Company Name and Industry - Quest
Company Name and Industry - Quest Staffing Services – Staffing Web Site URL - http://quest.co.za HR Phone Number - Tel:011 417 5931 HR Director Name and Email - Nomsa Mofokeng Company HR Address - 1st Floor, Bedford Centre Office Towers Cnr of Smith and Bradford Roads, Bedford Gardens Bedfordview, 2007 SAMPLE We perceive ourselves through the microscopic eye of excellence. This perception informs our vision; to be the number one choice for clients, candidates and staff by being the leading customer-focused organisation in innovative staffing solutions. Fulfilling the needs of our clients and candidates is our obsession. Our innovative thinking and action create ongoing opportunities to improve our services and products. We set all with whom we do business up for success by consistently striving to fulfill the promise; WE DO IT BETTER. Most of South Africa’s top organisations in the Contact Centre, Financial Services, Telecommunications, IT, Retail and Public Sectors of the economy choose us to manage their workforces; skilled people deployed in white collar careers such as bank tellers, call centre agents, administrators, receptionists, secretaries, clerks and data capturers. In other words, they recognise that we do it better. Excellence is our perception. It is also our reality. Quest branches Braampark Cape Town Durban Pretoria Bedfordview (Executive Management Office) SpringS Nelspruit Bloemfontein Cape Town - Mutual Park East London Port Elizabeth Polokwane Richard's Bay Company Name and Industry Web Site URL HR Phone Number HR Director Name and Email Company HR Address Details – (Mission, Vision, Salaries, Locations, etc.) Company Name and Industry Web Site URL HR Phone Number HR Director Name and Email Company HR Address Details – (Mission, Vision, Salaries, Locations, etc.) Company Name and Industry Web Site URL HR Phone Number HR Director Name and Email Company HR Address Details – (Mission, Vision, Salaries, Locations, etc.) Company Name and Industry Web Site URL HR Phone Number HR Director Name and Email Company HR Address Details – (Mission, Vision, Salaries, Locations, etc.) Company Name and Industry Web Site URL HR Phone Number HR Director Name and Email Company HR Address Details – (Mission, Vision, Salaries, Locations, etc.) This exercise will help you identify what your skills as you review your work history and your personal activities. Each of these key areas of your life offer opportunities to expand your work qualifications. The first chart is an example of the kinds of information you will write into your own chart on page two. SAMPLE Skill Set Chart Previous Work Experiences Receptionist Answers phones Responsibilities of the Position Clerical work Skills Required Organizational, Communication Typing, Manual skills, Editing Real Estate Broker Supervises real estate salespeople Oversees business transactions between parties involved in sale of property Supervision Management, Coordination, Communication Unpaid Activities (i.e. volunteer work, internships, hobbies, homemaking activities, governance activities, political action) Responsibilities of these activities Skills Required Homemaker Raise a family Helping Hands Volunteer Fund raising support for an NGO/Charity School Parent Committee Participate in decision-making process as a volunteer committee member Organizational, Leadership, Communication, Budgeting, Cooking, Math skills, Manual skills Filing, creation of flyers on computer, solicitation of donations, recruitment of volunteers Negotiation, leadership, organization, policy development, communication 1 Your Skill Set Chart Previous Work Experiences Responsibilities of the Position Skills Required Unpaid Activities Responsibilities of these activities Skills Required 2 140 Interview Questions 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29. 30. 31. 32. 33. 34. 35. 36. 37. 38. 39. How would you go about establishing your credibility quickly with the team? What motivates you? How long will it take for you to make a significant contribution to the company? What do you see yourself doing within the first 30 days? If selected for this position, describe your strategy for the first 90 days. What are the three most important traits of an excellent employee? What skills do you bring to the company and how do they relate to the position? Why are you looking for a job? How would you describe your work style? What would be your ideal working environment? What do you look for in terms of culture -- entrepreneurial or structured? Give examples of ideas you've had or implemented and how you went about sharing those. What techniques, processes, and tools do you use to keep yourself organised? If you had to choose one, would you consider yourself a big-picture person or a detail-oriented person? Tell me about your proudest achievement. Who was your favorite manager and why? What do you think of your previous boss? Was there a person or mentor in your career who really made a difference? Why are you applying for a job that is below the status / pay of a previous job you’ve held? What kind of personality do you work best with and why? What are you most proud of? What things do you like to do? How do you deal with stress? Would you rather be liked or feared? What are your lifelong dreams? What do you ultimately want to become? What is your personal mission statement? What are three positive things your last boss would say about you? What negative thing would your last boss say about you? What three character traits would your friends use to describe you? What are three positive character traits you don't have? If you were interviewing someone for this position, what traits would you look for? List five words that describe your character. Who has impacted you most in your career and how? What is your greatest fear? What is your biggest regret and why? What's the most important thing you learned in school? What was your favorite subject in school and why? What will you miss about your present/last job? 40. 