| Best regards | | | | round was a 20%reduction in force, which included |
| Carole Martin | | | | me." |
| Pesky Job Interview Questions That Keep Coming | | | | If you are employed, focus on what you want in |
| Up | | | | your nextjob: "After two years, I made the decision |
| Those same questions keep coming up ? in every | | | | to look for acompany that is team-focused, where I |
| interview. | | | | can add myexperience." |
| They can be tough ones because they are about | | | | When were you most satisfied in your job? |
| you and yourthinking process. Preparing for them | | | | The interviewer wants to know what motivates you. |
| ahead of time can saveyou some grief during the | | | | If youcan relate an example of a job or project |
| interview. | | | | when you wereexcited, the interviewer will get an |
| What are your weaknesses? | | | | idea of yourpreferences. "I was very satisfied in my |
| The most dreaded question of all. Handle this | | | | last job because Iworked directly with the customers |
| question byminimizing the weakness and emphasizing | | | | and their problems; thatis an important part of the |
| the strengths. Stayaway from personal qualities and | | | | job for me." |
| concentrate onprofessional traits: "I am always | | | | What can you do for us that other candidates can't? |
| working to improve mycommunication skills so that I | | | | What makes you unique? This will take an |
| can be a more effectivepresenter. I recently joined | | | | assessment of yourexperiences, skills and traits. |
| Toastmasters which I find veryhelpful." | | | | What makes you stand out? |
| Why should we hire you? | | | | After your assessment, bring it all together in a |
| Prepare and know your product ? YOU! Summarize | | | | concisemanner: "I have a unique combination of |
| yourexperiences: "With five years' experience | | | | strong technicalskills, and the ability to build strong |
| working in thefinancial industry, and my proven | | | | customerrelationships. This allows me to use my |
| record of saving thecompany money, I could make a | | | | knowledge, andbreak down information to be user |
| big difference in yourcompany. I am confident I | | | | friendly" |
| would be a great addition to yourteam." | | | | What are three positive things your last boss would |
| Why do you want to work here? | | | | sayabout you? |
| The interviewer is listening for an answer that | | | | It's time to pull out your old performance appraisals |
| indicatesyou've given this some thought, and are not | | | | andboss's quotes. This is a great way to brag about |
| sending outresumes just because there is an opening. | | | | yourselfthrough someone else's words: "My boss has |
| Doing researchshould give you plenty of reasons why | | | | told me that Iam the best designer he has ever had. |
| you want to workthere. As an example, "I've | | | | He knows he can relyon me, and he likes my sense |
| selected key companies whosemission statements | | | | of humor." |
| are in line with my values, where I know | | | | What salary are you seeking? |
| I could be excited about what the company does, | | | | It is to your advantage if the employer tells you the |
| and thiscompany is very high on my list of desirable | | | | "range" first. Prepare by knowing the "going rate" in |
| choices." | | | | yourarea, and your bottom line or "walk away" point. |
| What are your goals? | | | | Onepossible answer would be: "I am sure when the |
| Sometimes it's best to talk about short-term | | | | time comes wecan agree on a reasonable amount. In |
| andintermediate goals, and not lock yourself into the | | | | what range do youtypically pay someone with my |
| distantfuture. Something like, "My immediate goal is to | | | | background?" |
| get a jobin a growth-oriented company. My long-term | | | | There is no way of predicting which questions will be |
| goal will dependon where the company goes. I hope | | | | askedin an interview, but by reviewing some of the |
| to eventually grow into aposition of additional | | | | "most common"questions you will begin to focus on |
| responsibility." | | | | how to presentyourself in the most positive manner. |
| Why did you leave (are you leaving) your job? | | | | Carole Martin is a celebrated author, trainer, and |
| This question is almost a certainty. If you are | | | | mentor. |
| unemployed,put you're leaving in a positive context: "I | | | | Carole can give you interviewing tips like no one else |
| managed tosurvive two down-sizings, but the third | | | | can. |