OVERVIEW

 

 

 

Developing question answering skills is the final step in developing interviewing proficiency. Skill in answering interviewer questions can carry an interview.

 

 

 

GETTING STARTED.

 

 

Review the INTERVIEW REMINDERS in the INDEX.

 

 

NEXT STEPS

 From the INDEX select the appropriate Answer Practice category.( Classic or College) The practice sequence and guides are:

  • Go through the 100 questions in practice sessions of 20 questions using the MP3 PLAYER.
  • Audio record your practice sessions and evaluate them using the Performance Evaluation contained in the INDEX.
  • Some questions will be troublesome. Flag them for additional practice.
  • Upon the completion of repeated practice sessions you will achieve confidence in your ability to answer proficiently any questions an interviewer might ask

OFF--LINE PRACTICE

The PRACTICE OPTIONS (INDEX) contains additional practice  recommendations that need to be implemented.

MP3 Player

INDEX
Practice Options Answer Practice-College
Answer Practice-Classic Performance Evaluation
Interviewing Review  

ANSWER PRACTICE-CLASSIC QUESTIONS

  1. Why do you want to work here?
  2. Why should we hire you?
  3. Do you have any questions?
  4. What are your weaknesses?
  5. What are your long-term goals?
  6. Tell me about yourself?
  7. What are your strengths?
  8. What do you know about our company?
  9. What did you like least about your last job?
  10. What do you know about our industry?
  11. Why are you leaving you current job?
  12. What do you like best about you current (last) job?
  13. What is your management/supervisory style?
  14. How long would it take to make a meaningful contribution?
  15. Describe your management/supervisory style?
  16. Don't you think you are over qualified for the position?
  17. What do you look for in a job?
  18. How do you feel about your career to-date?
  19. What do you think of your boss?
  20. What are your salary requirements?
  21. What kind of experience do you have for this position?
  22. Do you have references?
  23. When would you be available for work?
  24. Describe a difficult problem you have had to deal with.
  25. How well do you work under pressure?
  26. How long would you stay with our company?
  27. Where would you like to be 5 years from now?
  28. How would you rate your communications skills?
  29. What are your major accomplishments?
  30. What are your long-range goals?
  31. How would you establish credibility with a team?
  32. What are you most proud of?
  33. How do you feel about your career to-date?
  34. Describe the time you had to deal with conflict on the job?.
  35. What books/magazines/newspapers do you read?
  36. What would your last boss say about you?
  37. What is your salary history?
  38. Are you willing to relocate?
  39. How do your close friends see you?
  40. What irritates you about other people?
  41. How do you keep yourself organized?
  42. How would you handle the first 90 days in this position?
  43. How does your work experience match the position?
  44. How long would you stay with our company?
  45. Why did you leave your last job?
  46. Tell me about a time you tried and failed.
  47. What are your strongest skills?
  48. What motivates you?
  49. How would you describe your ideal job?
  50. Explain how you overcame a major obstacle.
  51. Why did you apply for this job?
  52. What do you do when things have not gone as planned?
  53. How do you stay current?
  54. Tell me about your role as a team member.
  55. Describe a situation where your performance was criticized.
  56. Give me an example of when you showed initiative.
  57. What decisions did you have to make in your last job.
  58. Describe a typical work week.
  59. Describe your energy level with examples.
  60. What kinds of decisions are most difficult for you?
  61. How do you approach difficult decisions?
  62. How do you keep yourself organized?
  63. Tell me about a problem you had with at work.
  64. What has been your biggest failure?
  65. How do you manage your time?
  66. How do you handle criticism?
  67. What do you do to relax?
  68. How do you balance your life?
  69. If you could do it over again what decisions would you make?
  70. What has been your biggest challenge?
  71. Describe a problem you have overcome?
  72. What is the most difficult problem you have faced?
  73. What skills are most critical for this job?
  74. Why did you apply for this job?
  75. How do you organize and plan for assigned projects?
  76. What areas would you like to improve on?
  77. Tell me about your computer literacy.
  78. Give me three adjectives your co-workers would use to describe you.
  79. In hindsight what have you done that you regret.
  80. What can you do for us that someone can't?
  81. Do you plan on continuing your education?
  82. Tell me about your role as a team member.
  83. Do you prefer working alone or in groups?
  84. What experience have you had using the Internet?
  85. Do you do personal planning?
  86. How would you describe yourself?
  87. What has been your biggest accomplishment?
  88. Give an example of when your persistence paid off.
  89. How do you handle disappointment?
  90. What is your greatest strength?
  91. Tell me about a time you saved an employer money.
  92. What traits do you feel are essential to success in this position?
  93. Describe some things you have done that were innovative and proactive.
  94. What kind of a risk taker are you?
  95. What was the biggest difference with management you had in your last/current position?
  96. What kind of people do you like to work with?
  97. What have you learned from the jobs you have held?
  98. How do you manage your time?
  99. Describe an avocation or hobby you have.
  100. What interests you most about this job?
 PRACTICE INSTRUCTIONS
Repeat the practice drills several times until you feel confident of your answering skills. Some questions will appear troublesome. Flag them for additional practice. Evaluate your performance for each drill session.

