| Experienced interviewees know how to prepare, but | | | | with stating the short-term goal: to land this perfect job |
| still find the experience a bit daunting. The | | | | RIGHT NOW as it is an important part of your |
| in-experienced interviewee may be terrified at the | | | | long-range plan. But be sure to be ready to answer |
| thought of the process. Being prepared is the best | | | | the direct interview question of "Where do you see |
| medicine to alleviate the anxiety and boost your | | | | yourself in five years?" If you use the present to help |
| confidence. Start with the most basic of questions that | | | | formulate the future, it demonstrates your focus on a |
| the interviewer most likely will ask - practice your | | | | successful career. This must come from what is |
| answers to all three to avoid stumbling on your own | | | | important to you. If you can focus it around this |
| words. | | | | prospective new employer, you have a better chance |
| The most famous of all interview openers is "Tell me | | | | of steering the interview in the right direction. |
| about yourself" otherwise known as "Who are you?" | | | | And lastly, "WHY" as in, "Why should we hire you?" |
| The answer you give should roll off your tongue with | | | | This interview question can be gold in your hands. |
| confidence as it sets the tone for the rest of the | | | | Know this answer well because it's a prime |
| interview. This is not the time to "wing it." Know your | | | | opportunity to sell yourself in the right light. Think of |
| answer well to avoid talking in circles because that | | | | yourself as a "product" in a store and convince the |
| could bury the interview. So script in advance and | | | | customer to buy you. Develop a solid "sales" |
| practice your answer out loud to yourself or a friend. | | | | statement with some depth, meaning, and detail. This is |
| Having said that, you don't want to sound stiff and | | | | not a time to talk about what you want, but a time to |
| rehearsed. The answer should be natural and | | | | summarize your relevant accomplishments and what |
| conversational yet confident. You could start by stating | | | | makes you unique above the competition. |
| some of your top strengths that apply to any job but | | | | So how do you most successfully prepare to answer |
| could be specific to the job for which you are | | | | the three most dreaded but standard questions? |
| interviewing. Which skill sets, experiences, and | | | | Simply start by studying the job description. Does the |
| management traits can you highlight? The first | | | | posting stress specific requirements? Go through the |
| impression answers will stick with the interviewer. | | | | job description line by line to identify where your own |
| The following question will most likely arise as it is an | | | | skills and background apply and make a list of what |
| old standard that still catches people off guard if not | | | | you have to offer as the best candidate as they |
| prepared: "Where do you see yourself in five years?" | | | | relate to the specific requirements. |
| Being asked to state your "Long Term" goals is an | | | | Identify two or three of your key qualities to match |
| open-ended question that will surely through you off | | | | what the employer is seeking. Don't underestimate |
| balance if you don't think of it in advance. This question | | | | personal traits that make you unique - your energy, |
| is intended to check on your self-awareness and how | | | | personality type, working style, and people skills. |
| organized you are in your own life. Some people | | | | You want to set yourself apart from other candidates |
| flat-out know the answer but most people who go | | | | and by walking through this exercise with focus and |
| through life without long-term plans don't stand a | | | | concentration, your answers to these key interview |
| chance of successfully answering this question without | | | | questions will result in a smooth presentation. It's not |
| some forethought. | | | | possible to anticipate all the questions the interviewer |
| Think about what you want in life. Experts will always | | | | will ask, but full preparation is critical. Know WHO you |
| tell you that a key to success is your ability to set and | | | | are, WHAT you want, and WHY you are the best |
| achieve goals - both short-term and long-term. So start | | | | choice for the job! |