SOME QUESTIONS WHICH MAY BE USEFUL IN SELF ASSESSMENT

What are my educational achievements?

Which were my best subjects at college ?
What extracurricular activities was I involved with at college ?
What does this show about my interests?
What does this show about my ability to show initiative and organizational skills ?
Why am I looking for a new job ?
Do I prefer working on my own or as part of a team ?
What does that tell me about myself ?
What sort of jobs do I find myself attracted to ?
What do I want out of my working life ?
How did the company benefit from having me on the staff ?
Which work have I found most satisfying ?
Which work have I found easiest ?
Which work have I most disliked ?
Which work have I found most difficult?
What have I been praised for at work ?
What have I been criticized for at work ?
What has my reaction been to criticism ?
What has my reaction been to praise ?
Is job security important to me ?
How would I describe myself ?
How do I think others would describe me ?
What books / newspapers do I read ?
What television programmes do I watch ?
What extra efforts have I made to increase my general skills ?
What do I do in my spare time ?
What would my attitude be if asked to move in order to take a job ?
What would my attitude be if I had a difficult or long journey to work ?
Would I be prepared to take less money in order to retrain for something new ?
Would I be prepared to take less money for doing a caring job or one which is
very creative ?
Do I have any family commitments which restrict the sort of job I can take on ?
Can I drive, type, operate a computer, etc ?
Am I stimulated or frightened by the thought of change ?
How might that be seen as a problem ?
How can I show it is an advantage ?
How have I demonstrated that I have initiative / staying power / leadership
qualities / flexibility / get on well with people / can work without supervision ?
What training have I had since leaving college ?
What jobs have I had since leaving full time education ?
What extra skills have I learned through doing those jobs ?



A TYPICAL SELF ASSESSMENT SHEET MIGHT LOOK LIKE THIS :

Plus Minus
1. Good education up to B Tech 1 Not good at figures (failed in
English)
2 Experience of English medium
school; good knowledge of English
2 Easily annoyed by sloppy
standards in others.
3 Get on well with people 3 Present firm slow to adopt new
technology, less experience in
most up-to-date equipment.
4 Training and experience as a design
engineer
4 Several changes of job in 18-
month period 2012 2013
5 Prepared to be flexible, not requiring
a set routine
5 Six-month period out of work
2012 2012
6 Management experience running
own department
6 Not keen to move at the
movement while children at
college
7 Interested in home computers, doing
some programming
7 Too inclined to compare self
unfavorably with others
8 Involved in community work, use
organizational skills outside work

9 Good driver, possess license



SOME QUESTIONS TO SEE HOW YOU MATCH UP TO THE JOB

What does this job involve ?
What will be expected of me ?
Have I done anything like it before ?
What qualifications are they looking for ?
Do I have those qualification ?
Do I have any other qualifications which might be an advantage ?
What experience are they looking for ?
Do I have that experience ?
Do I have any other experience which might be helpful ?
What skills are they looking for ?
Do I have those skills ?
If not, could I learn them ?
What qualities do they want ?
Do I have those qualities ?
How can I prove that I have those qualities ?
Do I have any additional qualities which would make me suitable ?
How much responsibility would I have ?
Does the advertisement specify a certain age range?
Am I the right age ?
If not, am I present my age as an advantage ?
What is the salary ?
In this within the salary range I think I need ?
Where is the job located ?
Would I be able to arrive there on time ?
Would the fares take up too much of the money ?
Would I have to move and would I be prepared to ?
Why am I applying for this particular job ?
What can I contribute to the job ?
Will the job fit in with my family commitments ?
Why do I think I can do the job better that the other applicants ?
Is there anyone who would act as a reference or recommend me for the job ?




CHECKLIST OF QUESTIONS FOR YOUR OWN INFORMATION TO BE
ANSWERED BEFORE THE INTERVIEW.

Where will I be working ?
What is the salary ?
When is the salary reviewed ?
Is there a pension plan ?
Is the pension plan contributory or non contributory ?
Is there an annual bonus ?
How will I be paid ?
Which are the holidays ?
Will my present holiday arrangements be honoured ?
What is transport like ?
Is it possible to park ?
Are there canteen facilities ?
Are there luncheon vouchers ?
Is there any overtime ?
Is there extra pay for overtime ?
Is there any weekend working ?
Is there any late working ?
Is there a high staff turnover ?
Is the company well enough established to offer job security ?
Why does the vacancy exist ?
May I meet the person who is leaving ?
Who will I be working for ?
Are there organized training facilities and opportunities ?
Is there a company nurse ?
What is the attitude to leave for taking care of sick children ?
What are the opportunities for promotion ?
When would I be expected to start ?



