Based on our extensive experience of introducing candidates to companies and continually evaluating client feedback, we have compiled a summary of the common suggestions of job interviewing. We strongly recommend discussing the position and company with our consultants and carefully preparing before each interview. Orion International offers all of its candidates a personal career coaching consultation on how best to succeed in the interview process.

First Impressions:
The first 30 seconds or less is a very important and crucial time to connect with an interviewer and to impress upon an employer whether or not they should consider hiring you. From the moment you walk into their office to the moment you sit down in a chair, the interviewer is noticing how you connect with them.

Clear the 30-second hurdle with a positive connection effect: Its important to consider that job interviews can be divided into two parts. The first part is known as the “30-second hurdle”—a crucial half-minute where most employers make up their minds about a candidate based on the connection effect. This concept refers to an interviewer’s first impression of you, which can be negative or positive. A positive connection effect can help people think positively of you. A negative connection effect will make it more difficult to win the second part of the interview, which is everything after the first 30 seconds! You can quickly connect with people by wearing an engaging smile, shaking hands firmly, dressing appropriately, and making the person feel that you are delighted to meet them. You can also connect by associating yourself with a trusted colleague or friend of the interviewer.

Therefore is is crucial that you focus on connecting with everyone you come in contact with during the interview process and making a good impression from the moment you arrive- Show your enthusiasm from the moment you walk in the door - as the saying goes - You never get a second chance to make a first impression!

Appearance and Manner:

The importance of a professional appearance and strong presentation and communication skills cannot be overstated. These are your personal marketing tools and what appeals to the interviewer’s emotional senses.

Suggestions:

-Wear a smile, no matter how you feel. A smile conveys confidence, high self-esteem, competence, warmth,
and enthusiasm.

- Wear clothes that are appropriate to the occasion. Always dress professionally, even if the interviewer or recruiter suggests it is OK to dress casually. Interviewers will subconsciously evaluate your character by your appearance.

- Shake hands firmly with non-Japanese interviewers and address them by their first name throughout the interview. It is far more natural to use first names with non-Japanese.

- Practice your posture and delivery until you have developed a comfortable style. Generally speaking, posture should be straight and slightly forward, hands in front and lightly on the desk, direct eye contact with keen interest.

- Get your names right! Incorrectly stating the company or interviewer’s name leaves an impression of carelessness or forgetfulness.

Pre-Interview Preparation:

Careful preparation can help avoid serious mistakes and give you an advantage in an interview.

Suggestions:

- Be sure you have the company address and map and plan to arrive 10 minutes earlier than the scheduled interview time.

- Know the company’s facts and figures, products, markets, competitors and recent news. Know the position you are applying for.

- Ask your recruiter for inside information; the background of the people you will meet, the main needs of the company, the reason the position is open, specific questions which will be asked in the interview and the style of the interview.

- Know your own company’s facts and figures, products, markets, competitors and recent news. You may unexpectedly be asked to speak about them.

- Rehearse answers for common interview questions asked by employers (see below).

- Have your own questions prepared (see below).

- Bring the job job description and a copy of your resume. Focus the conversation on areas in your career which match the job requirements and express your strengths that can add value to the position and company.

During the Interview:

You will have approximately 1 hour (sometimes less) to convince the interviewer(s) that you are the best person for the position. It is important to make sure you use this time and opportunity effectively.

Suggestions:

- If possible find out about the client’s needs before talking about yourself. It will help you tailor your answers accordingly later in the interview.

Plan answers for the following points and try to introduce them into the conversation:

- Your skills and experience relevant to the position.

- Your career achievements.

- Why the position is a good fit with your career objectives.

- Avoid asking about salary or benefits in early interviews unless asked by the interviewer - then confidently stae your current salary and expectation with flexibility in mind.

- Always speak positively about previous employers, jobs, colleagues and customers.

General questions which you should always have answers for:

- Why would you like to change your job?

- Why are you interested in our company and this position?

- How does the position match with your career objectives?

- How can your skills and experience assist and add value to our company?

- Please tell us what you know about our company, the industry we are in and our products and competitors?

- Please explain some of your major achievements.

- What motivates you?

- Do you consider yourself a team player? Why?

- How can you add value to our company?

- What is your present salary and desired salary?

- Do you have any questions?

General questions you can ask:

- Please tell me about the company culture.

- Please tell me about the president and the leaders in the company.

- What kind of strategies will the company be going forward with in the next few years?

- What are the company’s strengths?

- Please tell me about the vision of the company.

- What can be improved at the company.

- What kind of people succeed at the company?

- What types of opportunities are there for career development within the company?

- What kind of training program do you have?

- Why are you looking to fill the position?

- What kind of deliverables are you expecting from the successful applicant within the 1st year?

Closing the Interview and Follow Up:

Close the interview by making sure you express interest in meeting again or accepting the position if it is offered. It is also very important to call your recruiter after the interview and discuss how the interview went - with any concerns or questions. Your attitude throughout the interview process is often relayed from the recruiter to the client company to the recruiter.

"Your objective in the first interview is to get to the second interview!"