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ALL ABOUT INTERVIEWS

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INTERVIEW SKILLS

It is human nature to evaluate a person by what meets the eye, especially when meeting someone for the first time. When we meet a person for the first time we know very little about him or her. So we naturally proceed to arm ourselves with information by evaluating what our eyes see and also by hearing them speak. You end up drawing conclusions from the others appearance, mannerisms, voice and body language Research in the field of social psychology tells us that within the first minute of meeting a new person, the average human being draws at least ten conclusions regarding that person. Some of the conclusions drawn may be regarding the persons economic status, educational level, social position, sophistication or the lack of it and maybe even his or her ethics and moral character. It is very essential to create a favourable first impression in certain instances, and a job interview certainly tops the list. The interviewer may be making a real and honest effort to make unbiased judgments; however, it is human nature to be put off by certain markedly negative signals. It is thus essential that one should know what is likely to give a negative signal and guard against it. Prepare to be examined by the eyes and the nose too The most obvious and probably the first issue to be considered is the way one is attired. The ground rule for the right attire should be semi-formal, sedate colors and, most of all, neat. Needless to say, it is also essential to guard against unpleasant odors. Ensure that you use a deodorant and avoid eating food whose odor is bound to accompany your breath every time you open your mouth. It would be advisable to stay away from garlic and other strong odor giving food items prior to an interview. The right kind of greeting Let's assume that you are a candidate walking into a room where five or six imposing interviewers are seated. Let's suppose that one of them greets you with a handshake. Pay attention to how you shake his/her hand. A handshake can convey a lot about a person. The best bet is a firm handshake that grips the others hand briefly. And it is also essential to make eye contact and give a friendly smile while doing so. A limp handshake could convey a message of lack of confidence or nerves. On the other hand, a crushing handshake would convey an overbearing personality. And most of all, it is important that your hands be dry and not sweaty, sticky or wet. If no one offers to shake hands, fine, give a smile making eye contact with a couple of people who seem to you to be most pleasant. And wait to be asked to be seated. The other option is our good old Indian greeting of a gentle Namaste that can never be wrong in any situation.

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On the hot seat

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It is important to assume the right kind of posture to sit. Your posture should indicate calmness and readiness rather than nervousness. Avoid sitting on the edge of your seat. If you encounter a chair that is not convenient do not be flustered, take a few seconds to seat yourself as comfortably as possible and then look up make eye contact and smile indicating your readiness for the interview. Do not indulge in small talk about how your feet do not reach the floor, etc. It may be considered frivolous. And do remember - no slouching. Your posture should indicate your alertness and eagerness for the questions that you will be facing. Keeping all these directives in mind may sound like a tall order. So start practicing. It would not hurt you to learn how to walk, greet and sit in a charming manner. Last of all be yourself and do not attempt to project a false image. The very lack of effort that you have to put into being yourself will project itself as confidence that will be reflected in your eyes. And eyes, they say, are a window to a persons soul. Carry Yourself Confidently During an Interview One very essential aspect that prospective employers are always on the lookout for is selfconfidence. So it is very essential that you appear extremely confident and poised when appearing for an interview. Self-confidence should become part of your attitude so that you do not need to do anything extra about it on the day of the interview. Work on your language skills If your command over the language that you will be handling the interview in is good, then you will be able to express yourself well. Do practice presentation of all your details, especially regarding education and work experience, in such a manner that is complimentary to yourself. It would be a good idea to practice in front a friend and ask for some constructive criticism in this regard. You should then incorporate changes based on the criticism and then perfect your technique. However do keep an open mind to the aspect of flexibility. You should be able to change your presentation as per the demand of the existing situation in the interview. For example, out of the blue you may be asked to participate in a group discussion. You can walk away with flying colors if you have an excellent command over the language being used and a good knowledge of both your subject and general issues Body language - it says a lot about you Nervous gestures will be interpreted in a negative manner. So it is very essential that you are extremely careful not to betray your nervousness. Feeling a little nervous is okay and acceptable. But do not compound it by nursing negative thoughts like I am sure to fail or I do not stand a chance in front of all these people or They will take one look at me and decide against me. Negative thoughts in the mind translate into gestures like biting lips, hands that do not remain still, cracking knuckles and other such give-always. Those who conduct interviews are trained to lookout for such gestures and interpret them. So be on your guard and carry yourself accordingly.
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Dress for the occasion

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The type of dress that you wear will also affect your level of confidence. Flashy colors will make you feel out of place in sedate work surroundings. The dress option is easier for men, as they do not have much to choose from. However, do remember that it would be wise to avoid too casual a dress. Semi formal is the best choice. For ladies, a conservative dress in muted colors is a safe bet, since you are not familiar with the sort of existing work environment when you first enter the organization. Western wear is considered acceptable in most metropolitan cities but looked at askance in smaller towns. So study the place, type and culture of the organization and then choose your attire accordingly. Once you are appropriately dressed, you will automatically be able to carry yourself confidently. Assert yourself In an interview, you may be asked a variety of questions, sometimes for the interviewers to merely see how convincingly you can put forth your points of view. In such circumstances, it is important that you are able to assert yourself and put forth your opinion in a convincing manner. At times there may be situations when you do not know the answer to a question or questions. If this happens, accept the fact gracefully without letting it upset you. Indicate that you are open to receiving more information and willing to learn. Remember honesty is the best policy, so when you are pushed against a wall, be honest and you will be helping yourself. Complete Your Homework Before You Interview "What do you know about our company?" "Why do you want to work for us?" These are two typical questions frequently asked in any interview. Interviewers ask these types of general and open-ended questions to test your response. A little time spent in researching the companies you wish to interview with will go a long way during the actual interview and will help you answer these type of questions intelligently. At minimum, you should know what a company's products and services are, why they interest you, and how you can help support them. Keep in mind that it's a two-way street. Make sure it's a company for which you want to work, and you'll be well-prepared to answer such questions. Find out everything you can about the company, including Products and Services Market Share Financial Status Future Plans History Culture Naturally, you may ask about some of these topics during interviews. But it's still a good idea to find out all you can beforehand, to help you formulate specific questions and show that you've done your homework.
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Where to Research?

