Helping Career Professional Succeed in the Job Interview

September 7, 2015May 26, 2021

Victim Care Officer Job Interview Questions

Prepare for a Victim Care Officer Job Interview

A victim care officer often earns around £22,000.

As a victim care officer, your role is to support people who have experienced/witnesses of crime and who may be involved in court proceedings.

Employers, therefore, are looking for people skills, excellent communication, and listening skills, and an ability to build rapport. Successful applicants will also have to undertake a DBS criminal check.

In addition to these personal skills, employers are looking for an applicant to have awareness of data protection, the experience of working with stakeholders and administration skills.

Below you will find 10 Victim Care Officer Job Interview Questions to help you prepare for your next job interview.

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10 Victim Care Officer Job Interview Questions

Victim Care Officer Job Interview Question 1. Tell about your experience and how this relates to a victim support role?

Applicants don’t necessarily have to possess direct victim care officer experience. What is required is to show an understanding of the role and to evidence that you possess the required skillset.
Ideally, the successful applicant would have volunteered in a similar role or worked in a supporting role such as social services.
Start the interview answer by explaining any previous positions and cross-referencing past duties to the job duties for the victim care officer position.
Talk about skills and evidence this with examples. IE focus on supporting a vulnerable person or using listening skills to break down barriers.
Finally state any relevant qualification, such as a CEIAG qualification or social worker degree.

Victim Care Officer Job Interview Question 2. Do you prefer working with people face to face or over the telephone?

This isn’t a trick question as victim care officers work either on the phone or face to face.
Ideally cover both bases by explaining how you value ‘helping others’ and that you are happy to work in various ways.
Explain your skillset here. Talk about your approach to initiating a relationship with a victim. Detail your approach and how you listen, ask open questions, and show encouragement.
Describe any successful past achievements where you have supported another vulnerable person.

Victim Care Officer Job Interview Question 3. What is the key skill required for a victim support officer?

Don’t just list a set of skills as most other applicants will do this.
Instead, talk about the job duties and the skills you possess (that meet the needs of that duty)
As an example, you may say ‘I use my empathy to reassure a victim that the events were not their fault.’
Or, ‘I use listening skills to assess the victim’s needs.’

Victim Care Officer Job Interview Question 4. How would you create a tailored solution for each client?

Explain that every victim’s needs and circumstances are different.
Show this by contrasting two situations ‘One client may be a carer and would prefer a telephone service. Another client may be a victim and a criminal and I would use my professionalism to offer a supportive service.’
also, cover the basics; data protection, confidentiality, and working with suitable stakeholders.

Victim Care Officer Job Interview Question 5. How would you react if a client became emotional?

The ’emotional’ question is common, as the situation happens regularly. As a professional, you must act as a professional while showing empathy.
If you have been in this situation an example interview answer works best here.
Give the reason why the victim was emotional, explain the support you offered, and the outcome of the situation.

Victim Care Officer Job Interview Question 6. What is your understanding of data protection and confidentiality?

Under the data protection question discuss GDPR, IT security, and handling paperwork.
Talk about ‘contracting’ with the victim during the first meeting and share your data protection awareness by giving examples; locking a computer before moving away from the desk, only carry sensitive paperwork in a locked case.

Victim Care Officer Job Interview Question 7. Give an example of when you have liaised closely with external agencies?

In this role, it is likely that you will work with the police, social services, solicitors, and victim care volunteer agencies.
For the example, cover passing over personal information while following data protection, collaborative working, and knowing what you can and cant share with the various stakeholders.

Victim Care Officer Job Interview Question 8. What is your understanding of equal opportunities and diversity?

This interview question is common in victim care officer job interviews, so an understanding of equal opportunities and diversity is required.
After giving a description of equal opportunities and diversity, reinforce your answer by giving an example.

Victim Care Officer Job Interview Question 9. How would you provide an objective viewpoint?

Explain your understanding of unconscious bias and how you consciously remain objective.
An example works well here. The victim may well be a criminal or have negative views against a certain group – this may be recent due to the event. Your role is not to make opinions about the victim but rather to support them.

