How to Give Job-Winning Answers to Interview Questions
Human Resources personnel, professional recruiters and other career experts all agree:
one of the best ways to prepare yourself for a
job interview is to anticipate questions, develop your answers, and practice.
Plenty of websites offer lists of popular job interview questions, and knowing the types of questions to expect can be very useful. But having a proven, systematic way to ANSWER those questions can mean the difference between getting the job and getting the "reject letter."But first, know these important facts:1. There is no way to predict every question you will be asked during a job interview. In other words, expect unexpected questions--they'll come up no matter how much preparation you do.
2. Treat any sample answers you find, such as in discussion forums, books or on Internet job sites, as GUIDES only. Do not use any sample answers word for word! Interviewers can spot "canned" answers a mile away, and if they suspect you are regurgitating answers that are not your own, you can kiss that job goodbye. You must apply your own experiences, personality and style to answer the questions in your own way. This is crucial, and it will give you a big advantage over candidates who simply recite sample answers.3.
Job interview questions are not things to fear, they are opportunities to excel. They allow you to show why you are the best person for the job, so instead of dreading them, look forward to them! The key is to give better answers than anyone else, and that's where your preparation comes in.Now, take these actions:1. Make a list of your best "selling points" for the position. What qualifications, skills, experience, knowledge, background, personality traits do you possess that would apply to this particular job? Write them down and look for opportunities to work them into your answers.2. In addition to any sample job interview questions you find through various resources, you must develop your own list of probable questions based on the job for which you are applying.
Put yourself in the hiring manager's shoes? what kinds of questions would you ask to find the best person for this job? 3. Write down your answers to likely questions.
Study the job announcement carefully. Note the phrases they use when describing the desired qualifications. You'll want to target these as much as possible when developing your answers.
For example, if the announcement specifies someone with "strong customer service skills," make sure you include "strong customer service skills" in at least one of your answers. That will make a better impression than saying "I helped customers." 4. Review and edit your answers until you feel they are "just right." Read them over and over until you are comfortable that you know them fairly well. Don't try to memorize them; don't worry about remembering every word. Practice saying them out loud.
If possible, have a friend help you rehearse for the interview.BIG TIP: Be a (Short) Story Teller. Make use of this old marketing tip: "Facts tell but stories sell."
During a job interview, you are selling yourself. Whenever possible, answer questions with a short story that gives specific examples of your experiences.
For example, imagine two candidates for a dog groomer position are asked, "Have you ever dealt with aggressive dogs?" Candidate Joe answers, "Yes, about 10% of the dogs I've groomed had aggressive tendencies."
Candidate Mary answers, "Yes, quite often. I remember one situation where a client brought in his Pit Bull, Chomper.
He started growling at me the moment his owner left, and I could tell from his stance he wasn't about to let me get near his nails with my clippers. I think he would've torn my arm off if I hadn't used the Schweitzer Maneuver on him. That calmed him down right away and I didn't have any problems after that." (Note: I know nothing about dog grooming; I made the Schweitzer Maneuver up for illustrative purposes.)Don't you agree that Mary's answer is better? Sure, Joe answered the question, but Mary did more than that--she gave a specific example and told a quick story that will be remembered by the interviewers. In today's job market where there are dozens of highly qualified candidates for each opening, anything you do that will make you stand out and be remembered will greatly increase your odds of getting hired.BIG TIP: Keep the Interviewer's Perspective in Mind; Answer His "What's in it for Me?" QuestionMany questions asked during job interviews appear to focus on your past accomplishments, but know this: they may be asking about what you did before, but what they really want to know is what you can do NOW, for THEM.The key is to talk about your past accomplishments in a way that shows how they are relevant to the specific job for which you are interviewing. Doing advance research about the company (such as at their website or at www.hoovers.com) and the position will be extremely helpful.
Here's another example with Joe and Mary. The interviewer asks, "What is the most difficult challenge you've faced, and how did you overcome it?" Joe answers with, "In one job I was delivering pizzas and I kept getting lost. By the time I'd find the address, the pizza would be cold, the customer would be unhappy, and my boss was ready to fire me. I overcame this problem by purchasing a GPS navigation device for my car. Now I never get lost!"
Mary answers, "In my current job at Stylish Hounds, management ran a special promotion to increase the number of customers who use the dog-grooming service.
