Get ready for some interview questions During the interview's discussion portion, you may be asked s

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Get ready for some interview questions During
the interview's discussion portion, you may be
asked some questions that seem strange. However,
the interviewer really is trying to get specific
information from you about your work experience,
customer-service ability, problem-solving skills,
and creativity. Be prepared to show how you could
apply these skills to the interviewer's work
environment.
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• Review the list of questions below and be
  prepared to answer these or other similar
  questions.
  
• General
• Why should I hire you?
• How do you determine or evaluate success?
• Tell me a little about yourself.

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• Have you ever encountered major problems and how
  did you overcome them?
  
• What have you learned from your
  mistakes/successes?
  
• Do you enjoy working with people or things? Why?
  
  
• How do you respond to criticism?

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• Educational experience
• What course(s) did you like best/least in
  school?
  
• In what school activities did you participate?
• Why did you choose to major in... ?
• How has your course work prepared you for this
  job?
  

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• What do you expect to be earning in... years?
• Are you willing to relocate? Travel?

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• Personal characteristics
• How would you describe yourself?
• Describe yourself using five adjectives then,
  using three of them, give me specific examples of
  your performance.
  
• How do you work under pressure? Give me examples.
  
  
• What are your strengths/weaknesses?

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• Work experience
• Tell me about your current or a previous job.
• Describe your responsibilities or what you did.
• On what projects did you work?
• Describe your relationship with your supervisor.
• Give me examples of your work experience in which
  you demonstrated tenacity... integrity...
  honesty.
  

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• Goals and interests
• What are your goals for this job?
• What do you really want to do in life?

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First impressions An interviewer typically
decides whether an applicant should be seriously
considered for a job within 20 seconds of the
interview's beginningfirst impressions count!
To make the best first impression, enter the
interview room briskly don't be timid.
Introduce yourself to those present, and offer
your hand. Make sure your hands are dry and that
you offer a firm but not
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crushing handshake. When greeting the
interviewer, use his or her name with Mr., Ms.,
Dr., etc. Be sure to ask with whom you will meet
when scheduling your interview. Although you
probably will be nervous, try to appear natural,
friendly, and poised. You will want to be
enthusiastic but not overbearing so don't gush.
Wait for the interviewer to invite you to have a
seat. Once seated, remember to smile and to look
the interviewer in the eye. Refrain from
fidgeting. Keep your hands in your
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lap, although some gesturing is fine, and your
legs still and uncrossed). Sit up, look alert,
and pay attention at all times. This introduction
or beginning will lay the foundation for the rest
of the interview.
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Some dose and don'ts As you answer questions
during the interview, keep in mind some dos and
don'ts for effective interviewing. Do be
yourself in the interview be humorous if you
want. Don't be afraid to sound excited about your
career. Be honest.
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Don't dance around past failures, and don't
apologize for weaknesses. Instead, if
appropriate, explain what you learned from them
or what steps you took to correct them. Remember,
you are selling yourself so be sure to comment
on your positive points without being conceited
or excessively self-centered. Do make your
answers to your interviewer's questions
meaningful. Avoid short answers like "yes" or
"no" as well as long, endless answers.
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Don't disclose confidential information about a
former or current employer or coworker. Let the
interviewer bring up the issues of salary,
raises, and benefits. If you've done your
homework, you should have an adequate
understanding of these aspects. You may want to
write these and other appropriate questions down
before the interview, and take the list with
you. Do not ask whether you got the job or when
you can start.
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• Your turn to ask the questions Remember, you
  too need to ask questions during the interview.
  Asking questions allows you to "interview the
  interviewer" as well as show how your interests
  meet with the requirements of the job. You may
  want to ask
• What are the opportunities for career growth
  within your organization?
  
• Why do you enjoy working for this organization?

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• For what qualities are you looking in new hires?
  
  
• Why should I want to work for your organization
  as compared to others?
  
• How can you best use my abilities?
• Describe a typical day in this position.

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What to do after your interview As the
interview concludes, you may get a last-minute
sales pitch about the organization from the
interviewer especially if he or she is excited
about you. Chances are you won't get a job offer
on the spot. Be prepared to wait you may even
have to go through some follow-up interviews.
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If you have additional questions, ask them during
the interview's conclusion. If you are not
excited about the job's potential, now is the
time to decline. Do not keep the interviewer
assuming you still are interested. Likewise, if
you are interested, make it clear! Offer to
provide any additional information let the
interviewer know you enjoyed the interview and
exit gracefully.
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Be sure to send your interviewer(s) a brief,
personalized "thank you" letter. Reaffirm your
interest in the position if that is the case. Try
to get the letter in the mail that evening or the
day following your interview. This also is your
opportunity to include overlooked information or
to emphasize key points.