The Interview – text
The interview may be anything from an almost casual conversation on a factory floor to a formal appearance in front of an employer or even a group of selectors. It’s easy enough to say: be natural, be yourself. But how can you be, especially if it’s your first interview. You are keen to make a good impression, so you’ll be conventionally dressed and give a clear description of your background and record and perhaps of your hopes for the future. Just because you are keen on the job, as your prospective employer talks about the work you’ll find that your nerves will slide away. If that doesn’t happen either your interest has not been really aroused or you’ve got hold of a dull employer and in either case the job is not for you.
1. Sample Job Interview Questions and Responses
Sample
Job Interview Questions and Responses
Q: How will you advance this company?
This question should be answered with some tangible examples. Provide facts to support the talent you will claim to bring. Make sure you offer skills that will actually be useful to them.
A: My expertise in accounting has saved thousands and, in some cases, millions of dollars for the different companies I’ve worked with. With the welfare of the very infrastructure at stake, every penny counts, and I make it my priority to account for each of those pennies. As noted on my resume, I was responsible for sourcing a funds leak disguised as a supplies expense account at Innitech Corp. I can bring that same relentless scrutiny to the books here.
Q: Where do you see yourself in ten years?
This is a good opportunity to be honest and incorporate your goals and priorities into the conversation.
A. I don’t really plan my life by year or by month. My goal is to continue developing useful software and applications for the open source community and keep learning. So, if I had to say, I’d like to still be learning in ten years. I’d like to have contributed enough useful programs to provide a whole new generation of coders with the tools they need to make life easier. I don’t really believe in retirement either, so I plan on doing this as long as I’m up and running.
Q: Why did you choose this company?
Potential employers don’t just want someone talented. They want to see if you’ll mesh with the company.
A: This has been my dream company all along. I’ve been building up my experience and developing my talent so that I could qualify for a position here. The people are genuine and among the most talented in the world, you value progress and cultivating a community of learning, and the focus is on quality work rather than arbitrary rules of conduct and performance quotas. Everyone is here because they want to be here, and they’re the best at what they do. The sense of responsibility and high standards fits in perfectly with my values.
Q: Why are you the best person for this position?
Don’t be afraid to stroke your own ego here. Don’t say anything self depreciating. Focus on this position in this company. Why shouldn’t they hire someone else?
A: I’m the best for this position here because I’ve been following this company’s progress for years. Any time there was a new release or you were mentioned in the news, I was all over it. I already know the infrastructure and history of this place like the back of my hand. Not only was my latest project focused specifically on the new language developed here, but I’ve been implementing it in my own personal work since its release six months ago. I can see being here for a very long time if the company continues in the direction it’s going.
Q: What is your biggest flaw?
Don’t panic! They’re not trying to trick you here. Everyone has flaws. What they want to know is if it will interfere with your work and whether or not you’re doing anything about it.
I tend to be a bit too polite. When you’re too nice, people perceive you as a bit of a pushover. While I would never be rude to anyone, I try to keep the small talk from become excessive in order to maintain a “no-nonsense” reputation.
Types of Strengths Examples Sample Answer
Job-specific – computer skills
– technical training
– product/industry knowledge “One of my greatest strengths is my proficiency with Microsoft Excel. I have a tremendous amount of experience working with the program.”
Transferrable – proficient in a language
– written or oral communication skills
– problem solving “I have often been praised for my ability to come up with out-of-the-box solutions to problems facing my team or work group.”
Personal characteristics – punctual
– self-motivated
– adaptable “I am excellent at adapting to changes and becoming comfortable in new settings. This has benefitted me greatly in my career as a travel nurse.”
Types of Weaknesses Examples Sample Answer
Those unrelated to the position you’re seeking – fear of speaking before groups, if the job doesn’t require it
– lack of computer skills, if the job doesn’t require the use of one “I have learned through other jobs I’ve held that I am not a gifted salesman. That’s one of the reasons I am looking forward to the potential to change careers.”
Those that can be turned into positives – lack of attention to detail, as a result of seeing too much of the big picture
– difficulty multi-tasking, due to an intense focus on the task at hand “Because I concentrate so much on what I’m doing, I often have a hard time juggling interruptions and other things that come up.”
Those that you’re working to improve – learning to delegate and spend less time on assignments
– spelling “I’m such a perfectionist by nature that I sometimes spend much more time on tasks that necessary. As a result, I’ve learned to keep a large clock on my desk. By giving myself small deadlines all day, I make sure I don’t waste too much time.
3.
