Interviewing Skills

Compiled Interview Documents

Interview info 1
Interviewing Skills
What to do Before the BIG Interview..............................................................3
Scan yourself from your head to your toes ..................................................4
Prep for 10 Most Common Interview Questions .........................................5
Interview Like a Pro: 5 Easy Steps ..................................................................6
10 Most Frequently Asked Interview Questions..........................................9
100 Tough Interview Questions ........................................................................9
3 Tricky Interview Questions (and Answers!)............................................13
Answering Personality Interview Questions................................................15
Interviewing "Cheat Sheet"...............................................................................16
Typical Interview Questions and Suggested Answers ............................18

Interview info 2
 What to do Before the BIG
Interview
By Aparna Kumar
Generally speaking, interviewing helps employers know the three things they
need to know before they make a hiring decision...

Are you capable of doing the job? Do you have the necessary skills and
experience or can you be easily trained?

Are you motivated to do the job? Will you take the trouble to do the job well, ask
for guidance when appropriate, and make the necessary effort to meet tight
deadlines? Or will you resort to excuses?

Are you a person they'll like working with? Will you be a team player and adapt
easily to the company culture? Will you be cheerful or a complainer? Will you give
or grab credit?
Resumes provide few answers to the second and third questions and alone are
not sufficient to speak to the first. The interview process is intended to help fill in
these blanks.

Interviewing potential employees is an art. Some people have a talent for it,
others don't. Regardless, it's important that you be well prepared, make the
process easier for the interviewer, and realize that the interviewer is trying to find
out (whether they do it smoothly or awkwardly) what is not on your resume—
namely, how you will behave on the job.

But interviewing is not merely a matter of satisfying interviewers. You also want
to determine whether this is the right company, the right job, and the right team
for you. After all, you will be committing the majority of your waking hours to the
job for a year or two, if not longer. Ideally, you want to find the work satisfying,
enjoy your colleagues, learn a lot, and position yourself to achieve your long-term
career goals.

Preparing for the Interview

Before an interview, learn about career-related issues in your selected field and
prepare a two-minute presentation; think through the key points you want to
make in response to typical interview questions; develop a portfolio; create a
weighted list of must-haves and nice-to-haves in a job; and choose and brief your
references. For a specific interview, there are three of levels of preparation you
can do, depending on how much you think you'll want the job:

Level One—Just the Basics

Learn about the company from its website, annual report, and your networking
sources.

Know what the company's products and services are.

Learn about the company's financial condition—is it prosperous, pinched, in

trouble?

Interview info 3
Find out where the interview will be, obtain clear directions, and confirm the time.
If possible, make a dry run to the location, timing how long it takes and then
allowing extra time for possible traffic delays.

Level Two—A Bit More Effort

Get information about your interviewer from your networking resources, the
person's assistant, or someone else inside the company.

Obtain the job specification, if possible, and think about how it relates to your
own experience, education, and accomplishments.

Research the company's history with the products or services that are relevant to
the position you're interviewing for. Is it an industry leader? Did it make or buy
the technology? What is the company's competitive edge?

Learn about the company's culture, if you can, from general business or trade
periodicals or from WetFeet's Insider Guides or Company Gallery profiles. A
reference librarian can also help you with this research

Level Three—When You Really Want That Job

Do some original research on customer needs, what the competition is doing, and
how the company is faring in the marketplace.

Come up with some original ideas that could be beneficial to the company.

Scan yourself from your head

to your toes
DRESS
Ask yourself:

- What do I look like?

- What am I wearing?
- Am I appropriately dressed for the company that I am interviewing for?
- Are my clothes wrinkled or dirty; have spot or holes?

SMELL
Ask yourself:

- Am I wearing too much perfume or cologne?

- Do I have bad breath?
- Do I smell like a pack of cigarettes?

HAIR
Ask yourself:

- Is my hair neat and clean?

Interview info 4
STUFF
Ask yourself:

- What am I carrying in my bag/brief case?

