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