Interview's Tips

SAMPLE INTERVIEW QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS !!!!!  
Selling Yourself 

What to Say

- Introduce yourself with a smile and firm handshake.

 -Maintain good eye contact during conversation.

 -Demonstrate to the recruiter what you want to and can do for the employer today, based on employer research.

-Give two minute commercial.

-Answer questions with: " Yes, for example (accomplishment/result statement)" and "

 -No, however (accomplishment/result statement)"

-Show interest in what the interviewer is saying, by nodding your head and leaning toward him/her occasionally.

 -Give positive answers to negative-based questions.

 -Ask the recruiter prepared questions.

-Initiate the next step by asking what the next step is.

-Ask for the recruiter’s business card for future contact.

-Immediately after you leave make notes of important points of discussion.

 1. Why did you apply for this position?

Tip: How do you think that you might fit into this company

 2. Would you tell us what attracts you to a career with us? How do you see your studies, skills, experience and personal qualities contributing to the work of the organization?

Tip: How do you think that you might fit into this Company?

3.The "tell me about yourself" question

Tips:Here is an example about how to answer the first question most interviewers ask. “Tell me about yourself” It also allows the job seeker to share with the interviewer the most important thing they want to know 

“Why should I hire you?” 
-Use this question as an opportunity to tell a short story about yourself that describes the values you have and why you think they are important for the job.

-Don’t make vague statements here. Show them that you have done your research by highlighting what problems they are facing. Then, provide specific examples of how you’re the right person to help solve those problems. Give them proof of your value and your answer will come across as clear, concise, and confident.

 a. Personal and Education

 This part is used to give the interviewer relevant information concerning you personally and about your educational background. This does not include personal information such as marital status, children, etc. This does include information such as: hometown or state and/or personal attribute(s). The education should be either the latest obtained and/or major field if relevant to job objective.

b. Early Career/Life Experiences 

This part is used to share with the interviewer past work and life experiences relevant to the job objective.

 c. Recent Work History/Life Experiences

 This is the time for the job seeker to relate to the employer two accomplishments/results of the job seeker that indicate why he/she is the best candidate for the position sought.

 d. Why you are here?

In this part, the job seeker speaks with enthusiasm that he/she is here for the specific position sought.

 4.Can you describe a time where you have been required to perform as part of a team? What was the situation? What part did you play in the team and what was the outcome of the exercise? 

Tip: Team skills

Are you a team player? 

Tip:Yes, you are ,and make sure you have a good story and some proof to back it up. If you can provide the results that your team efforts provided, then that’s great too.

5.How do you establish a working relationship with new people?

Tip: Team skills

 6.Where do you expect to be in 5 years time? What will you do if you are not successful in gaining this position? 

Tip: Demonstrate to the interviewer that you have thought about what it is you want from work and what you hope to achieve. Let them know you are flexible however, and willing to explore new opportunities.

 7.What particular skills and qualities do you bring to the workforce? What other skills would you like to develop in the future? 

Tip: Strengths and weaknesses

What are your strengths?

Tips: Only mention strengths that you can back up with clear proof. Prove your strengths with numbers and percentages, not generalized statements

What are your weaknesses? 

Tip: This is a classic question that everyone hates. If you say that you “work too hard” then no one takes the answer seriously, but if you say a real weakness then you look like a bad candidate. So what do you do? My suggestion is to pick a technical skill that is real, but mostly unrelated to your job. For example, you could say “Finance isn’t really my thing. I understand the big picture of profit and revenue, but small details and the mechanics of how it works — that’s just not how my mind works. So I would say that’s a weakness, but it’s also a reason I’m applying for this job in marketing. I know that it leverages my strengths and steers clear of some of the weaknesses.”

 Why did you leave your last job?

Tips: Be honest, but also use it as an opportunity to show why this job is a better fit.

Did you and your former boss ever disagree?

Tip: Never speak poorly about a former employer in an interview. It doesn’t matter what the circumstances were or how bad it was — keep things positive or neutral. Nobody wants to hire someone that might talk bad about them down the road.

 8.You have demonstrated in your CV that you have knowledge of entomology.Could you please expand on your experience and tell us what you think your strengths are in this field. An important component of the position will be the maintenance of water quality parameters within acceptable limits for the species. Can you outline your experience in water quality testing? What do you feel are the most important water quality variables?