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Annual reports of companies are an excellent source of data. By studying the annual report, you will understand the financial situation of the company, the future plans as mentioned in the Chairman's speech/introduction, what top employees are paid, and how the company has been progressing over the years. Annual reports can be obtained either directly from the company or from the stock exchanges. Business magazines such as Business India, Business Today, Business World, A&M etc are excellent sources for information about the company as well as the industry which they belong to. The Web is also an excellent place to research companies. Many companies know that you might be visiting their Web sites for exactly that reason. Often job openings are also mentioned on the company website. Study information about the company and the description of the job for which you are interviewing. Even if companies don't provide information specifically for job seekers, most provide such for customers that are also useful for interviews. Finance websites such as Indiainfoline.com, myiris.com and the finance section on also provide details of almost all listed companies. It doesn't hurt to contact the human resources (HR) department to ask about literature, such as product brochures, job descriptions and new-hire orientation packets. They may be impressed you took the time to find out. Interviews - 10 Quick Steps Congratulations Your new resume got your foot in the door and now they want you to come in for an interview. Your palms sweat. Here are some good steps that may help relieve your anxiety and get you that job offer: 1. Research. Research. Research. We don't mean to sound redundant, but that's how important research is. If you're interviewing for a company that sells refrigerators, find out everything you can about refrigerators before you go to the interview. The employer is looking for someone who can solve his problems and if you know refrigerators and you know his company, you are that much closer to getting hired. KNOWLEDGE IS POWER 2. Be 10 minutes early to the interview. This will give you an opportunity to gather your thoughts and compose yourself 3. YOU ARE A PROFESSIONAL. Dress the part. Clothing will give an immediate impression to the employer Come prepared. Bring at least three copies of your professionally prepared resume with you. Don't forget your list of references. Carry them in a briefcase if possible

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4. Expect the unexpected. The employer wants to find out how fast you think on your feet. Don't be surprised if he asks you an irrelevant question such as: "If you had a crore of rupees, what would you do with it?"< 5. Offer a firm handshake and don't sit down until you're invited to do so 6. Don't slouch in the chair. Maintain eye contact with the interviewer. Lean forward in your chair to convey interest when the interviewer is explaining something to you 7. Talk with a firm voice. This will convey confidence and knowledge to the employer 8. Ask questions. Towards the end of the interview he will undoubtedly ask you if you have any questions. Many people say things like: "No, I don't think so." DON'T DO THIS! When you do your research about the company, come up with five questions to ask the employer. Ask him questions like, "What growth do you expect in your company over the next five years? Why should I work here? What do you expect in a good employee? When he answers these questions, make sure to explain to him how you fit those requirements exactly. 9. After the interview, mail him a note of thanks. Thank him for his time and the opportunity to apply to his company. If you've left out any pertinent information during the interview now is the time to include it in the note of thanks. Facing Interviews: The Importance of an Interview The interview is normally the last step of the hiring process--and probably the most important. It offers you and the employer the opportunity to meet one another, exchange information and come to tentative conclusions about working together. Depending on the organization you may have to face one or several interviews. The interview is a two-way process. You evaluate the employer while he/she evaluates you. Since there is no one way of facing an interviewing, you will have to develop your own style. In the short amount of time that you will spend with a potential employer, you will either be accepted or rejected, so you must project yourself in a positive, enthusiastic manner. The interview gives the employer the opportunity to meet you in person and to evaluate the "complete" you. This includes your attitude, appearance, personality, confidence, knowledge about yourself, and knowledge about the company, as well as suitability and basic ability to do the job. Before the Interview Before appearing for the interview you should extensively research the company you have applied to. This creates a good impression and shows your keenness to work with the organization. Get hold of a balance sheet of the organization. You will find a wealth of information in the balance sheet. Some of the information you should know includes: size of organization location of facilities and offices structure of organization - by product line, function, past, current & potential growth
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types of clients product line or service potential markets, products, services price of products or services present value and structure of assets recent items in the news who the competition is training provisions vision of the CEO others you know in the organization stock price It is also important to research issues, trends, problems, and buzz words of the industry. Such information can be obtained from people in the field, company literature, trade journals, newsletters, business magazines, and directories. Prepare a list of well-researched questions for the interviewer. Be Aware of Yourself Analyze your strengths and weaknesses and accordingly decide what you want to say and do not want to say during the interview. Think and write out answers to possible questions from the interviewer. Evaluate problem areas in your track record and be prepared to offer strong and convincing reasons for these during the interview, if necessary. Do not provide negative information about yourself unless asked for. Request a friend or relative to conduct a mock interview. On The Day of the Interview Ensure that you know the name and designation of each individual with whom you are to meet. Know exactly how to get to the organization and arrive at least ten minutes before the interview Dress to project an image of confidence and success; your total appearance should be appropriate to the job. Carry with you additional materials to the interview such as copies of your resume, a list of references, samples of your work, or your degree and certificates. During the Interview Before you are actually asked to enter the room where the interviews are being conducted do not get impatient or restless, wait for them to call you. When you are asked to proceed, knock on the door and wait to be called in the room. Greet all the people inside the room Do not sit down unless asked to. Thank the interviewer/s after sitting down.
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Before the interview you should have decided what you are going to communicate and how you are going to get your communication across. What you will want to communicate are: personal qualities, functional skills, your achievements and special areas of knowledge that relate to the particular interviewer or organization. How you are going to get your communication across will depend on your choice of words, non verbal gestures and your attitude. Have an open attitude that is sensitive to the interviewers style. You should be thinking positively. (If you don't think you are the best candidate for the job, how can you hope to convince the employer you are?) The non-verbal behaviour which contributes to rapport is: dress and posture, eyecontact, handshake, voice level, and gestures. The verbal behaviour contributing to build rapport with the interviewer includes: courteous observations and proper choice of words. Be positive in your choice of words and choose words that are affirmative and indicate your level of determination and dedication. Back up your statements with concrete examples and achievements. Summarize your strengths before finishing what you have to say. If you are not able to answer some question, admit it, do not try to fudge an answer. Listen to the question carefully; let the interviewer complete his question before you reply. If you have not heard the question clearly ask the interviewer to repeat the question. When the interview is completed, thank the interviewer before leaving the room. Set up the next contact by asking "When should I expect to hear from you" or "When should I get back to you?" If you have any questions or clarifications, you can ask the interviewer after the interview is complete. The Importance of Body Language Pay attention to your body language and non-verbal communication. Your body language should exude confidence, sincerity and high energy level. Your words and gestures must be in agreement. Maintain eye contact with the interviewer while answering or listening to the interviewer. Do not look at your shoes or the floor. Do not fidget in your seat or fiddle with your tie etc. Keep your hands relaxed and use them to animate or express interest Maintain an erect posture; do not slouch in the chair. Keep your facial expression pleasant, it can add or deduct sincerity from your words. Keep your voice tone firm, well modulated and relaxed. Be aware of the things you do when nervous and try to keep them under check. Actively listen to the interviewer.

