OVERVIEW

Identifying Position Needs

The first step in selling a candidacy in an interview is to understand the needs/requirements for the position. Only then can you have a solid foundation to sell your candidacy. The following are guides to obtaining the needs/position requirements:

INSTRUCTIONS

• Try to make contact with someone already working for the company. Such individuals can often provide information on what the company is looking for, their needs.
• Frequently there is a telephone screening call. Ask the screener for the needs/position requirements
• Request a position description be mailed, faxed or emailed to you

Make an anonymous telephone call to the Personnel or Human Resources Department. State you have heard there was a position opening and you would like to submit a resume. Try to establish some rapport and then ask what they thought the company was looking for in an individual to fill the position.

If there is uncertainty as to what the position needs/specifications, skill sets are, the following are examples of questions you can ask an interviewer early in an interview:

1. My understanding of the position requirements is xxx. Is that correct?
2. Would you please clarify for me the skills an individual needs to bring to the position to be successful?

Once the needs are basically understood, you need to make matches between the needs/requirements and your skills and experiences. Matches represent what are referred to as openings to sell a candidacy by providing information in response to an expressed position need or interviewer comment. Keep in mind that matches don't have to be an exact overlay.

Interviewers probe vulnerable areas of a candidacy. Interviewees often over react and view the probes as interviewer objections or concerns about an element (s) of their candidacy. An objection is simply a request for more information and interviewees should interpret it that way. Interviewees need to sense that the interviewer has a concern. Repeated probes by an interviewer into the same area is the best indicator there is concern. Other signals are facial expressions.

When an objection is sensed by an interviewee, he/she needs to tailor their answer to the implied concern. In addition to verbal objections If one is still unsure as to whether their reply overcame the objection, It's OK to ask the interviewer if your answer provided all of the information the interviewer was seeking.

Example: An interviewer objects by saying " I think you are over qualified for the position. " Interviewee responds, "I disagree. Let me tell you why. I'm excited about the possibilities of joining this company. I see lots of upward opportunities. Although I understand your viewpoint, I'd be willing to join the company in that capacity and progress from there.

Tip: As preparation for possible negative probes, ask yourself "if I were the interviewer where would I probe for weaknesses in my background? The answer is that's probably where the probes will be directed. Prepare by formulating good answers to anticipated objections. Also, thoroughly analyze your resume for weaknesses and potential probes.

Reference Selling

A selling technique that can be utilized in interviews is reference selling. An interviewee can refer to a third party to make an emphasis point. Reference selling adds credibility to a candidacy.
Example:" If you would ask my former boss, John Jones, he would say that I am an excellent team player.

The close of an interview represents a key selling opportunity for interviewees. Often the strengths of a candidacy don't get fully communicated for a variety of reasons. Interviewees need to become proactive in an interview close to insure that all the strengths of their candidacy have been communicated. There is usually no more than two minutes of time to communicate your closing statement.

You need to summarize the interview by restating matches that have been made (also those that didn't get made), re-communicating your BRAND, and asking (if you are interested) what the next steps are and when will the hiring decision be made?. Also, if you want the job, say so!

Example: " I want you to know that I feel very confident in meeting the requirements of the position and I am very interested in joining the company. I'm confident I could do an outstanding job in the position we discussed.
NOTE: Summarize the key matches made in the interview and add any other strengths/traits you have appropriate to the position needs. Also weave in your BRAND statement.

