Exit interviews are commonplace nowadays particularly in larger organisations.  HR Departments conduct this type of interview for a number of reasons such as to garner information to improve the work environment to help with employee retention and also for legal reasons in some instances.

It should also be noted that you are not obliged to take part in an exit interview but you are best advised to do so, to help ensure you receive a positive reference from your company.  Job seekers are often torn between giving honest reasons why they are leaving versus giving canned responses that are not true representations of his/her reasons for changing jobs.  The reason that employees provide canned responses because they are afraid that if they provide their true reasons they again may not receive the glowing reference they expected.

The types of questions you can expect to face in an exit interview include:

- what are the main reasons for you leaving?

- what have you enjoyed about working here?

- what have you not enjoyed about working here?

- did you receive the necessary training and support to help you do your job?

- did you have any issues with management / colleagues or is it a career decision?

- how could we have helped to make you enjoy the role more?

- what would we need to do to make you reconsider your decision?

It is fine to be honest in answering questions as long as you do so in a rational constructive manner.  An exit interview is not the place for snide comments, there is no point in burning bridges with the company.  Look forward to new beginnings in your new job and don’t use your exit interview as a vendetta against your employer or else your reference may not be so glowing after all.  It may be worth your while reading a previous blog post 6 rules to successful job references.

It is normal to feel nervous before a job interview, you can bet everyone else going for the job feels likewise.  Getting yourself into an anxious state may mean you don’t perform to your true potential but there are ways to help ease those nerves in order to give a confident interview that will help you get the job you are looking for.

1. Find out what to expect in the interview.

If you leisurely stroll into an interview expecting to meet one person and then see that you have a group of people on the other side of the table ready to give you a panel interview, then you will get nervous very quickly.  Avoid these nerves by finding out in advance who you are meeting, what their job title is and if anyone else will be attending the interview.

                                                                                                                                                   2. Prepare yourself for difficult interview questions.

Your nerves will be in turmoil if you are faced with tough interview questions that leave you speechless again these can be prevented.  Study your resume, look for weaknesses or gaps in your resume that the interviewer might exploit and have answers ready to explain any perceived shortcomings that the interviewer might find.

                                                                                                                                                    3. Go easy on food and drink before the interview.

Do you really want to interrupt your interview saying “excuse me where is the restroom I need to use the toilet”?  While at times this is unavoidable, you are better served by using restrooms in advance of your interview so the momentum and natural flow of your interview goes uninterrupted.

                                                                                                                                                       4. Picture yourself being successful with your interview.

Often our mindsets make us worry about things that could go wrong in our lives rather than picturing the opposite.  If you focus your mindset on being successful with your interview then you will find that your nerves will lessen and you will be more confident during the interview.

                                                                                                                                                   5. Plan your journey.

Nothing will make you more anxious than being stuck in traffic on the day of your interview worrying that you will be late.  Be sure to give yourself ample time to get to the interview and add an extra few minutes in case of any mishaps along the way.

                                                                                                                                                  Don’t allow the nerves you encounter to be blown out of proportion.  The job interview is something that the company arranged so your resume obviously impressed them, all that remains is for you to keep calm and give a confident interview bereft of unnecessary anxiety.

While you should do your utmost to ensure job interview mistakes are avoided when interviewing for a job there are times whether through a lack of concentration, or just through plain old human error, mistakes can occur and the way in which you recover from those mistakes will play a key role in whether you are to be a successful applicant or not. Today I have focused on some common interview mistakes and provided methods of recovery to each error.

                                                                                                                                                      1)  Arriving late for an interview.

If you arrive late you should apologize sincerely and say something like “I’m really sorry, when I drove here yesterday as practice run, it took me half the time but a bad accident held the traffic up today”, that way you are letting the interviewer know that you took the time to take a practice run which he/she will appreciate, and that the delay was unavoidable.

2)  Forgetting to turn off your cell-phone and you get a call during the interview.

Do not be tempted to look at the phone to see who is calling and in no circumstances answer the phone, instead turn the phone off and apologize to the interviewer saying something along the lines of, “I’m really sorry I was sure I switched it off, sincere apologies.”

