| Copyright (c) 2007 Carole Martin, The | | | | before, you could do it again � bad or |
| Interview Coach | | | | good. |
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| You didn't see it coming � at least not | | | | The Most Common Interview Questions |
| this fast. The call came in last night and | | | | |
| you have until Friday to prepare for that | | | | While there is no way of predicting what will |
| important interview � and today is | | | | be asked in an interview, you can prepare for |
| Tuesday. What to do!! Don't panic. You can | | | | general questions often asked in interviews. |
| prepare in three days by using this | | | | Why did you leave/are you leaving your last |
| step-by-step guide. If you don't have three | | | | position? What do you know about this |
| days � you may have to stay awake a | | | | company? What are your goals? What are your |
| little longer to prepare by compressing the | | | | strengths/weaknesses? Why do you want to work |
| exercises. | | | | for this company? What has been your most |
| | | | significant achievement? How would your last |
| Day One | | | | boss/colleagues describe you? Why should we |
| | | | hire you? Scripting your answers before the |
| Key Factors | | | | interview will assist you when you are under |
| | | | pressure during the interview. |
| The first step is to get a copy of the job | | | | |
| posting and study it. Read it first for | | | | Prepare To Ask Questions |
| content, the second time for words, and the | | | | |
| third time for the factors that are needed to | | | | At some point in the interview, the |
| do this job - reading between the lines. | | | | interviewer usually asks you if you have any |
| | | | questions. The wrong answer to say, "No, I |
| By doing this exercise you will be able to | | | | don't have any questions as this point." It |
| identify the "Key Factors" needed for the | | | | is important for you to ask questions. |
| job. For example, if there are many | | | | |
| references to "deadlines and pressure," you | | | | You can write a list of questions that are |
| will need good "Time Management Skills." That | | | | important to you. Do not ask questions |
| will become one of the factors that you will | | | | regarding salary, benefits, or time-off until |
| prepare to discuss and how you work well with | | | | you are sure that there is some interest in |
| deadlines and pressure. | | | | you. In other words, "sell yourself first." |
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| How Do You Fit The Requirements? | | | | Some good questions to ask will come as a |
| | | | result of the things you discuss or the |
| Next, do a quick exercise comparing what they | | | | questions asked during the interview. If, for |
| are looking for against what you have to | | | | example, they have been talking a great deal |
| offer. This is a simple two-column exercise | | | | about a subject such as "customer service." |
| � one side of a sheet of paper list what | | | | It would be appropriate for you to ask about |
| "They Want" and the other side of the sheet | | | | customer service. You might say, "We've been |
| what "You Have to Offer." How do you size up? | | | | talking about customer service, could you |
| Where are you strong? Where will you have to | | | | tell me about the biggest problem in this |
| stretch? | | | | area?" |
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| You will also want to research the company; | | | | If you can get them to tell you about "their" |
| the industry, and the competition. The | | | | problems or challenges in this job, you can |
| Internet is full of easy-to-get-to | | | | sell yourself as a "solution to their |
| information. Be sure and look at the | | | | problem." Someone who understands the problem |
| company's website and "google" the company to | | | | and can come in and make things better. |
| find out any current information. | | | | |
| | | | Day Three |
| Day Two | | | | |
| | | | Salary Information and References |
| Begin to focus on what you have to offer and | | | | |
| how you will let the interviewer what you | | | | One of the most dreaded questions asked in |
| have to offer. | | | | any interview is, "What is your salary |
| | | | expectation?" |
| Your Personal Statement � You will want | | | | |
| to prepare a personal statement that you will | | | | By doing some research on salaries and what |
| be able to say in two minutes or less. This | | | | the "going rate" for this type of position is |
| personal statement will be used to answer | | | | before the interview you won't be caught "off |
| questions such as: "Tell me about yourself," | | | | guard" if they ask you for a number or a |
| or "What experience do you have that | | | | range. You should know your salary needs, |
| qualifies you for this position?" | | | | based on your living expenses and your bottom |
| | | | line or walk away point � when you can't |
| Your statement should be focused and include | | | | afford to take this job. |
| your education, and experience; your | | | | |
| expertise or areas of knowledge; your | | | | This is a good time to put your reference |
| strengths; and something about your work | | | | sheet together as well. Be sure to get |
| style or work ethic � what other's might | | | | permission from your references to use their |
| say about you. Lastly, end with something of | | | | names. Make up a sheet of names and contact |
| interest � maybe a hobby that is job | | | | information in the event that you are asked |
| related or something that makes you a good | | | | for references during or after the interview. |
| fit for the position. | | | | . |
| | | | |
| Your personal statement is very important | | | | Appearance Counts |
| because it is a summary of you and your | | | | |
| experiences and what you have to offer. It is | | | | Make sure your interview outfit is in good |
| worth spending some time writing it in a | | | | order � clean and wrinkle-free. |
| concise manner, trying to include as much as | | | | Remember, you are selling yourself and first |
| possible so that the interviewer has a good | | | | impressions stick. Stay away from trendy |
| image of who you are and what you've done. | | | | clothes unless you are going for a job in the |
| This statement will also assist you if you | | | | fashion industry. It is best to be |
| are asked, "Walk me through your resume," | | | | conservative in everything about you � |
| because you will have already flushed out | | | | hair, jewelry, handbag/briefcase, shoes. |
| what you want the interviewer to know about | | | | |
| you. | | | | Items To Carry To The Interview |
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| Your Examples � Success Stories. | | | | Several copies of your resume on good paper |
| | | | Copy of your reference sheet Pad of paper to |
| You may find it helpful if you write out at | | | | take notes (notes are optional) Directions |
| least five success stories to answer any | | | | map to the interview site |
| questions that ask for examples (known as | | | | |
| behavioral interview questions). Your stories | | | | That's it. You did it! Prepared for the |
| will give specific examples to answer such | | | | interview in three days. |
| questions as: "Can you tell me about a time | | | | |
| when you �," or "Describe a situation | | | | Should you have the luxury of more days to |
| when you�." Look at the key factors that | | | | prepare, use that additional time to put more |
| you identified earlier to focus your stories | | | | time and practice into the preparation. |
| on what they are seeking. | | | | Preparation will make a huge difference in |
| | | | your confidence, and confidence will make a |
| These stories should be written with a | | | | big difference in the impression you make, |
| beginning � where and when; a middle | | | | and making a good impression will make you a |
| � what action took place; and an end | | | | more serious candidate to consider for a job |
| � the result. The importance of the | | | | offer! |
| story is not the story itself, but what the | | | | |
| interviewer hears from the story about your | | | | Carole Martin, America's #1 Interview Expert |
| past behavior as an indicator of your future | | | | and Coach, can give you interviewing tips |
| behavior. In other words, if you did it | | | | like no one else can. |