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