Victim Care Officer Job Interview Question 10. Do you have any questions to ask me?

Good interview questions to ask interviewers at the end of the job interview include questions on the company growth or expansion, questions on personal development and training, and questions on company values, staff retention, and company achievements.

Many people are afraid of job interviews. The truth is if you prepare for your job interview, by predicting the job interview questions, you can easily prepare your job interview answers.

If your job interview answers highlight your unique selling point, are stated in the positive, and are said in a confident manner, then you can influence the job interview to increase job offer.

September 3, 2015May 25, 2021

School Attendance Officer Job Interview Questions

Commonly Asked Job Interview Questions for a School Attendance Officer.

A school attendance officer receives a salary of around £21000. The competition for these roles is high, with an average of 100 applicants applying for each advertised school attendance officer role.

As well as completing school attendance officer duties, many attendance officers work in the administrational department.

Applicants, as well as attending a structured job interview, will also have to undertake a DBS criminal check.

Below you will find 10 school attendance job interview questions to help you prepare for your next job interview.

10 School Attendance Officer Job Interview Questions

School Attendance Officer Job Interview Question 1. What is your experience working within a school environment?

Explain which types of schools you have worked in (primary school, high school, college, or 6th form and universities.
Discuss the role(s) and duties for each position – keep this brief at this stage of the job interview.
Focus, in detail, on any attendance officer roles/duties. And for positions that require a large number of administrational duties, discuss them here.

School Attendance Officer Job Interview Question 2. Have you ever used the SIMs attendance system?

Explain what type of data management systems you have used.
Give detail if you have been responsible for running data reports, inputting information or any other data-related tasks.
Specifically, talk about how you have recorded absences on school data management systems.

School Attendance Officer Job Interview Question 3. What is your approach when notifying parents about a pupil’s absence?

Start the answer to this question confidently, by stating how this was one of your main duties in a previous role.
Go on to describe the previous employer’s process which should include; receiving the absence from a teacher, checking for any errors in the absence notification before contacting the parents, checking the school system for any warning indicators, contacting the parent/guardian.
In addition, give a real-life example. in the example cover: making the call, the parent’s response, how you dealt professionally with the response, the outcome.

School Attendance Officer Job Interview Question 4. How would you ensure the correct attendance codes are entered in class registers on SIMS?

First, explain that there are a number of attendance codes for varying situations (give a few examples).
Talk about the reason for requiring the correct input – this can include data analysts.
Describe your process for double-checking your own work.

School Attendance Officer Job Interview Question 5. How would you explain the attendance procedures and expectations of the school to parents?

In most cases, the school will have a leaflet or an explanation on its website. This process can be used to reinforce any verbal explanations.
Talk about the reasons why you would have a talk with a parent. This may because of regular pupil absences or because it is the beginning of the school year.
Explain, that depending on the reason you would alter your communication style to suit the needs of the situation, while always remaining professional. As an example, for a regular absent pupil, a more assertive approach may be required.

School Attendance Officer Job Interview Question 6. What is your understanding of data protection?

Be sure to mention and know the GDPR rules.
Next, be more specific. Make the answer relevant to the job role. Discuss not leaving paperwork on a desk, keeping sensitive information locked away. Go into describing IT security and the importance of following IT protocols.
Here, you need to highlight your own understanding of data protection.

School Attendance Officer Job Interview Question 7. Give an example of when you have liaised closely and communicate clearly with members of staff and external agencies?

Start the interview answer by stating how this is a task you have performed many times.
Next, start the example by describing in detail the project you were collaborating on.
Describe your part/role within the team and what actions you were responsible for.
End the answer by discussing the outcome of the collaboration. This can include lessons learnt as we as the impact on the school.

School Attendance Officer Job Interview Question 8. What is your understanding of equal opportunities and diversity?

This interview question is common in educational job interviews, so an understanding of equal opportunities and diversity is required.
After giving a description of equal opportunities and diversity, reinforce your answer by giving an example.

School Attendance Officer Job Interview Question 9. How would you handle a pupil complaint about a member of staff?