41. 42. 43. 44. 45. 46. 47. 48. 49. 50. 51. 52. 53. 54. 55. 56. 57. 58. 59. 60. 61. 62. 63. 64. 65. 66. 67. 68. 69. 70. 71. 72. 73. 74. 75. 76. 77. 78. 79. 80. How long would you expect to stay with this company if we hired you? What is your greatest achievement outside of work? Tell me about the most fun you have had on the job. What are the qualities of a good leader? A bad leader? Do you think a leader should be feared or liked? How do you feel about taking no for an answer? Can you please explain the gaps in your CV? Do you consider yourself successful? What have you done to improve your knowledge in the last year? How would you feel about working for someone who knows less than you? How do you think I rate as an interviewer? Tell me one thing about yourself you wouldn't want me to know. Tell me the difference between good and exceptional. What kind of car do you drive? There's no right or wrong answer, but if you could be anywhere in the world right now, where would you be? What's the last book you read? What magazines do you subscribe to? What's the best movie you've seen in the last year? What would you do if you won the lottery? Who are your heroes? What do you like to do for fun? What do you do in your spare time? What is your favorite memory from childhood? Tell me about yourself. What are your strengths? What are your weaknesses? What is your philosophy towards work? Why do you want this job? Where would you like to be in your career five years from now? Have you ever had to fire anyone? How did you feel about that? What's your ideal company? What attracted you to this company? What do you actually know about our company? What is a suggestion you’ve made at work that was implemented? Can you describe a situation when … What are the most difficult decisions for you to make? What is the most difficult thing about working with you? Do you enjoy working as part of a team? Tell me about your dream job. What role do you tend to play in a team? Why should we hire you? 81. If you had enough money to retire right now, would you? 82. Describe your management style. 83. What did you like least about your last job? 84. When were you most satisfied in your job? 85. Have you ever been asked to leave a position? 86. What was your biggest challenge with your previous boss? 87. What can you do for us that other candidates can't? 88. What is more important to you: the money or the work? 89. What were the responsibilities of your last position? 90. Why are you leaving your present job? 91. What experience do you have in this field? 92. What do you know about this industry? 93. Do you know anyone who works with our company? 94. How do you propose to compensate for your lack of experience? 95. What other applications have you put in? 96. What will you do if you don’t get this position? 97. Do your skills match this job or another job more closely? 98. Are you willing to make sacrifices for this company? 99. Do you have any blind spots? 100. Are you willing to relocate? 101. How would you know you were successful on this job? 102. Do you have any questions for me? 103. Behavioral Interview Questions: 104. What was the last project you headed up, and what was its outcome? 105. Give me an example of a time that you felt you went above and beyond the call of duty at work. 106. Can you describe a time when your work was criticised? 107. Have you ever been on a team where someone was not pulling their own weight? How did you handle it? 108. Tell me about a time when you had to give someone difficult feedback. How did you handle it? 109. What is your greatest failure, and what did you learn from it? 110. What irritates you about other people, and how do you deal with it? 111. If I were your supervisor and asked you to do something that you disagreed with, what would you do? 112. What was the most difficult period in your life, and how did you deal with it? 113. Give me an example of a time you did something wrong. How did you handle it? 114. What irritates you about other people, and how do you deal with it? 115. Tell me about a time where you had to deal with conflict on the job. 116. Is there anyone you would refuse to work with? 117. If you were at a business lunch and you ordered a rare steak and they brought it to you well done, what would you do? 118. If you found out your company was doing something against the law (like fraud) what would you do? 119. What assignment was too difficult for you, and how did you resolve the issue? 120. What's the most difficult decision you've made in the last two years and how did you arrive at that decision? 121. Describe how you would handle a situation if you were required to finish multiple tasks by the end of the day, and there was no way that you could do it. 122. What salary are you seeking? 123. What's your salary history? 124. If I were to give you this salary you requested but let you write your job description for the next year, what would it say? 125. What are you looking for in terms of career development? 