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Interview Questions 10 questions (and a few more)

1. TELL ME ABOUT YOURSELF. TIPS • Expect this question and be prepared to answer it. • Mention those things which you are proud of and comfortable talking about, keeping them job-related (skills, abilities, personal qualities, work experience, vocational training, etc. )

1. TELL ME ABOUT YOURSELF, Continued • Tell Me About Yourself ~ Oh No! What do I Say? • Ideally the answer to this question should be approximately a 2 to 5 minute overview of your back ground tailored to match the company and position. Your goal is to practice this answer verbally until it becomes second nature.

1. TELL ME ABOUT YOURSELF, Continued Step 1: Begin with an upbeat statement • “I would like to focus on my previous and current positions and how successful and rewarding they have been. My first job was…” Step 2 Include some accomplishments • Try to use one or two power stories that focus on your results. “My position in ASB/on the football team has given me the opportunity to. . . ”

1. TELL ME ABOUT YOURSELF, Continued Step 3 Why are you seeking this position? • “Currently I am looking for a position doing _______ because____. ” Step 4 Use a closure statement to create a smooth ending • “Is there anything else you would like me to cover? ”

1. TELL ME ABOUT YOURSELF SAMPLE 1 For three years, I have been a member of the REV Speech and Debate Team. I have worked extremely hard attempting to be one of the most successful members and excellent president. Also, my nine years of volunteer work with the Native Sons of the Golden West has prepared me for longevity and dedication in a single profession. What other information can I offer?

1. TELL ME ABOUT YOURSELF SAMPLE 2 In my previous and current positions I have been very successful, and the various jobs that I have had have been rewarding to me. My experiences in school have also influenced my work ethic and personality. Throughout my high school career I have been an active member of American Cancer Society which has taught me much responsibility and shown me that integrity is something very important. I have been one of the top players on the varsity tennis team of my high school every year since I was a freshman and this has also been a part of my understanding of the importance of responsibility. This, as well as being a member and now an editor of the school newspaper has made me a very dedicated person and a diligent worker. I am interested in being an employee for your company because I am confident I could do a great job, and your company seems to fit my interests and personality very well. Is there anything else you would like to know about me?

2. TELL ME ABOUT A TIME WHEN YOU HAD AN IDEA AND MADE IT HAPPEN. Tips Think about something that shows skills that would be job/career related. Be positive about the process. Be specific about the situation.

2. TELL ME ABOUT A TIME WHEN YOU HAD AN IDEA AND MADE IT HAPPEN. Sample Several years ago, I noticed that our company wrote a great deal of recommendation letters. It was difficult to get those letters printed on company letterhead. I got the idea for a scanned copy of the letterhead that could be placed on the computer network so that letters could be word processed onto a template with the company letterhead on it. I checked with the CEO of the company and got his “ok” and then talked to the technology person who scanned in the document for all to use.

3. TELL ME ABOUT A TIME WHEN YOU WERE OVERWHELMED BY SCHOOL, JOB, ACTIVITY OR JUST LIFE IN GENERAL AND HOW YOU SUCCESSFULLY HANDLED IT. Tips Be careful that you don’t get too negative in this answer. The employer is trying to see that you have coping skills and that you have thought through what you do in times of stress. Discuss (if applicable) what qualities you learned about yourself so that you can correct the situation.

3. TELL ME ABOUT A TIME WHEN YOU WERE OVERWHELMED BY SCHOOL, JOB, ACTIVITY OR JUST LIFE IN GENERAL AND HOW YOU SUCCESSFULLY HANDLED IT. Sample: My junior year of high school, I volunteered for too many “extra” assignments. I was involved in the American Cancer Society, and I truly felt the importance of what the club stood for. But I had too many things to accomplish and not enough time to accomplish them in. I sat down and made a list of things that needed done and then prioritized that list so that I was more organized. Then I discovered that there were some things I just was unable to complete myself. I found that I had to ask for help, which upset me. I like to be responsible for myself and live up to what I say I will do. But I also learned a great deal about myself: I learned that I can ask for help if I need it, and I learned that being organized can really make the impossible become possible.

4. WHY SHOULD I HIRE YOU? TIPS • Put yourself in the shoes of a typical employer in your field and ask yourself what you would want to see in an applicant. State three basic needs. • Speak to those three needs by stating how you can fill them. • Add a statement which reinforces the fact that the employer will profit by hiring you.

4. WHY SHOULD I HIRE YOU? SAMPLE This position requires someone with intellect, professionalism, and responsibility. These characteristics sum me up perfectly. I also have many other great abilities such as prioritization, leadership, and communication. I could be a great asset to the building of this company.

5. WHAT ARE YOUR STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES? What are your strengths? TIPS • Remember that we all have strengths and that it’s important for you to be able to notice yours and to communicate them effectively to an employer. • State those positive traits which would be most highly valued in the job for which you are applying.

