Preparing your stories is one of the most beneficial exercises you can do to
become focused before your interview. If you say you're good at something, prove
it with a story. You should be able to back up anything you say on your resume
or in an interview with a story or an example of how you soared in a sticky
situation.
Be Concise
Interviewees rambling on is one of the most common blunders Fogarty sees.
"You really have to listen to the question, and answer the question, and answer
it concisely," he says. "
Take more control at your next interview by asking some pointed questions of
your own. Here are six must-ask questions and why you should know the answers.
The Handshake: It's your first encounter with the interviewer.
She holds out her hand and receives a limp, damp hand in return -- not a very
good beginning. Your handshake should be firm -- not bone-crushing -- and your
hand should be dry and warm.
Do You Have the Skills to Do the Job?
According to Karsh, the employer must first determine whether you have the
necessary hard skills for the position, e.g., the programming knowledge for a
database administration job or the writing chops to be a newspaper reporter. "By
really probing into what the candidate has done in the past, an interviewer can
tap into hard skills."
"The rule of thumb is that you dress one or two levels higher than the job that
you're going for," explains Kate Wendleton, president and founder of the Five
O'Clock Club,
"If you're applying for a technical position, you won't need a suit," says
Carole Martin, a former Monster contributor and author of Boost Your Interview IQ. "A collared shirt and khakis or
slacks would work. Same goes for women -- sweater or blouse and slacks or a
skirt."
Assemble Your Qualifications Regularly How can you best
present yourself in the interview, appropriately expressing the attributes and
skills that will get you the job? First you need to identify them.
Please describe the ideal job for you following graduation.
Sample excellent response (equates ideal job
with job he's interviewing for):My ideal job is one that incorporates
both my education and practical work skills to be the best I can be
The following answers are provided to give you a new perspective on how to
answer tough interview questions. They are not there for you to lift from the
page and insert into your next interview
Your success stories should include the situation, the action you took and
the result. Here is an example if you were interviewing for a sales
position:
The Situation: I had a customer who did not want to hear
about the features of my merchandise because of a prior interaction with my
company.
The Action: I listened to her story and made sure I heard
her complaint. I then explained how I would have handled the situation
differently and how I can offer her better service. I showed her some facts that
changed her mind about dealing with the company again.
The Result: She not only bought the merchandise, but also
complimented how I handled her account. She is now one of my best customers.
Sanford says job candidates often get too comfortable just at the wrong
moment -- when they're getting signals the job is theirs. "What ends up
happening is the candidate will start to move from ‘I'm on my best behavior' to
thinking ‘the job is mine,' and they stop being deferential," he says. Deference
is essential throughout the interview process. Don't act like the interviewer is
your best buddy -- he's not.