3)  Arriving at the interview to see other candidates in suits while you are dressed casually.

This can cause embarrassment unless you know what to say to offset the issue. One way to overcome the error is to say “I am sorry for my casual appearance but had I worn a suit it may have caused suspicion in my current job as casual dress is the norm there, had I not been coming from work I would of course come dressed in more professional attire.” The interviewer will appreciate your honesty and, in most circumstances, be willing to overlook your mistake.

4)  Realizing you made a mistake in answering a question.

If you provide an answer then suddenly realize that you have given the wrong answer, rather than saying nothing, you will be better served by admitting that you had made a mistake by saying something along the lines “actually on reflection I gave an incorrect answer to the previous question, the correct answer should have been…”, the interviewer will admire your honesty and also the way in which you didn’t let the fact that you gave an incorrect answer to harm your composure.

                                                                                                                                                      If you make a mistake in a job interview the most important thing is not to let it overwhelm you to the point that it becomes a fatal blow to your employment ambitions. Interviewers are human and understand that mistakes can be made so don’t let an error on your behalf  knock your confidence, remain focused and continue your interview as normal.

How you sell yourself during a job interview will have a major impact on your chances of success, however it is very important that you do so in the right manner otherwise you run the risk of sounding desperate which might be a major turn-off for the prospective employer. In order to be in a prime position to showcase your ability you need to fully understand the job description and be aware of the most important criteria in the description.

1)  Build a rapport from the start.

From the minute you enter the interview room you are being scrutinized so make sure you make a good first impression. Be positive, greet the interviewer with a firm handshake, relaxed smile and do likewise to any other staff members who may be in attendance at the interview.

 2)  Use examples to your advantage.

If you have a good understanding of the job description then you will have a fair idea of what areas the interview will focus upon. Have examples ready to support your answers, there are fewer things more powerful to back-up your statements than examples that will prove to the interviewer that you have the relevant experience that he/she is looking for.

 3)  Have research done on the company.

One of the questions that you will most likely be asked is “why do you want to work for us?”, in your answer demonstrate to the interviewer that you have spent time researching the company. A thoughtful response based on information garnered from the company’s website will be appreciated by the interviewer.

 4)  Be relaxed.

Talking in a relaxed confident tone where you are in control of your speech will stand you in good stead with the interviewer, it will demonstrate a level of confidence and show that you have belief in what you are talking about.  Be mindful not to be overly relaxed mind you and similarly don’t allow your confidence to interpreted as cockiness.                                                                                                                                                       

 5)  Spend time practicing for your interview.

Study the job description and put yourself in the interviewer’s shoes, what questions would you ask based on the description? Write these questions down and use them as a platform to rehearse for the job interview, like with most things, you will find that the more you practice the more confident you will become, thus ensuring an assured interview. 

To truly sell yourself in a job interview you need to prove to the interviewer that you have the talent and energy for the role and are also the right fit for their company. You will achieve this by avoiding common interview mistakes, by conveying your passion for the job and by having a friendly approach, leaving the interviewer in no doubt that you would be a perfect fit to gel with existing team members.

Advice For Lunch Interviews.

Sometimes when you get to the serious end of the interview discussions such as after a second or third interview, the company who is hiring may invite you to meet for lunch or dinner, this news should be welcomed as it is a sign that you are a genuine contender for the role. However this type of interview should be treated with just as much seriousness as a first-round interview, so it is worth reading this previous post on a job interview checklist.   

If you perform poorly during a lunch interview then serious harm will be done to your credibility as a possible employee. The 6 tips outlined below will help whet your appetite for the interview and serve as a guide on how to perform well during this kind of interview.                                      

1. Avoid messy food.

A dinner/lunch interview is not the time to order awkward food to eat, so avoid food like tacos, spaghetti or stews and instead focus on food that you don’t run the risk of spilling on your shirt.

2. Mind your manners.

Refrain from speaking when you are in the middle of eating something, even if you are asked a question, finish eating before answering. The interviewer will far prefer the short delay rather than being given a close-up of your half-chewed food. Along a similar vein try to ensure that you have your mouth closed while eating and avoid slurping your drink/soup.

