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JOB INTERVIEW

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Lecture

Dra. Risnawati, M.Pd

State Polytechnic of Sriwijaya

JOB INTERVIEW
I.

Introduction
The interview is the last step of the hiring process and the most important. It offers

you and the employer the opportunity to meet one another, exchange information and come to
tentative conclusions about hiring one another. The interview is the opportunity where you
can describe your experiences and skills and can get an idea of what is happening with the
company. During an interview, an employers goal is to gather additional information about
you that is not provided in your resume and cover letter. They will attempt to find out what
motivates you, how well you communicate and if you are a leader or a follower. The
interview is a two-way process. You evaluate the employer while he/she evaluates you.
Although it varies depending on industry, most interviews last between 45 minutes and
one hour. That should provide sufficient time and flexibility from both sides to get to know
one another. Although, this length of time would only be advised if it is part of a longer
recruitment process that involved more communication with a candidate than simply the one
interview.
But what works for one business may not work for you. The length of time spent in an
interview is also highly dependent on how senior and/or specialist the role for which you're
recruiting is, as well as the total time you and your staff have available in a working day.
II.

Interview Tips
1. Practice good nonverbal communication
It's about demonstrating confidence: standing straight, making eye contact and

connecting with a firm handshake. That first nonverbal impression can be a great beginning -or quick ending -- to your interview.
2. Dress for the job or company
Today's casual dress codes do not give you permission to dress as "they" do when you
interview. It is important to know what to wear to an interview and to be well-groomed.
Whether you wear a suit or something less formal depends on the company culture and the
position you are seeking. If possible, call to find out about the company dress code before the
interview.
3. Listen
From the very beginning of the interview, your interviewer is giving you information,
either directly or indirectly. If you are not hearing it, you are missing a major opportunity.

Good communication skills include listening and letting the person know you heard what was
said. Observe your interviewer, and match that style and pace.
4. Don't talk too much
Telling the interviewer more than he needs to know could be a fatal mistake. When
you have not prepared ahead of time, you may ramble when answering interview questions,
sometimes talking yourself right out of the job. Prepare for the interview by reading through
the job posting, matching your skills with the position's requirements and relating only that
information.
5. Don't be too familiar
The interview is a professional meeting to talk business. This is not about making a
new friend. Your level of familiarity should mimic the interviewer's demeanor. It is important
to bring energy and enthusiasm to the interview and to ask questions, but do not overstep your
place as a candidate looking for a job.
6. Use appropriate language
It's a given that you should use professional language during the interview. Be aware
of any inappropriate slang words or references to age, race, religion, politics or sexual
orientation -- these topics could send you out the door very quickly.
7. Don't be cocky
Attitude plays a key role in your interview success. There is a fine balance between
confidence, professionalism and modesty. Even if you're putting on a performance to
demonstrate your ability, overconfidence is as bad, if not worse, as being too reserved.
8. Take care to answer the questions
When interviewers ask for an example of a time when you did something, they are
asking behavioral interview questions, which are designed to elicit a sample of your past
behavior. If you fail to relate a specific example, you not only don't answer the question, but
you also miss an opportunity to prove your ability and talk about your skills.
9. Ask questions
When asked if they have any questions, most candidates answer, "No." Wrong answer.
Part of knowing how to interview is being ready to ask questions that demonstrate an interest
in what goes on in the company. Asking questions also gives you the opportunity to find out if
this is the right place for you. The best questions come from listening to what you're asked
during the interview and asking for additional information.
10. Don't appear desperate

When you interview with the "please, please hire me" approach, you
appear desperate and less confident. Reflect the three Cs during the interview: cool, calm and
confidence. You know you can do the job; make sure the interviewer believes you can, too.
III. Interview Dos and Donts

Interview Dos
Dress appropriately for the industry; err on the side of being conservative to
show you take the interview seriously. Your personal grooming and
cleanliness should be impeccable.
Know the exact time and location of your interview; know how long it takes
to get there, park, find a rest room to freshen up, etc.
Arrive early; 10 minutes prior to the interview start time [or earlier if the
event or employer instructs you to do so].
Treat other people you encounter with courtesy and respect. Their opinions
of you might be solicited during hiring decisions.
Offer a firm handshake, make eye contact, and have a friendly expression
when you are greeted by your interviewer.
Listen to be sure you understand your interviewer's name and the correct
pronunciation.
Use formality. Even when your interviewer gives you a first and last name,
address your interviewer by title (Ms., Mr., Dr.) and last name, until invited
to do otherwise.
Maintain good eye contact during the interview.
Sit still in your seat; avoid fidgeting and slouching.
Respond to questions and back up your statements about yourself with
specific examples whenever possible.
Do focus on your positive characteristics and strengths and qualifications
for the job. [Don't criticize yourself.]
Ask for clarification if you don't understand a question.
Be thorough in your responses, while being concise in your wording.
Be honest and be yourself your best professional self. Dishonesty gets
discovered and is grounds for withdrawing job offers and for firing. You
want a good match between yourself and your employer. If you get hired by
acting like someone other than yourself, you and your employer will both
be unhappy.

