Interviewing Tips

Job Interviewing Tips

Not all job interviews are created equally. If you have not reviewed the section on Your Worst Enemy, consider taking a few moments to do that.

As a rule, when the interviewer(s) stop asking you hard questions, you have ceased being a viable job candidate. On average, the majority of interviews will last 30 to 45 minutes. This is usually predetermined. Any additional time may be construed as positive.

There are three basic types of interviews: One-on-one, group interviews and Round Robins. Group interviews involve more than one job candidate, and there can be three to five interviewers present. Round Robins also involve more than one interviewer interviewing, but they focus on you individually. Of these three types, the Round Robin is by far the more challenging, difficult and tricky.

A word of caution: In a Round Robin, always address the interviewer. Anticipate being intentionally interrupted before completing an answer. They are intentionally attempting to cause you stress, and want to see how you react.

Here is the story: Clearly, half of all job interviewers either have a hidden agenda or do not know what they are looking for. The other half, know exactly the type of candidate they are seeking, but no one is a perfect match. In either case, the job candidate need to present him- or herself as the ideal candidate even though that individual does not exist.

Keep in mind—employers do not know who is best qualified for a particular position. When they call you in for an interview, the purpose is to give you the opportunity to disqualify yourself. That is how the interviewing process is played!

The following are the most common interviewing questions you will encounter. You are expected to respond to this age-old questions intelligently, and without appearing to be caught off guard. The moment you begin stammering, pausing or asking the interviewer to repeat the question, the serious portion of the interview is over.

Question	Rationale
Tell me (us) a little bit about yourself?	Ninety percent of all employment interviews start with this open-ended question. When you are not prepared to respond effectively (and in some cases creatively), you are dead in the water. The best advice is to tell them something interesting, exciting and/or dynamic about you. If they allow you time, you could then relate your background to the position.
How did you become interested in this position?	While this question appears innocuous, it is not. If you did your basic research, you can speak intelligently about the company. If not, this is where things can rapidly proceed downhill. This is your opportunity to apply your talents to their needs or mission.
What do you see as your strengths?	This can potentially be a trick question. Most job candidates are not prepared to present their strengths in a dynamic manner. Every employer expects you to be able to answer this question straightforwardly.
What are your weaknesses?	This is one of those questions were many job seekers commit a self-inflected injury. Telling an interviewer you have no weaknesses will not be believed. If you are the type of individual who has an overpowering urge to confess your sins, and in this case, your liabilities, proceed with caution. Best to select things that are not going to outright disqualify you.
What do you feel would make you an asset? or Why do you feed you are the best candidate for this position?	If you have not carefully studied the requirements and qualifications for the position, you will be your own worst enemy. Be prepared to match your skills, ability and knowledge to the position requirements.
What do you see as your biggest accomplishment?	Do not respond with, “In my entire life?” Be prepared to have at least three solid accomplishments that are career related. In short, the interviewer’s has opened the door for you to be a little braggadocio.
How do you solve problems?	If you have a math or science background, this should be a piece of cake. If not, this can be another trick and trap question. It is recommended that you use the basic scientific method. (By the way, you were supposed to have learned this by the seventh grade.) First, properly identify the correct problem. Second, collect relevant data related to the problem. Third, list possible solutions. Fourth, test your data. Fifth, if this solves the problem, you are in the position to formulate a solution or reach a sound conclusion.
Tell me (us) about your team player (or team building) skills?	This is a trick and trap question if/when you are applying for a management-level position. At the upper levels, they rarely need a team player—they are usually looking for a team leader. Knowing the difference between a team player and a team leader is vitally important.
Where do you see yourself in five years?	In many respects, is a silly question. It is often asked to determine if you are an individual on a mission, or merely someone drifting through the job market. Always have a clear mission and a sound vision to go with it.
Do not allow yourself to be tricked by this question: This is the worst résumé I have ever seen. Who wrote this?	This is a classic trick and trap question, designed to determine how you might react or overreact to hypothetical stress. When/if you overreact, they have successfully exposed the real you. The best response is to reply with, “Yes, I agree. Could you give me a few ideas on how to improve it?” Trust me on this one: Employers do not go through the stack of résumés and select the worst ones in the pile to interview. Most do not have time for such nonsense.

Highly skilled interviewers enjoy making a game of the interviewing process. This especially occurs when being interviewed for upper level and senior management positions. Any time you are removed from the normal environment, and placed in a nontraditional setting, the purpose is to get the job candidate to drop his or her guard.