3. Be polite.

Your communication skills will be scrutinized by the interviewer particularly in relation to waiters and staff so ensure you show common courtesy at all times to prove to the interviewer that you have what it takes to work well with other employees.

4. Avoid distractions.

Have your cell-phone switched off or put in on silent, a business lunch is most definitely not the time to be sending text-messages or receiving /making calls.

5. The bill.

Most job seekers are unsure who should pay, the rule of thumb is the person who invited the other to lunch and that is usually the interviewer. As a matter of courtesy do offer to pay, once the interviewer declines your offer, politely thank him/her for the meal.

6. Send a thank-you note.

Following your lunch interview be sure to avail of the opportunity to send the interviewer a thank-you note. As with all thank-you letters make sure you emphasize your interest in the job in the letter and thank the interviewer for his/her time.

Don’t allow the fact that you have progressed to this stage of interview cloud your judgement, as over-confidence will not stand you in good stead with the interviewer, it will have the opposite effect. The tips provided in this post work equally well for dinner interviews so keep them in mind should you have any meal-related job interview.

It is important for candidates interviewing for a job to be aware not only of the things they say, but also of their nonverbal communication which can be just as telling as the answers they provide during the interview. The first impression you make on the interviewer will go a long way to deciding whether you will be considered for a second interview or not.

By now you should be aware of the importance of being dressed appropriately for the interview which is one method of nonverbal behavior your interviewer will take into account. From the moment you walk in to the interview room the interviewer will be scrutinizing your body language to see if you show confidence, or if you are the type of person that gets easily distracted, for example.

 1)  Make eye-contact.

Making good eye-contact during a job interview is important as it implies confidence. When making eye-contact do so in a natural manner don’t stare in a constant gaze at the interviewer as this will be off-putting for him/her.

2)  Smile when appropriate.

Smiling at the right time will work in your favor when interviewing though avoid laughter unless the interviewer initiates it. Smiling portrays a positive, confident demeanor so be sure to smile at the appropriate moments during your interview.

3)  Keep your arms relaxed rather than crossed in a tense position.

Aside from what could be viewed as a defensive position, having your arms crossed does not easily allow for taking notes or using your hands to gesture. You are best served by leaving your arms rested on the armrests on the chair or resting on a notepad on your lap.

4)  Get your posture right.

It is important to avoid slouching in your chair as this may be perceived as showing a lack of interest in the job which will seriously harm any chance you had of getting the job.  Try to sit up straight and refrain from fidgeting as this will be annoying for the person interviewing you.  Avoid looking overly relaxed as this could hint at an air of cockiness on your behalf, which is a trait that your interviewer will not be seeking in prospective employees.

Most interviewers will allow for the fact that interviewing can be nervous occasions for most people so won’t be too harsh on you if your non verbal behavior is not 100% correct but be sure to adhere to the important ones outlined in this post if you want to give a successful interview.

If you are called for second interview then congratulations, the hiring company have obviously been impressed by you.  Don’t rest on your laurels however as a second interview can often be more intense than a first round one.  To begin with there may be more than one person involved in the interview, and questions may be a little more in-depth and probing than the first interview so good preparation is important if you are to impress at this stage.

The interview may focus on areas of your first interview where perhaps you didn’t perform as well as you liked.  If you stumbled through a few answers then expect questions in that area again, also given that there may be new people involved in the interview don’t be surprised if you are required to answer some questions that you were already asked in the first interview.

With your credentials as a potential candidate verified by the fact that you have been called for a second interview, you may also be asked questions to establish whether you fit the culture of the organization.  In this regard you may be brought on a tour of the company and introduced to current employees along the way. 

There is one other reason for calling you back for a second interview, that being they want to offer you the job but more often than not it takes at least two interviews before final decisions are made on who to hire.  If by chance you are made an offer during your second interview thank the interviewer, express your delight, ask the interviewer to talk you through the package and then tell him/her you need a couple of days to think it over.

To best prepare for a second interview you need to find out who you are meeting and if anything is required on your behalf, you don’t want to arrive at the interview unaware that you are meant to be delivering a presentation at it.  That would not be a particularly welcome surprise, so try to find out as much information about the meeting before you attend.

