Going for job interviews

Practically everyone needs a job and to get a job, you have to go through job interview(s), unless you are setting up your own company or you are the son of a political agent/minister.

The first interviews are always a bit frightful (for most persons) but as you gradually build up your self-confidence, you will feel more comfortable in front of your interviewer(s). But be careful, if you have been going through interviews a hell lot of time, there’s surely a problem somewhere.

Remember, the guy is giving you an interview because he needs someone. Carrying out interviews is not fun but rather a lengthy process, requiring lot of commitment and time. And time is money.

During the interview

I believe that some main key points during an interview are to :

• Leave a good impression of yourself by being smart, punctual, lively and knowledgeable.
• Convince your interviewers that you possess the necessary skills they are looking for,
• Provide sufficient reasons ( indirectly if you want ) why they should choose you over the other potential candidates,
• Do not hesitate to share similar experiences if ever your interviewer mentions particular problems they are going through. Although not all solutions might be applicable, the person might appreciate your attitude and spontaneity.
• Get a brief idea of the business, how it works, who are the clients etc. It might help you to get a better idea of the organisation and what type of work you are going to do.
• Relax and keep cool. Don’t rush into interviews at the last minute. This will only increase the stress.
• And ask questions!
  Listen attentively to what is being said and do not hesitate to clear any doubts about the job, company or anything else.

Usually, it is more easy when you already have some experience in your career, whether in previous job positions or from personal projects. Remember, lies during an interview will either make you land in a position for which you are under qualified/experienced or if ever you get caught, you might go through an embarrassing situation.

Can you bring your current pay slip?

Another important point to note : NEVER handle your previous employer’s payslip/statement to the company you are applying for. WHATEVER the reasons they bring forward, it is a complete bullsh*t practice.

Your payslip is something confidential between your employer and you. There is no law as such where you are forced to give a copy of your payslip. If they insist, tell them, it is fine, you are going (Do so only in cases where you have nothing to lose, for example, you are currently employed or you have other job proposals).

Going through technical/practical tests

This said, I will end this post with a small incident. I once went for an interview and had to go through a programming test. While answering, I stumbled on an error in one of the questions. I called the person in charge, who in turn called the technical guy who had set the questions. I was asked to bring some modifications in my own question paper before attending to this specific question. I completed my paper and I never got any response from them.

Either I did really bad in the paper or the guy felt threatened for his job.

A last piece of advice : Always trust yourself. You are the sole holder over your destiny.

I wrote the few points above based on my personal experience. I might not be totally right or wrong since I am no recruitment specialist. You are the most welcomed to add additional tips / comments or personal experiences. But please mask/omit name of companies etc.

So, how have your interviews gone so far?