126. How do you want to improve yourself in the next year? 127. If you got this job what kind of goals would you have in mind? 128. If I were to ask your last manager to recommend additional training or exposure for you, what would that person suggest? 129. What’s the last letter of the word describing where the sun sets? 130. How many times do the hands of a clock overlap in a 3 hours? 131. How would you weigh a plane without scales? 132. Tell me 10 ways to use a pen other than writing. 133. Melt' is related to 'Liquid' in the same way as 'Freeze' is related to… 134. Sell me this pen. 135. If you were an animal, what would you want to be? 136. 'Doctor' is related to 'Stethoscope' in the same way as 'Painter' is related to… 137. Why is there fuzz on a tennis ball? 138. If you could choose one super power, what would it be and why? 139. With your eyes closed, describe for me step-by-step how to tie my shoes. 140. What questions do you have about the position? INTERVIEW PREPARATION CHECKLIST □ LOGISTICS Position Interviewing For: ______________________________________________________ Employer Name/Address: ______________________________________________________ Name/Title of Interviewer(s): ____________________________________________________ Time/Date of Interview: ________________________________________________________ Directions: ___________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ □ COMPANY RESEARCH When Institution/Company founded & by whom: ___________________________________ Key Members: ________________________________________________________________ Industry trends/Competitors: ___________________________________________________ Partnerships: _________________________________________________________________ Website Notes (news/etc): _____________________________________________________ Twitter/Facebook Accounts: ____________________________________________________ Friends/Alum/Faculty Connected to Org/Company: ________________________________ □ JOB DESCRIPTION REVIEW KEY elements: ________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________Salary Range: ______________ □ WHAT ARE YOU “SELLING?” SKILLS, EXPERTISE & EXPERIENCE Three key strengths I offer relevant to job description: 1. __________________________________________________________________________ 2. ___________________________________ 3. _____________________________________ Two areas for improvement I have are: 1. ___________________________________ 2. _____________________________________ Relevant activities or work (volunteer/academic): __________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ STAR Story 1: ________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ STAR Story 2: ________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ STAR Story 3: ________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ Relevant educational accomplishments: __________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ Environmental/relevant interests: _______________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ Adapted, with permission. Interview Preparation Form, Career Services, UC Riverside INTERVIEW PREPARATION CHECKLIST □ INTERVIEW QUESTIONS □ Practice answering typical interview questions (use OptimalResume for practice) Questions to ask the interviewer (save some for the end!): 1. __________________________________________________________________________ 2. __________________________________________________________________________ 3. __________________________________________________________________________ □ AFTER THE INTERVIEW Follow up required: ____________________________________________________________ Employer decision expected by: _________________________________________________ □ Thank you sent within 24-48 hours CHECKLISTS: WHAT TO BRING? □ Portfolio with note paper & pen □ Job Description □ Resumes/References □ Questions for interviewer □ Master resume for reference □ Writing/design/project samples WHAT TO WEAR? □ Neutral, well-fitting suit □ Clean and pressed clothes □ Shined shoes □ Subtle accessories □ Appropriately colored socks/hosiery □ Minimal or No cologne/perfume WHERE TO RESEARCH? □ Company Main Website □ tomasnet.com □ hoovers.com □ SEC Filings (Edgar) □ Nonprofit Times □ wetfeet.com □ Chronicles of Philanthropy □ Guidestar.org NOTES:______________________________ _____________________________________ _____________________________________ _____________________________________ _____________________________________ _____________________________________ _____________________________________ _____________________________________ Adapted, with permission. Interview Preparation Form, Career Services, UC Riverside Before the Interview Prepare for Success Presented by: Kc Makhubele Preparing for the Interview How to Prepare Someone wise once said, “Failing to prepare is preparing to fail.” This is true on the field and it is equally true in interviews. Interviewing is a skill so your preparation and practice enhances the quality of your performance. Taking the time to prepare can make the difference between getting a job offer and being rejected. Follow the tips in this presentation and link to our resources so you can ACE your next interview. Quest Home Page All job seeking resources mentioned in this presentation are available at: http://www.quest.co.za. Resources are free to download! Preparing for the Interview Research the Company • Read the company website and search the company name online to find interesting facts and news. Learn to speak their language! Read their vision, mission and