PRACTICE OPTIONS

ANSWER PRACTICE
Answer practice forms the nucleus for the additional options and needs to be mastered before executing other practice options

GROUP PRACTICE
Small groups, as few as two participants, can be an effective practice option. Use a triad drill where one player acts as the interviewee, another as the interviewer, and a third as the observer. Then rotate the positions. An alternative is to use the iPOD as the interviewer and have observers critique.

VIDEO PRACTICE
Video practice can be helpful to pinpoint behavioral issues and answers that need improvement.

MIRROR PRACTICE
Practicing answers in front of a mirror can provide feedback on facial expressions, grooming and appearance.

CUSTOM INTERVIEW PRACTICE
For a real interview there are benefits and advantages to structuring a simulated interview and rehearsing it several times. Here is how:

  1. Visit the company's Web site and capture information on the company's products, finances , and structure for simulated interviewer questions etc. Use the Web site directory contained in Step 4. INTERVIEWS . to capture your information.
  2. Try to find out the position needs through detective work i.e. contacts, former employees, company interface. There is the name of a person on your interview invitation. Contact that person and ask what the position needs are. Also, review the position advertisement. It contains clues to the position needs.
  3. Compose a simulated interview by developing questions relative to the situation. Include a few questions from the difficult question list.
  4. Practice the simulated interview with a practice partner (s) using the questions you have developed.

STORY  PRACTICE
The evidence stories composed in Step 1 and included in your CANDIDACY PACKAGE, need to be rehearsed so that in an interview the delivery is crisp.

RECORDING PRACTICE SESSIONS
Record your practice sessions for performance evaluation and during playback evaluate the performance. Copy the Performance Form (below) to indicate areas and questions that need improvement.

STORY  PRACTICE

The evidence stories composed in Step 1 and included in your CANDIDACY PACKAGE, need to be rehearsed so that in an interview the delivery is crisp.

RECORDING PRACTICE SESSIONS

Record your practice sessions for performance evaluation and during playback evaluate the performance. Copy the Performance Form (below) to indicate areas and questions that need improvement.

Print out copies of the following form and utilize it to evaluate answering practice performance. Flag issues that need to be improved on. Save your evaluations to determine improvements from drill to drill. Click here for printable version.
 
  • Understanding of the question
  • Answered the question up-front, then augmented
  • Articulate in answers, no verbosity
  • Capitalized on opportunities to sell
  • Delivered evidence stories where applicable
  • Good choice of words
  • Utilization of C.A.R for behavioral questions
  • Quantifications provided
  • No negative speech mannerisms
  • Brand communicated
  • Eye contact with interviewer

INTERVIEW REMINDERS REVIEW

Preparation and Practice are the two main functions for developing proficiency in interviewing. Performance in actual interviews is the application of what has been learned in Total-Interview's development Steps. Although all of the learning is a prerequisite, there exists a series of reminders that need to be effectively executed to win the job offer. and practice them until your delivery of a positive first impression is honed and second nature.