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After the Interview

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Use the interview as a learning experience. Take notes on what you would like to improve after you leave the room. Send a follow-up letter to thank the interviewer, and stress points in your background that qualify you for the position. If you are not contacted within the specified time, call to restate your interest. It is usually best not to accept a job offer on the spot; state your interest and appreciation for the offer and request a reasonable amount of time to consider the offer. Be sure to evaluate all aspects of the job before accepting it rather than afterward. Once you have accepted a position, your commitment is considered binding by the employer. If you do not get the job, you may want to ask the interviewer for some constructive criticism or recommendations for future interviews. If you are consistently passed over for positions, try to identify potential problems; then seek guidance for improvement. ELEMENTS OF A SUCCESSFUL INTERVIEW The interview is an opportunity to display yourself at your best. It is an opportunity to give POSITIVE information about your-self. HOW TO HAVE A SUCCESSFUL INTERVIEW:Be well prepared - take copies of resumes, do some company research Be well presented - neat, clean, tidy, dressed to suit the interview type Be punctual Be courteous and pleasant to all, including the receptionist, etc Always knock before entering; Greet the employer Introduce yourself - be prepared to shake hand warmly Stand until invited to sit, smile and be friendly DO NOT SMOKE - either before or during the interview Be prepared to talk about yourself and your personal qualities Be prepared to discuss your education, training and skills - BE POSITIVE; Be prepared to discuss your work experience and goals - be able to offer reasons for wanting to work within the company Be prepared to ask questions about the job Make sure you tell them you are very interested in this job and you would appreciate their call back; and Thank the interviewer - for their time.

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DRESS FOR THAT INTERVIEW

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First impression is made in 10 seconds and may NEVER change You have ONE chance at an interview, use it well. Avoid extremes of ANYTHING! Least offensive is most desirable. You are applying for a job, be a little conservative, until you get a feel for the place. Dark colours convey authority, try to wear blue colours but not black. Black is, a poor color choice, unless teamed with a fresh colour, or youre applying for a position in a funeral pallor. Chose clothing in excellent repair. Make sure they are freshly washed and pressed. Do not wear' casual shoes to an interview. Make sure they are clean and in good repair. Shoes are often one of the first things that employers remember about an interviewee. Excessive accessories are never an advantage. Even if applying for a position in a accessory store, chose instead one or two good classy pieces. Accessories speak volumes with first impressions. Pierce your ears, not your nose. At least leave the ring at home. Make sure you shower and wear deodorant, but not too much perfume or cologne. If in doubt with perfume or cologne, avoid its use altogether. Check your breath. Have a breath mint, but don't be chomping on it in the interview. Ensure hair is clean and away from the face. Long hair should be tied back, especially if your interview is for the hospitality, laboring, medical or industrial fields. For males, beards and moustaches should be neatly trimmed. Make up should be minimal and enough to provide a fresh and natural look. In doubt? Err on the side of caution. Dress for the position you are applying for. Conservative dressing for an alternative product retailer may not be appropriate. Best rule of thumb - if in doubt, do some research. It doesn't hurt to ask the receptionist or interviewer for a dress code. General Guidelines in Answering Interview Questions: Everyone is nervous on interviews. If you simply allow yourself to feel nervous & be comfortable, you'll do much better. In general, be upbeat and positive. Never be negative. Rehearse your answers and time them. Never talk for more than 2 minutes straight. Don't try to memorize answers word for word. Use the answers shown here as a guide only, and don't be afraid to include your own thoughts and words. To help you remember key concepts, jot down and review a few key words for each answer. Rehearse your answers frequently, and they will come to you naturally in interviews.

