You have been invited for an interview with the Human Resources department of a large company. You are in no position to negotiate the salary or the job description; however, you are able to negotiate the type of questions you will be asked during the interview. This article will advise you of what you should write about during your job interview to best represent yourself as a capable candidate.
Your Skills And Experience
In the first instance, you should discuss your relevant skills and experience. You don’t need to be overly elaborate, but you should cover all the essentials. Be specific and don’t leave any stone unturned. The more detailed your profile, the more opportunities you will present. Ensure that you have attached the right documentation to support your claims. The following is a sample interview questions and answers:
What are your qualifications?
You should start by discussing your relevant education and training. This will demonstrate your competence as a skilled worker. You can also include details about any relevant licences or accreditations that you possess. This will also make your interviewer confident that you have the necessary knowledge and skills to carry out the tasks you have been assigned.
What are your strengths?
Your strengths are the aspects of your personality and the way you interact with others that make you a fit for the job. Your interviewer will identify your strengths and will probably ask you to discuss them in some detail. They may also ask you to identify your weaknesses. The qualities you possess that are relevant to the role will determine your strength. Being able to recognize your weaknesses will also help you identify what to focus on during your development at work. This is known as your personal development plan (PDP). Your PDP will be a form of self-evaluation that your employer will use to determine your progress. Your PDP should consist of specific, measurable targets that you will need to achieve in order to be considered competent for the role.
What are your goals?
Your goals are the ambitions you have set yourself towards reaching full competence in the role. They should be measurable and realistic. Your interviewer will probably ask you to discuss your goals and how you intend to go about achieving them. They may also ask you to identify any previous experience that you have had that is relevant to the role. Your interviewer will be looking for clues about your motivation and the determination you possess.
Your Current and Previous Workplaces
Your previous workplaces are places where you have worked before and gained experience that is relevant to the role you are applying for. Your current workplace is the place you are currently working and engaging with your colleagues. Your current workplace is important as it will provide your interviewer with a clear picture of your attitude and how you perform in a professional setting. Your current workplace should provide you with the opportunity to develop your skills and prove yourself to be an asset to the company. Ensure that you have outlined your responsibilities and how you have performed in the past. Details such as the number of times you have spoken the local language and the date you started working should also be included. Use the space to your advantage. Your current and previous workplaces should be relevant to the role you are applying for. If you are uncertain as to what to write about, then ask for help from your Human Resources department.
Your References
Your references are the individuals who can speak on your behalf regarding your previous work. Your references will be asked to provide information about your professional conduct and ability to carry out the tasks you have been assigned. Your references will also be asked to comment on your skills and the potential you possess.
Ensure that your references are well-informed about your profile. Your employer will want to ensure that they are providing you with the appropriate information. Your references will provide you with a more objective opinion than the interviewer’s. Ensure that you have an up-to-date contact details including email address and phone number. Your references may also be asked to provide additional documentation about you. This could include a scanned copy of your passport, visa or driving license. Ensure that you have attached the right documentation to your application.
Your Financial And Budgeting Details
Your financial and budgeting details are important. Your interviewer will want to know how you intend to handle and manage any budgeting or financial constraints that may be relevant to the role. Your interviewer may also ask you to discuss any other restrictions or factors that might be relevant to the job. This could include specifying your expected working hours or whether or not you require any specific expenses.
Budgeting and financial constraints can be a major factor in your decision-making process. Your interviewer will want to know how you will handle these restrictions and whether or not you think you will be able to meet your personal obligations. Be professional yet detailed. Include all the relevant details and be open to discussion.
Your Career Plans
Your career plans are the goals you have set yourself towards reaching senior management. This is the ultimate objective of your PDP. Your interviewer will want to know what steps you have taken to date to reach this goal. You should be able to discuss your plans in detail and provide evidence to support them. Your career plans should be based on your strengths and should be realistic. Realistic but ambitious goals will give you the best chance of being considered for the job.
Your Aims For The Future
Your aims for the future are the goals you have set yourself regarding your continued professional development. Your interviewer will want to know what you intend to do to further your career in Human Resources. Your future goals should be based on your strengths and should be measurable and realistic. Ensure that you have included examples of how you intend to achieve these goals.
Your Personality
Your personality is your unique set of personal qualities that determines how you interact with others. Be honest yet tactful. Your interviewer will not necessarily agree with everything you say, but they will respect your opinion. Be realistic yet optimistic. Your interviewer will want to know your approach to the job and how you will fit into the team dynamic.
The more you know about your interviewer, the more you will be able to tailor your interview strategy. If you are unsure of how to start your interview, then ask for help from your Human Resources department. They will be able to provide you with the appropriate format and structure for your interview.
Writing a successful job application is a challenging task, especially when you are applying for multiple positions. You want to make sure that you have covered all the basics and done your research thoroughly. Make sure that your documentation is up to date and has been thoroughly proofread. If you follow these simple guidelines, you are sure to get maximum results from your job application.