5. WHAT ARE YOUR STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES? • • • What are your weaknesses? TIPS Be willing to admit that you have areas of weakness. Do not bring up weaknesses which would cause the employer to question your behavior or performance on the job. Bring up a weakness which could be seen as a strength in the vocational area you want to enter. For example, getting bored with repetitive tasks could be seen as a strength on a job in which one’s duties are constantly changing. Mention to the employer how you are working to correct your weakness.

5. WHAT ARE YOUR STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES? Sample Answer One of my strengths is my commitment to my duties, my achievement, and my employer’s satisfaction. I always stick with my promises and assignments through thick and thin. I have extraordinary leadership skills that are essential with proper organization and promotion in this company. Are there any particular skills that you are looking for? A weakness I have is that I tend to become impatient with myself when I have difficulty learning a new process. This impatience, however, forces me to work above and beyond to correct the situation. I am pleased that my impatience pushes me because the difficulty does not seem to last very long. I hope to be easier on myself so that I am able to concentrate on learning to overcome my frustration.

6. WHAT DID YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT YOUR LAST JOB? TIPS • Do not strain to answer as if you were hard-put to think of something positive to say. • Mention some aspect of your previous job that you will find in your new job. • Sell a personal trait of yours by saying, “What I liked most was having the opportunity to use my ________skills. ” • Remember: If you don’t have anything good to say, don’t say anything at all!

6. WHAT DID YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT YOUR LAST JOB? SAMPLE I liked most the opportunity to work with the people I did. Not only did I develop intellectually from the experience, but I also developed socially from the kind people that I met at my last job. Working within the community on such a close level has helped me more than I could have possibly imagined.

7. WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT OUR COMPANY AND WHY DO YOU WANT TO WORK HERE? • Do company research before your interview. • Relate what you know about the company to your interests, needs, abilities, etc. Ask yourself how each fact about the company might matter to you if you were an employee. • Make positive statements about the company. • If relevant, ask the employer’s permission to take notes. • If you haven’t researched the company for some reason, your best response to this question might be, “Actually I know very little about your company and I wondered if you wouldn’t mind answering a few questions”. Then proceed with your inquiries. • Expect this question and be prepared to answer it. • Express interest and motivation to work for the employer who is interviewing you. • Do some research on the company so that you know why you want to work there.

7. WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT OUR COMPANY AND WHY DO YOU WANT TO WORK HERE? Sample: I am very interested in the professional field that this job has to offer me. After conducting my research, I have found that your company is one of the best in the area and I would be honored to associate my work with this company’s reputation for quality work produced by some of the most intelligent and educated people in the field. It is probable that this company will go far and will make great strides in a short while. This is the exact reason why I would love to work for your company.

8. WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELF IN FIVE YEARS? TIPS • If you do not know where you will be in five years, remember that you are no exception to the rule; most of us are ‘highly mobile’ in this culture. • Keep your answers job related. • Do not express career interests which are totally unrelated to the job you are applying for unless it is obvious to you and to the employer that the job you are applying for is a short-term work situation. SAMPLE I hope that I will have gained a lot of experience and seniority in this profession and your company. I wish to gain as much experience in this field not only to apply while at work but also in my life for my future experiences. In the farther future, I hope to fulfill my dream of becoming an ambassador or Secretary of State.

9. WHAT DO YOU DO IN YOUR SPARE TIME? TIPS • Remember that the employer is not trying to pry into your personal life, but is possibly attempting to strike up a friendly conversation so as to ‘lighten up’ the interview. • Do not mention pastimes which carry negative connotations or give rise to unpleasant stereotypes. • Describe your activities in an interesting and positive manner. • Do not give details of your pastimes unless they are asked for by the employer.

9. WHAT DO YOU DO IN YOUR SPARE TIME? continued • SAMPLE • I am a fan of government-based fiction stories. I enjoy many novels concerning the Presidency, the Department of Defense, and major historical events. Once I start reading a wonderful book, I find it difficult to put it down. I also like social gatherings with friends and family. A good book and friends are essential parts of my spare time.

10. HOW SOON COULD YOU START? TIPS • Know the answer to this question before it’s asked. • If you are already employed, express your need to be fair to your present employer and give two weeks’ notice. The interviewer will respect you for your consideration. • Do not give an unrealistic time frame in order to please the interviewer. Be honest. • Do not give personal reasons for delaying your start date. Phrases like “I have commitments up until ____(date)____” or “the soonest I could make arrangements to begin work here would be ____(date)____” can be used instead. • Other good answers for those people who can start work immediately are “Right away”, “Today!” or “Anytime. " You name it!”

10. HOW SOON COULD YOU START? continued Sample: I could start within two weeks so I could setup my schedule in order to allow the maximum time I can spend with your company each day. I have many commitments that I would have to shuffle in order to begin work and balance my other responsibilities. I am a very busy person, but working for your company would be my top priority.

Additional Interview issues There seems to be a trend now of asking questions like this: “If you were a ____, what kind would you be? ” (in the blank insert any number of things: car, cereal, animal, etc. ) Tips: Think of qualities and characteristics that you possess, and then try to match them to that “thing” so that you are speaking to your ability to work well at the establishment.