 Should you
be judged by what you wear? Perhaps not, but
the reality is, of course, that you are
judged. Throughout the entire job-seeking
process employers use short-cuts –
heuristics or rule of thumb – to save time.
With cover letters, it’s the opening
paragraph and a quick scan of your
qualifications. With resumes, it is a quick
scan of your accomplishments. With the job
interview, its how you’re dressed that sets
the tone of the interview.
First, take the proper amount of time to
prepare for your interview. Being
well-prepared will boost your confidence and
lower your anxiety.
You should draft answers to the most common
interview questions and practice speaking
them out loud. You also should read up on
the company with which you will be
interviewing and prepare some questions of
your own. This lets the interviewer know
that you are truly interested in the company
and the position.
As a final step in your preparation, make
sure you have good directions to the
interview site. Some job seekers make a dry
run to the interview site to ensure the
directions are correct and to estimate the
amount of time they will need to get to the
interview on time.
Going into a job interview is often like
entering the great unknown. Although every
interviewer is different and questions vary
from industry to industry, there are some
questions that are common across the board.
Reading through the following questions and
developing your own answers is a good place
to start in your preparation. Once you have
done that, remember practice makes perfect!
Nothing impresses a potential employer like
being ready for whatever is thrown your way.
Why should we hire you?
Here's the chance to really sell yourself.
You need to briefly and succinctly lay out
your strengths, qualifications and what you
can bring to the table. Be careful not to
answer this question too generically,
however. Nearly everyone says they are
hardworking and motivated. Set yourself
apart by telling the interviewer about
qualities that are unique to you.
Why do you want to work here?
This is one tool interviewers use to see if
you have done your homework. You should
never attend an interview unless you know
about the company, its direction and the
industry in which it plays. If you have done
your research, this question gives you an
opportunity to show initiative and
demonstrate how your experience and
qualifications match the company's needs.
What are your greatest weaknesses?
The secret to answering this question is
being honest about a weakness, but
demonstrating how you have turned it into a
strength. For example, if you had a problem
with organization in the past, demonstrate
the steps you took to more effectively keep
yourself on track. This will show that you
have the ability to recognize aspects of
yourself that need improvement, and the
initiative to make yourself better.
Why did you leave your last job?
Even if your last job ended badly, be
careful about being negative in answering
this question. Be as diplomatic as possible.
If you do point out negative aspects of your
last job, find some positives to mention as
well. Complaining endlessly about your last
company will not say much for your attitude.
Describe a problem situation and how you
solved it.
Sometimes it is hard to come up with a
response to this request, particularly if
you are coming straight from college and do
not have professional experience.
Interviewers want to see that you can think
critically and develop solutions, regardless
of what kind of issue you faced. Even if
your problem was not having enough time to
study, describe the steps you took to
prioritize your schedule. This will
demonstrate that you are responsible and can
think through situations on your own.
What accomplishment are you most proud
of?
The secret to this question is being
specific and selecting an accomplishment
that relates to the position. Even if your
greatest accomplishment is being on a
championship high school basketball team,
opt for a more professionally relevant
accomplishment. Think of the qualities the
company is looking for and develop an
example that demonstrates how you can meet
the company's needs.
What are your salary expectations?
This is one of the hardest questions,
particularly for those with little
experience. The first thing to do before
going to your interview is to research the
salary range in your field to get an idea of
what you should be making. Steer clear of
discussing salary specifics before receiving
a job offer. Let the interviewer know that
you will be open to discussing fair
compensation when the time comes. If pressed
for a more specific answer, always give a
range, rather than a specific number.
Tell me about yourself.
While this query seems like a piece of cake,
it is difficult to answer because it is so
broad. The important thing to know is that
the interviewer typically does not want to
know about your hometown or what you do on
the weekends. He or she is trying to figure
you out professionally. Pick a couple of
points about yourself, your professional
experience and your career goals and stick
to those points. Wrap up your answer by
bringing up your desire to be a part of the
company. If you have a solid response
prepared for this question, it can lead your
conversation in a direction that allows you
to elaborate on your qualifications. |
