What is a Job Interview?
The vast majority of people looking for jobs in Trinidad have a job interview at some point in their lives. In simple terms, it is a chance for employers to meet potentially suitable candidates for a role to see if these individuals are a good fit. If you get it right, you could end up with a job and begin the journey to a great career.
During an interview, either one person or a group will ask you a series of questions about your life, personality, career, and education. Your goal is to answer these queries honestly while impressing the panel enough to consider you as a future employee. Despite the relative simplicity of interviews, they tend to stress people out but relax, keep reading and learn more about what you should and shouldn’t do in an interview situation.
Types of Job Interviews
There are several job interview types in Trinidad and Tobago so make sure you know which one you’ll be facing to prepare accordingly.
ONE-ON-ONE
This is the most common interview type and involves a representative of the company asking you questions. While it is less formal than its panel counterpart, a one-on-one interview might involve you speaking directly to an organization’s boss. Since you only need to impress one person, it is crucial for you to build up a rapport from the beginning.
PANEL
This is the interview of choice for larger companies and sees you facing a group of interviewers. Your first panel interview is likely to be an intimidating experience, but you need to set aside your fears and proceed. Make eye contact with each person in turn as necessary and show equal respect to all members.
COMPETENCY-BASED
This type of interview involves a set selection of questions and focuses on your work-related abilities and skills instead of your personality. Competency-based interviews are potentially difficult since you must back up your answers with examples.
TELEPHONE
Telephone interviews are becoming increasing popular among big businesses seeking to whittle down a large pool of candidates quickly. Although you don’t need to worry about dress code and body language, you must display excellent oral communication skills.
VIDEO
Companies use applications such as Skype to speak to candidates, so you get the interview experience in your living room. Agencies often conduct video interviews on behalf of businesses after receiving a list of questions. As you can be seen and heard, make sure you follow the rules of traditional interviews.
LUNCH
This is usually the second interview and takes place in an informal setting such as a restaurant. You are invited to lunch with company employees to see if you are a good fit. Prepare questions about the company in advance, don’t order messy food and steer clear of alcohol!
What to do in a Job Interview
You need to remember that the interview team will form an impression of you within a matter of seconds. Additionally, new research from a UK firm called Resurgo Trust suggests that the first 12 words you say will determine your interview’s outcome! Don’t panic! Here are a few things to do during an interview to help make a favorable impression.
Exude Confidence: In some offices, recruiters watch to see how recruits enter the building to see if their body language changes. Your best bet is to stride confidently into the facility to get off to a good start.
Offer a Firm Handshake: A firm, but not vice-like, grip is all you need to avoid awkward situations.
Make Eye Contact: Maintaining eye contact throughout the interview is crucial according to a high percentage of employers. Incidentally, this means ‘regular’ eye contact as opposed to staring!
Show That You Researched the Company & Role: By showing that you took the time to study the company, you immediately display curiosity and desire. Analyze the job requirements and come up with five reasons why you should be hired.
Give Examples: Prepare stories that outline your strengths and illustrate how you used them to help past employers. Be specific when it comes to the outcome of these stories. For instance, you might have introduced new measures that reduced company expenditure by 15%.
Stay Positive: When interviewers in Trinidad & Tobago quiz you about unpleasant aspects of your career, remain calm and explain the situation. For example, you might be asked why you left a particular position.
Smile: No matter how nervous you are, always stay cheerful throughout the interview. Hiring managers don’t tend to choose candidates that display a dour demeanor!
Follow Up: At the end of the interview, reiterate your interest in the job and get the names of each interviewer. Send a follow-up email or card that thanks the hiring team, explains why the job is a good fit and further outlines your interest.
What NOT to do in a Job Interview
Be Critical: No matter how much you detest a past employer or colleague, avoid making critical statements.
Lie: Make false claims; your duplicity will be uncovered swiftly. This is also one of a common resume mistakes in Trinidad and Tobago.
Display Tardiness: Unless you have an exceptional excuse, late arrival means almost instant disqualification from contention.
Act Bored: Don’t fidget, play with your hair or check your phone during the interview.
Be Vague: Don’t make unsubstantiated claims about your qualifications and achievements.
Joke: Levity is welcome; trying to do stand up during your interview is not!
Show Arrogance: Confidence is a good thing to show but acting like a know-it-all is a great way to lose out.
Be Brief: Never answer a question with a simple ‘yes’ or ‘no.’ You must expand upon every single answer.
Begin the journey to a great career
There may not be any earth-shattering advice above, but that’s because a successful interview is a tried and trusted process. Despite all the information on the subject, job candidates in Trinidad and Tobago routinely make fundamental errors and miss out on roles they are eminently qualified for. When all else fails; remember, practice makes perfect!
