19 Feb 09 Enhance Your Chance Of Interview Domination

If you are preparing to go to an job interview, then one of the greatest bits of interview advice I can share with you is to prepare the visual aspects of your presentation as well as you would for a date.

Studies suggest that the feeling made by interview skills panel members in the initial 4-16 seconds correlates exceedingly powerfully with the overall conclusion made at the end of the job interview.

Ensure that you spend a substantial amount of your job interview planning on tweaking how you look.

Here are some tips to help guide you:

1. Don\’t smell too strong! Overpowering perfume or cologne will distract the interview panel from the messages that you are trying to impart. Similarly, ensure that you are clean and don\’t smell of sweat, cigarettes or garlic!
2. Look at your teeth. If they are not sparkling white, then consider using some of the whitening products on offer at the shops or online.
3. For women, don\’t flaunt it – even if you\’ve got it! It\’s not a date. If you detract the male members of the interview panels\’ attention, then your messages wont be received as seriously as they deserve. Also, you risk alienating any female members of the panel. Thirdly, if you are successful in getting the post, there may well be some banter going around the department about you that you may not welcome.
4. Keep jewellery, tattoos, make up and nail polish in the background. They should not be detracting the attention of the interviewer. You need to maintain the interview panel\’s attention on your sales pitch

You should also ensure that you get lots of sleep the night before the interview. It might appear tempting to stay up much of the night to finish off some eleventh hour revision – in case this comes up, or they ask that question.

It is imperitive that you are fresh and rested. For one, your thinking will be clearer if you are more alert. But you also need to appear to be a vibrant employee, who will bring liveliness and get-up-and-go to the department, rather than tiredness and sickness.

You have to make certain that you arrive on time. I would propose that you arrive approximately 10-15 minutes ahead of your alloted time. This will give you the right amount of “wiggle time” should anything slow you down, without requiring you to wait around for ages, during which time you may psyche yourself out of your optimal mental state.

It will also deliver the right impression of you being an effective and prompt employee, who is determined and keen to obtain the post.

If you follow the advice in this short article and continue improving, you will find your interview success. Take care of the effect that you deliver – with your appearance, your voice and your words.

Best of luck in your interviews!

19 Feb 09 Questions To Ask The Interview Panel

In your interview, you are likely to find that the panel ask you if you have any questions for them. Typically, this happens towards the end of the interview.

From the panel’s point of view, they are going to be relatively tired at this point and not really in the mood for a difficult question. However, some may find your questions give them some insights in to the type of employee you may turn out to be.

There are three stategies that you may want to consider using:

1. No Questions
You may just want to terminate the interview politely and efficiently, by saying something along the lines of – “Actually, I have already asked all of my questions when I read your company statement and spoke to John and Mary in your back office. I am certain that I can help your company progress and that this post will be an excellent fit for my skills.”
2. Insightful Question
You could ask them a question that you haven’t been able to clarify to date. It should be something that is related to the company’s advancement and not yours – “Would you put improving our presence in the online world as a higher priority for our company than reducing overheads, even in the current climate?”. Don’t ask questions such as How much will my bonuses be or something centred around you. Don’t ask a question that you should have already discovered the answer to with elementary research.
3. How Have I Done Question
In this response, your aim is to find out if you have given rise to any doubts in the minds of the interview panel and develop a last chance to put them right. So you may say something along the lines of “I believe that I am the best candidate for the job and hope that I have been able to convince you of that. Is there anything that I have said or done today which has stopped you being convinced of that too?” This may appear a high risk strategy, but really only needs guts to deliver. If they have doubts about you, then they will be marking you with those doubts in mind. By delivering this question, you have the chance to mop up any lingering doubts in the consultant interview’s minds!

14 Feb 09 How To Do Well In Your Upcoming Interview

During one of your consultant interviews, it seems like there are a load of interrogations winging all over the place – and they generally don’t mean anything to you. However, your replies in your consultant interview may be more crucial than you first guess. One of my most unforgettable jobs also had a very haunting recruitment interview.

I had went for a teacher’s post at a local preschool, and now sat across a desk, being questioned by my prospective boss – the director of the school. “What would you consider your biggest weakness?” she asked, once the introductions were made. “I am a very shy person when I first encounter other people,” I replied, smiling a little. “It becomes a bit damaging, because it gets misinterpreted as haughty, or a better-than-thou attitude.” She agreed and laughed. “I have had just the very problem!” She replied. “I have had many people tell me that they considered I was a witch when they first met me!” Of course, the “witch” word she was talking about had actually begun with a “B”.

