Interview Dos and Don'ts

VaultVideo

4 May 200704:16

Summary

TLDRThis video script offers essential interview tips, emphasizing the importance of professional attire, firm handshakes, and concise self-introductions. It advises against discussing personal weaknesses linked to personality flaws and provides guidance on handling inappropriate questions. Additionally, it highlights the importance of turning off mobile devices during the interview to maintain professionalism.

Takeaways

👔 Dress appropriately for your interview, with men advised to wear a suit and women to wear either a skirt suit or pants suit.
💎 Avoid wearing large jewelry, loud colors, or too much makeup to maintain a professional appearance.
🤝 Give a firm handshake during the interview, ensuring full contact with the interviewer's hand.
👀 Make eye contact and smile when greeting the interviewer.
📖 Use the 'tell me about yourself' question to provide a concise summary of your career, abilities, and goals, not a life story.
🌟 Highlight your strengths and relevant experience that make you a good fit for the job.
🚫 When discussing weaknesses, avoid personality flaws and focus on areas that can be improved over time.
🤔 Be prepared to discuss how you handle situations where you might have to pick up the slack due to others' lack of effort.
🚫 Do not volunteer personal information such as marital status or plans to have children, as it's illegal for interviewers to ask.
📵 If your phone rings during the interview, apologize immediately and turn it off without checking or answering.
🔍 For more career advice, consider visiting voltcom/slash/videos.

Q & A

What is the recommended attire for a man during an interview?
-A man should wear a suit, preferably in navy blue or charcoal gray, with a white shirt and a nice tie.
What is the appropriate attire for a woman attending an interview?
-A woman should wear a suit, either a skirt suit or pants suit, avoiding large jewelry, loud colors, or too much makeup.
How important is a firm handshake during an interview?
-A firm handshake is important as it conveys confidence and professionalism, but it should not be bone-crushing.
What should one do when asked to tell about themselves during an interview?
-One should provide a concise summary of their career, abilities, and goals, rather than telling their entire life story.
Why is it not advisable to discuss personal flaws when asked about weaknesses in an interview?
-Discussing personal flaws can be detrimental as it may reflect negatively on one's character. Instead, focus on areas that can be improved over time.
How should one respond to questions about their personal life during an interview?
-It's illegal for interviewers to ask certain personal questions like age or marital status, so one does not need to volunteer that information.
What is the appropriate way to handle a phone call during an interview?
-If a phone call comes in during an interview, one should apologize immediately, turn off the phone without checking or answering it.
What is the purpose of asking about one's greatest weakness in an interview?
-The purpose is to assess how a candidate self-evaluates and identifies areas for improvement, rather than to focus on inherent flaws.
Why is it important to keep the focus on the job during an interview?
-Keeping the focus on the job allows the interviewer to better understand a candidate's qualifications and suitability for the position.
What does the script suggest about the importance of being punctual for an interview?
-The script implies that being punctual is crucial as it shows respect for the interviewer's time and demonstrates one's reliability.
What advice does the script provide for someone who tends to oversleep and miss meetings?
-The script suggests that one should work on sticking to their own order of business and not let personal habits affect their professional responsibilities.

Outlines

00:00

👔 Interview Etiquette and Appearance

This paragraph discusses the importance of dressing appropriately for an interview, suggesting men wear a suit with a white shirt and tie, and women wear a suit, either a skirt or pants suit. It advises against large jewelry, loud colors, and excessive makeup. Additionally, it emphasizes the importance of a firm handshake, eye contact, and a smile. The paragraph also provides guidance on how to answer common interview questions, such as 'Tell me about yourself,' suggesting a concise summary of career abilities and goals rather than a life story. It also touches on how to discuss one's weaknesses without revealing personality flaws and advises against volunteering personal information that is not job-related.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡interview

An interview is a formal meeting, typically between a prospective employer and a candidate, where questions are asked and answers are given to assess the candidate's suitability for a job. In the video script, interviews are the central theme, with advice on how to perform well during them, including dressing appropriately and answering questions effectively.

