How to Pass Job Interviews (JobsTweet Philippines)

How to PassHow to Pass Job Interviews Job Interviews

AgendaAgenda

IntroductionIntroduction Cover Letter and ResumeCover Letter and Resume InterviewInterview

PreparationPreparation InterviewInterview GoodbyesGoodbyes

Panel DiscussionPanel Discussion Q&AQ&A

IntroductionIntroduction

Conversation between 2 or more Conversation between 2 or more people where questions are askedpeople where questions are asked

Assessment or informationAssessment or information Goal is to assess suitability for the Goal is to assess suitability for the

workplace workplace Snapshot of yourselfSnapshot of yourself Everything you do is observedEverything you do is observed Highlight your strengths and skillsHighlight your strengths and skills

Cover LetterCover Letter

First contact, first impressionFirst contact, first impression Must show you are a serious, Must show you are a serious,

professional candidateprofessional candidate Brings you closer to the Brings you closer to the

interview…and the jobinterview…and the job

Cover Letter GuidesCover Letter Guides

Research the organization and the jobResearch the organization and the job Use a white bond paperUse a white bond paper

A4 or letter size with Times Roman font size 12A4 or letter size with Times Roman font size 12 Direct your letter to a specific personDirect your letter to a specific person

Use "to the HR Manager/Personnel Manager" or Use "to the HR Manager/Personnel Manager" or equivalentequivalent

Address the person as 'Dear Sir or Madam'Address the person as 'Dear Sir or Madam' Avoid using "To whom it may concern"Avoid using "To whom it may concern"

Limit your letter to not more than one page. Limit your letter to not more than one page. Mention why you are interested in this company in Mention why you are interested in this company in

specificspecific Research some information about the company and Research some information about the company and

its activities. its activities. Limit your paragraphs to a maximum of four to five Limit your paragraphs to a maximum of four to five

lineslines Flush left margin, rugged right marginFlush left margin, rugged right margin

Shows your suitability for the postShows your suitability for the post Match your skills and experience with what the Match your skills and experience with what the

employer is looking for employer is looking for


If you are applying to a specific job advertisement If you are applying to a specific job advertisement make sure this is clear in the lettermake sure this is clear in the letter

Use action verbs and end in a positive noteUse action verbs and end in a positive note Instead of writing "I hope you will find", say "I am Instead of writing "I hope you will find", say "I am

confident that my experience will add"confident that my experience will add" Sign your letterSign your letter Final checkFinal check

Make sure of the correct spelling of name and title of Make sure of the correct spelling of name and title of the recipientthe recipient

Check the spellings and grammarCheck the spellings and grammar Ensure that you do not put an ABC's cover letter in an Ensure that you do not put an ABC's cover letter in an

XYZ's envelopeXYZ's envelope Check for viruses if you are sending your resume and Check for viruses if you are sending your resume and

covering letter through emailcovering letter through email Follow up on your letter and call your recipient on the Follow up on your letter and call your recipient on the

day you specifiedday you specified

Pretentious LanguagePretentious Language

Thus, thereby, ascertain, per, and pursuant Thus, thereby, ascertain, per, and pursuant (in any sentence) (in any sentence)

Confirm receipt Confirm receipt Put forth Put forth If you deem it appropriate If you deem it appropriate Per our conversation Per our conversation My qualifications brief is attached so that My qualifications brief is attached so that

you may ascertain the appropriateness of you may ascertain the appropriateness of my credentialsmy credentials

Pursuant to our discussionPursuant to our discussion

Pretentious LanguagePretentious Language

If you so choose to initiate a dialogue I will If you so choose to initiate a dialogue I will contact you shortly to confirm your receipt contact you shortly to confirm your receipt of this documentof this document

I can assure you that I will put forth every I can assure you that I will put forth every effort to achieve a satisfactory outcomeeffort to achieve a satisfactory outcome

I would appreciate the opportunity to speak I would appreciate the opportunity to speak with you concerning the aforementioned with you concerning the aforementioned position position

It is my intent that this letter serve merely It is my intent that this letter serve merely to begin dialogue to begin dialogue

