| Top job interview questions you might be asked | | | | followed by no words. When I was asked something |
| during an interview range from why do you want this | | | | as simple as "So tell me about yourself", I goofed. |
| job to what is your greatest weakness. So quickly | | | | What the heck did she want to know? My hobbies? |
| now, tell me just what is your greatest weakness? | | | | My age? My experience? My current job? How long |
| And tell me in the next 20 seconds. I'm staring at | | | | I'd lived in the city?" So tell me about yourself" is |
| you, tapping my fingers on my desk and waiting for | | | | quite general among job interview questions (and a |
| your reply.Gotcha, didn't I!While I don't know what | | | | popular one).Needless to say that upon leaving that |
| your greatest weakness in your last job or in life is, I | | | | second interview with that lady executive (who was |
| do know your greatest weakness in relation to your | | | | required to approve the final hire), I KNEW I killed all |
| job interview.Questions asked by the interviewer?No, | | | | my chances at getting that job. And so did the |
| it's your "answers". At least partly. There's more to | | | | original interviewer, the fundraiser consultant who I'd |
| it...Your greatest weakness when it comes to blowing | | | | really be working with and under anyway (and whose |
| job interviews may be your lack of preparation. Let | | | | facial expressions--yes he was eavesdropping--said he |
| me give you an example from my own life.Years ago | | | | knew I blew it too).Notice I said that "I" blew it. Sure, |
| I worked in fundraising for a nonprofit. I liked the | | | | the second interviewer was a cold-hearted...well, you |
| fundraising field. Anyone who has worked in it will tell | | | | get the idea. And surely I was better off not |
| you there is never a dull moment. It's a fast-paced | | | | working for her or for a "struggling" nonprofit on the |
| work environment, always with one more thing to | | | | rebound. But the job still seemed so exciting and I |
| do. And you're usually doing it for a good cause. | | | | wanted it. And I BLEW the job interview. Questions I |
| However, I wanted to do even more with my career | | | | should have been able to answer, I couldn't and didn't. |
| in the same field but for a different employer. So my | | | | I could do the actual job had it been given to me. I |
| job search began.My resumes probably resulted in 90 | | | | just couldn't ace the job interview.Do you know |
| percent success with getting called for a job | | | | WHY I blew that job interview? I do.I'm A LOT |
| interview. It's been that way just about forever for | | | | smarter and more savvy with job searches now so I |
| me. I mastered resume writing a long time ago, | | | | know the answer. And quite frankly, I knew the |
| perhaps because I'm also a professional writer. I've | | | | answer to why I didn't get that job I so badly |
| even written resumes for friends who weren't | | | | wanted right after I blew the question about "so tell |
| getting interviews. And then they did get those job | | | | me about yourself".And the answer was and is...I did |
| interview calls immediately. And if you're wondering, | | | | not prepare for the job interview."Preparation" might |
| these were honest resumes. I've never exaggerated | | | | possibly be the most important job interview tip you |
| on a resume---mine or others.So this day my resume | | | | ever hear.What was I thinking? I never passed a test |
| writing skills got me a call for a job interview I | | | | in high school or college by NOT studying. As a |
| REALLY wanted.I'd be working for another nonprofit | | | | fundraiser, I never asked a donor to give me a gift |
| in a position where I'd be learning from an established | | | | by NOT preparing a proposal or preparing for the |
| fundraiser in a fast-paced manner too. Back then I | | | | ask. Yet I walked into a job interview with NO |
| craved an experienced mentor like this in the | | | | preparation. And it showed.Dumb!If you want to get |
| fundraising field. And I wanted to be on a "fast-track" | | | | your dream job---because ONLY ONE person will get |
| like this job offered. But here's what happened | | | | called for that job out of all the interviewees---then |
| next...I interviewed with a gentlemen who was hired | | | | you must prepare for the job interview. Preparation |
| on a contract consultant basis to handle this | | | | means everything from preparing what you'll wear to |
| nonprofit's fundraising campaign. It would be | | | | how you'll greet the interviewer to how you'll follow |
| long-term, perhaps a year or two or more for this | | | | up with the interviewer. Job interview preparation is |
| campaign. I was enthusiastic during the job interview, | | | | knowing beforehand exactly (or nearly exact) what |
| projected experience and knowledge about | | | | you'll say to "So tell me about yourself" and "What is |
| fund-raising (mostly self-taught), and visibly eager to | | | | your greatest weakness" and any of dozens of |
| get started. During the job interview, I aced every | | | | questions you might be asked during a job |
| question. The interviewer and I clicked. He was a | | | | interview.It IS true that the most experienced or |
| fundraiser. I was a fundraiser (though to a lesser | | | | most qualified person will not always get the job. The |
| knowledgeable extent). And we understood each | | | | person who aces the interview, even if they only |
| other. When I finished that interview I KNEW I was | | | | have half your smarts and experience, WILL get the |
| in his top picks if not the top pick. I was a smart and | | | | job. That's life for you!So what did I do before my |
| "hungry" fundraiser willing to work for the right price | | | | next job interview?I went to the store and bought a |
| and follow his lead. And that's what he wanted. But | | | | book to help me prepare for answering job interview |
| then......I had to go through round two of the job | | | | questions. The book was called Knock 'Em Dead, The |
| interview process. I was to return on a separate day | | | | Ultimate Job-Seeker's Handbook by Martin Yate. It's a |
| and interview for the job with a top executive of | | | | popular book with many since updated editions. In |
| this small nonprofit. I did. She was clearly not a | | | | particular, when I read Yate's section on handling |
| fundraiser (though it is important, perhaps vital, for a | | | | tough job interview questions---and practiced my |
| top executive to understand and play their role | | | | responses at home, I never goofed at another job |
| correctly in fundraising, especially for a nonprofit like | | | | interview again. Never! I didn't always get the job, |
| this one which was on the decline in funding and | | | | but I sure came close most times. And eventually I |
| needed a fast rebound) . But this lady executive was | | | | did get the job I wanted. Also I was never again |
| cold. I did not get a warm vibe from her. Quite | | | | personally embarrassed about my performance in a |
| opposite, fundraisers, or anyone trying to raise funds, | | | | job interview.Yate's book is just one source and one |
| are usually gregarious, friendly people. Apparently no | | | | method to help you prepare for the job interview for |
| one told this woman that it's important to make any | | | | your dream job. You can find other equally good |
| community member feel comfortable, even one who | | | | sources to help you ace your job interviews. And I |
| is interviewing with you for a job (hey, my daddy | | | | highly recommend you do seek out some job |
| COULD have been a rich member of the | | | | interview preparation resources before your next job |
| community!).Well, this woman was so cold and matter | | | | interview---if you really want to get that |
| of fact (and not even totally focused on me and the | | | | job---particularly some tips about responding to job |
| interview at times), that she got me. I was already | | | | interview questions.Karen Fritscher-Porter publishes a |
| nervous about the job interview and now the | | | | website for administrative professionals at that |
| questions felt more like an interrogation---one I was | | | | contains practical on-the-job advice and career |
| failing at. First came the stammering. Then came the | | | | advancement tips. |
| blank mind on my part. And then came dumb words, | | | | |