Job Interview Tips

An interview gives you the opportunity to showcase your qualifications to an employer, so it pays to be well prepared. The following information provides some helpful hints.
Preparation:
• Learn about the organization.
• Have a specific job or jobs in mind.
• Review your qualifications for the job.
• Be ready to briefly describe your experience, showing how it relates it the job.
• Be ready to answer broad questions, such as “Why should I hire you?” “Why do you want this job?” “What are your strengths and weaknesses?”
• Practice an interview with a friend or relative.
Personal appearance:
• Be well groomed.
• Dress appropriately.
• Do not chew gum or smoke.
The interview:
• Be early.
• Learn the name of your interviewer and greet him or her with a firm handshake.
• Use good manners with everyone you meet.
• Relax and answer each question concisely.
• Use proper English—avoid slang.
• Be cooperative and enthusiastic.
• Use body language to show interest—use eye contact and don’t slouch.
• Ask questions about the position and the organization, but avoid questions whose answers can easily be found on the company Web site.
• Also avoid asking questions about salary and benefits unless a job offer is made.
• Thank the interviewer when you leave and shake hands.
• Send a short thank you note following the interview.
Information to bring to an interview:
• Resume or application. Although not all employers require a resume, you should be able to furnish the interviewer information about your education, training, and previous employment.
• References. Employers typically require three references. Get permission before using anyone as a reference. Make sure that they will give you a good reference. Try to avoid using relatives as references.
• Transcripts. Employers may require an official copy of transcripts to verify grades, coursework, dates of attendance, and highest grade completed or degree awarded.

Ten Steps to Selecting a Course

Ten Steps to Selecting a Course

1 Establish your career goals and interests. Think about what you enjoy, what you are good at, what kind of personality you are, and the values you hold. Find out more about the nature, working conditions and future prospects of the jobs that interest you.

2 If you know what career interests you the most, find what kind of education and training you’ll need to work in that field and anything else that can help you narrow your focus.

3 Familiarise yourself with the different types of courses in a given field. Compare and contrast these courses. Decide on the type of course which suits you best. Spend time on your CAO handbook and UCAS.

4 Make sure you are academically prepared for college. Have you the subjects required for entry to the course that you are interest in? Have you checked how many points were required for entry to the course last year? Is the course Level 6, Level 7 or Level 8?

5 Choose college characteristics that are important to you, for example, location, class size, facilities, learning environment, student life.

6 Gather as much information as possible about the college. Talk to people who are currently studying there. If that is not possible, contact the college directly.

7 Make a short list of the colleges that possess the characteristics you’re looking for and that best meet your goals and needs.

8 Request additional information from the colleges on your list if the college prospectus does not provide you with sufficient information.

9Visited the college websites and other Internet resources for more information.

10 Be Honest / Reflective / and Committed