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