SAMPLE INTERVIEW QUESTIONS
Going on your interview can be very stressful, especially not knowing what they are going to ask you. To help prepare for your interview, I have come up with some popular questions, and ways to answer them.
Q: What are your strengths?
Know what your employer is looking for, don't talk about all of your strengths just the ones that apply to the job. Whichever strengths you choose to tell, make sure you back it up with examples.
Q: Why do you want to work in this field?
This is the time to show how passionate you are about the work you do. talk about specific areas that are interesting to you, and then connect them to your strengths.
Q: One time you have been a leader?
Talk about a specific time that you took the role as a leader by telling them the situation, task, action, and result. Before you go into the interview, think of five short stories that you can tell (60-90 seconds)
Q: What are your weaknesses?
First, you need to figure out what your weakness is, and some how turn it into a positive. You can tell them a weakness that you over came while working at your internship, the key is to show how you improved/are improving it. Make sure to give specific examples of how you are working on it.
Q: What are you most proud of accomplishing this year?
Tell the interviewer something that will give them a better understanding of who you are. Highlight your best qualities to help the interviewer see that you are the best for this job. For example I would talk about how I was the top fundraiser for relay for life for the second year in a row. I would then relate it to communications (the field I want to go in)
-Meg
-Meg
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PREPARING FOR YOUR INTERVIEWIt is easy to get caught up in making the best resume possible; but what if you did just that and it lands you an interview, are you ready??
With having had a few interviews of my own, I'd like to share some of these experiences with you.
1. Research
You want to make sure that before you head into your interview you have done all the necessary background research about the company. Really use this tool to figure out who they are, what they are all about and what currently is going on. This shows the interviewer that you know what you are talking about and that you did your homework. If they know that you follow their business then they know you are serious about getting the job. It may not be a bad idea to jot down a few questions of your own so that there is no dead air. Let the interviewer do their job but asking a question or two at the right times shows you really want it!
2. Dress to Impress
No matter what the job is, don't show up in sweats. If you want to really sell yourself you need to make sure that you look your best. Sometimes this can be difficult, especially for women. Men can throw on a button down shirt, tie and jacket and they are out the door. Women have a few more decisions to make like whether or not to wear pants or a skirt. How long should the skirt be? Is your blouse too revealing etc. You will only be hurting yourself if you don't look your best when you first walk into the room. They may be able to make a decision right then and there regardless of how well you may do in the interview.
3. Practice Practice Practice
There are so many ways to prepare yourself before your interview. One thing I like to do and feel is very beneficial is looking over possible interview questions before. There are numerous text and other material with various popular interview questions. Look them over and come up with answers of your own so that way if they ask, you will be ready with an answer. Make sure you feel confident with the answers. One suggestion I have is to not overdo it. You don't want your answers to sound rehearsed when asked. Try and remember a few key terms or points in each response and let the rest of it come naturally. One way to check how you would do with this is to read your responses out loud or have a 'mock' interview with someone who will be able to give you feedback for improvements.
Be prepared to answer questions about your resume as well. Make sure it has been updated since you sent it out, you don't want to have to try and explain any gaps. Be sure you are ready to further explain anything on it.
4. Sell Yourself
At the interview, this is really your chance to sell yourself. Not boast, but let the interviewer know what skills you have to bring to the table. This is where being multi-talented comes into play. If you are not only good at one thing, you have more of a chance of getting hired. Maybe the position you applied for isn't where they think you will fit, they might have a different one for you instead. Be ready to provide examples to explain what you have listed on your resume. They also may want to see more so make sure that you have examples of your work, if possible.
5. Professional Presence
From the moment you walk in you're on the clock (so don't be late). You want to make the best out of the time you do have for the interview. Whether you like it or not, you are being judged on everything from the clothes you are wearing to your personality to your responses to each question. It is difficult being in the spotlight, trust me I know. One of the first things an interviewer may want to know is whether or not you will fit the atmosphere of their company or business. Be polite, use manners and be yourself. Chances are you are not the first person the company has interviewed. Be professional but don't be afraid to let a little personality shine through. Posture and presence are also essential. Be courteous when entering the room. Say good morning or good afternoon and shake their hand. An article in the New York Times said, Whether it’s a first handshake, your attire or eye contact, first impressions matter."