value statements. • For example, if “Customers First!” is one of the core values, be ready to talk about how you have delivered excellent customer service in your previous work. Network! • Find people who work for the company to talk to either in person or online (LinkedIn). • Use the form from the resource pack to write down information you learn about the company. Preparing for the Interview Research the Company (cont.) • Find this information about the employer: – What they do, make or sell? – Who are their customers? – What sort of organisation are they (local, national, global)? – Do they have a parent company? – Do they have subsidiaries? – What is the job likely to require? – How can you best describe your skills to match the job? – Is there recent news about something good? – What charities do they support? – What is the name of the CEO? – Are they on social media? What do they say there? Preparing for the Interview Prepare Questions Prepare a list of at 4-6 questions to ask the interviewer. Make sure that these questions are not covered on the company’s website! • Preparing to ask good questions shows that you’re interested in working for the company, you gave the interview some thought in advance, and you are not just applying for any job that comes along. Preparing for the Interview Know the address and directions Make sure you know how to get to the interview! There is no good excuse for being late. If possible, go to the interview site before the interview so you know where to park, where the bus drops you off, where the entrance is, etc. This ensures you will be on time and feeling relaxed. Arrive Early! • When you arrive, greet the receptionist and remember his/her name so you can say thank you on the way out. You make your first impression on the company in the reception area. Preparing for the Interview Skills Use this form from the resources write a list of skills that you bring to the organisation. If you don’t write it down you can easily forget during the interview. Think of evidence that will back your statement. Give Examples • Write down one specific example for each skill of how you have used the skill in a work environment or at school if you haven’t held a job before. The interview is the time to sell yourself but selling requires preparation. Preparing for the Interview Practice! • Pick ten hard questions and hold a mock interview with a friend. Ask your friend to critique your performance and your answers so you can improve. • If you or someone you know has a video camera, ask them to film your practice interview. Watching yourself will help you improve your performance. Preparing for the Interview • Write down answers to common questions, such as "What are your strengths and weaknesses?"; "Why do you want to work here?"; "Why should we hire you?"; and "Tell me about yourself.“ • Visit “Quest Job Tips” on Facebook where Missy Quest posts interview practice questions. • Download 140 interview questions here. (available on http://www.quest.co.za) Preparing for the Interview Get References • Find at least three key people who are willing to give you a professional reference. Ask their permission before adding them to your CV. Be certain to ask them how they want to be contacted by employers. Get References • Try not to use family or friends for references. • Instead, use managers or co-workers from previous jobs or teachers or professors from school. • You may be asked to send references at a later time, but you should bring the references with you to the interview so you’re ready if asked for them. Preparing for the Interview Bring Necessary Documentation • Make a checklist of documents that you will need for the interview so you do not forget anything. Documents you may need include copies of your CV, your ID document, driver's license, or senior certificate. The recruiter will often inform you of these requirements in advance, so do not arrive at the interview without them! Prepare Your Documents! • If the interviewer asks for something additional that you did not know to bring, be sure to get it to them as soon as possible. Preparing for the Interview Get the Right Look • Deciding what to wear for the interview will depend on what sort of work you will be doing. Decide what to wear and get your clothes ready the day before your interview. Dress to Impress! • Aim for a neat, clean and professional appearance. When you look good, you feel good. • Unless specifically told to dress casually, always dress your best. • Keep to neutral colours and always keep modesty in mind! Preparing for the Interview Investigate Your Interviewer • If you know the interviewer’s name ahead of time, you can research them online. Do a Google search and see what you find. • Search on LinkedIn for the person and if you find them, review their profile to see how long they’ve been in the company, where they worked before, where they went to school. Find Something in Common • You may find that you have someone in common with the person you’re about to meet. • Maybe you went to the same schools, grew up in the same town, or worked at the same company at different times. • Maybe you just share an interest or hobby with them. Preparing for the Interview Prepare for the Negative Question • If you have something negative in your background, plan to be asked about it. • Write down some details about the negative situation to prepare for the question: – What you learned from it. – Changes you’ve made because of it or training you’ve completed. – How the experience makes you a better