Graduate School for Professionals

CAREER RESOURCES

SUCCESSFUL JOB SEARCH AND INTERVIEW

1) Know!

Getting Background knowledge Prior to Job Search & Interview can save time and greatly aid in identifying if the position and company and industry you are eyeing fits you:

• The best way to research a company is via online through their company website and a search engine on their news and updates or forum from their employees
• Another way to learn about a company is to talk to people who work there. Tap on our Aventis Alumni Network!
• You may find an article published by someone in your field who works at one of the companies that you are interested in. You can call that person and ask to talk.
• As you drill down and investigate a company, you may be able to find details that reveal that you and the company are a match or not. It is a good choice because when you do find the right fit, you'll walk into an interview having already decided that this is a company that you want to work for. Or conversely, decide not to put in the application or attend the interview
• Also know about the company's competitors, customers and the industry as a whole
• Find out about company's financial situation, current and potential market share.

2) Practice!(For the interview)

Once you've researched a company -- you know its challenges and its goals, its culture and its competitors -- the next step is to practice doing the job. Prepare yourself to take on several action tasks

• Show that you understand the job. Ask what problem the manager hopes to solve by hiring you. And make sure that you also understand what goal the manager is working toward: higher sales? More profit? Redesigning an entire team structure. Your task is to show how you can help the company achieve that goal."
• Show that you can do the job. "Be prepared to highlight the steps that you would take to solve the employer's problem and to reach the employer's goal. Show the manager how you think and how you work."
• Show how the company will profit from hiring you. "Be ready to tackle the issue of profitability: How is your way of doing this work going to reduce costs or increase revenues? Put a number on it. The number doesn't have to be right, but you should be prepared to defend it intelligently.

These action tasks will help you take the interview where you want it to go -- straight to the job. This will also help employers visualise your position on the new Job Role should you gain their offer.

3) Action! (On the Interview)

An Interview is a High-powered information exchange that determines whether a potential fit exists - for both sides. The best advice is to be true to yourself and go in with your own style. It is recommended to identify if you hit it off with your interviewer (who may be your hiring manager). If you don't, it's better to find out in the interview than when you are in the job.

In any case, here are the tips on Interview:

• Demonstrate your Executive DNA of how you are a self-starter and have the appropriate persistence and drive for the position. Recollect past experience and achievements to support strengths for the role
• Prepare to answer any type of question and ask leading questions that will give you the opportunity to cite relevant examples from your career
• Preparing your personal case studies gives you confidence to answer questions and ask them.
• Listen for cues so you know whether the other side is really engaged in what you're saying or whether you should back off and really let them direct you and don't try to take over.
• Maintain a good level of contact and smile - be confident and be yourself

4)Review!(After the interview)

• Pen down brief short pointers after the interview
• Prepare to answer any type of question and ask leading questions that will give you the opportunity to cite relevant examples from your career
• Note the areas in which you feel you went well, as well as any questions you found difficult to answer.
• This will help you to prepare for a possible second interview, or with future interviews for other roles.

Salary Benchmarks

Comprehensive salary surveys have been compiled by Kelly Services, Robert Walters and Vault Salary Surveys. These salary guides offer an insight into the salaries presently commanded in each market. To find out more about current salaries in different industries and jobs, please view the following:

• Vault Salary Surveys
• Kelly Services
• Robert Walters Pte Ltd