Job Interviews

A Quick Guide
Interviews are an essential part of any recruitment and
selection process. Knowing how to successfully handle
any interview is an important skill all job hunters must
learn and excel in.

CareerHub@CAO 2011

Page 1 of 9

What are employers looking for?

Based on their needs and company culture, every employer looks for different types of people to
hire. Some may be finding a person that is a good fit to the present company culture while other
may be looking for employees that are able to contribute a different point of view from the current
situation. It is hard to know exactly what the employers are looking for. However there are some
areas that most employers keep a look out for from fresh graduates on top of their required jobspecific skills:

A positive attitude
Ability and willingness to learn
Flexibility & Adaptability
Problem solving skills
Satisfactory intellectual abilities
Good leadership qualities backed up with reliable experiences
Good personal achievements
A sense of initiative
Good teamwork skills
Relevant technical or specialist knowledge
Competent at interpersonal communication
Career motivation
Knowledge about the company

It is important to ensure that besides your technical know-how, you are able to share with them
your set of skills and competencies.
Employers you meet during the recruitment process have these 3 main concerns:
1) Can you do this job?
2) Do you want this job?
3) Why are you the best person for the job and our company?
Your performance in the interview has to answer these 3 questions.

How should I approach interviews?

Approach the interview as if you are holding a business sales meeting. Understand what they are
looking for, know what you can offer them, prepare yourself well and promote yourself as the best
match to their needs. Make an impression on them with your preparation and knowledge of the
company. Prove to them with evidence that you have the capabilities, knowledge and personal
qualities. Match yourself to their needs.

CareerHub@CAO 2011

Page 2 of 9

How do I prepare for an interview?

Preparation prior to your interview is essential!

Review the version of CV and resume you had sent to the company, refer to their initial job
advertisement to refresh your memory on the job you have applied for and the kind of
experience, skills and personal qualities that they are looking for. Find evidence which would
prove to the interviewer that you meet the requirements.

Using your CV as a reference point, prepare a list of concrete examples that seeks to
demonstrate your skills, knowledge, motivation and suitability for the job and organization.

Then proceed to prepare competency stories demonstrating related skills specific to the
position applied in a context and pull it back to how you think you can and will use this
competency in the job. Competency stories must indicate improvements in
processes/products/people or achievements.

Try answering interview questions out loud in front of the mirror. Allow yourself 2-3 minutes
to answer each question.

Research up on the organization through websites, Annual Reports, company profiles

(available at Career Resource Centre) and your network of contacts. You should know the
companys mission, vision, direction, the number of employees and turnover, the main
locations and products.

Understand the business environment the organization operates in. Also understand how
current events affect them, who are their competitors etc.

Read up online or at Career Resource Centre (Level 4, Student Services Centre) on the type
of questions that interviewers would normally asked. This can be concerning yourself, your
competencies, motivation or decision-making process.

List three or four possible questions to ask the interviewer. Refer to books from the Career
Resource Centre for a sample of questions to ask.

Book a practice session at CareerHub@CAO or brush up your interview skills with videos
available from the Career Resource Centre. This will help you prepare better for the
interview and gain feedback on your performance.

If there is time, sign up for the interview skills workshop organized by CareerHub@CAO.

Prepare a smart business suit for the interview. What is appropriate will depend on the type
of industries you are being interviewed for, however always make sure you leave a good
tasteful impression with the employers. Basic for men is a well tailored long sleeve shirt and
pants, tie and leather shoes. For ladies, a well tailored shirt with appropriate skirt and pants
with covered pumps will cover the basics. Also ensure your appearance (hair and grooming)
is neat and impeccable. Heavy patterns, colors, strong smelling perfume and cologne are not
encouraged.

CareerHub@CAO 2011

Page 3 of 9

Plan to arrive at the location at least 15-20 minutes before the designated timing. You may
plan and test out your route beforehand. Also allow extra time for unexpected delays (train
delays, traffic jams, malfunctioning lifts etc). Ensure that you have a map detailing directions
to your employers location and a contact telephone number in case you are delayed.

Prepare your interview kit: A copy of your CV and resume, your portfolio, IC, birth certificate,
other certificates and copies of those, a notebook and pen. Keep all documentation in a
professional looking folder or file.

If you arrive early and do not need to fill up any application form, find somewhere to relax
and re-read your application form and run through the information that you have gathered.
Do a final check on your appearance as well.

What should I expect at the interview?

Knowing what to expect will help to calm your nerves and build confidence.