In summary, during a second interview you can expect some of the following scenarios:

• you may have a panel of interviewers involved in the interview.
• you can expect probing questions based on weak responses you gave in the first interview.
• you may be introduced to existing employees or brought on a tour of the organization.
• you may possibly be offered the job on the spot.

Be prepared for each scenario to give yourself the best possible chance of being successful in the interview and don’t forget to have intelligent questions to ask the interviewer so you can make an informative decision regarding whether the role is right for you.

Don’t arrive overconfident to the interview as this could be misconstrued as cockiness and harm your employment chances.  Arriving armed with further research on the company will impress the interviewer(s), as would positive comments about staff members you had met to date.  If lunch or dinner is part of the second interview be mindful of your alcohol intake, as you need to ensure you have your wits about you throughout the interview process.

After the interview thank the interviewer and if new people are involved in the interview politely ask for their business cards so you can send each of them a thank-you letter.

The difference between getting hired for a job or not can sometimes hinge on the tiniest factor, with this in mind today we focus on the do’s and don’ts of a job interview to help you achieve a successful job interview. The best prepared candidate ensures that he/she leaves nothing to chance when it comes to interviewing for a job, so once you read this post you may find The A to Z of Job Interviews a worthy read.

DO

Do arrive on time.

Do dress appropiately.

Do provide a firm handshake.

Do turn your phone off before going in to the interview room.

Do show a friendly positive attitude.

Do have questions ready to ask the employer.

Do display a high level of interest in the position.

Do focus on portraying your strengths and achievements throughout the interview.

Do suggest your goals for the role should you get the job.

Do send a thank-you letter following the interview.

DON’T

Don’t criticize former employers.

Don’t chew gum.

Don’t provide false answers to questions.

Don’t smoke before the interview.

Don’t answer your cell-phone during the interview.

Don’t lose your cool during the interview, if tough interview questions are asked, remain composed at all times.

Don’t forget to maintain eye-contact throughout the interview.

Don’t wander off topic when answering questions.

Don’t allow yourself to come across as cocky or over-confident during the interview.

Don’t forget to reiterate your interest in the role when shaking hands at the end of the interview.

The more research that you undertake on both the role and the company will allow you become more confident about the interview which is a good thing once you ensure that you channel that confidence into enthusiasm for the position.

Management level interviews tend to focus on questions relating to your ability to lead a team, including questions about your supervisory skills along with questions about your ability to manage performance. These interviews can be testing but with a management position at stake this is to be expected. The 6 questions outlined below are along the lines of the questions that you can expect to face during this type of interview.

Name 3 important traits that describe your management style?

Fair, thorough and determined. My determination does not take away from my ability to be fair when dealing with staff and customers alike, whilst being thorough does not hamper my ability to make decisive decisions when such decisions are needed.

Give me an example of when you have had to discipline an employee, how did he/she react?

I had a colleague whose late time-keeping became a regular occurrence, I brought him into the office and provided the dates that he was late and warned him that he needed to improve his time-keeping or risked getting a written warning. His reaction was fine, he apologized for his tardiness and ensured he would be on time in future. I have not had any further issues with him.

What element of your management technique would you like to improve upon?

As a manager I believe that you are on a constant learning curve as new challenges arise on a daily basis, from a personal perspective I would like to remain open to emerging technologies.

How do you motivate employees?

I make a habit of verbally complimenting employees on a regular basis, I listen to team members in order to encourage and inspire while I ensure team spirit is positive at all times.

Have you ever had to fire an employee? If so how did you break the news to him/her?

As a manager laying off staff is part and parcel of the job, when faced with this task I bring the individual into my office and explain the reasons why he/she is surplus to requirements.

How do you handle criticism?

Constructive criticism is welcomed as it can only help increase productivity, criticism in a work environment is not something I take personal.

Being successful at interviews for managerial positions means being able to answer questions that may not have encountered in previous job interviews you so it is imperative to prepare properly. Should the interviewer seem like he/she is challenging you, it is vital to remain calm, this is in all probability a tactic to see how you react when under pressure.

