Soongsilians prepare an interview for getting a job. ST gives the tip of interview.........................................................................................................................................Ed.
Mr. Kim, a graduate of S u n g K y u n K w a n University, applied to several companies. He was to give a presentation about himself during an interview for one minute. He came up with an incredible idea that nobody had ever done. He sang part of the well-known Korean song ‘Jab-cho.’ Then he added these final words to his ‘speech’. “I am strong like weeds, so that I can survive in any circumstances.” This brilliant idea of using a song for a presentation brought him news of acceptance.
These days, interviews are getting more and more important. Without passing an interview, it is difficult to achieve a goal such as entering university, getting a job, or studying abroad. Now, are you thinking of doing as Mr. Kim did during an interview? If your answer is yes, then you will never make it. That was a very rare case. It is impossible to have good results without sufficient preparation for an oral test. Now, you may be wondering exactly what an interview is.
An interview is the most commonly used method of choosing employees or selecting students. Although oral tests have the disadvantage that they are judged subjectively, they are used quite a lot because of their efficiency. The goal of an interview is to recheck the job requirements from the results of a normal written examination or to learn about the examinee’s appearance, experience, personality and ability of presentation, and cognitive ability and attitude.
There are various kinds of interviews. Now, let’s review the most typical interview methods currently used.
First of all, there is a patterned interview. The interviewer prepares a list of questions based on job specifications and asks these to the interviewee in an orderly manner.
The second type is a non-directive interview. In this interview, the content of the questions is not formally composed. The interviewee can freely express his or her opinion in a dialogue with the interviewer, and the interviewer learns about the applicant.
Thirdly, an individual interview is most commonly used. The interviewer asks questions to each applicant and learns about them through their responses.
There is also a group oral test. Mostly, a group is made up of 6 to 12 people. Each member is equally given an opportunity to discuss freely about specific matters in a group and their ability is individually judged in the process of debate by the interviewer.
A stress interview, which originated in the USA, is a method used to judge and research how people react under strained circumstances. They selected secret agents in World War II in this way.
A panel interview is a test in which few interviewers join together and evaluate the applicants’ ability. This is used when choosing people for an administrative or professional position.
What is needed to prepare for an interview and how can it be successful? The interview begins in the waiting room. Mostly, an officer in charge of personnel administration explains the process of the interview here. The applicants have to keep this in mind, and have to be sure of themselves and ask for clarification when they find unclear questions. The interviewees need to organize the expected questions and keep the whole interviewing process in mind and relax when waiting for their turn.
It takes only six seconds to make your first impression. Being neat and tidy in dress are basics. A bright look and greeting confidently and politely are the keys for your success in the interview. You should knock on the door before entering the interview room, and shouldn’t take a seat without the interviewer’s permission. Not doing this will be considered rude.
Grasping the intention of the question is important. If it is impossible to catch what the interviewer wants to ask, then there can’t be any good answer. From the beginning to the end, the interviewee should try to listen carefully and understand the point of questions, especially those related to their company’s own culture or ideal person.
After the questions are given, the interviewees should organize their ideas calmly and give a definite answer to the interviewer. When answering, you should give the impression to the interviewers that you are qualified for the company. For this, you must give your opinion logically and persuasively and keep it clear and simple.
Also, it is good to show your strong passion and charm with witty humor. Applicants have to be confident and honest regardless of what is asked. However, you should avoid overdoing it. Also, applicants have to realize that their disadvantages can change into advantages. You don’t have to be daunted when the interviewer point out your English skills or your licenses. Because basic abilities are already evaluated in the process of selecting candidates by examining their personal histories, the questions have other intentions. If you mention your positive
points persuasively and satisfy their expectations about you, then your disadvantages will turn into advantages. Bad habits can be obstacles for oral tests.
In the interview room, interviewees should avoid saying unnecessary or unclear words. Also, scratching their hair or sighing is not good. Applicants have to be careful of actions such as jiggling their legs or rolling their eyes.
Interviewees have to do their best right to the end. When the interviewer allows you to leave, you should thank him or her politely before you leave the room. At this point, you should maintain eye contact and not appear nervous. You should remember to show the same attitude that you showed when you first came into the room.
Recently, there have been more and more extraordinary interview questions appearing in this complicated society. Many of them are the solution type of questions like how you would react in a specific situation. For instance, the way to sell an air conditioner to an Eskimo or the way to sell a stove in Africa are good examples. They are very difficult to answer because the interviewees have to give their conclusion after considering their companies’ enterprise culture. For this, consistent preparation for the interview and a calm attitude are essential for all questions. Soongsilians! Do not be nervous or shy. Be confident since it is a time to turn your chance into a golden opportunity.