Job candidates frequently underestimate the importance of making a positive first impression. First impressions set the tone for an interview. They represent a powerful selling tool. If the impression is positive, the interview is off to a good start. If the impression is negative, it's virtually impossible to reverse the interviewer's negative judgment of your candidacy. For some job candidates making a positive first impression comes naturally. For others, developing the skill requires learning proper method and technique, followed by repeated practice until the positive first impression skills becomes second nature. The First Encounter When a candidate first meets an interviewer, as part of a first impression, it's called the initial greeting. To make the impression positive, an interviewee needs to communicate an attitude of genuine interest communicated by a smile, firm handshake, making eye contact and enthusiastically verbalizing a small talk greeting like: Hi, I'm Susan and thank you for inviting me to the interview. It can establish important rapport with the interviewer.   Body Language One's carriage can positively influence a first impression. Body language also includes a firm handshake, smile, eye contact and how one sits in the interviewee chair, where posture should be upright. It's OK to use one's hands/fingers to make emphasis points. Don't be fidgety and keep one's legs crossed. TIP 1. When sitting down in a chair place the small of your back firmly against the back part of the chair. Maintain that sitting posture throughout the interview. TIP 2. It sounds too elementary to be of importance, but a firm hand shake is very important. Practice your hand shake with friends and just prior to your meeting your interviewer, clench your first several time to get the circulation going to avoid a moist, limp handshake. ATTIRE AND GROOMING Attire What you wear to an interview is a key factor in the creation of a positive first impression. Business suits are the recommended attire for interviews. Err on the side of being conservative and professional.   Grooming Grooming is also very important in communicating a positive first impression. The following are areas to pay attention to: Hair Focus on your hair being recently cut, neat and clean Fingernail Clean and clipped and for women a conservative color polish Clothing Crispness Every item of ones interviewing attire needs to be clean and neatly pressed Shoes Shoes must be respectable, in style, polished and colored coordinated with clothes Make Up Do not use excessive make-up. Also, perfume used needs to be discreet First Impression Rehearsal A week prior to your first interview perform a dress rehearsal (grooming, uniform, handshake) in front of trusted friends. Evaluate their feedback and make adjustments to finalize your first impression.

Listening skills are important interviewing skills and important to the development of interviewing proficiency and winning job offers. Listening can provide beneficial cultural clues, position needs, objections, interviewer "hot buttons and more. Being a good listener sends a positive signal to interviewers.

TIP: Test your listening skills by answering the following questions. Next, study the Listening Development Components and commit them to memory.

LISTENING QUIZ

Listening is a subject frequently ignored by interviewees in their preparation for developing interviewing proficiency. The following quiz is a focus exercise to bring attention to the multiple benefits and advantages of good listening skills.

1. Have I ever missed important information because I was daydreaming or not paying attention?

2. Interviewers have varied styles. Do I concentrate on the message?

3. Do I have difficulty in keeping an open mind while listening?

4. Do I interrupt people before they finish what they are saying?

5. Do I possess a desire and a consciousness for listening?

LISTENING COMPONENTS

• Visual Listening
  Observing the interviewer can yield clues to interviewer interest and agreement or disagreement with the answer to an interview question. Watch for facial movements like raising eyebrows, smiles, frowns, and nods.

• Deciding To Listen
  Concentration is the key to listening to understand versus just hearing. Deciding to listen is another way to put it. When you concentrate on listening you can often pick up valuable clues, biases, concerns, hot buttons and objections. Make certain you understand the message before replying.

• Auditing What You Heard
  Make certain you have interpreted what you're listening to, correctly. If you are uncertain, paraphrase what you heard and ask if it is correct.

• Listening for Pieces
  Information about position needs, cultures, and hot buttons often comes out in bits and pieces. The key is to assemble the pieces to arrive at conclusions and judgments.

• Listening for Cultural Clues
  Interviewing is a two way street. Although the major objective is to win the job offer (you can always turn it down) an interviewee also needs to determine if it's the right job for them. A key component in that assessment is to listen and observe cultural clues that help determine what it's like to work there.

• Thinking Ahead While Listening
  Individuals think three to four times faster than they speak. While the interviewer is speaking, you can effectively listen and still have time to plan points you want to make. Areas to mentally evaluate while thinking ahead are:

  o What is my next question for the interviewer?
  o Is the strength of my candidacy and my BRAND being effectively communicated?
  o Am I confident in knowing what they are looking for, so I can make the necessary position needs matches?
  o Is there an answer (s) I made that requires repairing?

