Interview

What Not To Ask The Job Interviewer

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what not to ask the job interviewer

It may be your first or the tenth job interview, and you may either be a fresher or an experienced professional. The selection of a candidate for a definite job, is dependent on a number of factors. Your academic qualification and work experience, your skills and aptitude. And one of the most essential areas which is intrinsic to the selection process, is how you conduct yourself at the interview, which includes your answers, knowledge based questions, and your queries. The last may not be the most important,but definitely a question that is out of context or is proof of your immaturity, will automatically dry up your opportunity, even though you may be the most eligible applicant. Sad, but true!

Tell me something about your company

A candidate is expected to find out about the company before hand. Doing so will tell the interviewer that you are keen on getting the job and also sincere and serious about it. In depth knowledge is not demanded, and you can ask about your job profile in detail and what will be expected of you. But a direct question about the company, its profile and area of function, is a deterrent. So under no circumstances should you ask this question. 

When do I get an increment?

This question is a strict no-no. You may want to know, it is natural. But letting the interviewer know, is a grave mistake. It will only prove that you are only concerned about the monetary benefits. 

When can I start?

If you are the chosen one, the company will let you know that and will also notify as to when you should start work. But till you get the offer letter, you should not ask the question. Do not show the employer that you are desperate or over excited. Some candidates believe foolishly that if they show eagerness to join and start work, the employer will get wooed and give you the job.. but this is a misconception. You will get the job only if you are suited for it. And do remember that the head of a company is an experienced person, who may have interviewed hundreds, and may misunderstand your interest as pretense and a way to pleas him. So avoid it. 

When will I get a promotion?

Instead, ask what is the potential for growth. That will include promotion, increment and other concerns. This question is appropriate and shows your interest and determination to work and succeed. A person who is keen on personal growth is sought after, but not one who is merely concerned about promotion and salary hike. 

Do you need reference about my previous performance?

If the company wants to get a feedback on your previous performance, it will call your ex- employer. And usually companies have resources to find out about a candidate. So you should not reduce your chances and give a dubious impression. Are you not sure about yourself that you need somebody else to prove it? This question may arise in the mind of the interviewer. 

How many leaves do I get?

You should not ask this question at all. If you get the job, you will come to know this from the Human Resource Department, and usually very company has the same number of holidays. 

Do you work on Saturday?

During the interview stage, you should avoid asking this. If you have a genuine reason, like a weekend course or anything else, you should let the interviewer know. But asking this question bluntly is improper, immature and non permissible.

What is the notice period in this company?

Even before you have joined, asking about how you can leave the company, is quite paradoxical. So avoid at all costs.

What The Interviewer Seeks In The Applicant?

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What The Interviewer Seeks In The Applicant?

When we go for an interview, we try to be fully prepared to face any question, and want to impress upon the interviewer that we are the best candidate. These are the tricks and tips that have been taught to all of us at some of time in school, college, or an institution. But if we all prepare accordingly and slog for days before a major interview, then what is that one quality that qualifies one amongst us as the best suited for the position or vacancy. 

There are a few qualities that an employer or an institution seeks for in a candidate. Work ethics is the foremost requirement. Next in the list of skills is honesty, and dedication towards life and activity being performed. Also a candidate should be highly confident, which should not amount to over confidence or pride. Yes, we should thus take pride in ourselves, but not be slaves to vanity. An applicant who commands problem solving skills and takes up challenges with a head-on attitude, is preferred above the rest. 

Experts have put forth the requirements in a prospective candidate very simply, in the form of the 4 Es – that is Experience, Exposure, Excellence and Expertise. If we have these, it is guarantee that the position belongs to us, and the better we are , the more the chances. An experienced expert individual is automatically believed to possess conceptual understanding, and requires less guidance and supervision, which is of benefit to the authorities. Such a person can also guide, motivate and enhance the performance of others in the team and juniors. So is naturally the first choice. 

When going for an interview, we should also pay heed to certain key points. That can be summarized as the Principle of P. It includes Preparation, Presentation, and Positioning. Preparation means preparing ourselves (knowledge, FAQs, revisions, pointers, etc) and also the Curriculum Vitae. Presentation involves how we present ourselves at the interview. Thus we should take care to dress accordingly, maintain etiquette, be well mannered, polite, and conduct ourself well. It is a great impression creator. Also being punctual counts. Then comes positioning, that is how we sell ourselves (we are the Brand ‘I’) to the interviewer, present our USP (unique selling proposition), and prove that we are better that the rest, and should be the chosen one. Professionalism and seriousness is essential. An interviewer gets impressed by those who have an air of serenity and gravity about them. Our resume, attire, tone, body language, and conservation skills, showcase this. 

