| When you sit down to prepare for your next job | | | | rounds of corporate layoffs. I was a strong performer |
| interview, will you be ready? One of the most | | | | and made a lot of improvements to my department |
| important components of a successful job interview is | | | | while I was there, but as the economy has gotten |
| preparing a targeted response to the most common | | | | weaker the need to downsize the organization finally |
| questions. Study these ahead of time, and you will | | | | caught up to me. I think if you talk to my former |
| have the best interview answers possible! | | | | supervisor, you will find that my work ethic was |
| 1. What interests you about our company? | | | | excellent and I added a lot of value when I was there.") |
| Many people make a huge mistake when they | | | | 3. What kind of salary are you looking for? |
| answer this question, and they make it about how the | | | | The best interview answer is one that doesn't paint |
| job will benefit them rather than the other way around. | | | | you into a corner. If you've done your homework, you |
| Your job as a candidate is to demonstrate that | | | | already know the typical salary range for a job of this |
| investing in you will add value to the company. Your | | | | type based on your number of years experience and |
| best interview answers should provide some detail | | | | the size of the company you are applying with. Before |
| about your strengths and identify those unique selling | | | | you give them a number or a range, make sure it's |
| points that make you a better choice than your | | | | very clear that your decision will be based on a |
| competition. In this case, say something like "I am really | | | | number of factors and that salary is not the most |
| impressed with how your company uses the latest | | | | important one. Employers want to know that you value |
| tools and technology, and I think my strong experience | | | | advancement potential and the opportunity to work |
| with XYZ will make me a real asset in this area." | | | | with a great team. If you focus on that and state that |
| 2. Why did you leave your last job? (Or why do you | | | | you will consider any reasonable offer within the |
| want to leave?) | | | | market range for the job, you will avoid pigeon holing |
| This is a touchy subject if you are without a job and | | | | yourself into a salary range that might be lower than |
| didn't leave by your own choice. The most important | | | | they are willing to pay or so high that they stop |
| thing you can do here is focus on whatever positives | | | | seriously considering you for the job. |
| you can. ("While I was at XYZ Corp I witnessed 3 | | | | |