"Be proud of all that you have accomplished, and make sure that is expressed in your answers. Smile. Look excited to be there; don't make the interviewer feel like they are wasting your time.
6. Rest Up
After getting yourself ready for the interview, make sure to get a good night's sleep. In the morning, be sure to eat a healthy breakfast, and finally breathe. Have confidence in yourself! This is the part I find to be difficult. Before each interview I have had, I can never sleep and have too many butterflies for a good breakfast. It is natural to be nervous, just don't let the interviewer see that you are.
There is so many things to think about before going to your first interview, just remember to be you. If the outcome of the interview is not what you were hoping for, don't get discouraged. You may want to even ask the interviewer what other jobs they think you would be suitable for. If even after you show you are still sincerely interested in a job, they may keep your resume on file. Remember to leave professionally. There will be plenty of opportunities for interviews
-Heather
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TIPS FOR YOUR INTERVIEW
So after exchanging phone calls, emails, tweets, posts, and every other form of communication with that oh-so-special potential employer, where does one even begin once you’ve landed that actual interview? Well, how about at step one? A shower…
The first thing any potential employer is going zero in on is how you present yourself. When you walk into the room, it is important to dress according to the job you are applying for. Many professional settings will be looking for a minimum of dress slacks and a collared shirt from gentleman and the female equivalent of dress pants and a business professional top. It is also important to be neatly groomed included teeth, hair, and nails- nobody is going to think twice of your abilities if you decide to stroll in with bed head and eye crusties from the night before!
The Career Consulting Corner focuses on the seven most important pointers for an interview.
1. Plan ahead!
- This is something I have experienced personally. My father is the Vice President of an international bank, and the first piece of advice he gave me was to do my homework! With the Internet today, it is literally a click away to find even just some background pointers on the company you are meeting with. This winter I had an interview with the Brockton Rox baseball team; and with the help of my father I knew to look up a few quick facts about the team as well as the gentleman I was speaking with. This is definitely an impresser in the interview room! When you seem prepared, in my opinion, you are taken more seriously.
2. Role play?
- At first glance, I thought this advice was telling me to fake it once I met my interviewer and just say what they want to hear- not at all! In fact, that would be harmful for both parties involved. It is important to be honest and engage in conversation. The CCC was referring to rehearsing the information you’ve researched prior to arriving at the interview. I usually find myself talking up my background experience and simulating question and answer sessions in the car ride over.
3. Eye contact
- As a man with a lot of experience being the interviewer, my dad said eye contact is crucial. He explained that your potential employer will notice not only if you maintain eye contact, but also the way you sit, speak, and carry yourself when entering the room.
4. Be positive!
- Not only should you seem interested in your potential future with this company, but it is also considered poor taste to bad mouth previous employers. You want to be enthusiastic not only about the position, but also relay a confidence in yourself and your own qualifications.
5. Adapt
- Once you get there all the practice during the drive over is not going to prepare you for the situation that you walk into. Your interviewer could be running late, or the location of your meeting moved to another floor, it is okay! Make sure you stay relax and open to the changes. Also, be sensitive to the style and age of the interviewer.
6. Relate
- Try to be able to connect your own real-life experiences with questions you are being presented. I found it is most impressive when the potential employer tells you a goal you will be working towards accomplishing if/when (be positive!) you are given the position, and you are able to give an example of a similar situation in which you have familiarity. For example, at the baseball interview I was told we would targeting local families, trying to reach out and get them to attend more games. At my college, our Student-Athlete Committee, which I was a representative in, had the same challenge in reaching out to our community. Great to offer suggestions, without being too forward!
7. Encourage
- Ask the interviewer to share their own information, which again goes back to making sure you are engaged! The conversation can become more personal if it leads in that direction, and often times people are flattered to answer simple interests regarding their own lives. It should not end up a simple question and answer session, but rather come off as a familiar conversation.
That is what the CCC left me with for now. One final addition from Dad is something that may considered by some to be out-dated or “old school” but is looked upon fondly by others. After your meeting is over, take the time to send a note to your interviewer (can be via e-mail) thanking them for taking the time to meet with you. Also, you want to mention maybe one or two of the topics you touched upon to show genuine interest.
Hope this helps on your first big go-around!
-Amanda
