Beyond Excelling At Interviews with Ojurayo Alaba Iranlowo

Ojurayo Alaba Iranlowo is an innovative and resourceful Human Resources Professional with extensive experience in Human resources practice, consulting and in-depth Human Resources knowledge for over fourteen years. He has also demonstrated expertise in HR generalist affairs with excellent strategic planning and leadership skills dedicated to maximizing productivity for the achievement of a company’s overall objectives.

Below is a summary of the interview Beyond Excelling At Interviews with Ojurayo Alaba Iranlowo

He began by saying he had started the business of managing people unconsciously from his undergraduate days and then grew to making a career in human resources. Going into the topic of discussion he said that first thing first in preparing for an interview one needs to find out everything about their job description. Explaining further, he said the next thing is to read on the organization, the vision, mission as well as their core values.

He went on to point out that in his experience, some applicants often were carried away and appeared nervous in interviews which were not supposed to be. He pointed out that an interview was just space for employees to ask questions based on abilities stated in a CV as such applicants need not fear. As to what interviewers lookout for, he said that it was dependent on the role as employees could be looking at English fluency for a front-desk officer position. In the course of an interview when one is asked ‘tell us about yourself’, he stated that applicants are expected to sell themselves briefly to the interviewers.

Moving to the question of one’s strengths or weaknesses, he said that applicants are to speak on their strong points and areas they can improve on. When asking questions, he said that applicants are to ask strategic questions that will forge the organization as others could be viewed on the company’s website. After the interview, he advised that applicants allow a space of two weeks for the organization to make their decision before reaching out to them. Still, He advised that job seekers take job rejections in good faith as it only meant they are not suitable for the job based on certain criteria. He stated the criteria were often a combination of character and temperament stressing that being qualified for a job just IQ alone.

When one is asked the question of previous employment records, he advised they give correct information because a background check is usually done. He advised against overinflating one’s abilities but to instead speak honestly about what one’s abilities without appearing too overconfident. He advised against speaking ill about one’s former employee as it often hampers on an applicant's chances of getting employed. Finally, he advised job seekers to take care to brush up on interview tips if they are to excel at future interviews.