How To Dress for a Job Interview

The following list should give you a good idea of how to dress for a job interview :

Suit: A conservative, two-piece dark Grey or a dark blue business suit would be the ideal suit to wear on the day of your job interview.

Shirt: A white, long-sleeved dress shirt that is neatly pressed and has a good fit is recommendable.

Tie: Go for a plain colored, non-distracting, conservative dark blue or dark red necktie made of 100% pure silk.

Tie accessories: A classic silver tie bar ensures that your tie is held in place during the interview. Without one, you often end up adjusting your tie several times during the interview, which will make you look nervous.

Shoes: Clean and polished conservative dress shoes, black lace-ups if possible, would be your best choice.

Socks: Dark socks, black if possible, would be ideally suited.

Belt: The belt should match the color of your shoes, so go with a black one if possible

Hair: Make sure that you get a well-groomed hairstyle before the interview. Be aware that short always fares best in interviews.

Beard: A beard needs to be shaved off.

Mustache: Mustaches are a possible negative, but if you must, then at least make sure it is neat and trimmed.

Fingernails: Ensure that they are clean and trimmed.

Rings: Wedding or college rings are generally acceptable but other rings are not.

Earrings & piercings: Both earrings and visible body piercings should be taken out on the day of the interview.

Body odor & fresh breath: Make sure that you do not smell badly and chew some gum before the interview, yet never during the interview.

Perfume & cologne: Keep perfume and cologne to a minimum.

Briefcase: Take along a briefcase with a notepad and a pen for any notes you may have to take during or after the interview.

Realizing that this list is quite exhaustive, I still think that you should try to make effort to ensure your job interview attire resembles the one above. Remember, it is almost always better to be higher than the standard than lower. In the end, you are interviewing for your future so every additional effort that sets you apart from your competitors will benefit you eventually.

TIPS ON SUCCESSFUL TEST TAKING

WHY TAKE AN APTITUDE TEST

When you apply for a job, your prospective employer needs to assess whether you can do that job. If a skill or job experience is required, it is relatively easy to measure your knowledge in the field. However,in the case of entry-level jobs, where the employer will TRAIN you to do the job at some future time, the employer cannot ask you questions about your job knowledge.
APTITUDE tests are given to see if you can be trained to do this job. It is merely an assessment of your fit to a particular job-training program. It is not an assessment of your total life experiences or skills. The employer is merely trying to determine a fit between you and a specific job group. Keep in mind that if you feel the test is an excessive strain or peculiar in logic, the job may also strain you in a similar way.

WHY READ THIS INFORMATION

Some of you may have been away from the classroom environment for awhile and may feel a little rusty when asked to take a paper-and-pencil test. Some of you may get anxious at the thought of taking a test.This booklet is designed to make you more comfortable with the standardized testing format and strategies for taking a test. There are also several additional references listed at the end of this booklet which may be helpful.

HOW TO TAKE A TEST

1. Concentrate and try your best.

It is perfectly normal to feel a little nervous. Focus your concentration and energy on the test.

2. Budget your time.

Work at a steady pace where you do not sacrifice accuracy. Skip the time-consuming or hard questions.You can go back to them at the end. Keep an eye on the time to pace yourself. The goal is to answer as many questions as time allows. If you have extra time at the end, take advantage of it: check your answers, erase stray marks, make sure your handwriting is legible, and for multiple choice questions,make sure the circles are filled in completely.

3. Listen to the proctor.

The proctor is reading instructions to you that will help you on your test. Listen carefully. If you don’t understand the instructions or the sample items being reviewed, ask questions. This is your opportunity to ask. Do you understand what is expected of you in each section? Be aware that directions may change for each part. Do you know how to mark your answers? Did you write your name and social security number? There may be multiple sections in this test. Are you recording your answers in the correct section and for the appropriate items, i.e., question 1. With answer 1., etc.? Start and stop as instructed; otherwise, you will be disqualified.

4. Read the test questions carefully.

You can avoid careless mistakes by reading each question carefully. Choose the best or most correct answer. Even if one answer seems obvious, take a look at the other answers to be sure that your first choice is the best one.

