Job-Seeking Skills Resources: Job Interview Skills

Stages of a Job Interview

Certain organizations, such as the Hong Kong Government, major banks or corporations, require you to take a written test before further shortlisting candidates for interview. You might be asked to produce writing for a certain situation in English or Chinese. You might also be given analytical or mathematical questions to answer.

You might be interviewed for one round or more. Job interviews are versatile in the kinds of questions that will be asked. In some interviews, you might be asked to present individually on a given topic upon short notice. In others, you might be called on to participate in a group discussion with other candidates. The standard job interview, however, usually consists of a panel of interviewers, ranging from one to three, and you, the candidate.

Generally, the interview is divided into 4 stages:

1. Warm up
2. Interviewer(s) asking questions
3. Interviewer(s) offering information
4. Interviewer(s) closing the interview

Warming Up

Interviewers might make general comments or ask factual questions to ease the tension of the first few minutes of the interview to warm up both parties. Topics usually center around the weather, traffic conditions, or hot topics of discussion in town. Other common topics include the candidate’s biographical information, for example, hobbies, interests, or schools. This stage usually lasts for 3 – 4 minutes.

Some common questions are listed below.

• Did you have trouble finding us?
• You mentioned that you are interested in stamp collecting. Did you go to the exhibition last week?
• You are a graduate of HKUST. Why did you decide to study there?

The questions asked during the warming up process are quite standard and should be relatively easy to answer. You can socialize with the interviewer during this process to demonstrate your interpersonal skills and you are prepared.

Interviewer Gathering Information about the Candidate

After the warm up, interviewers will begin to gather relevant information from you to evaluate your suitability for the position. Your answers will determine whether you will be asked for a second interview, or even be offered a job. The questions will center around your skills, experience, knowledge, attitude and motivation. This stage usually lasts 15 – 20 minutes.

Click here for some common questions.

Interviewer Offering Information about the Company

After gathering enough information from you, interviewers will provide information about the company or position to “market” the organization to you. They may also take this last opportunity to check less important information from you, for example, when you will be available to start work. They will leave some time for you to ask questions to maintain goodwill. This stage usually lasts 5 minutes.

Some common questions are listed below.

• If we offer you the job, when will you be available?
• Do you have any questions for us?

You should prepare intelligent questions to ask during this stage. The questions you ask should show your interest in the job, not the benefits the company might provide you. Questions about job duties or questions to show your knowledge of the company would be good ones to ask. Click here for more advice.

Closing the Interview

Before the end of the interview, interviewers will let you know how you will be contacted for another interview or notified of the result. Some interviewers might arrange another interview with you or even make you an offer immediately if your interview is successful. This stage usually lasts 1 – 2 minutes.

One common response is given below.

We will notify you in 2 weeks if we offer you the job.

Interview Techniques

When attending a job interview, you want to impress your prospective employers by projecting a professional image of yourself. Much of this is achieved by anticipating questions that will be asked and preparing appropriate answers. The following tips might be useful to you in preparing for an interview.

Listening to and Answering Questions

You need to concentrate and listen very carefully to the questions. Make sure you understand the question before offering any answer. Allow the interviewer to finish asking the question before offering an answer.

If you miss the question or are not sure about it, rephrase the key words and ask the interviewer to clarify. Do not attempt to answer without fully understanding the question.

If you have not anticipated a question and do not have an answer for it, pause and think before offering one. It is better to think carefully for an appropriate answer than to offer an answer in a hurry. Make sure you do not spend too much time thinking.

You need to take the initiative in providing useful information for the interviewer in order to evaluate your suitability for the position. Do not give Yes/No answers only.

Give direct answers which are supported with relevant evidence from past experience. Keep your answers concise because interviewers do not have time to listen to long and rambling replies.

Although you should prepare your answers for interview questions beforehand, you should not recite them directly from your memory in front of the interviewer. You should answer in a natural and spontaneous way.

You should attempt to offer positive responses to every question in the interview. Even when your answer is negative, you should stress your present situation and discuss your future plans or inclinations. Offer clear and positive explanations of why some of your accomplishments are less than satisfactory. Do not try to put blame on others or offer an excuse for yourself. Be honest and sincere about your weakness or shortcoming, and turn it into something positive.

Language Use

If you cannot hear the question, do not ask the interviewer to repeat directly using

      “Pardon me” or
      “Excuse me, can you repeat the question again?”

They make the interviewer feel that you have not been paying attention. Use key words the interviewer has used and rephrase the question to ask for clarification. You can use, for example,
      “Do you mean…?” or
      “Do I understand correctly that you mean…?”

Be careful in using expressions such as

      “Sure”
      “Obviously”
      “Of course”
      “No problem”
      “As you know”

They make the interviewer feel you are conceited and arrogant. Offer answers that are factual and modest. You can rephrase your answer in other equally positive ways, for example,

      “I believe that…” or
      “I don’t see a major problem in…”

Be careful in using expressions such as

      “To be frank” or
      “To be honest”.

They imply that you have not been honest in answering previous questions. You should only use these expressions when you want to turn something negative into something potentially positive, for example, negotiating salary and terms of employment or discussing your weaknesses.

When you cannot avoid a negative answer, you should soften the tone of the reply first, then offer affirmation to reassure the interviewer of your ability and eagerness for the job. For example,

      “I do not have the answer to that question at this moment, but my past experience shows that I can learn fast. I believe I can acquire knowledge of that field on the job.”

End your answers promptly when you have offered all necessary details. Do not end by saying

      “That’s all.”

You can indicate the end of your reply by nodding your head lightly to assure your interviewer.

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