The Best Questions to Ask in the Interview
Some good topics to cover include: The company Dave Stanford, executive vice president of client services for contingency and contract staffing firm Winter, Wyman Companies suggests asking:
Interview Question: Why did you leave your last job?
Don't say: "Gee, there were so many reasons I got out of that hellhole."
Instead: Take your time to answer this question, Dattner says. "If the interviewer thinks you are rushing through it, there's a problem."
Why: This is your chance to talk about your experience and your career goals. Don't badmouth a former boss or explain why you were just too good to stay at such a menial job. Instead, focus on what you learned in your previous position and how you are ready to use those skills in a new position. Detail the path you want your career to follow while illustrating how this job is right for you and how you're right for the company.
Toughest Interview Questions, Part 2
Q: "Tell me about yourself." This is a chance for you to shine -- but not to tell your life history. Begin by listing your traits and accomplishments you feel are relevant for the position. Don't delve into personal information unless it relates to the position you're vying for.
A: "I am very creative and resourceful. I have been a sales manager for the past five years and used my creativity to devise unique incentives to keep the sales representatives motivated. Because of this my sales team earned numerous company awards."
Q: "Tell me about the worst boss you ever had." Take the high road and don't give into the temptation to vent any past frustrations.
A: "While none of my past bosses were awful, there are some who taught me more than others did."
Q: "What are your goals?" This is best answered by reiterating your objective statement on your resume. Keep your aspirations to be a vice president of marketing, own your own company or retire at 40 to yourself.
A: "I want to secure a civil engineering position with a national firm that concentrates on retail development. Ideally, I would like to work for a young company, such as this one, so I can get in on the ground floor and take advantage of all the opportunities a growing firm has to offer."
Toughest Interview Questions
Q: "What are your weaknesses?" "Don't take this literally and go into a detailed explanation of your weaknesses," says John Challenger, CEO of global outplacement consultancy Challenger, Gray & Christmas, Inc. He advises taking a potential weakness and putting a positive spin on it.
A: "I am very detail-oriented and in some industries that may not be a good fit. But for this accounting position, I think this trait truly will help me excel."
Q: "How would you solve this problem?" Challenger says that these kinds of hypothetical questions can be risky. First of all, they may not like your answer; if they do like it, there's a chance they will steal it. That's what happened to June Sullivan when she interviewed for an activity director's position at a long-term care facility. When asked about marketing ideas, June laid out her entire plan. Well, she didn't get the job, but later recognized some of her strategies being used by the facility.
A: "I think you can increase product awareness by enacting some marketing strategies that could employ advertising, direct mail or media placements."
Q: "Why did you leave your last job?" Again, Challenger suggests presenting everything in a positive light. An interview is not the time to dish the dirt on your previous employer.
Do References Really Matter? Helpful hints!
1. Include references only when requested by an employer.
2. Carefully consider whom to provide after discussion with the prospective employer. The time to check references is before an offer is made, but after the candidate is either the final candidate or among the final few for the job.
3. Seek references from people who actually know you and your work. Ask for permission to list them as a reference.
4. Ask directly if they can provide you with a positive reference for the position(s) you are seeking. If they hesitate, move on!
5. Prepare your references about who will be calling them and what to focus on when talking about you. Always ask them to call you after they have been called.
6. Prepare your references to speak consistently about your skills, but not identically. Suggest a different highlight for each person. Have 100 percent confidence in what they will say and how they speak about you, or cross them off the list.
7. Provide accurate contact information about your references, and ask your references how they prefer to be contacted (e-mail, phone, etc.).
8. Let your references know what happens to you and the position(s) you applied for. Thank your references.
9. Prepare a LinkedIn site to demonstrate your skills and interests.
10. Participate in professional blogs to create a history of professional involvement in your field that is independent of your work history.
Lie in an Interview? Right or Wrong? Part 2
Continue my last post, http://tipsinterview.com/2010/03/22/lie-in-an-interview-right-or-wrong-part-1/
4. I don't have any experience in the field or industry?
It will be clear in the interview that the experience you have from one position may not be in line with your needs working in a new position, Guinn says. "There is nothing in that which is inappropriate or in which any fact is being misrepresented." Stress your interest and what you can provide in the position and discuss what specific training you will be offered to create competency in your role.