  • Identifying Position Needs
    A classic definition of marketing, and directly applicable to interviewing, is to identify the wants and needs of the buyer and deliver a candidacy package that meets the needs and beats competition. The starting point for the interview process is for interviewees to identify the position needs. Ideally that can be accomplished prior to the interview, and if not, the identification needs to be established early in the interview.
     
  • Listening for Needs, Clues, Hot Buttons and Objections
    Listening in an interview is a must. Information that can be picked up from skilled listening contributes greatly to interviewing effectiveness. For example, "hot buttonsâ€, those expressions of interviewer interest, provide valuable clues of what to emphasize in answers to interviewer questions.
     
  • Capitalizing on Opportunities to Sell
    Selling one's candidacy is a must function, frequently ignored by interviewees. One can't rely on an interviewer to ask the right questions . Interviewees need to become judgmentally proactive in selling their candidacy.
     
  • Communicating One's BRAND
    A BRAND can importantly differentiate a candidacy from competition, an advantage in a competitive job market. A BRAND STATEMENT needs to be communicated in interviews, resumes and letters.
     
  • Crisp, Articulate Question Answers
    Answers to interview questions can carry an interview. They are that important, a must.
     
  • Projecting Attitudes
    Interest, the most important attitude, needs to be communicated from the get-go. Interviewees can't wait until the interview has ended to project interest. Enthusiasm poise and confidence are other important attitudes.

    • TIP "You can always turn down the job offer.†Winning it is the objective.

  • Asking The Right Questions
    Questions for interviewers are a must because they positively communicate that an interviewee, through homework, has taken the time to research the company and the opportunity. That positively translates to interest. Additional benefits of asking interviewer questions are that they can change the leverage of the interview and provide important situation evaluation information.
     
  • Interview Close
    Closing an interview is a must. Interviewees tend to shy away from initiating an Interview Close, which is a mistake. Here are two scenarios that need to be pursued in a positive interview close.
     
    1. Interested in the Opportunity
      As an interviewee you have to be proactive in an interview close. In most interviews there is not much time to deliver your close, so it has to be concise. Communicate your interest, BRAND and briefly summarize why you are qualified. Next, ask what the next steps are in their search process...the timing of when you might hear from them.
       
    2. Not Interested in the Opportunity
      If you conclude at the end of the interview there is absolutely no interest on your part, tell the interviewer. If you liked the company, but the position is not right, leave the door open for other potential positions.
       
  • Candidacy Selling
    Interviewees are often reluctant to sell themselves in an interview. Most feel it is inappropriate bragging. Wrong! Interviewees can't gamble on interviewers asking the right questions that draw out a candidate's strongest features. Interviewees need to become proactive in selling what they would bring to a situation.
     
  • Homework Completed
    You've acquired company and industry knowledge and have formulated questions for interviewers.
     
  • Interview Close
    In a very concise manner, because you won't have much time, communicate a summary sell that summarizes your qualifications for the job, your interest in the opportunity, what you can do for the company and your Brand Statement. Also ask what the next steps are and what is the decision timing.
     
  • Post-Interview
    Send a concise, personalized email to everyone involved in the interview(s) within 24 hours. The follow-up e-mails should contain:
    • Date of Interviewiew
    • Thank you for the interview
    • Expression of your strong interest
    • Key Matches Summary
    • Your Brand Statement
    • Your next step understanding
    • Points you forgot to make
    • The repair of any weak answers

    TIP INTERVIEW REMINDERS is an excellent, last minute preparation tool to review prior to an interview.

