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 JOB VACANCIES AT ARAB OPEN UNIVERSITY
I. GETTING PREPARED FOR A JOB INTERVIEW
Interviews one of the most useful tools for evaluating job applicants. Once the deadline for submission of application for a job is past, a small number of promising candidates are selected for interview. These are normally the people who appear to be offering the knowledge and experience that the institution is looking for. (‘Institution’ refers to the receiver of your application such as a private sector company, governmental department, etc).
I. Before the Interview
This is the period when you have to do some research and learning. Here are some suggestions:
1. Learn all you can about the field you are applying for by consulting with career advisors, reading relevant career literature, searching the Internet, and speaking to people who hold similar jobs. In particular, read the job description and all other documents the employer has sent you.
2. Find out as much as you can about the particular company that has invited you for interview:
a. If possible, talk to people who may know about the company or currently work there: ask about the company’s work environment, whether they value their employees, what are the chances for promotion, etc. You can also ask their opinion about the kind of questions that you might be asked in the interview.
b. Find out whether your knowledge and experience reasonably (if not entirely) fit the company’s requirements: have you all the necessary degrees, qualifications, experience and skills they are looking for?
c. If possible, find out about the salary scale.
3. It would help you a great deal if you can be prepared to respond to questions such as these:
a. ‘Tell me about yourself’
Issues to think about: What do you think are the important things about you relative to this job? What is the best thing that you can offer to this employer?
b. What are your strong and weak points?
Issues to think about: Of course everybody can say good things about himself, but would the interviewers believe it? So it would be much better to report the frank opinion of the people who know more about you, such as colleagues from previous jobs:
Do they think you were good at team work?
Do they think you were competent in your own field?
Do they think you were interested in learning more and update your knowledge about your field?
What do they think were your weaknesses?
c. You can be asked multiple questions like this: Have you ever encountered a stressful or challenging situation before?’, ‘what problems did you face?’, ‘what actions did you take?’ and ‘what was the result of your actions?’
Issues to think about: Think of a good example, it does not need to be a “heroic” one. It should demonstrate that you are able to cope with stressful situations. It must show that you can react calmly and efficiently: were able to identify the key problems, did the actions you took result in a solution which you and your manager were happy with.
d. How was your previous boss?
Issues to think about: Did he provide you with what you needed to do your job better? Did he give you regular feedback about your performance? Was it easy to talk to him about your problems?
e. Why should I hire you?
Issues to think about: Have you the knowledge and experience the job requires? Why do you wish to work in that particular company? Will working in that company help you with your future plans? Is there anything special that you can offer which the company cannot easily find elsewhere?
f. Where would you like to be in 5 or 10 years from now?
Issues to think about: Are you determined to advance your carrier? What are your goals? To what extent are you prepared to achieve your goals?
4. Dress appropriately and make sure you presentable, professional.
5. Take with you extra copies of your resume and necessary documents (copy of degrees, recommendation letters from previous employers if you have any, your ID, etc).
6. Take with you a notebook to take notes, and write down the names of the people you meet and those who interview you.
7. Go alone and arrive ahead of time
8. Switch off your mobile telephone.
II. DURING THE INTERVIEW
1. Shake hands with confidence and smile.
2. Establish good eye-contact.
3. Do not smoke, even if they offer you a cigarette.
4. Engage in the interview with enthusiasm.
5. Adopt appropriate manners:
• Your tone of voice reflects your level of confidence, as well as tension and anxiety.
• Sit upright but comfortably.
• Do not call any of the interviewers by first name.
6. Answer the questions directly. Do not volunteer irrelevant or redundant information.
7. At the end of interviews it is quite common that the interviewers ask whether you have any questions. Never say ‘thank you, I have no questions’, this will give the impression that you are not a serious candidate. There are always a few questions that you can ask:
• More details about the job, its responsibilities
• Management’s expectations of you
• Promotion prospects
• Benefits such as health insurance
• Training programmes offered to employees.
8. Never ask about salary unless they mention it to you: They might ask you what your salary requirements are (try to give a range in salary). When they offer you the job, you can negotiate about the salary.
9. Closing the interview:
a. Thank the interviewer for his time.
b. Emphasize that you are really interested in the job.
c. Ask when you expect to hear the outcome of your interview.
III. AFTER THE ITNERVIEW
1. Thank them if they contact you and offer the job. Ask when do they wish you to start?
2. If days went by and you heard nothing, give them a call. If they tell you have not been successful, respect your own professionalism and stay cool, never respond with anger, you can politely ask if they can give any feedback.
3. A fact of life: jobs are not always given to the most qualified applicant, jobs may be offered for other reasons. However, it is also true that employers will find it very hard to reject a very competent candidate.
4. Do not give up searching for a good/better job, continue your search because you are worth it! |