How To Pass A Job Interview.

By Joan Ngare.

Just Yesterday, we had interviews for a client requiring a candidate to fill a vacant Marketing position in their company. Those shortlisted for the interview went one by one in to the interviewing room and gave what they had prepared. There is this one candidate I took keen notice of. The guy was very presentable, fairly qualified and well organized. To me, he understands extremely well that interviews do not have to be dull and tensed up.

The guy made himself comfortable viewed the interviewer as just any other person he’d pick a conversation with same way you’d walk in to a shop and chat the guy at the counter up so freely and before you know it you both sound like you spent the past five years together. That was the most relaxed interview. With such an approach, and get this from a firsthand witness point of view, the interviewer is most likely to give you the job.

Tensing up in an interview is expected but not for more than 5 minutes. The moment you run out of words and ideas no matter how well you had prepared for the interview, everything else including your confidence disappears. This is mainly so if you are walking in to an interview without having done enough background research on the company and what services or products they offer.

Interviews are very tricky. While most people base their thinking on the job and its requirements, the interviewer is more interested in your personality. This is not to say that qualifications are not used to gauge you in an interview, of course they are and that’s why you were invited in the first place, but now that the interviewer already knows you have the qualifications, they’ll focus more on your presentation.

If you are a customer service or administration professional, your secretarial, communication, computer and people skills will be the short listing determinant but then how you present these skills at an interview matters more. You must have heard of someone who got a position not because they had the academic qualification and the extensive experience stated in the job advert, but because they were very convincing through their aggressive answering of questions and having the facts right.

Know what the position requires and the best skills to portray. Avoid bragging too much about your achievements saying how no one ever seems to get it right but you. Show interest in the interview. I’m surprised by candidates who have to be pushed to open up while they are the ones in need in the first place. If you find the interviewer asking you to speak up, elaborate or use better examples, consider yourself out. Funny how all CVs read excellent communication and interpersonal skills while most people can barely initiate or engage in a conversation.

In addition, It’s always good to engage the interviewer mainly through asking questions during or after the interview depending on how the session goes. Asking this question gives them a chance to clear up anything that’s niggling them about you, including any doubts or misunderstandings. It also shows that you are interested in the position and portrays you as updated and ready to learn.

However, this is no time to bring up money or any other benefits for that matter, neither is it a chance to confess all your mistakes and shortcoming in life, S– it makes you look like you’re motivated by all the wrong things. Let the interviewer raise such first if they have to. Play your cards right, stay relevant.The questions you ask could help propel you to the top of the interviewer’s shortlist. Try and have at least three really good questions prepared – here’s a few you could consider in your preparation;

After the interview, ask the interviewer if there is anything they’d like you to clarify or explain in more detail. Asking this question gives them a chance to clear up anything that’s niggling them about you, including any doubts or misunderstandings.

“What do you see as the priorities for this job in the first three months? is there any sort of training or induction for the qualified candidate?” is another question you could ask. This allows the interviewer to go into more detail about what the post actually requires within the first couple of months. It’s a chance for you to agree (if appropriate), look enthusiastic and if possible even explain why those priorities are ideally suited to your background.

Third, ask the interviewers view of the company’s growth in the next five years or so. This shows you’re serious about staying with the company and forging a career path. Interviewers generally like to hire people who they think can grow and develop with the company, so asking this question demonstrates you are willing.

Lastly, ask when you should expect to hear about the job invite. It’s perfectly reasonable to ask when you might hear if you’ve been successful. First it shows that you already have your expectations for the position and second, it essential for purposes of planning. Take for example the interview is In Mombasa and you live in Nairobi. You may need to travel immediately.

With these few tips and self belief and confidence, interviews should be more of a discussion than an exam. Polish up in your weak areas and pap…you’re good to go!

Joan Ngare is a HR Officer At Corporate Staffing Service. www.staff-kenya.com

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