Being fully prepared for a job interview is vital if you want to be the winning applicant, today we look at the A to Z of Job Interviews to help you with your research and to allow you focus on your interviewing skills.  Please excuse the creative leeway I took on the letters X and Z, my vocabulary alas, is not as creative as it once was!

A) Answers.

Have research done so you are able to impress the interviewer with your interview answers particularly answers to tough interview questions.

B) Behavioral interviews.

This type of interview will usually have questions beginning with “describe”, “give me an example”, “tell me about a time”, open-ended questions where yes/no doesnt suffice.

C) Charm.

Charm plays an important role when interviewing so be polite to all from the minute you arrive at the interview destination.

D) Dress for the occasion.

To impress at an interview one of the most important tasks is to ensure that you are dressed appropriately for the interview.

E) Examples.

There are fewer more compelling ways to convince a prospective employer of your talent than by providing examples of your work, so provide examples either physically or descriptively to enhance your application.

F) Former employers.

It is crucial not to criticize former colleagues /employers during a job interview, this will serve no purpose other than to harm your chances of getting the job. Criticizing former employers features amongst the biggest job interview mistakes. 

G) Go in with confidence.

Don’t be nervous when going for your interview, after all they selected you based on the skills in resume so go in confidently but don’t appear cocky.

H) Have your research done.

Be prepared for questions like “why do you want to work for our organization?” and use your research to your advantage when explaining why you want to work for the company.

I) Interview pack.

Bring an interview pack with you which may include  copies of your resume, samples of your work along with a pen and notepad so you can scribble notes during the interview.

J) Job spec.

Having the job spec with you will allow you to ask questions that you may have regarding the job itself. In advance of the interview highlight parts of the spec where you wish to seek more clarification.

K) Know who you are meeting.

It is important to know the name of the person you are meeting so you can greet them with a firm handshake addressing him/her by their name.

L) Location.

Ensure you know where you are going so you don’t run the risk of being late for your interview.

M) Mind your language.

Be careful not to use slang terminology in your interview as this may portray a lack of professionalism about you and damage your employment prospects.

N) Notice-period.

If asked “if successful when would you be able to start?”, be sure to have a clear definite response so the interviewer knows what notice-period you must serve should you be offered the job.

O) Outline your main skills and achievements.

You should go into the interview focused on highlighting some of your finest achievements, wait for the appropriate question to be asked then wow the interviewer with your experience to date.

P) Passion.

You need to transfer your passion for the role to the interviewer, explain why you want the job and provide the credentials that prove why you deserve the job.

Q) Questions.

There is a good chance that the interviewer will ask you if you have any questions, so it is important to have some relevant questions to ask relating to the vacancy.

R) References.

You should make sure to bring a copy of your references with you to provide if asked. These should provide the name, job title, company and contact details of each referee.

S) Salary.

During the 1st interview stage allow the interviewer to bring up the issue of salary initially. When discussions over salary begin be sure to come across as confident, not cocky.

T) Timing is everything.

You cannot afford to be late for a job interview so make sure you know your route (allowing for traffic issues depending on time of day) and arrive with time to spare.

U) Understand that you may be asked difficult interview questions.

Don’t take it personal if difficult interview questions are thrown at you, they are commonplace in interviews so answer each one honestly and be careful not to over-exaggerate your abilities.

V) Vision for the role.

Providing an insight into the ways in which you plan to add value to role will impress the interviewer if done in the correct manner.

W) Why you should we hire you?

Have an answer prepared for this question as it crops up time and time again in employment interviews.

X) X-Factor.

If you can provide good answers, great examples, get on well with the interviewer while showing an overwhelming desire for the role then you will certainly have the X-factor for the second interview.

Y) Your biggest weakness?

This questions is often considered amongst the most difficult interview question to answer, so be prepared with a winning response.

Z) Zzzz.

You should come across in an enthusiastic fashion, speak with passion as a mundane interviewee will be more likely to send the interviewer asleep rather than encourage him/her to hire you.

Providing great answers is 60% of the work, transferring your enthusiasm for the role while showing how you can add value make up the other 40%, if you manage to get that blend right then you should be able to look forward with confidence to a positive response.