| Some surveys have shown that there are more than | | | | Most public service positions offer opportunities for |
| 90 questions that could be asked during a job | | | | advancement within the organization, and some even |
| interview. Of these, 15 in particular are asked most | | | | allow you to apply, take tests and interview for |
| frequently during an extended interview (more than | | | | positions during your normal working hours. You can, |
| 20 minutes) for a regular work-a-day job. | | | | in some cases, look for a better job and get paid for |
| Always remember that in a job interview, it is not | | | | looking during your normal working hours. |
| just what you say, but how you say it that really | | | | This is indeed a good deal for the employee; most |
| counts. Your choice of words is powerful, and can | | | | private businesses would not tolerate this action and, |
| move job interviewers to a more positive impression | | | | quite frankly, some would find a "legitimate reason" |
| by how you say what you say. Here, in no particular | | | | to fire you if they thought you were looking. |
| order, are the answers to the 15 most frequently | | | | 3) Are you willing to travel or relocate (go where the |
| asked questions during a job interview: | | | | company sends you)? |
| 1) Which position are you most interested in? | | | | Decide which is more important to you: where you |
| When you are responding to an advertisement, the | | | | live, or whether you want the position, and answer |
| company will likely know the position for which you | | | | accordingly. You may be willing to travel (this could be |
| have applied. Many times companies key their | | | | anything from commuting to another city to work to |
| advertisements so, when they are advertising for | | | | being out of town two weeks every month), but |
| more than one position, they can identify the position | | | | not willing to relocate. When you are married and |
| for which you have applied. Most public service | | | | earn a secondary income for your family, relocating is |
| organizations will have a specific job number with the | | | | not always practical. |
| job announcement. | | | | 4) How much money do you want to earn? |
| However, no matter what position for which you | | | | Rather than trying to figure out what they are willing |
| may have applied, many companies have more than | | | | to pay, or revealing what you are willing to settle for |
| one position to offer, and the interviewer is probably | | | | (both very risky at best), say this: "What is your |
| going to consider you for any position available based | | | | salary range for this position?" This tells them nothing, |
| on your submitted resume and interview | | | | puts the ball back in their court, and you remain a |
| performance. | | | | class act. |
| Key to answering this question is to realize that | | | | Another possible answer: "While the salary I would |
| different companies and organizations may call | | | | receive is certainly a consideration, I am far more |
| essentially the same positions by different job titles; | | | | interested in a position that uses performance to |
| therefore, it is best if you answer the kind of | | | | determine promotion and compensation. I am |
| function you are interested in performing rather than | | | | interested in being rewarded for my production for |
| a specific job title. | | | | the company, thereby proving my value to the |
| Hence, say "I am interested in accounting," or "I am | | | | company." |
| good at accounting," rather than "I am interested in | | | | Do ask about benefits if the interviewer does not |
| the Junior Accountant position." | | | | detail the company benefit package, as the benefit |
| 2) Are you looking for full-time or part-time work? | | | | package can add substantially to your salary base. In |
| When you are dealing with a large business or public | | | | some cases the benefit package can add 30% to |
| service corporation, chances are the position is | | | | your salary. |
| full-time, and you should be prepared to accept | | | | 5) When can you start work? |
| full-time employment. | | | | The answer is immediately when you are not |
| However, when you are trying to get your foot in | | | | working, or two weeks-or whatever the notice of |
| the door, it is well to remember that many | | | | termination time is-when you are working. When you |
| companies hire full-time employees from their | | | | are employed and can begin work immediately, your |
| part-time and temporary help. This makes sense | | | | potential employer might wonder if you would quit on |
| from a business standpoint in that they are then | | | | them without notice. |
| hiring a person they have had an opportunity to | | | | 6) How long do you expect to work? |
| observe on the job. | | | | Use "As long as it is mutually beneficial for both of |
| When you are considering a public service position | | | | us." When you are the spouse of a career military |
| (working for the federal, state or local governmental | | | | person, the interviewer may want to know how long |
| entities, for example), it generally makes sense to | | | | you will be around (that is, your spouse's rotation |
| accept any position as long as two factors are | | | | date). That is why it is best to use the suggested |
| present: | | | | answer. After all, you can not predict everything that |
| 1) That it is a full-time permanent position, and | | | | might happen. Many military families have found this |
| 2) You are entitled to all the normal benefits. | | | | out when a war or military action started. |