1- TEN INTERVIEWING PRINCIPLES
In the
current job market, you'd better have your act together,
or you won't stand a chance against the competition.
Check yourself on these 10 basic points before you go on
that all-important interview.
1. Look Sharp
Before the interview, select your outfit. Depending on
the industry and position, get out your best duds and
check them over for spots and wrinkles. Even if the
company has a casual environment, you don't want to look
like you slept in your clothes. Above all, dress for
confidence. If you feel good, others will respond to you
accordingly.
2. Be on Time
Never arrive late to an interview. Allow extra time to
arrive early in the vicinity, allowing for factors like
getting lost. Enter the building 10 to 15 minutes before
the interview.
3. Do Your Research
Researching the company before the interview and
learning as much as possible about its services,
products, customers and competition will give you an
edge in understanding and addressing the company's
needs. The more you know about the company and what it
stands for, the better chance you have of selling
yourself. You also should find out about the company's
culture to gain insight into your potential happiness on
the job.
4. Be Prepared
Bring along a folder containing extra copies of your
resume, a copy of your references and paper to take
notes. You should also have questions prepared to ask at
the end of the interview. For extra assurance, print a
copy of Monster's handy Interview Planner.
5. Show Enthusiasm
A firm handshake and plenty of eye contact demonstrate
confidence. Speak distinctly in a confident voice, even
though you may feel shaky.
6. Listen
One of the most neglected interviewing skills is
listening. Make sure you are not only listening, but
also reading between the lines. Sometimes what is not
said is just as important as what is said.
7. Answer the Question Asked
Candidates often don't think about whether or not they
actually are answering the questions asked by their
interviewers. Make sure you understand what is being
asked, and get further clarification if you are unsure.
8. Give Specific Examples
One specific example of your background is worth 50
vague stories. Prepare your stories before the
interview. Give examples that highlight your successes
and uniqueness. Your past behavior can indicate your
future performance.
9. Ask Questions
Many interviewees don't ask questions and miss the
opportunity to find out valuable information. Your
questions indicate your interest in the company or job.
10. Follow Up
Whether it's through email or regular mail, the
follow-up is one more chance to remind the interviewer
of all the valuable traits you bring to the job and
company. You don't want to miss this last chance to
market yourself.
It is important to appear confident and cool for the
interview. One way to do that is to be prepared to the
best of your ability. There is no way to predict what an
interview holds, but by following these important rules
you will feel less anxious and will be ready to
positively present yourself.
2- THE MOST POPULAR INTERVIEW QUESTIONS
Too many
job seekers stumble through interviews as if the
questions are coming out of left field. But many
interview questions are to be expected. Study this list
and plan your answers ahead of time so you'll be ready
to deliver them with confidence.
1. What
Are Your Weaknesses?
This is the most dreaded question of all. Handle it by
minimizing your weakness and emphasizing your strengths.
Stay away from personal qualities and concentrate on
professional traits: "I am always working on improving
my communication skills to be a more effective
presenter. I recently joined Toastmasters, which I find
very helpful."
2. Why
Should We Hire You?
Summarize your experiences: "With five years' experience
working in the financial industry and my proven record
of saving the company money, I could make a big
difference in your company. I'm confident I would be a
great addition to your team."
3. Why Do
You Want to Work Here?
The interviewer is listening for an answer that
indicates you've given this some thought and are not
sending out resumes just because there is an opening.
For example, "I've selected key companies whose mission
statements are in line with my values, where I know I
could be excited about what the company does, and this
company is very high on my list of desirable choices."
4. What
Are Your Goals?
Sometimes it's best to talk about short-term and
intermediate goals rather than locking yourself into the
distant future. For example, "My immediate goal is to
get a job in a growth-oriented company. My long-term
goal will depend on where the company goes. I hope to
eventually grow into a position of responsibility."
5. Why Did
You Leave (Or Why Are You Leaving) Your Job?
If you're unemployed, state your reason for leaving in a
positive context: "I managed to survive two rounds of
corporate downsizing, but the third round was a 20
percent reduction in the workforce, which included me."
If you are employed, focus on what you want in your next
job: "After two years, I made the decision to look for a
company that is team-focused, where I can add my
experience."
6. When
Were You Most Satisfied in Your Job?
The interviewer wants to know what motivates you. If you
can relate an example of a job or project when you were
excited, the interviewer will get an idea of your
preferences. "I was very satisfied in my last job,
because I worked directly with the customers and their
problems; that is an important part of the job for me."
7. What
Can You Do for Us That Other Candidates Can't?
What makes you unique? This will take an assessment of
your experiences, skills and traits. Summarize
concisely: "I have a unique combination of strong
technical skills, and the ability to build strong
customer relationships. This allows me to use my
knowledge and break down information to be more
user-friendly."
8. What
Are Three Positive Things Your Last Boss Would Say About
You?
It's time to pull out your old performance appraisals
and boss's quotes. This is a great way to brag about
yourself through someone else's words: "My boss has told
me that I am the best designer he has ever had. He knows
he can rely on me, and he likes my sense of humor."
9. What
Salary Are You Seeking?
It is to your advantage if the employer tells you the
range first. Prepare
http://content.salary.monster.com by
knowing the going rate in your area, and your bottom
line or walk-away point. One possible answer would be:
"I am sure when the time comes, we can agree on a
reasonable amount. In what range do you typically pay
someone with my background?"
