6 Greatest mistakes made in job interviews...

Doing no homework on an organisation before going there.

• Letting your resume / CV be used as agenda for the interviews.
• Talking primarily about yourself and what benefit the job will be for you.
• When answering a question talking longer than 2 minutes at a time.
• Approaching them as if you were a job beggar.
• Not sending a thank you note right after the interview.

Going on an interview is probably, for some, one of the most stressful things that they will encounter in their lives. Some people strive in their interviews and during their life time will go on a lot of interviews, while other people are so nervous that they stutter, forget their words and answer things totally differently from the way they rehearsed it in their minds.

I bet we can all remember our very first interview, and when looking back some of us might cringe and wish we had done some things differently during that first interview.

The meaning of this document is to give you, the interviewee, some general tips when going on an interview. These tips will inform you how to prepare for your interview.

1. The first thing that is very important is to do the necessary research on the company. This means that you should know exactly what the company does, what their products are, what type of services they provide and who their clients are, etc. This will show the interviewer that you are serious about the interview and really interested in the company, and that you do not see it as just another opportunity. Also know who you will be meeting with. 
    
2. Another thing that goes hand in hand with doing research on the company is preparing relevant questions that you can ask the interviewer about the position, the job role and even the company. Prepare and ask questions that will give you certainty about the opportunity. This is important because once the interview is over and you have asked all the relevant questions you will know whether this is the right opportunity for you, or not.
    
3. When preparing for the interview think of all your past achievements and highlights. Think of a way you can link your achievements (for example where you have made the company money, saved them money or implemented systems) to the opportunity, this will show them what you can do for the company.
    
4. Be on time for your interview (at least 15 – 20 minutes early). It is not wise to show your possible new employer that you do not know the meaning of punctuality.
    
5. Dress neatly and professionally unless it has been specified by your consultant that the interview will be casual. Remember, first impressions count.
   
   Research done amongst decision makers in the top companies in America indicates that the one factor that employers considered as influencing their choice to appoint someone was the extent to which the candidate understood and had information about the prospective employer’s company.
    
6. Greet the interviewer/s with a firm handshake and look them in the eye so that they know you mean business.
    
7. Another important accessory is confidence. If you are confident about yourself and your skills and if you answer the questions with confidence, then you cannot go wrong in the interview. But be careful not to come across as arrogant.
    
8. Answer questions honestly and completely. There is no need to dwell on negatives. If you can, avoid mentioning them. There is no need to lie about something because if the company finds out it will be an uncomfortable situation that could have been avoided. Sell yourself on your true capabilities and qualifications without exaggerating your abilities.
    
9. Keep a 50 – 50 balance between talking and listening, meaning that you should not talk too much, and do not only reply with a simple yes or no. Do not be afraid of silence. Take a few seconds to gather your thoughts before launching into an answer. A few seconds of silence followed by a well thought out answer reflects very well on you.
    
10. After the interview thank the interviewer for inviting you and giving you the opportunity to meet with them. Again, greet them with a firm handshake and maintain the eye contact.

There are a lot of other tips and guidelines on how to win an interview; these listed here are the basic things on how you can prepare yourself for that very important interview. One of the most important things to remember is that you must enjoy the interview. You are allowed to feel important and special because a company took interest in you, and requested to meet with you, and find out what you can do differently for their company.

10 Questions you can ask during an interview

Finally you, as the interviewee, get the chance to turn the tables and ask the interviewer some questions. Although it will not be stressful for them at all, it will allow you to relax and find out everything that you need to know about the opportunity.

The list below consists of possible questions that you can ask the interviewer/s. As each interview is different, these questions can differ and might not be applicable for every interview:

1. What would my duties and responsibilities be?
2. Is there any room for growth and advancement within the company?
3. Does the company encourage further studies?
4. What is the general culture of the company?
5. How will my performance be assessed?
6. You can ask the interviewer why he/she likes to work at the company.
7. Who will I report to and will people report to me?
8. How can I improve on the way things were done by the previous person that             held this position?
9. Could you explain your organizational structure?
10. When can I expect to hear feedback / how soon will you decide on the appointment?

