kt sini aku nk share kt korg tntg tips utk job interview...utk korg2 semua & utk aku jugak...so we can learn from that...meh sini nk share kt sorg semua tntg tip job interview nie....
LET CHECK OUT!!!!!
When you receive that call
So you just got a call from a company requesting you for an interview, what do
you say then? Well here are a few tips you can use to help you. Firstly you can
ask for the name of the person who called you. Then find out the time and date
and place. Next you can ask who your interviewer will be and will it be a single
one to one interview or will there be a group of people interviewing you. Next
you can also find out more about the interviewing process.
In case you can't remember what position you applied for (you've just graduated
and sent out like 50 applications), you can always ask more about the position
you are going to be interviewing for. Sometimes the interview may not be for the
position you are applying for. For example you might expect a different type of
working environment when applying for a job called "Management Trainee" which in
reality could be almost anything. It is good to find out beforehand so that you
can properly prepare.
So here is a list of questions you should ask:
1. Time and date of interview
2. Location, if unsure ask for a map
3. Name of interviewer
4. Group or single individual
5. More details about position you are interviewing for
6. How is the interview process like? IQ Test?
7. How many rounds of interviews required?
8. If you are currently working and you would need time to obtain leave, tell
the person that you may require a re-schedule.
What to bring:
1) Copies of your resume
Bring a few, because sometimes there might be more than one person interviewing
you and you could distribute a copy of your resume to them right before the
interview session. I have personally seen three interviewers sharing a copy of
my resume and then trying to pass it around to another interviewer.
For more information on resume writing, click on this link.
2) Copies of your degree, certificates, transcripts, reports, thesis
Bring copies of your degree, certificates and academic transcripts. I would
advice that you make a few copies of them and staple them together. Then it
would be easy to give it to HR rather than you trying to sort it out in front of
them.
Another option is to bring a copy of your thesis or report from your university
days. Most employers may not be bothered with it but you never know. The best I
have seen was someone who binded her report nicely with hard leather covers and
had gold coloured letterings printed on it. It looked really professional. If
you are in the media and art line then a portfolio of your work would be more
suitable. Maybe even video presentations.
3) Original documents
Do not forget to bring all original documents to allow the HR recruiter to
verify the authenticity of your copies. Keep them in a clear folder for easy
viewing. Try not to jumble them up together and put them in the same order as
the copies you passed to HR. It shows a little bit of organizational skills you
might have and a exhibit a little professionalism.
4) Passport sized photo & Copies of your MyKad
Prepare a couple of passport size photos. You will most probably need to give
the HR recruiter for your application. Since the proliferation of digital
cameras it is quite easy to get passport sized photos so please bring a few just
in case. Sometimes they might require two. One for application and one for a
company badge if you are selected.
Don't forget to prepare a few copies of your Photostatted MyKad in case the
company requires it.
5) Pen and notebook
You would need a pen to fill out the application forms and also a notebook to
take simple details or do simple calculations if you were asked IQ questions.
Bring a couple of pens in case one runs out of ink.
6) Bag
With all the items mentioned above, you definitely need a bag to carry your
stuff around especially if you do not have your own means of transportation.
Believe it, its not easy juggling 3 folders while being cramped up in the LRT at
7.30am in the morning. Bring along a smart looking bag, nothing too fancy and
nothing too rugged and out of place. It depends on the environment of the
company you are applying to.
What to wear:
For any interview, an ironed out shirt and tie together with slacks and formal
work shoes should do. If you are very particular, make sure that your belt
matches with your shoe colours. Refrain from wearing bright colour socks.
Oversized clothes are not preferred especially pants. It's good to bring a comb
to the interview because you never know when a strong gust of wind might just
mess up your hair on the way to the interview. Also try not to wear a jacket or
coat as it may be too formal here in Malaysia. If you are attending one
overseas, then it might be necessary.
For Men
Long-sleeved shirt and dark slacks. White is still the safest and the best color
for shirts. The colour is also appropriate for our tropical weather. Also
acceptable: pale shades such as beige, blue, and other pastels. Tuck in the
shirt and do not roll up the sleeves. Never wear a short-sleeved shirt to an
interview or any business purpose. Wearing a short-sleeved shirt will destroy
your executive image.
Ties: They can be optional. But if you do wear one, choose a conservative
pattern. Solids, small polka dots, diagonal stripes, small repeating shapes,
subtle plaids and paisleys are all acceptable.Belts. Belts should match your
shoes. Those with smaller buckles with squared lines look more professional.
Socks: Definitely black socks are the best, followed by dark blue or dark gray,
depending on your attire. Never wear white socks! Check your sock length, too–no
skin should show when you sit down or cross your legs. Well this rule about
white socks depend on the position you are interviewing for, in case you are
interviewing for a position as a gym trainer then maybe having your proper gym
attire might be more suitable.
