Preparing for the Interview

By Dean W. Johnson

You've sent your resume everywhere, you've tweaked it so that it fits each position you've applied for and finally someone thinks you're a fit, at least enough to call you in for an interview. The people doing the interview however are not going to be professional interviewers but people working for the company that want to get as much information about you as possible. It will be your job to make that information positive and in your favor.

Typically your interviewers will share a list of interview questions that has been put together by students and faculty and business schools and universities. The good thing is that there are many of these lists that are just about the same, and you can find them on the Internet.

I have taken some of those lists I have found on the Internet and have condensed them down to an essential 54 questions. Go through the list at your leisure and prepare an answer in your mind to each of them. Consider what your answer will mean to the employer.

Beware of trap questions. One typical trap question is asked of candidates of permanent positions. It goes something like, "would you consider a contract position with us?" If you are in this situation the wrong answer is "yes". The trick is that the company is looking for permanent candidates, those who will stay on no matter the pressure and stress of the job for years and years. It doesn't matter that you're willing to take anything to get into the company.

The Condensed List

1. Describe yourself.
   
2. Why did you decide to seek a position in this company?
   
3. What motivated you to leave your last job?
   
4. What are your short-range goals and objectives?
   
5. What are your long range goals and objectives?
   
6. What do you see yourself doing five years from now? Ten years from now?
   
7. What do you really want to do in life?
   
8. How do you plan to achieve your career goals?
   
9. What are the most important rewards you expect in your career?
   
10. What do you expect to be earning in five years?
    
11. Why did you choose this career?
    
12. Can you explain this gap in your employment history?
    
13. How well do you work with people? Do you prefer working alone or in teams?
    
14. How well do you deal with conflict?
    
15. How do you handle difficulty with a supervisor? How was the conflict resolved?
    
16. What do you consider your greatest strengths to be?
    
17. What do you consider your greatest weaknesses to be?
    
18. What was best job you've ever had?
    
19. Describe the best supervisor you've ever had.
    How would you last boss describe your work performance?
    
20. What motivates you to go the extra mile on a project or job?
    
21. Why should I hire you?
    
22. How are you qualified for this position?
    
23. What does success mean to you?
    
24. What would success be with a company like ours?
    
25. How do you think you can contribute to our company?
    
26. What are your hobbies? How do you spend your spare time?
    
27. Have you ever been forced to resign or fired?
    
28. Describe a successful manager.
    
29. Can you see yourself in a leadership role?
    
30. Describe a good leader.
    
31. How great was the workload in your current (or most recent) job?
    
32. Compare creativity and efficiency. Which is more important? Why?
    
33. What books have you've read? What is the most recent book you've read?
    
34. What is the relationship between the supervisor and those reporting to him or her?
    
35. Describe the two or three accomplishments that have given you the most satisfaction.
    
36. What was the most rewarding experience of your career thus far?
    
37. What qualities would you look for in a job seeker for this position?
    
38. Are you continuing your studies? Are you considering an advanced degree?
    
39. In what kind of work environment are you most comfortable?
    
40. Can you delegate tasks? Can you give some examples?
    
41. Describe one of the hardest decisions you've ever had to make.
    
42. What do you know about our company?
    
43. What are our products? What interests do you have in them?
    
44. What competitors do we have? What do you know about them?
    
45. What are the things that are most important to you in your job?
    
46. What promotions or salary increases do you expect?
    How do you judge the company for whom you hope to work?
    
47. What are your geographic preferences?
    
48. Would you relocate? Can you relocate yourself?
    
49. Would you travel for the job?
    
50. What about the community where we are located attracts you?
    
51. What have you learned from your mistakes?
    
52. What in your past shows initiative and willingness to work?
    

Your Presentation
Be sure that you present yourself as calm, prepared, well mannered and professional in your answers. Avoid negative answers. Avoid all negative responses.

Arrive at the interview 15 minutes early in order to fill out any paper work they may require. Be appropriately dressed. The first five minutes is crucial and your last chance to make a good first impression.

At the end of the interview, be sure to close the interview. It will be up to you to ask for the position. That may be the hardest part, but it is the most important part.

Some Useful Links
There are several links below of guides and resources you might also go over.
http://www.job-interview.net/
http://interview.monster.com/archives/attheinterview/
For technical jobs try:
http://www.techinterview.org/
and always:
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=interview+questions
The person doing the interview will do their research, so do yours too. That extra edge could put you over the top.