Basic 101 Skills for Interviews
I remember my first interview like it was yesterday, I remember how nervous I was. My palms were sweating like crazy, I just wanted to get it over with. It wasn’t that I wasn’t prepared it was just my first professional interview. I had gone to the careers services office at my university to prep my CV, attended some mock interviews with my counsellor and got some counselling to best prepare myself. These services were readily available to me. They were free for all students and alumni.
Moving back to Nigeria have been fortunate enough to get a job in my field (Human Resources) and I have noticed that graduates are lacking such facilities. I have observed that not many institutions in my home country have these …show more content…
I had undergone a 7 month recruitment process with a company, I had 2 aptitude tests, an online psychometric test, 4 interviews and one finally presentation. That sounds a lot right… Trust me it was. But it is possible with proper preparation.
How to conquer that first Interview in 6 easy steps?
1. Research: Before going into any interview it is always important you do adequate research about the company and the position you are applying for. Reading up about the company allows you to know the companies’ values, goals and generally give you basic knowledge of the company you might potentially work for. Being able to answer this question will allow the employer know that you came prepared and it allows you align your skills with that of the organisation. You would be able to better sell yourself.
2. Practice: Benjamin Franklin once said, “By failing to prepare you are preparing to fail”. Before your interview it is advisable to find someone to help you practice. Technology has made finding information online very easy. Finding sample interview questions online would help create a dialogue. Creating your own mock interview becomes very simple. Practice makes …show more content…
First Impression (Dress/ Greeting): Creating a lasting first impression is important. Some people tend to remember people who are able to impact them. Appearance is key when going for a job interview. I have conducted numerous interviews already knowing I wasn’t going to hire that individual based on appearance. You should always come professionally dressed and groomed when coming for an interview. A positive first impression is crucial in an interview. Make sure you introduce yourself and greet your interviewers and speak clearly and confidently when you walk into a room. You give you interviewer a sense of confidence, which is always important. When going for an interview I pretend I have known the person for along time and that I ma just having a conversion. Thinking like this makes be feel less nervous. Finding what works for you during a interview is important.
4. Punctuality: When coming for an interview excuses don’t matter. Punctuality is key. Knowing where you interview will hold before hand would help avoid tardiness. Arriving 15 to 20 minutes early for an interview is always advised. We all know how Lagos traffic is, so those excuses tend not to work. If you live far away from your interview location, you know you have to leave earlier than usual. If for any reason you cannot attend you scheduled interview or might be late always call the employer. It shows you value there time and respect
I remember my first interview like it was yesterday, I remember how nervous I was. My palms were sweating like crazy, I just wanted to get it over with. It wasn’t that I wasn’t prepared it was just my first professional interview. I had gone to the careers services office at my university to prep my CV, attended some mock interviews with my counsellor and got some counselling to best prepare myself. These services were readily available to me. They were free for all students and alumni.
Moving back to Nigeria have been fortunate enough to get a job in my field (Human Resources) and I have noticed that graduates are lacking such facilities. I have observed that not many institutions in my home country have these …show more content…
I had undergone a 7 month recruitment process with a company, I had 2 aptitude tests, an online psychometric test, 4 interviews and one finally presentation. That sounds a lot right… Trust me it was. But it is possible with proper preparation.
How to conquer that first Interview in 6 easy steps?
1. Research: Before going into any interview it is always important you do adequate research about the company and the position you are applying for. Reading up about the company allows you to know the companies’ values, goals and generally give you basic knowledge of the company you might potentially work for. Being able to answer this question will allow the employer know that you came prepared and it allows you align your skills with that of the organisation. You would be able to better sell yourself.
2. Practice: Benjamin Franklin once said, “By failing to prepare you are preparing to fail”. Before your interview it is advisable to find someone to help you practice. Technology has made finding information online very easy. Finding sample interview questions online would help create a dialogue. Creating your own mock interview becomes very simple. Practice makes …show more content…
First Impression (Dress/ Greeting): Creating a lasting first impression is important. Some people tend to remember people who are able to impact them. Appearance is key when going for a job interview. I have conducted numerous interviews already knowing I wasn’t going to hire that individual based on appearance. You should always come professionally dressed and groomed when coming for an interview. A positive first impression is crucial in an interview. Make sure you introduce yourself and greet your interviewers and speak clearly and confidently when you walk into a room. You give you interviewer a sense of confidence, which is always important. When going for an interview I pretend I have known the person for along time and that I ma just having a conversion. Thinking like this makes be feel less nervous. Finding what works for you during a interview is important.
4. Punctuality: When coming for an interview excuses don’t matter. Punctuality is key. Knowing where you interview will hold before hand would help avoid tardiness. Arriving 15 to 20 minutes early for an interview is always advised. We all know how Lagos traffic is, so those excuses tend not to work. If you live far away from your interview location, you know you have to leave earlier than usual. If for any reason you cannot attend you scheduled interview or might be late always call the employer. It shows you value there time and respect