Whoopee! Or, maybe not. You just got word that you've been scheduled for another interview to add to the string of several you have had in the past few months, and you can't figure out why you just can't get excited about it. I can. For starters, who really likes going to interviews? They can be so stressful and time consuming. A large part of the stress relates to the preparation. It is hard to know what to prepare for, what questions will be asked, and how to prepare answers to unknown questions. Then, if you don't get the job, you feel like the entire effort was a waste of time. On and on it goes. Well, it doesn't have to be that way. There are specific things you can do that will minimize the stress and preparation time, and maximize your chances for getting any job you want.
One of the best things you can do for yourself is to prepare answers to a list of general, real-life interview questions, and then use that list as the basis for preparing for any interview that comes along. Obviously, while the questions remain the same, your responses will need to be tailored to the specifics of the job you are interviewing for. And, while you may not be asked these questions exactly like they are worded in the list below, you will most certainly hear many of them in some form or another.
To give you a head start I have compiled a list of ten real-life questions that interviewers have been using for many years at all levels and within every industry. The best way to use this tool is to run through the checklist for every interview you have and update your responses for the individual job you are seeking. By developing great, individualized answers to these real-life questions you will jumpstart all your interview preparation from now on.
Let's get started:
________ 1. Why are you the most qualified applicant for the job? I have seen this question used in one form or another in literally thousands of interviews. I always thought it was funny since it requires you to compare your qualifications to those of the other competitors. Unless you know exactly who the other guys are, that's like competing with a ghost. The most honest response would be that you have no idea why you are the most qualified since you have no clue about the qualifications of the other candidates. However, this is one time when honesty is overrated. What the question really means is, "What qualifications do you have that will knock our socks off?"
Tailor your response to the duty statement and speak in terms of your specific accomplishments that highlight your ability to do what the job requires. When speaking about your qualifications, don't make the mistake of focusing on how long you have been doing something. Length of time doesn't mean you are good at something. Just because you have been singing your whole life doesn't mean you can carry a tune. Focus on what you have made happen and what good things you accomplished, rather than how long you've been there.
_________2. Why do you want the job? Give this some thought. First, make sure you actually do want this job. If not, decline the interview and go to the beach. Now, if it is not the job of your dreams, but you still really need it, think hard about your answer. Interviewers are absolute geniuses at figuring out who really wants the job and who is just faking it because they have to pay the mortgage. Go over that job description carefully. I am sure there are things in it that you can spin into a positive answer. Compare your resume with the job description and come up with an answer that emphasizes what you like about the job and what talents you have to offer the company. And, if this is a job you genuinely want, be prepared to list at least three reasons why and make sure not one of them focuses on how this job will make your life easier. In all due respect, employers don't care that you have student loans, a house payment, and child support obligations. They also don't want to hear that it means a pay raise or better benefits for you. They want to hear what you can do for them.
_________3. What do you know about the company? Whatever you do don't walk into an interview cold and expect the interviewers to give you a lengthy verbal tour. They have neither the time nor the inclination. They expect you to come in knowing at least some of the basics about the organization such as what the job entails, what the organization's mission is, what the company goals are, and where you see yourself fitting in. You have to do your homework ahead of time. Homework impresses interviewers because it demonstrates characteristics that all employers are looking for: interest, energy, and initiative. However, don't go in prepared to rattle off everything you know. Just kind of slip the information into the appropriate places in your answers. Interviews are not a test of what you have memorized about the company; they are a test of what you know, what you can do, and what employers can expect from you if they hire you.
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_________4. What can you do to help the company accomplish its goals? This is a really important question since that is the bottom line for all employers. They are looking for the best people to help them fulfill their mission. Depending on the job description, that could be at the micro or macro level. That means you don't have to be a corporate executive developing policies and overseeing major components of the company in order to help it meet its goals. Employees on the very first rung of the corporate ladder matter just as much, because without them, all the policies in the world won't accomplish a thing. The best way to answer this question is by, once again, meshing your skills and abilities to the needs of the organization. Remember, employers just want to know what you can do for them.
_________5. What are your strengths and weaknesses? I have to admit this one can be hard to get right. Who wants to hire someone with weaknesses and who wants admit to having them in an interview? However, the question is not altogether impossible. The strengths are pretty easy. Just remember to connect your strengths to the critical core competencies for the job. Again, that means don't tell them you have never lost at Monopoly if they are not looking for a good Monopoly player.