All complaints should be reported, even if you don’t believe the complaint to be true.
One reason for this is to build trust in the school and with the pupil. The second is because people we trust can make bad decisions.
Explain how you would record the complaint accurately, asking for specifics. In the complaint was around a safeguarding issue, explain how you would ask for the schools safeguarding lead.
End the answer by explaining how you would report the incident to your line manager (unless the complaint was about them).

School Attendance Officer Job Interview Question 10. Do you have any questions to ask me?

What is the number of pupils attending the school?
How many staff members work within the school attendance team?
Why do you like working for this school?
What does an average day look like?
What is the main reason why pupils truant?

September 2, 2015November 30, 2020

Life Coach Job Profile

In the UK life coaching is not regulated which means anyone with the ambition, skills and experience can become a self employed life coach.

A life coach uses questions and techniques to help clients to take control of their current situation which can vary from goals, relationships, business, confidence, anxiety, public speaking and a work-life balance

If you enjoy working with and helping people then this can be an ideal job for you. Some coaches are employed but around 95% of life coaches are self employed with many coaches working part time

Set Up Your Own Coaching Business

Required Skills for a Life Coach

Excellent listening and questioning skills
the ability to build rapport with clients from different backgrounds
Open minded and non-judgmental
An ability to inspire and motivate individuals
Able to support clients to set and achieve goals
Confidence
Able to challenge clients

Life Coach Duties

Around 50% of your time is spent marketing your coaching business through online platforms (for self employed coaches).

A coach will first set out the agenda for the coaching session explaining the rules and procedures. To support the client the coach will ask the clients session objectives and what is stopping them from moving forward.

The coach will then coach the client to find solution, to set goals and to create motivation. This may include discussing limiting beliefs, values, beliefs, passed experiences and how to stay committed.

Life Coach Pay and Conditions

Self employed coaches charge between £50-£300 per session. Employed coaches earn around £22-£25,000 per year.

A coaching session will last on average for 45 minutes and many client will attend for 6-10 coaching session (1 session per week).

Coaches work face to face, by Skype and telephone. Many coaches will create a second income through a published book, public speaking or delivering training courses.

Life coaches are responsible for their own self development.

August 28, 2015November 30, 2020

Job Interview Questions TGI Friday for Students

Competition is hard when it comes for applying for “student jobs” on average employer receive around 300 applications for every advertised position. Companies such as TGI Fridays are looking more for work ethic, reliability and personal skills then they are for qualifications and experience.

Companies offering student and weekend work know that applicants wont have years of experience under there belt which is why the interview question are designed in a way to uncover your likes, motivations and work ethic

To pass the job interview you need to prepare and practice your job interview answers and this article will give you an insiders support – by teaching you the type of interview questions you will be asked at TGI Fridays job interview for student

TGI Fridays Job Interview Questions

TGI Job Interview Question 1. Why do you want to work for TGI Fridays?

TGI Job Interview Question 2. Tell me about your school/college and hobbies?

TGI Job Interview Question 3. Why would you love working in a busy restaurant?

TGI Job Interview Question 4. How would you encourage customers to return to TGI Fridays?

TGI Job Interview Question 5. What does TGI stand for?

TGI Job Interview Question 6. What did you like about TGIs last time you came?

TGI Job Interview Question 7. What would you bring to the TGI Fridays team?

TGI Job Interview Question 8. Have you ever been late for anything, why?

TGI Job Interview Question 9. How would you handle customer complaints?

TGI Job Interview Question 10. Do you have any questions to ask me?

August 28, 2015November 30, 2020

Travel Agent: A Lucrative and Thrilling Profession

Travel agent as a profession could be rewarding if you have the required skills and a keen interest in visiting places both known and unknown.

The job of a travel agent is not simple and demands tremendous patience and courteousness. Travelling is a love for most people and passion for some of them. A passionate traveler would love to spend his spare time in moving around, even if it is within his native place. It is a matter of great surprise that even your city of domicile could be a treasure house for tourists.

