Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Interview Taboos: Sins you do not want to commit during a job interview because being jobless equals to a living hell.

There is only one day left before your interview. You go through your list of things to bring and start ticking it out. Formal attire checked, documents needed checked, transportation checked. You think you already have everything on your finger tips. But how about during interview? What are the things you should avoid doing? Especially during intense situation where you are bombarded with tough questions and expected to give the right answers. What are the right answers then? With these thoughts in mind, I bet a lot of you out there have a hard time sleeping at night before your job interview. But fret not, I have listed some of the most important taboos that should be avoided during a job interview.


A) Say the wrong things.

i. Say something different from what is written in your CV (in simple words, lying).
ii. Tell them your weaknesses that will cost you losing the chance of getting the job.
iii. Talk bad about your previous employer.
iv. Over share.

Since the recruiter or HR personnel already have your CV, you should not lie to them by saying something that contradicts what you have written in your CV just to impress them. But if you are honest enough in your CV this is something you should not be worried about.

Usually the interviewers will ask you about your weaknesses or things you would want to improve about yourself. Do not tell them something that you are not good at when it is an essential in the job nature that you are applying for. For example you are applying for a sales position but you tell the interviewer you are a very shy person. You have got to be kidding me! You should not be applying for the job in the first place!

Even when you have had a bad experience in your previous employment NEVER EVER do boss, co-workers or employers bashing. Your experience may be terrible but telling it to anyone is not a good idea. Your interviewers are most likely to see you as the problem not your boss.

Sometimes you will come across very comfortable interviews where you feel very connected to the interviewers. This is good, but remember not to spoil it by thinking both of you are closer than you really are. Do not share about a hot date you had the night before or about recent difficulties in your life (We are HR people not shrinks mind you). Unless it is really necessary to share the difficulties as evidence of your ability to deal with hardship. You can give example of the difficulties you have faced and how you have overcome them.


B) Fashionably late is not the 'in-trend'.

i. Arrive late for the job interview.


When you are late, not only do you waste your interviewers’ time but it also shows your lack of discipline. The interviewer will assume you are not serious enough in getting the job and that will leave a very bad impression of yourself to the organization. If you are stuck in a jam or have a transportation problem, let the HR people know about it so they can probably proceed with other candidates first. To avoid this you must plan your journey to the interview right after you have confirmed the interview session. You should not agree with the time and date of the interview in the first place if you know you will face difficulties getting there on time.


C) Hurt the interviewers eyes.

i. Wear inappropriate clothes.
ii. Chewing gum.

Jeans, too revealing clothes, satin shirt for guys, round neck t-shirts and sandals are definitely not allowed for job interview. Please, please, please stick to suits and formal clothes. Remember to look classy and conservative. Still clueless on how formal attire looks like? Easy, just Google it and you can find many examples of formal wear on the Internet OR you can always refer to Rule 6 in our famous 10 Rules to Nail Your Dream Job.

First, it will be hard for you to speak clearly when you chew a gum. Secondly it will be a distraction for the interviewer, and third it is just very rude. So save the gum for the football game!


By following the tips above I hope it will lead you to the 'right light' and keep you away from the 'fire'. But remember to be yourself and DO NOT lie your way through. Good luck hunters and stay out of trouble!

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Creating Magic (Part 2)

Basic etiquette is essential in creating a great, lasting impression. Time management is one of the top items on the list the interviewers look at. Punctuality is a MUST! What an impression you make if you are at least 10 minutes early to the interview, all dressed up and ready with a smile on your face.

Acknowledging the people around you goes a long way. Ignoring people is one of the major taboos. You never know who the people you encounter on your way could be. Be courteous and greet whoever it is that comes your way. Regardless of the kind of response you receive, know that such effort will be remembered. If you find it a task to greet, then a simple genuine smile will do. The idea is just to show that you acknowledge their presence. A stranger today could be an important friend tomorrow.

Another major taboo is bad body odor or bad breath. Candidates who enter the room with either or both leave a bad aftertaste. People will not be able to concentrate, and such odor taints not only the interview room, but the interviewer’s mood as well. Your inconsideration is a turn-off and automatically removes you from the list.

