PREPARATION BEFORE INTERVIEW

One of the most fundamental factors that contribute to the success of an interview is the time and quality of preparation made by you. The degree of preparedness before an interview helps reduce the uncertainty and anxiety prior to the interview. The amount of effort you wish to put into preparation is directly proportional to the importance of the interview. Simply put, if the reason for giving the interview is important enough the more would be the effort required. Let us consider some of the things you must do to prepare yourself for an interview.

LEARN ABOUT THE ORGANISATION

It is important to have a background of the company you apply to. Selectors cannot comprehend why and how a person can say he is keen to join an organization about which he knows little or nothing. In most countries there is a surplus of manpower and a few jobs. People apply without bothering about the nature of the organization. All they want is a good job. However, from the interviewer’s point of view the good applicant is one who has done some homework about the organization. What you must know is

1. A brief history of the organization.
2. Its main divisions/sub-divisions/sub-business.
3. Location of its other units /locations,
4. Nature of its products and services.
5. Any important of the organization that has been news worthy.
6. The nature of job applied for.

The sources from where the above information can be obtained are:

1. Company balance sheets available at head office of the company/ internet/newspaper.
2. Speech of the chairman fro m the last general body meeting.
3. Brochures and pamphlets available at any sales office of the company.
4. Talking to employees and to ascertain as to what kind of employees they require.

REFRESHER ON THE SUBJECT

It is but natural that interviewers would quiz you on your field of specialization. Hence, if you have studied economics, electrical engineering, personal management, office administration or whatever, you must go back to the principle text books and refresh your knowledge definitions, formulas, concepts and other related issues. An interviewer judges your ability to grasp and retain what you will be taught by the organization in future on the basis of how did it in the past with your past education and experience. The interviewer also ascertains your knowledge and intelligence by this.

CERTIFICATIONS AND THOROUGH KNOWLEDGE OF CLAIMS MADE

You must always strive to list your achievements, academic qualifications, prior experience and extra curricular activities. Such achievements, or claims, must be authenticated by certificates or photographs. The important ones may be photocopied and attached with the bio-data while the originals of all certificates should ne neatly catalogued in a folder and kept at hand for reference should the interviewer ask. Through this process interviewers ascertain your authenticity, honesty and achievement orientation.

NAMES OF SELECTION PANEL

Nothing is more precious to a person than his or her name. as part of the preparation processit would be an added advantage to know the names of those of those on the selection.

DON’T MAKE THE PREPARATION KNOWN

It is important not to let the selection panel know the efforts made by you towards preparing for the interview through your responses. Don’t flaunt your preparation openly, especially in SSB interviews. This will prove that you are only acting or altering your ways of answering the question which you would have answered otherwise. By gradual discovery of your knowledge of the organization the interviewer will judge your commitment, keenness and sincerity.