Scoring that job interview

Going for a job interview leaves people feeling jittery and they usually end up with sweaty palms and a rapid pulse. But there are ways job applicants can use that nervous excitement to their benefit. Being well prepared is the best way to staying calm. Taking time to look at company's website is an important part of the preparation process, said Sabine Neumaier, a career counselor.

The second step is to decide what to wear. Neumainer said the basic rule of thumb is not to go over the top. The best thing to do is to get an idea of how people in the particular industry tend to dress. "Maybe you will be able to find out more about the dress code at the website," said Svenja Hofert, a career counselor in Hamburg.

"Otherwise it can be worthwhile to ask friends whether they know anything about the dress code in the company." Do not overdress, the career advisers say. For example, it will be ridiculous for an applicant attending an interview for a creative or manual job to wear a suit. It is also silly to wear a suit if you are attending an interview for a job as a carpenter, said Neumaier.

The next thing to think about and decide is how to get to the location of the interview. "Never underestimate the amount of time it takes to get there," said Juergen Hesse, a career coach. "It's best to include a lot of extra travel time and then take a walk around the block to use up any surplus time. "Arriving five minutes early is okay, but not earlier than that," he said.

How to handle the introduction is the next thing to consider. Applicants are advised to follow the common custom, said Hofert, which is to greet the highest-ranking person first and if it is not clear who that is, turn first to any women present. During the introduction, it is important to make a good first impression. "It's up to you to make sure the beginning goes well," said Hesse.

The human resources representative usually has three common questions, said Hesse. They are: 'Tell me about yourself?', 'Why did you apply to work here?' and 'Why should we hire you?'. The first round of interviews usually is about how the applicant presents himself or herself. "The first question is your opportunity to describe the milestones in your life," said Neumaier.

The applicant should make an effort to expand on the parts of his or her resume that fit especially well with the job description. It is important when answering the other two questions to prepare individual answers. Applicants also should repeatedly make clear that they can call on their specific knowledge in the area in which they are applying.

The answers do not have to come out in rapid-fire succession, said Neumaier. "Replying to a question by saying: 'I didn't expect to be asked that. I've to think about it briefly', can make the applicant appear sympathetic."

Taken from: News Straits Times - 6 September 2012 (article), Google (images).