Language is a major interview issue in Malaysia. Candidates tend to speak Manglish or make grammatical errors that become an earsore. Learn to adjust to situations. Leave Manglish at the door when you attend an interview. If you are struggling with the English language, be humble enough to acknowledge it and do something about it. Do not allow your prideful ego get in the way. Reading out loud is a simple way to master the language. Speaking proper English will give you an added advantage on top of your good first impression.

Making a great, lasting impression is not tough if you take note of the common, simple mistakes people make in interviews. Learn whatever that is good, and leave the bad habits behind. Confidence and moderation, with a touch of humility will sail you through the first of many hurdles: making a good first impression.

Creating magic is all about common sense. It is putting effort in what you already know. Make the extra mile for the interview and whatever it is in life and expect wonderful, satisfying results. Extra thought and preparation will hone your intuitive style and make every first impression lastingly magical.

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Creating Magic (Part 1)

“A thousand words will not leave so deep an impression as one deed.” Henrik Ibsen, the “godfather” of modern theathre must have forseen the blunders of first impressions, especially during interviews. Even in days of old, first impressions was a major aspect of interviews. Back then you just had to make a good first impression once, and within half an hour, you would know the results. Today, the interview process has evolved so much that it causes confusion and anxiety. You need to create a good first impression each visit you make (at least twice), and it will be at least two weeks before you know the results. What a wait!

Unfortunately, bad impressions are almost impossible to undo, and good impressions are easily overridden by bad ones. Do not expect the interview to go well if you have soured the first impression. The first impression is THE most important aspect you take care of when attending an interview. It sets the tone, and the key to kick start a good relationship. Who would want to make an effort to meet someone who has not given a good first impression?

Creating the first impression is the first of many hurdles to cross, one that will determine your career path. It is rare for the employer to hire a candidate they do not like or have chemistry with. It does not matter if you have the best technical knowledge,or grasp of vocabulary and communication skills, the matter of the fact is, if you fail to make a good impression, know that you have jeapardised your chances of getting that job. Joseph Le Conte once said, “The essential thing is not knowledge, but character.”

So, is creating a good first impression tough? Or putting it in another way, is creating a great lasting first impression tough?

It is a simple answer. NO IT IS NOT! Honestly, it is all about common sense, and basic etiquette. This does not only apply to the interviews you attend, but the people you meet along the way. The first 3 to10 seconds of meeting is the most crucial part of the interview. Always bear in mind that wherever you are, whether in an interview or meeting, judgement is passed the moment you step through the door, from your posture to the way you walk, your smile, and the form of handshake you give.

The distance you walk from the door to the chair, which we shall dub “The Magic Walk”, gives way to the person you are. It is the switch to the interviewer's interest. Your job is to make sure it is switched on and KEPT on. When you enter the room, go in with a purposeful stride. A good self-esteem generates positive attitude that will in turn become confidence.. A genuine smile is the hightlight of the walk. A common saying goes, “Smile and the world smiles too.” It is a contagious habit that humans have, and one that is very useful in creating a great, lasting first impression.

“The Magic Walk” is not complete if you do not have the right look. Imagine walking in confidently with a smile on your face, but wearing a shabby outfit. People may think you are a little off mentally. Dressing to impact should be on top of your preparation list, regardless of where you are heading. “A picture is worth a thousand words.” Dress appropriately according to the industry you are going into. Your effort to dress adds merit to the impression you give, and it will be duly noted by the interviewer.

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

Rule 10

Write a thank you note to your potential employer and recruiter

Please make sure you send a thank you note to the interviewers and recruiters within the next 48 hours after the interview and keep your fingers crossed!

Your thank you note can be something like this:

Dear Mr. A,

It was a pleasure meeting you and Mr. B yesterday. I enjoyed talking with you about the Analyst position. I am more convinced now that Company A is the right place for me to start my career and develop myself. I'm willing to learn and learn fast enough to keep up with the fast growing pace of the IT industry.

Thank you for taking your time to meet me yesterday. I look forward to hear from you soon.

Regards,
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