 Tip: Multi-part question

 9.The ability to work independently within a structured team is essential to the position. This will require the successful applicant to be self-starting, able to prioritise tasks, be a good communicator, as well as showing considerable initiative. Can you give us some examples where you have worked within a team environment and demonstrated these abilities?

 Tip: multi-part question

Tip: Hypothetical questions allow the interviewer to identify key competencies deemed important by the employer. No right or wrong answer

10.The research project and facilities the successful applicant will be involved with receives considerable attention from the general public. Therefore, a component of the job will involve liaising with the general public and media. This requires the delivery of information in a simple precise manner. How confident do you feel you are in delivering sometimes complex information in a simple manner? 

Tip: give examples

11.What computer programs are you familiar with, and more specifically, what programs would you use to write a report, enter research data, and to prepare a poster or seminar.

 Tip: give examples of where you have applied the use of these programs.

 12.Tell me about a challenging situation you have faced. What was the situation and how did you cope with it?

Tip: Once again, a good story here is crucial. One solid story about overcoming a challenge will stick with a recruiter long after the interview.

 13.Is there an achievement of which you are particularly proud? What is it? Why is it significant?

Tip: give examples

14.Why are you interested in our company? 

Tip:This is where you show that you did your research. Tell them what you know about the company, about the challenges they face and the opportunities they have, and how you fit in well with that overall picture.

15.You won’t be able to prepare for every possible question.

Tips: Don’t worry about having all of the answers before your interview. It’s more important to develop stories that highlight your key virtues and adapt those stories to the questions that are asked.

NEGOTIATING  SALARY

1. Always be ready to talk salary, but don’t be the first one to bring it up.

 The one exception to this rule is if the company asks you to start signing papers, but never brought up what you will be paid. This is a discussion you need to have, so made sure you have it before you sign off on a new job.

 2. Know what you’re willing to accept before you walk in the door. 

Many candidates never give themselves a chance to negotiate a better salary because they don’t spend enough time thinking about it beforehand. Take some time and consider the compensation that you would be happy with receiving. What number would you walk away from because it’s too low for you? Don’t get locked in a bad position because you’re not sure what you are willing to accept in the first place.

 2. Know what you’re worth. 

Get as much data as you can on the going rate for the job. Check online and offline sources. Reach out and talk to people at similar positions in different companies. If they are willing to tell you, find out what they make. Keep the conversation relaxed and simply ask, “What kind of salary could someone like me expect at your company?”

 3. Ask, “What is the salary range you have allocated for someone in this position?” 

This is a great question to ask at the very beginning of a job interview or the first time you meet a recruiter. It gives you the ability to get information on the expected salary before the actual debate arises later on.

4. Understand the company’s financial position.

 If a large company and a small company have similar openings, then the large one will usually pay more because they have more financial leeway. Where are you interviewing? How is that company doing financially? Some companies simply don’t have much flexibility and it’s important to realize that going in.

 5. Talk with the recruiter, not against them, they need to sell you. 

The typical recruiter almost never has the ability to make the final decision on your compensation package. After you negotiate with them, they will need to go back and confirm the package with a hiring manager or another supervisor. In other words, the recruiter is going to sell you to the hiring manager. It’s up to them to communicate why you deserve a higher salary. You want their support because they are going to need to sell you. You’re not battling against them. You’re working with them.

6. Some perks are easier to negotiate for than others. 

Typically, a signing bonus is much easier to negotiate than more vacation days. There is usually some flexibility in your salary range as well, which is another good area to focus on. Not all perks are created equal.

 7. If you’re meeting resistance, then ask about starting at a higher pay grade.

 A higher pay grade helps because you can often earn a raise without needing a promotion.

 8. Ask to shorten the period that it takes for you to come up for a raise. 

You might not be able to start higher on the pay scale, but it’s very possible you could get a raise after 6 months on the job instead of 12. That’s a quick boost for you and it only takes a few minutes to negotiate.

 9. Remember that the salary negotiation is a conversation and conversations are two–way streets. 

If you make an offer and then continue to talk and make another offer, then you’re negotiating with yourself. Allow the conversation to go back and forth and don’t make more than one offer in a row.

