Taking a written test or interviewing for a job can be nerve-racking experience. Many applicants fail to perform their best because of inadequate preparation. The following tips might be useful to you in preparing for a written test or an interview. Structure of an Interview Good interviewers will usually take notes of the candidates when reading their resume and application letter. Just before the interview begins, they will review the notes again to prepare the questions to ask.
All questions aim to evaluate the candidate's suitability for the position and the company.
Stimulating the candidate's interest in the company and maintaining goodwill are also important goals of the interview. Interviewers might make general comments or ask factual questions to ease the tension of the first few minutes of the interview to warm up both parties. Topics usually centre around the weather, traffic conditions, or hot topics of discussion in town. Other common topics include the candidate's biographical information, for example, hobbies, interests, or schools. This stage usually lasts for 3 - 4 minutes.