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Surviving the Job Interview Ordeal
by Bob Weinstein

The interview, like it or not, is usually the deciding factor in if you are going to get hired. And while it may seem unfair that your first impression carries so much weight, look at it through the employer’s point of view. The interviewer is looking for someone who is honest, competent, and dependable, and the only way to find out if you possess those qualities is to ask tricky questions. Here are a few examples of the question, what they are really asking, and what your answers should reflect.

Tell me about yourself.
Resist the urge here to give the interviewer a five-minute mini-bio of your life. Instead, focus on good things about yourself that reflect your job-related strengths like your ability to handle pressure or your uncanny people skills.

What are your weaknesses?
Don’t give the seemingly obvious answer of none, this makes you appear dishonest and inhuman. What the interviewer is really looking for in the answer is a weakness that can turn into a positive in the work environment. Such as your inability to stop a job before it is complete to your satisfaction. This shows that you are action-oriented and take pride in your work.

What are your strengths?
Your response to this question should avoid giving a long list of your amazing attributes. Let your answer reflect only those skills that demonstrate your ability to do your job well as that is what the interviewer is really looking for.

Why should I hire you?
The key to answering this question is to combine your strengths with an understanding of the company or industry. Such as the need for speed and accuracy in a law firm and your advanced word processor and legal stenographic skills.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Don’t tell the interviewer you want to be in a supervisory or mangement position as they may feel you are threatening their job. What the interviewer really wants to know is that your career plan is realistic and that you will stay.

Why did you leave your last job?
Say nothing negative!! Present a neutral answer that doesn’t give the impression that you are someone who might have problems getting along with management or co-workers. Stress the positive and discuss the limitations of your past job in objective terms.

What kind of salary are you looking for?
By naming an unrealistic salary, you can hurt your chance at being hired for the job. Keep in mind that no matter how good you are, the company can only pay you a salary within their budget. Do some research in the field to find out what competitors are paying so you can negotiate realistically. Always leave room for compromise!

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	RETURN TO LIST OF ARTICLES Surviving the Job Interview Ordeal by Bob Weinstein The interview, like it or not, is usually the deciding factor in if you are going to get hired. And while it may seem unfair that your first impression carries so much weight, look at it through the employer’s point of view. The interviewer is looking for someone who is honest, competent, and dependable, and the only way to find out if you possess those qualities is to ask tricky questions. Here are a few examples of the question, what they are really asking, and what your answers should reflect. Tell me about yourself. Resist the urge here to give the interviewer a five-minute mini-bio of your life. Instead, focus on good things about yourself that reflect your job-related strengths like your ability to handle pressure or your uncanny people skills. What are your weaknesses? Don’t give the seemingly obvious answer of none, this makes you appear dishonest and inhuman. What the interviewer is really looking for in the answer is a weakness that can turn into a positive in the work environment. Such as your inability to stop a job before it is complete to your satisfaction. This shows that you are action-oriented and take pride in your work. What are your strengths? Your response to this question should avoid giving a long list of your amazing attributes. Let your answer reflect only those skills that demonstrate your ability to do your job well as that is what the interviewer is really looking for. Why should I hire you? The key to answering this question is to combine your strengths with an understanding of the company or industry. Such as the need for speed and accuracy in a law firm and your advanced word processor and legal stenographic skills. Where do you see yourself in 5 years? Don’t tell the interviewer you want to be in a supervisory or mangement position as they may feel you are threatening their job. What the interviewer really wants to know is that your career plan is realistic and that you will stay. Why did you leave your last job? Say nothing negative!! Present a neutral answer that doesn’t give the impression that you are someone who might have problems getting along with management or co-workers. Stress the positive and discuss the limitations of your past job in objective terms. What kind of salary are you looking for? By naming an unrealistic salary, you can hurt your chance at being hired for the job. Keep in mind that no matter how good you are, the company can only pay you a salary within their budget. Do some research in the field to find out what competitors are paying so you can negotiate realistically. Always leave room for compromise! RETURN TO LIST OF ARTICLE