Do not be frightened of your weaknesses, but don’t make one up, or use one that you might have heard earlier. The most fatigued and exploited “weakness” would have to be the expression, “I am too much of a people-pleaser!” You would definitely have to wipe the brown off your nose after that one! also, it probably just made you seem fake and implausible to the interviewer.

What closed my interview for the teaching placement was a lot more unpredictable than I believed. I was asked an torturously easy question that almost made me wonder, “What is this lady getting at?” The director stared at me in earnest, cocked her head to one side, and enquired, “If I had to send you into a room by yourself for a few minutes, and you were not used to the schoolroom or the pupils, what would your first reaction be?” I cracked up and answered, “Probably try to pacify them and keep them busy by playing the Hokey Pokey, or another form of game.”

Surprisingly, I was assured later on – once I had been employed as a teacher there for some time – that the answer I had given to that question was what had gotten me the post. Seemingly, my strength was the wacky, unashamed manner I can embarrass myself in front of a bunch of youngsters! Who knew?

Yet again, asking co-workers and household members for advice on identifying your strengths and weaknesses, will give you great insight into your candidacy. Commonly, you could have to deal with a little bit of teasing from them – especially when it comes to your weaknesses. Just laugh, and tell them to get sensible – it is for a job you are hopeful of. Be sure, even so, to limit your strengths and weaknesses to the business you are applying for. An interviewer at the local department store is not concerned with your strength to withstand tickling under your arms, just as much as they are in all likelihood not too interested in your weakness for cheese!

01 Feb 09 Technique For Technical Job Interviews – Show And Tell

One interview tactic that lends itself to job interview for technical posts, such as ST interviews is the display to and tell tactic. In this article we will go through how you could use this specific tactic in your own interview

This job interview tactic is derived from the notion that interviewers are more affected by people who use examples to sell their skills rather than simply stating that they possess those skills. (Obviously, the skills that we are talking about are the ones that they said they were looking for in the person specification – but you knew that, right?)

Should the opportunity arise, you should be prepared to show the interview panel an example of your work to back up the idea that you have the skill set necessary to excel at the job. In order to do this you need to be able to

1. Set up the Play

2. Show Off Your Work

To introduce the invitation, there are a series of words that you could consider using were the opportunity to arise:

* If you’re interested I could present to you…
* If you wanted to know more, I have the (report) with me right here…
* If it would be appropriate, you could have a look at…
* I have a written precis of the project here, if you wanted to see it…
* If it would help…

You also need to be able to display your work at the interview. In order to do this, pick out one or two projects that you could use for this strategy. Choose the projects that
* you have written evidence for
* that display the most appropriate skill set for the post that you are applying for
* with a high probablity of usage for your job interview

Anticipate which questions could fall out from the job interview panel, after they have read your report for the first time and with no real warning. You could ask a friend or colleague to quickly look over your project work and let you know what questions naturally follow from their minds.

If you can, be prepared to leave the interview panel with a physical copy of your work. It will form a tactile and visible reminder of you when they are reviewing the performances of all of the interviewees

19 Jan 09 Capture Your Opportunity And Your Position: The Interview

Now then, you’ve presented a quality CV and accessory written documents. You’re ahead of the game and have just received a written invitation for your interview. What do you do now?

The interview is the most nerve-wracking and pivotal part of searching for a job. This is where the her/his instint of whether to engage you for their job. You will want to do your best in this part because here lies the climax of all your job searching exploits. Bumble it here and all your work from application to examinations will go down the drain.

1. Form a Great Impression
Always dress in your best attire for the interview. Your attire should be appropriate. No matter what the company may require for their employees, the first impression for applicants should be conservative business attire.

2. Do a Little Homework
One of the optimal ways to produce a good first impression on the interviewer is to do a little research on the company you are applying for. This will equip you with material to answer many of the questions the interviewer will ask. One of the principal points of the questions you will be asked is how your skills can benefit the company. If you discover a thing or two about the company, you will find it a lot easier to respond to this question. Plus, dripping a few meaty titbits about how much you know about the business will go a long way in impressing the interview panel.