Humans by nature love travelling, and if this grows into a profession then the involvement reaches an unsurpassable level. Love for visiting new places and a keenness to know about peoples’ culture, lifestyle, and customs is the basic necessity to become a professional travel agent. However, more important than interest in people and places is a pleasing nature and easy approachability.

Travel agency is a service industry, and the basic characteristic of any such industry is that satisfaction is purely a mental state and solely dependent on human perception. To become a successful travel agent, it is essential to have a cordial character and a pleasing disposition.

Early signs of becoming a travel agent

Every child shows some early promise of a profession. It is not always that a child grows up with childhood traits, but develops newer preferences and mannerisms. However in the adolescent stage mannerisms, traits, and beliefs start taking definite shape. To make a career in travel agency you should ideally have:

An undivided interest fortravelling– To enjoy this profession, you must have an undivided attention for travelling.
A salesperson–You should be a natural sales person, if you want to become renowned as a travel agent.
Interpersonal relationship– For any service oriented industry, strong interpersonal relationship is of primary importance. No business or relationship could be nurtured without sufficient interpersonal skills. These skills help in gaining the confidence of others and also becoming dependable.
Curiosity- It is another important characteristic that underlines a sales person. Acurious mind assists in exploring hotel booking arrangements, special discount offers,tour packages, etc.
Thorough knowledge– Knowledge is the power to any business. Without sufficient knowledge about travel industry, travel destinations, andtravel deals it is not advisable to become a travel professional. Continuous updating offacts and knowledge of contemporary and past travel trends is an inseparable part of keeping yourself well-informed.
Service capability– Sales skills could help acompany or professionalin the first year of itsoperation. In subsequent years the contribution of repeat business tototal business gradually increases. Repeat businessis indicative of the sustainability factor of a business, while new businessindicates its growth capability.
Confidence-For becoming successful if is essential to stay self-motivated. Confidence and self- motivation are two characteristics that stay with you forever. These two traits form the success of a travel agent.

Travel industry is always a buoyant economic activity and always contributes handsomely to national income generation

Job Creation in Travel Industry

Travel Industry, has great potentiality in creating job opportunities and raising revenues. There are umpteen opportunities throughout a year to lure travelers to a particular destination. Tourism had now become focused with classification of ‘medical tourism’, ‘adventure tourism’, ‘religious tourism’, and ‘heritage tourism’. Each of these is designed keeping specific destination in mind. Innovation is a prime work in creating holiday packages with a definite clientele in mind.

About the author

Jenny Richards is a tour operator with offices in major destinations in India. She is an expert on tiger resorts India and undertakes tours to tiger reserves of the country.

August 25, 2015November 30, 2020

6 Questions to Ask the Interviewer in a Job Interview

The average job interview last around 45 minutes, during this period the interviewer will ask you around 10 sector related interview questions to determine if you the applicant have the required skills and experience deemed appropriate for the advertised position.

Most applicants fall into the common trap of simply answering a question before waiting for the next job interview question to be asked. The robotic way of acting in the job interview does you know favours, to influence the job interview you need ask the interviewer questions throughout the job interview

As you answer an interviewers question, finish by asking one of the 6 questions below creating a conversational job interview

Questions should not be randomly asked during the job interview instead wait for the perfect opportunity, asking questions that are relevant to the current topic, as this will create a good relationship between you and the job interviewer.

Questions to ask at the job interview 1. Company Growth

“as a specialist in X sector I was wondering if you have any future plans to develop into other niches?”

Questions to ask at the job interview 2. Check the Company Barriers

“What are the biggest challenges your employees face when working on X?

Questions to ask at the job interview 3. Development Opportunities

“Do you encourage internal promotions and personal development?”

Questions to ask at the job interview 4. Checking Staff Retention

“It is good to hear that as a company you are keen to develop your workforce, does this have a positive effect on staff retention?”

Questions to ask at the job interview 5. Employer Reflection

“If you could go back 12 months what would you do differently?”

Questions to ask at the job interview 6. Employing You

“If you recruited me, how would my skills and experience help you achieve your goals?”

