Total recall

A GOOD memory is an asset for everyone, but it is essential for job seekers. Have you ever failed to recall key information during an interview, or do you get overwhelmed by a ton of information you have to remember while preparing for one?

There are several memory techniques to help you improve your memory in a very short time. However, before you start your journey of developing a super memory, you need to be aware of and understand certain stumbling blocks in your way. What are these blocks?

1 DISBELIEF

Most people, including job seekers, have such a high level of disbelief in their memory capacity that they don’t even try to memorise new information. For a job seeker to do well in an interview, he has to have as much information as possible about the prospective employer’s company.

What causes such disbelief in their memory power? The simple answer is “lack of awareness”. The brain is the most amazing machine on the planet. If you train your brain, nothing is impossible. Make sure that you assign your memory its true value.

Many people brag about their memory, but don’t do anything to make it good. You just can’t wish to improve your memory. You need to act. You have to give your memory a good workout. The next time you want to memorise anything, just make a committed effort. Believe that you can do it. You will be surprised with the result.

2 LACK OF INTEREST

If you have to memorise any information, you have to be interested in it. Trying to memorise information without being interested in it just wastes your precious time.

Try to find ways and means of making the information fun to learn. Try to find an expert on the subject and discuss the topic with him. The expert can explain the same information in a way that makes the subject come alive.

When you are preparing for an interview, it is a good idea to talk to someone in the organisation you want to work in. It’s not that difficult to get in touch with some employees if you try. Doing this helps you to better understand the organisation and makes the process more interesting because you can now ask questions and get reliable answers.

Here’s a tip: If the information is not interesting enough, it’s your duty to make sure it is interesting.

3 DISUSE

The fastest way to forget information is to not use it in your day-to-day life. Research indicates that people forget about 80 per cent of the new information they learn in less than 24 hours. So use the information you collect as much as possible.

After putting in some effort to compile as much data as you can about the organisation you want to join, you will have a fair idea about its different aspects.

However, if you don’t take proper measures to retain the information, you may forget much of it before the interview. Here are some things you can do to make sure that the information is retained in your brain for a long time:
● Explain the information to someone else.
● Discuss the points with your friends.
● Write a summary in your own words.
● Write an article about it.
● Think about how you can pass on the information to a five-year-old child.

By doing any of the above tasks, you are now making the process of learning and memorising an enjoyable one.

Memory improvement is not possible unless you kick the three stumbling blocks out of your way. If you take action in eliminating these traps, you will not only do better in your interviews, you will also effectively cope with “information overloads” once you are on the job.

- Source: Straits Times/Asia News Network