The Interview Handbook

For those of you are not sure as to what a behavioral interview entails. Behavioral based interviewing is interviewing based on discovering how the interviewee acted in specific employment-related situations. The logic is that how you behaved in the past will predict how you will behave in the future i.e. past performance predicts future performance.

So what’s difference Between A Traditional Interview vs. Behavioral Interview?

In a traditional interview, you will be asked a series of questions which typically have straight forward answers like "What are your strengths and weaknesses?" or "What major challenges and problems did you face? How did you handle them?" or "Describe a typical work week."

In a behavioral interview, an employer has decided what skills are needed in the person they hire and will ask questions to find out if the candidate has those skills.

Preparation for the Potential Behavioral Interview

What’s the best way to prepare? It’s important to remember that you won’t know what type of interview will take place until you are sitting in the interview room. So, prepare answers to traditional interview questions.

Then, since you don’t know exactly what situations you will be asked about if it’s a behavioral interview, refresh your memory and consider some special situations you have dealt with or projects you have worked on. You may be able to use them to help frame responses. Prepare stories that illustrate times when you have successfully solved problems or performed memorably. The stories will be useful to help you respond meaningfully in a behavioral interview.

Finally, review the job description, if you have it, or the job posting or ad. You may be able to get a sense of what skills and behavioral characteristics the employer is seeking from reading the job description and position requirements. Do You want to be one step a head of your competition? 

Take a look at this really good book it will really help you and give you the confidence to walk into any interview:

"The Ultimate Guide To Job Interview Answers"

Over the years I have read so many books on job interviews all proclaiming to have the final answer; I will let you into a secrete; no one book has all the answers but this my personal recommendation for a number of reasons for recommending "The Ultimate Guide To Job Interview Answers"

The author keeps it very simple, a lot of books use far to much jargon and over complicate the whole process, it’s the old saying KISS – (keep it simple stupid) The guide is only 81 pages long so its not "War and Piece" and what’s more you can actually use it there is some real value to its content.

• It includes over 137 intelligent and effective job interview answers.
• 11 closing "power statements,"
• 43 questions for you to use to uncover the interviewer’s hidden needs.
• 13 desirable behavioral competencies hiring managers look for.

How to create and use your own winning S.T.A.R. statements to "package & spin" your work experience.

How to do a S.W.O.T. analysis, how to show you know how to set S.M.A.R.T. goals, a quick and simple 9-step exercise you can do that will calm your nerves every time, AND a special section on behavioral interviewing and surviving harsh "stress" interviews. 

Remember It’s important to keep in mind that there are no right or wrong answers, its about being yourself and being confident in your own abilities.

The interviewer is simply trying to understand how you behaved in a given situation. How you respond will determine if there is a fit between your skills and the position the company is seeking to fill. So, listen carefully, be clear and detailed when you respond and, most importantly, be honest. If your answers aren’t what the interviewer is looking for, this position may not be the best job for you anyway. Good Luck!

In the job hunting process, the way in which you are dressed has a direct influence on what the interviewer’s first impression of you is. You may be thinking it isn’t fair that you are judged by the way you are dressed. And under normal circumstances, you would probably be right. But when it comes to job hunting, you must remember that you are essentially trying to “sell” yourself to potential employers. The very first thing an interviewer will notice about you is your attire. It will also be the subject of the very first judgement he or she will make about you.

An interview is hardly the occasion to make a personal statement about your style. Dressing properly for the interview serves to show the potential employer that you respect the workplace and have a sense of professionalism. While dressing appropriately on its own may not win you the job, it sure can give you an edge over the other candidates. It will also set a positive tone for the rest of the interview.

If you are not sure how you should dress for an interview, your safest bet would be to dress conservatively. However, there are some things you could do to make sure that your dress code matches that of the organization at which you are interviewing. For example, you could make a quick call to the company’s human resources department to inquire about their dress code. You could also pay a visit to the company on an information gathering trip and take note of how the women there are dressed. But make sure you don’t go there when its “jeans and t-shirt” day or casual Friday.

Dressing properly for an interview does not mean that you have to go out and buy expensive designer label clothes. But you should have at least two good sets of professional clothes in your closet. If you get the job, you will obviously have to invest a little more into to your attire but you can worry about that when the time comes. Here are some additional tips on how a woman should dress for an interview.

• A woman should wear a business suit to an interview. The suit should fit your body well and you should feel comfortable in it. The length of the skirt should allow you to sit down without having to tug on it or adjust it.

• Psychological studies have revealed that women have a lot more leeway when it comes to the colour of their professional attire. As an alternative to the standard black, grey, or dark blue, you might want to consider wearing brighter colours such as red or green.

• The colour of your blouse should match well with the colour of your suit. The neckline should be on the high side and should not reveal too much skin. Transparent blouses are absolutely unacceptable.

• Stockings should always be flesh-coloured and you should wear closed shoes that have a dark colour. The heels of your shoes should not be too high.

• You should avoid wearing excessive jewellery. Any body piercings except for earrings should be taken off. Also, take care not to spray on too much perfume and make sure that your hair is styled neatly and professionally.

On a closing note, remember to check yourself in the mirror of the rest room just before you go in for the interview. Then, take a deep breath, feel good about yourself, and most importantly, smile.