5. I know my boss will give me a bad reference?
"Many bosses today refuse to discuss past employees with potential ones and turn these questions over to the HR department," Guinn says. "If you know your boss will give you a bad reference, tell the interviewer that you have concerns your reputation may be tarnished by working for the past employer, and you'd appreciate knowing if there was anything improper said about you during the reference checks."
6. I made much less in my last job, but think I deserve a significant raise?
It's tempting to want to inflate your past salary to earn more in your next role, but with more employers doing credit checks, you'll probably get caught. You're better advised to share the range of salary you received and ask about opportunities for improvement of salary, Guinn says.
7. I intend only to stay for a few months and/or don't want this to be my career?
"Employers invest large sums [of money] in finding the right candidate for a position. What's to say this can't be a great, long-term job for you?" Guinn says. "Many of us started out in a role with no plans to stay, but found that the job we took was meaningful, satisfied our personal and professional needs and paid us a worthy salary. You don't know what is going to happen in six months; always leave your options open."
8. I already have a vacation, wedding or getaway planned?
If you're hired, the employer is obviously going to find out sooner or later that you need some time off. If you offer to follow the appropriate measures, most employers will find a way to work around any previously planned events
9. I am overqualified for the job and want to leave some credentials off my résumé?
You've worked hard for those credentials and you should be proud of them. Guinn suggests having multiple résumés that differ based on the level of position for which you are applying. "List the qualifications you truly hold that would be of benefit in securing the job you want to have," he says.
10. I have an injury or illness that prevents me from doing necessary work for the job?
Many applicants are hesitant to address an injury or illness for fear that the employer will see them as a potential insurance liability. But Guinn says most employers will make accommodations for great applicants with a handicap. He suggests asking if any accommodations can be made and if not, seeking out an employer that is willing to make the adjustment.
Top 5 Ways to Wreck Your Job Interview
1. Being rude to the receptionist or assistant
Some candidates don't think it matters if they're dismissive of the hiring manager's assistant when arranging the interview or get upset at the receptionist because he or she mispronounced their name by mistake. After all, this person isn't the one making the hiring decision. But you may be surprised to learn that six out of 10 executives polled by Robert Half said they consider their assistant's opinion important when evaluating potential new hires. So remember to be polite and respectful to everyone you interact with during the hiring process.
2. Acting like you're the only person there
Consider this scenario: After you've checked in for the interview, you make a quick phone call to give your friend a blow-by-blow description of last night's party, speaking so loudly that everyone in the office can't help but hear you. That's the wrong approach. It's better to sit patiently and peruse any company literature in the lobby. Doing so demonstrates common courtesy and can help you learn more about the firm and its needs.
3. Arriving late
Getting to an interview on time or, for that matter, a few minutes early is an easy way to impress a prospective employer. Arriving late is not only unprofessional, it also shows the hiring manager that you have little regard for his or her schedule. It also calls into question your ability to show up to work on time, one of the most basic aspects of any job. Plus, arriving late could cause you to miss the meeting altogether if the interviewer has another appointment.
4. Going into the interview unprepared
Far too many candidates fail to properly prepare for the interview, believing that they can "wing it" and still make a strong impression. The savviest job seekers spend time considering questions the hiring manager will likely ask, so they can answer confidently during the meeting. They also research the employer ahead of time so they can explain how their skills match the open position, and also highlight their true interest in the company and position.
5. Not asking questions
As the interview winds down, the hiring manager will likely ask if you have any questions. Your answer should be yes. But your questions should go beyond "How much does the position pay?" and "How many days of vacation can I expect?" Although compensation and benefits are important components of any job, broach these subjects only if the prospective employer has expressed serious interest in hiring you -- usually not until the second or third interview. More appropriate questions for a first interview include "What will my specific duties be?" "What are your top priorities for this position?" and "What does a typical day in this position look like?"
