Enhancing Communication Skills for a Job Interview

Mr. Mark Joseph B. Layug

(source)
What is a job interview?
The job interview is the gateway
to land on a…
DESIRED JOB!
How important is effective communication
in the job interview?
Effective communication is the key toward
the ultimate goal of getting the job.
Effective communication builds relationship
between and among the applicant, the
employer and the company.
 Employers seek for three
significant qualifications among
their applicants.
ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENTS
LEADERSHIP SKILLS
COMMUNICATION SKILLS
An applicant with good communication skills
may sum up these three qualifications by
concretizing the following:

1. Personality
2. Intelligence
3. Integrity
 PERSONALITY

We define personality as the sum total of all our physical,

mental and emotional traits.

We express our personality through our speech. Our

spontaneous speech reveals our mental state, emotional
attitude, upbringing and level of education.

How may one become an interesting and attractive

personality in a job interview?
 PERSONALITY

1. Groom yourself appropriately.

2. Good grooming would be in vain without a
good sleep and a sumptuous meal.
3. Wear business attire.
4. Observe proper hygiene.
 PERSONALITY

5. Start making impressions on your

interviewer the moment you are seen.
6. Cheerfully greet and shake the hands of the
interviewer upon entry.
7. Show poise and confidence through good
posture.
8. Make the interviewer feel the magnetism
of your smile.
9. Communicate a feeling of pleasantness and
amiable attitude toward your interviewer.
10. Never appear boastful, arrogant, hostile,
brusque, lazy, timid, shy, aloof or rigid. Be very
candid!
 INTELLIGENCE

No matter how much self-confidence an interviewee

has, if he does not have some measure of intelligence,
his interview would definitely be a failure.
 INTELLIGENCE
1. Answer questions accordingly with good
judgment.
2. An intelligent interviewee adapts the
interviewer’s level of formality.
3. An intelligent interviewee communicates
ideas with ease, simplicity, clarity and
emotional sincerity.
 INTEGRITY

Integrity is essential in any workplace. Integrity

is one integral value in leadership which is
always sought by employers.
 INTEGRITY
1. Sincerity and moral integrity will endear the
interviewee to the interviewer or employer.
2. Integrity and virtue will make the
interviewee influential to the prospective
employer.
3. The interviewee must adhere to truth at all
times and must not be afraid to communicate
facts.
JOB INTERVIEW TIPS
 INTERVIEW TIPS

Research the job and the company.

 INTERVIEW TIPS

Practice makes perfect.

INTERVIEW TIPS

Try to stay calm.

 INTERVIEW TIPS

Take your time to answer

question.
 INTERVIEW TIPS

Share your accomplishments.

INTERVIEW TIPS

Make a match.
 INTERVIEW TIPS

Do not stray away from the

question.
 INTERVIEW TIPS

Be direct but complete when

answering.
 Interview Tips

Prepare your own questions.

Commonly Asked Interview
Questions
 1.

WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST STRENGTH?

When you are asked questions about
your strengths, it's important to
discuss attributes that will qualify
you for the job. The best way to
respond is to describe the skills and
experience that directly correlate
with the job you are applying for.
a. When I'm working on a project, I don't
want just to meet deadlines. Rather, I prefer
to complete the project well ahead of
schedule.
b. I have exceeded my sales goals every
quarter and I've earned a bonus each year
since I started with my current employer.
c. My time management skills are excellent
and I'm organized, efficient, and take pride
in excelling at my work.
D. I pride myself on my customer service
skills and my ability to resolve what could be
difficult situations.
d. My people skills are highly
developed and I have a good record of being able to bring out the best in others. I am confident in dealing with
people at all levels of responsibility and should the need arise I am comfortable with members of the public.
 2.

WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST WEAKNESS?

 Do not simply list your personality disorders.
Instead, think of your weaknesses and the things
which you have done to address them which has
resulted in your betterment.
Being organized wasn't my strongest point, but I implemented a
time management system that really helped my organization skills.
I had difficulty with calculus during college, but I persevered with tutoring
assistance and extra effort and completed 2 levels with a 2.5 average.
I like to make sure that my work is perfect, so I tend to perhaps spend a little too much time checking it. However, I've come to a
good balance by setting up a system to ensure everything is done correctly the first time.
I've learned to make my perfectionism work to my
advantage at work. I am excellent at meeting deadlines, and
with my attention to detail, I know my work is correct.
I used to wait until the last minute to set
appointments for the coming week, but I realized that
scheduling in advance makes much more sense.
 3.

HOW DO YOU HANDLE STRESS AND PRESSURE?

 Make it clear to the interviewer that stress does
not interfere with your work. Emphasize that
stress makes you a better performer and that it is
used for your own advantage.
I prioritize my responsibilities so
as to have a clear idea of what
needs to be done. This has
helped me to effectively manage
pressure on the job.
I react to situations, rather than to stress. That way the situation is handled and
doesn't become stressful.
I'm not a person who has a
difficult time with stress.
When I'm under pressure, I
focus, and get the job done.
I actually work better under
pressure and I've found that I
enjoy working in a challenging
environment.
 4.

