What to Expect At Your Next Job Interview

Interviews in Dubai

Job interview scheduled?

Whether you’re looking for your first job or you’re a seasoned professional, it never hurts to brush up on these etiquette basics.

Follow these rules for making all the right moves before, during, and after the interview, and you’re sure to shine.

Get Ready To Face Hiring Managers

Do Your Research

You must review the company’s website and google all the information you can find, about the company including when they were last quoted in a publication or if they’ve recently received an award.

Find out who you will be interviewing with and learn something about them and their careers - LinkedIn would be a good source. Casually reference the information during the interview and quote specifics, such as “I see the company has expanded into several new markets over the past year.”

You will project the image of someone who is interested, does their homework, and pays attention to details.

Rehearse

There are several questions that you are pretty much guaranteed to be asked during an interview: “Why do you want to work for this company?” “What are your strengths and weaknesses?” and “Where do you see yourself in five years?”—to name a few. You may want to go through some common interview questions and tricky interview questions.

So, be prepared with insightful answers for these classics, plus be familiar with other interview questions typically asked in your field, too. Practice looking in the mirror (or with someone) and answering the questions out loud. This preparation work will help you clarify your thoughts and make you much more comfortable during the interview.

Understand the Responsibilities

Understand the job description and how you will add value to it if you are selected.
Go through your CV thoroughly. You must know it better than the interviewer.
Prepare yourself with mock interviews. Be careful not to use these words during the interview.
Be present at the venue at least 10 minutes prior to your interview. (maybe a good idea to visit the venue earlier to be familiar with traffic, parking, and most importantly the correct route)
Carry at least 2 extra copies of your updated CV, in case required along with your credentials - certificates, reference letters, etc.

Dress the Part

An interview may be the only shot you have to impress the decision-maker in person, so make sure you are dressed impeccably.

It’s always better to overdress than underdress, but do some sleuthing and find out what the corporate dress culture is before you walk through the door. A dark suit (jacket and pants or skirt) and a crisp white shirt, manicured nails, simple make-up, and clean, professional shoes (very important that you polish them (they tell a lot about the person) will be perfect in most cases. And, definitely avoid dangling earrings, too much perfume, and multiple, clanking bracelets.

Brush up on Body Language

Be aware of what you’re communicating through your posture and stance—and make sure it is good.

Break the ice with an honest opening compliment. A confident handshake (No “fingers-only” handshakes! The proper, professional way to shake is using the entire hand, extending your arm (first if possible) for a firm, but not an overbearing grip, while rolling the index finger around the bottom of the other person’s hand) and a smile (smiling naturally will make you appear confident, friendly, and approachable. A smile conveys that you’re someone who can get along with fellow employees, your boss, and your clients), makes a lot of difference.

For example, sitting with your arms and legs crossed sends a message that you are closed-off or feel defensive. If you keep your hands in your lap the entire interview, you could signal that you lack self-confidence. And, twirling your hair can make you look nervous or juvenile. Upright posture and eye contact is very important. Take the water (If your interviewer offers you a glass of water, take it, even if you’re not thirsty. This little act can help buy you time to formulate an answer to a difficult question or just give you a moment to center yourself) if you are offered.

Next, always stand up when someone else comes into the room. Professionally, you lose respect and credibility by staying seated—it sends a weak and powerless message. Think your movements through ahead of time so you’re not distracted (or distracting) during the interview.

Know Your Table Manners

Some interviews (usually second or third) are conducted over a meal, so being familiar with proper table manners is imperative to your interview success.

Here’s why: The recruiter will be watching to see how you’ll conduct yourself at a meal with clients, how you handle accidents, and how you treat the wait staff.

Presentation

Explain your responsibilities and your achievements clearly and in fair detail. Avoid closed-ended ("Yes" and "No") replies but try to fit in at least a one-line reply.

Very important that you realize the duration of your interview is your "sales pitch" to convince the interviewer why you are most suitable for the position. Do not overexaggerate. Interviewers have the habit of cross-checking and you don't want to be caught misrepresenting or exaggerating. Be honest, be yourself, and/but be convincing.

Never put down your current/previous employer. If you do so then you leave the impression that you may do the same if you get the job.

Ask at least one positive and genuine question at the end of the interview e.g What is expected of 'me' if I am selected? or How was my interview in your professional opinion?

Ask Questions

Keep in mind that the job interview is a two-way street. It’s an opportunity for you to sell yourself to the company, but also to learn more about the workplace to see if the position and environment are a good fit for you.

Go in with a few questions, such as details about the type of work that the position entails, the corporate culture, and the typical career path of someone who holds the position.

Typical questions can you can ask are

Was / Is there a person in this position? Why is he/she being replaced?
What has been the most challenging that the company has found in this role?
How many candidates are being interviewed and what are the interviewer's thoughts about your suitability?
What are the future plans for this position? etc

And, don’t be scared to speak up: not asking questions can signal that you’re uninformed or uninterested.

Send a Proper Thank You

Yes, even today, a handwritten note is mandatory. Sending a thank you letter via email is fine when the decision must be made quickly, but always follow up with written correspondence. (A voicemail message doesn’t take the place of a written note, either.) Express your thanks for the interviewer's time and for the chance to learn more about the company.

No need to go overboard and—please—don’t send a gift or flowers after the interview (yes, it’s been done).

When it comes to interviewing, practice makes perfect, and knowing the rules ahead of time is a great start. So be prepared, be confident, and be yourself, and you’ll shine. Good luck!