Do Don’t
Start preparing early. Take as much time as you have available to you. Wait until the last minute.
Do your homework. Learn as much as you can about the company and the interviewers. Go in knowing nothing about the industry or the position for which you’re interviewing.
Be prepared. Anticipate likely interview questions and plan your answers. Be caught off guard. A lack of preparation makes you seem like you don’t want the job.
Make a good first impression. Show up early and looking well dressed and well rested. Arrive late or looking disheveled.
Practice everything from your handshake to your introduction. Fumble for words or sound unsure of yourself because you haven’t rehearsed.
Answer questions completely honestly. Paint yourself in the best light, but remain humble and brief. Exaggerate or lie about your accomplishments. Droning on about your achievements can make you look phony.
Remain polite, respectful, and positive. Badmouth former employers or complain about prior jobs you’ve held.
Have educated questions for the interviewers. Ask questions for the sake of asking, or ask something you could have found out on your own.
Follow up with a thank-you note after the interview and an email later if you haven’t heard from them. Hound the hiring manager, as it could hurt your chances.
4.
Dear Mr. /Ms.
Thank you for taking time out to talk to me on for the position of . It was a real pleasure meeting with you, and I truly appreciate the time you took to acquaint me with your team members. I am even more enthusiastic about the possibility of working at .
After talking with you and meeting people at the organization, I easily realized how well you infuse energy into your team on a daily basis. I believe such practices instill a sense of ownership in each employee. I was delighted to hear from you that my personality, skills, and qualifications are a great match for this opportunity. I am eager to bring my considerable skills to the job and apply my positive attitude to achieve exceptional performance for the company.
I am very enthusiastic about the possibility of a long-term career with . Please feel free to contact me at or by phone at . I look forward to hearing from you about next steps in the hiring process.
Sincerely,
5.
Part 1 of 3: Before the Interview
1.
1
Research the company’s profile and background. Start by looking into their future goals and plans. Conducting the interview with this in mind will make you seem like a good long-term investment. You should also be ready to talk in depth about the industry, the organization, and the position you are applying for.
o Learn your interviewer’s name and job position before going to the interview. You may need to call the company to find out.
o Talk to current employees. Show initiative while getting a feel for the office environment. Learn as much as you can about the company from people who work there.
o Know as much about the company as possible. You can’t change your employment history or your qualifications, but you can work harder than every other applicant by being supremely knowledgeable about the company. Use the company’s website, their annual report, and newspaper/business magazine articles to gather as much information as possible.
Ad
2.
2
Think of questions to ask your interviewer. Participating actively during the interview gives a good impression of your level of interest in the job. It’s a good idea to come prepared with at least three thought-provoking questions to ask your interviewer. (Avoid asking anything that could be easily answered through a quick internet search, or you will simply come across as lazy.)
o Ask questions that reflect your interest in future prospects. “Which are new markets the company is planning to explore in next couple of years?” or “What are the chances for professional growth in this job opportunity?” Both show that you want to be on the same page as the people you’ll be working for.
o Ask questions to bond with the interviewer and project your enthusiasm. Inquire about his/her position and background or how long (s)he has been with the company.
o Ask questions about what is discussed during the interview itself. Though you may be tempted to respond to everything with an “Absolutely!” or a “Sure thing!” to show how competent you are, this will actually make it look like you’re not listening. Show that you are paying attention by asking for more details whenever something isn’t clear. (Avoid asking questions for the sake of asking, though, or it’ll seem like you can’t keep up.)
3.
3
Practice with a friend. If you have a friend who is also preparing for an interview, consider preparing together. Not only will this give you a way to structure your preparation, but it will also help you get comfortable with giving answers, telling anecdotes, and using appropriate terminology. Practice giving concise, complete answers and maintaining eye contact with the interviewer(s) while you give them. Make sure you aren’t speaking too slow or too fast and that your answers are stated with confidence.
o Get feedback from a friend. Even if you think their feedback isn’t on the mark, it’s something to consider: We don’t always know how we come off to other people, and the actual interviewer could share some of the same concerns.
o Know basically what you want to talk about before the interview. If you’re stumbling and fumbling for an answer on a very basic question, you’re not putting your best foot forward. Have your very basic answers down pat, and anticipate some of the tougher questions before you step into the interview.
4.