10. If You
Were an Animal, Which One Would You Want to Be?
Interviewers use this type of psychological question to see if
you can think quickly. If you answer "a bunny," you will
make a soft, passive impression. If you answer "a lion,"
you will be seen as aggressive. What type of personality
would it take to get the job done? What impression do
you want to make?
3- ROBUST INTERVIEW QUESTIONS
1. Tell me
about you!
Keep your answer to one or two minutes; don't ramble. Use your
resume summary as a base to start.
2. What do
you know about our company?
Do your homework before the interview! Spend some time online or
at the library researching the company. Find out as much
as you can, including products, size, income,
reputation, image, management talent, people, skills,
history and philosophy. Project an informed interest;
let the interviewer tell you about the company.
3. Why do
you want to work for us?
Don't talk about what you want; first, talk about their needs:
You would like to be part of a specific company project;
you would like to solve a company problem; you can make
a definite contribution to specific company goals.
4. What would you do for us? What can you do for us that someone
else can't?
Relate past experiences that show you've had success in solving
previous employer problem(s) that may be similar to
those of the prospective employer.
5. What about the job offered do you find the most attractive?
Least attractive?
List three or more attractive factors and only one minor
unattractive factor.
6. Why should we hire you?
Because of your knowledge, experience, abilities and skills.
7. What do you look for in a job?
An opportunity to use your skills, to perform and be recognized.
8. Please give me your definition of a .... (the position for
which you are being interviewed).
Keep it brief -- give an action- and results-oriented definition.
9. How long would it take you to make a meaningful contribution
to our firm?
Not long at all -- you expect only a brief period of adjustment
to the learning curve.
10. How long would you stay with us?
As long as we both feel I'm contributing, achieving, growing,
etc.
4- INTERVIEWERS
CHALLENGES
You sit facing the interviewer, feeling like things are
moving along nicely when all of a sudden the interview takes
a drastic turn for the worse. What just happened? You may
have hit one of the interviewer's pet peeves, one of those
things that automatically triggers a negative response.
Here are
seven of the most common peeves provided by experienced
interviewers, along with some tips on how to avoid them:
1. Smells: Too Much of a Good Smell Can Be Bad
Pat Riley, author of Secrets of Breaking into
Pharmaceutical Sales, has a pet peeve story to relate:
"Preparing for an interview is not like preparing for a
date. I had one interview with a woman who doused
herself with perfume (the same perfume my ex-girlfriend
used to wear) right before stepping into the small
interview booth. The perfume was overpowering and
brought back bad memories."
2. Communication: Too Little Leaves Interviewers Exasperated
"My number one interviewing pet peeve is an applicant
who won't talk," says Steve Jones, a manager of client
services at a software company in Dallas. "I try to ask
open-ended questions and prod them for longer answers,
but no luck. I've even mentioned to a few that I need
more information so I can get an idea of where they're
coming from -- still no luck. I always end the interview
saying, 'Now it's your turn to ask questions,' and still
no luck; they don't have any. Oh well -- next!"
"Help me out here," says Jones. "Come prepared to answer
questions and talk about yourself."
3.
Communication: Too Much Can Be Too Much
"Candidates who ramble are the ones who get to me," says
Dotti Bousquet of Resource Group Staffing in West
Hartford, Connecticut. "Last week, I was interviewing a
candidate and asked her one question. The candidate
talked and talked and talked for 45 minutes straight. I
was unable to stop her. I had to say, 'Let's wrap this
up,' and I stood up while she continued to talk. I
walked to the door of the office and opened it. She
left, but continued to talk while walking out the door."
The lesson? "Candidates should stay focused, and answer
the question asked -- in less than two to three
minutes," advises Bousquet.
4. Lack of Focus: Results in Losing the Interviewer
"Typically, candidates are simply too intimidated by the
process," says Mark Fulop, project director for a large
nonprofit agency. "Relating the answer given to one
question back with another -- and asking clarifying or
follow-up questions -- shows me that the candidate is
confident and thinking about the whole picture instead
of enduring an interrogation."
5. Averting Your Eyes: One Way to Avert an Offer
"People who do not make any eye contact during the
entire interview" irritate Gwen Sobiech, an agency
recruiter in West Hartford, Connecticut. "I realize some
people are shy, but to never look at me once -- they
look down, around, everywhere, but not at me for the
entire interview. I find that extremely annoying. I also
tend to distrust someone who will not look at me when
I've asked a question."
If you are
uncomfortable looking into someone's eyes, look at his
"third eye," just above and between the person's two
eyes.
6. Slang and Street Speak: Leave Them on the Street
"Poor communications skills really get to me," says Robert Fodge
of Power Brokers in Dover, Delaware. "What I mean by
this is not merely their language fluency, but more
about the use of language. Slang words and street speak
just don't have a place in most business environments.
Also, candidates who say 'um,' 'like' and 'uh' between
every other word lose my attention very quickly."
7. Deception: Little Lies Leave a Big Impression
One major complaint among recruiters is when a candidate is not
completely truthful; small lies are all too common in
the world of recruitment. This includes not being
completely forthcoming with relevant information,
embellishing accomplishments, hiding jobs or leading the
process on with no intention of ever following through.
Building trust during the interview is key to getting an
offer.