CHEKLIST OF QUESTIONS TO ASK ABOUT THE COMPANY SO THAT YOU ARE
WELL INFORMED BEFORE THE INTERVIEW

What does the firm make/sell ?
How big is the company ?
Where is it located ?
How is it organized ?
What is its turnover ?
What is its profitability ?
Who are its customers ?
What are the career prospects with the company ?
How secure would a job be with this company ?
What kind of workers do they already have ?
How may workers are there ?
What do I know about their recent performance /trading history ?
Is the work environment pleasant ?




GIVING A GOOD IMPRESSION

To sum, up, positive body language that will give a good impression includes :

Dressing smartly and appropriately ;
Walking and sitting with good posture ;
Shaking hands firmly and briefly ;
Relaxed behaviour;
Looking at the interviewer as you speak to each other ;
Smiling when you arrive and leave and where appropriate during the interview ;
Speaking clearly and loudly enough to be heard ;
Judging when you have said enough ;



THE FORM OF THE INTERVIEW

There is a generally accepted standard interview format which goes something
like this :

Handshake and greeting (possibly following a short tour of the work place)
General chitchat to relax the candidate and establish rapport
A brief summary by the interviewee about herself / himself
Home background
Educational background and qualification.
Why are you changing your job / applying for this particular job ?
What sort of job do you want
A look at the job on offer and / or the company
Terms and conditions
Opportunity for the interviewee to ask additional questions
Thank you and goodbye (including when and how the candidate should hear the
outcome ; details of interview expenses)



THE INTERVIEWER WILL LOOKING FOR :

A good standard of spoken English accents do not matter but sloppy speech
does ;
Simple answers to question;
A confident nature, not too reserved but not too arrogant;
A clear record of personal development;
A good grasp of the facts;
Examples given from experience to back up answers ;
Someone who:
Has initiative,
Presents solutions to problems,
Pays attention to detail,
Has ability to isolate the important detail,
Works well under pressure
Sees the job through,
Has the ability to meet deadlines
SAMPLE QUESTIONS

1. How would you describe your home background?
2. Why did you study (x) subjects at college?
3. What did you do in your last job ?
4. Have you done this kind of work before ?
5. Why did you leave your last job ?
6. Why do you want to work with this company ?
7. What do you think are your weaknesses/failings ?
8. How would you change things if you came here ?


SOME TYPICAL INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

What do you think are your greatest strengths ? (Be positive but avoid boasting)
What interests do you have outside work ? (Be sure to have some)
What was your previous employers opinion of you ?
What attracted you to this particular job ?
Why should we hire you instead of one of the other candidates ?
Do you regard yourself as ambitious ? (Interviewers like a certain amount of
ambition)
How important to you think qualifications are ?
Why have you been in your last job for such a long time ? (emphasize diversity of
work experience within that one job, and the fact that you enjoyed your job)
Why have you had so many jobs in the last few years ? (Emphasize trying to gain
wide experience quickly. How they followed on logically but make it clear you are
ready to settle down).
Do you regard yourself to the left or to the right in politics ? (Best to avoid
extremes)
How would you bridge the gap between management and workers ?
How often were you absent from your previous job ?
What is your health like ?
What arrangements have you made for the children if they are ill or on holiday ?
How old are you ?
What machines and equipment are you familiar with ?
What sort of salary are you looking for ?
When would you be available to start.
CHEKLIST FOR MOCK INTERVIEWS

or

1 Confident entrance into room (not peering round door)
2 Handshake and greeting
3 If a women, did she place her handbag down sensibly
(not on interviewers desk or clutching it on her lap) ?

4 Sitting posture good, not slouched
5 Appearance good, clean and tidy
6 Kept still, without irritating nervous mannerisms (such as
hand over mouth, twisting and untwisting legs)

7 Polite and confident manner
8 Friendly but not overfamiliar in speech and mannerisms
9 Speech clear and loud enough
10 Looked at the interviewer, kept eye contact
11 Gave good answers to questions about :
Last job
Qualifications and skills
Health
Any problem questions

12 Sold himself /herself well without bragging
13 Did not go on too long
14 Not thrown by probing questions
15 Showed keen interest in the job / company
16 Smiled occasionally, when appropriate
17 Realized when interview coming to an end

General remarks about interviewees behaviour and manner :
Answers to questions : .



1 Punctuality
2 Appearance
3 Entrance confident
4 Shook hands
5 Kept good posture
6 Controlled nervous mannerisms
7 Listened to interviewer
8 Answered questions fully with reference to the job
9 Sold myself without boasting
10 Managed to bring in qualifications
Previous experience
Persona interests

11 Were my qualifications suitable ? If not, why nt ?
12 Pointed out my special strengths
13 Able to cope with questions about weaknesses
14 Demonstrated how I was suited to the job
15 Gave references
16 Was able to ask my own questions
17 Looked at interviewer while talking
18 Smiled
19 Thanks and handshake at end