Treat the interview seriously and as though you are truly interested in the
employer and the opportunity presented.
Exhibit a positive attitude. The interviewer is evaluating you as a potential
co-worker. Behave like someone you would want to work with.
Have intelligent questions prepared to ask the interviewer. Having done
your research about the employer in advance, ask questions which you did
not find answered in your research.
Evaluate the interviewer and the organization s/he represents. An interview
is a two-way street. Conduct yourself cordially and respectfully, while
thinking critically about the way you are treated and the values and
priorities of the organization.
Do expect to be treated appropriately. If you believe you were treated
inappropriately or asked questions that were inappropriate or made you
uncomfortable, discuss this with a Career Services advisor or the director.
Make sure you understand the employer's next step in the hiring process;
know when and from whom you should expect to hear next. Know what
action you are expected to take next, if any.
When the interviewer concludes the interview, offer a firm handshake and
make eye contact. Depart gracefully.
After the interview, make notes right away so you don't forget critical
details.
Write a thank-you letter to your interviewer promptly.
Interview DON'Ts
Don't make excuses. Take responsibility for your decisions and your
actions.
Don't make negative comments about previous employers or professors (or
others).
Don't falsify application materials or answers to interview questions.
Don't make negative statements about yourself. Don't make apologies or
talk about what you don't have in your background. [Do focus on the
positive.]
Don't treat the interview casually, as if you are just shopping around or
doing the interview for practice. This is an insult to the interviewer and to
the organization.
Don't give the impression that you are only interested in an organization

because of its geographic location.

Don't give the impression you are only interested in salary; don't ask about
salary and benefits issues until the subject is brought up by your
interviewer.
Don't act as though you would take any job or are desperate for
employment.
Don't make the interviewer guess what type of work you are interested in; it
is not the interviewer's job to act as a career advisor to you.
Don't be unprepared for typical interview questions. You may not be asked
all of them in every interview, but being unprepared will not help you.
A job search can be hard work and involve frustrations; don't exhibit
frustrations or a negative attitude in an interview.
Don't go to extremes with your posture; don't slouch, and don't sit rigidly on
the edge of your chair.
Don't assume that a female interviewer is "Mrs." or "Miss." Address her as
"Ms." unless told otherwise. (If she has a Ph.D. or other doctoral degree or
medical degree, use "Dr. [lastname]" just as you would with a male
interviewer. Marital status of anyone, male or female, is irrelevant to the
purpose of the interview.
Don't chew gum or smell like smoke.
This shouldn't have to be said: Don't bite your fingernails. Don't touch your
face or hair or adjust your clothing.
Don't allow your cell phone to sound during the interview. (If it does,
apologize quickly and ignore it.) Don't take a cell phone call. Don't look at a
text message.
Don't take your parents, your pet (an assistance animal is not a pet in this
circumstance), spouse, fiance, friends or enemies to an interview. If you are
not grown up and independent enough to attend an interview alone, you're
insufficiently grown up and independent for a job. (They can certainly visit
your new city, at their own expense, but cannot attend your interview.)

IV.

How to Dress for Your Job Interview

The way you present yourself at an interview can play a large part in the first
impression you give off, so make sure you dress smartly and appropriately.
Knowing what to wear for a job interview is half the battle of the interview itself. The
old adage could never be so true, You never get a second chance to make a first impression.
When youre going to a job interview, your appearance is extremely important.
Whether or not you look professional or sloppy could play a huge role in whether your
interview feels that you are suitable for the job.
1. Check out the company culture
When first deciding what to wear for a job interview, you should first take into
consideration the culture of the company you are interviewing with, and dress
accordingly. Are you interviewing with a company where the employees wear suits
everyday or do they wear t-shirts and jeans?
A suit is not always the best choice for a job interview. If you show up wearing
a suit and tie and all the employees are wearing shorts and flip-flops, you will look
out of place, feel uncomfortable and may give off the wrong energy. The same is true
of the opposite. If you show up wearing shorts and flip-flops to a company that wears
professional attire, it could give the impression that you are not a good fit for the
company.
The industry you are interviewing for should also be taken into consideration,
as the dress code for an accounting firm is likely to be different to that of a
construction company, for example.
2. Match the interviewer
If you want to get the job, your choice of what to wear for a job interview
should match or be slightly dressier than the dresscode of the company. For example,
if the normal work attire of the company is business casual, its ok to wear a suit to
impress. If the normal work attire is casual, its ok to wear a business casual outfit to
impress as well.
After you decide whether a professional, business casual, or casual outfit
is most appropriate for your interview, here are some guidelines you may want to
follow when deciding what to wear for your job interview.
The key is to wear clothing that you feel comfortable and look great in, while
at the same time matching the corresponding dress code of the company. That way
youll give off great energy and let your true personality shine through.
3. Present yourself neatly
Make sure your clothes are clean and neatly ironed. Nothing gives away the
lack of attention to detail more than wrinkled or dirty clothing. Select clothing that

