Disclaimer: This post is based on my own experiences as an HR. The examples stated are derived from my observations during an interview.
I have been part of the HR Department for two years now and I've been from one company to another. Different companies means different experiences and different experiences means more learning. From recruitment down to employee relations, I can say that I've learned quite a few techniques on how to handle the different areas of HR. For now, let's just focus on Recruitment; the "easiest" - as most of the people I know would say - amongst all areas of HR.
Every employee in a company goes through the stage of being interviewed by the HR Recruiter. It is the second stage of application, right after submitting your curriculum vitae. Now, most of us would agree that the interview stage is one of the crucial stages we have to pass when applying. It is where we are being judged based on the impression we make to the interviewer. It would either be that you'll give a good impression or bad. Like one instance, I was about to interview this lady for an available job opening in our company. Upon talking to her, I noticed that she kept on looking at either the walls on her side or the ceiling. I didn't like that. For me, it meant that she doesn't know how to focus and has lack of confidence. So here are my own tips for my readers out there (if there are) who are on going to or will be going to an interview:
1. DRESS TO IMPRESS. Okay, so most of the books or articles I've read in relation to job interviews mentions this. I might as well share it to you guys, also. As for my own opinion, it doesn't necessarily have to be a fancy outfit. As long as it is collared and looks very decent and proper, then wear it. But some companies require you to come to the interview in a business casual outfit - slacks and a neat blouse. So please follow. And PLEASE wear closed shoes as much as possible especially for girls. Remember, how you dress can sometimes reflect your personality. And girls, lighten up on your make ups.
2. BE TIME-CONSCIOUS. This is one of the factors I include when I rate an applicant (excluding walk-in applicants). Personally, I don't want an applicant to be too early (like 30-45 minutes early) nor to be very late (like 15 minutes late). WHY? For me, an applicant who comes in too early displays being too desperate for job. YES! We want to hire those who are hungry for the job opening but we don't want those who are too desperate. And its really uncomfortable on the part of the interviewer because it makes us feel responsible for the time you're going to waste while waiting to be interviewed. And another thing, most interviews are scheduled so that the interviewer can have an ample time to review and make notes of his/her interviewee before he/she can proceed to the next applicant and so as not to congest the waiting area. So if you want to make a lasting impression, show up on the exact time. Meanwhile, coming in late for an interview just simply shows your lack of discipline.
3. BE COURTEOUS. I know it's not hard to say, "Good Morning" or "Good Afternoon, Ma'am". So why not say it? Being courteous shows how respectful of a person you are.
4. DON'T BE TOO CONFIDENT. Just be confident. When you are asked by the interviewer, just say directly whats on your mind. Don't be too second-guessing as it makes me think that you might be just making up your answers so that I'll be impressed by you. Just express your thoughts accordingly to what's being talked about.
5. BE ATTENTIVE. Listen very well to the questions being asked by the interviewer. It is irritating for me to keep on repeating the question. Remember that listening is the key to understanding. If you don't listen, you won't understand. If you won't listen to what's being asked, then you might give crappy answers.
6. TALK MODERATELY. Enough said. Just don't talk about things not related to the topic.
7. ASK THE RIGHT QUESTIONS. Don't ask how much raise you'll get if you stay long in the company or how many vacation leaves you can have. And don't ever ask about the pay being offered for other job positions. That is none of your business.
8. SPEAK CLEARLY. Don't whisper. Don't murmur. Don't talk as if you'll swallow the alphabet.
9. GIVE PROPER EYE CONTACT. And I don't mean stare at me or to whoever is interviewing you. Just look directly into the interviewer's eye when answering a question or talking about something helpful in your job application. It shows confidence on your part.
10. SMILE. One of the most important thing for me to see is for the applicant/interviewee to smile. Not only does it show confidence, it also shows how sociable of a person you are. But please..don't over smile. Its creepy!
So there you go.. My tips on what to do and what not to do during a job interview. Basically, you can find these tips on other sites. What I did here was expound on my own point of view.
Good luck on all your interviews whoever is reading this :)
1. DRESS TO IMPRESS. Okay, so most of the books or articles I've read in relation to job interviews mentions this. I might as well share it to you guys, also. As for my own opinion, it doesn't necessarily have to be a fancy outfit. As long as it is collared and looks very decent and proper, then wear it. But some companies require you to come to the interview in a business casual outfit - slacks and a neat blouse. So please follow. And PLEASE wear closed shoes as much as possible especially for girls. Remember, how you dress can sometimes reflect your personality. And girls, lighten up on your make ups.
2. BE TIME-CONSCIOUS. This is one of the factors I include when I rate an applicant (excluding walk-in applicants). Personally, I don't want an applicant to be too early (like 30-45 minutes early) nor to be very late (like 15 minutes late). WHY? For me, an applicant who comes in too early displays being too desperate for job. YES! We want to hire those who are hungry for the job opening but we don't want those who are too desperate. And its really uncomfortable on the part of the interviewer because it makes us feel responsible for the time you're going to waste while waiting to be interviewed. And another thing, most interviews are scheduled so that the interviewer can have an ample time to review and make notes of his/her interviewee before he/she can proceed to the next applicant and so as not to congest the waiting area. So if you want to make a lasting impression, show up on the exact time. Meanwhile, coming in late for an interview just simply shows your lack of discipline.
3. BE COURTEOUS. I know it's not hard to say, "Good Morning" or "Good Afternoon, Ma'am". So why not say it? Being courteous shows how respectful of a person you are.
4. DON'T BE TOO CONFIDENT. Just be confident. When you are asked by the interviewer, just say directly whats on your mind. Don't be too second-guessing as it makes me think that you might be just making up your answers so that I'll be impressed by you. Just express your thoughts accordingly to what's being talked about.
5. BE ATTENTIVE. Listen very well to the questions being asked by the interviewer. It is irritating for me to keep on repeating the question. Remember that listening is the key to understanding. If you don't listen, you won't understand. If you won't listen to what's being asked, then you might give crappy answers.
6. TALK MODERATELY. Enough said. Just don't talk about things not related to the topic.
7. ASK THE RIGHT QUESTIONS. Don't ask how much raise you'll get if you stay long in the company or how many vacation leaves you can have. And don't ever ask about the pay being offered for other job positions. That is none of your business.
8. SPEAK CLEARLY. Don't whisper. Don't murmur. Don't talk as if you'll swallow the alphabet.
9. GIVE PROPER EYE CONTACT. And I don't mean stare at me or to whoever is interviewing you. Just look directly into the interviewer's eye when answering a question or talking about something helpful in your job application. It shows confidence on your part.
10. SMILE. One of the most important thing for me to see is for the applicant/interviewee to smile. Not only does it show confidence, it also shows how sociable of a person you are. But please..don't over smile. Its creepy!
So there you go.. My tips on what to do and what not to do during a job interview. Basically, you can find these tips on other sites. What I did here was expound on my own point of view.
Good luck on all your interviews whoever is reading this :)
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