3. Take Care Of Your Body Language
Many of the interviewers are well versed in body language, and you will find that, throughout the interview, they will be looking for hints about your personality from the way you act, verbalise, and move. It would be abnormal to assume a different set of body language during the interview. Aim to take note of your body language so that at the very least it puts across openness and honesty.

Never lie. Experienced interviewers will always know. Try to keep your palms open and try not to keep crossing your legs or your arms together. Do not be afraid to make eye contact while speaking; just make sure that you don’t come across as intimidating.

4. Exhibit Self-assurance
Walk in with a purpose. Answer with a purpose. Don’t be too self-conscious. Ensure you are confident in what you say. If you hit a snag and find yourself in a compromising situation, make sure you handle the situation with confidence – even whilst saying that you don’t know the answer to a given question.
Confidence implies competence. Employers always look for competent people to fill their posts.

Click on the link to learn how to improve your performance at your medical interviews

17 Jan 09 Step Onto The Success Path For Your Interview

The difficult step in securing the job is meeting the potential employer for an interview. The starting step is that an applicant has successfully completed was posting your application and passing the screening process of the unit.

The employer got the resume through a variety of sources that can be from an ad that was posted, a referral from a friend or a headhunter, or by a person who simply submitted an application by logging on the unit’s website.

Here are three tips that will help in having a successful interview:

• Before going to an interview, it is best to do some research about the {company|business|employer|unit} one is applying to.
• Afterwards, the applicant should thank the recruiter for the time that was given to meet for the interview.
• When meeting an employer, you should bring an extra copy of the resume and other documents that are needed if asked certain questions. A good example is architects and photographers who are professionals in the respective fields who have a portfolio of the works done which may impress the interviewer.

It is critical that you learn to sell your skills to meet the needs of the employer

Study the person specification given to you by the employer and ensure that you know how you will let the interview panel know that you possess those skills

Then consider how you could direct each question area to the topics that you want to discuss, so that you will be better able to sell the major aspects of your candidacy

Use stories to set up the play through which you can sell your skills

For more help for doctors applying for medical interview, find out about consultant interview course

On this website you will learn – through the free videos and handouts – how you can prepare yourself properly for a medical interview.

The skills taught on that course are generic, but the focus is upon doctors applying for consultant and other junior medical posts

12 Dec 08 Interview Do’s And Don’ts

An interview is a discourse between you and your prospective employer to find whether you can execute the post. Yet, there are definite principles and conventions to comply with in interviews. Here’s a checklist of the principal do’s and don’ts.

Things to do:

• prepare replies for the principal questions – e.g., why do you want this placement, what are your strengths and weaknesses, what are the principal jobs in this post
• dress smart, look sparkly and observant, and speak intelligibly and confidently. do not forget that merely 7% of the interviewer\’s views of you is formed through what you say – the rest is judged by how you look, act and sound
• ascertain what kind of interview it will be so you can organise yourself
• analyze the person specification and your CV/application form, and imagine what kind of question they may put to you
• sell yourself. No-one else is going to! Be confident about yourself and your experiences
• turn off your phone! Treat the interviewers with respect and give them your undivided attention
• when discussing salary, know your market worth and start by quoting a little higher than this
• take your time when replying to the queries. Ensure you comprehend the question and take your time if you want to think
• ascertain where the location is at least the day before, directions to get there and how long it takes

What not to do:
1. don’t be late!
2. do not swear or use slang words
3. don’t slouch in your seat or do anything else that makes you look bored
4. do not smoke
5. don’t lie! The interview panel may see through you. Even if you get the post, your boss can dismiss you if they find
6. don’t let your nerves show too much. A few nerves are normal but intense nerves will adversely affect your performance. Use breathing techniques and try to reflect on the fact that it’s not a life and death position – there are plenty of jobs out there!
7. do not be bigheaded and assume you’ve got the placement. Nothing turns off employers more than someone who is irreverent and over-confident
8. do not discuss contentious themes such as religion, party politics and gender relations
9. do not read from your notes or your Curriculum Vitae. You should be familiar enough with your own history to be able to speak about it unprompted
10. do not criticize past employers or colleagues. Interviewers may mark you down as a troublemaker and a gossip
11. do not argue with the interviewer, no matter what. Aim to keep things positive!

These principles apply for most jobs. But, employers in some industries can use more relaxed and friendly interviewing techniques. In some creative fields (design and media for example) it may be expected that you turn up for the interview in casual clothes, as that is the dress code in the office. If you’re in any doubt, do some research on typical interview technique in your line of work.