candidate and employee. Place it firmly in your past! • The key is to portray confidence that you are better for the experience and that it will not be repeated because you have changed, or the circumstances that caused the negative have changed. Preparing for the Interview List Your Accomplishments • Write specific examples of your accomplishments. • Relate these to the job description. • Why do your accomplishments make you a good fit for the company? • Be ready to sell yourself in terms of your own success. Preparing for the Interview Make Up an Interview Kit • Preparation means you’re ready for anything. If you’re well-prepared, then you’ll have less to worry about and you can relax and focus only on the questions you’re asked. If you’re worried about your phone ringing, about finding change for the bus after the interview, if your stomach is grumbling from hunger, or your mouth is dry, your focus is split and you’ll be less effective. Use this checklist to think about what you need to take with you to your next interview. Thank-you For Watching! www.Quest.co.za Connect with Quest on social media! Facebook – QuestJobTips Twitter – Missy Quest LinkedIn – Missy Quest LinkedIn – Quest’s company account Pinterest – Missy Quest Looking Your Best! Bathe or shower prior to your interview. Wear clothing that is clean, pressed, and well-fitting. o Neutral colours o Modest o Nothing to take the interviewer’s eyes off your face. Wear appropriate clothing and footwear, i.e., dress one step above the job you are applying for. Make sure your: o Hair is clean and combed; o Hands are clean; o Fingernails are clean and trimmed. Wear conservative makeup, accessories, and jewelry. Nothing too flashy or large. Brush your teeth and freshen your breath (however, no gum!) Wear subtle perfume/cologne. Many people have allergies so it is safer not to wear any. If you have belt loops, wear a belt. Wear matching socks/hosiery (no runs!) Miscellaneous - Judge the employer and position to know what should you do about: o Shaving o Tattoos o Hats o Body piercing What Have You Accomplished? The purpose of your CV and cover letters should be to highlight your accomplishments. This worksheet will help you review each of your job experiences and your major accomplishments in that position. Use action words to describe your accomplishments and write them out in complete sentences. Employer 1: Job Title: Employer 2: Job Title: Employer 3: Job Title: Employer 4: Job Title: ACTION WORDS Administered Advised Analyzed Assembled Assisted Calculated Catalogued Chaired Changed Collaborated Compiled Completed Conducted Constructed Consulted Contracted Coordinated Copied Created Defined Delegated Demonstrated Designed Directed Distributed Drafted Edited Educated Established Evaluated Examined Executed Explained Facilitated Handled Helped Hired Identified Implemented Improved Increased Influenced Informed Initiated Interviewed Investigated Maintained Managed Marketed Monitored Motivated Negotiated Operated Organized Persuaded Prepared Presented Programmed Proposed Publicized Recorded Recruited Revised Served Supervised Taught Used Wrote Your Employment Values Please check work values that were present in a past job and those that you want most in your next job. Achievement - personal & professional feelings of accomplishment Advancement - opportunity to receive training and move up the ladder Authority - responsibility for leading a team and directing the work of others Autonomy - freedom to innovate and the opportunity to work independently Benefits – work in a company that provides good benefits for myself and my family Challenge - a job that demands the best use of your resources and abilities to meet new situations Comfort - low pressure and few constraints Conformity - benefit from strong leadership and comfortable to let others set expectations and direction Contribution - opportunity to have a direct and visible impact on the success of the organization Cooperation - work in a friendly, compatible environment Creativity - opportunity to innovate and deal with new problems in new ways, freedom to experiment Culture – work within a corporate culture that feeds my spirit, motivates me, and to which I can make a commitment Entrepreneurship - motivation to be self-employed, develop a new service, start-up a new program Environment - a workplace whose design and main values are compatible with your standards Fairness – work within a company where employees are protected from bad management Innovation – a job that works in a cutting edge field like technology Interaction - frequent and open interpersonal contacts with others Knowledge - opportunity for mentorship, open dialog and new learning Leadership - be responsible for and direct the work of others, making decisions affecting others, and managing Mobility - opportunity to travel Personal Time - sufficient time for family life and outside pursuits Prestige - a job that gives status and respect Responsibility - to be held accountable for important tasks and recognized for followthrough Routine Activity – comfortable with work that is uncomplicated and organized with the same tasks repeated frequently Salary - being well paid for your work Security - a job that is not likely to be eliminated within a stable industry Social Interest - a job that helps people Union – have the opportunity to join a labour union Variety - work involving many different tasks I had this in my past job I want this in my future job
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