Preparing and asking some questions in the interview shows the interviewer/s that you are serious and interested in the position and the company. This list of questions are only examples that you can use, so think about the questions that you would like to ask the interviewer. Asking questions will help you decide whether this is the opportunity for you or not.

10 Questions frequently asked during an interview

When going on an interview do you feel stressed and unprepared? Or are you sitting there in the reception area or boardroom, calmly waiting in anticipation for the not so stressed or nervous interviewer/s?

Each interview is unique in its own way and different questions are asked, so think about your answers to questions you’re likely to be asked. Want that feeling of control and confidence to fill the room? To help you get that feeling we’re listing some of the most popular questions asked in interviews:

1. “Tell me about yourself. ”
   This is an opportunity for you to briefly discus your CV with the interviewer. Mention what you have accomplished so far and your career highlights, in other words - brag a bit about yourself.
    
2. “What are your goals?”
   This is a very popular question because well-thought-out goals show maturity and a commitment to your profession or business. Your goals should be both long and short range, ambitious but realistic.
    
3. “Where do you see yourself in five years?”
   When attempting to answer this particular question there is one very important thing to remember, and that is to steer clear of titles. The reason for this is because when you reply, for example, “In the next five years I see myself as the Financial Director”, it could create a problem because the Financial Director might be the one conducting the interview. Basically what you are saying is that you would really like his/her job. People react differently and he/she might take offense, so steer clear of titles and rather explain how you would like to be in a stable company like this one, in a position where there is growth potential and where you will be able to utilize your skills.
    
4. “What are your strengths?”
   Again, answer the question in terms of the position to be filled. State your strengths and support your claim with illustrations of past accomplishments. If one of your strengths is that you are deadline driven, then explain to them why you say so. For example, you are deadline driven because you had specific deadlines at the end of each month and you always met them one week before the due date.
    
5. “What are your weaknesses?”
   When mentioning weaknesses give an example of how you are taking the necessary steps to improve in this area. This shows that you are aware of your weaknesses and you are working on improving them.
    
6. “Why do you want to leave your job?”
   Be sure you have a good answer to this question before going on an interview. Your reason for leaving might be because of corporate changes, lack of opportunity or recognition, insufficient authority, or unsatisfactory earnings. Be very careful not to make negative statements about your former employers or colleagues. Explain the situation as factually and briefly as possible.
    
7. “What salary are you asking for?”
   Avoid discussing compensation on the first interview. This is a topic that the company and your consultant must discuss.
   If the interviewer asks specifically what your salary requirements are, your answer should be, “What I’m really looking for is the right career opportunity,” or you can say, “I do not want to eliminate myself from the process by committing to a specific salary. ” If you are pressed for a specific figure, give a range of what you would like to earn. Your consultant will prepare you in depth on this topic.
    
8. “Why are you interested in this position”?
   This gives you the opportunity to tell the interviewer what you like about their company and what opportunities there could be for you. Therefore it is essential to do research on the company.
    
9. “Why should we choose you for the position?”
   This question allows you to mention, and to make the interviewer aware of, the skills you can bring to the company, and what differentiates you from all the other candidates. Here you can briefly mention your achievements at previous companies. Stress the areas in your background that relate to the challenges inherent in the new position.
    
10. “Explain your work history. ”
    “Can you explain why there is an 8 month gap between Company A and Company B?” “Can you explain why you had 3 different employers in 5 years?” Have a sound explanation for your work history. Whether you have a gap in your employment or have held several jobs in a short period of time, emphasise that you were looking for a company to settle into where you could make a long-term commitment/contribution, and stress that you are not just looking for a higher paycheck.

These questions are merely an indication of what you might answer, these questions won’t necessarily be asked. It is in your best interest to prepare for your interview.

How to handle salary

Salary a. k. a compensation, MONEY etc. is a word loved by everyone across the world, but on the other hand it is also one of the major deal breakers when trying to enhance and improve your career.

Salary can be a tricky topic to cover in an interview and it can leave you in a sticky situation when you have not been prepared for this question or topic. When you are considering making a career move salary is always one of the important factors. We all want an increase when making a career change but it is very important for companies to know that you are more or less willing to move for the same amount and not for an increase of R 100 000. This will all depend on other factors as well as the location. Companies like to hear that you are there for the opportunity and not for the money alone.