August 14, 2015November 30, 2020

Different Types of Careers in the Finance Industry

The world of finance is much financed and there are so many opportunities to work in as finance professional. Finance professionals include areas of practice such as a conveyancing24-7, financial analysts, personal financial advisors, financial examiners and financial managers among others.

Although there are different practice areas, the roles of financial professionals remain more or less similar. They need to have a current knowledge of economic developments at all time including tracking and predicting changes in the economical state of affairs. This is why the presence of finance professional is essential for personal investment plans and business operations.

The following are some of the specific tasks that finance professionals do:

Analyzing market trends

The ability of any business to succeed depends on the consumer trends with regards to the particular products or services that the business provides.

These trends are often represented in form of numbers- how many people are buying it, how many people are not and how many people buy cheaper or competitor products among others. By analyzing these figures, the finance professional can offer powerful insight on how the business can match the market trends and maximize profits.

Monitor financial and complying with legal requirements

It is essential to keep track of the financial operations of the business in order to ensure that vendors are paid on time, employees get their full salaries as well as making sure that the business pays its taxes.

Paying taxes and issuing yearly financial reports are just some of the financial obligations of every business to the government and finance professionals ensure that the business meets these requirements.

Prepare financial statements

The financial statement of a business is a summary of its profits, losses and expenditure within a period of time. These financial statements can be used to determine eligibility for loans and the loan amount. They can also be used to see whether the business is improving, stagnating or declining in progress and the finance professional determine this by coming up with these financial statements. The financial statements also determine the tax brackets in which the business falls.

Research and recommend investments

Finance professionals scope out great investments for businesses and individuals. They can recommend the best investments to make in order to get specific returns in a specific time. They also know the most lucrative industries to buy into based on analyzing trends and industry numbers. They often advise investors, companies and individuals when to invest and how much to invest. They can also determine the level of risk of some investments and therefore manage this risk financially.

Improving financial efficiencies

Is the company spending too much money and not making profits at the same rate? The finance professional can help determine which areas to cut costs and which areas to spend more in order to generate more revenue for the business. They can also come up with efficient ways for the companies to pay salaries faster, manage credit lines and pay out vendors faster for better service.

Author BIO

Jeremy Collard is an accountant who has been working in a corporate business for the past six years. You can read more about conveyancing24-7 from his blog.

August 14, 2015November 30, 2020

How to Find a Job Opportunity in the Hidden International Job Market

Working abroad is a great way to kick-start an international career. It is not only an adventure, but also a unique way to gain knowledge of another culture. However, finding a job abroad is not a cakewalk. The right drill is to know the appropriate technique for hunting a job.

If you think relying on the traditional ‘application’ method would work in your job hunt abroad, you need to think again! The method of sending applications to the advertised employment market involves high competition, particularly for international job openings.

Most of the expat job seekers spend several hours in exploring the career opportunities in this market, but end up with disappointing results. Hence, the best way to explore career opportunities abroad is cracking the hidden job market, as most of these jobs are not even advertised. Most of the companies prefer to fill their vacant positions with advertising as it saves a lot of time and money. Moreover, they believe that people who are already working for their company are most suitable or prefer their references.

So, how you can get to know about it?

Top Ways to Find Hidden Jobs Abroad

1. Networking

Networking is one of the best ways to do so. However, you need to be smarter in your approach to connect with people. Follow the simple rules of networking:

Give before you get it
Make networking a regular thing and not only when you have to get a job reference
Networking is not everything about asking for favors, but building relationships
Make it easy for your career network to help you get a job by letting them know clearly about your job preferences in terms of industry, position or job role
End your conversation by asking your contact about whom you can talk to about a particular thing. This definitely leads to more introductions

By following these tips, you get to increase possibilities of hearing about more opportunities.

2. Attend various conferences

Conventions and trade shows are some of the ideal options to get into the hidden job market. Here you meet more people who can help you know more about unadvertised jobs, relevant contacts, and even about interview details. Keep yourself updated about any such events and try attending them.

3. Join and widen your professional networking group

Most of the times, fellow job seekers prove to be a perfect resource for learning about the new career opportunities. Joining professional networking groups allows you to share career information and job search tips. Joining regional career groups also assist in getting information about opportunities in a particular location.

