| For all jobseekers facing an interviewer, the | | | | aspects of your current position are you |
| best thing is to prepare properly for the | | | | least comfortable? Why?* What aspects of |
| particular interview, based on the company | | | | your current job could be better performed? |
| where the interview is taking place. Good | | | | Why, and what are you doing to improve in |
| preparation includes the ability to | | | | these areas?Unless properly fielded, each of |
| anticipate tough interview questions, and | | | | the above interview questions is an interview |
| then, knowing how to handle them.The | | | | disaster just waiting to happen. Regardless |
| interview questions most difficult for the | | | | of how well you may have done describing your |
| average candidate to handle are those that | | | | strengths and positive attributes for the job |
| are intended to probe weaknesses, or areas | | | | up to this point in time, nothing can send an |
| requiring the individual's improvement and/or | | | | otherwise positive interview into a fatal |
| development. The following are some examples | | | | tailspin faster than poor answers to the |
| of questions, which fall into this category:* | | | | above (or similar) questions. Learning how |
| What are your major weaknesses?* During a | | | | to effectively answer these questions can |
| reference check, what would your boss likely | | | | often spell the difference between total |
| cite as key areas for your development and | | | | victory and absolute failure in the interview |
| performance improvement?* Over time, what | | | | process.There are two important principles to |
| have historically been described as the areas | | | | be followed when sharing potentially |
| in which you could most improve your overall | | | | "negative" information about you in the |
| job performance and effectiveness?* In your | | | | employment interview. These are:* Never make |
| last performance evaluation, what specific | | | | an "absolute" negative statement about |
| areas were cited in which you could improve | | | | yourself.* Always hang a "positive anchor" |
| your overall performance?* If we were to | | | | on any negative statement made.Tips for |
| talk with some of your co-workers during a | | | | handling potentially negative information |
| reference check, what areas of your | | | | about you in the interview discussion include |
| performance are they likely to cite as | | | | the following:1. Thoroughly prepare for |
| needing improvement?* If asked to be | | | | tough interview questions before the |
| somewhat critical, what would your boss (and | | | | interview.2. Emphasize the positives, |
| or peers) cite as the two or three areas in | | | | de-emphasize the negatives.3. |
| which you could most improve?* With what | | | | |