| Interviewing can be perplexing for the unprepared. You're playing a strange game with uncertain rules. The best way to come out on top is to arrive prepared and respond to questions with confidence - anticipate, plan, and rehearse. |
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| Here's a good deal of what to anticipate and how to plan - the rehearsing we can only encourage: |
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| General Questions |
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| Tell me about yourself. |
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| Focus on relevant skills, experience, etc. Don't ramble. Use your resume summary or highlight section as a starting point. |
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| What do you know about our company? |
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| Do your investigative homework before the interview! Take a look at the Internet for information or use the library for researching the company. Research as much information as possible – including products, history, size, financial status, reputation, image, management talent, people, and philosophy. You will want to be excited about the company and project that to the interviewer. In addition, let the interviewer tell you about the company from their perspective. |
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| Why do you want to work for our company? |
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| Start by addressing their needs and how your abilities can benefit them: |
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Solving problems |
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How you can contribute to company goals |
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What projects you would like to be a part of |
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| Why should we hire you over another candidate? |
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| Relate past experiences that show you've had success in solving problem(s) that may be similar to those of the prospective employer. |
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| Why should we hire you? |
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| Again relate this answer back to you knowledge, experience, abilities and skills. |
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| How long would it take you to make a meaningful contribution to our firm? |
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| Not long at all – you expect only a brief period of adjustment to the learning curve. |
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| How long do you anticipate staying with our company? |
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| As long as we both feel I'm contributing, achieving, growing, etc... |
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| Job Search Questions |
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| Why haven't you found a new position before now? |
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| Finding a job is easy, but finding the right job is more difficult. Stress that you are being selective, and are looking for the right fit. |
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| What do you like best and least about your current boss? |
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| Be as positive as you can, even if you don't really believe it. |
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| Tell me about a time when a project you completed was criticized. |
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| Be as positive as you can and emphasize what you learned from the situation. |
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| What other companies are you interviewing with or considering? |
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| Keep you answer related to this company's field, and don't give out specific company names. |
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| Questions About Your Current Job |
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| Why are you leaving your current employer? |
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| Never say anything negative about any employer; stress what you are looking for, not what you are running from. Give group answers if possible, "our department was consolidated." |
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| How would you evaluate your present employer? |
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| It is a great company that afforded me wonderful experiences. |
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| What did you like most about your current/previous job? |
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| Again, never say anything negative about your previous employers – focus on the positive. |
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| Finding Out About Your Personality |
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| Do you generally speak to people before they speak to you? |
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| The interviewer probably intends to find out if you are introverted or extraverted with this kind of question – best to answer – "It depends on the circumstances." |
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| How creative are you? |
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| Cite examples that relate to your current position. |
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| Are you a leader? |
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| Absolutely – use specific examples and relate them back to your current position. |
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| Where do you see yourself five years from today? |
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| Give long range goals and state the goals that are job related. |
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| What is your favorite movie? Last book read? Sporting event you attended? |
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| Discuss these items and show that you have a balanced life. |
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| If I were to ask a co-worker about your strengths, what would he/she say about you? |
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| Give three strengths and relate them back to the company & job you are applying to. |
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| Same question however related to weaknesses? |
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| Always turn a negative into a positive. Cite an example of a minor weakness and how you have overcome it or are currently working on. |
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| Work Style and Habits Questions |
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| Can you work well under pressure and deadlines? |
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| Yes, it's a way of life in business. Be sure to cite examples of your success. |
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| If I asked your previous boss, what would he or she say are your strengths or weaknesses? |
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| Emphasize your skills, and play down your weaknesses. |
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| Looking at your present position, what problems have you found, that have been previously overlooked? |
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| Keep it brief and don't brag, otherwise it looks like you are conceited. |
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| How do approach resolving conflict? |
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| Talk about how communication is extremely important, and that you would like to discuss issues on a one-on-one basis. |
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| Tell me about the most difficult decision you ever had to make. |
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| Try to relate your response to the prospective employment situation. |
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| Career Goals Questions |
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| If you were to jump forward in time, 3 years, where do you see yourself? |
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| Discuss career goals with reference to timelines, aspirations and how your current experience will get you there. |
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| How do you define success? With reference to the definition of success, how successful have you been so far? |
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| Relate your answers to your career accomplishments. |
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| If you could go back in time, how would your career differ? |
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| Nothing. I would not want to change my past. |
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| Salary Questions |
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| What type of salary are you looking for? |
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| You should answer back with a question, "What is the salary range for similar jobs in your company?" If the person you are interviewing with doesn't answer, then give a range of what you understand you are worth in the marketplace. Also, do your homework ahead of time by researching on www.salary.com and looking at similar positions to see what the salary ranges are. |
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| How much do you expect if we offer this position to you? |
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| Answer this question with caution --- the employer may be looking for the market value of the job. For example, "My understanding is that a job like the one you are describing may be in the range of $_____" |
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| Your Experience and Accomplishments |
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| What have you done to contribute to the bottom line? |
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| Explain in detail how you have increased sales, profits by citing figures and specific examples. Also, discuss how you have saved the company money. |
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| In your current or last position, what features did you like the most? Least? |
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| Be honest but put a positive spin on your least favorite duties. |
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| In your current or last position, what are or were your five most significant accomplishments? |
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| Refer to the key accomplishments already identified on your resume. |
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| Management Questions |
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| What is your management style? |
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| It is best to let them know you prefer a "open door management style". Let them know that you get the job done on time or you let your manager know. |
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| Do you feel you are a good manager? Give me an example of your management style. |
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| Talk about your contributions, how you grew your team, your style, your accomplishments. |
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| Why do you feel you are qualified for a top managerial position? |
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| Focus your answer on achievement, task oriented, emphasize management skills (planning, organization, interpersonal, etc...) |
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| What qualities do you look for when you hire people? |
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| Skills, initiative, adaptability, etc... |
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| Have you had to fire anyone? If so, what were the reasons and how did you handle it? |
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| Briefly describe the event and stress that it worked out well. |
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| I see that you may be overqualified for the position... |
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| Explain that strong companies need strong, experienced people. If this is a growing company, let them know that they will be able to use all of your talents. Express that your interest is longevity with the company and that they will get a faster return on investment since you have more experience than required. |
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| What is the hardest part about being a manager? |
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| Getting things planned and done on time within the budget. |
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| If I asked your employees about you, what would they say about you? |
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| Be honest and positive...they can check your responses easily. |
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| What is your weakness as a manager? |
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| Again be honest and end on a positive note --- for example, "I don't enjoy disciplining people, so I try to begin with something positive first." |
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| How many people did you directly supervise at your last job? |
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| Explain the structure of your department and your role as manager. |
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