| Although many candidates dread them, job interview | | | | ‘’WHAT DO YOU FEEL HAS BEEN YOUR |
| questions are wonderful things! They are your greatest | | | | GREATEST WORK-RELATED |
| opportunity to prove to the interviewer that you are | | | | ACCOMPLISHMENT?’’ |
| the best person for the job! | | | | Choose one example from your past that was |
| THE KEY TO GIVE BETTER ANSWERS THAN | | | | important to you and helped the company you worked |
| ANY ONE ELSE. To this you must: | | | | for. Give specific details about what you did, how you |
| (1) Anticipate likely questions; | | | | did it, and what the results were. Try to pick an |
| (2) Develop excellent answers; | | | | accomplishment that relates to the position for which |
| (3) Practice! | | | | you are applying. Employers like to hear about |
| Be enthusiastic and confident when responding to | | | | accomplishments that reduced expenses, raised |
| questions. Don’t rush your answers, but don’t | | | | revenues, solved problems or enhanced a |
| ramble on and on, either. Try to, um, avoid, like, using | | | | company’s reputation. |
| unnecessary words, right? And um, repeating your self | | | | ‘’WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST |
| or, like, annoying phrases, you know? | | | | STRENGHT?’’ |
| A good technique is to write out your answers to the | | | | This is a great chance to highlight your best skills. |
| questions you anticipate, and then edit them to make | | | | Don’t pick just one. Focus on your top three or |
| them more concise. Then practice your polished | | | | four. Some examples are: leadership skills, team-building |
| answers out loud, over and over. If you can have | | | | skills and organizational skills. Determine which |
| some one to help you do a ‘’mock | | | | Strengths would fit best with the position for which you |
| interview,’’ that would be the best way to do | | | | are applying. For example, if the job announcement |
| this. | | | | stresses the ability to handle multiple tasks, you could |
| Most questions will relate either to your ability to do the | | | | say: ‘’I’m good at organizational skills, |
| job or the type of employee you will be. Here’s | | | | prioritization and time management. But my greatest |
| one that is very commonly used to help the | | | | strength is my ability to effectively handle multiple |
| interviewer learn about both: | | | | projects and deadlines.’’ |
| ‘’TELL ME A LITTLE ABOUT YOUR | | | | ‘’WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST |
| SELF.’’ | | | | WEAKNESS?’’ |
| When responding to this request, you should focus on | | | | Be careful with this one. Most interview guides will tell |
| both your personal and professional values. Always be | | | | you to answer it with a positive trait disguised as a |
| honest, but talk about your best traits only, especially | | | | weakness. For example, ‘’I tend to expect |
| those that relate to the position for which you are | | | | others to work as hard as I do,’’ or |
| applying. | | | | ‘’I’m a bit of a perfectionist.’’ |
| Highlight experiences and accomplishments you are | | | | Interviewers have heard these ‘’canned’’ |
| most proud of. Here’s an example: | | | | answers over and over again. To stand out, be more |
| ‘’I’m an experienced communications | | | | original and state a true weakness, but then |
| specialist with extensive knowledge of public | | | | emphasize what you’ve done to overcome it. For |
| information tools and techniques. I’ve developed | | | | example: ‘’I’ve had trouble delegating duties |
| comprehensive communication plans for major public | | | | to others because I felt I could do things better my self. |
| events, written dozens of articles accepted by | | | | This has sometimes backfired because I’d end up |
| worldwide publications, and created specialized | | | | with more than I could handle and the quality of my |
| educational programs for adults and students. I am | | | | work would suffer. But I’ve taken courses in time |
| always eager to learn new methods and procedures, | | | | management and learned effective delegation |
| and have implemented continuous improvement | | | | techniques, and I feel I’ve overcome this weakness! |
| techniques in my past positions that saved money and | | | | IMPORTANT: Be sure the weakness you talked about |
| increased productivity. I like working with people and | | | | is NOT a key element of the position! |
| enjoy group projects, but am also a self-starter who | | | | ‘’HOW DO YOU ANDLE STRESSFUL |
| doesn’t mind working on my own. I’m a | | | | SITUATIONS?’’ |
| volunteer with the local chapter of Special Olympics | | | | Give some examples of stressful situations you’ve |
| and enjoy participating in community events. My goals | | | | dealt with in the past. |
| are to complete my master’s degree and broaden | | | | Tell how you use time management, problem-solving |
| my experiences with community relations.’’ | | | | or decision-making skills to reduce stress For example, |
| Remember to tailor your response to the specific job. | | | | tell them that making a ‘’to-do’’ list helps. |
| By studying the job announcements, you’ll get a | | | | Site stress-reducing techniques such as stretching and |
| good idea of the skills and experience being sought. | | | | taking a break. Don’t be afraid to admit that you will |
| Work those in your response. | | | | ask for assistance if you are feeling overwhelmed. |
| Consider this your own personal commercial. If the | | | | If it’ true, say you actually work better under |
| interview consisted of only this ONE chance to sell | | | | pressure. |
| your self, what would you say? | | | | Thank you for having the time to read my post. |