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Find out what people want, then show them how you can help them get it. Find out what an employer wants most in his or her ideal candidate and then show how you meet those qualifications. In other words, you must match your abilities, with the needs of the employer. You must sell what the buyer is buying. To do that, before you know what to emphasize in your answers, you must find out what the buyer is buying. What he is looking for and the best way to do that is to ask a few questions yourself. You will see how to bring this off skillfully as you read the first two questions of this report. But regardless of how you accomplish it, you must remember this strategy above all: before blurting out your qualifications, you must get some idea of what the employer wants most. Once you know what he wants, you can then present your qualifications as the perfect key that fits the lock of that position. Other important interview strategies: Turn weaknesses into strengths (You'll see how to do this in a few moments.) Think before you answer. A pause to collect your thoughts is a hallmark of a thoughtful person. As a daily exercise, practice being more optimistic. For example, try putting a positive spin on events and situations you would normally regard as negative. This is not meant to turn you into a Pollyanna, but to sharpen your selling skills. The best salespeople, as well as the best liked interview candidates, come off as being naturally optimistic, "can do" people. You will dramatically raise your level of attractiveness by daily practicing to be more optimistic. Be honest.......................................................never lie Keep an interview diary. Right after each interview note what you did right, what could have gone a little better, and what steps you should take next with this contact. Then take those steps. Don't be like the 95% of humanity who say they will follow up on something, but never do. ALL ABOUT QUESTIONS: Top Questions: Usually asked in Interviews The questions most frequently asked in interviews include those about yourself, career goals, about your previous work experience (if any) and questions related to the company where you are being interviewed. In addition you may be asked "problem" questions, questions which are meant to find out more about areas which are not usually discussed. More on problem questions later.

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The best questions to ask are those which begin with who, what, when, where, why, or how. Please attend to those "lead" words as you ask and answer questions in the interview. QUESTIONS ABOUT YOURSELF 1. Tell me about yourself. 2. What do you consider to be one of your weaknesses (strengths)? 3. What is unique about you? 4. Give us five benefits of working in team. 5. What are your own special abilities? 6. What new skills or capabilities have you developed over the past year? 7. What have you done which shows initiative and willingness to work? 8. Describe three things that are most important to you in a job. 9. What motivates you? 10. What are your interests outside of work, college? 11. What qualities do you admire most in others? QUESTIONS ABOUT YOUR CAREER GOALS 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. Where do you see yourself five/ten years from now? What type of position are you interested in? What are your salary requirements--short term/long term? What is success? What personal characteristics will contribute to your success? How will employment with us contribute to your career plans? What do you expect from a job? What are your career objectives - short and long term? What are your location preferences?

QUESTIONS ABOUT SCHOOL EDUCATION 1. How does your education relate to this position (or how does your education prepare you for this position)? 2. What activities did you engage in at college? 3. What classes did you like most in college? Least? Why? 4. Why did you decide to join XYZ college? 5. Why did you choose your particular specialization? 6. Describe your academic strengths and weaknesses? 7. What are your plans for continuing your education? 8. What career related skills do you possess as a result of your academic preparation? 9. What have you read recently in your field? QUESTIONS SPECIFIC TO THE COMPANY/JOB 1. Why should we hire you? 2. Why do you want to work here? 3. What do you know about this organization?
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4. What salary do you expect? 5. What kind of boss do you like to work for? 6. How long do you intend to stay here? 7. What do you think determines a person's progress in an organization? 8. What interests you about our product or service? How would you improve it? 9. What do you think would be your greatest contribution to our operation? 10. How do you solve problems? You might feel that the answers to the following questions are canned, and that they will seldom match up with the exact way you are asked the questions in actual interviews. The questions and answers are designed to be as specific and realistic as possible. But no preparation can anticipate thousands of possible variations on these questions. What's important is that you thoroughly familiarize yourself with the main strategies behind each answer. And it will be invaluable to you if you commit to memory a few key words that let you instantly call to mind your best answer to the various questions. If you do this, and follow the principles of successful interviewing presented here, you're going to do very well. Some important Questions with appropriate explanation: Question 1. Tell me about yourself. TRAPS: Beware, about 80% of all interviews begin with this innocent question. Many candidates, unprepared for the question, skewer themselves by rambling, recapping their life story, delving into ancient work history or personal matters. BEST ANSWER: Start with the present and tell why you are well qualified for the position. Remember that the key to all successful interviewing is to match your qualifications to what the interviewer is looking for. In other words you must sell what the buyer is buying. This is the single most important strategy in job hunting. So, before you answer this or any question it's imperative that you try to uncover your interviewer's greatest need, want, problem or goal. To do so, make you take these two steps: 1. Do all the homework you can before the interview to uncover this person's wants and needs (not the generalized needs of the industry or company) 2. As early as you can in the interview, ask for a more complete description of what the position entails. You might say: I have a number of accomplishments I'd like to tell you about, but I want to make the best use of our time together and talk directly to your needs. To help me do, that, could you tell me more about the most important priorities of this position? All I know is what I (heard from the recruiter, read in the classified ad, etc.) Then, ALWAYS follow-up with a second and possibly, third question, to draw out his needs even more. Surprisingly, it's usually this second or third question that unearths what the interviewer is most looking for.
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You might ask simply, "And in addition to that?" or, "Is there anything else you see as essential to success in this position? This process will not feel easy or natural at first, because it is easier simply to answer questions, but only if you uncover the employer's wants and needs will your answers make the most sense. Practice asking these key questions before giving your answers, the process will feel more natural and you will be light years ahead of the other job candidates you're competing with. After uncovering what the employer is looking for, describe why the needs of this job bear striking parallels to tasks you've succeeded at before. Be sure to illustrate with specific examples of your responsibilities and especially your achievements, all of which are geared to present yourself as a perfect match for the needs he has just described. Question 2. What are your greatest strengths? TRAPS: This question seems like a softball lob, but you need to be prepared. You don't want to come across as egotistical or arrogant. Neither is this a time to be humble. BEST ANSWER: You know that your key strategy is to first uncover your interviewer's greatest wants and needs before you answer questions. And from Question 1, you know how to do this. Prior to any interview, you should have a list mentally prepared of your greatest strengths. You should also have, a specific example or two, which illustrates each of the strengths, an example chosen from your most recent and most impressive achievements. You should, have this list of your greatest strengths and corresponding examples from your achievements so well committed to memory that you can recite them cold after being shaken awake at 2:30AM. Then, once you uncover your interviewer's greatest wants and needs, you can choose those achievements from your list that best match up. As a general guideline, the 10 most desirable traits that all employers love to see in their employees are: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. A proven track record as an achiever. Especially if your achievements match up with the employer's greatest wants and needs. Intelligence & management "savvy". Honesty, integrity...a decent human being. Good fit with corporate culture...someone to feel comfortable with...a team player who meshes well with interviewer's team. Likeability...positive attitude...sense of humor. Good communication skills. Dedication...willingness to walk the extra mile to achieve excellence. Definiteness of purpose...clear goals. Enthusiasm...high level of motivation. Confident....healthy...a leader.
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Question 3. What are your greatest weaknesses?