H R QUESTION

HR Interview is very important in getting a job, this page will guide you in getting sure success.
HR Interview Advice - Interview the InterviewerOkay, so you have managed to hold your nerves in control and brave the questions of the HR. You are now at the end of your interview session. What next? The answer is, there are a few more steps to go.

Interview Questions and AnswersHere are some very popular interview questions and some possible ways to answer them. Please remember that there cannot be just one answer to them. Your answers depend a lot on your particular circumstances. For instance, if the interviewer asks you to describe a challenging issue you had to face, your answer would depend on your particular background and experience. Therefore we have attempted to give you strategies to answer such questions, rather than specific answers.

Common Interview Questions an Their Answers.

The first step for successful interviews is to remember how you feel. Yes, it is your nth interview and yet you are as nervous as if it were your first time. Remember, there is nothing wrong with this. Everyone, well almost everyone, feels nervous on interviews. Simply allow this state to be- do not fight it. You will have far more presence of mind if you don’t fight your nervousness. Also try to remember that it is difficult for the interviewer too.

What would you rate as your greatest weaknesses?

This is a tricky question. Be mindful of what you say. If you admit to a genuine weakness, you will be respected for your honesty, but your resume will end up in the dustbin after the interview!

Don’t you think you are overqualified for this job?

Here the interviewer may be worried that you will leave the job once you find something that matches your qualification level. This may sound like an objection, but it doesn’t mean that the employer has no interest in you. The employer is trying to gauge how you see the situation- whether you can see advantages to both sides. You obviously have to also show how you stand benefited- otherwise it will appear that this job is only a stop-gap arrangement for you till you find something better.

How would you honestly evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of your previous/current company/boss/team?

This question is nothing but a trap. The interviewer is the least interested in the company/boss/team. They are simply checking how you deal with a situation like this. You might be really tempted to unburden your soul- but don’t. Do not stonewall from the question, but emphasize the good points.

Situation: Your competitor presses you to reveal some confidential information about your current or previous employer.

This looks like a no-win situation- traps both ways. You tell them all, and they judge you as untrustworthy. You refuse to reveal the information they are seeking, the interviewer might be displeased with you. They might think that you are stubborn or suspicious.

I think you should be earning more money at this point of your career. Why isn’t it happening?

Beware of giving a defensive answer that suggests that money is not very important to you- the company might use it as a trap while negotiating your salary. However your answer should explain why you are earning something below the industry standards.

If you came on board with us, what changes would you make in the system?

This seemingly innocent question has many landmines hidden in it. You might be very close to being hired, but a wrong approach this one question can sabotage everything. You may be very bright, but no one can really understand what needs to be done unless they settle in the position and understand the strengths and weaknesses from within. So beware of jumping at this question if you don’t want to come across as someone who shoots from the hips.

I find that you have changed jobs many times so far. Why is it so?

The concerns behind this question are quite obvious. The interviewer is worried that you may leave the job too soon, the way you have done with others. This might also indicate that you are a well qualified but problematic person who can’t get along with other people.

You have been working with this current firm for a long time. Don’t you think it would be difficult now to switch over to a new company?

The interviewer is worried that you would find it difficult to adapt to new ways of working. The best way to tackle this is to show how you have had many changing scenarios within your current firm and how you have adapted to them and grown with them. You can demonstrate the different responsibilities you have held and the changing situations you have conquered. This way you have learnt to adapt quickly to whatever comes your way and even thrive on the challenge.

How many hours a day/a week do you work?

Avoid being too specific on this answer. If you give a low figure, the company will view it as inadequate. If you commit to too many hours, you will feel guilty for not being able to keep up.

We would like to hear about your goals.
It reflects poorly on you not to have any goals or have only generalities. Remember that those people who are in a position to hire you have reached there most probably because of their goal setting habits. They would want to hire people who are like them. Thus being non specific about your career/ personal goals could act as a big turn off.


When you look back on the position you held last, do you think you have done your best in it?

If you say that you did, it could mean that your best is already behind you. If you say ‘no’, the interviewer takes it to mean that you don’t give your all to the work at hand. You should therefore indicate that you always put in your best efforts. Also show that this time of your career (it includes both your previous work and the current moment) is your peak phase for several reasons. Support your statement with instances and reasons from recent developments in your career.