The following are the fundamentals, the ANSWERING MECHANICS for answering questions. They importantly represent the how-to method and technique for becoming proficient at answering questions. They are a prerequisite for honing and polishing answers in Step 6. PRACTICE.

 

ANSWERING MECHANICS

Study the Mechanics until they become second nature in your answers to interview questions.

1. Understanding The Question
   If you don't understand the question, ask for clarification
    
2. ANSWERING THE QUESTION, THEN AUGMENTING
   Answering the question up-front sounds rather basic, but interviewees whose skills are not proficient, frequently ramble on providing an answer that loses its articulateness, crispness and could be self-defeating. Answer the question, then augment.
    
3. Taking One's Time
   It's OK to pause, but not excessively, before answering a question. A brief pause will most often be interpreted as a carefully thought out answer. IT'S also OK to occasionally repeat the question to gain some thinking time.
    
4. Candidacy Selling
   An interviewee needs to recognize opportunities to sell their candidacy in an interview. It comes down to a question of judgment as to when is the appropriate time. Most often the opportunity comes as an extension of an answer to a question. The close of an interview is an additional opportunity to sell. Judgment is also required to achieve the proper balance so that interviewers don't interpret that one is selling too hard, a negative.
    
5. Holding the Floor
   A pause at the end of an answer signals to the interviewer that you are finished with your answer and are turning the floor over to him/her. If you want to hold the floor, you can't pause at the end of an answer. Keep talking with points you want to make.
    
6. Handling Interviewer Silence
   Interviewers use silence as a technique to get interviewees to talk. When the silence bait comes don't take it. Remain silent until the interviewer talks.
    
7. Maintaining Eye Contact
   Under the stress of an interview, there is a tendency of interviewees to gaze to the left or right and not maintain direct eye contact. Eye contact concentration holds the key to maintaining direct eye contact.
    
8. Demonstrating Proper Body Language
   Body language includes a smile, handshake, carriage, sitting posture, facial movements and hand gestures. Demonstrating proper body language is a requirement for delivering effective answers to interview questions. It's OK to use your hands and fingers in an answer. Practice your handshake and make certain it is firm. Sit with the small of your back against the back of the chair. Crossing your legs is proper but don't have jittery feet. A smile is always infectious.
    
9. Listening
   Listening is a very important component of answering fundamentals and mechanics. Listening can provide cultural clues, position needs, objections and interviewer "hot buttonsâ€,
   1. Being a good listener sends a positive signal to interviewers.
   2. Good answers require a thorough understanding of the question. Concentrating on listening to the question promotes understanding.
       
10. Eliminating Negative Speech Mannerisms
    The ahas, you knows and unhuhs need to be eliminated from answers as does the repeating of the interviewer question. If you don't understand the question, ask for clarification. Answers need to be crisp and articulate.
     
11. Repairing Answers
    Sometimes answers to interview questions get "blown." Recognition by an interviewee of a "blown answer" most often comes as the interview progresses. When recognition occurs an interviewee needs to become pro-active and repair the answer.
    
    Example: "The question you asked before about being a team player, I forgot to mention that in all of my performance reviews, I received an outstanding rating for being a team player."
     
12. Communicating Your Brand
    Opportunities will arise in an interview to communicate your Brand. Most often the opportunity is an addendum to a question answer where it is appropriate to weave it in at the end of the question. In the interview close a Brand statement is a "must."
     
13. PROVIDING STORY EVIDENCE
    Many questions will require you to provide evidence for your answer. For example, if you claim to be good at planning you need to provide the evidence in the form of a story example to support your claim.
     
14. WORD SELECTION
    Your answer word selection influences the quality of your answers and the interviewer's evaluation of your answers. Visit THESAURUS in the TOOLBOX for word selection assistance to make every word count.
    Action Verbs should be utilized wherever applicable. You'll also want to include statements of scope to provide interviewers with the size of responsibilities and accomplishments.
     
