Job Interview Skills

• This lecture focuses on how to successfully pass job interviews
• It emphasizes effective self-presentation and communication skills.
• The lecturer is Prof.Dr. Mohamed Gaber Abaas

Communication Skills

• Communication tools are essential.
• Understanding how people get and use information matters.
• Effective communication is important for a variety of reasons.
• Communication has both benefits and costs.
• Principles of professional communication should be understood.
• Knowing how to be effective in communication is important.

Interview Preparation Essentials

• Interview anxiety is common, but manageable.
• Preparation boosts self-confidence and reduces anxiety.

Researching the Company & Job

• Know the company's history, culture, and values.
• Understand the job requirements and match to individual skills.
• Find out the names of the interviewers
• Identify company challenges and how to contribute.

Resume and Profile Tips

• Resume should be up-to-date and highlight key skills.
• A professional LinkedIn profile should showcase achievements.
• Bring a printed copy of the resume to the interview.

Practice Interview Questions

• Prepare answers for:
• "Tell me about yourself"
• "What are your strengths and weaknesses?"
• "How do you handle challenges at work?"
• "Where do you see yourself in five years?"

What to Take

• Bring a pen, notepad, and calculator
• Prepare questions to ask the employer
• Have money for lunch or parking
• Maintain a positive attitude
• Bring copies of your resume and/or portfolio
• Bring copies of references
• Bring proper documents such as Driver's license or photo ID
• water is also required

Interview Types

• Rotating: one-to-one with different interviewers, potentially via recruitment agency or telephone
• Group: involves 6-8 candidates observed discussing a topic, so be aware of group interaction
• Panel: involves 2-5 interviewers (can be up to 13), requiring identification of different roles, responding to the interviewer while including others through eye contact; may involve presentations, training days, or case studies

During the Interview: Body Language and Confidence

• Maintain a firm handshake and eye contact.
• Sit upright in a relaxed, professional manner.
• Avoid fidgeting or touching your face too often.

During the Interview: Effective Self-Presentation

• Use real-life examples to support your answers effectively.
• Introduce yourself professionally, avoiding rambling.
• Highlight strengths and the value one brings to the company.

During the Interview: STAR Method

• STAR is Situation, Task, Action, Result.
• Use STAR method to answer questions
• S: Describe the situation.
• T: Explain the task/problem that arose and its goal.
• A: Describe the action you took and your strategy.
• R: Explain the result.
• After the experience, determine what you learned.

During the Interview: Handling Difficult Questions

• If lacking an answer, avoid guessing and explain how to find a solution.
• When discussing weaknesses, frame them showing improvement efforts.
• Redirect salary questions by asking about the allocated range for the position.

Interview Do's and Don'ts

• Not chewing gum is important for a professional image
• Avoiding distractions is courteous to the interviewer
• Bringing family or friends to an interview is inappropriate
• Slang should be avoided for clear and professional communication
• Rambling during answers should be avoided by formulating thoughts beforehand

Interview Do's

• Shake hands firmly upon meeting
• Acknowledge everyone and memorize names
• Be friendly with all staff members
• Follow the lead of the direction/instructions of the interviewer

Interview behavior

• Be on time and friendly
• Show enthusiasm, positivity, and honesty.
• Maintain eye contact and express yourself clearly.
• Avoid criticizing past employers
• Apply appropriate body language and listen well.
• Highlight strengths and remain authentic.
• Avoid personal issues and stay confident.
• Discuss how your skills can contribute to the company.

Interview Posture

• Sit on the front third of the seat
• Men should keep legs uncrossed but closed.
• Women can cross legs or feet if wearing a skirt, but keep them closed.
• Keep hands folded in front.
• Sit straight, aligning head, neck, and chest with hips.
• Avoid bad habits like tapping fingers, biting nails, playing with hair, or clicking pens.

Interview Questions:

• Common questions include discussing short-term and long-term career goals.
• Express the interest in the job.
• Discuss the steps you are taking to achieve your goals.
• Describe yourself.
• Explain the the choice of career.
• Explain why the company should hire you.
• Discuss your strengths and weaknesses.

Interview Questions

• Potential inquiries concern the reasons for an interest in the company and reasons why you chose to apply for the job.
• Relate a school-related or personal achievement.

Questions for the Interviewer

• What are the responsibilities and duties involved in the role?
• How will performance be evaluated?
• Who will be supervising the work? -
• What are opportunities for advancement exist?
• Does the company offer a training program?
• What will the amount of travel be?
• Who will you be working with?

After the Interview: Follow-Up

• Send a thank-you email.
• Reiterate interest in the position, mentioning a positive aspect of the interview.
• Follow up within a week if no response has been received.

Self-Evaluation

• Review responses and learn from mistakes.
• Analyze interviewer reactions and feedback.
• Prepare accordingly for future interviews.

Golden Tips

• Practice in from of a mirror or in front of friends
• Practice mock interviews with peers.
• Focus on concept understanding over memorization
• Be honest, professional, and have a positive attitude.

Interactive activities for students

• Asking students to introduce themselves in an interview setting.
• Performing a mock interview with a student displaying common mistakes
• Allowing students to play the interviewer and the candidate