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AAU Home > myAcademy Home > Student Resources > Toolbox for Professional Success: Art of the Interview

Art of the Interview



Answering Interview Questions

"No matter how many thousands of questions an interviewer could theoretically ask you, they all boil down to just five."
  1. Why are you here? What is it about this place that attracted you?
  2. What can you do for us? What do you have to contribute to what we can do?
  3. What distinguished you from 19 other people who can do this same job?
  4. Will you fit in? Will you get along with, or irritate, all my other employees?
  5. Can I afford you? Know what your worth professionally. Never do salary negotiation until - in the second, or third interview – they have definitely said they want you. Always let the employers state a figure first.
Bolles, Richard. March 7, 1999. What Color is Your Parachute? bi-weekly column appearing in the Career Search Section of the San Francisco Chronicle & Examiner.

Some examples of how those 5 are conveyed specifically follow:
  1. Tell me about yourself
  2. What are the most important rewards you expect in your career?
  3. What kind of boss do you prefer? How did your last boss treat you?
  4. What was the last problem you had at work and how did you deal with it?
  5. What was the biggest mistake you have made and how did you deal with it?
  6. Why should I hire you?
  7. What are your salary expectations?
  8. How do you feel about overtime?
  9. What do you consider your greatest strength?
  10. Tell me about your weaknesses? Areas of needed improvement?
  11. How would a friend/coworker/teacher describe you?
  12. What college classes/subjects did you like the best? The least?
  13. Are you willing to relocate?
  14. What did you enjoy most/least in your last job? Why?
  15. Where do you see yourself in 5 years? Why?
Remember: All questions have a hidden question. You must always answer the hidden question. Example: How do you feel about working overtime? Means: Will you do whatever it takes to get the job done? Can we count on you in a pinch? Always: Sell yourself to the needs of the company!

Asking Interview Questions


Always have questions prepared to ask an interviewer. The interview is as much a chance for you to interview the company and assess them and the position as it for you to be interviewed.
  1. How would you summarize the top three priorities in this position?
  2. Can you describe your ideal candidate?
  3. What kind of training can I expect?
  4. Can you tell me some of the career paths available within your company?
  5. To whom would I report?
  6. When will the first job performance evaluation take place?
  7. How long have you been with the company?
  8. Who would you consider your competition? Why?
  9. What are some of the objectives you would like to fill in this job?
  10. What are the company’s short and long term goals for the future?
  11. When will the hiring decision be made?
Remember: Find out, at the start, what the employer wants so you can sell yourself to the needs of the company.

Always: Ask the first two questions as soon as you can in order to know how to sell yourself.


Do’s and Don’ts of Interviewing


DO…
Relate your skills & experience to the job to which you are applying
Use examples to illustrate a point. If you are detail minded – use an actual example or story to enhance it
Ask questions – they show interest, intelligence and thoroughness
Ask for specifics so you know exactly what the employer needs are
Listen carefully
THINK before answering
State career or job changes as moving FORWARD to something better, NOT as leaving something
Enhance your portfolio/reel with descriptions about each project
Make sure your hands and nails are clean – details count
Make sure your hair is in place, off your face and clean – people look at your face
Look the interviewer in the eye and SMILE.
Shake the interviewer’s hand
Let the interviewer set the pace of the interview discussion and portfolio viewing
Ask the interviewer when you can contact him / her
Be enthusiastic and positive at all times
Turn off your cell phone BEFORE the interview

DON’T…
Be late!
Have anything in your mouth except your teeth
Carry an over-sized bag or satchel
Keep adjusting your clothes
Fiddle with your hair
Read documents on the interviewer’s desk
Give one-word answers such as "Yes" or "No"
Monopolize the conversation
Interrupt
Say "Y’ know" or "Um" or slang words
Brag or overstate
Lie
Criticize your present or previous employer
Look at your watch during the interview
Quote a salary