How to succeed in job interviews

[Paul Brown (MA CELTA)]

 Hey guys, 

 Just to let you know that as part of the 'official lauch' of the 'Working English' part of the Discussion forum, we will have a very special guest on the radio with me next marvellous Monday to talk about success in job interviews. 

 If you want to get a job with an NGO or international organisation or company, there is a good chance that your interview will be in English. The guest has lots of experience in the field of 'interview questions' and will be helping us to understand what to say and how to make a good impression. 

 If you are a recent graduate or even employed already, you will find some of what he has to say very useful....

 Monday 29th January
 9-10pm
 LOVE FM 97.5FM
 'Working English' Launch party
 English professional discussing 'how to succeed at job interviews'

 Have fun, 

 Paul

[marady]

  Hi
    Could you tell me what questions that they ask when we get an interview?
How can we pass on our interview? I have just 2 for interview, first i go to interview for Waiter, and second i did go interview for marketing.   

[Paul Brown (MA CELTA)]

 Hey guys,

 Here is a list of some the things to 'DO' at the job interview! These are some of the tips given by teacher Dan on the '5steps' radio show on LOVE Fm 97.5 last Monday.....

 The main things is to remember to be optimistic, enthusiastic and energetic as these are the qualities that the company will be looking for in any potential employee! This will help you make a winning impression! 

 10 things to DO when you have a job interview! 

 1. Do make sure you know where the interview will be held. Take a trip to the
     venue in advance to make sure you don't get lost on the day!

 2. Do your research! Use the internet to research the company that you want
    to work for and prepare a few questions that you would like to ask the
    interviewer.

 3. Do dress for success : dress for the interview in the same way you would
     dress if you were already working for the company.

 4. Make sure you arrive early : the worst thing to do is to be late!

 5. Have a copy of your C.V, usually the interviewer will ask you for some more
    details related to the C.V you sent when applying for the job.

 6. DO NOT touch, look at, or answer your phone during the interview : This is
     one of the worst things you can do and shows a lack of respect for the
     interviewer. Turn your phone off, or at least put it on silent.

 7. Try to emphasise what you can do for the company rather than what
     the company can do for you.

 8. DO NOT enquire about salary, bonuses, or holidays until you have been
     offered the job. Then you can negotiate when the company want you.

 9. When the interviewer asks if you have any questions, make sure you do!
     This shows that you are interested in the company and want to work for
     them. Do research on the internet and have at least one question ready.

 10. Do close the interview by telling the interviewer that you really want the
      job.

 Remember, if you have had an interview, give us some feedback and we will try to give you some practical and useful advice, 

 Happy job hunting, 

 Have fun, 

 Paul

 

[Kony]

Dear Paul,

I have some questions related to your 10 answers as the follows:

8. If the interviewer ask us how much salary do we want, how should we answer?
9. What kind of question should we ask the interviewer?

Thank you before hand.

Regards,

Kony

[dany]

Hi Paul, 

One more thing I also want to ask you. During an interview, what if they ask why did I give up my previous job or why do I want to change my job?

For giving up my old job, do I have to be honest to answer ?

See you soon,

Dany. 

[jupiter]

Hi Dany,

If I were aked that question, I would answer honestly by saying that I want to have a better job apportunity, and I'm looking for a more challenging position.
Also, I would say that I want to experience new way of work so as to gain a more variety of work experience.

That was an answer I used to respond to my job interview.

Just an idea.

Jupiter

 

[dany]

Hi Piter, 

I completly agree with your answer but it is not an honest answer for some reasons I think. You might have left your old job because you don't like your co-workers or your head unit or it was a bad-paid job that you worked for many moons ago. Thus, are they available to answer the question honestly?

Hear from you soon,

Dany 

[Paul Brown (MA CELTA)]

 Hey guys, 

 I completely agree with Jupiter,

 It is always best to remain positive about your previous employment, even if really you didn't like it! 
It is a good idea to state that now you are looking for a new challenge and are looking to get new, varied and valuable experience. Focus on the positives that you can bring to your new position and new company and try to make the interviewer feel that you would be a valuable asset to their company should they employ you.