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TRAPS: Beware - this is an eliminator question, designed to shorten the candidate list. Any admission of a weakness or fault will earn you an A for honesty, but an F for the interview. PASSABLE ANSWER: Disguise strength as a weakness. Example: I sometimes push my people too hard. I like to work with a sense of urgency and everyone is not always on the same wavelength. Drawback: This strategy is better than admitting a flaw, but it's so widely used; it is transparent to any experienced interviewer. BEST ANSWER: (and another reason it's so important to get a thorough description of your interviewer's needs before you answer questions): Assure the interviewer that you can think of nothing that would stand in the way of your performing in this position with excellence. Then, quickly review you strongest qualifications. Example: Nobody's perfect, but based on what you've told me about this position, I believe I' d make an outstanding match. I know that when I hire people, I look for two things most of all. Do they have the qualifications to do the job well, and the motivation to do it well? Everything in my background shows I have both the qualifications and a strong desire to achieve excellence in whatever I take on. So I can say in all honesty that I see nothing that would cause you even a small concern about my ability or my strong desire to perform this job with excellence. Alternate strategy (if you don't yet know enough about the position to talk about such a perfect fit): Instead of confessing a weakness, describe what you like most and like least, making sure that what you like most matches up with the most important qualification for success in the position, and what you like least is not essential. Example: Let's say you're applying for a teaching position. If given a choice, I like to spend as much time as possible in front of my prospects selling, as opposed to shuffling paperwork back at the office. Of course, I long ago learned the importance of filing paperwork properly, and I do it conscientiously. But what I really love to do is sell (if your interviewer were a sales manager, this should be music to his ears.) Question 4. Tell me about something you did or failed to do that you now feel a little ashamed of. TRAPS: There are some questions your interviewer has no business asking, and this is one. But while you may feel like answering, none of your business, naturally you cant. Some interviewers ask this question on the chance you admit to something, but if not, at least theyll see how you think on your feet. Some unprepared candidates, flustered by this question, unburden themselves of guilt from their personal life or career, perhaps expressing regrets regarding a parent, spouse, child, etc. All such answers can be disastrous.