It is always wise to try to avoid the topic of salary. The reason for this is to prevent an uncomfortable situation. This is where your recruitment consultant comes in. They are trained professionals and know how to negotiate your salary, and most importantly they know their clients. Your consultant will always prepare you beforehand on how to handle the issue of salary if it comes up in the interview.

Here are a few guidelines on how to handle the sticky topic of salary:

Remember, the first person to mention a number in a negotiation usually loses.


 

1. If the interviewer asks you what your salary expectations are, you can tell the interviewer that you would rather not give a specific amount because you are here to assess the opportunity, and you would not like to give a fixed amount and then be excluded from the process. Tell him / her politely that you would prefer it if they negotiate salary with your consultant, or, if they believe that you are the right candidate for the job, you are open for an offer.
    
2. In the first interview make sure that you do not start the conversation about salary before the interviewer does.
    
3. If the interviewer is persistent and wants to know, then it is always a good idea to give a range rather than a specific fixed amount. By doing this it leaves some room for negotiation. For example if you are currently on a cost to company of R 300 000 and you are looking for an opportunity of R 320 000, give a range of R 340 000 – R 360 000 it is always wise to go in with a higher price range. This is not to say that you will get an offer within the range, but it leaves some room for negotiations. If you do not get anything within the range but, for example receive an offer of R 330 000, then it is still within your expectations.
    
4. It is important to understand your current package, to know what it is made up of and to know what amount you would like to nett – in other words what amount you would like to take home.

The keys to successful salary negotiations  

Never discuss salary until the end of interviewing process, when the company has definitely said they want you…




 

When to discuss salary:

Not until all of the following conditions have been fulfilled

• Not until they’ve gotten to know you, at your best, so they can see how you stand above the other applicants.
• Not until you’ve gotten to know them, as completely as you can, so you can tell when they’re being firm, or when they’re flexible.
• Not until you’ve found out exactly what the job entails.
• Not until they’ve had a chance to find out how well you match the job requirements.
• Not until you’re in the final interview at that place for that job.
• Not until you’ve decided, “I’d really like to work here. ”
• Not until they’ve said, “We want you. ”
• Not until they’ve said, “We’ve got to have you. ”

If the employer raises the salary question earlier, in some form like “What kind of salary are you looking for?”, you should have three responses at your fingertips.

1. If the employer seems like a kindly man or woman, your best and most tactful reply might be: “Until you’ve decided you definitely want me, and I’ve decided I definitely could help you with your tasks here, I feel any discussion of salary is premature.” That will work, in most cases.
    
2. There are instances however, where that doesn’t work. You may be face-to-face with an employer who will not so easily be put off, and demands within the first two minutes that you’re in the interview room to know what salary you are looking for. At this point, you use your second response: “I’ll gladly come to that, but could you first help me to understand what this job involves?”
    
3. That is a good response, in most cases. But what if it doesn’t work? The employer with rising voice says, “Come, come, don’t play games with me. I want to know what salary you’re looking for. ” You have response #3 prepared for this very eventuality. It’s an answer in terms of a range. For example, “I’m looking for a salary in the range of R 35 – 45,000 a month. ”

If the employer still won’t let it go until later, then consider what this means. Clearly, you are being interviewed by an employer who has no range in mind. Their beginning figure is their ending figure. No negotiation is possible.

This can happen because many employers are making salary their major criterion for deciding who to hire and who not to hire, out of, say, nineteen possible candidates.

One job-hunter said his interviews always began with the salary question and no matter what he answered, that always ended the interview. Turns out, this job-hunter was doing all the interviewing over the phone. That was the problem. Once he went face-to-face, salary was no longer the first topic discussed in the interview.

It’s an old game, played with new determination by many employers these days, called “among two equally qualified candidates, the one who is willing to work for the lower salary wins. ”

If you run into this situation, and you want that job badly enough, you will have no choice but to capitulate. Ask what salary they have in mind, and make your decision. (Of course you should always say, “I need a little time, to think about this. ”)

The purpose of salary negotiations is to uncover the most that an employer is willing to pay to get you.

Every employer has a salary range in mind, and you have every right to try to discover what the highest point of that salary range is. Employer will always start lower and negotiate from there.

