Company Contacts
Someone once said that it's not what you know but who you know. While this may not be completely true, never underestimate the power of networking. Check out our growing list of company contacts.
Job Search Websites
15 Supereffective Interview Tactics (Robin Ryan, www.workingwoman.com)
Advance Strategies
- Analyze the job and company. Do research on the Internet and call any contact you have to get an insider's perspective. At the very least, learn what the company does; know its products or services, and be familiar with recent developments in the industry.
- Get a job description. Ask the human resources department to fax you a complete, up-to-date profile. Try to learn as much as possible about the requirements of the job.
- Create a five-point agenda. This defines your top selling points for the job in question. For example, you might include extensive computer capabilities or relevant experience at a competing company.
- Compose your "60-second sell" and practice it several times. This is the perfect response to questions such as "Tell me about yourself," "What are your strengths?" or "Why should I hire you?" It's also the best way to summarize and end an interview.
- Gather evidence of your talent. Be ready to show visual examples of your work. Displaying a spreadsheet or a project outline is much more influential than just telling someone about it.
- Practice giving succinct answers to potential tough questions. "Why do you want to leave your job?" "What's your weakness?" Responses are much easier to compose when you are not in the hot seat to provide them.
- Offer only solid references. Prepare a list of those who have either supervised you or dealt with you extensively and can give a firsthand report on your job performance.
- Practice your delivery. Use a tape recorder or video camera to hear how you sound. Ask a friend to role-play and interview you, or visit a career counselor for feedback and guidance.
Acing the Interview
- During the meeting, respond to questions in 60 seconds or less. One-word answers are too short, but lengthy, babbling replies will lose the interviewer's interest.
- Offer plenty of examples. Employers hire based on their assumption that what you've done in the past indicates how you'll perform for them.
- Use a firm handshake. Grip firmly, look into the person's eyes, and say her name when introduced and departing.
- Listen carefully and answer questions directly. If you are unclear on anything, ask for clarification before you give your answer.
- Create conversation. Build rapport by asking some questions as you go. If you've discussed computer skills, inquire about the systems they use. Then respond with any related experience you have to offer.
- Demonstrate interest and enthusiasm. A monotone or poker face won't convince the employer you are a strong contender. Radiate interest and energy about doing the job, confidently offering past-performance examples to show how you'll succeed in this new position.
- Send a neatly written or typed thank-you note within 48 hours of the interview. Define three or four points that demonstrate why you would succeed at this job. Always thank the interviewer for the opportunity, even if it's a job you no longer want. That courtesy may be remembered for a better job down the line.
Possible Interview Questions
The best way to prepare for an interview is to have a couple different examples of each of the following categories. Most likely, you will be able to use those examples to answer the questions that the interviewer may ask. If you have other questions that you have encountered that you would like to see added to this list, please email them to us.
[note: These questions are one which our members have encountered.]
General
- Why did you leave your previous job?
- What do you think makes you the best candidate for this job?
- What is your biggest weakness?
Leadership
- Tell me about a time when something significant was accomplished that you made happen.
- Tell me about a time when you were able to step into a situation, take charge, get support, and bring about excellent results.
- Give me a specific example of when you have led a group to do something they did not want to do, when you were not able to rely on the power of your position.
Thinking/Problem Solving
- Describe a time when you had to analyze facts quickly, define the key issues, and develop a plan which produced good results.
- If you had to do that activity over again, how would you do it differently?
- How did you make that decision?
- Tell me about a time when you saw something succeed and reapplied the idea in a different context.
- Describe a time when you successfully learned a new skill or a new type of work.
Initiative/Follow-through
- Give an example of a situation where you had to overcome major obstacles to achieve your objectives.
- Tell me about a goal that you set that you were able to achieve.
- What was the most difficult obstacle you have had to overcome at (work/home/school) and how did you manage it?
- Give an example of something you started that was not there before you initiated it.
Priority Setting
- Describe a time when you had to pick out the most important things in some activity and make sure those things got done.
Communication
- Describe a time when you had to present a proposal to a person in authority and were able to do this successfully.
- Describe a situation where you had to be persuasive and sell your idea to someone else.
Working Effectively with Others
Creativity and Innovation
Technical Mastery
This page was last modified on November 23, 2003, by Erica Hoffman .