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BEST ANSWER: As with faults and weaknesses, never confess a regret. But dont seem as if youre stonewalling either. Best strategy: Say you harbor no regrets, then add a principle or habit you practice regularly for healthy human relations. Example: Pause for reflection, as if the question never occurred to you. Then say, You know, I really cant think of anything. (Pause again, then add): I would add that as a general management principle, Ive found that the best way to avoid regrets is to avoid causing them in the first place. I practice one habit that helps me a great deal in this regard. At the end of each day, I mentally review the days events and conversations to take a second look at the people and developments Im involved with and do a double check of what theyre likely to be feeling. Sometimes Ill see things that do need more follow-up, whether a pat on the back, or maybe a five minute chat in someones office to make sure were clear on thingswhatever. I also like to make each person feel like a member of an elite team, like the Boston Celtics or LA Lakers in their prime. Ive found that if you let each team member know you expect excellence in their performanceif you work hard to set an example yourselfand if you let people know you appreciate and respect their feelings, you wind up with a highly motivated group, a team thats having fun at work because theyre striving for excellence rather than brooding over slights or regrets. Question 5. The Silent Treatment TRAPS: Beware if you are unprepared for this question, you will probably not handle it right and possibly blow the interview. Thank goodness most interviewers dont employ it. Its normally used by those determined to see how you respond under stress. Heres how it works: You answer an interviewers question and then, instead of asking another, he just stares at you in a deafening silence. You wait, growing a bit uneasy, and there he sits, silent as Mt. Rushmore, as if he doesnt believe what youve just said, or perhaps making you feel that youve unwittingly violated some cardinal rule of interview etiquette. When you get this silent treatment after answering a particularly difficult question, such as tell me about your weaknesses, its intimidating effect can be most disquieting, even to polished job hunters. Most unprepared candidates rush in to fill the void of silence, viewing prolonged, uncomfortable silences as an invitation to clear up the previous answer which has obviously caused some problem. And thats what they do ramble on, sputtering more and more information, sometimes irrelevant and often damaging, because they are suddenly playing the role of someone whos goofed and is now trying to recoup. But since the candidate doesnt know where or how he goofed, he just keeps talking, showing how flustered and confused he is by the interviewers unmovable silence. BEST ANSWER: Like a primitive tribal mask, the Silent Treatment loses all it power to frighten you once you refuse to be intimidated. If your interviewer pulls it, keep quiet yourself for a while and then ask, with sincere politeness and not a trace of sarcasm, Is there anything else I can fill in on that point? Thats all there is to it.
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Question 6: Why should I hire you?

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TRAPS: Believe it or not, this is a killer question because so many candidates are unprepared for it. If you stammer or adlib, you will still spoil it. BEST ANSWER: By now you can see how critical it is to apply the overall strategy of uncovering the employers needs before you answer questions. If you know the employers greatest needs and desires, this question will give you a big leg up over other candidates because you will give him better reasons for hiring you than anyone else is likely toreasons tied directly to his needs. Whether your interviewer asks you this question explicitly or not, this is the most important question of your interview because he must answer this question favorably in is own mind before you will be hired. So help him out! Walk through each of the positions requirements as you understand them, and follow each with a reason why you meet that requirement so well. Example: As I understand your needs, you are first and foremost looking for someone who can manage the sales and marketing of your book publishing division. As youve said you need someone with a strong background in trade book sales. This is where Ive spent almost all my career, so Ive chalked up 18 years of experience exactly in this area. I believe that I know the right contacts, methods, principles, and successful management techniques as well as any person can in our industry. You also need someone who can expand your book distribution channels. In my prior post, my innovative promotional ideas doubled, and then tripled the number of outlets selling our books. Im confident I can do the same for you. Question 7: Where do you see yourself five years from now? TRAPS: One reason interviewers ask this question is to see if youre settling for this position, using it merely as a stopover until something better comes along. Or they could be trying to gauge your level of ambition. If youre too specific, i.e., naming the promotions you someday hope to win, youll sound presumptuous. If youre too vague, youll seem rudderless. BEST ANSWER: Reassure your interviewer that youre looking to make a long-term commitmentthat this position entails exactly what youre looking to do and what you do extremely well. As for your future, you believe that if you perform each job at hand with excellence, future opportunities will take care of themselves. Example: I am definitely interested in making a long-term commitment to my next position. Judging by what youve told me about this position, its exactly what Im looking for and what I am very well qualified to do. In terms of my future career path, Im confident that if I do my work with excellence, opportunities will inevitable open up for me. Its always been that way in my career, and Im confident Ill have similar opportunities here.
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Question 8. Describe your ideal company, location and job. TRAPS: This is often asked by an experienced interviewer who thinks you may be overqualified, but knows better than to show his hand by posing his objection directly. So hell use this question instead, which often gets a candidate to reveal that, indeed, he or she is looking for something other than the position at hand. BEST ANSWER: The only right answer is to describe what this company is offering, being sure to make your answer believable with specific reasons, stated with sincerity, why each quality represented by this opportunity is attractive to you. Remember that if youre coming from a company thats the leader in its field or from a glamorous or much admired company, industry, city or position, your interviewer and his company may well have an Avis complex. That is, they may feel a bit defensive about being second best to the place youre coming from, worried that you may consider them bush league. This anxiety could well be there even though youve done nothing to inspire it. You must go out of your way to assuage such anxiety, even if its not expressed, by putting their virtues high on the list of exactly what youre looking for, providing credible reason for wanting these qualities. If you do not express genuine enthusiasm for the firm, its culture, location, industry, etc., you may fail to answer this Avis complex objection and, as a result, leave the interviewer suspecting that a hot shot like you, coming from a Fortune 500 company in New York, just wouldnt be happy at an unknown manufacturer based in Topeka, Kansas. Question 9. Why do you want to work at our company? TRAPS: This question tests whether youve done any homework about the firm. If you havent, you lose. If you have, you win big. BEST ANSWER: This question is your opportunity to hit the ball out of the park, thanks to the indepth research you should do before any interview. Best sources for researching your target company: annual reports, the corporate newsletter, contacts you know at the company or its suppliers, advertisements, articles about the company in the trade press. Question 10. What good books have you read lately? TRAPS: As in all matters of your interview, never fake familiarity you dont have. Yet you dont want to seem like a dullard who hasnt read a book since Tom Sawyer. BEST ANSWER: Unless youre up for a position in academia or as book critic for The New York Times, youre not expected to be a literary lion. But it wouldnt hurt to have read a handful of the most recent and influential books in your profession and on management. Consider it part of the work of your job search to read up on a few of these leading books. But make sure they are quality books that reflect favorably upon you, nothing that could even remotely be considered superficial. Finally, add a recently published bestselling work of fiction by a world-class author and youll pass this question with flying colors.
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Question 11. Would you lie for the company?