15. Don't Self-Incriminate
    Interviewees often get into trouble by volunteering information that is self-incriminating. Be truthful and honest with your answers. Everyone has weaknesses or decisions they would like to take back.
     
16. Communicate Humanness
    Humanness is a favorable quality to communicate in interviews. It can contribute to rapport with interviewers.

DEVELOPING YOUR ANSWERS

IMPORTANCE OF ANSWER CONTENT
You want your answers to be tailored, mechanics compliant, sound natural, not memorized or canned. In developing your answers to commonly asked interview questions you need to also focus on answer content and word selection. There are several sources to capture content and the Thesaurus provides word options. The Content Sources are:

	Resumes Web Sites Candidacy Package Experiences Accomplishments Skills Strengths Brand Statement Performance Reviews Team Involvement Industry Knowledge Product Knowledge Functional Expertise Profit Contributions Cost Reductions

1. Develop a detailed familiarity with the questions and think through how to answer them. Pay particular attention to the Answer Guides. They contain answer ideas, suggestions, interviewer objectives, answer content guides, and recommendations of where to locate the information to formulate your answer.

2. It's O.K. to make notes to yourself, but don't write out a total answer.

3. Repeated practice (Step 6. PRACTICE) will develop your answers to proficiency levels.

EXAMPLE: Tell me about yourself?
Answer Guide: Your answer should be principally job related with emphasis on your recent career experiences and qualifications that are related to the job. Also, a brief statement about your education and highlights of your work history for the past six to eight years.

The following is a composite of screening, cultural/chemistry, behavioral, difficult/tough, and problem solving questions. Developing and mastering your answers to the questions will prepare you to answer any interview question. There are two sets of questions: (set 1) 100 Commonly Asked Questions for job seekers with a work history (Classic Questions), and (set 2) 100 Questions for College Students.

CLASSIC QUESTIONS

1. Why do you want to work here?
Cite that you have done research on the company and found it was the type of company you have been seeking in your job search.

2. Why should we hire you?
You feel qualified for the position and would make multiple, timely contributions.

3. Do you have any questions?
Ask your prepared questions. If question opportunity does not arise, become proactive and mention you have some questions.

4. What are your weaknesses?
The strategy is to cite a weakness that doesn't negatively impact the position needs. If it does, rethink whether it is the right opportunity for you.

5. What are your long-term goals?
Mention such factors as career advancement, functional expertise, management/supervisory goals.

6. Tell me about yourself?
Focus on your career experience over the past 6 to 8 years. Communicate your brand statement.

7. What are your strengths?
Use features of your Candidacy Package.

8. What do you know about our company?
Use your research to answer.

9. Have you ever had to fire people?
Use a reduction in force situation and summarize.

10. What do you know about our industry?
Cite key points of your research?

11. Why are you leaving you current job?
Give reasons...career blocked, increased responsibility, more compensation, industry problems?

12. What do you like best about you current (last) job?
Mention positives like advancement, responsibilities, experiences etc.

13. What did you least like about your last job?
Stay away from personnel issues.

14. How long would it take to make a meaningful contribution?
From 90 to 180 days.

15. Describe your management/supervisory style?
Possibilities include participative, delegation, team approach, results oriented, people oriented, planning focus. Try to predetermine a company's style and respond.

16. Don't you think you are over qualified for the position?
State you are very qualified and could make immediate contributions.

17. What do you look for in a job?
An opportunity to grow , recognition for performance

18. How do you feel about your career to-date?
Generally pleased, searching for additional opportunities to grow, don't overstate, communicate confidence.

19. What do you think of your boss?
Be positive, no negatives.

20. What are your salary requirements?
Be vague with your answer, ask what the ranges are for the position, state you feel the compensation will be competitive.
Mention you performed salary research on the WEB.

