Interviews can be daunting to the most experienced job
seeker, and "terror-ific" for the less experienced.
Preparation before the interview can make a huge difference
in your confidence level. Here are some basic questions to
get you thinking about the process.
One of the questions most frequently asked in an interview
is - "WHO ARE YOU?" - or - "TELL ME ABOUT YOURSELF."
The answer you give to this question will set the tone for
the rest of the interview. Focus is the key or you will
wander about in a circle, or dig yourself into a deep hole.
The secret to success with this free-form question is to
focus, script and practice. You cannot afford to "wing"
this statement, as it will have an effect on the rest of
the interview.
List five strengths that you have that would be pertinent
to this job. (Experiences, traits, skills). What do you
want the interviewer to know about you when you leave?
Practice with your script, until you feel confident about
what you want to emphasize in your statement. Your script
is a way of helping you stay on track, but shouldn't be
memorized, resulting in sounding stiff and rehearsed. You
should sound natural and conversational.
One of the most dreaded questions by candidates is - WHAT
ARE YOUR LONG-TERM GOALS?
This open-ended question, and others like; "Where do you
see yourself in five years?" throw most candidates off
balance. The object of the question is to check for your
self-awareness and communication skills.
If you are the type of person who prefers an organized way
of life, you may find this question a "piece of cake". But,
if you are among the majority of persons who let life
happen as it comes along, you will probably not have a
smooth answer without some forethought.
The best answers will come from you thinking about what you
want. Most successful business people will tell you that a
key success factor is the ability to set and achieve goals.
Begin by setting short-term goals. Right now your goal may
be "to get a job". But, what kind of job? And, where do you
go from there?
No one can tell you exactly how to answer this question -
it will come from what is important to you. However, the
more focused and employer-centered you can be about your
goal, the better your chances will be of steering the
interview in the right direction.
Another among the dreaded questions is - WHY SHOULD WE HIRE
YOU?
This is another broad question that can take you down the
wrong road unless you have done some thinking about what to
say ahead of time. This question is about selling yourself.
Think of yourself as the product. Why should the customer
buy?
Develop a "sales" statement. The more detail you give the
better your answer will be. This is not a time to talk
about what you want. It is a time to summarize your
accomplishments and relate what makes you unique.
Start by looking at the job description or posting. What is
the employer stressing as requirements of the job? What
will it take to get the job done? Make a list of those
requirements.
Next, do an inventory to determine what you have to offer
as a fit against those requirements. Think of two or three
key qualities you have to offer which match what the
employer is seeking. Don't underestimate personal traits
that make you unique - your energy, personality type,
working style, and people skills.
Completing an exercise around this question will allow you
to concentrate on your unique qualities. Like snowflakes,
no two people are alike. Take some time to think about what
sets you apart from others.
Regardless of what you are asked in an interview,
preparation and practice will improve your performance and
give you a better chance at competing with the other
candidates. Knowing who you are and what you have to offer
is vital for success!
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Carole Martin is a celebrated author, trainer, and mentor.
Carole can give you interviewing tips like no one else can.
Try her practice interview and pick up a copy of her FREE
9-part "Interview Success Tips" report by visiting Carole
on the web at http://www.interviewcoach.com
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