Shoes. Black or burgundy leather shoes with laces on them, because tassel
loafers are very casual. Other suitable colors are brown, cordovan and navy.
Hair. Keep neat, short and preferably parted on the side. And shave off all
those facial hair or keep them neat for those of you who carry mustaches.
Jewelery: Wear no or little jewellery. The watch and wedding ring are the only
acceptable pieces of jewellery to go with the male attire. Thin gold or
leather-strapped watches look professional but not digital watches. Also, avoid
political or religious insignias, necklaces or bracelets. Definitely no pierced
body parts, and cover up your tattoos!Accessories. As much as possible, use
leather briefcases or folders to hold copies of your resume. Use narrow
briefcases and avoid plastic folders and plastic ball pens as they are out of
place.
Ladies, remember not too much make-up. You are not auditioning for a play at the
local kabuki theater.
For Women
Three-piece business suits, blouse and skirt or slacks, and cardigan twin-sets.
Sleeveless shirts should be rejected. Short-sleeved blouses are okay when they
are tailor-cut or have features such as a sports collar or double breast design
to create a business-like look. Skirts can either be long provided it does not
create a Cinderella or barn-dance look or short where it falls no shorter than
two inches from the knee. Nothing too revealing, please!
Panty-hose or stockings. A must for professional grooming, but nothing with
overly fussy patterns. Bring an extra pair, just in case the ones you are
wearing run.
Shoes. Closed shoes or pumps with at least 1½-inch heels suggest a more
professional look. Dark colors are best.
Hair. Hair longer than shoulder length should be worn up or pulled back. Don't
let it fall in front of your face and don't keep trying to fix it during the
interview. Avoid large hair ornaments and trendy hairstyles.
Make-up. Be subtle; natural is the key word. Light shades of lip coloring and
nail polish are recommended."
Jewellery. Be conservative. Studs of gold, silver or pearls are best. Do away
with gaudy fashion jewellery, and those that clank and make noise when one
moves.
Accessories. Folders and bags should blend well with the total professional
look. Women should match their purse with their shoe colour.
What to prepare:
Read up about the company before attending the interview. Find out as much as
you can about it, its current financial situation, locations around the world,
work culture, company aims and objectives, the company vision, values and more.
A good way is to ask people who are currently working in them or another
alternative is to use Google. Most companies might have a company website which
provides all of that which is good. Try learning and remembering about the
company's history, it helps to impress your interviewer that you took the time
to learn about the company. Sometimes you can check the company's latest press
release and bring it up as a conversation piece with the interviewer.
Usually if you are applying for a technical position, then prepare yourself by
reading up some of your past lecture notes and try to recall what you have
learned in university. Of course that would be almost impossible to remember
everything so just study the ones that are related to the job you are applying
for. For example if you are applying for a position that is related to
marketing, then reading up on your marketing notes would be the first priority.
Even if you are applying for a position that is not related to your field of
study, there are plenty of libraries out there as well as the internet to learn
as much as you can. It's better to be prepared than not to be at all. A good
example would be engineering students who are applying for a management trainee
position at a bank. You definitely didn't learn any banking skills during
lecture so do your research!
Most interviews would require you to give them a brief explanation about your
past experiences in extra curricular activities and this is a great opportunity
for you to shine with your previous involvement. Some of the very standard
questions would be, "Explain a situation where you were in a tight spot" or
"Explain a situation where you showed leadership skills". The answers to these
questions should always be ready in your mind and by giving out a detailed
account of your experiences, it would greatly help you to show your leadership
skills as well as give a good impression to the interview as you had prepared
for this interview.
A good way to answer these types of questions is to first slowly map out the
entire situation first and then identifying key incidences such as when you
stood up and led the team in certain situations or when you took charge of part
of the project or even contributed ideas of change.
Some interviewers would just ask the question and then let you answer them but I
had experienced some who kept asking in detail about the situation. For example,
I mentioned that I called a certain someone to discuss about the project. The
interviewer then asked me, "How was the guy's reaction when you called him?",
"Did you think that he had confidence in your judgment?" and "How long did the
conversation last?". It was that detailed. So don't try and bullshit your way
through it.
Be honest and always tell the truth, interviewers will know when you are trying
to bullshit your way into the job. It is ok if your situation is not as
spectacular as how you would imagined it would be, sometimes it just about how
you present yourself or how well you can communicate it to your interviewer is
what that counts.
Lastly, find out simple things like who is your interviewer, what position does
he/she holds, how many interviewers will there be, how many stages would you
have to go through in order to obtain the position and ask. Do not be afraid to
ask.
What to do while waiting:
Arriving around 15 minutes earlier should be enough time for you to settle down
and relax a little. Some HR recruiters will then ask you to fill out some
application forms or even provide you with some questionnaires or tests. Another
time the interviewer might be late because he/she could be caught up with some
important work.