Most companies will share with you information on the interview if asked beforehand. Some
areas you could ask on are:
o Who will be interviewing you (to help better prepare your answers i.e. preparing
more technical answers if it is a technical manager interviewing you or more skills
and personality based answers if it is a HR manager)
o Number of people who will be interviewing you
o Duration
o Interview format
o The stage the interview is in the recruitment and selection process
o Any possible selection tests
Remember, it is up to the company if they want to share such information with you. Do not
demand for answers.

There are a variety of interview formats. The common interview formats are the one-to-one, two-toone or panel interview. You may be asked to undergo one such interview or several of such
interviews consecutively. Remember to maintain eye-contact with all interviewers while answering
questions, occasionally moving from one person to another.
Other formats of interviews include group interviews and assessment centre interviews. For group
interviews, you will find yourself with a group of other applicants. The key to such interviews is to
appear confident and assertive while ensuring you are still polite and considerate to the group so for
example if you would like to share your views, try not to be too aggressive by speaking loudly,
instead move in with phrases like If I may add. This is also a good platform to showcase your
teamwork skills. Assessment Centre usually happens after the first round of interviews and you
should expect a wide range of selection processes from one-to-one interviews to group exercises,
tests, presentations and office simulations either on the same day or at a later date.
CareerHub@CAO offers a workshop on Assessment Centre to help students learn how to tackle the
common exercises in Assessment Centre.

CareerHub@CAO 2011

Page 4 of 9

How do I conduct myself at the interview?

These are the three main areas interviewees should take note of when being interviewed. The Walk,
The Look and The Talk. The Walk involves the proper meeting, greeting techniques and conduct. The
Look entails the proper dress code for interview while The Talk includes how you answer the
questions.
The Walk
The first impression is extremely important and it is essential you produce a confident image.

Upon arrival, if you have the time, proceed to the washroom to freshen up.

Enter the room with a confident smile and a straight back.

Once you have entered the interview room (remember to knock the door before entering),
smile and give a firm handshake vis--vis their handshake. Try practicing with your friendsthe grip should be firm but not too tight however too limp a grip is not good either. A firm
handshake produces an image of confidence.

Do try to remember their names and address them appropriately.

Look for the place to seat but do not seat till they have asked you to or you have sought
permission to.

Once seated, for both men and ladies, do not cross your legs. For men, plant both seats
firmly on the ground. For ladies, tuck in both your legs and slant them towards the side.
Either rest your hands on top of your thighs or on the table (if there is one), however try not
to interlock them but rest them one on top the other. This reduces the image of being
nervous and allows you space to use your hands to gesture.

Gesturing helps to emphasize certain points however you should try to avoid over gesturing.
Maintain your hand movements within your shoulder width if possible.

Do not take charge of the interview; let your interviewer lead you through the interview.

During the course of the interview, be aware and look out for any movements that may
display signs of nervousness i.e. swaying from side to side, shaking of legs, twirling or
clenching of fingers, cracking of fingers, twirling of hair, slouching in chair, fidgeting, looking
bored etc.

Eye contact is very important and good steady eye contact with the interviewers projects a
confident image. Do note not to engage in glaring contests however, you should also avoid
letting your eyes wonder all over the room, glancing around furtively or looking down on the
table or hands.

You may bring along a notebook and pen to the interview to jot down anything relevant that
may help you to understand the roles better, or on areas that you will need to follow up
after the interview.

CareerHub@CAO 2011

Page 5 of 9

At the end of interview, remember to thank the interviewers for their time and the
opportunity.

The Look
It is highly advisable to be in a smart business suit for the interview. Even if you may be applying for
a position that will need you to be in a clean suit, jeans or overalls most of the time, being in a
business suit will go some way in showing that you are serious in getting the job.

Hair

Men
Ensure it is neat, tidy and trimmed.

Face

Shaving of facial hair may help in projecting a

cleaner image. If you tend to have an oily
complexion, do blot a few times just before the
interview to help reduce the shine.

Upper Body

Lower Body

Shoes

A well-ironed long sleeve shirt is a basic for

most interviews. Loud prints and/or
distracting colors should be avoided if
attending interviews at most companies
(Creative industries on the other hand may
be more receptive to such prints but it
depends on company and interviewers
opinions).
Tie should be tied well. Basic principle: Plain
solid block of colors and/or with little details
will suit shorts with louder prints such as
stripes and vice versa.
It will be good to bring along a jacket/blazer.
Depending on your evaluation of the office
you are being interviewed and the other
candidates waiting their turn (if any), you
may need to put on your jacket, thus it will
be better to prepared.
A well tailored and well ironed pants is a basic for
most interviews.

Accessories

Others

Leather shoes which have been polished are

preferred.
Color of shoes should try to match the color
of belt as closely as possible.
White socks are not advised.
No earrings or studs.
Tie pins and cuff links are good to have.
Ensure no body odor and foul smelling
mouth.
Strong smelling cologne is not encouraged.
If you are prone to sweaty palms, please
have some tissue ready to wipe them before
entering the room.

