Thou Shalls and Thou Shall Nots
You have scaled the written test and have been short-listed. One more river to cross before you become a serious contender for the job. Here is a simple Do's and Don'ts guide. We call it Thou Shalls, and Thou Shall Not'sHere goes...
You have scaled the written test and have been short-listed. One more river to cross before you become a serious contender for the job. Here is a simple Do's and Don'ts guide. We call it Thou Shalls, and Thou Shall Not'sHere goes...
Do's
Thou shall visit the interview venue before time, unless you know the place very well. This is so that you know the place, and have an idea how long it takes to get there, so that you don’t miss your way on the interview date, asking the wrong person for directions
Thou shall research the company, know what they do, why they are employing and the type of interview to expect, so that you prepare appropriately
Thou shall prepare and practice for the interview. Have a friend rate your performance, or if you are friendless, use your mirror
Thou shall dress appropriately, based on the job, the company and industry. American companies are not in love with suit and ties. However, in doubt, overdress. You can hardly go wrong with a white or sky blue shirt and dark gray or black suit. However, if the position is for a technician, a suit will look out of place. For women, modesty is the best policy. You can hardly go wrong with a trouser suit. Don't showcase your natural endowments. Of the male members on the panel that enjoy the free show, not all will reward you in the score sheet. Of course the females will take you to the cleaners for embarrassing them.
Thou shall plan to arrive at least 10 minutes early for the interview, especially if the time slot is for you. You will need time to settle down, confirm all your documentation is in order, and settle down to be in the frame of mind for the interview. If you are running late, call the contact person in your invitation letter.
Thou shall greet everyone you meet with courtesy and respect. You never know who you will meet when you are called in.
Thou shall put your mobile phone on silent or switched off before you go in. In the event that you forgot, quickly apologise and switch off. Don't even consider taking the call, no matter how brief. If your wife is going into labour during the interview, take permission from the panel to leave your mobile phone on. Many have said goodbye to their dream jobs by answering their calls in the interview room.
Thou shall bring extra copies of your CV to the interview venue
Thou shall sell yourself to the interviewer at every given opportunity. Don't depend solely on our CV to sell you.
Thou shall wait until you are offered a chair before sitting. And do remember body language and posture: sit upright and look alert and interested at all times. Don't fidget or slouch.
Thou shall stress your achievements. Blow your trumpet. This is a good place to do it. No one will blow it for you. Don't offer any negative information about yourself.
Thou shall show off the research you have done on the company and industry when responding to questions. This shows that you are really interested in the company, and not what it can offer you.
Thou shall make good eye contact with your interviewer(s), but don't stare. Too much of a good thing is not good. Show the person speaking to you that you are paying attention by looking at the person, but look away once a while (for some seconds) so that it does not become uncomfortable for both of you, and the restore eye contact.
Thou shall ask intelligent questions about the job, company, or industry. Not asking any question may come across as lack of interest. However, not asking a question is better than asking one that gets you into trouble. The way to go is to prepare your question before the interview.
Thou shall show enthusiasm in the position and the company. If you do not care about the job or the company, don't apply. If it is your current unemployed status that makes you apply for any vacancy that comes your way, still show respect by showing interest in the company..
Thou shall avoid using poor language, slang, and pause words (such as "like," "uh," and "um")
Thou shall research the company, know what they do, why they are employing and the type of interview to expect, so that you prepare appropriately
Thou shall prepare and practice for the interview. Have a friend rate your performance, or if you are friendless, use your mirror
Thou shall dress appropriately, based on the job, the company and industry. American companies are not in love with suit and ties. However, in doubt, overdress. You can hardly go wrong with a white or sky blue shirt and dark gray or black suit. However, if the position is for a technician, a suit will look out of place. For women, modesty is the best policy. You can hardly go wrong with a trouser suit. Don't showcase your natural endowments. Of the male members on the panel that enjoy the free show, not all will reward you in the score sheet. Of course the females will take you to the cleaners for embarrassing them.
Thou shall plan to arrive at least 10 minutes early for the interview, especially if the time slot is for you. You will need time to settle down, confirm all your documentation is in order, and settle down to be in the frame of mind for the interview. If you are running late, call the contact person in your invitation letter.
Thou shall greet everyone you meet with courtesy and respect. You never know who you will meet when you are called in.
Thou shall put your mobile phone on silent or switched off before you go in. In the event that you forgot, quickly apologise and switch off. Don't even consider taking the call, no matter how brief. If your wife is going into labour during the interview, take permission from the panel to leave your mobile phone on. Many have said goodbye to their dream jobs by answering their calls in the interview room.
Thou shall bring extra copies of your CV to the interview venue
Thou shall sell yourself to the interviewer at every given opportunity. Don't depend solely on our CV to sell you.