Weaknesses are a bit trickier because if they are not properly articulated they can easily take you out of the running. You do need to tell the truth, but pick weaknesses that are easily overcome if you can. That answers the question but usually keeps you in the running. Consider rewording the question in your response and use the term "challenge" rather than weakness. For example, while you may not be familiar with one technical aspect of the job, you are a quick learner and are looking forward to the challenge. See how that makes you sound more positive?
_________6. What professional accomplishment are you proudest of? Note, the word "professional". That automatically leaves out talking about your darling children or your superbly trained Great Dane. Sad, I know. Developing a reply to this is not as easy as you may think. Once again, go back to the core competencies and the duty statement. Think of the biggest and best example you have where something actually happened as a result of your efforts. And, be careful of your pronouns. Many interviewees use the term "we" as a way to camouflage the fact that their specific role in the accomplishment was not that significant. Smart interviewers will drill down on this, and you will find yourself either fibbing or admitting your role was not a starring one. Avoid all that by thinking of another example where you really were the star. The most impressive professional accomplishments are often the ones that had broad impact and made a positive change for many people.
_________7. What would your current manager say are your strengths and weaknesses? This is one you should be prepared to answer even if you are not asked. It holds considerable weight in an interview if you can say that your supervisor has told you that your strengths are in some of the same areas they are looking for. Take a look at your evaluations from your current supervisor. That should give you a basis for your response. Think also about what other positive verbal and written feedback you have gotten from your supervisor. And, if you feel comfortable, ask your supervisor before the interview or even before you start your job hunt what he or she sees as your strengths and weaknesses so that you can use that information if appropriate. And, if you have already taken steps to improve in those areas that you need to develop, include that in your response as well. This shows initiative and planning.
_________8. How do you define good customer service, and what steps would you take to ensure that it happens in our organization? The definition of "customers" will different significantly from one organization to another. For example, retailers will have a totally different customer base than say, a government agency. So, for purposes of preparing a response to this question, start with a clear understanding of who the customer is, what the company's philosophy is relative to customer service, what customer service goals are already in place, and what you would do to ensure that the goals are met. Affirm your support for the company's philosophy and then say something about what you would actually do. For example, you might indicate that you would develop and implement a measurable plan for meeting customer services goals. Emphasize that the basics of customer service include always being respectful, responsive, and efficient and ensuring that staff are trained in the area.
________9. What is your supervisory, management, or leadership style? If you are not interviewing for a supervisory, management, or leadership position, you may decide to not worry about this question right now. However, keep in mind that all employers are looking for people who have potential in these three areas so it is always good to think about your own potential for becoming an organizational leader at some point in your career. If you are interviewing for a supervisory, management or leadership position, you need to really think about what your style is and why it is effective. Interviewers are looking for individuals with great human skills so identifying your style and articulating it clearly it will be important. There is a ton of material available relative to style, so do a little research and see what resonates with you before you decide how you want to describe yourself.
________10. Where do you see yourself in 5 years? 10 years? Even if you don't havethe foggiest notion of where you want to be five hours from now, don't let the interviewers know that. There are so many things employers are looking for with this question. First, they want to know that if you get this job, are you going to be committed to it for a reasonable amount of time or are you going to take off in six months? Legally, it might be tough to make you commit to a specific time frame and then hold you to it, so most employers won't even bother. But, they do want to hear that you intend to stick around for a while rather than use them as a stepping stone to where you really want to be.
Second, they want to know about your professional goals. Do you have any? What they are? How do they fit into the organization you hope to work for? If you don't have any, better think of some because this question is also intended to evaluate your initiative and commitment to your career. Keep your goals realistic in terms of where you say you want to be. Coming in as a mail clerk and saying that you intend to be company president within a year can come off as cocky and clueless rather than appropriately ambitious. But, you do want to give the impression that you definitely have plans and are more than willing to pay your dues as you move onward and upward.
Maximize your chances in your interviews by going over the checklist for every interview you have. It gets easier each time because only some of your responses will need to be constantly reworked. Eventually, you will become more confident in your ability to answer these questions for any interview you have. And, the added bonus is that your new confidence enhances your ability to think on your feet because you now have a much clearer vision of exactly who you are, what you are good at, and what you are looking for.
After your first interview, add any others you think appropriate to this list. Eventually you will develop a great bank of real-life interview questions that will help you prepare for any future interviews that come along. Excelling at the interview game is not that hard. Do our homework, develop clear, concise responses to typical questions, and focus on all those skills and abilities you want to put to use for the company you want to work for.
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