    • ANSWER PRACTICE-COLLEGE QUESTIONS

    1. Why should we hire you?
    2. Why do you want to work here?
    3. Do you have any questions?
    4. What are your weaknesses?
    5. What are your long-term goals?
    6. Tell me about yourself?
    7. What are your strengths?
    8. What do you know about our company?
    9. What do you know about our industry?
    10. What have you learned from participation in extracurricular activities?
    11. How are you evaluating prospective companies?
    12. What did you learn from part-time, co-op, apprentices and summer jobs?
    13. Tell me about a time your course level was heavy and how you handled it.
    14. Have you ever experienced an ethical dilemma?
    15. How did you get your summer jobs?
    16. What qualifications do you have that would make you successful in this poition?
    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?
    21. Do you have references?
    22. When would you be available for work?
    23. Describe a difficult problem you have had to deal with.
    24. How well do you work under pressure?
    25. How long would you stay with the company?
    26. Where would you like to be 5 years from now?
    27. How would you rate your communications skills?
    28. What are your major accomplishments?
    29. What are your long-range goals?
    30. What are you most proud of?
    31. What books/magazines/newspapers do you read?
    32. Are you willing to relocate?
    33. How do your close friends see you?
    34. What irritates you about other people?
    35. How do you keep yourself organized?
    36. Tell me about a time you tried and failed.
    37. What are your strongest skills?
    38. What motivates you?
    39. How would you describe your ideal job?
    40. Explain how you overcame a major obstacle.
    41. Why did you apply for this job?
    42. Describe a situation where your performance was criticized.
    43. Give me an example of when you showed initiative.
    44. Describe a situation where your performance was criticized.
    45. Describe a typical week.
    46. Do you have plans for Graduate School?
    47. Have you had any leadership experience?
    48. What are your interests?
    49. Describe a key contribution as a team member.
    50. What interests you most about our products/services?
    51. Why are you qualified for this job?
    52. Describe a situation where you incurred conflict.
    53. What kind of a work environment would you perform best in?
    54. Describe your energy level with examples.
    55. What kinds of decisions are most difficult for you?
    56. How do you manage your time?
    57. How do you handle criticism?
    58. What do you do to relax?
    59. How do you balance your life?
    60. If you could do it over again what decisions would you make?
    61. What has been your biggest challenge?
    62. Describe a problem you have overcome.
    63. What is the most difficult problem you have faced?
    64. How do you organize and plan for assign projects?
    65. What areas would you like to improve on?
    66. Tell me about your computer literacy.
    67. Give me three adjectives your friends would use to describe you?
    68. In hindsight what have you done that you regret?
    69. What can you do for us that someone else can't?
    70. Do you plan on continuing your education?
    71. What experience have you had using the Internet?
    72. Do you do personal planning?
    73. How would you describe yourself?
    74. What has been your biggest accomplishment?
    75. Give an example of when your persistence paid off?
    76. How do your handle disappointment?
    77. How do you handle pressure?
    78. What is your greatest strength?
    79. Describe some things you have done that were innovative and proactive.
    80. Are you willing to travel?
    81. How do you make a decision?
    82. How do you feel about working long hours?
    83. What work experience have you had?
    84. Tell m e about your high school years.
    85. Have you had any job offers to date?
    86. What events have most influenced your life?
    87. Why did you choose your major?
    88. What is your GPA?
    89. What is your GPA in your major?
    90. What were your most interesting courses?
    91. What career plans do you have?
    92. Do have creative abilities?
    93. How did you finance your education?
    94. Tell me about your interpersonal skills.
    95. Why are you interested in our industry?
    96. How would you make yourself indispensable to our company?
    97. Why did your choose your career?
    98. Describe your most interesting college experience.
    99. What areas of improvement do you want to make?
    100. What has been your biggest challenge?


     

    ANSWERING REVIEW

    1. Determining Position Needs
    2. Answering the question, then augmenting
    3. Taking One's Time
    4. Candidacy Selling
    5. Holding the Floor
    6. Handling Interviewer Silence
    7. Maintaining Eye Contact
    8. Demonstrating Proper Body Language
    9. Listening
    10. Eliminating Negative Speech Mannerisms
    11. Understanding The Question
    12. Repairing Answers
    13. Communicating Your Brand
    14. Providing Story Evidence
    15. Word Selection

    ANSWERING REVIEW

    1. Answer practice forms the nucleus for the additional options and needs to be mastered before executing other practice options

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