Interview Tips

Tip One

Plan Ahead

Do a little homework! Research the company and the position if possible, as well, the people you will meet with at the interview. Review your work experiences. Be ready to support past career accomplishments with specific information targeted toward the companies needs. Have your facts ready!

Tip Two

Be Positive

Avoid negative comments about past employers, Maintain eye contact with your interviewer, Show you want the job with your interest. Try to relate your answers to the interviewer and his or her company and focus on achievements relevant to the position.

Tip Three

Questions you may be asked in the interview

• Tell me about yourself? (try to hold your response to 2 minutes)
• What do you know about our company?
• Why should we hire you?
• What can you do for us that someone else can’t?
• What do you look for in a job?
• What skills and qualifications are essential for success in the position of ______?
• How long would it take for you to make a meaningful contribution?
• How does this assignment fit into your overall career plan?
• Describe your management style.
• What do you believe is the most difficult part of being a supervisor of people?
• Why are you looking for a new career?
• How would your colleagues describe you?
• How would your boss describe you?
• How would you describe yourself?
• What do you think of your present or past boss?
• What were the five most significant accomplishments in your last assignment?
• What were the five most significant accomplishments in your career so far?
• Can you work well under deadlines or pressure?
• How much do you expect if we offer you this position?
• Why do you want to work for us?
• What other positions are you considering?
• Have you kept up in your field with additional training?
• What are your career goals?
• What are your strong points?
• What are your weak points?
• How did you do in school?
• What position do you expect to have in 2 to 5 years?
• If you took the job what would you accomplish in the first year?
• What was wrong with your current or last position?
• What kind of hours are you used to working or would like to work?
• Do you have your reference list with you? (Remember don’t give it out unless it is asked for).
• Can you explain your salary history?
• What questions didn’t I ask that you expected?
• Do you have any question for me?

Tip Four

Questions you may want to ask the Interviewer

• Why is this position open?
• How often has it been filled in the past five years? What were the main reasons?
• What would you like done differently by the next person who fills this position?
• What are some of the objectives you would like to see accomplished in this job?
• What is most pressing? What would you like to have done in the next 3 months.
• What are some of the long term objectives you would like to see completed?
• What are some of the more difficult problems one would have to face in this position?
• How do you think these could best be handled?
• What type of support does this position receive in terms of people, finances. etc?
• What freedom would I have in determining my own work objectives, deadlines, and methods of measurement?
• What advancement opportunities are available for the person who is successful in this position, and within what time frame?
• In what ways has this organization been most successful in terms of products and services over the years?
• What significant changes do you foresee in the near future?
• How is one evaluated in this position?
• What accounts for success within the company?

These questions are presented only as interviewing guidelines. They are meant to help you prepare for the interview. Some questions may or may not be appropriate for your interviewing situation.

By practicing your responses to some of these questions, hopefully you will not be taken off guard if asked one of them. Most importantly, relax, go with the flow, and before you know it, you’ll be in your next job.