4
Anticipate questions from the interviewer. It’s best to prepare for a wide variety of questions by thinking about your own career goals, long-term plans, past successes, and work strengths, but you should also brace yourself for the deceptively simple questions that most employers like to throw at their interviewees.
o “What’s your biggest weakness?” is a classic canned interview question that many people dread. Answering this question is a bit of a tightrope walk: While you don’t want to be too honest (“I have a really hard time staying motivated”), you won’t fool anyone by trying to spin an obviously good quality into a weakness (“I just can’t bear to do less-than-outstanding work!”). Instead, think of a genuine issue you have as well as ways you have managed to work with/around it (“I’m not naturally a very organized thinker, but I’ve become very organized on paper and in my personal space as a result”).
o “Where do you see yourself in five years?” is another common question that can take you off guard if you don’t see it coming. Your panicked reaction might be to blurt out, “Working diligently for you, of course!” but unless you are actually trying to get a job in your chosen career, this probably isn’t a good strategy. If you’re going after what will clearly be a short-term job – or even one that lasts only several years – be honest about what your greater aspirations are (ex. going back to school, starting your own business); ambition is a very desirable trait in an employee – to say nothing of honesty.
o “Why do you want this job?” is so straightforward it can throw you for a loop. If you’re going into a field you care about, you will have a much easier time answering this. However, if, like many people, you’re just trying to make ends meet, you can answer the question by using it as a way of highlighting your skills (“I shine in fast-paced, high-pressure situations and would love to have the opportunity to cultivate my talents here”).
o “Why did you leave your last job?” is a common question that shouldn’t be hard to answer provided that you didn’t have a major blowout with your previous employer. If you did, be honest (without being bitter or laying blame, as this will make you look ungracious and hard to work with) and try to put a positive spin on things.
o Don’t be afraid to admit that you don’t know something. While you definitely want to seem knowledgeable, don’t lie to make it seem like you know something you don’t. You probably won’t fool your interviewer, and admitting to not knowing something is much more impressive than lying during your interview. If need be, just acknowledge that you do not know the answer but will find out more about it and let them know afterwards.
Part 2 of 3: The Day of the Interview
1. 1
Dress-for-work. In any workplace, your wardrobe is a sign of your professionalism and is sometimes used to gauge your level of competence. When your coworkers and customers look at you, they should immediately feel comfortable working with you. It’s easy to rule yourself out of a job just because you didn’t take care of your appearance. As a rule of thumb, you should dress for the interview the way you would for the job itself. If the job is unusually casual, however, you might want to show up in business-casual clothes, but it’s always better to be formal. Both men and women should choose subdued colors (blues, browns, grays, black) which make a professional impression. Make sure that your clothes are lint- and wrinkle-free. Avoid wearing perfume, after-shave, or scented lotion (but do wear deodorant).
2.
2
For women. Dressing professionally means wearing a smart knee-length skirt suit in a dark color, along with sheer, non-patterned hosiery, closed toe shoes and subtle makeup.
3.
3
For men. Choose a white shirt, dark-colored suit and tie and dark-colored shoes.[1]]
o Applicants in the service sector may sometimes be invited to wear business casual to an interview, although business formal is optional and usually best. For women, this means a simple, knee length dress with conservative shoes (no jeans). For men, this means dark or khaki pants with a collared button-up and leather shoes.[1]
o If you’re unsure of the customary interview clothing expected by the company, simply ask the HR rep or interview liaison. There’s no shame in it. There is shame in feeling horribly under-dressed when you show up for an interview.
4. 4
Show up in the best possible shape. Make sure you know exactly how to get there and, if you drive, just where to park so that you can arrive 15 to 20 minutes before the scheduled interview time. Go to bed early the day (or the days) before the interview so that you look rested and healthy on the big day. Bring an extra copy of your resume, CV, and/or references in case your interviewer wants to go over any points with you or neglects to bring their own copy.
o If the interview is in the morning, be sure to eat a healthy breakfast. This is not just an empty suggestion. A breakfast high in antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids, and foods high in vitamin E, such as nuts and seeds, will help improve brain function and leave you feeling more alert and invigorated.[2]
o Consider exercising before the interview to annihilate stress and increase blood flow.[3] If you’re generally nervous or fidgety before an interview, it might be a good idea to work out before your interview. Go hard for an hour, and give your body at least another hour to calm down. Shower after exercising.
5.
5
Show courtesy to everyone during the interview. This means everyone from the reception staff to the interviewer herself. You never know who has input in the hiring process, and you can only make a first impression once.
o Look everyone in the eye and smile. Looking people in the eye will telegraph alertness, and smiling will signal friendliness.
o Speak clearly and say “please” and “thank you.” Make sure the people you talk to during the interview can make out what you’re saying. Talking audibly, with good enunciation, tells people you’re confident, while good manners tells them you’re considerate of other people.
o Don’t noodle around on your phone or electronic device while waiting. In fact, leave it in your car. Even though it’s practically acceptable, playing around on your phone can communicate boredom and frivolousness (even if that’s not the case). Stick with a book or review your notes while waiting.