During salary discussions try never to be the first one to mention a salary figure. Whoever mentions a figure first in salary negotiation generally loses. You should respond by asking, “What do you have in mind?”

Before you go to the interview, do some homework on how much take-home pay you will need if offered this job.

Before you get to the interview, do research on typical salaries for your skills.

Try to get hold of salary surveys or talk to people in the industry. What are similar positions being advertised for?

Discussing salary can put one in a difficult predicament - therefore your consultant will prepare you and make sure that you are educated and ready to answer any questions if the salary topic arises.

How to deal with counter offers

Picture this scenario: You go on an interview, it really went well and you know that this is the opportunity that you have been looking for. It is a great company to work for, close to home – no more getting stuck in the traffic, great growth opportunities within the company and there will be a little bit of an improvement on your compensation package, so you cannot wait to start. You finally inform your manager about your new opportunity. The next day your manager calls you into his office and makes you an offer that you cannot refuse. You are torn between two great opportunities. What do you do now?

This is a very hard decision to make because some people are only in it for the money and other people really want to make a change because of factors other than money. When you have to make an important decision like this, take time and think about why your manager is suddenly offering you a counter offer.

Possible reasons can be:

They know that you are on the market, so they might be trying to buy time to train someone to replace you.

• People within the department might get worried and feel that their jobs are in danger.
• It is less expensive to give you an increase than employing someone new and training them.
• They might not want to let you go because you might know the ins and outs of the company, and now confidential  information will be available to the competitors.
• The lower the turnovers rate of the company the better.
• Too many resignations in a company does not look good on a manager’s record.

If you are still considering accepting the counteroffer, keep the following in mind:

Why have they waited all this time to recognize your potential and acknowledge what you do for the company?

• You had a valid reason in the first place for wanting to make a career change. If you accept the counter offer you will just be suppressing the real reason.
• If you stay, your loyalty will always be in question and you will have to regain the trust of your manager.
• If the company is in trouble in the future, the manager will remember who was loyal and who was not. You might be the first to leave.
• Often, when you accept a counter offer, your manager will already be looking for your replacement.
• If you accept the counter offer you might burn your bridges with companies that you might be doing business with in the future.
• Statistically, 80% of all employees who accept a company’s counter offer end up leaving that company within 6 to 9 months anyway.

Remember, the final decision lies with you; you have to do what is best for you and your career. This is not a decision that can be made light heartedly, so do yourself a favor and take time to think it through. Weigh all the pros and cons and, based on that, make your final decision.

How to resign from your job

So you have found your new dream opportunity and cannot wait to start, but there is one thing that you have been dreading - resigning from your current job. This is not an easy or pleasant thing to do. It can be very hard to scrape up the courage and go to your employer and tell him/her that it is time for you to move on. It gets exceptionally hard when you really like your job and you are on a good footing with your co-workers and managers. Another scenario is that you might not get along with your managers or co-workers, or something happened that jeopardized your professional relationship and you do not know how to pursue the issue of resigning.

Consider these facts before and when you decide to resign from your position. The decision solely lies with you so think things through before you make a decision to prevent making the wrong decision:

• First of all you have to be 100% sure that this is what you want to do and that this is the right opportunity for you. Consider all the factors for example, the location, the type of work you will be doing, salary and growth potential within the company.
   
• After you have decided to make a change go through your employment contract and confirm your notice period that you would have to work. It is important to know what your notice period is in order to prevent any possible disputes during the process.
   
• Plan and write a resignation letter that will allow you to effectively communicate and deliver your message. Keep your resignation short and sweet. Leave the company on a positive note. People are going to miss you because you contributed skills and expertise to the company for the time period you worked there. Thank them for the opportunity that they have given you, and say that you have learned a lot and gained experience during your employment.
   
• It is always a good idea to ask for a letter of recommendation. The reason is that as time goes by, people lose contact with each other and numbers get lost. Therefore if the time comes that you need a letter and the reference can not be contacted, you already have your letter of recommendation.
   
• This part of the process is never easy for some people. It can be an emotional experience. Leave the company gracefully, chin up and ready for your new challenge. Do not burn your bridges; you don’t know when someday you might just need to make use of those bridges again.

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