Acing a Job Interview

June 14, 2009 – 7:07 am

Welcome back!

If you haven’t been on a job interview in a while -or ever -you may be surprised at the kinds of questions being asked these days. For instance, you might be asked to write an essay on the spot about your past successes and failures. Or you could be asked for an example of something that would make you a useful addition to the staff during your first year on the job. You might even be given a psychological test to see if you’re the kind of person that the hirer is looking for.

So how do you sell yourself properly? The key is to show the potential employer that you know a great deal about what the firm needs, that you have what it takes to get the job done, and that you’ll fit in well with the current workforce there. Here’s where having done your library research will really pay off. And if you know someone who now works for the place, or did recently, all the better. Pump that person for information about what the interview will be like, whom you’re likely to see, and what you might do to prepare. The more you know going in,
the better you’ll be once you’re in the interview.

Although you want to demonstrate to the employer how great you are, there’s a wrong way and a right way to do this. The wrong way is to just keep talking about what a terrific person you are and how people like you. The right way is to impress on the interviewer how your qualities and skills will benefit the firm. Try to give at least one example of something you did at your last job that would be helpful at this job.

Also, show the quizzer that you’ve given a lot of thought to the interviewer and the job by asking dazzling questions of your own. Be getting a conversation going, you’ll raise the chances that the interviewer will remember you as someone smart and thoughtful. Don’t be shy about asking key questions such as how many people will report to you, how often you’ll be expected to travel, what kind of savings and pension plan is available, what kind of health, life, and disability insurance coverage you would receive, and so on.

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