- Do I have a water bottle, papers, clothes, newspapers, books, magazines, food,
brochures and materials from my other interviews etc. spilling from my bag?
- Do I have the appropriate materials, resumes and references in a neat folder?
- Do I have black pens or red pens in my bag?

Prep for 10 Most Common

Interview Questions
Carole Martin for Monster.com
Too many job seekers stumble through interviews as if the questions are coming
out of left field. But many interview questions are to be expected. So study this
list, plan your answers ahead of time and you'll be ready to deliver them with
confidence.

What Are Your Weaknesses?

This is the most dreaded question of all. Handle it by minimizing your weakness
and emphasizing your strengths. Stay away from personal qualities and
concentrate on professional traits: "I am always working on improving my
communication skills to be a more effective presenter. I recently joined
Toastmasters, which I find very helpful."

Why Should We Hire You?

Summarize your experiences: "With five years' experience working in the

financial industry and my proven record of saving the company money, I could
make a big difference in your company. I'm confident I would be a great addition
to your team."

Why Do You Want to Work Here?

The interviewer is listening for an answer that indicates you've given this some
thought and are not sending out resumes just because there is an opening. For
example, "I've selected key companies whose mission statements are in line with
my values, where I know I could be excited about what the company does, and
this company is very high on my list of desirable choices."

What Are Your Goals?

Sometimes it's best to talk about short-term and intermediate goals rather than
locking yourself into the distant future. For example, "My immediate goal is to get
a job in a growth-oriented company. My long-term goal will depend on where the
company goes. I hope to eventually grow into a position of responsibility."

Why Did You Leave (Are You Leaving) Your Job?

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If you're unemployed, state your reason for leaving in a positive context: "I
managed to survive two rounds of corporate downsizing, but the third round was
a 20 percent reduction in the workforce, which included me."

If you are employed, focus on what you want in your next job: "After two years, I
made the decision to look for a company that is team-focused, where I can add
my experience."

When Were You Most Satisfied in Your Job?

The interviewer wants to know what motivates you. If you can relate an example
of a job or project when you were excited, the interviewer will get an idea of your
preferences. "I was very satisfied in my last job, because I worked directly with
the customers and their problems; that is an important part of the job for me."

What Can You Do for Us That Other Candidates Can't?

What makes you unique? This will take an assessment of your experiences, skills
and traits. Summarize concisely: "I have a unique combination of strong technical
skills, and the ability to build strong customer relationships. This allows me to use
my knowledge and break down information to be more user-friendly."

What Are Three Positive Things Your Last Boss Would Say About You?

It's time to pull out your old performance appraisals and boss's quotes. This is a
great way to brag about yourself through someone else's words: "My boss has
told me that I am the best designer he has ever had. He knows he can rely on
me, and he likes my sense of humor."

What Salary Are You Seeking?

It is to your advantage if the employer tells you the range first. Prepare by
knowing the going rate in your area, and your bottom line or walk-away point.
One possible answer would be: "I am sure when the time comes, we can agree
on a reasonable amount. In what range do you typically pay someone with my
background?"

If You Were an Animal, Which One Would You Want to Be?

Interviewers use this type of psychological question to see if you can think
quickly. If you answer "a bunny," you will make a soft, passive impression. If you
answer "a lion," you will be seen as aggressive. What type of personality would it
take to get the job done? What impression do you want to make?

Interview Like a Pro: 5 Easy

Steps
Linda Matias

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It’s an inescapable fact that interviews are the “make or break”
factor on whether one lands the job. So it is surprising to find that
most job seekers approach interviews with a cavalier attitude,
without any preparation – they simply wake up the morning of the
interview, cross their fingers, and hope for the best.

Unfortunately, walking into an interview cold rarely works. Human

capital is the biggest expense an organization has. When all is
said and done, a wrong hiring decision costs a company time and
resources. Through a series of well thought out questions, a
skillful interviewer will use the interview process to distinguish
between those candidates who have experience and those who
are experts in the given field.

An interview can be won or lost within seconds, and by

implementing simple strategies, you can vastly improve your
interview performance. Interviews can be challenging but they are
manageable when approached as a five-step process.

