Rather than fidget at an interview, view it as an avenue to market yourself. As my mentor would say, the best person to market you is ‘YOU’.

During an interview, the interview panel judges your appearance, comportment, qualifications and general fitness for the job opening. Your employer needs to be convinced that you are the right person for the job and that you can make a real positive contribution.

Always remember that an interview is a 2-way way traffic. While your future employers are trying to size you up, it also affords you an opportunity to appraise the job, the employer and the company. It affords you a unique privilege to know a little more about the job.

Panel interviews are becoming quite common. A panel interview is where a candidate is interviewed by a group of interviewers. Some firms actually do this to put an interviewee under more pressure. They believe if you can’t face a panel of interviewers then you might not have the tenacity to face challenges.

Don’t fret. Good preparation leads to success.



What should you do before the interview?

There have been reported cases of candidates failing to answer simple questions based on the CV they had submitted. This might be due to fright or not being very acquainted with the details of their CVs.

Peruse the job specification and your CV studiously. Prepare for likely questions. Assemble all the papers you may need. Not going with extra copies of your CV is an error.

Learn all you can about the firm – their products and services, hiring policies and welfare packages. Having a foreknowledge of the motto or objectives of the firm is an added advantage. You can systematically and smartly chip in positive facts about the firm into your answers.

You may wonder why ‘welfare package’ is added to the information about the firm which you must have a foreknowledge of. For instance, XYZ Plc. pays their experienced Quality Control officers about #250,000 naira on a monthly basis. Won’t it be out of place if an interviewee maintains that he can’t accept less that #400,000naira? Bottom line: make some initial inquiries. Learn the area scale for the type of work you are seeking. A chemistry teacher in Victoria Island, Lagos for instance does not earn same monthly pay as a chemistry teacher in Ipetumodu, Osun State. You can surely give a couple of reason where there would be differences in their salaries.

Rehearsing by asking friends or family to shoot questions at you is a commendable preparation technique. If you have gaps in your CV, be sure the panel will ask about them. Get positive answers ready so you don’t get caught pants down.

Your appearance matters. Avoid either too formal or too casual attire. Appearance is a yardstick for weighing the inner person behind the interviewee. Pay attention to details such as polished shoes, tidy hair, subtle makeup and accessories. NEVER WEAR THE SYMBOL OF A SOCCER TEAM TO AN INTERVIEW.



At the interview…

Be friendly but business-like. No one would like to employ a frowning job applicant, smile moderately. When your smile is overboard they may start wondering if your sanity is okay. Don’t give them room for such opinion.

Your first impression matters. As you enter the interview room, look at all the interviewers as you greet them. If they introduce themselves, try to remember the names of each of them and address them accordingly, respectively.

Relax. Let the panel control the interview. Answer frankly and briefly. Don’t stutter. Don’t answer like a fanatic.

Stress your qualification without exaggeration. When asked a question, maintain eye contact with the person asking it, but when you answer, address the whole panel.

When asked about your previous jobs and employers, avoid criticizing former employers or former workers.

Also, expect questions like: Why do you want to work here? Why did you leave your last job? Have u ever been ‘fired’ before, why? What is your definition of ‘nice salary’? Due to recession, what would be your reaction if this company owes you fowhy do you want to work here?ur months’ salary at a stretch?

Avoid discussing your personal, domestic, or financial problems unless you are specifically asked. And when answering, stick to what relates to the job.

Don’t be afraid to ask questions you need answers to. But don’t be in a hurry to ask questions unless the panel invites them. Unless the panel asked about your salary choice, don’t bring it up. Remember; let the panel control the interview.

At the end of the interview, thank all panel or employer. If the firm cannot employ you, it’s not out of place to ask about other employers who may need a person with your qualification.



Some interviews come with tests and examinations…

Some teaching jobs require that the applicant writes a model lesson plan and engage in micro teaching. If you are applying for a teaching job, prepare for this. Some schools will also require that you write an essay on a topic in education or on current affairs. It helps to drill yourself before the interview. Present your model lesson plans to your referee or mentor for checking. Prepare!

Some interviews come with aptitude test. These tests may be comparatively easy for fresh graduates, but if you have been away from school for some years, you may need to update your memory before the interview.

Most tests have time limits. When they do, you will be told how much time you have. Make good use of your time management skills.



What should you do after the job interview has been concluded?

Have the mind-set that the interview was a learning experience. Most part of the content of this post is the writer’s personal experience. After each interview, carefully analyse the entire scene. Were there things you ought not to have said which you had unconsciously told the panel? Did they ask you questions which you were unable to answer? Were you tense? Or too relaxed? Were you arrogant or timid?



If you plan carefully and remain optimistically enthusiastic, you will succeed in marketing yourself then land a job that uses your abilities and pay you well.

BEST WISHES. (culled from www.xpinojobs.com)