Thus for an interview, we should practice, rehearse facts and figures, find out as much as we can, study relevant material. At the interview, we should ask genuine questions and avoid non relevant ones. And at any point of time, for any question, or response should be on the basis of the situation, need, and expectation of the interviewer, and not an not thought of, immature or ignorant reply.

How To Handle A Telephonic Interview

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How To Handle A Telephonic Interview

Telephonic interviews are becoming a common mode of judging candidates, as it is convenient, time saving, and hassle free. Conventional interview is being done away with unless essential. Conservatives however, protest that such telephonic interviews are of little significance and inconvenient and cannot examine a candidate thoroughly as there is no face-to-face conversation, one cannot witness facial expressions, mannerisms and body language, and is an awkward situation to talk to a stranger over the phone. But like it or not, you have to be a part of it. So here are a few tips to help you handle such an interview as efficiently as the face-to-face one.

  1. Make up your mind and try to handle it like you are sitting with the interviewer in his office and speaking directly.
  2. When you get the call, ensure you are at a place which has minimal noise, is quiet and peaceful. So you will be able to hear the interviewer, he will be able to hear you, and you can concentrate. 
  3. You should try out mock interviews over the phone to know from others how your voice sounds, its quality, pitch, confidence quotient, etc.
  4. Prepare yourself as you would for a face to face. Research about the institute, the governing members, the courses offered, expectations from candidates, etc.
  5. Keep notes close by, stating your qualification, achievements, skills, hobbies, activities, etc. so that you do not fumble or stammer while replying. Also this is important as a pause in real life conversation is not out of place, but a silence even for a few seconds over the phone is awkward. If you do pause, mention that you were pondering over the question or taking notes. 
  6. Breathe and sit comfortable, relaxing your mind and body. But do not breathe into the receiver. Also, speak slowly and clearly, but do not shout.
  7. You should take notes if needed. And if there is something that you need to remember for later.
  8. Let the interviewer finish his question or sentence. Do not interrupt or sound too enthusiastic and knowledgeable. Talk like a mature, patient and well mannered individual.
  9. Keep your answers short and to the point. But if required, at certain places emphasize on your qualities or achievements, and provide evidence for the same. Do not drag the conversation, but provide any additional information about yourself that may stand a better chance for you.
  10. From your list of points, strike off things as you mention them. This will avoid repetitions and unnecessary lengthening of the call.
  11. Do not be nervous. You are lucky that you can fidget, sweat, and play around, as the interviewer is unable to see you. 
  12. At the end of the talk, ask courteously about the next step or procedure, and if there is anything else that the interviewer may wish to know. 
  13. Let the other person hang up.
  14. Send a formal follow-up letter as soon as the call ends, thanking for the opportunity to discuss the position with the interviewer.
  15. Remember, that is a telephonic interview, not only does your abilities play a role in determining the result, but also telephonic manners, your speech – clarity, simplicity, tone and confidence, and your answers.

 

Question you should ask at Interview

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If you thought that interviews were easy then it is time you took a reality check. Interviews are never easy. You will be judged not only on the basis of the skills you will bring to the job, but also on your capability to get along with other team members. If you are aloof and distant, employers will think twice before hiring you. However, if you are bright, sharp and love interacting with people you will automatically rise up in your future employers esteem.

Since first impressions are so important, you should make the right moves at the job interview. Read up and ask intelligent questions. Don’t expect the interviewer to give you information about company finances, but at least it will show that you are interested. Unfortunately, interviewees take this piece of advice too seriously and commit hara-kiri by asking the wrong questions. Here is a small primer on what to ask at a job interview.

1. Nature of the job: If you are not sure about the terms and conditions of the job, ask. However, don’t commit the crime of asking irrelevant questions. This will only convey that you are not taking the interview seriously. Interviewers hate that.

2. Know more about the company: It is important to know about the company before accepting a job. This will ensure that transition from one job to another is smooth and incident free. Many of us leave one company for another, only to realize later that we have made a big mistake. This can be avoided at the interview stage itself by asking intelligent questions like the nature of the job, employer expectations, working hours and so on.

3. Know about your predecessors: Yes, this can save you from a potentially tricky situation. Ask why the earlier employee quit. If he was asked to leave, ask why. Filling in a position can be a potential landmine if you are not careful.

4. Know where you stand in the hiring process: It is important to know where you stand compared to other interviewees. This will help you when it comes to bargaining in later rounds.

5. Financial health of the company: Before you commit to a position in a new company, it would be better if you knew what you are committing to. It makes no sense to get a job only to know later that the company is in dire straits. The interviewer is not going to discuss company financials openly, but you can still glean a lot of information by getting information on future plans.    

Asking the right questions at the job interview is more than half the battle won. You can do a lot of damage by asking the wrong questions. Think twice before you speak goes the old adage and there is a lot of merit to it when it comes to handling interviews.

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