HOW TO MARKET YOURSELF TO EMPLOYERS
TYPES OF INTERVIEWS We’re living in a time of revolution — the market is changing and so are the skill sets employers are looking for.
One-on-one interviews Likely the most familiar scenario to all jobseekers, one-on-one interviews are fairly clear-cut. Interviewers would ask a series of questions to assess your suitability for the position in question. On occasion, organisations will use a few rounds of personal interviews with various heads of departments before arriving at a decision.
Tips • Show your interest by asking simple yet relevant questions, such as questions about daily tasks, career path and work culture. • Refer to how the job position aligns with your career plans, aspirations and interests. • Discuss any transferrable skills you’ve picked up and demonstrate them. • Keep in mind that body language is just as vital as verbal communication, so maintain a level of confidence throughout the interview with eye contact, smiles and sitting upright.
Panel interviews While panel interviews typically consist of three to eight interviewers, graduate panel interviews usually only involve three interviewers, consisting of HR personnel, managers and some department heads. As it is not a one-on-one interview, panel interviews tend to be more vigorous and fastidious as there are multiple interviewers. While the prospect of sitting through a panel interview can sound daunting, they just want to evaluate if a candidate would be a good fit for the company.
Tips • When talking, address the interviewers by name. A common trick is to get their name cards before the interview starts and arrange them in front of you according to the sitting arrangement of the interviewers. • If an interviewer looks bored, don’t worry — different interviewers would have different areas of interest, so not everyone would be interested in the topic you’re discussing. • On occasion, you may be asked the same question twice. If this happens, stick with your earlier answer. • Maintain eye contact with the interviewer talking to you, but don’t ignore the others!
98 | SIM CAREER GUIDE 2020
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