How you spend your time right now is crucial before the interview. The first
thing you can do right now is to calm your mind and relax. A calm mind allows
you for quick thinking and answering. Another thing is to be as observant as you
can. Look around to see if there are any company posters or posters that try to
encourage people. These posters, believe it or not, can help give you that extra
edge in the interview.
For example, I sit in the HR waiting room waiting for my interviewer to arrive.
I see posters such as "Company Motto: To strive for excellence" or "There is no
I in Team" or even the company vision or tag-lines such as "Excellence,
Performance, Efficiency" and more. Instead of just looking at them, I can use
them in my interview. I could tell my interviewer that I work hard and strive to
excel in anything I undertake. Also I could say that team work is extremely
important and that it brings out high performance and efficiency.
Another thing you can do is try to evaluate the working environment and observe
as much as you can. Another example is that I noticed one company was using VoIP
phones and I started a conversation with the interviewer about that after the
interview session and we had a few good laughs and thoughts regarding the
technology and all.
While waiting for the interviewer to arrive or if you are waiting in the hall or
at the reception, take this time to go to the toilet to relieve yourself as well
as check your outward appearance. You can also practice your smile while
checking your teeth to see if there are any unwanted stains or food leftovers
lingering about those gaps. Take a breath check as well, it is good to have some
gum or mint candy handy especially before interviews.
This is also a good time for you to turn off your mobile phone.
What to do during the Interview:
During the interview, you should always remember to shake your interviewer's
hand when entering and always have a smile on your face. Creating a pleasant
outlook of you is important. If there is more than one interviewer, take the
time to shake hands with each of them and introduce yourself to them. Do not sit
down until the interviewers tell you so or ask them politely whether if you
could take a seat. Most probably the interviewers will ask you to have a seat
upon entering the room.
Always keep eye contact, sit up straight and be attentive. Eye contact is very
important and for those of you who cannot talk to a person and look them
straight in the eye, you better start practicing. Make eye contacts not stares.
It is also important to switch between the interviewers (>1 interviewers) so
that none will feel offended. When making eye contact, try to focus on one eye,
switching between eyes of that same person gives a nervous impression. If you
are the type that is afraid to look someone in the eyes, you can always look at
the areas near the eyes, such as the nose. Practice with friends before the
interview.
On the hand shaking part, gives firm and powerful grip. However on some
occasions, initiating a hand shake with a future employer might be bad by giving
an aggressive impression.
If you look away when speaking to someone, you're viewed as lacking confidence
or interest.
When answering questions, answer in a clear and easily understandable manner.
Try not to beat around the bush, get to the point straight. For example, you can
take about 2-3 minutes describing a certain scenario, once explaining the key
points you can always ask, "would you like to hear more?" or "Did I give you
enough detail?". Good interview sessions are all about giving and taking. It's
never easy to just constantly talk about yourself all the time while the
interviewer is busy doing something else. Asking questions will draw the
interviewer out to speak a little which is good.
Its good to ask questions, ask about the company, ask about the interviewer and
how his view of the company is, ask about the job position, ask about the work
environment, just ask. It shows that you are very curious about the company and
that you have the initiative to ask questions. Most employers would prefer
employees that ask a lot of questions and not the type that just sit down
quietly being dumb.
When taking the time to think about an answer, try not to just keep quiet and
still. Instead portray an appearance that shows you are thinking and trying to
remember. Observe how your interviewer carries himself/herself and try to pick
up a few good points from it.
Think of the interview as if it were your first date. Sometimes it is human
nature to defend ourselves and during interviews, when bombarded with "killer"
questions, we might come up and be all defensive about ourselves which could
cost you the job itself. On your first date, you would never want to offend your
date would you? Instead you are trying to sell yourself, about how good you can
be in a relationship. This works the same for an interview.
Remember, be natural. When you perform unnaturally, it gives the interviewer a
feeling that you're nervous and not confident.
In the case where you have more than one interviewer, make sure you direct your
comments to all of them. You never know who's the one who actually makes the
hiring decision. So treat them all as equally important even though they may be
the one sitting quietly but observing you. There are instances where technical
people will always ask the questions while HR might just sit quietly behind
observing you.
What to do post interview:
After some comments by people and my friend who works in the HR line, it is good
to leave a thank you message either by email or maybe a simple message to your
interviewer. Its the same as a smile, a simple gesture could really make
someone's day and wouldn't you want your interviewer to be happy when evaluating
your application?
Mistakes Made During the Interview:
1. This happened during my interview with a semiconductor company based outside
of KL. They asked if I applied to other companies based in KL and they asked if
I were offered a job in KL would I take it. Being my first interview and being
naive and honest, I said yes. Thanks to that I didn't get the job.
2. Some interviews are in a few stages, 2-3 interviews. I didn't really give a
good answer during my first interview but although I managed to get a second
one, I answered the 2nd interviewer differently to the same generic question
(Why this particular company?). I didn't get the job and I have a big feeling
its due to the fact that my answers were not consistent.