fits properly, as ill-fitting clothing can appear scruffy and you wearing clothes that fit
will help you to feel comfortable and relax in your interview.
Good grooming and hygiene is essential, so make sure you have clean hair,
fingernails, fresh breath, deodorant, etc. Hair should be styled in a neat but
manageable style, as the last thing you want to be doing during the interview is
stressing about your fancy new up-do coming unpinned, however I recommend you
keep it pulled back from your face. Men, if you have facial hair, be sure to give it a
trim/comb through ahead of the interview, so that you look as neat and tidy as
possible.
Perfume and aftershave should be used sparingly, so that it is not overpowering
and the same goes for makeup, that should be kept subtle. Dont wear
flashy jewellery, as it may become distracting and youll want the interviewer to pay
attention to you, not your bling.
4. Avoid loud prints:
Its good to show a bit of personality in your outfit choice, however it is best to
stick to block colours, rather than loud, busy prints. Dont be afraid of going for a
slightly brighter shade, as it can help you to stand out and appear more confident. Try
to find a balance between smart and stylish.
Novelty ties and socks are best avoided. Yes, the interviewer will notice!
5. Accessorise smartly:
You can inject a bit of personality into your outfit with the accessories that you
select, so if youd rather play it safe with your outfit choice, why no pair it with a
nice bag or pair of shoes?
Accessories should be kept smart, so if you are taking a bag with you, a smart
satchel, briefcase or handbag would be the better option over a backpack.
Shoes should be clean and newish looking. Keep heels at a sensible height.
V.

Questions and Answers in job interview

1. Tell me about yourself
Typically the interviewer is looking for an overview of your related
experience. Provide an answer that shows a logical progression throughout your
educational/professional career. If your educational background led you in a certain
direction, include that in the overview. While this may be seen as an easy question
for some, quite a few solid candidates blundered on this simple question. For those
who have given it some thought, this is the right opportunity to talk about your
strengths such as your enthusiasm, leadership, self-confidence and reliability, with a
few real-life anecdotes thrown in to support your points.

Sample answers:
I love to jump into projects with both feet. I can concentrate on solving a
tech problem for hours, although I know to effectively use my time I need to
consult my colleagues for their expertise, and often convene brief project
team meetings bounce around a solution, plotting it out, and preparing a
presentation for my boss. Objectoriented technology [or any other skill] is
my newest challenge.
My background to date has been centered on planning myself to become
the very best ________ I can become. Let me tell you specifically how Ive
prepared myself
2. What are your greatest strengths?
You certainly have many positive qualities, but since you can only choose a
few, be careful as your answer will also reflect your values. Some might say honesty,
other reliability or a strong sense of leadership, but whatever it might be, be ready to
make reference to a situation where you have demonstrated such strength. Examples
help solidify and support your strengths.
3. What is your greatest weakness?
The most important thing to remember is that after you name your weakness,
you must discuss what you have done to overcome it. Pick a weakness that is real but
undestandable or relatively harmless.
Sample answers:
I used to have a tendency to procrastinate. So now I am always sure to set a
strict schedule for all of my projects well in advance and I set personal
deadlines. This organization has really helped.
Once in a while, I focus too much on the details of the project. So now,
when Im working on a project, I always make sure at the end of the day to
sit back and take a few minutes to think about the general scope of my
work. It forces me to keep priorities straight and helps me keep the right
mindset.
I would say that my greatest weakness has been a lack of proper planning in
the past. I would overcommit myself with too many variant tasks, then not b
able to fully accomplish each as I would like. However, since Ive come to
recognize that weakness, Ive taken steps to correct it. For example, I now
carry my palm pilot at all times so that I can effectively plan my
appointments and to do list items.