To ensure receipt of my correspondence To ensure receipt of my correspondence Enclosed for your perusal Enclosed for your perusal

Cover Letter TemplateCover Letter Template

Your Contact InformationYour Contact Information Name, Address, Phone Number and email addressName, Address, Phone Number and email address

Date Date Employer Contact InformationEmployer Contact Information

Name, Title, Company, Address Name, Title, Company, Address SalutationSalutation

Dear Mr./Ms. Last Name, Dear Mr./Ms. Last Name, First ParagraphFirst Paragraph

Position applying forPosition applying for Where you found the job listingWhere you found the job listing

Middle Paragraph(s)Middle Paragraph(s) Describe what you have to offer the employerDescribe what you have to offer the employer Specify how your qualifications match the job you are applying Specify how your qualifications match the job you are applying

forfor Final Paragraph Final Paragraph

Thank the employer for considering you for the positionThank the employer for considering you for the position Include information on how you will follow-upInclude information on how you will follow-up

Complimentary Close Complimentary Close Respectfully yours, Respectfully yours, SignatureSignature


Fitness for PurposeFitness for Purpose Meet the Employer’s NeedsMeet the Employer’s Needs Actively Sell the ProductActively Sell the Product Keep It SimpleKeep It Simple

Resume TemplateResume Template

Contact InformationContact Information Name, Address Phone (Cell/Home), Email AddressName, Address Phone (Cell/Home), Email Address

Objective (optional)Objective (optional) If you include this section it should be a sentence or If you include this section it should be a sentence or

two about your employment goals. A customized two about your employment goals. A customized objective that describes why you are the perfect objective that describes why you are the perfect candidate for the job can help your resume stand out candidate for the job can help your resume stand out from the competition.from the competition.

SkillsSkills Related to the position you are applying for Related to the position you are applying for

EducationEducation College, Degree, Awards, HonorsCollege, Degree, Awards, Honors

Extra ActivitiesExtra Activities Clubs, Associations, Position, Achievements, Skills Clubs, Associations, Position, Achievements, Skills

LearnedLearned

The InterviewThe Interview

InterviewInterview

Preparing for an interviewPreparing for an interview What to wearWhat to wear What to bringWhat to bring Initial greetingsInitial greetings Breaking the iceBreaking the ice Answering difficult questionsAnswering difficult questions Saying goodbye Saying goodbye

PreparationPreparation

Self assessmentSelf assessment Research the companyResearch the company Visit the interview venueVisit the interview venue

Estimate travel timeEstimate travel time Talk to the receptionistTalk to the receptionist Comfort roomComfort room

Try on what you will wearTry on what you will wear Bring extra shirt/blouse if necessaryBring extra shirt/blouse if necessary

Review your applicationReview your application Get a good night’s restGet a good night’s rest Eat a good mealEat a good meal Say a little prayerSay a little prayer

What to Wear - MenWhat to Wear - Men

Clean shave Clean shave Dark pants (not jeans)Dark pants (not jeans) Long-sleeved solid, light colored shirt Long-sleeved solid, light colored shirt

(white is best)(white is best) Professional tie Professional tie Clean and polished black shoes (better Clean and polished black shoes (better

with shoelaces)with shoelaces) Black socksBlack socks Minimal jewelry Minimal jewelry Well-groomed haircut Well-groomed haircut Minimal aftershave and/or cologne Minimal aftershave and/or cologne Clean and trimmed fingernails Clean and trimmed fingernails Briefcase or portfolio Briefcase or portfolio

Important Tips - MenImportant Tips - Men

Better go without facial hairBetter go without facial hair Hide your tattoosHide your tattoos No earringsNo earrings

What to Wear - WomenWhat to Wear - Women

Dark skirt or pants, light colored blouseDark skirt or pants, light colored blouse Clean and polished black closed shoes Clean and polished black closed shoes

with a low heelwith a low heel Minimal amount of jewelryMinimal amount of jewelry Well-groomed, professional hairstyle Well-groomed, professional hairstyle Skin-colored hosiery Skin-colored hosiery Minimal amount of make-upMinimal amount of make-up Clean fingernailsClean fingernails

