 |
What an employer looks for in an interview
A lot of facts in a short time
Because an interview takes place in such a limited period of time, the basic purpose of the interview is to exchange enough information to make a screening decision to determine whether the company should talk with the candidate further.
What you're like
Good interviewers usually note their first impression of a candidate because the ability to make a good first impression can be an asset. Then, during the interview, they look at factors like the ability to communicate, basic social skills, personality and poise. They're not after a deep psychological profile, only a general picture.
What you want
One of the most important things to an interviewer is finding out exactly what you want and why. What kind of work are you looking for, and what is the extent of your interest in that work? What are your career goals? What sort of drive do you have to accomplish those goals? They will also be interested in your further education, further training, and such things as your preferred location and willingness to relocate.
What you've done
An interviewer will be interested in your studies, qualifications, special training, hobbies and co-curricular activities. They aren't just looking to see how "well-rounded" you are, but specifically, whether your declared work interests seem to match your talents.
Who you are
The interviewer asks questions to get you talking about yourself. Don't just answer "yes" or "no" to every question. Take the opportunity to tell the interviewer your goals and strong points. Be yourself and don't try to "act" for the interviewer, because first, you must find a company where you can be yourself, and second, the interviewer probably won't be fooled. Always be completely honest. A lie will only lead to problems in the job later on. For example, if you have no interest in finance, then say so. Remember, the interview is not only them screening you—it’s also your chance to assess whether you are interested in the company.
|
|
 |
 |
Career development |
|
|
 |