| You didn't see it coming - at least not this fast. The call | | | | indicator of your future behavior. In other words, if you |
| came in last night and you have until Friday to prepare | | | | did it before, you could do it again - bad or good. |
| for that important interview - and today is Tuesday. | | | | The Most Common Interview Questions |
| What to do!! Don't panic. You can prepare in three | | | | While there is no way of predicting what will be asked |
| days by using this step-by-step guide. If you don't have | | | | in an interview, you can prepare for general questions |
| three days - you may have to stay awake a little | | | | often asked in interviews. Why did you leave/are you |
| longer to prepare by compressing the exercises. | | | | leaving your last position? What do you know about |
| Day One | | | | this company? What are your goals? What are your |
| Key Factors | | | | strengths/weaknesses? Why do you want to work |
| The first step is to get a copy of the job posting and | | | | for this company? What has been your most |
| study it. Read it first for content, the second time for | | | | significant achievement? How would your last boss |
| words, and the third time for the factors that are | | | | colleagues describe you? Why should we hire you? |
| needed to do this job - reading between the lines. | | | | Scripting your answers before the interview will assist |
| By doing this exercise you will be able to identify the | | | | you when you are under pressure during the interview. |
| "Key Factors" needed for the job. For example, if | | | | Prepare To Ask Questions |
| there are many references to "deadlines and | | | | At some point in the interview, the interviewer usually |
| pressure," you will need good "Time Management | | | | asks you if you have any questions. The wrong |
| Skills." That will become one of the factors that you will | | | | answer to say, "No, I don't have any questions as this |
| prepare to discuss and how you work well with | | | | point." It is important for you to ask questions. |
| deadlines and pressure. | | | | You can write a list of questions that are important to |
| How Do You Fit The Requirements? | | | | you. Do not ask questions regarding salary, benefits, or |
| Next, do a quick exercise comparing what they are | | | | time-off until you are sure that there is some interest in |
| looking for against what you have to offer. This is a | | | | you. In other words, "sell yourself first." |
| simple two-column exercise - one side of a sheet of | | | | Some good questions to ask will come as a result of |
| paper list what "They Want" and the other side of the | | | | the things you discuss or the questions asked during |
| sheet what "You Have to Offer." How do you size | | | | the interview. If, for example, they have been talking a |
| up? Where are you strong? Where will you have to | | | | great deal about a subject such as "customer service." |
| stretch? | | | | It would be appropriate for you to ask about customer |
| You will also want to research the company; the | | | | service. You might say, "We've been talking about |
| industry, and the competition. The Internet is full of | | | | customer service, could you tell me about the biggest |
| easy-to-get-to information. Be sure and look at the | | | | problem in this area?" |
| company's website and "google" the company to find | | | | If you can get them to tell you about "their" problems |
| out any current information. | | | | or challenges in this job, you can sell yourself as a |
| Day Two | | | | "solution to their problem." Someone who understands |
| Begin to focus on what you have to offer and how | | | | the problem and can come in and make things better. |
| you will let the interviewer what you have to offer. | | | | Day Three |
| Your Personal Statement - You will want to prepare a | | | | Salary Information and References |
| personal statement that you will be able to say in two | | | | One of the most dreaded questions asked in any |
| minutes or less. This personal statement will be used to | | | | interview is, "What is your salary expectation?" |
| answer questions such as: "Tell me about yourself," or | | | | By doing some research on salaries and what the |
| "What experience do you have that qualifies you for | | | | "going rate" for this type of position is before the |
| this position?" | | | | interview you won't be caught "off guard" if they ask |
| Your statement should be focused and include your | | | | you for a number or a range. You should know your |
| education, and experience; your expertise or areas of | | | | salary needs, based on your living expenses and your |
| knowledge; your strengths; and something about your | | | | bottom line or walk away point - when you can't |
| work style or work ethic - what other's might say | | | | afford to take this job. |
| about you. Lastly, end with something of interest - | | | | This is a good time to put your reference sheet |
| maybe a hobby that is job related or something that | | | | together as well. Be sure to get permission from your |
| makes you a good fit for the position. | | | | references to use their names. Make up a sheet of |
| Your personal statement is very important because it | | | | names and contact information in the event that you |
| is a summary of you and your experiences and what | | | | are asked for references during or after the interview. |
| you have to offer. It is worth spending some time | | | | . |
| writing it in a concise manner, trying to include as much | | | | Appearance Counts |
| as possible so that the interviewer has a good image | | | | Make sure your interview outfit is in good order - clean |
| of who you are and what you've done. This statement | | | | and wrinkle-free. Remember, you are selling yourself |
| will also assist you if you are asked, "Walk me through | | | | and first impressions stick. Stay away from trendy |
| your resume," because you will have already flushed | | | | clothes unless you are going for a job in the fashion |
| out what you want the interviewer to know about you. | | | | industry. It is best to be conservative in everything |
| Your Examples - Success Stories. | | | | about you - hair, jewelry, handbag/briefcase, shoes. |
| You may find it helpful if you write out at least five | | | | Items To Carry To The Interview |
| success stories to answer any questions that ask for | | | | Several copies of your resume on good paper Copy |
| examples (known as behavioral interview questions). | | | | of your reference sheet Pad of paper to take notes |
| Your stories will give specific examples to answer | | | | (notes are optional) Directions/map to the interview site |
| such questions as: "Can you tell me about a time when | | | | That's it. You did it! Prepared for the interview in three |
| you ...," or "Describe a situation when you...." Look at the | | | | days. |
| key factors that you identified earlier to focus your | | | | Should you have the luxury of more days to prepare, |
| stories on what they are seeking. | | | | use that additional time to put more time and practice |
| These stories should be written with a beginning - | | | | into the preparation. Preparation will make a huge |
| where and when; a middle - what action took place; | | | | difference in your confidence, and confidence will |
| and an end - the result. The importance of the story is | | | | make a big difference in the impression you make, and |
| not the story itself, but what the interviewer hears | | | | making a good impression will make you a more |
| from the story about your past behavior as an | | | | serious candidate to consider for a job offer! |