Research - Always research the company
before your interview. Web sites and annual reports are great resources.
Working with a staffing service that knows the corporate culture of their
client companies is also an excellent way to obtain meaningful information. By knowing
about the company in advance, you’ll stand out from other applicants and be
able to ask knowledgeable questions. Also, be sure to learn the correct
pronunciation of the interviewer’s name and his/her job title.
Rehearse - Practice answering the sample interview questions in this article with a friend, or rehearse them by yourself. It’s not enough to know what they’re going to ask you—have your answers ready beforehand. You should also prepare questions to ask the interviewer. Examples are included in this article.
Rehearse - Practice answering the sample interview questions in this article with a friend, or rehearse them by yourself. It’s not enough to know what they’re going to ask you—have your answers ready beforehand. You should also prepare questions to ask the interviewer. Examples are included in this article.
Prepare - Make sure your resume is
current and bring extra copies in a clean folder to the interview. Prepare a
list of three to five references; at least two of them should be from previous
employers or close business associates. Include day and evening phone numbers
and addresses. Do not list family members as references. Do not include your
references or salary history on your resume—this is commonly considered
unprofessional. Do have your list ready to give the interviewer when he/she
asks for it.
Dress to Impress - Dress professionally
and appropriately. Appropriate attire most often means a suit for men and a
pants/skirt suit for women. Hair should be clean and well groomed, suits should
be neat and pressed, and women should avoid excessive jewelry or perfume. Never
drink or smoke before an interview.
Plan Ahead - Know the exact
location of the interview site, and leave at least a half-hour early to ensure
you arrive on time. Promptness to an interview is expected, and leaves an
important first impression. Do not present yourself for the interview more than
ten minutes early; however, assuming you arrive sooner than that (and you
should), wait in your car, go for a walk, or review your resume one last time.
Things to Keep in Mind During
Your Interview
Be Confident - Greet your
interviewer with a firm handshake, and maintain eye contact throughout the
interview. Remember that you are selling yourself—so don’t sell yourself short!
Prepare to discuss the special talents, abilities, and qualifications that make
you the best candidate for the position.
Be Enthusiastic - Smile! Look for
opportunities to break the ice with casual, friendly conversation. Let the
interviewer know that you have visited the company’s Web site or read their
annual report, brochures, etc.
Be Responsive – Body language is extremely
important. Stand when the interviewer enters the room, and remain standing
until he/she sits. Respond to the interviewer’s jokes and comments by smiling,
nodding, and commenting when appropriate. Maintain good posture and avoid
fidgeting.
Be Attentive - Listen carefully and
attentively to the interviewer, and seek opportunities to ask questions about
the company and/or the position. If you wish to take notes, ask the interviewer
for permission to do so. Never let your eyes (or your thoughts) wander—it shows
disinterest and poor communication skills.
Be Brief - Don’t give long-winded
answers to their questions. Answer succinctly and clearly—however, if a yes or
no question is posed, you should elaborate. You shouldn’t decline to answer a
question unless it’s illegal (i.e., regarding your race, age, religion, etc.).
If you’re unsure of how to answer a question, ask to have it restated or
clarified further. Remember—it’s okay to pause and think before you respond!
Relate and Refer - In formulating your
answers, make sure they relate to the position for which you’re applying, and
refer somehow to your qualifications and abilities. The question behind every
question is “Why should we hire you?”
Be Professional - Never swear, chew gum,
smoke, or make inappropriate jokes. Even if your interviewer displays this
behavior, it is neither appropriate nor professional for you to do so.
Be Positive - Never speak
negatively about past employers, co-workers, or job experiences.
Be Yourself - Your unique personality
will distinguish you from other applicants who are equally or more qualified
for the position—so don’t be afraid to be yourself! If you have a sense of
humor, let it show. Try to relax, and recognize that you are also there to see
if the position is right for you.
Ending the Interview
Thank the interviewer for his/her time, and state your interest in the position.
Ask about the next step in the process. They may tell you to call them, or to wait for their call.
Remember to ask for a business card.
Thank the interviewer for his/her time, and state your interest in the position.
Ask about the next step in the process. They may tell you to call them, or to wait for their call.
Remember to ask for a business card.
Post Interview
Send a handwritten thank-you note within 48 hours of the interview. Tell them how much you enjoyed the interview, how interested you are in the position, and how you look forward to speaking with them again in the near future.
Sample Interview Questions
Remember to relate and refer—your answers should relate to the position for which you are applying and refer somehow to your positive attributes. Never respond negatively.
Tell me about yourself (limit your answer to two minutes).
What interests you about this position?
What motivates you?
What is your work style?
Do you prefer to work in a team setting, or alone?
How have your educational and work experiences prepared you for this position?
Where do you see yourself in five years?
What goals have you set for yourself? How are you planning to achieve them?
What makes you think you can handle this position?
What is your most significant accomplishment to date?
Why do you want to work here? (This is where your research helps out!)
In a particular leadership role you had, what was your greatest challenge?
Give me an example of an idea that has come to you and what you did with it.
Give me an example of a problem you solved and the process you used.
Give me an example of the most creative project that you have worked on.
Tell me about your most difficult decision and how you arrived at it.
What types of situations put you under pressure, and how do you deal with pressure?
Give me a situation in which you failed, and how you handled it.
How would your colleagues describe you?
How would your boss describe you?
How would you describe yourself?
What do you think of your present or past boss?
What are your strengths?
What are your weaknesses?
Of what accomplishment are you most proud?
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
Some Potential Questions to
Ask the Interviewer Send a handwritten thank-you note within 48 hours of the interview. Tell them how much you enjoyed the interview, how interested you are in the position, and how you look forward to speaking with them again in the near future.
Sample Interview Questions
Remember to relate and refer—your answers should relate to the position for which you are applying and refer somehow to your positive attributes. Never respond negatively.
Tell me about yourself (limit your answer to two minutes).
What interests you about this position?
What motivates you?
What is your work style?
Do you prefer to work in a team setting, or alone?
How have your educational and work experiences prepared you for this position?
Where do you see yourself in five years?
What goals have you set for yourself? How are you planning to achieve them?
What makes you think you can handle this position?
What is your most significant accomplishment to date?
Why do you want to work here? (This is where your research helps out!)
In a particular leadership role you had, what was your greatest challenge?
Give me an example of an idea that has come to you and what you did with it.
Give me an example of a problem you solved and the process you used.
Give me an example of the most creative project that you have worked on.
Tell me about your most difficult decision and how you arrived at it.
What types of situations put you under pressure, and how do you deal with pressure?
Give me a situation in which you failed, and how you handled it.
How would your colleagues describe you?
How would your boss describe you?
How would you describe yourself?
What do you think of your present or past boss?
What are your strengths?
What are your weaknesses?
Of what accomplishment are you most proud?
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
What would you like to see accomplished in this job?
Why has this company been so successful?
What are the company’s short and long term goals?
What will my duties be in this position?
With whom will I be working most closely?
What qualities do you feel would be most important for this position?
What created the need for this position?
When can I expect to hear from you? (at conclusion of interview)
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