My interview experience
Dress code
First interview
My first interview was horrible!
I had applied to a firm in which I was hoping to complete
my training contract after post-graduate studies.
The first question the interviewer asked me as
I was entering the room was something like "How are the
academics going?". I said they were not good. One may say that I shouldn't
have said that, but I was trying to be as honest and as authentic as I could
be. I can’t imagine being caught in a lie during the interview, or even worse –
after the interview, while completing my training!
I was then asked a set of questions, including
questions centered around my personality and my character. I was given a number
of scenarios and had to respond by saying what it is I would do in the given
scenario. I remember the one question I was asked: "If your friends/
colleagues wanted to go out with you to have some drinks,
would you tag along?" - something along those lines. Again, since I
was trying to be as authentic as I could be, I said I wouldn't tag along
because I don't drink, and that there are people I know but don't go out with
because I don't drink. I claimed that they know and understand me, and thus I
gave the implication that they don't get offended by me. I think that was a bad
answer to the interviewer, because I can imagine that they wanted someone who
would be able to relate to others. I felt that I probably didn't fit
in the culture of that organization.
I received a response a few days later that I wasn't
afforded the chance to complete my training at that firm. I then thought to
email back to ask where I may have gone wrong and how I could improve. I was
directed to the university's Student
Development Office, where I was made aware that there were some soft
skills, character traits and capabilities I was lacking. I then enrolled into
some programmes offered at the university. I talk about the experience I
had at the programmes and the skills I obtained in blogpost 7.
Second
interview
My second job interview went a little
better, although there were questions I was supposed to know the answers to but
didn't pay attention to during my preparation for the interview. For instance: “Who
is the founder of the firm?”. It seems pretty bad to not know the answer to
that question, hey? Worst of all, it was asked at the beginning of the
interview! I still managed to continue with the interview with confidence,
without feeling intimidated by the three senior men that were interviewing me. I
didn’t get a final confirmation on whether the application was successful,
though.
Third
interview
The third interview went quite fast - it was on a
Friday afternoon. One of the questions I was asked, which I didn’t expect or
prepare for, was: “What are your strengths and weaknesses?”. I thought of being
quite frank and honest. I mentioned them. One weakness that had to be dealt with
was my sensitivity. What a privilege it was for the interviewer to inform me
about how this weakness needs to be dealt with in the profession I was applying
for. With acknowledgement of the insight the interviewer had shared, I was
confident that I’d be able to deal with such a weakness. Surprisingly, I got
accepted, but I rejected the offer because at the time I still wanted to
complete a year of post-graduate studies. I did not want to study part-time.
Fourth
interview
This is my most recent interview, which was done during
the month of August - 2016. It went fairly well. In this interview, the
interviewer wanted to know who I am, what I’m about, where I’m from, my family,
my future plans. I also had to write a 1-hour test, which was done mainly for
them to see how much knowledge and experience I have. The interview was a
success – I received a response for a second interview scheduled with the
senior managers.
Interview preparation
I did not really prepare for the first interview,
but used a few guidelines in preparation for the second, third and fourth interview.
Some of the guidelines I share are from the experience I had, and others I had
obtained at a 'Work-readiness Skills' programme hosted by Mr Thando Melane who
is an HR consultant, from Vuma Life Skills Training:
Research
about the firm
This is one of the most important things that
have to be done before going to the interview – to do some research on the
company that has scheduled an interview. Finding out about the companies helped
me to know what the companies are about, and most importantly how I would fit
there – what I would be doing in the company, what opportunities I may have in
terms of experience and exposure, what I may be able to bring to the company.
Preparation for interview questions
We don't necessarily know all the questions that
will be asked in an interview, but fortunately for the articles I had been
applying for, I had an idea of the questions that were going to be asked.
There were firms that visited us as B.com accounting students during our final
year, and one had shared hints on the type of questions we may be asked when
applying for articles.
From the interviews I had gone to, especially the
most recent one, the four most important questions I figured that we have to
prepare for are the following:
1.
Tell us about yourself – who are you?
2.
Why are you applying to this company in particular?
3.
Why should we hire YOU? What will you bring to the
company?
4.
Where do you see yourself in the short-term and
long-term? What do you see yourself doing?
I recall at the programme that we were told to
look pesentable. Since the programme was addressed
to B.com Accounting
students, this section was centered around formal wear for business.
Quite a lot of attention was given to how ladies
should dress, because gents can't really go wrong with formal wear - at least
not as much as us ladies: there's cleavage, short dresses and skirts, etc.
On my first interview, I had a very old-school
look. I blame that on my mom. She chose the black formal pants for me -
practically from the 1990's if not earlier. I had some sort of blouse on and
some form of black platform wedges. I did not even bother taking a picture. I
did take a picture after my second interview, though: picture on your
right. I promise you, it's much better than what I had on for my first
interview. From then on, I had improved. The interviewer of the fourth
interview even gave me a very pleasant complimented on my outfit before the
interview. :P.
Greeting
We were also informed to give a firm
handshake when greeting the interviewer/(s), and to look them in the eyes while
doing so, even throughout the interview.
At the
interview
I could not predict how the interviews would go,
so I knew I had to let things be: I simply responded to what I was asked and
did not say things that were not necessarily asked for. I realised how
important it is to stick to what is being asked. Whatever happens, it boils
down to this: it’s either I’m fit to be in that company or not.
Concluding the interview
At the programme, we were also informed to
thank the interviewers for their time once the interview is done. It is also
very important to make sure that we have questions for the interviewer, otherwise
it will be evident that we are not particularly interested or eager to work in
that company. Typical questions that can be asked at the interview are:
1.
What type of clients does the company deal with? In
which industries do the clients operate in?
2.
How many years of experience does the permanent staff
have – what is the range?
3.
Does the company plan ‘get-togethers’ with staff, where
staff are afforded the opportunity to fellowship and get to know each other?
Of course there are a lot more questions that can
be asked, and the questions asked are always dependent on the type of company
applied to and / or job applied for.
Thank you so much for your time and
consideration. I certainly hope this insight is helpful. Be sure to share your
views, even experiences, or further advice on this topic.
Until next month J
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