| Top job interview questions you might be asked during | | | | as simple as "So tell me about yourself", I goofed. |
| an interview range from why do you want this job to | | | | What the heck did she want to know? My hobbies? |
| what is your greatest weakness. So quickly now, tell | | | | My age? My experience? My current job? How long |
| me just what is your greatest weakness? And tell me | | | | I'd lived in the city?" So tell me about yourself" is quite |
| in the next 20 seconds. I'm staring at you, tapping my | | | | general among job interview questions (and a popular |
| fingers on my desk and waiting for your reply.Gotcha, | | | | one).Needless to say that upon leaving that second |
| didn't I!While I don't know what your greatest | | | | interview with that lady executive (who was required |
| weakness in your last job or in life is, I do know your | | | | to approve the final hire), I KNEW I killed all my |
| greatest weakness in relation to your job | | | | chances at getting that job. And so did the original |
| interview.Questions asked by the interviewer?No, it's | | | | interviewer, the fundraiser consultant who I'd really be |
| your "answers". At least partly. There's more to it...Your | | | | working with and under anyway (and whose facial |
| greatest weakness when it comes to blowing job | | | | expressions--yes he was eavesdropping--said he |
| interviews may be your lack of preparation. Let me | | | | knew I blew it too).Notice I said that "I" blew it. Sure, the |
| give you an example from my own life.Years ago I | | | | second interviewer was a cold-hearted...well, you get |
| worked in fundraising for a nonprofit. I liked the | | | | the idea. And surely I was better off not working for |
| fundraising field. Anyone who has worked in it will tell | | | | her or for a "struggling" nonprofit on the rebound. But |
| you there is never a dull moment. It's a fast-paced | | | | the job still seemed so exciting and I wanted it. And I |
| work environment, always with one more thing to do. | | | | BLEW the job interview. Questions I should have been |
| And you're usually doing it for a good cause. However, | | | | able to answer, I couldn't and didn't. I could do the |
| I wanted to do even more with my career in the same | | | | actual job had it been given to me. I just couldn't ace |
| field but for a different employer. So my job search | | | | the job interview.Do you know WHY I blew that job |
| began.My resumes probably resulted in 90 percent | | | | interview? I do.I'm A LOT smarter and more savvy |
| success with getting called for a job interview. It's been | | | | with job searches now so I know the answer. And |
| that way just about forever for me. I mastered | | | | quite frankly, I knew the answer to why I didn't get that |
| resume writing a long time ago, perhaps because I'm | | | | job I so badly wanted right after I blew the question |
| also a professional writer. I've even written resumes | | | | about "so tell me about yourself".And the answer was |
| for friends who weren't getting interviews. And then | | | | and is...I did not prepare for the job |
| they did get those job interview calls immediately. And | | | | interview."Preparation" might possibly be the most |
| if you're wondering, these were honest resumes. I've | | | | important job interview tip you ever hear.What was I |
| never exaggerated on a resume---mine or others.So | | | | thinking? I never passed a test in high school or college |
| this day my resume writing skills got me a call for a | | | | by NOT studying. As a fundraiser, I never asked a |
| job interview I REALLY wanted.I'd be working for | | | | donor to give me a gift by NOT preparing a proposal |
| another nonprofit in a position where I'd be learning | | | | or preparing for the ask. Yet I walked into a job |
| from an established fundraiser in a fast-paced manner | | | | interview with NO preparation. And it showed.Dumb!If |
| too. Back then I craved an experienced mentor like this | | | | you want to get your dream job---because ONLY |
| in the fundraising field. And I wanted to be on a | | | | ONE person will get called for that job out of all the |
| "fast-track" like this job offered. But here's what | | | | interviewees---then you must prepare for the job |
| happened next...I interviewed with a gentlemen who | | | | interview. Preparation means everything from |
| was hired on a contract consultant basis to handle this | | | | preparing what you'll wear to how you'll greet the |
| nonprofit's fundraising campaign. It would be long-term, | | | | interviewer to how you'll follow up with the interviewer. |
| perhaps a year or two or more for this campaign. I | | | | Job interview preparation is knowing beforehand |
| was enthusiastic during the job interview, projected | | | | exactly (or nearly exact) what you'll say to "So tell me |
| experience and knowledge about fund-raising (mostly | | | | about yourself" and "What is your greatest weakness" |
| self-taught), and visibly eager to get started. During the | | | | and any of dozens of questions you might be asked |
| job interview, I aced every question. The interviewer | | | | during a job interview.It IS true that the most |
| and I clicked. He was a fundraiser. I was a fundraiser | | | | experienced or most qualified person will not always |
| (though to a lesser knowledgeable extent). And we | | | | get the job. The person who aces the interview, even |
| understood each other. When I finished that interview I | | | | if they only have half your smarts and experience, |
| KNEW I was in his top picks if not the top pick. I was a | | | | WILL get the job. That's life for you!So what did I do |
| smart and "hungry" fundraiser willing to work for the | | | | before my next job interview?I went to the store and |
| right price and follow his lead. And that's what he | | | | bought a book to help me prepare for answering job |
| wanted. But then......I had to go through round two of the | | | | interview questions. The book was called Knock 'Em |
| job interview process. I was to return on a separate | | | | Dead, The Ultimate Job-Seeker's Handbook by Martin |
| day and interview for the job with a top executive of | | | | Yate. It's a popular book with many since updated |
| this small nonprofit. I did. She was clearly not a | | | | editions. In particular, when I read Yate's section on |
| fundraiser (though it is important, perhaps vital, for a top | | | | handling tough job interview questions---and practiced |
| executive to understand and play their role correctly in | | | | my responses at home, I never goofed at another job |
| fundraising, especially for a nonprofit like this one which | | | | interview again. Never! I didn't always get the job, but I |
| was on the decline in funding and needed a fast | | | | sure came close most times. And eventually I did get |
| rebound) . But this lady executive was cold. I did not | | | | the job I wanted. Also I was never again personally |
| get a warm vibe from her. Quite opposite, fundraisers, | | | | embarrassed about my performance in a job |
| or anyone trying to raise funds, are usually gregarious, | | | | interview.Yate's book is just one source and one |
| friendly people. Apparently no one told this woman that | | | | method to help you prepare for the job interview for |
| it's important to make any community member feel | | | | your dream job. You can find other equally good |
| comfortable, even one who is interviewing with you for | | | | sources to help you ace your job interviews. And I |
| a job (hey, my daddy COULD have been a rich | | | | highly recommend you do seek out some job |
| member of the community!).Well, this woman was so | | | | interview preparation resources before your next job |
| cold and matter of fact (and not even totally focused | | | | interview---if you really want to get that |
| on me and the interview at times), that she got me. I | | | | job---particularly some tips about responding to job |
| was already nervous about the job interview and now | | | | interview questions.Karen Fritscher-Porter publishes a |
| the questions felt more like an interrogation---one I was | | | | website for administrative professionals at that |
| failing at. First came the stammering. Then came the | | | | contains practical on-the-job advice and career |
| blank mind on my part. And then came dumb words, | | | | advancement tips. |
| followed by no words. When I was asked something | | | | |