21. What kind of experience do you have for this position?
Use the information from your EXPERIENCE ASSESSMENT. Make matches with needs.

22. Do you have references?
Yes , but I would prefer that we get further along in the process before giving them out.

23. When would you be available for work?
I need to provide a two week notice and I would want to honor that commitment.

24. Describe a difficult problem you have had to deal with?
Use an example that is position related. Use the C.A.R. technique and quantify the results.

25. How well do you work under pressure?
Be positive. Use an example

26. How long would you stay with the company?
As long as there are advancement opportunities, challenge and personal growth.

27. Where would you like to be 5 years from now?
Answer as a short- term segment of your long term goals.

28. How would you rate your communications skills?
Organize the answer into two components: 1. Written Communications, 2. Verbal Communications. Provide examples.

29. What are your major accomplishments?
Transfer from ASSESSMENT.

30. What are your long-range goals?
If we were to get together, I would like to be in a position of increased responsibility and a key-contributing member to solving problems and profitably growing the company.

31. How would you establish credibility with a team?
Leading by example, good communicator, hard work.

32. What are you most proud of?
Cite an example where you participated in solving a major company problem. Use C.A.R.

33. Have you had a mentor?
If yes, describe what you learned. If no, pick out a former boss and answer accordingly.

34. Describe the time you had to deal with conflict on the job?
Possibilities: Boss problems, use C.A.R.

35. What books/magazines/newspapers do you read?
Emphasize business related publications like local and national newspapers, magazines, industry publications, books

36. What would your last boss say about you?
He would be positive. We worked well together.

37. What is your salary history?
Confine your answer to the past 5 to 6 years. Include bonuses.

38. Are you willing to relocate?
State your position.

39. How do your close friends see you?
Possibilities: Hard working, dedicated, sense of humor, goal oriented. Review Job Skills Assessment

40. What irritates you about other people?
When they miss commitments and follow-through.

41. How do you keep yourself organized?
Day planner, work plans, notebooks secretary. filing system

42. How would you handle the first 90 days in this position?
Identify major problems to be solved, develop action plans, set priorities, plan beyond the 90 days

43. How does your work experience match the position?
Use info from EXPERIENCE ASSESSMENT to make matches

44. Explain the gap (s) in your employment?
Be honest. Anticipate probing questions

45. Why did you leave your last job?
Wanted increased compensation and growth opportunities

46. Tell me about a time you tried and failed?
Behavioral question. Use C.A.R. to respond.

47. What are your strongest skills?
From ASSESSMENT.

48. What motivates you?
Possibilities are: challenge, team participation, problem solving, personal growth, work environment

49. How would you describe your ideal job?
Exciting, challenging work environment, meaningful responsibilities

50. Explain how you overcame a major obstacle?
Use the C.A.R. technique to answer the question

51. Why did you apply for this job?
Met my job objective, looked interesting

52. What do you do when things have not gone as planned?
Analyze reasons, solicit advice, re-plan

53. What characteristics are essential for success in you field?
Possibilities are: industry knowledge, functional expertise, planning skills, analytical abilities, problem solving

54. Tell me about your role as a team member?
Cite a successful team effort and your contributions

55. Describe a situation where your performance was criticized?
Use C.A.R. to answer

56. Give me an example of when you showed initiative?
Ideas, recommendations, plans, improvements

57. Describe a situation where your performance was criticized?
Possibilities: Missed deadline, over budget, follow through
Use C.A.R.

