A new point of view on interviews
The more I think about it, the more convinced I become that attending interviews is really not that much different from going on a first date.
Well, for one thing, you and the company are meeting face-to-face for the first time. Then there’s that other part where you’re checking each other out and seeing if there’s a perfect match. And don’t forget the consideration of which one (company) benefits you the most.
But of course, the similarities end when it comes to the point of salary discussion. Anyhow, I suppose you can see what I’m getting at here.
It’s common to get a little jittery about interviews, especially if it’s your first time or if you haven’t been for one in quite awhile. However, it shouldn’t come across as anything stressful, but ought to be viewed as a privilege instead.
For one thing, not everyone who applied for the job got called in for an interview. The fact that you were chosen means that you are one of the selected few who were shortlisted. That in itself is good reason enough to pat yourself on the back. The initial stage has been cleared. Now all that’s left is for you to impress your interviewer and you just might land the job.
Another point I think is worth mentioning about interviews: we often view it as a situation where we will be judged based on who we are or what we’ve previously accomplished. In other words, it’s like a court in session and we’re waiting anxiously for our verdict. What most of us fail to realise is just as much as the company wants to evaluate us, we should also be actively making our own assessments on whether or not the company is a good place to work at.
The way this affects our attitude towards interviews is that we go for it not just prepared to answer the interviewer’s questions, but also ready and armed with our own personal set of queries as well. Whilst it is not good to push for specifics on salary or benefits too early in the candidate selection process, there’s really nothing wrong in asking for further information on whether weekend work or overseas travel is required. This idea lends a whole new perspective to interviews, and it means that you should think of it as equally important that the company should impress you as well.
Even if an interview doesn’t get you the job or you subsequently decide that it’s a place you’d rather not work at, all is not lost. Just the experience of attending the interview itself is something to treasure. In my personal career, I have found that with each interview I attend it builds my confidence further for the next one. So, if you ask me, I’d say never pass up a chance to attend an interview, no matter the size of the company or what position it’s for.
What are your thoughts on interviews? Do you agree with what I’ve mentioned, or perhaps have a totally different way of looking at it? Do feel free to voice your thoughts, I’d love to hear what you have to say too.
Meanwhile, if you’d like more tips or information on facing the interview process, head over to http://jobscentral.com.my/resources/index/3.
It’s common to get a little jittery about interviews, especially if it’s your first time or if you haven’t been for one in quite awhile. However, it shouldn’t come across as anything stressful, but ought to be viewed as a privilege instead.
For one thing, not everyone who applied for the job got called in for an interview. The fact that you were chosen means that you are one of the selected few who were shortlisted. That in itself is good reason enough to pat yourself on the back. The initial stage has been cleared. Now all that’s left is for you to impress your interviewer and you just might land the job.
Another point I think is worth mentioning about interviews: we often view it as a situation where we will be judged based on who we are or what we’ve previously accomplished. In other words, it’s like a court in session and we’re waiting anxiously for our verdict. What most of us fail to realise is just as much as the company wants to evaluate us, we should also be actively making our own assessments on whether or not the company is a good place to work at.
The way this affects our attitude towards interviews is that we go for it not just prepared to answer the interviewer’s questions, but also ready and armed with our own personal set of queries as well. Whilst it is not good to push for specifics on salary or benefits too early in the candidate selection process, there’s really nothing wrong in asking for further information on whether weekend work or overseas travel is required. This idea lends a whole new perspective to interviews, and it means that you should think of it as equally important that the company should impress you as well.
Even if an interview doesn’t get you the job or you subsequently decide that it’s a place you’d rather not work at, all is not lost. Just the experience of attending the interview itself is something to treasure. In my personal career, I have found that with each interview I attend it builds my confidence further for the next one. So, if you ask me, I’d say never pass up a chance to attend an interview, no matter the size of the company or what position it’s for.
What are your thoughts on interviews? Do you agree with what I’ve mentioned, or perhaps have a totally different way of looking at it? Do feel free to voice your thoughts, I’d love to hear what you have to say too.
Meanwhile, if you’d like more tips or information on facing the interview process, head over to http://jobscentral.com.my/resources/index/3.
Labels:
analogy,
career development,
careers,
experience,
interviews,
jobs,
personal development,
perspective
6 comments:
I totally agree with you, Susanna. For me, an interview is like going for a blind date because we don't know what the person is like. In a job interview, we don't know what the company or job is like or even how the office looks like. Fortunately, that's where the similarities end. We can find out a lot about the company and the job if we do our research properly. Also, we can prepare well for an interview by doing our homework.
I totally agree with Susanna! Well, to me interviews are more like meeting my future in-laws for the first time. Every point and aspect is equally important from the way you dress to the way you talk. One should be prepared to answer questions from the interviewer and no doubt honesty is important throughout the interview process.
That's right! There is no loss for either side in an interview. Every interview is also an opportunity for a jobseeker to sell himself by presenting his skills and knowledge. The more he attends interviews, the more he will know how to sell himself in a better way. Take it easy, nervousness will only mess you up. Wishing all jobseekers out there the very best in your interviews!
Hi Susanna, soon after I finished reading your article, I had a flashback in my mind - the first interview I went to in my life. For me, an interview is the first challenge that we have to go through before we can begin our careers. To me, an interview is basically a conversation between you and the interviewer where questions are asked by the interviewer to find out more about you on the spot. Do prepare and don't panic, then everything will be fine. Cheers!
I've got a question - Would you prefer to be totally honest to the interviewer, or give an answer that you believe the interviewer wants to hear? That's a constant dilemma.
Hi DJ,
Personally I feel it's best to just be totally honest, regardless of what the interviewer has asked you.
Perhaps it may seem that doing this may jeopardise your chances of getting the job. However, if you land a job based on giving others a false impression of who you really are, eventually this will backfire on you.
Once you start working, your employer will see that you can't really live up to what you promised. This may end up causing problems for you in the long run - for instance, you may end up having bad relations with your employer because of that.
In contrast, had you been truthful right from the start, your forthright attitude may actually work out in your favour. Being frank about what you can or can't do and speaking your mind may be the very qualities that your interviewer may be looking for.
No matter the situation, it's always best to be honest because that way you will always be able to live up to other's expectations since they know from the start what you are really like. So, in conclusion, it's just like what our teachers used to tell us - honesty is still the best policy.
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