Sharing some tips on how to ace or excel in job interviews, focusing more on common issues faced by fresh graduates.

1. Excel in Job Interviews:
Go BIG or Go Home!
By Mr Chuah Kee Man
www.chuahkeeman.com
Ogranised by BRC UNIMAS

2. Do you really want
a job?

3. Before you even
accept an interview
offer/invitation…

4. Do a “self-test”
Be sure what the company wants really
fits your skills, career track, beliefs and
experiences.

5. Ready to go BIG
and excel in job interviews?

6. Be fully prepared.
Do necessary check on the company and also
prepare your “weapons” (attire, resumes/cv,
portfolios)

7. Be there earlier
Quite a lot of candidates failed job interviews
because they were late. Most of them were
merely 5 minutes late.

8. Breathe Deeply
Relax your mind by breathing deeply. Treat the
interview like a normal conversation.

9. Be Confident
From the moment you walk into the room, until
the last word you said. But how? Be prepared
and be honest!

10. Body Language
o Be aware of your body language-
don’t keep looking down or up.
Maintain good eye contact.
o Sit up straight, avoid unnecessary
movements (e.g. shaking your legs)

11. Be Honest
o Don’t attempt to cheat. Cheating
usually makes you feel “uneasy”
and it can lead you to show that you
are not confident.
o Be in control of what you plan to say
and say it sincerely. (Watch “Will Smith as
Chris” in Pursuit of Happiness – Interview
Scene) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gHXKitKAT1E

12. o Despite being late and didn’t manage to dress up properly,
Chris was honest and showcased his confidence in front of the
panel.

13. Be careful of your
intonation when answering
questions.
o Be more slightly authoritative in
answering. Don’t repeat the questions or
end your answer with a rising tone (like
asking a question or unsure)
o Don’t turn all answers to sound like you
are not confident.

14. Be in good terms
The best way to get what we want is to meet
the needs of the interviewer. Follow the “flow”.

15. Be Focused
Listen attentively to the questions asked. If you
are not clear, say it, don’t pretend to understand.
Stay focused on your qualities when answering.

16. Be careful of these questions
during interviews
o “Tell me more about yourself”
o “Are you willing to be relocated?”
o “Tell me your biggest weakness”
o “Why should we hire you?”
o “Why do you want this job?”
o “If we offer you lower pay, will you
accept this post?”
They are “trick” questions to test your
passion and sincerity.

17. Be Goal-Oriented
Where do you see yourself in the next 1, 5 and
10 years? Chart your goals clearly and in a
realistic way.

18. Be The Best You Can Be
Believe in yourself. You have nothing to lose, so
give your very best.

19. LANGUAGE TIPS
For Interviews

20. Use action verbs when
explaining your skills
and experiences. Avoid
“clichés” or overused
words.

21. Worst Words (Overused) Best Words
1. Best of breed
2. Go-getter
3. Think outside of the box
4. Dynamic
5. Synergy
6. Thought leadership
7. Value add
8. Results-driven
9. Team player
10. Bottom-line
1. Achieved
2. Improved
3. Trained/mentored
4. Managed
5. Created
6. Resolved
7. Volunteered
8. Influenced
9. Increased/decreased
10. Won

22. Language Focus during Interview
o Use active voice more instead of
passive voice. (e.g. I conducted the
project…NOT the project was
conducted by me…)
o Use more first-person pronoun (e.g. I,
we)
o Avoid using run-on sentences. Pause
at the right time to highlight
keywords.

23. Top Keywords
Problem solving
Leadership
Oral/ Written Communication
Team building
Productivity
Adaptable

24. Avoid These Statements
o I’m a team player
o I’m a perfect fit for this job
o I’m a perfectionist
o I’m a workaholic
o I have good leadership skills
(Be specific, in fact get ready the facts)
E.g. If you are a team player, say “I led my
teams during undergraduate years in two
important projects namely….”

25. Extra!
Clean up your social
profile!

26. So, are you ready to
Go Big Or Go Home?

27. Get in touch..
@keemanxp
fb.com/chuahkeeman
kmchuah@cans.unimas.my
www.chuahkeeman.com