Amal Al-Sibai

Saudi Gazette



JEDDAH — "Our Youth" summer program under the sponsorship of Makkah Emir Prince Khaled Al-Faisal commenced this week.



As a culmination of a month-long series of workshops and training, a two-day forum was held at Hilton Hotel and was opened to the public.



The forum targeted those who will be building the future of our society and offered a wide range of lectures from health and fitness to lectures on how to succeed in college, work and in marriage. The forum was not void of entertainment as there was also a stand-up comedy show.



In his final words to the young audience Prince Khaled said, “The future ahead of you is bright and you should seize the opportunity to be a part of the development and advancement of our nation. Along with the skills and education that you gain comes great responsibility toward your communities as well.”



As youngsters are approaching the age when they will be seeking jobs, a certain set of skills may be the determining factor in landing the job or not, and one of them is how they handle the personal interview.



Students who will be applying for colleges and universities abroad will also be required to sit for a personal interview and their demeanor should give off confidence, friendliness and knowledge.



Turki Yunus has been working for over a decade in human resources development and has conducted countless interviews with prospective employees over the years that he could write a book on the dos and don’ts of not only surviving a job interview, but acing it.



One of the biggest mistakes to make that may give the impression that you are irresponsible or unreliable is to arrive late for your interview. Always arrive at least 5 minutes before your scheduled appointment.

 

“Although educational background and experience are imperative, your physical appearance at that first interview is of great importance because the impression made in the mind in those earliest few moments usually sticks. If you did not take the time to appear tidy, clean and neat it will reflect negatively on you. Park your car close to the entrance door and use the elevator not the stairs because you do not want to walk into your interviewer’s door panting and sweating,” said Yunus.



Yunus related a story of a young man who came to the job interview wearing bright orange shoes.



Of course, Yunus did not judge the person simply because of the color of his shoes, but he thought it was an inappropriate way to dress for a job interview.



Good communication skills and confidence are definitely a must. Greet your interviewer with his/her name and a smile. When answering questions, stay at ease as if you are in a conversation rather than appearing tense and answering curtly; this is a personal interview, not an exam.



Before coming to the interview, do your homework. Research what the vision and goals of the institution you want to be a part of are. The best candidates are those who believe in that vision and will help the organization move in the right direction. When it is your turn to speak, show what value you will be adding to the college or company.



Rehearsing before the interview may help you speak more smoothly when you are finally in your interviewer’s office. Prepare a mental list of the skills, talents, hobbies and experiences that may be relevant to this opportunity that you are applying for.



Plan and practice some answers to typical questions. Practice in front of a mirror, or record your practice interviews on video. Watch for nervous gestures and eliminate any slang or other inappropriate language. Get your friends or family members involved to ask you questions and evaluate your answers and presentation.