It was a bit too successful because we suddenly had more customers than we could handle. Management would not hire additional groomers to help with the workload. Instead of turning customers away or significantly delaying their appointments, I devised a new grooming method that was twice as fast. Then I developed a new work schedule. Both efforts maximized productivity and we were able to handle the increased workload effectively without upsetting our customers."Joe's answer shows initiative and commitment (he bought that GPS gadget with his own money, after all).
But Mary's answer relates specifically to the job they are applying for (dog groomer). And Mary had done research about the company and discovered it was about to significantly expand it's dog-grooming operations. So she picked an example from her past that addressed an issue the interviewer was likely to apply to a future situation in his company. See the difference?Here's another example. Joe and Mary are asked, "What's your greatest accomplishment?" Joe answers, "I won two Olympic Gold Medals during the 2000 Olympics in the high-jump competition."
Mary answers, "I was named Stylish Hounds's Dog Groomer of the Year in 2003 for increasing productivity in my section by 47%."Joe's accomplishment is pretty spectacular.
But remember the interviewer's perspective. He might be impressed, but he's thinking "What's in it for me? What does being a world-class high-jumper four years ago have to do with helping me to increase sales in my dog-grooming department?" Mary's answer is much less spectacular than Joe's, but it's relevant to the position and indicates that she has what it takes to be successful in this particular job. It tells the interviewer, "I have what you're looking for; I can help you with your specific needs."Looks like Mary has a new job!In summary, here's what you need to do when preparing to answer job onterview questions:1. Study the job announcement.2. Research the company.3.
Anticipate likely questions.4. Prepare answers to those questions that are relevant to the position and the company.5. Promote your best "selling points" (relevant qualifications, capabilities, experience, personality traits, etc.) by working them into your answers.6. Practice!Bonnie Lowe is author of the popular "Job Interview Success System" and publishes a free ezine called "Career-Life Times." More information, and additional strategies for job seekers, are available at her website, http://www.best-interview-strategies.com.
Alonso, Bourdais, Johnson: National Speed Sport News Ranks the World’s Top Racers This Week
Harrisburg, N.C. (ContentDesk) April 5, 2006 -- Right now, Fernando Alonso from Formula 1 is the best driver in the world, according to newsweekly National Speed Sport News. In the papers Power Rankings, Alonso had the top spot ahead of Sebastien Bourdais from Champ Car and current NASCAR points leader Jimmy Johnson. Each week the paper at http://www.NationalSpeedSportNews.com ranks the Top 10 drivers from all forms of motorsports based on their performance at the track and points standings. Melanie Troxel, the only female racer ranked, moved up to fifth place ahead of notable names like Steve Kinser and Tony Stewart.
NASCAR and NHRA are the only two series represented by more than one driver.1). Fernando Alonso, Formula 1. Alonsos triumph in Australia was his second in three races this season. He has also finished second once.2). Sebastien Bourdais, Champ Car World Series.
Bourdais finally gets his season...
Alonso, Bourdais, Johnson: National Speed Sport News Ranks the World’s Top Racers This Week
Sample resume > Alonso, Bourdais, Johnson: National Speed Sport News Ranks the World’s Top Racers This Week
Class.com Releases Research Data: ?Online Learning: A Real-World Perspective?
Lincoln, NE (ContentDesk) January 21 2004-?Results presented in the white paper represent data collected by Class.com's Research Information Center through
July 30, 2003, with a sample size of 1,235 students drawn from Class.com's nationwide network of partner e-learning programs. The white paper details the results of Class.com's past and ongoing research into student outcomes, usage models, and student and teacher survey feedback."Quality research is vital to improving student achievement. We probably have more experience?and more successful experience?than just about anyone else in this arena," said Class.com CEO Katharine Endacott. "We've learned many, many lessons along the way, and our research helps us to incorporate those lessons into our instructional design processes and professional development programs."Highlights of the report include the following:????Student Demographics (88% of students considered regular or at-risk)????Student Outcomes (75% of students successfully...
Sample resume > Class.com Releases Research Data: ?Online Learning: A Real-World Perspective?
The 5 Obsessions of a Passionate Employee
A recent report entitled "How Google Grows?and Grows?and Grows" stated that the 650 people that work at Google are the most passionate bunch of geeks in the high tech industry. Google was also recently called the fastest growing company in history. To mimic their growth and success, passion must be injected into every level of your organization. The quickest and easiest way to do this is to hire passionate people. Passion is an easy thing to spot once you know where to look.
