| The interviewer hopes that YOU are the right person | | | | personnel department the questions should relate to |
| for the job. They are under pressure to fill the position | | | | the company and be general. Specific questions |
| so that they can get back to their own work. | | | | relating to the position should be kept for the line |
| Therefore you are in a greater position of strength | | | | manager who will have a more detailed knowledge. |
| than you think. Concentrate on what you have to offer | | | | Example questions relating to the positionWhat are the |
| in the way of qualifications and experience instead of | | | | main responsibilities of the job?What are the most |
| feeling intimidated. | | | | difficult aspects of the job?How did the vacancy |
| An interviewer has 3 aims: | | | | arise?What is the career path relating to this |
| 1) To learn if you are the right person for the job2) To | | | | position?How will my work be assessed? |
| assess your potential for promotion3) To decide | | | | Example questions relating to the companyWhat is the |
| whether you will fit into the company environment | | | | company hoping to achieve in the next 12 |
| The key to a successful interview is in preparation | | | | months?What new products are the company |
| Be prepared: For the types of questions you will be | | | | planning to introduce in the future?Are any major |
| askedBe prepared: To ask questions yourselfBe | | | | changes planned for the department/company?Who |
| prepared: To research the companyBe prepared: To | | | | are your biggest competitors? |
| look the partBe prepared: To turn up on time | | | | Where to find company informationInformation relating |
| Questions you may be askedExample question: How | | | | to companies, financial data, industries and business |
| would you describe yourself?Your answer: Should | | | | trends is available in business magazines which often |
| describe attributes that will enhance your suitability for | | | | publish on the World Wide Web and allow you to |
| the position. Have some ready in advance.Example | | | | orderAnnual Reports relating to specific |
| question: What are your long-term goals?Your answer: | | | | companies.Companies often have their own web |
| Should be career orientated. Make sure you have | | | | site.Newspapers - search on-line press reports |
| goals to discuss.Example question: Why did you leave | | | | including archived articles.Local library |
| your last job?Your answer: Could be more | | | | Presentation Tips |
| responsibility better opportunity increased income. Do | | | | Obviously you should be clean and smart in |
| not be detrimental to your previous employer. He could | | | | appearance but you should also dress appropriately |
| be the interviewer's golfing partner.Example question: | | | | for the position, for example: a student placement that |
| Why do you want this job?Your answer: Your answer | | | | is more expensively dressed than the Managing |
| should be: more responsibility or better opportunity or | | | | Director may have a negative impact. |
| similar. Not: because it is closer to home or the | | | | Clothes should be on the conservative side, which is |
| gym.Example question: What are your strengths?Your | | | | more acceptable to people of all ages, cultures and |
| answer: Should highlight accomplishments and | | | | backgrounds. After all, you are asking to be accepted |
| experiences that relate to the position for which you | | | | into the company. Therefore always avoid extremes |
| are applying. Also give examples of situations where | | | | in hair, clothes, make-up and jewellery. Taking trouble |
| your strengths have been demonstrated.Example | | | | over your appearance shows the employer that the |
| question: What are your weaknesses?Your answer: | | | | job is important to you. |
| Should not be a list of deficiencies. Don't mention | | | | Travel tips |
| anything that could make the interviewer question your | | | | Arrive 15 minutes early.Make sure you have the |
| ability to do the job, for example "I am always late for | | | | correct address and know how you will get |
| everything." Instead, discuss a weakness that could | | | | there:Parking? Public transport access?Do a dummy |
| also be a strength such as "I am a workaholic!" | | | | run if you are not sure.Make sure you have a mobile |
| More Examples of Interview Questions | | | | phone and a telephone number so that you can ring |
| Tell me a little bit about yourself.Describe your current / | | | | ahead if circumstances beyond your control are |
| most recent position.What made you want to make | | | | making you late.Be polite to everyone you speak to, it |
| this change?What do you most enjoy doing in your | | | | could be the Managing Director's cousin!Have a copy |
| current /most recent position?Describe your future | | | | of your CV with you. |
| ambitions.How would you describe yourself? | | | | Summary |
| Questions for you to ask | | | | You should show interest in all aspects of the job and |
| Asking questions at interview has a number of positive | | | | the company especially if shown around the premises. |
| effects:It helps you find out more about the company | | | | Do your homework on the company and the nature of |
| and the position.It can be used to divert the interviewer | | | | its business. Take care in how you dress for the |
| away from a subject you may wish to avoid.It can | | | | interview. First impressions still count! |
| help build a rapport with the interviewer.It demonstrates | | | | Some of the main influences on the interviewer |
| an interest in the job and the company.The questions | | | | are:Your experience in other employment or life |
| must be about the position and the company.Avoid | | | | situations Your personal presentation.How your |
| questions about salary, benefits and facilities until after | | | | personality comes across in the interviewYour |
| you have been offered the job. You should already | | | | background and referencesYour enthusiasm for both |
| have researched the company and it's products and | | | | the job and the organisation.Relevant qualifications for |
| services. Your questions should demonstrate | | | | the position. |
| knowledge of the company's history, successes and | | | | E & O E - Copyright 2006 CVwriting. |
| problems. If the interviewer is a representative of the | | | | |