4. Start contacting recruiters

Job seekers often hesitate to reach out to employers directly unless they see advertised positions. However, it is vital to contact potential employers through emails. Even if any employer has a hiring freeze, your chances of getting hired or contacted in the future remain high. You may also use online social networking sites like LinkedIn to introduce yourself to the various employers. Nowadays, many recruiters rely on such online portals to search the right talent.

5. Leverage the modern technology

Online job portals are one of the latest ways to search jobs quickly. The information about various employers in different locations can be easily gained just at a click. Moreover, you get regular emails from Google news alerts to stay up-to-date about any latest opportunities and prospective employers.

6. Know about opportunities with current employer

If you are working with a particular company, but willing to work abroad, it is not necessary that you have to leave your current job. Find out the other locations your company has operations in and look for any internal job posting. Remember, for filling new positions in other branches (also abroad), mostly companies prefer internal candidates. You have to be active in meeting the right people in your organization, research about the hidden opportunities and apply for them.

Numerous opportunities wait for you in the hidden job sector abroad. All you need to do is take up the right strategy.

Good luck!

Author:

Swati Srivastava is an avid writer with a keen interest on the extensive domain of job search and career counselling. Currently associated with Naukrigulf.com, her articles are published on several reputed job search portals and online career magazines.

August 4, 2015November 30, 2020

3 Interview Concerns Everyone Worries About

For most, a job interview is not a common occurrence. When we step into the unknown our subconscious checks for danger, looks for a frame of reference and then sends emotional signals to our body so we know how to react.

This process is completed within milliseconds.

This is why public speaking and job interviews rank high for worst fears. Your subconscious ask “how should I react” when you receive your interview invitation, to answer the question the brain finds a “frame of reference” this for most people is your most memorable “public speaking” experience – the negative experience in school when you were asked to read in front of the class, after getting the words wrong the whole classed laughed at you and made you feel upset.

The brain replicates these same negative emotions, associating them to the forthcoming job interview – no wonder we feel so nervous when it comes to a job interview. Other worries then build on this fear, creating in some cases phobia of job interviews and public speaking.

Concerns That Double Your Interview Fear – I’m not good enough

People believe they are living a lie.

We often feel we got to the position in our career because of good luck not our own skills or abilities. When applying for a new position in a new company we wrongly believe our lie will be found out.

We simply feel we are not good enough to be offered the new position, so why bother?

This limiting belief will increase your interview anxiety killing any hopes of a job offer. To combat this growing fear, you need to consciously think about your success and career highlights as this will subconsciously challenge your negative interview beliefs;

reread positive job evaluations
write a list of your career strengths and skills
compare your rise through the career ranks to others who haven’t been as successful
reflect on your work ethic and attitude
write a list of strengths that your colleagues would say you possessed

Concerns That Double Your Interview Fear – what if I don’t know what to do?

Interview fears

Interviewees, before even being offered the job role will try to second guess the job duties that they will undertake. This seems like a good idea, especially as a task like this can help your predict the job interview questions.

But the anxious interviewee takes this process one step to far and predicts job duties that they cant possible do, even though they haven’t been mentioned on the job specification.

This negative second guessing only increases anxiety. To combat this process think about previous roles where you have undertaken a new role, task and duty and where you have learnt and develop this new skill to become the expert that you are today.

Remember we all grow by learning new skills and we all get bored in a career that offers no variety at all. To learn you have to make mistakes, the trick is to frame each mistake as a learning curve not a negative experience.

Concerns That Double Your Interview Fear – what if they don’t like me

Imposter Syndrome

One of the common worries for interviewees is the thought that the interviewer wont like them.

When we focus on other peoples opinions and second guess their thoughts we only create worry and concern.

You have no way of knowing what the interviewer will think of you, and if your not a good match, you wont work well together, then isn’t it better to learn that in the interview rather then 6 months down the line?

When you focus on other peoples thoughts, you take the focus away from your task in hand – preparing for the job interview. When this thought passes through your head, ask yourself “what 3 things do I need to do to prepare for my interview?”