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TRAPS: This another question that pits two values against one another, in this case loyalty against integrity. BEST ANSWER: Try to avoid choosing between two values, giving a positive statement which covers all bases instead. Example: I would never do anything to hurt the company. If aggressively pressed to choose between two competing values, always choose personal integrity. It is the most prized of all values. Question 12. Can you work under pressure? TRAPS: An easy question, but you want to make your answer believable. BEST ANSWER: Absolutely. (Then prove it with a vivid example or two of a goal or project accomplished under severe pressure.) Question 13. What makes you angry? TRAPS: You dont want to come across either as a hothead or a wimp. BEST ANSWER: Give an answer thats suited to both your personality and the management style of the firm. Here, the homework youve done about the company and its style can help in your choice of words. Examples: If you are a reserved person and/or the corporate culture is coolly professional: Im an even-tempered and positive person by nature, and I believe this helps me a great deal in keeping my department running smoothly, harmoniously and with a genuine esprit de corps. I believe in communicating clearly whats expected, getting peoples commitment to those goals, and then following up continuously to check progress. If anyone or anything is going off track, I want to know about it early. If, after that kind of open communication and follow up, someone isnt getting the job done, Ill want to know why. If theres no good reason, then Ill get impatient and angryand take appropriate steps from there. But if you hire good people, motivate them to strive for excellence and then follow up constantly, it almost never gets to that state. If you are feisty by nature and/or the position calls for a tough straw boss. You know what makes me angry? People who (the fill in the blanks with the most objectionable traits for this type of position)people who dont pull their own weight, who are negative, people who lieetc.

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Question 14. Who has inspired you in your life and why? TRAPS: The two traps here are unpreparedness and irrelevance. If you grope for an answer, it seems youve never been inspired. If you ramble about your high school basketball coach, youve wasted an opportunity to present qualities of great value to the company. BEST ANSWER: Have a few heroes in mind, from your mental Board of Directors Leaders in your industry, from history or anyone else who has been your mentor. Be prepared to give examples of how their words, actions or teachings have helped inspire your achievements. As always, prepare an answer which highlights qualities that would be highly valuable in the position you are seeking. Question 15. What was the toughest decision you ever had to make? TRAPS: Giving an unprepared or irrelevant answer. BEST ANSWER: Be prepared with a good example, explaining why the decision was difficultthe process you followed in reaching itthe courageous or effective way you carried it outand the beneficial results. Question 17. Are you willing to relocate or travel? TRAPS: Answer with a flat no and you may slam the door shut on this opportunity. But what if youd really prefer not to relocate or travel, yet wouldnt want to lose the job offer over it? BEST ANSWER: First find out where you may have to relocate and how much travel may be involved. Then respond to the question. If theres no problem, say so enthusiastically. If you do have a reservation, there are two schools of thought on how to handle it. One advises you to keep your options open and your reservations to yourself in the early going, by saying, no problem. You strategy here is to get the best offer you can, then make a judgment whether its worth it to you to relocate or travel. Also, by the time the offer comes through, you may have other offers and can make a more informed decision. Why kill of this opportunity before it has chance to blossom into something really special? And if youre a little more desperate three months from now, you might wish you hadnt slammed the door on relocating or traveling. The second way to handle this question is to voice a reservation, but assert that youd be open to relocating (or traveling) for the right opportunity. The answering strategy you choose depends on how eager you are for the job. If you want to take no chances, choose the first approach. If you want to play a little harder-to-get in hopes of generating a more enticing offer, choose the second.

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Question 16. Give me an example of your creativity (analytical skillmanaging ability, etc.) TRAPS: The worst offense here is simply being unprepared. Your hesitation may seem as if youre having a hard time remembering the last time you were creative, analytical, etc. BEST ANSWER: Remember from Question 2 that you should commit to memory a list of your greatest and most recent achievements, ever ready on the tip of your tongue. If you have such a list, its easy to present any of your achievements in light of the quality the interviewer is asking about. For example, the smashing success you orchestrated at last years trade show could be used as an example of creativity, or analytical ability, or your ability to manage. Question 17. Where could you use some improvement? TRAPS: Another tricky way to get you to admit weaknesses. Dont fall for it. BEST ANSWER: Keep this answer, like all your answers, positive. A good way to answer this question is to identify a cutting-edge branch of your profession (one thats not essential to your employers needs) as an area youre very excited about and want to explore more fully over the next six months. Question 18. What do you worry about? TRAPS: Admit to worrying and you could sound like a loser. Saying you never worry doesnt sound credible. BEST ANSWER: Redefine the word worry so that it does not reflect negatively on you. Example: I wouldnt call it worry, but I am a strongly goal-oriented person. So I keep turning over in my mind anything that seems to be keeping me from achieving those goals, until I find a solution. Thats part of my tenacity, I suppose. Question 19. What was the toughest challenge youve ever faced? TRAPS: Being unprepared or citing an example from so early in your life that it doesnt score many points for you at this stage of your career. BEST ANSWER: This is an easy question if youre prepared. Have a recent example ready that demonstrates either: 1. A quality most important to the job at hand; or 2. A quality that is always in demand, such as leadership, initiative, managerial skill, persuasiveness, courage, persistence, intelligence, etc.

