| GREAT INTERVIEWS GET THE JOB | | | | seeking a supervisory type of position. If you have |
| It can be easy to convince ourselves that the job | | | | managerial experience, elaborate on how many people |
| interview doesn't matter so much, as long as our | | | | you have supervised and what their positions were in |
| resume is outstanding, our dress is impeccably | | | | the spectrum of the organizational chart. However, if |
| professional, and that we are nice people. After all, nice | | | | you haven't had direct managerial practice, talk up how |
| people do win in the end, don't they? Unfortunately, this | | | | much you were a part of the decision process of a |
| couldn't be further from the truth. Even though the | | | | team project, or how you organized volunteers for a |
| resume, attire, and likeability factor all play a part in an | | | | fundraiser. |
| employer's decision to hire someone, the answers that | | | | 6. What Are Your Strengths as an Employee? |
| you provide to the questions during the interview will | | | | To adequately answer this question, you need to be |
| demonstrate what the employer is most interested in: | | | | aware of the strengths you possess in the following |
| your confidence, skills, and knowledge of the job. | | | | areas: personality, experience, and skills. Once that |
| THE TOP 10 INTERVIEW QUESTIONS | | | | information is known, match your strengths to the |
| Your best weapon to mastering the job interview is to | | | | requirements of the position for which you are |
| practice, practice, practice your answers to the most | | | | interviewing. |
| commonly asked questions by employers. The most | | | | 7. What Are Your Weaknesses? |
| certain way to sabotage your chances to win over a | | | | Obviously, no one likes to admit that they have any |
| potential employer is to try and wing the interview. | | | | weaknesses, especially in front of a potential employer. |
| Your answers can appear aimless and without | | | | So what do you do? You can provide ONE trait about |
| direction, making you look unprepared or worse, | | | | yourself that is the least important to the position. |
| unqualified. | | | | Refrain from canned responses such as you are a |
| Don't risk the future of your career by flying by the | | | | perfectionist or a workaholic. |
| seat of your pants. Prepare yourself by developing | | | | 8. Discuss How You Make Important Decisions. |
| answers to the most commonly asked questions: | | | | If you are interviewing for a supervisory role, you |
| 1. Tell Me a Little Something About Yourself. | | | | definitely want to come across as someone who is |
| This is probably one of the most dreaded questions of | | | | able to ask for input from others, yet is comfortable |
| all time. We quiver and sweat in our seats wondering | | | | making the final decisions. Also, consider the type of |
| what the employer really wants to know. Hey, relax! | | | | position and company. For example, is it a budgetary |
| For starters, this is a great opportunity for you to sell | | | | role at a financial institution? In that case, you probably |
| yourself to the employer. Talk about your key | | | | will want to emphasize that you exercise great care |
| accomplishments and strengths and how these | | | | and caution when making big decisions. |
| factors will benefit the employer in the desired position. | | | | 9. Where Do You Want to Be Five Years From |
| Write down ahead of time what you plan to say; | | | | Now? |
| perfect it; then practice it every chance you get. | | | | Suffice it to say, do not answer this question with, |
| 2. Why Do You Want to Leave Your Current Job? | | | | "Retired." Keep your answers positive and simple, with |
| This question is basically a wolf in sheep's clothing. It | | | | just a tinge of ambition. Think along the lines of a |
| appears harmless enough, but it can damage your | | | | "motivated" versus "rat race" mentality. |
| potential in a heartbeat if you're not careful. By all | | | | 10. What Have Been the Biggest Accomplishments of |
| means, keep your answers to this question as positive | | | | Your Career so Far? |
| as possible. Above all, do not dwell on how much you | | | | Focus on accomplishments that directly relate to the |
| hate your current boss! The interviewer wants to hire | | | | open position. Discuss the challenge you were |
| a team player to the position, not a negative and | | | | presented with, your actions, and the end result. Did |
| vindictive hater. | | | | you streamline processes? Devise a way to increase |
| 3. Are You Still Employed and If Not, Why Not? | | | | customer satisfaction? Were you recognized by |
| If you are, great, but if you aren't, you can still use your | | | | management for your efforts? The way you answer |
| answer to this question to shine a light on your positive | | | | this question will distinguish you from other applicants |
| features. For example, if you were laid off or | | | | since your answer will require you to go beyond the |
| terminated, focus less on the actual termination and | | | | basic job responsibilities. |
| more on what you learned from the whole process. | | | | A FINAL NOTE |
| You'll look mature and wise in the employer's eyes! | | | | As you can see, the interview is more than just |
| 4. Do You Have Any Budgeting Experience? | | | | showing up on time in the right clothes. It is your best |
| If you haven't, be honest; but you can answer in a way | | | | and only opportunity to convince an employer that he |
| that shows that you have had some exposure to | | | | or she should hire you. If you were selected for an |
| adhering to a budget-on a project, for example. If you | | | | interview, consider yourself lucky because you are |
| do have budgeting experience, discuss your fiscal | | | | halfway to the finish line. Make sure you are prepared |
| responsibility. | | | | with relevant and well-thought-out answers to bring in |
| 5. Have You Ever Managed Anyone? | | | | a home run interview. |
| This question is most important to those who are | | | | |