1. A successful interview depends in part, on whether you

understand your role and that of the interviewer. As an
interviewee, you have two obligations – (1) to sell your
qualifications and (2) to evaluate the position and leave the
interview with a solid understanding of the job’s requirements.
Interviewing is more than just answering questions; it is about
preparing, understanding and responding to the hiring
organizations needs.

The role of the interviewer is to sell the company, assess your

commitment to working for their organization and determine if you
are the same person that is represented on paper.

In reality, your role and that of the interviewer overlap. Both of you
are gathering information, selling a product and evaluating whether
or not there is a match between you.

2. Before each interview select 3-5 accomplishments or skills that

you consider to be your major selling points. Every time the
interview shifts in a direction that doesn’t support your agenda,
figure out a way to steer the conversation back to your major
selling points. When determining your selling points, consider
situations where you demonstrated initiative, overcame
challenges, and/or streamlined a process.

While it may be difficult to define the specific needs of every

company that is hiring, all organizations are looking for an
employer that has the following characteristics: advanced
communication skills, teamwork skills, honesty and
self-confidence. Whenever possible, integrate these qualities in
your responses.

3. Build personal credibility by adapting your communication style

to that of the interviewer. The way you communicate goes beyond
the words that you choose. Your appearance, demeanor, posture
and attitude all play a part in the way your message will be
received.

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Trust begins to form during the interview and by flexing your
communication style you
leave the listener with a subconscious message that says, “I can
sit next to this person
on a daily basis.” Once you have accomplished that, you are one
step closer to a job
offer.

4. Turn the interview into a conversation by asking questions

throughout the interview. Ask questions that reflect your interest
in the organization. If you leave an interview without asking
relevant questions, the interviewer will question your sincerity. By
asking questions you show the interviewer your commitment to
your profession and the industry.

5. Don’t get blind-sided with questions that you should have been
prepared to answer. There are several questions that are
interviewers canned favorites and they include: Tell me about
yourself, Where do you see yourself in five years? Tell me about a
time when you successfully handled a situation?, and What do
you consider your major achievement?

Rehearse interview answers, but don’t sound rehearsed. Practice

your responses until you feel that they clearly reflect your skills
and personality. Don’t just make statements that you think the
interviewer wants to hear.

Going in unprepared is a sure-fire way to sabotage an interview.

When it comes down to the wire and it is between you and
another candidate with a similar background, interview
performance will probably be the deciding factor on who gets
hired.

Job offers are not won by accident; time spent preparing for an
interview produces significant results. The more you practice your
interviewing skills the more confidence you will gain and the more
polished your presentation.

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 10 Most Frequently Asked
Interview Questions
Teachnet
1. What are your career plans?

2. In what school activities have you participated? Why? Which did you enjoy
most?

3. In what type of position are you most interested?

4. Why do you think you might like to work for our company?

5. What jobs have you held? How were they obtained and why did you leave?

6. What courses did you like best? Least? Why?

7. What do you know about our company?

8. What qualifications do you have that make you feel that you will be successful
in your field?

9. How did you spend you vacations while in school?

10. Which extracurricular activities have you participated in?

100 Tough Interview

Questions
ICA
These are the most popular questions asked by interviewers apart from the job
specific technical and experience questions.

It will be time well spent studying each question and writing out your answers
rather than just thinking them through.

Tell me about yourself?

Why should we give you the job?

What is your major achievement?

What are you good at?

Interview info 9
What sort of person are you?

What are your strengths?

What are your weaknesses?

What do you know about our organisation?

How would you approach this job?

How do you get things done?

How do you manage your staff?

What do you look for in a manager?

What do you look for in a subordinate?

How do you decide on your objectives?

How do you manage your Day?

What interests you most in your work?

What have you read recently that has taken your interest?

What sort of things do you like to delegate?

What do you do in your spare time?

In what environment do you work best?

How did you change the job?

What motivates you?

If you could change your current/last job in any way how would you do it?

If you could change your organisation job in any way how would you do it?

How have you changed over the last five years?