CareerHub@CAO 2011

Ladies
Ensure it is neat, tidy and kept clear of the face. For
more serious positions like grooming or
professions where grooming standards are stricter
like hotel managers etc, hair may need to be tied up
in a bun.
Do have some simple make-up on to enhance
features. Do not go overboard with heavy makeup
but do not let your face go too bare either. If you
tend to have an oily complexion, do blot a few times
and adjust your makeup accordingly just before the
interview.
A well tailored and ironed blouse/shirt will be
appropriate. Loud prints and/or distracting
colors should be avoided if attending interviews
at most companies (Creative industries on the
other hand may be more receptive to such prints
but it depends on company and interviewers
opinions).
It will be good to bring along a jacket/blazer.
Depending on your evaluation of the office you
are being interviewed and the other candidates
waiting their turn (if any), you may need to put
on your jacket, thus it will be better to prepared.

Ladies may choose between a pants suit or skirt.

Evaluation on which type to wear and the style of
skirt will need to depend on the type of industries
and profession.
Covered pumps. Stilettos above 3 inches are not
advised.

Keep accessories to minimal. Depending on nature

of industries, vary your accessories like earrings and
necklaces accordingly.
Ensure no body odor and foul smelling mouth.
Strong smelling perfume is not encouraged.
If you are prone to sweaty palms, please have
some tissue ready to wipe them before entering
the room.

Page 6 of 9

The Talk
There are two portions to this: The way you express yourself while speaking and the content of your
answers.
Expressing yourself

Intonation: Much can be gathered through the intonation of your voice. It is important to be
aware of the intonation of your voice as it may betray your thoughts and feelings if left
unchecked. Also it will be good to vary your tone to help emphasize key points as well as
reduce the monotony.

Pace & Clarity: Talk at a slightly faster rate than what you normally would. But ensure you
are still clear. Take the effort to pronounce and enunciate words correctly. Do pause
between sentences.

Structure: Before answering each questions, take a few seconds to compose your answers in
a good structure. Use pauses and sentence markers to help guide the interviewers when you
are bringing up new points. Avoid rambling. If you do ramble, stop to collect your thoughts.

Content of answers
Content of your answers will be made up of your technical and theoretical knowledge, your
experience, skills and competencies. A key point to note is that every competency should be backed
up by an experience and all answers must be linked back to the requirements of the job.
Remember, every hiring managers key question in mind during interviews is Why should I hire
you?. Thus use your examples to show how relevant your skills and competencies are to what they
are looking for and how you can contribute to their company.

How do I understand and answer interview questions?

There are various types of interview questions that are asked during a typical interview:

Warm up Questions like Tell me more about yourself.

Competency Based Questions like Tell me about a time when you were faced with a
difficult challenge. or What is your greatest weakness?

Technical Based Questions like Please tell me your views on the amended standards
affecting the industry/profession currently.

Creative Questions like How many light bulbs are there in Singapore right now?

Case studies

The most important things is to understand the purpose behind these interview questions before
formulating your answer. Your answer must tally with information shared in the resume.

CareerHub@CAO 2011

Page 7 of 9

CareerHub@CAO has a Career Resource Centre located on Student Services Centre Level 4 stocked
with books to help guide you in further detail what are the kinds of questions asked and how to
tackle them. A visit to the centre is recommended if you would like to better understand and answer
tough interview questions.

What happens after the interview?

The interview process does not stop after you have left the interview room. It is a good practice to
email or mail to the interviewers or HR personnel a thank you note which could consist of your thank
you message, the areas you were suppose to follow up on and a reiteration of your skills and
competencies that you can bring to the job if they hire you. The objective of this note is to help them
solidify their memory of you and also help create a better impression of you in their eyes.
CareerHub@CAO has a Career Resource Centre located on Student Services Centre Level 4 stocked
with useful books on improving interview skills. A visit to the centre is highly recommended.
CareerHub@CAO also offers career advising and coaching sessions for students who may want to
seek further assistance.

CareerHub@CAO 2011

Page 8 of 9

References
Preparing for First Interviews including Telephone Interviews (2008) The University of Manchester
Careers Service. Retrieved 18 April 2011, from

http://www.careers.manchester.ac.uk/media/services/careersandemployabilitydivision/car
eersservice/crcpublications/startingpointseriesofhandouts/a4/Preparing-for-FirstInterviews.pdf
Steven Lim & Wong Kok Wah (2011) Interview Skills Workshop Notes
Velmurugan s/o Bala Krishna (2011) Interview Workshop Notes

CareerHub@CAO 2011

Page 9 of 9