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Sunday, August 8, 2010
Job Interviews - The Obstacle (Part 2)
Hi guys, Finally got time to write the part 2 as i promised. Man i love blogging!!!..Well lets not waste time. The guidelines for the job interview will be divided into four major parts which are Before interview, Interview Invitation and Preparation, During Interview and After Interview..So as promised, here are the guidelines:
Before Interview
- Make a decision on what is your preferred career path before applying for a job. For example, if you want to be a Java Programmer, then you should be applying for Java Programmer or Analyst Programmer positions. Same goes for other fields as well.
- For fresh graduates, applying for an Graduate programmes is highly recommendable especially if you're unsure of which field you want to develop your career. Multinational companies, like DHL, IBM and Scope organizes fresh graduate intakes twice a year. So do try to apply for that.
- Knowing your strength and skills is a major plus. For instance, if you're good in software testing, you can apply for Test Engineer positions. Therefore evaluate yourself first before applying for a job.
- When applying for a job, make sure you read the job descriptions first before applying for the job. This is important as by doing so, you'll be able to decide if the job does meet your expectations.(I once made a mistake by applying a job without reading the descriptions, therefore i'm requesting you not to do it)
- Whenever a company organizes a walk-in interview..PLEASE GO FOR IT!!!.It's one of the most effective ways in making them view your resume as well as your skills. Its recommended because applying online do have its own limitations. There are positions where over 300 candidates applied for it. So chances of your resume getting viewed are very low.
- When an HR representative calls for an interview and fixes an appointment for an interview session, DON'T TRY TO POSTPONE IT!!!. Sometimes it makes them feel annoyed and uncomfortable. Try to agree the interview schedule without postponing it unless if it's an emergency.
- When the Interview is fixed, Please go through the job description again and analyze what skills they prefer and try to do some background study on the particular skills.
- Another important thing is please conduct a background study on the company's history, products, type of industry and etc. It's common for the interviewer to ask you on what you know about the company.
- For IT jobs, especially programming, do search in the internet for interview questions and answers. For example, for Java - try to search Java Interview Questions and Answers. Its good to study this because this Interview Q& A contains all the common questions asked by the interviewer during the interview session (especially during the technical interview)
- Two days before the interview, please check all your documents/certifications that is required. If you need to photocopy the certifications, then go ahead and photocopy it. This is important to ensure you have all the necessary documents needed by the interviewer.
- This is my personal advice. - Don't have too much expectations on the interview you're attending. Take it easy. If you've passed the interview and secure a job, then congratulations. If you did not pass the interview and was not shortlisted, then take it as an experience and learn from it to do better in the next interview.
- Make sure you arrive to the venue of the interview one hour or maybe half an hour early. Its highly not recommendable in arriving 5-10 minutes before the interview as you might not have time to mentally prepare yourself for the interview.
- Please don't arrive late during the interview. Arriving late = Failed. The reason is time punctuality is one of the most important factors an interviewer will look into. Therefore, be careful
- During the interview, dressed in a proper attire. Smile and shake hands with your interviewer the moment you step into the interview room. Remember - First impression is always the best impression.
- Whenever the interviewer ask you to tell about yourself, remember to make it short and important. Telling about yourself means >> Your Education, Your career so far (fresh grads not need to explain), Your Hobbies. that's all.
- If you have any limitation in terms of communication (stammering, etc), then do inform the interviewer before you start the interview. It makes you feel more comfortable as the interviewer is now aware of it. Some interviewers are even kind enough to give you tips on how to overcome this limitations too.
- Don't ever state your salary expectations unless they ask you. If you state your salary even before they ask you, then it shows that you're in for the money, not for the passion of learning (the chances will be lower to get a job)
- PLEASE SWITCH OFF YOUR PHONE!!! (especially the women). I found out that most women are too attached to their phones and even answering them during the interview!!!. Trust me, if you do that, you're already creating a bad impression on the interviewer's mind and chances of getting the job is low. So switch off your phone and ask your hubby/wife/gf/bf/friend not to call you during the interview.
- At the end of the interview, smile and thank them for the interview opportunity. Before that, you're free to ask any questions regarding the job or the company (not if the interviewer is single or not..please!!)
- The moment you come back home, please send a Thank You note to their (interviewer) emails, thanking them for the interview opportunity. Its highly recommendable and a good practice. Chances are there that they might like your personality and might put you into consideration for the job.
- Be positive and optimistic. You've done you part. Now let GOD decide if you should or should not get the job.
After graduation, the next step will be finding jobs. Getting into a job and being in your first job always turns out to be special no matter what the outcome is in the near future. The reason is simple..we're leaving our fun-filled college/university environment and stepping in into a whole new world - the working world.
This transition proves to be an important one in everyone lives..Its where boys become men (also girls become women as well..) and we'll be earning money to support our financial need and so on. But the main thing why this transition is important is because we'll be exposed to the real world..world of opportunities where opportunity can only be attained or grabbed by those who are intelligent, cunning and have the hunger to succeed. Simply put it as "survival of the fittest".
But the thing is this "opportunity grabbing" begins even before we secure a job. Wondering how? Its simple, Before securing ourselves a job, there is an obstacle where each of us must go through. This obstacle is known as job interview. I've been through multiple interviews (around 20-25 i guess) organized by various companies for various position. Trust me, it's not easy as you think. But at the same time its not impossible too..You just need to follow certain guidelines, that's all
I'm gonna share some of the tips with you guys which is based on my experience. It not 100% effective and i will never guarantee that. But if you follow the guidelines and be positive about yourself and have the ability to present yourself in an effective manner to the respective employers, then you'll soon be securing a job in a short amount of time..
Well..kinda sleepy (its 1.48am in the morning..)..So i'll post part 2 tomorrow..Goodnight and sweet dreams...;)
Saturday, August 7, 2010
Well, i'm finally here..My own blog!!!
A big thanks to the Internet and of course google who made blog creation look simple. Blog serves as a different purpose to each and every human being. Some use it to share knowledge while others use it to share his/her own personal thoughts. Some even use it to spread a propaganda (rebel without a cause, i might add) and and many more.
Well i can't categorized on which my blog belongs too. But one thing is for sure..It might be a mix of both..There why i named my blog as Life Journey. My life's jounrey which i might encounter various situations and various people. I might use it to express my amusement, frustration and even some of the lessons i'v learned throughout my life.
In short, this will be my online life's diary.