STEPS TO A GREAT JOB


A. Rules to be kept in mind while searching for a job

1. Believing you are good enough
2. Asking everyone you know for help while job hunting
3. Highlighting your experience, skills and knowledge
4. Saying, "I can learn that" or "I will learn that" instead of "I have never done that"
5. Calling to check on them instead of waiting for them to call you
6. Try not to be everything in an interview
7. Negotiate salary, benefits and working conditions
8. Following up to find out why you were not hired


B. Dressing up for an Interview

1. Look at yourself very closely
2. Pointers to dressing up right
3. Five common Dressing up mistakes
* Wearing brown shoes with black, blue or grey trousers
* Going to an interview with sleeves rolled up
* Wearing a tie with a check short is a strict "NO".
* Going overboard with your favorite cologne
* Wearing prominent jewelery
4. Connect with your interviewer


C. Practicing some interview questions

Prepare well but be ready for the unexpected

The General Questions:

1. Tell me about yourself?
2. What do you know about our company?
3. Why do you want to work for us?
4. Why should we hire you?
5. How long would you stay with us?

Experience and Management related questions:

1. Are you not overqualified/ too experienced for the position we have to offer?
2. Are you a good manager? Give an example. Why do you feel you have top managerial potential?
3. What is your biggest weakness as a manager?


Industry / trade questions:

1. What do you feel about the present state of the industry?
2. What important trends do you see in our industry?

Questions in case leaving a job:

1. Why are you leaving your present job?
2. Describe what you feel to be an ideal working environment.
3. How would you evaluate your present firm?


Questions quantifying your accomplishments:

1. What has been your most significant contribution in the last job?
2. Describe a situation in which your work was criticized?

Questions on work habits and style:

1. If I spoke with your previous boss, what would he say are your greatest strengths and weaknesses?
2. How do you resolve conflict on a project team?
3. Do you prefer staff or line work? Why?

Personality questions:

1. What was the last book you read? Movie you saw? Sporting event you attended?
2. What are your strong points?
3. What are your weak points?


Salary questions:

1. How much are you looking for?
2. How much do you expect, if we offer this position to you


D. Tips to crack interviews

Make your best moves when facing an interview

1. Always try and give variety to your answers
2. Fine-tune interpersonal skills
3. Do not quake in your boots
4. Prepare for stress
5. Showcase the important things
6. Rehearse well
7. Create a mental picture of yourself
8. Ask good questions
9. Look beyond the obvious


E. Negotiating your salary

Salary negotiations are all about listening, observing and talking

1. Act like a boy scout
2. Take aim and shoot straight
3. Avoid a salary tug of war
4. Get the cake with the cherries


F. How to evaluate a job offer?

1. To start with prioritize
2. Assess if this is what you really want and ask yourself if what you are looking for is realistic

3. The job factors :
According to Herzberg's Theory of Motivation, a person can be motivated either by motivating factors or hygiene factors and these determine whether or not that person is satisfied with her or his job.


If you are motivated by Hygiene factors, then ask yourself questions like:

* Will you be expected to work weekends and holidays? If yes, how often?
* What are the travel demands, if any?
* What drives the company deadline, quota or quality?
* What about environmental hazards such as noise, chemicals, ventilation?
* Are there emoluments for extra hours and travel? These factors can worsen an already stressful environment, so assess them.
* What sort of HR policies does the company follow?

* What are the perks and benefits?
* What are your boss and colleagues like?

On the other hand if you are driven by Motivating factors, then ask yourself:

* Will you get opportunities for growth?
* Are your responsibilities going to increase?
* What are the chances of promotion?
* What are the chances of getting recognition?
* Will it take you closer to a position of power, prestige and status?


G. Always judge your potential employer

Interview your interviewer to assess compatibility of interests and goals

1. Know some answers before you ask questions
2. You are often just two Degrees of Separation away from any information source
3. Appearances matter
4. Look for Heroes, listen for stories

 

Designed & Maintained by: C-DIT, Thiruvananthapuram, www.cdit.org