Congratulations - you landed the interview! Now what? Whether
you're a seasoned professional or seeking your first entry-level professional position,
interviewing is NOT easy, nor should the process be taken lightly. With thorough
preparation, research and practice, you can make the process less painful.
In order to ensure that you make a good impression, there are some simple, yet effective
steps you should take to prepare. The employer now knows something about you through your
resume or perhaps a phone call, and is ready to give you some of their valuable time to
learn more about you. The question is, what do you know about the employer besides the
fact that they are the largest employer in your area and "a great place to
work?" Actively perform some company research so you can honestly answer the question
"so what do you know about us?" You want to be able to intelligently discuss
what you know about the company, and you can easily find that information through research
on-line (www.hoovers.com) , the company website, or
by visiting your local library and/or Chamber of Commerce. Try to zero in on one or two
particular pieces of information that YOU find especially interesting, not necessarily the
news item that was just flashed on yesterday's broadcast - it will show a little more
initiative and give the employer a better perspective on who you are.
Try to learn if you will be interviewing with one person or several key players; if you
are told that you will be meeting more than one person, try to determine their role in the
company. Be prepared to answer why you WANT the job and what led you to pursue this
particular company. Even (or particularly) if you've sent out hundreds of resumes, you
need to be able to convey to the employer a genuine interest in the position you applied
for. You should be able to clearly present your skills, qualifications and past experience
in a positive way, in particular, a manner which exhibits to the company what you can do
for THEM, not the other way around. In addition to using this as your shining moment, and
no matter how well you do in explaining why you will be the perfect candidate, don't
forget to prepare yourself for answering the tough questions. Practice, practice, practice
- that old maxim holds true for interviewing too.
An interview is not the place to "wing it," no matter how qualified you are, how
many degrees you hold, or HOW well you have been accepted at your past positions. Try
videotaping yourself; you'd be amazed at what we take for granted in our everyday speech
patterns. When is the last time you REALLY looked at yourself speaking? You may or may not
be comfortable with how you appear on film, but it's the perfect opportunity to see what
the interviewer will. You want to sound and look confident, not stiff - approachable, but
professional. If you’re sincere about your goals, establish your knowledge about the
company and remain confident about the contributions you can make, you stand a very GOOD
chance of making the final cut - even better when you REMEMBER to send the thank-you
letter!
Classic (and some hard) interview questions to "practice."
There is NO WAY we can even begin to provide specific answers to these questions, since
each interview is different. But we CAN get you thinking of answers you can tailor to your
own background. Try to think of at least two for each question. The more prepared you are,
the more professional you'll appear.
 Tell
me about yourself (be brief and keep the information sharing on a professional level.)
What do you know about us? (if you didn't do your research,
this is where you'll fail.)
Why do you want this position? (stay away from
"money" and/or benefits - focus on the fact that you enjoy doing such and such,
look forward to contributing, etc.)
Where do you see yourself in 5 years? (a good answer is,
"doing something that gives me a feeling of professional accomplishment")
What is your biggest weakness? (relate it to a positive -
"I’m a perfectionist, but I’m working on it" or "Computers are
not my strong point, but I've been taking classes to get me up to speed and I'm really
enjoying them") - This would NOT be a good choice if you are applying for a computer
operator position, but you get the point!
Why did you leave your last position? (reached highest level;
downsized; wish to learn more - if you were fired, you have to say so, then smoothly get
back on track without sounding negative or spending too much time discussing it)
Why should we hire you? (again, play up your strong points,
marketable skills and how the two can help them achieve objectives)
Are you willing to work overtime? (if you
really refuse to do this, it's best to ask what does overtime "typically" mean;
if one hour a week is too much for you, you should be honest to avoid later resentment
should you take the job anyhow)
How do you handle rejection? (this is a good question for people applying for sales position, and you
should be prepared with positive example)
How can you explain these gaps in your history? (you have to be able to explain this - "I was seriously
searching for the right opportunity with the best company," or something positive)
Why do you keep changing jobs? (again, relate to something positive - better opportunities for acquiring new
skills, more visibility, etc. - now you are ready to make that diverse background pay
off!)
Now, do you have any questions? (try to get specifics about exact
responsibilities, expectations, special skills you'll need, why the last person left, who
will be your direct supervisor, advancement opportunities, turnover rate, training schedule, etc.) This isn't the time to talk about money and benefits.
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