6.
6
Be honest. Many people think that an interview is the perfect time to embellish. While you want to structure your answers so that your best, most qualified aspects take center stage, you don’t want to deceive or outright lie. Companies do perform background checks, and lying about your experience is simply not worth it.
o In a pinch, take a cue from politicians. When a politician hears a question they don’t like, they simply answer a different question. You don’t want to do this all the time, but you can do it in a pinch.
7.
7
Keep things simple and short. Talking about yourself can be very difficult to do well: You’re trying to convince someone you don’t know that you’re qualified for a position without sounding too cocky or pompous. Stick to what you know well, and keep things short and sweet.
o Structure your answers so that you’re talking in 30-90 second chunks. Any less and you’re likely to seem unqualified; any more and your interviewer is likely to lose interest in what you’re saying. In the “tell me about yourself” question, highlight 2-3 illustrative examples about yourself before wrapping up. [4]
o Don’t use slang or off-color humor during your interview. It’s important not to say “awesome” or “rad” during an interview, unless you’re interviewing for the local lifeguard position. It’s also a good rule to avoid off-color humor; you never know when someone might take offense, and it’s best not to risk it.
o Talk about what other people think you do well. Don’t add the preamble, “My friends think I’m a competent social organizer.” Just go out and say it with the right touch of confidence and humility. Women tend to underestimate their overall job performance,[5] so be aware of that before you second-guess or undercut yourself, because it’s unlikely to get you a job.
o Don’t criticize your former employer. When you’re talking about your past experience, be courteous about your former places of employment. Be honest about your experience — what you liked and disliked — but don’t indict your former boss unnecessarily. Your class and restraint will shine through.
8.
8
Be personable. Try to come off as a genuinely likable person if you can. If you’re cynical, pessimistic, and absolutely disabused of any faith in humanity, try to tone it down during the interview. Being personable is about getting the interviewer’s emotional side to like you and believe in you. Employers don’t always hire the candidates most qualified for the job, but rather the candidates they like the best.
Part 3 of 3: After the Interview
1.
1
Shake hands with the interviewer and exchange pleasantries. Try to invest some feeling into the handshake and pleasantries, even if you think you bombed the interview. The interviewer should give you a time frame for when to expect to get a callback, if applicable.
o Hold your head high and keep your cool. Your emotions are probably teetering at the highest of highs or the lowest of lows, but try to stay measured. Project a cool confidence — not cockiness — and walk out of the interview with your head held high.
o If the interviewer does not tell you when they will contact you if you’re a good fit for the position, it’s appropriate to ask, “When can I expect to hear back from you about the position?” This will prove important later on.
2.
2
Send a thank-you letter to your interviewer and/or liaison. Now is a good time to thank the person you interviewed with, even if it’s just a formality. You can say something like:
o “Dear [interviewer’s name], Thank you for the opportunity to discuss my qualifications with you. I remain very impressed by [interviewer’s company], and invite you to contact me if you have any further questions. I look forward to hearing from you about this position.”
o If you missed any important points in your interview you wanted to stress, you may include one or two in the thank-you letter. Keep the points brief, and tie them into a discussion point that you or the interviewer made during the interview.
o If you received any help in getting the interview, follow up with appropriate parts of your network. Inform them that you received an interview, are grateful they helped you in your career search, and would be eager to help them in the future.
3.
3
Follow up with the interviewer at the appropriate time. You should have received some information about when you could expect to hear back from the employer. The standard time is about two weeks, but it can depend. If you’ve waited past the designated callback date — or the callback date wasn’t set and it’s been two weeks — follow up with the interviewer in a short email. You can say something like:
o “Dear [interviewer’s name], I interviewed at your company [at such and such date], and am still interested in the position if it hasn’t yet been filled. I’d greatly appreciate any information you might have about my candidacy. I look forward to hearing from you.”
o While you can’t control your past experience or the way someone measures you against someone else, you can control how much of your time you dedicate to showing the interviewer you really want the position. Don’t be needy, and don’t be greedy, but be persistent and courteous. You’ll work harder than at least half the other candidates, and it could be the decisive factor in getting a job offer.
Ad
We could really use your help!
Can you tell us about
Netflix?
Can you tell us about
slipcovers?
Can you tell us about
fashion shows?
Can you tell us about
managing employees?
Curs Practic 