Graduates – ANTIDOTE ENGINEERING & CONSTRUCTION NIGERIA LIMITED

We organise and Develop interview program for young graduates. This is to help them build the confidence in a real interview session and also feel it’s impact thereby eliminating phobia of interview panels or written interview.

Try out the sample interview quiz below

Question #1: You are asked: “Why do you want this job?”, what do you say?

"I read the essential criteria and my strengths are a good match." "Because I would like to work for an organisation with such a good reputation." "Because I thought it looked very interesting." "I am passionate about the topic, I have always wanted to work for you because of your international reputation, and I bring many skills that will be of value to you."

Question #2: At the end of the interview you are asked if you have any questions. What do you do?

Ask them if there is any aspect of your answers they are concerned about or wish to clarify. Ask three questions showing you are interested in the future of the organisation. Ask when you will hear that you have the job, when you can start and what level of remuneration there is. Say, "No, we have covered everything really well, thank you."

Question #3: Before going to the interview you read all the essential criteria and .. :

Worry because you only meet five of the seven criteria. Work out how to best describe the experiences you have that relate to each one. Make sure you have a specific strength that matches each one. Make sure you have a specific strength and a powerful example to match each one.

Question #4: Your manager already knows the quality of your work and is on the interview panel. What do you do?

Give a succinct description of your work so the other members of the panel understand the essence of what you do. Imagine no one knows you and tell the panel all about your work. Feel embarrassed about having to describe your work and worry that the manager will think you are bragging. Relax because someone knows you and will put in a good word for you.

Question #5: You know you have written a really good CV. What do you do?

Tell them anything that is relevant even if it has been thoroughly covered in the CV. Presume they have read it but won't remember what is on it, so draw their attention to selected parts and explain them in more depth. Provide additional examples and experiences that are not included on the CV rather than repeating yourself. Presume that the panel has read it and you don't need to repeat what is on it.

Question #6: You are nervous before the interview and you:

Feel sorry for the panel as you realise what a hard job they have and think of how to help them. Meditate and go for a walk to ease your nerves. Worry about going blank when you are being interrogated. Decide that you hate job interviews but write out what you will say.

Question #7: You anticipate the questions you will be asked and prepare your answers. Do you:

Write down word-for-word what you will say. Write your answers out carefully until they look impressive and then read them many times to remember them. Practice your answers out loud without worrying about being word perfect. Write out the main ideas you want to get across and read them through before you go.

Question #8: You haven’t heard of the organisation before. What do you do?

Read the job description, the essential and desirable criteria and their website, Facebook page and LinkedIn profile to identify the organisation's values, keywords and goals. Read their website to find out what they do. Read the job description, the essential and desirable criteria, their annual report, and their mission statement and values - browse their website and social media, and phone someone who works for them, to find out as much about them as possible. Read their website and LinkedIn profile to learn more about them as that seems the best use of your time.

Question #9: You are asked to describe your communication skills and you say:

"I have high-level communication skills and can talk to senior people in a clear, straightforward way without being intimidated." "I speak three languages including French" "I have high-level communication skills and can explain complex technical concepts in easy-to-understand ways to a non-technical audience so that the organisation's values and goals will be understood by people from diverse backgrounds, thus reducing risk." "I have good oral and written communication skills."

Question #10: You are asked to specify your weaknesses. Do you:

Say you do not have any weaknesses that interfere with your work. Explain a specific, work-related weakness that the panel may be concerned about and how you have developed strategies to overcome it and turn it into a strength. Mention something not work related such as chocolate, or buying shoes or cars. Find something general to mention that is work related, such as perfectionism or staying back late to get a project finished on time, that you think the panel will not mind.

ANTIDOTE ENGINEERING & CONSTRUCTION NIGERIA LIMITED