| Do you have a big job interview coming up? If so, you | | | | realized what a significant effect the efforts of one |
| want to do all you can to put your best foot forward. | | | | individual could have on the business as a whole." Then |
| One of the most important things you can do is to | | | | give quantitative data demonstrating how you |
| anticipate what types of questions they may ask, and | | | | increased sales or productivity. Finish with a statement |
| know how you will answer them. It's important to | | | | such as, "I believe I can make a similar, or even greater |
| practice, but also important to make sure your | | | | positive impact at your company as well." |
| answers sound natural and unrehearsed. | | | | 3. Please tell me about your experience. If, in your |
| Here are five common interview questions that you | | | | research for this interview, you identified certain areas |
| should prepare for before your next interview. I have | | | | where the company is concentrating its efforts, you |
| also provided some helpful suggestions for how best | | | | can match your experience to those areas and |
| to answer the questions. | | | | respond accordingly. |
| 1. Why should we hire you? This can be an awkward | | | | If you do not find any such areas of focus, then you |
| question to answer for some job candidates. The | | | | can ask them to clarify by saying, "do you mean my |
| question goes against all we've learned about the | | | | experience in a particular area, or my experience |
| virtues of being modest, but a job interview is a critical | | | | overall?" Based on their answer, you should be able to |
| time to throw your modesty out the window and be | | | | craft an answer that pairs your experience with the |
| confident in your accomplishments. | | | | needs of the company. |
| The interviewer wants to know what contributing skills | | | | 4. What is the most difficult situation you have |
| or abilities you will bring to the company. A good way | | | | encountered at work? When you answer this question, |
| to answer is to provide ways that your skills match up | | | | be sure to answer with a problem that you were able |
| with the job requirements listed in the job posting as | | | | to solve. Explain a challenging situation to which your |
| well as requirements mentioned in the interview. It's fine | | | | hard work and ingenuity resulted in a happy ending for |
| to take notes of these key points while you are talking | | | | the company, and quantify the results. You should |
| to the interviewer provided you keep your attention on | | | | avoid discussing difficult situations that included |
| them, and do not divert your eyes for too long. | | | | personality conflicts with people at work, as well as |
| Also, while this is your time to sing your own praises, | | | | problems with family or friends. |
| don't ramble. Try to keep your answer concise. | | | | 5. How long does it take you per week to complete |
| 2. Why are you pursuing this position? When crafting | | | | your work tasks? This is one of those questions that |
| your answer to this question, make sure that your | | | | does not always have a perfect answer. If you |
| answer is not shallow or self-motivated. Do not | | | | respond that it takes you 40 hours, it may sound like |
| answer with reasons such as you are looking to | | | | you watch the clock and aren't willing to put in extra |
| increase your salary, want to work closer to home, or | | | | time. If you say it takes 50 or 60 hours, they may feel |
| have more vacation time. This is another opportunity to | | | | you are slow, inefficient, or easily distracted. The best |
| tell the interviewer why you are right for their | | | | solution is to provide an answer that doesn't give a |
| company. | | | | specific number. Answer that you work diligently to |
| Answer the question by explaining how you can be an | | | | finish tasks accurately and on time, and that you will |
| asset to the company and improve their numbers. You | | | | put in whatever time is required to complete the job. |
| could say something such as "In my current job, I | | | | |