Proven Techniques

The question-answering rule says, “Answer every question in terms of your background and qualifications or in terms of the job to be filled.”

• Tell me about yourself. Means “Tell me about your qualifications?” This is the most common interview question asked by prospective employers. Pre-plan a three-to-five minute answer describing your education and then mention each job in terms of accomplishment or performance indicators.
  
  Before formulating your 3 to 5 minute answer, we suggest you put yourself in the place of the employer and ask yourself: ‘What would I want to know about this person in order to thoroughly understand what they have been responsible for and how well they have performed?”
  • Typically an employer wants to know about your technical knowledge acquired through education and on the job experience.
    
    
  • They want to know about your human relation skills, and your managerial ability or potential.
    
    
  • They want to know about your problem solving capabilities, your work ethic, and your accomplishments.
    
    
  • You may think of other areas an employer would want to know about but these will be the most critical.
    
    
  • The best way to proceed is to write out the questions an employer would want to know before you put your 3 to 5 minute presentation together. The answers to those questions should be incorporated into your presentation.
    
  
  
  
• Personality questions attempt to determine if you have the qualities being sought. “What kind of manager are you? Are you creative?’ Answer these questions in terms of the obvious answer supported by past or present experiences as proof of your claim.
  
  
• Motive questions are asked to determine if you would enjoy the job. “Describe your ideal job.” “Would you prefer to work for a large or small company?” “What did you like most/least about your job?” Answer these questions as they relate to the job for which you are interviewing, following the question-answering rule. Be specific and emphatic.

How can you contribute to this company?
• Be positive and sell! Bringing strong technical skills, enthusiasm, and desire to complete projects correctly and efficiently are good responses.
  
  Why should I hire you for this position?
• Explain your qualifications and how they “fit” the available position. Address your interest in the job and the field and why it is work that you enjoy. Emphasize your ability to successfully perform the duties required.
  
  Why do you want to work for our firm?
• Make a compliment about what the company does, its location, or its people. Other positive remarks might be about the company’s product or service, content of the position or possibilities for growth or advancement. Research about the company is important here.
  
  Where do you hope to be in five years?
• Use conservative growth positions that clearly show you plan to be there in five years, and that their investment in you will pay. Be sure that you know what can and cannot be achieved by the ideal candidate in the position. Never tell the interviewer that you feel you’ll be more successful than they are. But do show a strong desire for promotions.
  
  What interests you most about this position?
• Teasing the interviewer with a truthful one to two-word answer such as, “the challenge” or “the opportunity”, will force them to ask you to explain. Here again, you have a chance to demonstrate your knowledge of the company.
  
  How long do you plan to be with this company?
• As with marriage, most employers expect an until-death-do-us-part attitude, but they can be equally attracted to the candidate with ambition and candor. “As long as I continue to learn and grow in my field,” is a reasonable response.
  
  What are your career goals?
  Your answer should depend on a specific time frame:
• Short term – “I want to be the best in my current position, while learning additional responsibilities. This, in itself, will assure my commitment to the firm and raise me to the next level of responsibility and promotion. I see myself wanting to stay technical but learn the necessary skills to lead people and projects."
• Long term – “After proving my abilities, I see myself in a firm with the possibility of moving into a level of management that allows me to keep my skills sharp.”
  
  What are you doing to achieve your goals?
• “I look at continued learning as the key to success. I continue my education, as you see from my resume, by taking company educational courses, when offered, and college courses. I also read trade publications and magazines to keep me informed about the current and future directions in my field. When possible, I participate in professional organizations in my field.”

If asked what you desire,
• A suitable reply: “I am looking for the right opportunity and I am confident that if you find me the best candidate for this position, you will extend me your best and most fair offer.” Or, money is important to almost all of us but before I could give a specific dollar amount, I think first you should decide whether I am the right fit for this position and I must determine if this is the right career move for me.
  
  What is your current salary?
• Answer truthfully. “I’m presently earning $_______.” Remember that “salary” includes base, bonuses, commissions, benefits, and vacations as well as sick days and personal days. Also, if you are due a raise in the next three months, state the approximate percentage you expect.
  
  

What kind of decisions are most difficult for you?
• Again, be truthful and admit not everything comes easily. Be careful what you do admit to so as not to instantly disqualify yourself. Explain that you try to gather as much information and advice as you can to make the best decision possible.
  
  What causes you to lose your temper?
• Everybody has a low boiling point on some particular issue. Pick one of yours; something safe and reasonable. People who are late to meetings, blame shifting, broken appointments and office “back-stabbing” are suitable responses. Don’t say that you never fly off the handle. You won’t be believed.
  
  What are your greatest accomplishments?
• Be ready to recant one of two stories that demonstrate strong capabilities or achievements that will make you attractive to your new employer. A special project that you pioneered at your previous job, cutting department expenses, increasing productivity or receiving frequent promotions are a few examples.
  
  How do you feel about a younger male/female boss?
• A question like this usually means that your boss will either be younger or of the opposite sex or both. Be certain that if you register any concern, you will probably not be hired. Explain that their age or sex is of no importance to you. You are only interested in their capability and what you can learn from them.
  
  What kind of worker are you?
• Again, no one is perfect. Showing that you tackle every assignment with all of your energy and talents is admirable but mention that you also learn from your mistakes.
  
  
• Show enthusiasm. Strive to project eagerness and interest. Be a conversationalist by being yourself.

• Honestly assess your employment background and develop explanations for any weak points.
• Prepare a list of tough questions that may be asked. Then develop answers to those questions. You may be asked about your reasons for wanting to leave your present job and what you like most/least about your job. Many of these questions are aimed at finding out if you have the qualities being sought. For example, if you are asked what type of manager you are, be sure to support your answer with specific examples.
• Practice responses alone and then with a trusted friend who isn’t reluctant to offer constructive criticism. An excellent sounding board is your MRI account executive.

Dress Properly:
• For men: conservative suit, white shirt, contrasting tie, shoes shined, socks over calf.
• For women: skirted suit or dress with matching jacket, neutral-colored hose, simple pumps, minimum makeup.

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