4. Why did you leave your last job?

The secret is to stay positive and discuss your desire for growth. Hiring
managers love applicants who actively seek responsibility.
Sample Answer:
After several years in my last position, Im looking for a company wherea I
can contribute and grow in a team-oriented environment. I am interested in a
new challenge and an opportunity to use my technical skills and experience
in a different capacity than I have in the past. I recently received my degree
and I want to utilize my educational background in my next position.
5. Why should I hire you?
The easy answer is that you are the best person for the job. And dont be afraid
to say so. But then back it up with what specifically differentiates you.
Sample answer:
You should hire me because Im the best person for the job. I realize that
there are likely other candidates who also have the ability to do this job. Yet
I bring an additional quality that makes me the best person for the job--my
passion for excellence. I am passionately committed to producing truly
world class results. For example . . .
6. Arent you overqualified for this position?
The employer may be concerned that youll grow dissatisfied and leave.
Sample answers:
I also believe that there could be very positive benefits for both of us in this
match.
Because of my unusually strong experience in ________________ , I could
start to contribute right away, perhaps much faster than someone whod
have to be brought along more slowly.
Most important, Im looking to make a long term commitment in my career
now. Ive had enough of job-hunting and want a permanent spot at this point
in my career. I also know that if I perform this job with excellence, other
opportunities cannot help but open up for me right here. In time, Ill find
many other ways to help this company and in so doing, help myself. I really
am looking to make a long-term commitment.
7. Are you a team player?
Sample Answers:

 Yes, Im very much a team player. In fact, Ive had opportunities in my

work, school and athletics to develop my skills as a team player. For
example, on a recent project...
Very much so. In fact, Ive had opportunities in both athletics and
academics to develop my skills as a team player. I was involved in _____at
the intramural level, including leading my team in assists during the past
yearI always try to help others achieve their best. In academics, Ive worked
on several team projects, serving as both a member and a team leader. Ive
seen the value of working together as a team to achieve a higher goal than
any one of us could have achieved individually. As an example
8. Tell me honestly about the strong points and weak points of your boss (company,
management team, etc.)
Your interviewer doesnt care a whit about your previous boss. He wants to
find out how loyal and positive you are, and whether youll criticize him behind his
back if pressed to do so by someone in this own company. This question is your
opportunity to demonstrate your loyalty to those you work with.
9. Why do you want to work for our company?
Sample answers:
This is not only a fine opportunity, but this company is a place where my
qualifications can make a difference. As a finance executive well versed in
the new stock options law, I see this position as made to order. It contains
the challenge to keep me on my toes. That's the kind of job I like to
anticipate every morning.
As a dedicated technician, I like doing essential research. Being part of a
breakthrough team is an experience I'd love to repeat.
10. What salary are you looking for? Or, what kind of salary do you think you are?
Dont be too specific a range is often most comfortable for everyone to work
with. Even better, ask if the company has a salary scale and base your answer on that.
Remember, salary is related to market value. Research your worth before you get
into the interview. Also, interviews are not ignorant. Research your market value and
give a range.
Sample answer:
I checked a few sites on the internet and found that the average salary for a
web designer ranges from 45K to 60K per year in this geographic area,

depending on the responsibilities and duties involved. I am not set on a

specific number and am willing to negotiate.
For me, salary is not the important thing, I just follow the salary list that set
by this company
11. What interests you most about this position?
Your education, training and experience as well as your accomplishments
should provide good references for answering that question. Do not hesitate to stress
the fact that this would represent a dynamic move, while giving you the opportunity
to grow, to increase your responsibilities and knowledge of the field, and may
possibly help you define and reach new goals.
12. Do you work well under pressure?
Of course everyone will say yes, but it is more convincing if you could provide
examples of situations when you have remained cool under fire. Be careful not to
choose a situation of crisis for which you were the one responsible!
13. How has your education prepared you for your career?
This is a broad question and you need to focus on the behavioral examples in
your educational background which specifically align to the required competencies
for the career.
Sample answer:
My education has focused on not only the learning the fundamentals, but
also on the practical application of the information learned within those
classes. For example, I played a lead role in a class project where we
gathered and analyzed best practice data from this industry. Let me tell you
more about the results...
14. What type of management / supervision do you prefer?
This question can come in many forms, but the meaning is always the same:
are you able to be managed by people with different styles? You probably have
reported to managers with vastly different approaches to management and
supervision, and have learned which styles you prefer. Since you probably do not
know the managers style at the prospective employer, talk about the positive aspects
of each style youve encountered.
15. Do you have any questions for me?

You always try to ask a thoughtful questions or two at the end of an interview.
It shows that youve been listening and that youve done your research on the
company.
Sample answer:
Im very interested in this job. Its exactly the kind of job that Im looking
for. What is the next step in the interview process?

REFERENCES
The free online: http://materias.fi.uba.ar/7801/INTERVIEW.pdf, accesed on April 2016
The free online: http://www.oicwv.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/ Interview-Questions-and
Answers.pdf, accesed on April 2016
The free online: https://soulsearch.files.wordpress.com/2007/05/64interviewquestions1.pdf,
accesed on April 2016
The free online: https://www.davenport.edu/system/files/Ten%20Tough%20Interview%20
Questions%20and % 20Ten%20Great%20Answers.pdf, accesed on April 2016
The free online: http://www.elancolibrary.org/elanco/lib/elanco/images/employment/
interview/sample_intvw_questions.pdf, accesed on April 2016