58. What kinds of decisions did you have to make in your last job?
Cite 4 or 5 that relate to the position needs

59. Describe a typical work week?
Hours worked, meetings, travel

60. Describe your energy level with examples?
High energy desirable. Use a story as evidence

61. What kinds of decisions are most difficult for you?
Job related, be brief.

62. Tell me about your least favorite manager?
Possibilities: Chemistry problem, lack of communication, politics

63. Why have you changed jobs so often?
Relocation, career change, downsizing

64. Tell me about a problem you had with at work ?
Ideas: Boss chemistry, interaction with departments, resources

65. What has been your biggest failure?
Ideas: Poor hire, missed deadline, over budget

66. How do you manage your time?
Daily/weekly planner, set priorities

67. How do you handle criticism?
Constructively, no negative emotions, learn from

68. What do you do to relax?
Avocations, reading, movies, sports, exercise

69. How do you balance your life?
Family involvement, activities, vacations, travel

70. If you could do it over again what decisions would you make?
Ideas: Education, job change, relocation

71. What has been your biggest challenge?
Management/supervisory, skill improvement/acquisition, time management

72. Describe a problem you have overcome?
Business related, use C.A.R.

73. What is the most difficult problem you have faced?
Achieving plans, staffing, downsizing

74. What skills are most critical for this job?
Make matches of skills strengths and position needs

75. Describe your management/supervisory style
Participative, hands on, delegation, team approach, open communications

76. How do you organize and plan for assigned projects?
Cite methods and techniques, provide examples

77. What areas would you like to improve on?
Select two or three areas from Job Skills Assessment

78. Tell me about your computer literacy?
Software program proficiency. Make claims

79. Give me three adjectives your co-workers would use to describe you?
Review Job Skills strengths and select.

80. In hindsight what have you done that you regret?
Ideas: Education, job selection, relocation, stayed too long, job change

81. What can you do for us that someone can't?
Cite your Brand Statement

82. What do you look for when hiring people?
Qualifications, experiences, skills strengths, cultural/chemistry fit

83. How do you handle firing people?
Face to face, provide reasons, severance benefits

84. Do you plan on continuing your education?
Courses, seminars, degree plans

85. Do you prefer working alone or in groups�
Emphasis on groups

86. What experience have you had using the Internet?
Cite how used, give examples

87. Do you do personal planning?
Methods and techniques used

88. How would you describe yourself?
Brand Statement plus key personality traits from Job Skills Assessment

89. What has been your biggest accomplishment?
Use C.A.R to answer

90. Give an example of when your persistence paid off?
Job related with a story

91. How do you handle disappointment?
Resiliency, don't dwell, learn from

92. How do you handle pressure?
Set new priorities, increased work hours

93. What is your greatest strength?
Use your brand statement to answer

94. Tell me about a time you saved an employer money?
Use C.A.R. to answer

95. What traits do you feel are essential to success in this position?
List traits and make matches with Job Skills Trait strengths

96. Describe some things you have done that were innovative and proactive?
Plans, recommendations, cost reductions, revenue increases

97. What kind of a risk taker are you?
Describe, give examples

98. What was the biggest difference with management you had in your last/current position?
Philosophy, direction, resources

99. What kind of people do you like to work with?
Describe attitudes and desirable personality traits

100. What have you learned from the jobs you have held?
Ideas: Management styles, techniques, problem solving, personnel practices, customer service, product quality, planning, budgeting

Back to the top

The following is a composite of screening, cultural/chemistry, behavioral, difficult/tough, and problem solving questions. Developing and mastering your answers to the questions will prepare you to answer any interview question. There are two sets of questions: (set 1) 100 Commonly Asked Questions for job seekers with a work history (Classic Questions), and (set 2) 100 Questions for College Students.

COLLEGE QUESTIONS

1. Why should we hire you?
You feel qualified for the position and would make multiple, timely contributions.

2. Why do you want to work here?
Cite that you have done research on the company and found it was the type of company you have been seeking in your job search.

3. Do you have any questions?
Ask your prepared questions. If question opportunity does not arise, become proactive and mention you have some questions.

4.What are your weaknesses?
The strategy is to cite a weakness that doesn't negatively impact the position needs. If it does, rethink it is the right opportunity for you.