By understanding the 5 following characteristics you can develop an eye for passion and begin surrounding yourself with it.Voluntarily Working OvertimePassionate employees see the end of the work day as an interruption rather than a relief. They often stay hours after work to complete their projects, and take work home on the weekends when co-workers nag them about working too hard. To determine whether an employee has this during an interview, ask them the following question;"Tell me about a time when you...
The 5 Obsessions of a Passionate Employee
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New Ways to Make Fitness Equipment - From Scrap
According to Jerry Hill, founder of Philadelphia-based FitForce Camp, those tires are treasures waiting to be discovered.
"Instead of spending thousands on a piece of fitness equipment, you can pick up those tires, usually for no charge, and turn them into fun and effective workout tools."
Inspired to make use of this unwanted landscape, Hill has incorporated used tires into his FitForce camp workouts.
With 20 years of experience in strength and conditioning under his belt, Hill states that some of his most successful workouts involve the use of items that can be found in most households, or in the case of used tires, on the side of the road.
He gives an example, "Take a piece of rope.
Tie one end of it around the tire, the other end around your waste and then take off running (or walking)."
He adds that for his FitForce Camps, he usually loads the tires up with some old weights, chains, or even concrete to increase the resistance....
Sample resume > New Ways to Make Fitness Equipment - From Scrap
Cure Acne Naturally
Fort Myers, Florida (ContentDesk) May 16, 2006 -- Chris Gibson shows us how to naturally remove acne using a simple method anyone can follow. The pain and agony of acne can now be cured in 3 days using my easy program. Look Better, Feel Better, and Raise Your Self-Esteem 150% by Banishing Your Acne in Only 3 Days.Acne Free In 3 Days offers a natural acne cure. Many of our customers are stating similar statements to Chris who said, "I didn't think I would ever get rid of the acne that had tormented me for so long. I desperately wanted to feel better about myself.
I wanted the acne gone - so, I gave it a try. After 3 days, I woke up and made the slow walk to my bathroom mirror. I walked in with my eyes closed, and when I opened them, my jaw dropped to the floor! Visit the website at http://www.infodepotshop.com/acne.htmThe methods consist of natural ingredients everyone can get a hold of. Many of the ingredients...
Cure Acne Naturally
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Competitrack uses Promixis Girder for their Remote Management and Automation Needs
MINNEAPOLIS, March 30, 2006 -- Competitrack relies on Promixis Girder for managing its remote advertising monitoring facilities.
Using the remote access capability of Girder, staff in New York is able to check on the accurate tuning of TV receivers connected in cities throughout the country and fully operate these receivers with the clicks of a few buttons.
Girder is also used to change channels on these receivers according to a preset schedule so we are able to sample channels and
monitor segments on demand. "For 20 years Competitrack has been committed to acquiring new and innovative technologies that give our customers the competitive edge in
ad monitoring", said Hans Vredeling, Senior Vice President Broadcast Monitoring Services. "The Girder solution integrated very well with our existing cutting edge technologies, while also extending our next day coverage in remote regions of the U.S." About Competitrack, Inc.Competitrack is a full service competitive...
Sample resume > Competitrack uses Promixis Girder for their Remote Management and Automation Needs
Geodex Details Gold Bearing Zones in the Vicinity of the Cape Spencer Open Pit.
(ContentDesk) October 3, 2004 -- The open pit area lies at the southwestern end of the ten kilometre long property on which Geodex has been exploring a total of fourteen gold-bearing zones for the past year. Results from those zones have been independently reported. Gold in the former Cape Spencer mine and throughout the rest of the belt is known to occur in pyritic, illite-altered areas within mylonitized Precambrian granitoid rocks and Cambrian sediments. The Cape Spencer mine operated from 1985 to 1988, producing 226,000 tonnes of ore with an average grade of 1.6 g/t gold. However, controls are uncertain for the gold mineralization in the pit area.
Aside from re-establishing the potential of lower grade zones, one of the mandates of this company was to establish if discrete, higher-grade zones existed and could be followed outside the boundaries of the pit.Several drill holes and surface mapping in and around the pit have established the style and location of gold mineralization...
Geodex Details Gold Bearing Zones in the Vicinity of the Cape Spencer Open Pit.
Sample resume > Geodex Details Gold Bearing Zones in the Vicinity of the Cape Spencer Open Pit.