As part of our job interview guidance series, we’ve covered various tips on face-to-face interviews, video conferencing interviews, and more. Today, we are going to provide more tips on one of the most common interview formats for jobs in Malaysia. If you are in dire need of knowing how to ace one-on-one interviews, you’re at the right place.
The format is simple – where an interviewer (typically the hiring manager) interviews a candidate using either face-to-face or video conferencing methods. It’s the default interview format that we think about.
In contrast with group interviews where it’s more effective for mass hiring (such as for waitress, store helper, etc), one-on-one interviews are commonly more suitable for niche roles (manager, specialist, etc.). It’s also more convenient as employers only need to schedule the interview for one person instead of referring to multiple schedules.
What happens during a one-on-one interview? The interviewers would typically start by introducing themselves, then evaluate the candidate’s resume and begin asking relevant questions. Being alone with the candidate allows the interviewer to better gauge and evaluate whether the candidate would be the right fit for the organisation.
One-on-one Interview Tips To Get You Hired
1. Be On-the dot Punctual
Firstly, understand that one-on-one interviews require more commitment compared to group interviews in the sense that interviewers would need to make time to interview each candidate one-by-one instead of a group of people.
The best way (and often the easiest way) for you to establish a good first impression is by arriving punctually at the interview venue. Make all the necessary planning to ensure that the interview starts on time, instead of making the interviewers feel like they’ve wasted their precious time on you.
2. First Impression Matters
Speaking about delivering great impact, you should know that it’s a must for job seekers to dress appropriately when attending an interview. For office jobs, it’s safe to be in formal wear to look sharp. Smart casual at the very least, but never jeans and slippers.
It’s also important to keep yourself well groomed – messy hair, body odour, wrinkly outfit, and long nails are some of the mistakes you should not be making if you care about giving a good first impression. Another make-or-break item would be your handshake.
3. Research Away
The truth is, the journey of landing your dream job starts way before attending the job interview. Before you submit any documents or attend any interview, you should always conduct research about the role, the company, and if possible, the interviewer.
Knowing is half the battle, so understanding crucial information could help boost your confidence and chances of success during the one-on-one interview. The company’s online platforms are perfect for you to understand the business, its vision and company culture.
When you are well-versed with the job descriptions, skills required, and business model, you will be able to better construct interview answers by inserting information and past achievements that align with the company’s ideal candidate for the role.
4. Keep it Enjoyable
Understand that in a one-on-one interview, all attention and focus will be on you. Here are a few ways to ensure that the session is smooth and enjoyable:
- Listen to the interviewer attentively
- Make sufficient eye contact, not excessively
- Don’t forget to smile and nod your head
- Ensure good nonverbal communication
- Do not interrupt the interviewer’s speech
- Do not drag a conversation for too long and focus on the topic
- Do not ask questions that are too personal for the interviewer
- Remember to prepare relevant questions for the interviewer
5. Maintain Professionalism
One-on-one interviews should maintain formal and professional. In order to create a better connection and stronger sense of rapport with your potential employer, you should remain professional throughout the interview session.
You should avoid habits such as:
- Fidgeting
- Bouncing your legs
- Speaking too informally
- Scratching your body
- Checking your phone
- Answering your phone call
In summary, try to make the one-on-one interview session as pleasant and formal as it can be for both parties. This is also crucial to maintain a good impression throughout your interview.
6. Authenticity is Key
The last tip is to always be honest and authentic. You should understand that no human is perfect – employers understand this as well. Instead of worrying too much about giving the “right” interview answers, focus on making yourself the best person for them to work with.
You’d be surprised that employers are more interested in your passion, personality and traits, as well as whether you are a suitable fit for the team. Interviewers would appreciate it if you could be genuine in how you act and what you say in the interview, instead of trying too hard to be overly confident and “perfect”.
Final Remarks
Now that you are ready to attend the one-on-one interviews to land your dream jobs in Malaysia, the next step is to go through your exit interview after resigning from your current job.
Need more job interview-related guidance? Fret not as Job Majestic is here to help you with preparing for an interview, video conferencing interview, group interview, and more! Time to apply for the right job for a majestic life.
