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Help with  Interviewing:

If you haven't had a lot of interview experience, it is critical that you prepare yourself.  

Lack of good interviewing skills can come off as "lack of interest",  "poor communication skills", or maybe "just plain stupid"!  

The interviewer is developing impressions about you through your responses.  If you don't react quickly and thoughtfully to a question, they assume that you aren't "mentally alert".

 

It could be, that you just haven't interviewed and lack interviewing experience.  But how are they to know that? 

General Tips on Interviewing:

Here are a few thoughts about interviewing.

Be informed - Learn as much as you can about the company and position by asking your recruiter and/or research the company on the Internet.

Be attentive -  Listen closely to the interviewer.  Show through eye contact, posture, and an occasional head nod that you understand and agree with their thoughts.

Be energetic - Be enthusiastic about the interview and make eye contact with the hiring manager. Stay energized and interested in the company and your potential responsibilities.

Be positive - About your previous employers and about the opportunities of this position. 

Be Assertive - Remember that every good salesperson asks for the sale and you can too. End your interview with a closing statement, reiterating why you'd be a good employee, it's just the type of position you've been looking for and that you'd be a good addition to their team.

Telephone Interviews: 

One of the first contacts you will have with a company is usually done over the phone.  The telephone interview has become a necessary evil in the search process.  Companies use them in an attempt to reduce travel costs and interview time.   Here is an article by Lora Meisner, thingamajob.com Staff Writer, that gives some great suggestions.  The Telephone Interview: Handling the Unexpected

Practice for Interview:

Practice and preparation, can help reduce your anxiety and also help you present yourself better.  Prior to going on an interview, you need to walk through the questions that you might expect and listen to your answers. 

The following is a list of questions that we think you will find helpful.  

 

COMMON INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

1.    Tell me about yourself.

2.    Will you relocate?

3.    What motivates you?

4.    What are your short-term goals?

5.    What are your long-term goals?

6.    What can you do for us?

7.    How do you work under pressure?

8.    What salary are you worth?

9.    What are your three most important accomplishments thus far in your career?

10.  What is your greatest strength? Weakness?

11.  Give an example of your creativity.

12.  Give an example of your analytical skills.

13.  Give an example of your administrative skills.

14.  Give an example of some of your leadership skills.

15.  How do you interact with subordinates?

16.  How do you motivate people?

17.  How did you get along with your last boss?

18.  What do you know about our company?

19.  In what way do you feel you can make the biggest contribution to this firm?

20.  Why are you leaving your present company?

21.  How do you think you would fit in with our firm?

22.  Why are you changing fields.

23.  What direct supervisory experience have you had?

24.  What did you like best about your last (or present) job?

25.  Is your present (or past) income commensurate with your abilities?

26.  What are your general feelings about psychological assessment?

27.  What are your thoughts regarding promotion for yourself? For your subordinates?

28.  How would you describe the “ideal” boss?

29.  How do you define cooperation?

30.  How do you spend your spare time? Do you have any hobbies?

31.  What would you do to improve our firm? And how?

32.  Could you have done more in your last (or present) job?

33.  What suggestions have you offered former employers that were actually adopted?

34.  How do you define success?

35.  What is the most difficult assignment you have completed?

36.  What is the most rewarding assignment you have completed?

37.  Give an example of your innovative abilities.

 

At the conclusion of the interview....

1.    Thank the interviewer for the meeting.

2.    Emphasize your interest in the position in question.

3.    Review your background and briefly explain how your experience can complement the   requirements of the position.

4.    Indicate you intend to follow-up the letter with a telephone call to determine if and when the interviewer wishes to see you again.