Above all, preparation is the key to performing well in interviews. Research the placement and organization, and prepare evidence and examples of your skills and competencies.

Click here for more info on training for CT interview

12 Dec 08 Useful Tactics To Deal With Stressful Interviews

In a stress interview, the prospect is being examined on her or his abilities to handle pressure or adverse behaviours. The interviewee is exposed to a hostile, disinterested or intimidating interview, whose purpose is to destabilise the candidate. The types of questions or behaviours that you may run into with a stress interview include:

• Large-scale interview interview panel: The prospect faces a interview panel of many interviewers (6, 8, 10 or more) who incessantly ask questions
• Series of interviewers: Several interviewers come into the room one after the other, leaving no rest time for the prospect.
• Quick fire: The interviewers asks questions in quick succession, not letting the candidate complete his/her answers

Means by which stress interviews can be handled include:

1) Maintain eye contact with the individual asking the question and keep your answers concise (typically 20-30 seconds) so that you don’t become interrupted.

2) Depersonalise the operation: you must stay focussed on the fact that this is all a game and that the panel are only acting as their part to destabilise you. Once you have taken on that none of this act is personal, you can relax a bit more.

3) Try to be yourself. Don’t try to take the bait. Try to speak more slowly than you usually talk so so that you do not let your frustration take over.

4) If you feel valiant enough to do this, endeavor to gain control of the space around you. For example, if there is a flip chart, walk up to it and write some points on it to back up your replies. It will make the interviewer slow down.

For more help with ST interview go to www.medicalinterviewpreparation.co.uk

02 Dec 08 Medical Interview Advice

ST interview
Interview panels will generally include the mix of people as outlined below. There might be variations between different units of application (UoAs).

* A lay chair or lay representative
* Regional college adviser or nominated deputy
* A university representative or nominated deputy
* Training programme director or chair of the specialty training committee
* Consultant representation from the training programme(s)
* A senior management representative
* Representation from human resources

Prior to the ST interview, all members of the panel will have had access to your application form. However, they will not have access to the equal opportunities or personal data section of your application form.

ST interviews should last approximately half-hour. The panel’s main purpose is to ascertain whether or not you meet the requirements of the person specification for the position for which you are applying, and to make sure that simply the top-quality candidates are picked out in this highly competitive process.

The structure and substance of interviews will deviate across deaneries, specialties and levels. The medical interview might include a scenario where you are expected to respond to a clinical professional situation. This could be through oral questions or through a written exercise before meeting the interview panel. In some cases, you could be asked to display a practical skill. The invitation to Speciality training interview will explain what will be required from you at the ST interview.

Panel members will fill out a score sheet for every medical interviewee and make any comments. The aggregate score given by all the panel members will be the ultimate grade of the interview.

Click here for ST interview tips

At a later date after the ST interview, the relevant deanery should be able to supply info on your score.

Best of luck in your ST interviews!

29 Nov 08 How To Ace Your Medical School Interview

When going for your doctors interview, be prepared to reveal to the interview panel that you will function as a safe doctor and take responsibility for the care of your patient, within the limits of your competence.

The interview is essentially a conversation between you and the panel. The conversational rules are altered slightly in this setting and in order to help the negotiation work for you, it is important that you understand the rules and play to win. Your success is probably going to come down to an exchange of about 20 words during the whole interview, which somehow strikes a chord with the members of the interview panel. One of your major challenges is that you do not know which of your 20 words they will be!

Be aware that this is all a game and investing the time needed to better follow the rules is going to be well spent.
There are specific skills and strategies that you should be prepared to exploit in your bid to successfully secure your post.
You can learn more about them for free in this Video on Medical interview Skills. But for a start, ensure that your CV helpfully summarises your training in a manner that highlights your experience and achievements.

Explore how you can sell your team playing, leadership, communication and stress handling skills – amongst other generic skills. There are also managerial skills that you will already have displayed in some form during your training so far – work out how you are going to discuss these factors.

Essentially there are two goals that you have to achieve in order to succeed in your interview:

1. You have to sell your skills to meet the needs of the organisation
2. You must gain rapport with the interview panel

If you work on these two goals, your candidacy will inevitably be enhanced.

You can get more free help with your medical interview preparation at www.medicalinterviewpreparation.co.uk

Good luck with your med interview