Job applicants should research an organisation before attending an interview and understand the role they are applying for, Rachel Adegbe has advised.
Adegbe gave the advice during Employee Concourse in Abuja on Saturday while explaining how candidates can prepare for the interview stage of the employment process.
According to her, candidates should find out about the organisation, understand the position they are applying for and familiarise themselves with the organisation’s mission and values.
She said failure to research an organisation can affect how a candidate performs during an interview.Adegbe recalled asking an interview candidate what she knew about the organisation.
According to her, the candidate gave an uncertain response and said she had checked the organisation on the internet but could not clearly explain what the organisation did.
Adegbe said the response affected her assessment of the candidate because she considered preparation and diligence relevant to the workplace.
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She explained that interviewers are not only listening to determine whether a candidate knows how to perform the job.
According to her, interview responses can also provide indications about whether a candidate may fit the organisation’s culture and values.
Adegbe said candidates may be asked questions involving situations they have experienced, including how they handled disagreements with colleagues or managed difficult workplace situations.
She advised applicants to prepare evidence from their previous experiences so they can respond to such questions effectively.
Adegbe recommended the STAR model as a useful way of preparing those examples.The model involves identifying the Situation, Task, Action and Result associated with an experience.
She encouraged candidates to build an evidence bank before interviews rather than waiting until they are asked a question to begin searching for examples.
Adegbe also advised candidates to practise their responses before interviews.She suggested rehearsing in front of a mirror, treating the reflection as the audience.
According to her, preparation should include understanding the organisation, understanding the vacancy, reviewing the stated criteria and preparing relevant examples.
She also emphasised the importance of how candidates present their responses.
Adegbe explained that the way an applicant responds to questions can provide information beyond the words being spoken.