Interview

The Interview

This is your opportunity to apply the knowledge you have gained through your research work, learn more about the job and the work environment, and project the best image of who you would be as an employee.

What employers want to know about you

Every employer will want to know a few basic things about you, no matter what the open job may be. Prepare to provide this information in the interview in much the same way you might have prepared for a final exam in school. Do your homework, try to anticipate the sorts of questions you are likely to be asked, and make sure you can effectively communicate the answers to those questions.

Most interview questions are designed to answer the following:

Do you have the skills to perform the job?
Will you be able to fit into the work environment and get along with co-workers?
Can you accept direction and/or abide by important rules?
Is your behavior professional and courteous?
Would you be a reliable and hard-working employee?
Can you handle the sorts of pressures you might encounter on the job?
Additionally, the employer will be looking for certain values or characteristics, which may include:

        -Honesty
        -Determination
        -Confidence
        -Communication skills
        -Listening skills
        -Problem-solving skills
        -Efficiency
        -Economy
        -Resourcefulness
        -Initial contact: the telephone interview

Many employers conduct a "mini interview" over the phone before they invite you to interview on site. These can include the same sorts of questions you would be asked on site, and they can be damaging if you are unprepared. Your two goals should be to "pass" the telephone interview (and get asked in for an interview on company premises), and learn more about the job.

First of all, you should have a telephone answering machine or service. Make sure your message is professional in tone. If you have sent out resumes, always assume that any caller could be a prospective employer, so answer the phone accordingly. There is still a chance that you will be caught off guard, so keep all your job-search information, including your resume, where you can easily access it.

Even though you may be nervous, you should be prepared for an unexpected telephone interview. Have questions of your own to ask, let the interviewer do as much talking as he or she wants, and speak with confidence. Take notes - especially write down the interviewer's name and the names of any employees or managers who are mentioned.

Things to think about when answering interview questions

There are two fundamental rules.

First, keep the employer's needs in mind. Each employee should be, in some way, contributing to the success of the organization. Always try to demonstrate an awareness of this principle in your responses to questions.

Second, sell yourself. Answer questions accurately, but avoid revealing information about yourself that would create a negative impression. This is not always possible, so if you must discuss a problem issue, always be prepared to show how you have corrected the cause of that problem.

When answering questions about yourself that require more than a simple "yes" or "no" response, try to provide a specific example of the point you're trying to make. A good example is like a good story; it adds interest to your information, so it can help the interviewer remember what you say. To be more accurate: an example should be like good true story. Always speak honestly in an interview.

Make sure you communicate everything that needs to be said, but avoid rambling aimlessly. Don't be afraid to ask clarifying questions if you are unsure about what the interviewer is looking for. A short, to-the-point response is much more desirable than a long-winded monologue that covers everything but the question that was asked.

Many job seekers are afraid of silence, and because of this, they start talking when they don't have anything useful to say. Silence is not a bad thing - it usually indicates that the interviewer is collecting his or her thoughts, or is trying to put you in a stressful situation to see how you will react. If you've finished answering a question and the interviewer does not begin talking again, you can allow the silence to play out, or you can ask a question of your own. Just don't come across as though you're desperate to fill the air with words.

When you are asked "stress questions," which are designed to see how you react to pressure, always try to reveal something positive about yourself. Be prepared to stay calm, and don't take these types of questions personally. They may seem intimidating, but they ultimately focus on finding out more about you, just like less stressful questions.

Behaviorally-based questions are increasingly common. They focus on your personality in much the same way this report focused on your behavioral characteristics to determine potentially suitable jobs for you. This emphasizes the importance of understanding not only the skills that a particular job requires, but also the personality traits most compatible with specific job responsibilities. Many employers include personality-based "tests" as part of the interview process.
The Interviewer
The person who interviews you may be skilled or unskilled. Skilled interviewers have pre-planned questions designed to determine specific things about you. They may seem informal and relaxed, but this is so you will relax - and perhaps reveal information about yourself that you had not intended to convey. Generally, they prepare for the interview the way you should; they break down the job into its different responsibilities and they determine what skills and personality traits are needed. Before you answer an interview question, try to establish what the interviewer is really trying to find out so you can provide the appropriate response.

Unskilled interviewers do not have this type of control over the interview. They may do all of the talking, or they may expect you to do it all. They could be disorganized, unprepared, negative, or visibly impatient. You should have specific information that you want to disclose in the interview, and if your interviewer is unskilled, you may have to volunteer that information rather than provide it in your responses to questions. Bring a copy of your resume to the interview, but only to give to the interviewer, never to look at when you're speaking. You should know the information on your resume inside and out.

Sample interview questions you may be asked:

"What are you looking for in a job?"
"I'm looking for an opportunity to apply the skills and experiences I have accumulated, and also an opportunity to expand upon them. I enjoy my work and am lucky enough to view a new job opportunity as something much more significant than just a paycheck."

"Where do you see yourself ten years from now?"
"I see myself in a position that remains challenging. While I enjoy my present work and do not look at it as a temporary career, I also realize that if I put forth a productive effort, the skills and experiences I will amass in the next ten years may open up additional opportunities or responsibilities. I would be open to considering those opportunities."

"What is your greatest strength?"
"I have always been good at foreseeing potential problems, and taking steps to prevent them from occurring. For example, in my last job,…"

"Tell me why I should hire you."
"This position requires (list important skills), and (list important personal characteristics). I have the background you're looking for, I work well with other people, and I take pride in exceeding expectations on the job."

"What would your last boss say was your greatest weakness?"
"One of the reasons I enjoy what I do is I am still able to encounter challenges in my field. Finding solutions to these challenges and consequently improving as an employee will always be a goal for me. When I started working at my last job, I did not understand the importance of documenting my work. I was completing my projects, but did not realize that any follow-up work handled by another employee would be difficult to perform. My manager made it very clear that reporting my processes in detail was crucial, and for that I was grateful: she helped me see and overcome a weakness."