5.What are your long-term goals?
Mention such factors as career advancement, functional expertise, management/supervisory goals, personal growth, increased compensation

6.Tell me about yourself?
Focus on your experiences over the past 6 to 8 years. Communicate your brand statement. Not too lengthy

7.What are your strengths?
Use features from your Candidacy Package.

8.What do you know about our company?
Use your research to answer.

9.What do you know about our industry?
Cite key points of your research. An opportunity to grow, recognition for performance

10.What have you learned from participation in extracurricular activities?
Leadership, Team playing, Responsibilities

11.How are you evaluating prospective companies?
Matches with my job objective, Work environment. Culture, Advancement opportunities

12.What did you learn from part-time, co-op, apprentices and summer jobs?
Possibilities: Leadership, Customer service, Being punctual, Meet deadlines, Accountability, Management/Supervisory styles

13.Tell me about a time your course level was heavy and how you handled it?
Time management, priorities, Focus, Planning

14.Have you ever experienced an ethical dilemma?
If yes provide details. If no, cite how you would handle it.

15. How did you get your summer jobs?

16. What qualifications do you have that would make you successful in this position?

17. Tell me about your most difficult personal experience?

18. What would be your three strongest personality traits?

19. What are new challenges you enjoy?

20 What are your salary requirements?
Be vague, if possible, with your answer. Ask what the ranges are for the position, state you feel the compensation will be competitive.
Mention you performed salary research on the WEB

21.Do you have references?
Yes, but I would prefer that we get further along in the process before giving them out.

22.When would you be available for work?
I graduate the end of May so anytime in June

23. Describe a difficult problem you have had to deal with?
Use the C.A.R. or S.A.R. technique and quantify the results.

24. How well do you work under pressure?
Be positive. Use an example

25. How long would you stay with the company?
As long as there are advancement opportunities, challenge and personal growth.

25. Where would you like to be 5 years from now?
Answer as a short- term segment of your long-term goals.

26. How would you rate your communications skills?
Organize the answer into three components: 1. Written Communications, 2. Verbal Communications. 3. Computer Communications. Provide examples.

27. What are your major accomplishments?
Transfer from ASSESSMENT-Step 1.

28. What are your long-range goals?
If we were to get together, I would like to be in a position of increased responsibility and a key-contributing member to solving problems and profitably growing the company.

29. What are you most proud of?
Cite an example where you participated in solving a major company problem. Use C.A.R. Select from Assessment results.

30. What books/magazines/newspapers do you read?
Emphasize business-related publications like local and national newspapers, magazines, industry publications, and books

31. Are you willing to relocate?
State your position.

32. How do your close friends see you?
Possibilities: Hard working, dedicated, sense of humor, goal oriented. Review Job Skills Assessment- Soft Skills

33. What irritates you about other people?
When they miss commitments and don't follow-through.

34. How do you keep yourself organized?
Day planner, work plans, notebooks, secretary. filing system, computer

35. Tell me about a time you tried and failed?
Behavioral question. Use C.A.R. to respond. Be honest

36. What are your strongest skills?
From ASSESSMENT.

37. What motivates you?
Possibilities are: challenge, team participation, problem solving, personal growth, work environment

38. How would you describe your ideal job?
Exciting, challenging work environment, meaningful responsibilities

39. Explain how you overcame a major obstacle?
Use the C.A.R. technique to answer the question

40. Why did you apply for this job?
Met my job objective, looked interesting, researched findings

41. Describe a situation where your performance was criticized?
Use C.A.R. to answer

42. Give me an example of when you showed initiative?
Ideas: recommendations, plans, improvements

43. Describe a situation where your performance was criticized?
Use C.A.R.

44. Describe a typical week?
Hours studying, working, extra curricular activities

45. Do you have plans for Graduate School?
Possibly. My current goal is to focus on the job and gain experience.

46. Have you experienced any team participation?
Possibilities: sports, comities, councils, projects

47. Do you have any interest in management?
If yes, say so. If uncertain, say "time will tell, but I think so.â€

48. Have you had any leadership experience?
Use Question 46. statements as input. Use a story.

49. What are your interests?

50. Describe a key contribution as a team member

51. What interests you most about our products/services?
Prepare answer from your research. Give specifics.

52. Why are you qualified for this job?
Fill the position needs with matches from your candidacy strengths

53. Describe a situation where you incurred conflict

54. What kind of a work environment would you perform best in?
One where performance is recognized, advancement opportunities, creativity and improvement ideas encouraged

