Interview question

1. Interview question How to give the best response

2. What will be covered • What questions you will be asked. • What is the best response. • How to persuade your interview. • How to be energized in the interview • The best way to organize your answers

3. The beginning of the interview • Be enthusiastic and confident when responding to questions. Don't rush your answers, but don't ramble on and on, either. Try to, um, avoid, like, using unnecessary words, right? And um, repeating yourself or, like, annoying phrases, you know?

4. "Tell me a little about yourself." • "I'm an experienced communications specialist with extensive knowledge of public information tools and techniques. I've developed comprehensive communication plans for major public events, written dozens of articles accepted by worldwide publications, and created specialized educational programs for adults and students.

5. Always remember • Remember to tailor your response to the specific job. By studying the job announcement, you'll get a good idea of the skills and experience being sought. Work those into your response.

6. "What do you feel has been your greatest work-related accomplishment?" • Choose one example from your past that was important to you and helped the company you worked for. Give specific details about what you did, how you did it, and what the results were. Try to pick an accomplishment that relates to the position for which you are applying

7. "What is your greatest strength?" • This is a great chance to highlight your best skills. Don't pick just one, focus on your top three or four. Some examples are: leadership skills, team-building skills, and organizational skills. Determine which strengths would fit best with the position for which you are applying. For example, if the job announcement stresses the ability to handle multiple tasks, you could say: "I'm good at organizational skills, prioritization and time management. But my greatest strength is my ability to effectively handle multiple projects and deadlines."

8. "What is your greatest weakness?" • Be careful with this one. Most interview guides will tell you to answer it with a positive trait disguised as a weakness. For example, "I tend to expect others to work as hard as I do," or "I'm a bit of a perfectionist." Interviewers have heard these "canned" answers over and over again. To stand out, be more original and state a true weakness, but then emphasize what you've done to overcome it.

9. "How do you handle stressful situations?" • Give some examples of stressful situations you've dealt with in the past. Tell how you use time management, problem-solving or decision-making skills to reduce stress. For example, tell them that making a "to-do" list helps. Site stress-reducing techniques such as stretching and taking a break. Don't be afraid to admit that you will ask for assistance if you are feeling overwhelmed.

10. "What is the toughest problem you've had to face, and how did you overcome it?" • Try to make this about a problem that faced your company and not just you or your particular work group. The bigger the problem, the better. Give specific examples of the skills and techniques you used to resolve this problem. Emphasize the successful results. Be generous in sharing credit if it was a team effort, but be sure to highlight your specific role.

11. "Why do you want this position?" • Here's where your research about the company will help you stand out among the other candidates. Explain how you've always wanted the opportunity to work with a company that... provides a vital public service, leads the industry in innovative products, whatever... find something specific about that company that you can tie in with your answer.

12. "Why are you the best person for this job?" • As with all other questions, be confident and enthusiastic when you answer this. Don't try to say you are the best qualified person, because you don't know the qualifications of the other applicants. Instead, emphasize several reasons why you should be hired.

13. Why Did You Leave (Or Why Are You Leaving) Your Job? • If you're unemployed, state your reason for leaving in a positive context: "I managed to survive two rounds of corporate downsizing, but the third round was a 20 percent reduction in the workforce, which included me." • If you are employed, focus on what you want in your next job: "After two years, I made the decision to look for a company that is team-focused, where I can add my experience."

14. What Are Your Goals? • Sometimes it's best to talk about short-term and intermediate goals rather than locking yourself into the distant future. For example, "My immediate goal is to get a job in a growth-oriented company. My long-term goal will depend on where the company goes. I hope to eventually grow into a position of responsibility."

15. When Were You Most Satisfied in Your Job? • The interviewer wants to know what motivates you. If you can relate an example of a job or project when you were excited, the interviewer will get an idea of your preferences. "I was very satisfied in my last job, because I worked directly with the customers and their problems; that is an important part of the job for me."

16. What Salary Are You Seeking? • It is to your advantage if the employer tells you the range first. Prepare by knowing the going rate in your area, and your bottom line or walk-away point. One possible answer would be: "I am sure when the time comes, we can agree on a reasonable amount. In what range do you typically pay someone with my background?"