Post Interview Research

You may want to talk to employees, suppliers, or others who can give you some information about the company - its management style and employee satisfaction to help you make a more concrete decision about joining.

Common Interview Questions

Can you tell me a little about yourself?
How did you hear about the position?
What do you know about the company?
Why do you want this job?
Why should we hire you?
What are your greatest professional strengths?
What is your greatest professional achievement?
Tell me about a challenge or conflict you've faced at work, and how you dealt with it.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
What is your dream job?
What other companies are you interviewing with?
Why are you leaving your current job?
What are you looking for in a new position?
Tell us about your working/management style?
Describe a time you exercised leadership?
Tell me about a situation when you disagreed with a decision that was made at work and how you handled it?
How would (1) your boss and (2) your co-workers describe you?
Describe a situation that required you to deal with pressure or stressful situations?
What would your first (1) 30 days, (2) 60 days, or (3) 90 days look like in this role?
What are your salary expectations?
What do you like to do outside of work?
How much do you know about our work? What do you think we could do better or differently?
Do you have any questions for us?

How to Answer these 10 Tricky Interview Questions

Why Should I Hire You?

The most overlooked question is also the one most candidates are unprepared to answer. This is often because job applicants don't do their homework on the position. Your job is to illustrate why you are the most qualified candidate. Review the job description and qualifications very closely to identify the skills and knowledge that are critical to the position, then identify experiences from your past that demonstrate those skills and knowledge.

Why Is There A Gap In Your Work History?

Employers understand that people lose their jobs and it's not always easy to find a new one fast. When answering this question, list activities you've been doing during any period of unemployment. Freelance projects, volunteer work, or taking care of family members all let the interviewer know that time off was spent productively.

Tell Me One Thing You Would Change About Your Last Job

Beware oversharing or making disparaging comments about former co-workers or supervisors, as you might be burning bridges. But an additional trouble point in answering this query is showing yourself to be someone who can't vocalize their problems as they arise. Why didn't you correct the issue at the time? Be prepared with an answer that doesn't criticize a colleague or paint you in an unflattering light. A safe scapegoat? Outdated technology.

Tell Me About Yourself

People tend to meander through their whole resumes and mention personal or irrelevant information in answering--a serious no-no. Keep your answer to a minute or two at most. Cover four topics: early years, education, work history, and recent career experience. Emphasize this last subject. Remember that this is likely to be a warm-up question. Don't waste your best points on it. And keep it clean--no weekend activities should be mentioned.

Explain A Complex Database To Your Eight-Year-Old Nephew

Explaining public relations, explaining mortgages, explaining just about anything in terms an eight-year-old can understand shows the interviewer you have a solid and adaptable understanding of what it is they do. Do your homework, know the industry, and be well-versed.

What Would The Person Who Likes You Least In The World Say About You?

Highlight an aspect of your personality that could initially seem negative, but is ultimately a positive. An example? Impatience. Used incorrectly this can be bad in the workplace. But stressing timeliness and always driving home deadlines can build your esteem as a leader. And that's a great thing to show off in an interview.

Tell Me About A Time When Old Solutions Didn't Work

The interviewer is trying to identify how knowledgeable you are in today's workplace and what new creative ideas you have to solve problems. You may want to explore new technology or methods within your industry to be prepared for. Twitter-phobes, get tweeting.

What's The Biggest Risk You've Ever Taken?

Some roles require a high degree of tenacity and the ability to pick oneself up after getting knocked down. Providing examples of your willingness to take risks shows both your ability to fail and rebound, but also your ability to make risky or controversial moves that succeed.

Have You Ever Had A Supervisor Challenge A Decision?

Interviewers are looking for an answer that shows humility--and the ability to take direction. The anecdote should be telling, but it's the lesson learned, not the situation, that could land you the job.

Describe A Time When Your Team Did Not Agree

Questions pertaining to difficulties in the past are a way for employers to anticipate your future behavior by understanding how you behaved in the past and what you learned. Clarify the situation succinctly and explain what specific action you took to come to a consensus with the group. Then describe the result of that action.

"Facing Hiring Managers With Confidence"

Facing Hiring Managers can always be stressful, especially when you are in need of a job. A lot goes into preparing for an interview right from researching the company and the interviews with the follow-up you do after your interview. With years of expertise in arranging, coordinating, preparing, and following up with clients and candidates on their interviews, we have outlined a strategy combined with preparation and practice to help you confidently present yourself to the interviewers. If you are nervous it's fine, it good to be nervous, it's genuine. We help hundreds of our candidates and job seekers not only prepare their CVs but also prepare to face the hiring test.

Your Interview preparation needs to be thorough.

We ensure your CV is simple, professional, and impactful. Else we recommend changes or do your CV for you.

We follow a step-by-step process to equip you with the tools you need. This is divided into 3 stages – Interview Planning and Research Training, Interview Presentation, and Flow, Post Interview Follow up.

Stage 1: Interview Planning and Research Training

Understanding RESEARCH topics.
Knowing your CV. Preparing a GAP analysis.
SITUATIONS and CULTURAL-based questions.

Stage 2: Interview Presentation, and Flow

Tools that NAIL it.
The use of BODY LANGUAGE.
Interview Questions and How to Answer them

Stage 3: Post Interview Follow up

When and how much to FOLLOWUP?
Receiving FEEDBACK

If you require more information, then you can contact us here.