55. Describe your energy level with examples?
High energy desirable. Use a story as evidence

56. What kinds of decisions are most difficult for you?
Be forthright. Give three examples.

57. How do you manage your time?
Daily/weekly planner, set priorities

58. How do you handle criticism?
Constructively, no negative emotions, learn from

59. What do you do to relax?
Avocations, reading, movies, sports, exercise

60. How do you balance your life?
Family involvement, activities, vacations, travel

61. If you could do it over again what decisions would you make?
Ideas: Education, job change, relocation

62. What has been your biggest challenge?

63. Describe a problem you have overcome
Use C.A.R. in formulating your answer

64. What is the most difficult problem you have faced?

65. How do you organize and plan for assigned projects?
Cite methods and techniques, provide examples

66. What areas would you like to improve on?
Select two or three areas from Job Skills Assessment

67. Tell me about your computer literacy?
Software and Internet program proficiency. Make claims

68. Give me three adjectives your friends would use to describe you?
Review Job Skills strengths soft skills and select.

69. In hindsight what have you done that you regret?

70. What can you do for us that someone can't?
Cite your Brand Statement

71. Do you plan on continuing your education?
Courses, seminars, degree plans. Current focus would be on the job requirements

72. What experience have you had using the Internet?
Cite how used, give examples, communicate knowledge and experience

73. Do you do personal planning?
Methods and techniques used

74. How would you describe yourself?
Brand Statement plus key personality traits from Job Skills Assessment Soft Skills

75. What has been your biggest accomplishment?
Use C.A.R to answer. Select from Assessment

76. Give an example of when your persistence paid off?
Job, course, leadership, sports. Deliver with a story

77. How do you handle disappointment?
Resiliency, don't dwell, learn from

78. How do you handle pressure?
Set new priorities, increased work hours

79. What is your greatest strength?
Use your Brand Statement to answer

80. Describe some things you have done that were innovative and proactive?
Communicate using a story

81. Are you willing to travel?
Give a truthful answer

82. How do you make a decision?
Evaluate alternatives, timely, solicit advice, set deadlines, input from others

83. How do you feel about working long hours?
Positive answer. Will do what is required.

84. What work experience have you had?
Any work experience is important. What you observed, learned.

85. Tell me about your high school years?
Accomplishments, awards, extra curricular activities, leadership

86. Have you had any job offers to date?
If you have say yes. Don't go into detail . If no offers to date communicate that you are looking for the right situation.

87. What events have most influenced your life?
Possibilities: Parents, teachers, jobs, mentors, experiences, accomplishments

88. Why did you choose your major?
Direct answer

89. What is your GPA?
Direct answer If not impressive communicate areas where you had good grades like in your major or perhaps the last year or two.

90. What is your GPA in your major?
Direct answer

91. What were your most interesting courses?
Direct answer, Explain why

92. What career plans do you have?
Possibilities: Personal growth, time table, education, progression, knowledge, skill, experience acquisition

93. What is your work ethic like?
Positive answer. Use example

94. Do you have creative abilities?
Cite examples

95. How did you finance your education?
Cite your contributions

96. Tell me about your interpersonal skills?
Use Soft Skills from ASSESSMENT

97. Why are you interested in our industry?
Communicate research findings

98. How would you make yourself indispensable to our company?
Communicate your Brand

99.Why did you choose your career?
Provide rationale, logic, feelings, courses, exposures, experience

100. Describe your most interesting college experience?
Focus on leadership, accomplishments, employment

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