17. What Are Three Positive Things Your Last Boss Would Say About You? • It's time to pull out your old performance appraisals and boss's quotes. This is a great way to brag about yourself through someone else's words: "My boss has told me that I am the best designer he has ever had. He knows he can rely on me, and he likes my sense of humor."

18. What Can You Do for Us That Other Candidates Can't? • What makes you unique? This will take an assessment of your experiences, skills and traits. Summarize concisely: "I have a unique combination of strong technical skills, and the ability to build strong customer relationships. This allows me to use my knowledge and break down information to be more user-friendly."

19. What is your long-range objective? • The key is to focus on your achievable objectives and what you are doing to reach those objectives. • For example: “Within five years, I would like to become the very best accountant your company has on staff. I want to work toward becoming the expert that others rely upon. And in doing so, I feel I’ll be fully prepared to take on any greater responsibilities which might be presented in the long term. For example, here is what I’m presently doing to prepare myself . . .”

20. How has your education prepared you for your career? • This is a broad question and you need to focus on the behavioral examples in your educational background which specifically align to the required competencies for the career. • An example: “My education has focused on not only the learning the fundamentals, but also on the practical application of the information learned within those classes. For example, I played a lead role in a class project where we gathered and analyzed best practice data from this industry. Let me tell you more about the results . . .”

21. Are you a team player? • Almost everyone says yes to this question. But it is not just a yes/no question. You need to provide behavioral examples to back up your answer. • A sample answer: “Yes, I’m very much a team player. In fact, I’ve had opportunities in my work, school and athletics to develop my skills as a team player. For example, on a recent project

22. Team work part 2 • Emphasize teamwork behavioral examples and focus on your openness to diversity of backgrounds. Talk about the strength of the team above the individual. And note that this question may be used as a lead in to questions around how you handle conflict within a team, so be prepared.

23. If I were to ask your professors to describe you, what would they say? • This is a threat of reference check question. Do not wait for the interview to know the answer. Ask any prior bosses or professors in advance. And if they’re willing to provide a positive reference, ask them for a letter of recommendation.

24. Part 2 • Then you can answer the question like this: • “I believe she would say I'm a very energetic person, that I’m results oriented and one of the best people she has ever worked with. Actually, I know she would say that, because those are her very words. May I show you her letter of recommendation?” • So be prepared in advance with your letters of recommendation

25. What qualities do you feel a successful manager should have? • Focus on two words: leadership and vision. • Here is a sample of how to respond: “The key quality in a successful manager should be leadership--the ability to be the visionary for the people who are working under them. The person who can set the course and direction for subordinates. The highest calling of a true leader is inspiring others to reach the highest of their abilities. I'd like to tell you about a person whom I consider to be a true leader . . .”

26. If you had to live your life over again, what one thing would you change? • Focus on a key turning point in your life or missed opportunity. Yet also tie it forward to what you are doing to still seek to make that change. • For example: “Although I’m overall very happy with where I’m at in my life, the one aspect I likely would have changed would be focusing earlier on my chosen career. I had a great internship this past year and look forward to more experience in the field. I simply wish I would have focused here earlier. For example, I learned on my recent internship…” …then provide examples.

27. Questions you should ask • What do you enjoy most about working here? • Is there anything I've mentioned that makes you think I'm not the best candidate for this job? • When do you expect to make your final decision? Be sure to ask that! Failure to do so may give the impression that you're not that interested, and you need to know when to follow up.

28. After the interview • (1) To re-emphasize that you really want the job. This is assuming, of course, that you do want the job. If, after the interview, you don't think it's the right job for you, don't bother sending a thank-you letter.

29. After the interview • (2) To provide further explanation of something discussed at the interview. For example, if there was some discussion of your leadership skills but you forget to mention a great example from a previous job, put this in your letter.

30. After the interview • (3) To say thank you. You really should be thankful. There may have been dozens (or even hundreds) of applicants for that position. Even though your qualifications are what got you the interview, be humble and appreciate the opportunity you were given to show them in person what a wonderful asset to the company you will make!

31. After the interview • (4) To take another opportunity to make yourself shine in comparison to the other candidates. A short thank-you letter can be written in less than 30 minutes, but only a small percentage of job seekers actually bother doing this. So by sending this letter, you will create another favorable impression that sets you above the rest.