Polychronic time: Multiple events are conducted at once, and scheduling time is more flexible. Africa, Latin America, and Asia exhibit a polychronic culture.

Conclusion

Non-verbal communication forms an integral part of any candidate’s profile. Most job seekers are unaware of their non-verbal behaviour; hence, making mistakes is quite a common affair. With practise and repeated interviews, you will not only understand how to conduct yourself, but will garner sufficient experience to read the interviewers expressions as well. An in-depth knowledge of the aforementioned components can lead to greater shared understanding, which is the true purpose of interaction and communication.

Author Bio:

Tina Jindal is a professional content writer who works on a variety of topics like employment, real estate, and education. She has been involved with renowned publications and has tried her hand at editing works on Cookery, Gardening, Pregnancy, and Healthcare. She loves to travel and is crazy about dogs. You can contact her @Gmail | LinkedIn

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The Interview Motivation Language Model

We are all motivated and influenced differently. But imagine that you could learn how your interviewer was motivated during the interview. In this situation the interviewee could easily frame their interview answer so the language used could have a greater impact, increasing your chances of increased job offers.

Motivational Traits

Today you will learn about motivational traits; how to uncover the interviewer’s traits and how you can use this to influence the job interview outcome.

NLP Mind Tricks

Achieving Goals or Solving Problems

Each of us are either motivated by Achieving Goals or Solving Problems (the glass is half full or half empty) we either see a problem that needs to be solved or we see a goal that needs to be achieved. This perception is key to understanding your interviewer’s mind and their own motivational model.

A goal-setter can easily be de-motivated when a team talk about the problems and issues they face. This is because we are all wired differently and in the interview situation, especially when the job offer comes down to the interviewers gut feeling about someone, understanding the interviewer’s motivational preference can secure you the job.

To detect how your interviewer is motivated you need to listen to the language the interviewer uses; how they phrase their questions and answers.

Interviewers motivated by Achieving Goals will often use terminology that represents this trait; goal, achieve, attain, get, achieve.

Problem Solvers on the other hand use opposite jargon and phrases; avoid, exclude, away from, problem, recognise

Problem Solver – Example Interview Question “if you were given a last-minute deadline, how would you solve the timing problem?”

Goal – Example Interview Question “if you were given a last-minute deadline, what would you do to ensure you achieved the deadline goal?”

To ensure you use language that motivates your interviewer you need to phrase your interview answers in such away that they make a real impact on the interviewer. To achieve this, you need to speak their language. If they talk using goals or problem solving language you need to incorporate this same language in your interview answers.