July 19, 2006
| The STAR interviewing technique |
One strategy for preparing for behavioral interviews, as presented by Quint Careers, is to use the STAR Technique, as outlined below.
| Situation or Task | Describe the situation that you were in or the task that you needed to accomplish. You must describe a specific event or situation, not a generalized description of what you have done in the past. Be sure to give enough detail for the interviewer to understand. This situation can be from a previous job, from a volunteer experience, or any relevant event. |
| Action you took | Describe the action you took and be sure to keep the focus on you. Even if you are discussing a group project or effort, describe what you did -- not the efforts of the team. Don't tell what you might do, tell what you did. |
| Results you achieved | What happened? How did the event end? What did you accomplish? What did you learn? |
More interviewing techniques from Quint Careers
I suppose the key point is that you have a strategy for the interview; you decide what you want to say, and how to say it. It's not a bad thing to focus on your efforts, as opposed to your team's efforts - after all, the interviewer isn't looking to employ your entire team!
Posted by Mark at 09:15 AM | Comments (0)
September 08, 2005
| The 25 most difficult questions you'll be asked on a job interview |
Some of these questions are aimed at the more executive positions but, whatever you're looking for, prepare positive, thoughtful, honest answers to those that apply to you and you can't go far wrong.
1. Tell me about yourself.
Since this is often the opening question in an interview, be extra careful that you don't run off at the mouth. Keep your answer to a minute or two at most. Cover four topics: early years, education, work history, and recent career experience. Emphasize this last subject. Remember that this is likely to be a warm-up question. Don't waste your best points on it.
2. What do you know about our organization?
3. Why do you want to work for us?
4. What can you do for us that someone else can't?
5. What do you find most attractive about this position? What seems least attractive about it?
6. Why should we hire you?
7. What do you look for in a job?
8. Please give me your defintion of [the position for which you are being interviewed].
9. How long would it take you to make a meaningful contribution to our firm?
10. How long would you stay with us?
11. Your resume suggests that you may be over-qualified or too experienced for this position. What's Your opinion?
12. What is your management style?
13. Are you a good manager? Can you give me some examples? Do you feel that you have top managerial potential?
14. What do you look for when You hire people?
15. Have you ever had to fire people? What were the reasons, and how did you handle the situation?
16. What do you think is the most difficult thing about being a manager or executive?
17. What important trends do you see in our industry?
18. Why are you leaving (did you leave) your present (last) job?
19. How do you feel about leaving all your benefits to find a new job?
20. In your current (last) position, what features do (did) you like the most? The least?
21. What do you think of your boss?
22. Why aren't you earning more at your age?
23. What do you feel this position should pay?
24. What are your long-range goals?
25. How successful do you think you've been so far?
For more detailed suggestions on how to handle each of these questions, follow this link:
The 25 most difficult questions you'll be asked on a job interview
Posted by Mark at 09:22 AM | Comments (0)
March 08, 2005
| 10 job interview tips |
Great ways to impress prospective employers
By Courtney Muir
homemakers.com
Is the prospect of having to go through another job interview putting a damper on an otherwise productive job search? Brushing up on the latest interviewing techniques can build your confidence and help you land the job of your dreams.
According to Marla Goddard, a human resources specialist at Adecco Employment Services Ltd., a notable human resources consulting company, today's trend in interviews is determining whether a candidate is the right "fit" for a job. Follow these 10 tips to fitting in perfectly at a job interview.
1. Research the company
Goddard says she frequently asks people what they know about the company while conducting job interviews. Familiarize yourself with the company and the interviewer's name prior to the interview.
2. Practise answering interview questions
Devise a list of potential interview questions and practise answering them. Remember to incorporate what you learned about the company into your responses. Enlisting the help of a friend to perform a mock interview is a good way to practise aloud.
3. Look the part
Ensure that you are well groomed, and that you are dressed neatly and appropriately. Find out the dress code before the interview, and bring along an attaché case with copies of your resume, a notebook and a pen.
4. Be on time
Never show up late, but try to be no more than 15 minutes early for an interview. With schedules as busy as they are these days, the time slot you have been allotted should be respected.
5. Be succinct
Many people make the mistake of talking too much during an interview. Don't hesitate to ask the interviewer if they require you to elaborate or provide another example.
6. Be honest
If you don't have an example or do not know how to answer a question, admit it.
7. Show what you know by providing examples
Specific examples lend credibility to your answers. Behavioural interviews -- where you are asked how you would react in a number of different work-related situations -- are very popular. Employers know that one of the best ways of predicting future behaviour is by understanding past behaviour.
8. Keep your guard up
Even during a casual interview, it is important to maintain a sense of professionalism throughout.
9. Ask great questions
Well-informed questions demonstrate to the interviewer your interest and knowledge of the company and is an excellent way to help set you apart from the other candidates.
10. Follow up
At the end of the interview, get some kind of closure says Goddard. Get time lines and more details about the interviewing process. Also, ask the interviewer if it would be OK to follow up in a week and their preferred medium of contact.
A job interview is just as much about determining whether the company fits you as it is about you fitting into the company, says Goddard. With the right preparation, you can turn a potentially stressful interview into an empowering opportunity.
Posted by Mark at 03:18 PM | Comments (0)