 10. “I’m going to need more information about the job/total benefits/expectations before I can name a number…”

 This is an excellent phrase to use if the interviewer is pressing you for a number and hasn’t revealed their expected salary range yet.

 11. “Do you have any flexibility in that number?” 

This is a great phrase to use right after the interviewer names their expected salary for the position. It offers a nice transition into the conversation of asking for more money.

 12. “That sounds really good. What’s the present value of that?”

Sometimes recruiters will try to sell you on arbitrary numbers by saying things like “We’re giving you 150,000 Tsh 0r more/less.” Find out the cost of leaving in a particular location, and how you can meet your basic needs, also understand company financial position.

 13. “I’m a bit disappointed…”

 This is a great phrase for starting the salary negotiation once you’ve discovered what they have initially offered you. “I’m a bit disappointed in the starting salary. What can we do to figure this out?”

 14. “That sounds like a good starting place…”

 This is another solid phrase to use if you want to ask for a higher salary range. “ 1,000,00/=tsh. That sounds like a good starting place. Now we just need to figure out the details.”

 15. “Let’s review this after 3 months…”

 If you’re having trouble making headway with the negotiation, but you’re fine with starting at the package they gave you, then you can use this phrase to get a quicker boost. “Let’s review this after 3 months and talk about a raise once you’ve had a chance to see my work.”

 16. “Can we get that in writing?” 

If you negotiate for a better compensation package, then make sure you get all of the details in writing.

 17. If you don’t ask for a higher salary, then the answer is always no.

 It takes some guts to push back and ask for more, but it’s far better to ask and be turned down than not to ask at all. Getting what you want doesn’t mean that you need to act like a jerk. Furthermore, you’re not going to lose an offer because you tried to negotiate for a higher salary. The recruiter is expecting you to negotiate. If you want to keep it really simple, then just smile and ask for what you want while offering some proof to back up your request.

What to Do

- Arrive 10-15 minutes early.
- Use time wisely to review employer research information.
 -Have pen and paper. Asking to borrow a pen indicates lack of preparation.
 -Be enthusiastic. Recruiters remember a positive attitude.
 -Listen carefully to the interviewer’s complete question before responding.
-If needed, pause and take time before answering difficult questions.
 -Keep going even if you feel you made a mistake.
-Carry extra resumes, references, etc. organized in a portfolio
-Unless asked, do not discuss salary and benefits.
WHAT TO DO THE DAY OF THE INTERVIEW

After you arrive…

 Treat everyone with respect.

 Smile when you come in and treat the receptionist, secretary, or administrative assistant with respect. It’s not uncommon for recruiters to ask these people about their first impression, so you want to start off well.

Remember names.

 Make sure you know the name of everyone you meet and use their names throughout the interview. If you can’t pronounce their name or don’t know how, then ask again right away. Asking how to say someone’s name isn't awkward if you do it immediately. If you ask 30 minutes later, then it reflects poorly on you.

 When you shake hands, pump twice.

 This is a minor detail, but apparently many people worry about how to shake hands properly, so this tip is worth mentioning. Keep your handshake short and professional. Grasp hands, pump twice (up down, up down) and release. Practice with a friend one time and you’ll get it. Don’t make it harder than it has to be.

Answer the question that is asked of you.

 Don’t stray off topic and babble about unrelated areas. Show that you’re focused on the task at hand and engaged in the conversation. Better to have a short answer that’s on point, than an in–depth one that is off topic.

 Don’t be afraid to say that you don’t know something.

 It is far better to truthfully state your skills and experiences than it is to lie, get the job, and be asked to do something you don’t know how to do … and then have to fess up. Keep things truthful and accurate and you’ll put yourself in a position to succeed.

 Start with a short answer and then go into more depth. 

If you begin your answers by rambling off on a long story, then it often takes awhile for you to get to your point. This confuses the interviewer and can make them wonder if you’re addressing the right question. If you start with a quick statement that shows you understand the question and have a solid answer, then you can continue with a full story and go into more depth. Even a short introduction can make it easier for the listener to follow along. Something like, “Yes, I do believe I have the qualities of a good leader. I’ll tell you a story as an example…”

Employers value people who are capable of taking an opportunity and running with it. 