 Enthusiasm gets you a long way,

 Have fun,

 Paul

[Paul Brown (MA CELTA)]

 Hey Kony, 

If the interviewer ask us how much salary do we want, how should we answer?

This is not a very common question in Western countries, as usually the employer will advertise the salary at the same time as advertising the job. However, in Cambodia, perhaps it is a question that could be asked. I would ask a counter question and ask the interviewer : well, what is the usual rate of pay within your company for somebody who does this job? As an alternative, you could say that in my last job I was earning $......, and so you would be expecting renumeration at least the same if not higher depending on specific job role and responsibilities.

What kind of question should we ask the interviewer?

 As teacher Dan told us when he was on the radio with me, you should do some research into the company that you want to work for. It is ALWAYS good to have a question to ask at the end of the interview as this shows that you are really interested in getting the job. The question could be generally about the company - 'how long have you been operating in Cambodia?, or more specific about your possible future opportunities with the company-'I am a very motivated individual and i always set high targets for myself, therefore are there any opportunities for personal development or training as part of the position?'

 Hope that helps, 

 Keep letting us know about your job interview experiences and we will try to help you guys as much as we can to get the job you want!

 Have fun, 

 Paul

[Kony]

Dear All,

It is great to know that. I had had an interview for serval times before I get a job. Of course, what Mr. Paul have posted, are correct. I followed most of Mr. Paul's advice. It is the impressive the interviewer if you can follow or use that. It is hard to get it because I had to answer many questions and had a writing test. Even, I have met this situation for serval times, but I still couldn't answer all the questions what the interviewer asked. There are many questions can be appear when you have an interview. For example, if you hold the B.A of Tourism, but you apply to work for Administration. What are the answers? If the interviewer ask the following questions:

1. What can you apply your skill for this position?
2. Why do you want to work for this position, if you have hold B.A Tourism?
3. What is your strong point to complete this position?
4. What is your weak point?
5. What is your long term goal?
6. What is your short term goal?

Sorry, if I have mistakes with the questions, please skip it because I think that not all of these can be ask in the interview, but it can be appeared. It is just what I created, so I know that it should not possible to happen all.

All my regards,

Kony

[marady]

HI Paul and there!!!
           Please help me now. I have some question from interview that i can't answer..
                1- How much salary do you want to get?
                2- Why i choose you to work at my institute?
     Please soon coz i need these answer...
     I get these question from my friend and i don't know how to answer about salary....
     From Marady    E-mail : mr_marady@yahoo.com

[Tdol]

With the salary, find out what is the normal for that sort of position in other similar companies and ask for something around that.  When they ask why they should choose you, you have to say what qualities you have that will enable you to carry out the job effectively; both the skills and knowledge you and the aspects of your character.

[chanrith]

Hi Everybody
I;m very please to say HI to everybody. I just know this Website from my listening to the LOVE FM 97.5. I like this programme so much. But I also has some problems how to succeed in job interview.
Bye Please to meet all of readers.

[ratana82]

Hi friends:

Actually, the question regard to the rage of the salary during the interview could be the hardest one to make decision. In most of companies, organisations in Cambodia, when you seek a hight salary which they cannot offort, they would not choose you. But if I ask for a very low from the rage of remuneration they had set, they would immedietely approve and choose you and of course you will get a salary which you shouldn't be. Please to inform that it doesn;t means that all organisation, companies in Cambodia are in this way, but most of them are. So, being flexible and using your smart expression of interest in this question. Show them that you take attention to your own financial problem and at the same time tell them that you are willing to discuss the range of remuneration that the organisation have set and it could be agreed if it is not so low.

One thing that could be importance during the interview is that try to listen carefully to the question and look at the interviewer's eyes. When there is more then one interviewer, you should try to focus your eyes to all interviewers. It show your attention to the interview.

Hope it make sense.

Cheer
Ratana

[thulsothea]

Eh what are you writng about ? Dany