If manicured, choose clear or conservative If manicured, choose clear or conservative colorscolors

Minimal amount of perfumeMinimal amount of perfume Briefcase or portfolio (no purse) Briefcase or portfolio (no purse)

Important Tips - WomenImportant Tips - Women

Practice sitting down and Practice sitting down and standing up in your outfit at standing up in your outfit at homehome

Hide your tattoos (if any)Hide your tattoos (if any) Maximum of 1 ring per handMaximum of 1 ring per hand

Important Tips - BothImportant Tips - Both

No bulging pocketsNo bulging pockets No visible piercingsNo visible piercings No gums, candies, etc.No gums, candies, etc. Phones offPhones off

Who Got Hired?Who Got Hired?

Important TipsImportant Tips

Better to err on the side of Better to err on the side of conservatismconservatism

Better to be over dressed than Better to be over dressed than under dressedunder dressed

What to BringWhat to Bring

Cover letter and resumeCover letter and resume Transcript of recordsTranscript of records School IDSchool ID 2X2 pictures2X2 pictures Pencil, black penPencil, black pen Info sheetInfo sheet Magazine (like Time or Newsweek)Magazine (like Time or Newsweek) PersonalPersonal

Extra facial tissueExtra facial tissue Individually wrapped wet towelsIndividually wrapped wet towels Toothbrush and toothpasteToothbrush and toothpaste White talcum powder White talcum powder Extra shirt or blouse (optional)Extra shirt or blouse (optional)

Briefcase or portfolioBriefcase or portfolio

Important TipsImportant Tips

Smile at everyone in the building Smile at everyone in the building including the guardsincluding the guards

Greet the receptionist and tell them Greet the receptionist and tell them why you are therewhy you are there

Do NOT assume that the one who Do NOT assume that the one who greets you is the receptionistgreets you is the receptionist

Do NOT sit on soft couches/sofasDo NOT sit on soft couches/sofas Do NOT review your papersDo NOT review your papers Read your magazineRead your magazine Look up and smile at people at the Look up and smile at people at the

lobbylobby

Initial GreetingsInitial Greetings

SmileSmile Greet appropriatelyGreet appropriately Extend your hand for a handshakeExtend your hand for a handshake Wait until you are asked to sitWait until you are asked to sit Feet flat on the floorFeet flat on the floor Set your briefcase or portfolio on Set your briefcase or portfolio on

the floor to your sidethe floor to your side Do not use interviewer’s tableDo not use interviewer’s table

Drink or no drink?Drink or no drink? SmileSmile

The HandshakeThe Handshake

3 seconds maximum3 seconds maximum Firm, full graspFirm, full grasp

Dead fishDead fish Tips of fingersTips of fingers Arm pumpArm pump

Dry handsDry hands Sweat swipeSweat swipe

Address each interviewer by Address each interviewer by name as s/he is introducedname as s/he is introduced

Breaking the IceBreaking the Ice

First few questions are easyFirst few questions are easy Did you have difficulty finding the Did you have difficulty finding the

place?place? How long did it take you to reach How long did it take you to reach

the officethe office Take advantage of the easy Take advantage of the easy

questionsquestions

Interview FocusInterview Focus

Education Education Work Experience Work Experience Career Goals Career Goals Personal Qualities Personal Qualities Knowledge of the OrganizationKnowledge of the Organization

The InterviewThe Interview

Relate your strengths and qualifications to the jobRelate your strengths and qualifications to the job Avoid simple "yes" and "no" answersAvoid simple "yes" and "no" answers Give responses that are clear and specific with Give responses that are clear and specific with

descriptive examplesdescriptive examples Paint a visual picture for the employerPaint a visual picture for the employer Take time to formulate your answers before you Take time to formulate your answers before you

speak. speak. Keep you answers between 30 seconds and 2 Keep you answers between 30 seconds and 2

minutes in lengthminutes in length Avoid long rambling responses. Avoid long rambling responses.