Where do you see yourself going in the next 5 years?

Describe a time when you felt you were doing well?

Describe a time when you felt things were not going too well?

How do you work in a team?

What contribution do you make to a team?

What would your colleagues say about you?

How would your boss describe your work?

Describe your ideal working environment?

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When were you most happy at work?......WHY?

Describe a difficult situation and what you did about it?

Who are you working best with just now? ..... WHY?

Who are you finding it difficult to work with right now?.... WHY?

Describe how you typically approach a project?

Given a choice in your work what do you like to do first?

On holiday what do you miss most about your work?

Given a choice, what would you leave till last in your work?

What do you think you can bring to this position?

What do you think you can bring to this company?

How do you see this job developing?

You do not seem to have much experience of.................?

You seem over/under qualified for this job?

We prefer older/younger candidates.

Why did you leave XYZ co. ?

Why are you dissatisfied with your present job?

Why are you considering a move from your present company?

Why have you stayed so long with one company

You seem to move from company to company very often?

Why were you out of work for so long?

Why were you made redundant?

If we asked for a reference what would it say about you?

What sort of salary are you expecting?

What do you think is your market value?

On a scale of 1-10 how important is your work to you?

How did you get your last job?

Why were you transferred/promoted?

Do you like to work in a team or on your own?

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What do you like best about your current/last job?

What do/did you like best about your current/last employer?

What did you learn in that job?

What did you learn from the XYZ Co approach?

How did that job influence your career?

If you did not have to work what would you do?

Given the achievements in your CV why is your salary so low?

What will you do if you do not get this job?

What other jobs have you applied for recently?

How could your boss improve his/her management of you?

What decisions do you find easy to make?

What decisions do you find difficult to make?

How does this job fit into your career plan?

How long would you plan to stay with this company?

How do you motivate others?

When do you plan to retire?

What will you do in retirement?

What training courses have you been on?

What training have you had for this job?

On what do you spend your disposable income?

On taking this job, what would be your major contribution?

How do you get the best out of people?

Which of your jobs have given you the greatest satisfaction?

How do you respond to stress ? >>>>> give an example?

This job has a large component of....... How will you cope with that?

What support/training will you need to do this job?

What will you look forward to most in this job?

What sort of person are you socially?

In your view, what are the major problems/opportunities facing this co?

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How did you get into this line of work?

What other irons do you have in the fire for your next job?

What will be your key target in this job if we appoint you?

What aspects of this job would you delegate?

What makes you think you can be successful with us?

What are the major influences that encourage you to take a job?

How does the job sound to you?

What questions do you have for us?

Have you been coached in interview skills??

3 Tricky Interview Questions

(and Answers!)
Kevin Donlin
Your next job interview -- will it be a torturous cross-
examination or an effortless walk in the park?

It's really up to you.

Because if you prepare for the tough interview questions

ahead of time, you'll likely do very well and actually
enjoy the process.

To help you get ready for three typical (and tricky)

questions, I talked to
Carole Martin, an interview expert with 15 years of
human resources management experience.

Interview Question #1 - "Can you tell me about yourself?"

"Your answer to this question sets the tone for the rest
of the interview. Focus is the key -- avoid a rambling
answer," says Martin.

The secret to success with this free-form question is to

focus, script your answer and practice. Never "wing it."

What do you want the interviewer to remember most about you?

List five strengths you have that are pertinent to this job
-- experiences, traits, skills, etc.

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"Practice your script until you feel confident. Your script
will help you stay on track, but don't memorize it -- you'll
sound stiff. Instead, aim for a natural and conversational
tone," advises Martin.

Interview Question #2 - "What are your long-term goals?"

This and other open-ended questions, like: "Where do you
see yourself in five years?" can throw you off balance. The
employer wants to check your self-awareness and communication
skills here.

"If you're an organized type of person, answering this

question may be a piece of cake. If not, you'll need to give
your answer some forethought."

