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Article #127: Job Interview Basics : Personal Questions

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Job Interview Basics : Personal Questions 19.) Do you pay off your charge card
Of all the questions you'll be asked, bills every month?
personal and family ones appear to be the 20.) Have you ever been refused a bond?
most "statistical." For this reason, most 21.) Do you have a valid driver's
jobseekers answer them in a "static" way, license?
with "name, rank, and serial number." 22.) Have you ever had a driver's license
They're also often emotionally charged, revoked?
since interviewers ask about personal Why?
perils, family feuds, and status symbols. 23) Are you a Team Player?
Therefore, rehearsing your lines is 24 ) You look like a person "on the ball"
particularly important, since what you Where do you see yourself in time period
say is as important as what you convey. - 1 year, 2 years etc?
While most of the questions in this area 25) How do you see yourself fitting in
have only marginal value in determining our organization?
your qualifications to perform a specific As previously mentioned most interviewers
job, you must get past them so you can have little or no originality in their
get down to business with the Interview skills and procedures.
interviewer. That's why they're called KO All they generally do is copy the
factors. Wrong answers will knock you out standard questions that have been
in Round 1; right ones will keep you in commonly asked.
the ring for a while. Little originality if at all.
Personal and family items are invariably The trick is to plan and anticipate your
at the top of resumes, on the front of answers to the se "vital" questions in
application forms, and at the beginning order that you past musterin order to get
of interview checklists. Since these are the job and income involved.
the "cue cards" used in the actual Standard practice is to have 3 interviews
interview, expect the questions in Act 1, 1) Interview one is the first step -
Round 1. basic screening
"First impressions really count" (and 2) Interview 2 is a bit more serious
they really do to overworked people who - You have passed step one
are interviewing), this is your chance to - If they are thorough they may have
shine. Most film critics will tell you called your references
they lock into a review within five 3) Interview 3 is usually by a team or
minutes. If they watch longer, it's another member of the "team"
either to enjoy the show or to justify A more senior person or even just another
their negative rating. That's why lawyers person in the organization will interview
often see judges writing their decisions you.
from the bench soon after the opening Although the reason for this will be
statements. Yours will, too. Your judge claimed to be to add in additional
is overworked. expertise and experience into this vital
Then greet the interviewer with the Magic hiring procedure the real reason is to
Four Hellos: spread the responsibility so that no one
1.) Smile. If you can't fake it, just person can be blamed if "you don't work
think about how lucky the interviewer is out ".
to be meeting you. Remember none of these questions need be
2.) Direct eye contact. If it's too much answered by you.
for you, look at the bridge of the However you take the risk of offending
interviewer's nose. the interviewer (and their interview
3.) Introduce yourself. Say, "Hi, I'm skills and thus ending your chances for
(first name) (last name). It's a pleasure employment and income from that firm).
meeting you." Note that a number of the questions may
4)A firm but gentle handshake. Rehearse. be totally incongruous , that is
No live shark; no dead flounder. inconsistent and incompatible.
Then, once you're "on the road". Best not to laugh.
Head for the chair on your favored side For example the interviewer may ask if
(right if you are right-handed, etc.) If you are a self starter, take
you're ambidextrous, you can take center responsibility and make your own
stage. Just be sure there's a chair decisions and then ask leading questions
behind you. To ask if find out if you are the type
Stand there until you're asked to be that always follows company procedure
seated. without question.
Basically most managers copy their bosses Or they may ask questions to verify that
training, style and procedures (or lack you always consider the company's needs
thereof). and wants as most important and then ask
There is little originality in interview questions to verify that
questions. "That a customer should never question
The same questions are repeated in the company's policy on returns or
interviews ad infinitum. extended warranties".
The problem is that once you are hired When the interviewer goes to great length
all your wonderful traits are forgotten. to explain that the company has a great
It simply becomes "You had better work focus for " team players" it is not a
your ass off or you will lose your job." good idea to point out that being a "
Standard Interview Questions on Personal team player " is not always a good thing.
and Family: That the interview questions have focused
1.) What are your parents' occupations? on identifying you as a " self starter
2.) Do you live with your parents? who takes charge". And besides that it is
3.) Do you own or rent your home? true that the Sept 11 hijackers were "
4.) How far do you live from this good Team Players".
company? Lastly two points
5.) Do you speak a foreign language - One very intelligent manager's hiring
especially French or Spanish? guideline was that when he took out a
6.) How much time do you spend with serious candidate to lunch he watched if
yourfamily ? the candidate salted his soup before
7.) In your opinion, what makes a tasting it.
happy?marriage The manager wanted people in his
8.) Who is the boss in your family? organization who checked things out
9.) Is your spouse employed? Will there before jumping to act.
be aconflict ? If you get an interviewer who asks
10.) What contributed to your divorce? original thought provoking questions in
What haveyou learned from this your interview take quick note.
experience? For example if the manager asks a
11.) Describe your relationship with your question such as "It is 4:55 pm. A
children. customer is considering buying an
12.) What child care arrangements have expensive item which the store has had on
been made for your children? hand for some time and has not sold.
13.) Do you keep and follow a personal The customer is very interested in this
budget? item. Has phoned their spouse for their
14.) Do you balance your chequebook on a ok.
regular basis? The phone call is going to be returned
15.) Do you own a life insurance policy? for approval at 5:15. What do you do?"
16.) Do you have a savings plan? Take note - this is a very smart person
17.) Are you in debt? in an organization which may well be very
18.) How large is your visa bill? good to work for.






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