Thou shall wait until you are offered a chair before sitting. And do remember body language and posture: sit upright and look alert and interested at all times. Don't fidget or slouch.
Thou shall stress your achievements. Blow your trumpet. This is a good place to do it. No one will blow it for you. Don't offer any negative information about yourself.
Thou shall show off the research you have done on the company and industry when responding to questions. This shows that you are really interested in the company, and not what it can offer you.
Thou shall make good eye contact with your interviewer(s), but don't stare. Too much of a good thing is not good. Show the person speaking to you that you are paying attention by looking at the person, but look away once a while (for some seconds) so that it does not become uncomfortable for both of you, and the restore eye contact.
Thou shall ask intelligent questions about the job, company, or industry. Not asking any question may come across as lack of interest. However, not asking a question is better than asking one that gets you into trouble. The way to go is to prepare your question before the interview.
Thou shall show enthusiasm in the position and the company. If you do not care about the job or the company, don't apply. If it is your current unemployed status that makes you apply for any vacancy that comes your way, still show respect by showing interest in the company..
Thou shall avoid using poor language, slang, and pause words (such as "like," "uh," and "um")
The Don'ts
Thou shall not be timid and soft-spoken. A forceful voice projects confidence. Seek confidently even when you are saying the wrong thing, but don't be overly aggressive.
Thou shall not act as though you would take any job or are desperate for employment.
Thou shall not dabble into controversial topics. Stick to the subject at hand is it relates to the job you are being interviewed for. If the interviewer invites you to an argument, politely decline by guiding the discussion back to the interview, grabbing every opportunity to sell yourself.
Thou shall not say anything negative about former colleagues, supervisors, or employers. Painting them black, even if they really are, reflects badly on you.
Thou shall not tell jokes during the interview. Job interview is a serious affair. Relax, but don’t overdo it.
Thou shall not tell lies during a job interview. Answer questions truthfully, frankly and succinctly. And don't over-answer questions. Lies have a way of finding you out either during the interview, or after.
Thou shall not answer questions with a simple "yes" or "no." Explain whenever possible. Describe those things about yourself that showcase your talents, skills, and determination. Give examples.
Thou shall not inquire about salary, bonuses or other benefits until after you've received an offer. Be prepared for a question about your salary requirements, but do try and delay salary discussions until you have an offer. We know that salary is one of the major drivers, you did not come to Lagos to admire flyovers, however, cloak your desperation with dignity. Don't come across as a mercenary. Put yourself in the shoes of the employer, you will not hire someone who is only interested in the money, and not the job per se.
Thou shall not chew gum during the interview.
Thou shall not bring up or discuss personal issues or family problems to elicit sympathy or for whatever reasons. Emotional blackmail will not help your case, rather it may even harm it.
Thou shall not smell of cigarette smoke, if you are a smoker. Do cigarette fast until after the interview.
Thou shall not respond to an unexpected question with an extended pause or by saying something like, "that's a good one." And do repeat the question out loud or ask for the question to be repeated to give you a little more time to think about an answer. Also, a short pause before responding is in order.
Thou shall not act as though you would take any job or are desperate for employment.
Thou shall not dabble into controversial topics. Stick to the subject at hand is it relates to the job you are being interviewed for. If the interviewer invites you to an argument, politely decline by guiding the discussion back to the interview, grabbing every opportunity to sell yourself.
Thou shall not say anything negative about former colleagues, supervisors, or employers. Painting them black, even if they really are, reflects badly on you.
Thou shall not tell jokes during the interview. Job interview is a serious affair. Relax, but don’t overdo it.
Thou shall not tell lies during a job interview. Answer questions truthfully, frankly and succinctly. And don't over-answer questions. Lies have a way of finding you out either during the interview, or after.
Thou shall not answer questions with a simple "yes" or "no." Explain whenever possible. Describe those things about yourself that showcase your talents, skills, and determination. Give examples.
Thou shall not inquire about salary, bonuses or other benefits until after you've received an offer. Be prepared for a question about your salary requirements, but do try and delay salary discussions until you have an offer. We know that salary is one of the major drivers, you did not come to Lagos to admire flyovers, however, cloak your desperation with dignity. Don't come across as a mercenary. Put yourself in the shoes of the employer, you will not hire someone who is only interested in the money, and not the job per se.
Thou shall not chew gum during the interview.
Thou shall not bring up or discuss personal issues or family problems to elicit sympathy or for whatever reasons. Emotional blackmail will not help your case, rather it may even harm it.
Thou shall not smell of cigarette smoke, if you are a smoker. Do cigarette fast until after the interview.
Thou shall not respond to an unexpected question with an extended pause or by saying something like, "that's a good one." And do repeat the question out loud or ask for the question to be repeated to give you a little more time to think about an answer. Also, a short pause before responding is in order.
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