The best answers will come from you thinking about what you
want. Most successful employers believe that a key success
factor is the ability to set and achieve goals. So begin by
setting short-term goals for yourself. 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 are about your goal, the
better your chances of steering the interview in the right
direction," says Martin.

Interview Question #3 - "Why should we hire you?"

This is another broad question that can take you down the
wrong road unless you prepare thoroughly. This is about
selling yourself as a product. Why should the customer buy?

"Develop a sales statement. The more detail you give, the

better. 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," advises Martin.

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 a personal inventory. Think of two or three key

qualities you have that match what the employer is seeking.
Don't underestimate personal traits that make you unique --
your energy, personality type, working style and people skills,
for example.

"Like snowflakes, no two people are alike. Take some time to

think about what sets you apart from others," advises Martin.

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 Answering Personality
Interview Questions
Monster Career Center
(1) Do you generally speak to people
before they speak to you?

Depends on the circumstances.

(2) What was the last book you read?

Movie you saw? Sporting event you
attended?

Talk about books, sports or films to show that

you have balance in your life.

(3) What is the toughest part of a job for you?

Be honest; remember, not everyone can do everything.

(4) Are you creative?

Yes. Give examples

(5) How would you describe your own personality?

Balanced.

(6) Are you a leader?

Yes. Give examples.

(7) What are your future goals?

Avoid, "I would like the job you advertised." Instead, give long-term
goals.

(8) What are your strong points?

Give at least three and relate them to the company and job you are
interviewing for.

(9) What are your weak points?

Don't say you have none. Try not to cite personal characteristics as
weaknesses, but be ready to have one if the interviewer presses. Turn
a negative into a positive answer: "I am sometimes intent on

Interview info 15
completing an assignment and get too deeply involved when we are
late."

Interviewing "Cheat Sheet"

Carole Martin
Relax -- a cheat sheet is not really cheating. It's a checklist to make
sure you stay focused before, during and after the interview.
Creating a cheat sheet will help you feel more prepared and
confident. You shouldn't memorize what's on the sheet or check it
off during the interview. You should use your cheat sheet to remind
you of key facts. Here are some suggestions for what you should
include on it.

In the Days Before the Interview

1.Draw a line down the center of a piece of paper. On the left

side, make a bulleted list of what the employer is looking for
based on the job posting. On the right side, make a bulleted
list of the qualities you possess that fit those requirements.

2.Research the company, the industry and the competition.

3.Prepare your 60-second personal statement: Your answer to

the, "Tell me about yourself," question.

4.Write at least five success stories to answer behavioral

interview questions ("Tell me about a time when…" or "Give me
an example of a time…").

5.List 10 questions to ask the interviewer about the job, the

company and the industry.

6.Research salary data and determine your worth.

7.Determine your salary needs based on your living expenses --

what is your bottom line?

8.Get permission from your references to use their names.

Before You Go to the Interview

1.Do you look professional? Check yourself in the mirror; part of

your confidence will come from looking good.

2.Carry these items to the interview:

Several copies of your resume on quality paper.
A copy of your references.
A pad of paper on which to take notes (notes are
optional).
Directions to the interview site.

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3.Prepare answers to the 10 most common interview questions:
Tell me about yourself.
Why did you leave or are you leaving your last position?
What do you know about this company?
What are your goals?
What are your strengths and weaknesses?
Why do you want to work for this company?
What has been your most significant achievement?
How would your last boss and colleagues describe you?
Why should we hire you?
What are your salary expectations?

Upon Arrival

1.Arrive early -- enter the building 10 minutes before your

appointment.

2.Review your prepared stories and answers.

3.Go to the restroom and check your appearance one last time.

4.Announce yourself to the receptionist in a professional manner.

5.Stand and greet your interviewer with a hearty -- not

bone-crushing -- handshake.

6.Smile and look into the interviewer's eyes.

During the Interview

1.Try to focus on the points you have prepared without sounding

rehearsed or stiff.

2.Relax and enjoy the conversation. Learn what you can about
the company.

3.Ask questions and listen; read between the lines.

4.At the conclusion, thank the interviewer and determine the

next steps.

