Few people enjoy job interviews. But proper preparation can help to make the experience easier and ultimately more successful. Mark Timms, a director at The Gulf Recruitment Group, shares some tips on how it should be done.
What kind of research should you do before an interview?
Always ensure that you know … the interviewer's name and title, and some solid information about the company. You are also expected to stay up to date with information concerning your current employer … turnover, profit, share dividend, etc. Also, prepare for some common questions that you may be asked during the interview. The most common ones would [include] what do you want to achieve in life; what does teamwork mean to you; what makes you better than average; and tell me about yourself.
What tips can you give people who are nervous in interviews?
Remind yourself that you've been selected for the interview because you have what the employer [is seeking]. No one will do better at this interview than you, since you're the expert on yourself.
Is there something you should never do during an interview?
Ensure that you don't present yourself poorly or act in an overbearing or conceited manner. Certain [behaviours] that can put off the hiring manager or the interviewer could be: late for the interview; not showing enthusiasm; sounding nervous and not looking the interviewer in the eye; answering phone calls during the interview or checking text messages; mumbling and dabbling with answers and not being specific; or condemning your current or previous employer.
How should you answer the famous "what is your weakness?" question?
Avoid giving clichéd answers, where one's positive is a disguised weakness. Interviewers have caught on to that ploy and expect nothing less than a well-thought-out, original answer. A strong answer is the one which presents the weakness but describes how the candidate is seeking to overcome it. For example, I am still developing my leadership capability and I'm often requesting feedback from my team and own manager to strengthen this area.
What questions should you ask your interviewer?
You should neither ask very few [questions] - [this] shows you are disinterested, or too many questions - [it] shows you are very aggressive. A solid three to four questions should do the trick. Some of the strong questions to ask are: what qualities are you looking for in the ideal candidate? This speaks volumes about you as a person and can help you understand what really fits the job role. Why is the position currently available? This shows you are interested to know whether the person got promoted to another role or the existing employee resigned. What induction and training programmes are available? This shows you are here not only to earn but also learn and add value to the organisation.
Is it bad form to ask about holidays?
Yes.
* Gillian Duncan
More on Quran memorisation:
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The Perfect Couple
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor
Creator: Jenna Lamia
Rating: 3/5
KINGDOM%20OF%20THE%20PLANET%20OF%20THE%20APES
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The Penguin
Starring: Colin Farrell, Cristin Milioti, Rhenzy Feliz
Creator: Lauren LeFranc
Rating: 4/5
Company%20Profile
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Greatest of All Time
Starring: Vijay, Sneha, Prashanth, Prabhu Deva, Mohan
Abu Dhabi Grand Slam Jiu-Jitsu World Tour Calendar 2018/19
July 29: OTA Gymnasium in Tokyo, Japan
Sep 22-23: LA Convention Centre in Los Angeles, US
Nov 16-18: Carioca Arena Centre in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Feb 7-9: Mubadala Arena in Abu Dhabi, UAE
Mar 9-10: Copper Box Arena in London, UK
AVOID SCAMMERS: TIPS FROM EMIRATES NBD
1. Never respond to e-mails, calls or messages asking for account, card or internet banking details
2. Never store a card PIN (personal identification number) in your mobile or in your wallet
3. Ensure online shopping websites are secure and verified before providing card details
4. Change passwords periodically as a precautionary measure
5. Never share authentication data such as passwords, card PINs and OTPs (one-time passwords) with third parties
6. Track bank notifications regarding transaction discrepancies
7. Report lost or stolen debit and credit cards immediately
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Company%20Profile
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COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Company%20Profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENamara%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EJune%202022%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounder%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EMohammed%20Alnamara%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDubai%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EMicrofinance%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECurrent%20number%20of%20staff%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E16%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESeries%20A%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFamily%20offices%0D%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre turbo
Power: 181hp
Torque: 230Nm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Starting price: Dh79,000
On sale: Now
'Gehraiyaan'
Director:Shakun Batra
Stars:Deepika Padukone, Siddhant Chaturvedi, Ananya Panday, Dhairya Karwa
Rating: 4/5
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Where to submit a sample
Volunteers of all ages can submit DNA samples at centres across Abu Dhabi, including: Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (Adnec), Biogenix Labs in Masdar City, NMC Royal Hospital in Khalifa City, NMC Royal Medical Centre, Abu Dhabi, NMC Royal Women's Hospital, Bareen International Hospital, Al Towayya in Al Ain, NMC Specialty Hospital, Al Ain
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
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Profile
Company name: Marefa Digital
Based: Dubai Multi Commodities Centre
Number of employees: seven
Sector: e-learning
Funding stage: Pre-seed funding of Dh1.5m in 2017 and an initial seed round of Dh2m in 2019
Investors: Friends and family
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THE BIO: Mohammed Ashiq Ali
Proudest achievement: “I came to a new country and started this shop”
Favourite TV programme: the news
Favourite place in Dubai: Al Fahidi. “They started the metro in 2009 and I didn’t take it yet.”
Family: six sons in Dubai and a daughter in Faisalabad
DMZ facts
- The DMZ was created as a buffer after the 1950-53 Korean War.
- It runs 248 kilometers across the Korean Peninsula and is 4km wide.
- The zone is jointly overseen by the US-led United Nations Command and North Korea.
- It is littered with an estimated 2 million mines, tank traps, razor wire fences and guard posts.
- Donald Trump and Kim Jong-Un met at a building in Panmunjom, where an armistice was signed to stop the Korean War.
- Panmunjom is 52km north of the Korean capital Seoul and 147km south of Pyongyang, North Korea’s capital.
- Former US president Bill Clinton visited Panmunjom in 1993, while Ronald Reagan visited the DMZ in 1983, George W. Bush in 2002 and Barack Obama visited a nearby military camp in 2012.
- Mr Trump planned to visit in November 2017, but heavy fog that prevented his helicopter from landing.
COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
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MATCH INFO
Rugby World Cup (all times UAE)
Final: England v South Africa, Saturday, 1pm
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The bio
Favourite food: Japanese
Favourite car: Lamborghini
Favourite hobby: Football
Favourite quote: If your dreams don’t scare you, they are not big enough
Favourite country: UAE