This question takes the focus consciously back to the job interview preparation

August 3, 2015November 30, 2020

4 Insights That Will Give You The Edge At Job Interviews

Out of the whole process of finding a job, which consists of several stages, people generally find interviews to be the most dreadful. However this shouldn’t be the case, with the right mind frame and attitude you will find that there is nothing to fear when it comes to job interviews.

I will be sharing 4 insights that will give you the competitive edge at job interviews.

Handing Curveball Interview Questions

So what are curveball questions? They are the type of questions that you can’t really prepare for.

What is your definition of a brand?
What has been the low light of your career?
What does the word ‘insight’ mean to you?

The main reason they ask you these types of questions is to put you on the spot. In most cases there is no real right or wrong answer. In fact they probably don’t know the answer themselves. They just want to see how you handle the pressure.

Solution

The best way to approach is to simply ‘avoid getting flustered’. Pause and think for a moment about the question, and there is nothing wrong in doing so. Take the question in the spirit that it’s meant to be taken and provide a reasonable answer.

In the worst case scenario where you don’t know the answer is to simply say ‘I don’t really know the answer to that question but I am intrigued to know what it is’.

By doing so you are being honest and transparent. Above all you are showing the attitude of having an interest in learning.

End of the day we are all human beings and no one knows the answer to every question.

Asking Questions

It’s important to bear in mind that interviews are a 50 – 50 situation. The picture is that you are looking for employment and they are looking for an employee.

Just like they ask you questions, you can, should and must ask questions from them too. Note: It’s not to say that you should be asking 50% of the questions!

Here are a Few Guidelines:

Ask them questions to get more clarity on the role that you will be doing and how important it is to the organisation
Enquire what the company’s values, principles and policies are.
Similarly to how they would ask you ‘where do you see yourself in 5 years time’ you may ask them what the organisation’s vision is for the next 5 years.

Another good approach is to find out how the company handled tough times. For instance what challenges they faced during the recession period and how they overcame it.

By asking questions you are portraying confidence and enthusiasm. Plus your awareness of the company only gets better. Furthermore they will be happy to answer your questions since they are proud of their organisation, its vision and how they overcame hardships.

Towards the end of your interview a very good question to ask is “What other concerns or reservations do you have about my ability to carry out this role?”

By asking this question you get a very clear idea of where you stand. You get a feel for what they thought about you. Plus if it happens to be that they have any concerns, you can answer them straight away

Expressing Your Opinion

After doing your research about the organisation you should have a good idea about their history, products / services / projects, target market, competitors etc. The reality is that everyone else who you will be competing against would have done the same. Having an opinion is what is going to give you the edge.

Once again there is no right or wrong opinion but what matters is that you go into that interview room with an opinion and what matters even more is that you have sufficient facts to back your opinion.

Here are a Few Guidelines:

It could be on anything really.
The way they provide their services
Their methods of advertising
Should they be using social media as a potential platform to find new business.
Is there something that can be learnt from their competitors.
Other areas in the market to target, add on sales or merchandise
Any constructive feedback, room for development and growth etc.

Expressing an opinion can be very effective and powerful. What you have said may not be taken aboard but the fact that you made an opinion is very significant. It is also a simple way in which you can get them thinking. “Hmmmm this person has got a point….” This method will certainly make you a cut above the rest, brings in that ‘x’ factor and shows that you are not another crab in the bucket.

Bringing your A-Game

Before you leave home for the interview, it is vital that you are in the right emotional state – confident, calm and charismatic. That feel good state that we all like to be in. We will have our own unique ways of doing this

Here are a Few Guidelines:

This could be:

Your morning routine
Meditation
Listening to your favourite music
Listening to motivational speeches
Doing some push ups. Etc

Identify what yours is and carry out that activity to reach that peak performance state. Effectively, when you walk into that interview room they will just know. You will be radiating that energy, enthusiasm and confidence.

Apply these insights for your next job interview; they are certainly going to give you the edge to be more competitive.

Good luck!

Author Bio

Chirathu Liyanage – Public speaker and Blogger with a passion for self development, aspiring to help people in life.