5.Ask for the interviewer's business card so you can send a

follow-up letter.

After the Interview

1.As soon as possible, write down what you are thinking and
feeling.

2.Later in the day, look at what you wrote and assess how you
did.

3.Write a follow-up thank-you letter, reminding the interviewer of

your qualities.

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 Typical Interview Questions
and Suggested Answers
Bhangra
Before attending an interview you should think about your responses to the
following questions. Your answers may depend on
the job or company in question, so you should go through your responses just
before each interview.

Why do you want this job? Think carefully about this question. Stress the positive
aspects which have attracted you to
applying for this position. Do not mention the negative aspects of your current
job or the job in question.

What qualities do you think will be required for this job? Their advertisement for
the job may help you a little bit, but you
should also think of the other qualities that may be required. These may include
leadership ability, supervisory skills,
communication skills, interpersonal skills, problem solving, analytical skills, etc.

What can you contribute? This is your chance to shine. Tell them about your
achievements in your previous position(s)
which are relevant to the new position you are applying for. Why do you want to
work for this company? Emphasise the
positive reasons why you want to join their company, but avoid aspects such as
more money or shorter hours. These would
not endear you to a prospective employer.

What do you know about this company? This is your chance to impress the
interviewer with your knowledge of their
company. Give them a run down of their products/services, sales figures, news,
company figures, customers, etc.

What interests you about our product (or service)? Again, your research into the
company should aid you in answering
this question. What can we (the new company) offer that your previous company
cannot offer? Tread carefully here! Again do
not mention money. Stress opportunities for personal growth, new challenges,
etc.

You have not done this sort of job before. How will you cope/succeed? Say that
you are the sort of person who aims to
succeed at everything you do and that you are very determined and will do
whatever it takes to get the job done.

Why should we employ you? The answer to this question will be based on your
previous experience and achievements which
relate to the company. At the end you could add that you think there is a good fit
between you and the job, and do ask the

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interviewer for their opinion.

How long do you think it would be before you were making a significant
contribution to the team/company? If you
think that you could contribute from day one then say so. Then turn the question
round on them and say how soon would
they expect it. How ambitious are you?

Would you compete for my job? Depending on the position you are applying for
you may want to sound fairly ambitious, but
do not look as if you are after the interviewer's position.

What do you like and dislike about the job we are discussing? Likes: stress things
such as a new challenge or the
opportunity to bring fresh experience to the company. Dislikes: Imply there is
nothing to dislike about the job, which is why
you are so interested. Why did you choose a career in …? Be positive about your
reasons. If you have changed careers make
a logical argument as to why you did so.

Why are you changing careers? This question will only be asked if you are making
a radical change in your career. Always
stress the positive aspects of the change rather than the negative aspects of your
previous career - you do not want to
come across as someone who is moving just because you hate your old career.
Say why you think you will be good in the new
career - this should come from your experience and achievements, stress the
transferable skills you have, such as leadership
ability, etc.

How much does your last job resemble the one you are applying for? What are
the differences? The interviewer is
trying to see how well you would fit in to the position you are applying for. So you
should stress the similarities rather than
the differences. When it comes to discussing the differences it will help your case
if you can show that either you have done
something similar in the past or that you can quickly pick up the new skills.

What do you think of the last company you worked for? You should stress the
positive aspects of your last company
saying that they were a good company to work for. Tell them about the training
you received or the work related experience
you gained.

Why did you join your previous company? Did they live up to your expectations?
Why are you leaving now? Always
be positive about your reasons for joining and leaving a company. Be very careful
that you do not say anything negative
about your present employer. If you do, the new company will wonder what you
will say about them when you leave. You
might want to stress that you are looking for a new challenge and that you feel
that the company who is interviewing you fits
the bill! Explain the organisational structure in your last company and how you
fitted into it? This sort of question may be used
to find out whether your old job is at a comparable level to your new job. If the
new job being discussed would be a step up
the ladder you will need to show that you are ready for a more demanding

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position. You may be able to show that you have
already had many of the responsibilities and the necessary skills which would be
required for the next step.

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