Speak clearly and avoid "uhs", "you knows", and Speak clearly and avoid "uhs", "you knows", and slangslang

Eye contactEye contact SmileSmile

Questions to Fresh GradsQuestions to Fresh Grads

Why did you choose your major? Why did you choose your major? Which classes did you like the most/least? Which classes did you like the most/least? Why did you select your college? How have you Why did you select your college? How have you

liked it?liked it? Has your college experience prepared you for a Has your college experience prepared you for a

career?career? Describe your most rewarding college experience. Describe your most rewarding college experience. Describe your most significant college Describe your most significant college

accomplishment. accomplishment. If you could do it over, how would you plan your If you could do it over, how would you plan your

education differently? education differently? Who was your favorite teacher? Why? Who was your favorite teacher? Why? Do you plan to go to graduate school? Do you plan to go to graduate school? Are your grades a good indicator of your potential? Are your grades a good indicator of your potential? What have you learned from your extracurricular What have you learned from your extracurricular

activities? activities?

Traditional QuestionsTraditional Questions

Tell me about yourself. Tell me about yourself. What are your long and short range career What are your long and short range career

goals? goals? What are the most important things you are What are the most important things you are

seeking in a career? seeking in a career? What salary range are you seeking? What salary range are you seeking? What do you consider to be your greatest What do you consider to be your greatest

strengths and weaknesses? strengths and weaknesses? How would you describe yourself? How would you describe yourself? Why should I hire you? Why should I hire you?


How could you contribute to our How could you contribute to our organization? organization?

Why did you choose the college you Why did you choose the college you attended? attended?

Are your grades a good indication of your Are your grades a good indication of your academic achievement? academic achievement?

What do you know about our organization? What do you know about our organization? Why are you interested in working for our Why are you interested in working for our

organization? organization? What work experiences have you had? What work experiences have you had? What extracurricular activities are you What extracurricular activities are you

involved in? involved in?


Are you willing to relocate? Are you willing to relocate? What type of a work environment are you What type of a work environment are you

seeking? seeking? Tell me about your academic program at Tell me about your academic program at

college. college. How do you think you can make a How do you think you can make a

contribution to our company? contribution to our company? What do you know about the position you What do you know about the position you

are applying for? are applying for? What do you know about our industry?What do you know about our industry?

Behavioral QuestionsBehavioral Questions

Describe a situation in which you were able to Describe a situation in which you were able to use persuasion successfully to convince use persuasion successfully to convince someone to see things your way. How did you someone to see things your way. How did you do it? How did you approach it? do it? How did you approach it?

Describe a situation in which you were not able Describe a situation in which you were not able to use persuasion to convince someone to see to use persuasion to convince someone to see things your way. What happened? How did you things your way. What happened? How did you compensate? What did you do afterwards? compensate? What did you do afterwards?

Describe a time when you had to think on your Describe a time when you had to think on your feet to resolve a difficult situation. feet to resolve a difficult situation.

Give me a specific example of a time when you Give me a specific example of a time when you conformed to a policy with which you did not conformed to a policy with which you did not agree. agree.

Describe the most creative presentation you Describe the most creative presentation you have ever given. have ever given.

Describe a time when you were faced with Describe a time when you were faced with problems that tested your coping skills. problems that tested your coping skills.

““Weakness” QuestionWeakness” Question

Offer an example of a weakness that Offer an example of a weakness that can also be seen as a strengthcan also be seen as a strength obsessive compulsive – attention to obsessive compulsive – attention to

detaildetail Give an example of a safe weakness Give an example of a safe weakness

and explanation of steps you have and explanation of steps you have taken and plan to take to improve taken and plan to take to improve that weakness that weakness

Trick QuestionsTrick Questions

How would you react if I told you How would you react if I told you that your interview, so far, was that your interview, so far, was terrible?terrible?

What is the worst thing you have What is the worst thing you have heard about our company?heard about our company?

I'm still not really sure if you are I'm still not really sure if you are suitable for this job. What do you suitable for this job. What do you think?think?

How would you RATE me as How would you RATE me as an interviewer?an interviewer?

Answer StrategiesAnswer Strategies

StrengthsStrengths ValuesValues LearningLearning OpportunityOpportunity ResponsibilitiesResponsibilities ContributeContribute

What Do You Think Is The What Do You Think Is The Most Unforgivable?Most Unforgivable?

