| Going for a job interview can be a harrowing | | | | be your intention. |
| experience. The reasons are varied: A job applicant | | | | Think "Team-Player": |
| may not have the necessary relevant working | | | | Do not get too caught up with your achievements and |
| experience or may be worried about the inability to | | | | forget that you are working in a team. The "team |
| answer difficult questions. Even the pressure of | | | | player" concept is important. Thus your strengths must |
| needing a job to pay for the living expenses can | | | | be relevant to helping your department excel in what it |
| cause a job applicant to "freeze" or go numb with | | | | has set out to achieve. |
| anxiety during the interview. | | | | Show That You have Researched About The |
| Being appropriately attired and well groomed is a | | | | Company: |
| definite must. Punctuality is also an important criterion. | | | | You must do some groundwork before your interview. |
| Here are some more pointers to help make your job | | | | It is essential that you find out about your job |
| interview a relaxing and effective experience. | | | | specifications and about the industry competitors. This |
| Speak Clearly: | | | | will put you in a good position when you are asked |
| The interview is going to be a useless exercise if the | | | | about how your strengths can benefit the organization |
| interviewer cannot make out what you are talking | | | | and department. |
| about. Thus if you are nervous, take a deep breath | | | | Importance Of Skills Upgrading: |
| and focus on the interview questions. Don't rush | | | | During the interview, you should also convey the |
| through your answers or make unqualified statements. | | | | message that skills upgrading is important to you. This |
| Most interviewers take down answers just in case a | | | | gives the interviewer the positive impression that you |
| group of job applicants are short-listed. | | | | will continually improve yourself, which will provide |
| Bring Supporting Documents: | | | | direct rewards to your organization. On the other hand, |
| Remember to bring supporting documents that you did | | | | the interviewer is also reminded of your expectation |
| not include in your initial resume. This can be a letter of | | | | for his organization. |
| commendation, ECA achievement or even the journal | | | | Your Salary Expectations: |
| of an overseas field trip. These documents can | | | | During the interview, you may be asked about your |
| supplement your strengths and provide a positive | | | | salary expectations. It is good practice not to reveal a |
| impression to the interviewer that you can provide | | | | figure but provide a range. You can justify by saying |
| intrinsic benefits to the workplace. | | | | that you are willing to accept the lower end of your |
| Don't Rebut the Interviewer's Questions: | | | | salary expectation if there are other fringe benefits or |
| It is rude to rebut the interviewer's questions. Here is a | | | | training programme. |
| case in point: The interviewer asks you about your | | | | Ask For Clarification If Necessary: |
| achievements in school ECA and your curt reply is | | | | Do not feel ashamed to ask for clarification if you do |
| that the information can be found in your resume. The | | | | not comprehend the interviewer's questions. You can |
| interviewer may have the intention of hiring you and | | | | politely ask him to re-phrase the question. This is much |
| wanted you to elaborate more on your other | | | | better than providing an inappropriate answer. It also |
| achievements to confirm that his decision is sound. | | | | shows that you have initiative. |
| Give Consistent Answers: | | | | Thank The Interviewer: |
| When answering the interview questions, you must | | | | No matter how the interview turns out, remember to |
| remember to be consistent. Do not make | | | | thank the interviewer for providing you with the |
| unsubstantiated statements because you will have a | | | | interview opportunity. It does not take too much effort |
| high chance of singing to a different tune in another | | | | to be courteous. Who knows? Your paths may meet |
| related interview question. This may reflect that you | | | | again. |
| are not serious about getting the job, which may not | | | | |