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Question 20. What are your goals?

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TRAPS: Not having anyor having only vague generalities, not highly specific goals. BEST ANSWER: Many executives in a position to hire you are strong believers in goal-setting. (Its one of the reason theyve achieved so much). They like to hire in kind. If youre vague about your career and personal goals, it could be a big turnoff to may people you will encounter in your job search. Be ready to discuss your goals for each major area of your life: career, personal development and learning, family, physical (health), community service and (if your interviewer is clearly a religious person) you could briefly and generally allude to your spiritual goals (showing you are a well-rounded individual with your values in the right order). Be prepared to describe each goal in terms of specific milestones you wish to accomplish along the way, time periods youre allotting for accomplishment, why the goal is important to you, and the specific steps youre taking to bring it about. But do this concisely, as you never want to talk more than two minutes straight before letting your interviewer back into the conversation. Question 21. The Salary Question What SALARY do you expect? TRAPS: May also be phrases as, What salary are you worth?or, How much are you making now? This is your most important negotiation. Handle it wrong and you can blow the job offer or go to work at far less than you might have gotten. BEST ANSWER: For maximum salary negotiating power, remember these five guidelines: 1. Never bring up salary. Let the interviewer do it first. Good salespeople sell their products thoroughly before talking price. So should you. Make the interviewer want you first, and your bargaining position will be much stronger. 2. If your interviewer raises the salary question too early, before youve had a chance to create desire for your qualifications, postpone the question, saying something like, Money is important to me, but is not my main concern. Opportunity and growth are far more important. What Id rather do, if you dont mind, is explore if Im right for the position, and then talk about money. Would that be okay? 3. The #1 rule of any negotiation is: the side with more information wins. After youve done a thorough job of selling the interviewer and its time to talk salary, the secret is to get the employer talking about what hes willing to pay before you reveal what youre willing to accept. So, when asked about salary, respond by asking, Im sure the company has already established a salary range for this position. Could you tell me what that is? Or, I want an income commensurate with my ability and qualifications. I trust youll be fair with me. What does the position pay? Or, more simply, What does this position pay? 4. Know beforehand what youd accept. To know whats reasonable, research the job market and this position for any relevant salary information. Remember that most
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executives look for a 20-25%$ pay boost when they switch jobs. If youre grossly underpaid, you may want more. 5. Never lie about what you currently make, but feel free to include the estimated cost of all your fringes, which could well tack on 25-50% more to your present cash-only salary. Question 22. How do you define successand how do you measure up to your own definition? TRAPS: Seems like an obvious enough question. Yet many executives, unprepared for it, fumble the ball. BEST ANSWER: Give a well-accepted definition of success that leads right into your own stellar collection of achievements. Example: The best definition Ive come across is that success is the progressive realization of a worthy goal. As to how I would measure up to that definition, I would consider myself both successful and fortunate (Then summarize your career goals and how your achievements have indeed represented a progressive path toward realization of your goals.) Question 23. If you won $10 million lottery, would you still work? TRAPS: Your totally honest response might be, Hell, no, are you serious? That might be so, but any answer which shows you as fleeing work if given the chance could make you seem lazy. On the other hand, if you answer, Oh, Id want to keep doing exactly what I am doing, only doing it for your firm, you could easily inspire your interviewer to silently mutter to himself, Yeah, sure. Gimme a break. BEST ANSWER: This type of question is aimed at getting at your bedrock attitude about work and how you feel about what you do. Your best answer will focus on your positive feelings. Example: After I floated down from cloud nine, I think I would still hold my basic belief that achievement and purposeful work are essential to a happy, productive life. After all, if money alone bought happiness, then all rich people would be all happy, and thats not true. I love the work I do, and I think Id always want to be involved in my career in some fashion. Winning the lottery would make it more fun because it would mean having more flexibility, more options...who knows? Of course, since I cant count on winning, Id just as soon create my own destiny by sticking with whats worked for me, meaning good old reliable hard work and a desire to achieve. I think those qualities have built many more fortunes that all the lotteries put together.

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Question 24. On a scale of one to ten, rate me as an interviewer. TRAPS: Give a perfect 10, and youll seem too easy to please. Give anything less than a perfect 10, and he could press you as to where youre being critical, and that road leads downhill for you. BEST ANSWER: Once again, never be negative. The interviewer will only resent criticism coming from you. This is the time to show your positivism. However, dont give a numerical rating. Simply praise whatever interview style hes been using. If hes been tough, say You have been thorough and tough-minded, the very qualities needed to conduct a good interview. If hes been methodical, say, You have been very methodical and analytical, and Im sure that approach results in excellent hires for your firm. In other words, pay him a sincere compliment that he can believe because its anchored in the behavior youve just seen. Possible Questions to ask the Interviewer (Do not ask more than 2 questions) Try to make the questions like: Sir if fortunately I am selected in your esteemed organization What sort of training does this company offer? What results would you like to see me produce? Questions about the company and job profile. What does the company expect from its employees? After the interview, you could send a follow up letter thanking the interviewer for their time, saying that you enjoyed meeting them. This is also a good opportunity to send any additional information to them. Follow your heart in believing you that the path you have chosen to travel will take you to your destiny; instruct your mind to endeavor 110% into it. If, still, you dont get your destiny, better change the path as soon as possible.

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