Follow these steps to sail through an interview :-

In simpler times the interview process for jobseekers was, well… simpler. Answer an ad, get called in for a meeting with the employer, receive the job offer and start work soon after.

These days the basic stages described above are the same. Only now there may also be pre-screening, multiple interviews and / or pre-employment testing as well. Even negotiating the job offer may be one of the ways you are judged by the employer.

Screening strategy
It all begins from the time you apply for a job. Some employers have begun to include pre-screening elements in the online application form. In addition to asking for your résumé and possibly a cover letter, an employer may also require you to rate yourself in terms of specific skills or knowledge, answer “open ended” questions (such as “how have you proven your leadership qualities in a work situation?”) or respond to a personality survey or skills assessment.

Another pre-screening tool might be an initial phone call from the employer. It could be one of the human resources people wanting to ask a series of questions that will help them determine if you are the kind of jobseeker they want to bring in for an interview. So, be alert and on your best behaviour when your phone rings.

Face up
After you make it past the pre-screening stage, it’s on to the first-level job interview, which is generally conducted in person. On occasions, the interview may be done over lunch, breakfast or dinner at a restaurant.

The objective of the employer is to see how you behave face-to-face. They’ve already read your résumé and pre-screened you, so what they are looking for is enthusiasm, professionalism and your ability to think on your feet.

Many times employers use the first-level job interview to do further screening: that is, they try to narrow down the list of potential applicants to a short-list, which consists of the top three to five applicants.

Candidates who are short-listed get invited for a second round of interview. Possibly a third round too, or fourth. Your goal during formal interviews is to impress the employer with your knowledge, and with the way you speak about your experience and achievements. Answering behavioural questions effectively may be part of your task. Following up with thank you notes is important as well.

Reference check
An employer may decide to check your references before making an “offer of employment” to you. Therefore, you’ll want to prepare your key references in advance. It’s a good idea to try and have the following people available: your previous boss or supervisor (better yet, your current one, if they’re supportive of you moving on); a co-worker who is familiar with your recent contributions; and a personal reference — possibly a friend, relative or a professional such as an accountant, teacher, lawyer — who can vouch for you.

As for negotiating the job offer, it is generally advisable to get it in writing so that both you and the employer are clear about the terms being presented. Start date, salary and benefits, job title, probation period (if any) and holiday entitlement should be clearly spelt out. This is especially true if you elect to negotiate some of these terms. You will want an accurate record of the final agreement.

High spirits
The stages you will go through in an interview process will depend on an employer’s practices and the post that you are applying for. Keep in mind that at each point in the flow of things, you are expected to be at your best.

This means you should try to maintain your enthusiasm and professionalism at all times. Treat every person you deal with during the interview with the courtesy and respect. Then follow up in a timely manner. This will reassure the employer that they’ve made the best choice in offering to hire you.

Source: The Telegraph (Kolkata, India)

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