HOW WILL YOU COMPENSATE FOR YOUR LACK

OF EXPERIENCE?
 Highlight your skills and achievements which
may create a sense of confidence. Mention
similar roles which you have taken during your
schooling or training.
I may be a newbie in this profession since I am a
fresh graduate; but I believe that my actual
training and exposure in hospitals during our ojt
has equipped me with sufficient knowledge
which I may use in my professional practice.
More so, I consider each day as a learning
experience. Anyhow, learning is always a
continuous process.
 5.

ARE YOU A TEAM PLAYER?

Answer a firm yes to this question and cite
some instances when you were able to
succeed on a project or task together with
your group.
I evaluate success in different ways. At work, it is meeting
the goals set by the company through the collaborative
effort my supervisors and my fellow workers.
Success for me is when I, and my team meet the
expectation of my superiors as well as my
clients.

I find satisfaction when a work is done while

working with people with diverse personalities.
When I was in college, my RLE group was always
the first to finish in all the given tasks and
projects. This is because, we, the members knew
how to delegate tasks based on our strengths
and capabilities. We also recognized the
weaknesses of our members and we were very
willing to support them.
 6.

Why do you want this job?

The best way to respond is to give
concrete examples of why your skills
and accomplishments make you the
best candidate for the job. Take a few
moments to compare the job
description with your abilities, as well as
mentioning what you have accomplished
in your other positions. Be positive and
reiterate your interest in the company
and the position.
My long-term goals involve growing with a company where I can continue to learn,
take on additional responsibilities, and contribute as much of value as I can.
I see myself as a top performing employee in a well-established company, like this one. I plan on
enhancing my skills and continuing my involvement in (related) professional associations.
The job will allow me to develop the skills I already have
and acquire new ones. I see this as an opportunity for me
to progress my career development.
The job is a logical step forward
for me and if I were to be appointed, you would not be
disappointed.
The challenge that the job presents, is something that I will enjoy tackling. I am at
my best when faced with problems that need to be solved quickly and
successfully. I am certain that I can make an impact and bring benefit to the
company and to myself.
 7.

HOW LONG WOULD YOU BE WILLING TO STAY IN

OUR COMPANY IN CASE YOU GET HIRED?
Do not give a specific time or duration for this
question.
 I would be very willing to work with the
company as long as I and the company feel
satisfactory.
 8.

HOW DO YOU SEE YOURSELF 5 YEARS FROM

NOW?
Prove to the interviewer that you are a visionary.
I can see myself as one among the best
performing employees of your company 5 years
from now. If quite fortunate, I might be one
among the employees who will be holding top
positions in your institution.
 9.

Tell me about yourself.

Keep in mind the importance of
keeping your answer short the
employer wants to know a little bit
about you to begin with — not your
life story.
“I can summarize who I am in three words.” This grabs their attention immediately. It demonstrates your ability to be concise, creative and compelling.
“The quotation I live my life by is…” This proves that personal development is an
essential part of your growth plan. It also shows your ability to motivate yourself.
My personal philosophy is…” This line indicates
your position not only as an employee but also
as a critical thinker.
“People who know me best say that I’m…” This
response offers insight into your own level of
self-awareness.
“My passion is…” People don’t care about what you do – people care about who
you are. What you’re passionate about is who you are. Passion unearths
enthusiasm.
“When I was seven years old, I always wanted to be…” An answer like this shows
that you’ve been preparing for this job your whole life, not just the night before.
“The compliment people give me most frequently is…” This is
almost like a testimonial, this response also indicates self-
awareness and openness to feedback.
 10.

WHY SHOULD WE HIRE YOU?

Let the interviewer feel that the company can truly utilize you.
Make yourself an asset to the company.
I’m energetic optimistic, quick learner, good team player, smart worker and flexible. I am eager to
learn new things , I am the one you are looking for.
"Although I have no prior experience in
this area, I certainly possess the
personality and the knowledge that
would allow me to adapt and fulfill the
needs of the company and meet its
expectations. I think, what is more
important than experience is the urge to
learn and explore, which is one thing
that will make me a suitable candidate
for this position." (You may list your
individual skills like communication,
leadership, team oriented, and so on.)
I truly believe in your company. If offered the position as (insert job position here), I will use my education, past
experience, and skills to help the company go above and beyond its goals. I am dependable, a fast learner, and very
motivated."
 c. I feel that I possess all the necessary
qualifications, qualities and skills, to
enable me to be successful. I believe
that I fit the person specification
perfectly. As I have detailed in my CV I
am able to work independently or as
part of a team. I use my initiative and do
not need to wait for others to tell me
what to do.
After all what has been said, there is only
one requisite in order for you to
communicate well so as to have a positive
result in a job interview.
 JUST be YOURSELF.

YOU are BEAUTIFUL just the WAY you ARE.

 THANK YOU VERY MUCH
AND
CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OF YOU!