Poor personal appearance Poor personal appearance Overemphasis on money Overemphasis on money Failure to look at interviewer Failure to look at interviewer

while interviewing while interviewing Doesn’t ask questions Doesn’t ask questions Late for interviewLate for interview

Interview StrikeoutsInterview Strikeouts

Doesn’t ask questions Doesn’t ask questions Condemnation of past employer Condemnation of past employer Inability to take criticism Inability to take criticism Poor personal appearance Poor personal appearance Indecisive, cynical, lazy Indecisive, cynical, lazy Overbearing, over aggressive, “know it all” Overbearing, over aggressive, “know it all” Late to interview Late to interview Failure to look at interviewer while Failure to look at interviewer while

interviewing interviewing Unable to express self clearly Unable to express self clearly Overemphasis on money Overemphasis on money

Questions You Can AskQuestions You Can Ask

What’s the makeup of the team as far as What’s the makeup of the team as far as experience? experience?

What does this company value the most and how What does this company value the most and how do you think my work for you will further these do you think my work for you will further these values? values?

What kinds of processes are in place to help me What kinds of processes are in place to help me work collaboratively? work collaboratively?

What’s the most important thing I can do to help What’s the most important thing I can do to help within the first 90 days of my employment? within the first 90 days of my employment?

Do you have any questions or concerns about my Do you have any questions or concerns about my ability to perform this job? ability to perform this job?

When top performers leave the company why do When top performers leave the company why do they leave and where do they usually go? they leave and where do they usually go?

Do you have any concerns about my application Do you have any concerns about my application that I need to clear up in order to be the top that I need to clear up in order to be the top candidate? candidate?

Body LanguageBody Language

CommunicationCommunication 55% is through body language55% is through body language 38% is tone of voice and 38% is tone of voice and

balance balance 7% is verbal 7% is verbal


Crossed arms - defensive and reserved Crossed arms - defensive and reserved moodmood

Crossed arms and legs - very reserved and Crossed arms and legs - very reserved and suspicioussuspicious

Open arms and hands - open and Open arms and hands - open and receptivereceptive

Standing before you with his hands inside Standing before you with his hands inside the pockets - not sure or feels suspiciousthe pockets - not sure or feels suspicious

Standing before you with his hands on his Standing before you with his hands on his hips - receptive and ready to help you outhips - receptive and ready to help you out

Sitting in a chair shaking one of the legs - Sitting in a chair shaking one of the legs - nervous and uncomfortablenervous and uncomfortable

Eyes are downcast and face turned away - Eyes are downcast and face turned away - not interested in what you are sayingnot interested in what you are saying


Palm of the hand holding or stroking his chin - Palm of the hand holding or stroking his chin - evaluating position and being criticalevaluating position and being critical

Leaning back in his chair with both hands Leaning back in his chair with both hands clasped behind his head - analytical mood, but clasped behind his head - analytical mood, but it is also a gesture of superiorityit is also a gesture of superiority

Rubbing or touching his nose when answering Rubbing or touching his nose when answering a question - not telling the complete trutha question - not telling the complete truth

Maintains good eye contact and he smiles in a Maintains good eye contact and he smiles in a relaxed and happy way - definitely receptive to relaxed and happy way - definitely receptive to youyou

Rubbing the back of his head or rubbing or Rubbing the back of his head or rubbing or touching the back of his neck - conversation is touching the back of his neck - conversation is not really interestingnot really interesting

Moves his body and sits with his feet and body Moves his body and sits with his feet and body pointing towards a door - wants to end the pointing towards a door - wants to end the conservation and leave the roomconservation and leave the room


Saying GoodbyesSaying Goodbyes

Collect your briefcase or Collect your briefcase or portfolioportfolio

Offer firm handshakeOffer firm handshake Thank interviewer(s)Thank interviewer(s) Fix chair(s) to former positionFix chair(s) to former position Thank receptionistThank receptionist SmileSmile

Thank youThank you

Q&AQ&A

Documents

How to Pass Job Interviews (JobsTweet Philippines)