Preparing the Resume:
Visual appeal, easy to read layout, and high quality reproduction;
Highlights strengths and links them to employer's needs; minimizes or excludes irrelevant experience;
Presents the most important information first;
Entirely free from any errors: spelling, typographical, punctuation, or grammatical;
Succinct and organized; does not exceed two pages.
Review and tailor the resume to the requirements of the job being applied for.
Do provide contact information email, phone and mail address.
When ever you get a interview call, start with the following:
•Identify the requirements of the job that you're interviewing for.
•Review interview questions and identify the question you'll most likely be asked.
•Build a series of practice job interviews
•Develop answers for both expected and unexpected interview questions
•Highlights the keys to interview success.
Dressing up for interview:
•clean and polished conservative dress shoes
•well-groomed hairstyle
•cleaned and trimmed fingernails
•minimal cologne or perfume
•no visible body piercing beyond conservative ear piercings for women
•well-brushed teeth and fresh breath
•no gum, candy, or other objects in your mouth
•minimal jewelry
•no body odor
10 General Questions:
•Tell me about yourself.
Keep your answer to one or two minutes; don't ramble.
Use a ''positioning statement'' as a base to start. Your positioning statement is the boiled-down story of your resume -- general goals, skills and background.
•What do you know about our company?
Know products, size, income, reputation, image, goals, problems, management talent, management style, people, skills, history and philosophy.
Project an informed interest. Ask several open-ended questions about the company's course and the department's goals so the interviewer can tell you about the company. Let her define the business in her terms.
•Why do you want to work for us?
Don't talk about what you want; first talk about their needs.
You wish to be part of a company project.
You would like to solve a company problem.
You can make a definite contribution to specific company goals: identify its management talent, increase sales in the Northeast region, and so on.
•What would you do for us? What can you do for us that someone else can't?
- Relate past successes in solving previous employer problems, which may be similar to those of the prospective employer.
•What about our position do you find the most attractive? Least attractive?
- List three or more attractive factors and only one minor unattractive factor.
•Why should we hire you?
- Because of knowledge, experience, abilities and skills. Tell what these are.
•What do you look for in a job?
- An opportunity to use skills, perform and be recognized.
•Please give me your definition of a ... (the job for which you are being interviewed).
- Keep it brief and action- and results-oriented
•How long would it take you to make a meaningful contribution to our firm?
- Very quickly after a little orientation and a brief period of adjustment on the learning curve.
•How long would you stay with us?
- As long as we both feel I'm contributing, achieving, growing and so on.
Questions If You Are Leaving a Job:
Why are you leaving your present job?
Refine your answer based on your comfort level and honesty.
Give a ''group'' answer if possible; for instance, ''Our department was consolidated or eliminated.''
How do you feel about leaving all of your benefits?
- Concerned but not panicked.
Describe what you feel to be an ideal working environment.
- Where people are treated as fairly as possible.
How would you evaluate your present firm?
- An excellent company that afforded me many fine experiences.
Behavioral-based interview
The behavioral interview technique is used by employers to evaluate a candidate's experiences and behaviors in order to determine their potential for success. The interviewer identifies desired skills and behaviors, then structures open-ended questions and statements to elicit detailed responses. A rating system is developed and selected criteria are evaluated during the interview. As a candidate, you should be prepared to answer the questions and statements thoroughly.
•Describe a situation in which you were able to use persuasion to successfully convince someone to see things your way.
•Describe a time when you were faced with a stressful situation that demonstrated your coping skills.
•Give me a specific example of a time when you used good judgment and logic in solving a problem.
•Give me an example of a time when you set a goal and were able to meet or achieve it.
•Tell me about a time when you had to use your presentation skills to influence someone's opinion.
•Give me a specific example of a time when you had to conform to a policy with which you did not agree.
•Please discuss an important written document you were required to complete.
•Tell me about a time when you had to go above and beyond the call of duty in order to get a job done.
•Tell me about a time when you had too many things to do and you were required to prioritize your tasks.
•Give me an example of a time when you had to make a split second decision.
•What is your typical way of dealing with conflict? Give me an example.
•Tell me about a time you were able to successfully deal with another person even when that individual may not have personally liked you (or vice versa).
•Tell me about a difficult decision you've made in the last year.
•Give me an example of a time when something you tried to accomplish and failed.
•Give me an example of when you showed initiative and took the lead.
•Tell me about a recent situation in which you had to deal with a very upset customer or co-worker.
•Give me an example of a time when you motivated others.
•Tell me about a time when you delegated a project effectively.
•Give me an example of a time when you used your fact-finding skills to solve a problem.
•Tell me about a time when you missed an obvious solution to a problem.
•Describe a time when you anticipated potential problems and developed preventive measures.
•Tell me about a time when you were forced to make an unpopular decision.
•Please tell me about a time you had to fire a friend.
•Describe a time when you set your sights too high (or too low).
Questions on Career Goals
Where do you want to be 5 years from now in your career?
What are your long term career goals?
What prompted you to take your current job?
Where do you see yourself 10 years from now?
Why did you make a career change?
Why do you want to leave your current position?
Five years ago, where did you see yourself today?
What is your career goal?
The more we prepare, the more relaxed and confident we feel during the interview; the more relaxed we feel, and the better we perform; the better we perform, the more the chance are that we get the job! . One of the key message to be conveyed to the interviewer is that you are keen for a career in that particular field with that particular company.