The situations and circumstances change, but a person who can take advantage of whatever opportunity is presented to them will always be valuable. Regardless of the level you will play in the organization, do your best to showcase that you have the ability to handle whatever comes your way.

Show that you’re in it for a career and not a job.

 Most people just want a job. They want to be employed and get paid. Show the recruiter that you’re looking for a career. You want to become a part of the culture, of the company, of a team. You want to be there through good and bad and support the people around you. You researched the company history, their culture, their advertisements and marketing campaigns, their Twitter and Face book pages, you want to get to know them because you want to know the type of family that you’re being a part of. You’re in it for a career — not just a job.

QUESTIONS YOU SHOULD ASK AN INTERVIEWER

·        Start the interview by making it easy on the recruiter.

 Ask them, “What can I do to make today as easy as possible? How can I make your life easier today?” This sets a nice tone for the interview, gives you an indication of the recruiter’s personality, and will give you some good information to start with.

·        Find out what is important to them.

 It might seem like the interview is all about you, your career, and whether or not you’re a good fit for the job… but it’s actually about them. You need to discover what’s important to the company and how you can help them reach their goals. At some point during the interview, be sure to ask “What’s really important to the company within the first 90 days of me joining?” The answer to that question will give you specific problem areas that you can talk about solving for the company.

·        If a question comes to mind during the interview, then ask it. 

Most recruiters would prefer to have an interactive conversation during the interview. For example, if you give an answer that describes how you’re excellent at working in teams, then it would be the perfect time to ask about the opportunities you would have to work on a team in the new job.

·        You should have at least three excellent questions ready for the end of the interview. 

If you have fewer then it won’t look like you did your homework. Don’t ask about vacation benefits or something else that can be easily researched. Ask something that is integral to how you’ll perform in the position.

HERE ARE SOME EXAMPLES OF GOOD QUESTIONS YOU CAN ASK.

1. What is the organizations plan for the next five years, and how does this department fit in?

2. How will my leadership responsibilities and performance be measured? By whom?

3. What do you think is the greatest opportunity facing the organization in the near future? The biggest threat?

4. Now that we’ve had the chance to talk a bit more, do you have any doubts or concerns about whether or not I would be a good fit for this role?

5. Can you explain a typical project that I would be working on? What would “a day in the life” of this position look like?

6. How do my answers compare to other candidates that you’ve seen?

7. Give me an example of someone you hired for a position like this that you are delighted you hired.

8. Twelve months from now, I want you to tell me that hiring me was the best decision you have made the whole year. What needs to happen for us to have that conversation?

9.Give me an example of an employee that exceeded expectations.

10. What are your company’s strengths and weaknesses compared to its competition?

11. What are the significant trends in the industry?

12. How do you develop your employees and make them better once they start working here?

13. How are decisions made here? How much is team-based and how much is on the individual?

14. What performance expectations do you have for a good employee in this position? What would success look like?

15. Tell me about some of the department’s successes in the last few years.

16. In my research I found the following competitors, [companies A, B, and C]. Can you please tell me what they’re doing that keeps your executive team up at night? 

If the job doesn’t work out, you can call up their competitors and say, “I just had an interview at Company X and given what they told me about you and why you keep them up at night I think I’d rather work for you! Can we meet for coffee?” You’ll get that coffee and it may just turn into an offer. Only do this only if you’re denied after the first interview. Once you have a second interview with the company, they’re interested and it’s best to keep your discussions confidential until you close it or walkway.

17. Say thank you and actually ask for the job.

 If you think you’re a good fit, then say so. If this job is your dream job, then tell them that.

FOLLOW UP EMAIL AFTER AN INTERVIEW

·        Say thank you.

 Once the interview is over, send an individualized thank you note to each person you interviewed with and mention something specific that happened or that you said during the interview to remind them who you are. Don’t worry about saying all sorts of things. Just keep it short and sweet.

·        Be diligent and keep checking in.

 You don’t want to pester them, but occasionally check in to see how the process is coming along and remind them of who you are and why you’re committed to the position. Waiting one week before reaching out is usually a good time frame.

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