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Communicating During the Interview: Being Genuine and Responsive

• For what position are you applying?
  Be specific and concise in providing an answer to this important first question because this is your opportunity to "make a good first impression" by demonstrating your positive attitude, energy level and communication skills (eye contact, clarity of message, and rapport).
  
• Tell me about yourself?
  You can communicate self-confidence by providing a brief overview of how your background, experience and/or education have prepared you for the position. Your cover letter and resume can serve as an important "interview roadmap" highlighting your background and experience.
• What do you know about our company?
  Here is where your prior research about the company can pay off by showing that you are truly interested in the company and job opportunity. If you haven't researched the company already, review some of the important company research information you should know before the interview.
• Why did you select us to interview with?
  See the above answer as this question also assumes that you have found something exemplary about the company and job opportunity.
• What are your long-term career goals?
  The key is to focus on your long term achievable goals and what you are doing to achieve them. For example, "Within the next five years I would like to become the very best ________________(manager, accountant, engineer, etc) your company has on staff. Here is what I'm presently doing to prepare myself (reference academic degree, credential, training and development, mentoring activity, position, etc)
• What qualifications do you have that will make you successful in this role? Here is another question where your cover letter and resume can serve as an important "interview roadmap" highlighting your background and experience. Identify at least one example of how your qualifications for the position prepare you for success in the role.
• What have you learned in college that would be useful on the job?
  My education has provided a solid foundation for successful business interactions. Additionally, my experience as a club leader, athletic team member, and/or community volunteer has taught me the importance of effective communication among team members.
• Are you a team player?
  Yes, I'm very much a team player. I've had opportunities to demonstrate my commitment to team success in the classroom, on-the-job, and within student organizations and athletics.
• What makes you better than the other people who are applying for the job?
  Be prepared with a response that will underscore how your commitment, ability, resourcefulness, work ethic, dedication, background and experience differentiate you, and set you apart, from the competition.
• Why did you leave your job(s)?
  Your answer needs to be tailored to your circumstances.
  Some examples: A) This position seemed like an excellent match for my skills and experience and I'm not able to fully utilize them in my present job, B) I enjoyed my job at ____________. The reason I decided to leave was to dedicate time to finding a position where I could make a greater contribution, C) I was laid-off from my last position when our department was eliminated due to a corporate restructuring D) I recently received my degree and want to use my educational background in my next position, E) I'm interested in a job with more responsibility and I am prepared for a new challenge.
  DO NOT CRITICIZE YOUR FORMER BOSS OR COMPANY as it is a warning flag that you could be a problem employee.
• How would others you have worked with or for describe you?
  This question provides you with an opportunity to demonstrate advance planning by asking co-workers, professors and/or supervisors to describe you. If they are willing to provide a positive reference, ask them for a letter of recommendation. Then, in response to this question, highlight characteristics found within your letters, and say "Actually, I know that he/she would say this about me because they already have. May I show you his/her letter of recommendation?"
• Describe a difficult situation or problem you have faced and how you resolved it?
  Identify a "story" in advance about a challenging work situation. The next question is about resolving an interpersonal difficulty. This one is about your ability to resolve issues so discuss the skills and techniques you used to arrive at resolution. Emphasize the successful results. Be generous in sharing credit if it was a team effort.
• Describe a difficult person you worked with and how you interacted with them?
  I believe I get along with many different types of personalities. However, I can think of one example that represented a challenge for me. I had a disagreement with a fellow worker about _________(example of an issue). I found out that when a conflict like this occurs, it is important to remain as neutral as possible about the person. Instead, what I did was try to fully understand their perspective about the issue. I had to concentrate on listening to their point of view in an attempt to find a mutually agreeable area of compromise. (Focus on the steps you take to get the information, enhance communication and work collaboratively to resolve the issue.)
• Describe a strength?
  Don't just focus on one but highlight two or three of your strengths:
  1) organizational skills, 2) team building skills, 3) communication skills, 4) leadership skills. Determine which of your strengths would best fit with the position you are applying.
• Describe a weakness?
  You should select a weakness that you are actively working on to overcome. For example, In the past, I have found it challenging to prioritize important tasks. However, I'm now taking steps to strengthen my ability by using a Personal Digital Assistant. Here is what I've found.
• Would you work overtime?
  I don't have a problem working overtime to get the job done. I understand that in today's competitive marketplace there are often deadlines requiring a need for flexibility in regard to working hours.
• Are you willing to relocate?
  If relocation were not an important issue, the interviewer would not be asking the question. Therefore, the only acceptable answer is YES. If you do not want to relocate then you should not accept the job if it is offered to you. If you are not sure, then ask questions about relocation such as: when is it likely to occur, where would the relocation be, and would a possible relocation involve a promotion?
• Do you have any questions?
  As the interview comes to a close, one of the final questions you may be asked is "Do you have any questions of me?" Be prepared to ask a few questions. You aren't simply trying to get this job-you are also interviewing the potential employer to determine whether this company and the position are a good fit for you.
  
  Some examples of questions candidates can ask:
  How would you describe the responsibilities of the position?
  What is the company's management style?
  How many people work in this office/department?
  How much travel is expected?
  Would you like a list of references?
  When do you anticipate filling the position?