💡professionalism

Professionalism refers to the conduct, approach, or demeanor expected from a person in a professional setting. In the context of the video, professionalism is highlighted as a key area that interviews are designed to assess, suggesting that candidates should behave in a professional manner, such as dressing appropriately and giving concise, relevant answers.

💡dress appropriately

Dressing appropriately means wearing clothes that are suitable for the professional setting of an interview. The script advises men to wear a suit with a white shirt and tie, and women to wear either a skirt suit or pants suit, avoiding large jewelry, loud colors, or too much makeup, to make a good first impression.

💡handshake

A handshake is a common greeting in many cultures, involving a firm grip of the hand as a way to convey confidence and respect. The script emphasizes the importance of a firm but not overly strong handshake during an interview, suggesting it as a non-verbal way to demonstrate confidence and professionalism.

💡eye contact

Eye contact is the act of looking at someone in the eyes when communicating, which can convey attentiveness and sincerity. The video script mentions making eye contact and smiling during a handshake, indicating that it is a crucial part of non-verbal communication that can help build rapport and trust during an interview.

💡concise summary

A concise summary is a brief and clear account of something, such as one's career or abilities. The script advises interviewees to use the 'tell me about yourself' question as an opportunity to give a concise summary of their career, abilities, and goals, rather than telling their entire life story.

💡weakness

A weakness is an area where a person may lack skill or experience. When discussing weaknesses in an interview, as mentioned in the script, it's important to focus on areas that can be improved over time, rather than personality flaws. This shows self-awareness and a commitment to personal development.

💡personal questions

Personal questions are inquiries into an individual's private life, such as age or marital status. The script advises that it's illegal for interviewers to ask certain personal questions and that candidates should not volunteer such information, emphasizing the importance of maintaining professional boundaries during an interview.

💡interruptions

Interruptions refer to any disturbance or break in the flow of a conversation or meeting. The script includes a scenario where a phone call interrupts an interview, advising candidates to apologize immediately and turn off the phone without checking who is calling, highlighting the importance of maintaining focus and respect during an interview.

💡career advice

Career advice encompasses guidance or recommendations intended to help individuals navigate their professional lives. The video script concludes by directing viewers to a website for more career advice, suggesting that there is additional support and resources available for those seeking to improve their job-seeking skills.

💡fit for the job

Fit for the job refers to the suitability of a candidate for a particular position, taking into account their skills, personality, and the requirements of the role. The script mentions that interviews are designed to assess if a candidate is a good fit for the job, indicating that interviewers are looking for alignment between the candidate's qualifications and the job's demands.

Highlights

Dress appropriately for an interview: men should wear a suit, women should wear a skirt suit or pants suit.

Avoid large jewelry, loud colors, or too much makeup for women.

Give a firm handshake, make eye contact, and smile.

When asked 'Tell me about yourself', provide a concise summary of your career, abilities, and goals.

Highlight your positive traits and career aspirations.

Discuss your weaknesses by focusing on areas that can be improved over time.

Avoid discussing personality or character flaws when talking about your weaknesses.

Do not volunteer personal information such as marital status or plans to have children.

If your phone rings during the interview, apologize and turn it off immediately without answering.

Prepare a concise and relevant response to the 'Tell me about yourself' question.

Showcase your language skills and international experience if applicable.

Be ready to discuss your work experience and responsibilities in detail.

Maintain professionalism if interrupted by an unexpected event during the interview.

Do not give a life story; instead, focus on your professional journey and aspirations.

Demonstrate how your personal qualities align with the job requirements.

Learn how to handle illegal interview questions tactfully.

Ensure your handshake conveys confidence without being overly aggressive.

Use the opportunity to discuss your career path and how the job aligns with your goals.

For weaknesses, mention a specific area for improvement and any steps you're taking to address it.