Monday, 1 October tidying up resumes and cover letters

Your resumes and cover letters are being returned today. Please use the class time to make any corrections and print out a hard copy for your senior exit interview folder.

A couple of folks never turned in material. Nevertheless, it is required as part of the participation in the senior exit interview.

These are due by this Wednesday; otherwise, I need to call home, as well as let Ms. Aspenleiter know that you refuse to complete the work.

Friday, 28 September Practice Interviews

 

In class today:
We will be conducting practice interviews today! You will be assigned a partner, with one of you as the interviewer and the other as the interviewee. Everyone will get a chance to be a part of the interview process...keep in mind the answers to the questions you answered for practice in class yesterday!


For Monday, 1 October: You will receive your resume and cover letter with revisions, and edit it accordingly. The revised resume and cover letter is due at the end of the night (midnight) on Monday; you may email it to me (Mrs. Harmon) at amclean4@mail.naz.edu by then. Please do NOT email them to Ms Parker!


As promised, here are the answers to the Business Etiquette Quiz...

Answers to Business Etiquette Quiz

Now lets see how you did...

1. No. Introduce the more important person first. You should address your client and say "Mr. Beta, I'd like you to meet our Vice President of Development, Ms. Alpha." (Alternative answer?introduce the client as the more important person!)
2. No. In Japan (unlike in the United States or the UK), business cards are taken as a serious reflection of their owner and are exchanged with great ceremony. Researching the importance of business cards in various cultures can help in avoiding embarrassing faux pas.
3. Yes. When your client steps out of the car, (s)he will be on the curbside and therefore won't have to deal with getting out in traffic or sliding across the seat.
4. Yes
5. No. If you do, then you're toasting yourself.
6. B. It's not a cup of coffee, for heaven's sake. And don't slurp, either.
7. D. It's more polite not to call attention to the fact that you can't drink champagne.
8. D. Leave it on your chair. Definitely don't put it on the table--what if you have crumbs on it?
9. B and C. Sort of a trick question, but this is important.
10. A, B, or C. It's terribly impolite to arrive early.
11. A, B, C, D, and E. In other words, it's rarely improper to shake someone's hand. Make sure you have a firm (but not painful) handshake for both men and women.
12. B. Make eye contact with all of the individuals you're talking with.
13. No. Again, don't call attention to your dislike of your host's chosen beverage.
14. B. Indicating where your guest should sit will make her feel more comfortable.
15. B, C, or D. Just don't grab it first unless you're playing one of these roles.
16. A. You've waited 30 minutes. Expect an apology later, though.
17. D. Call and set up another appointment. And don't forget to apologize for your error. Imagine how you'd feel if it was you

If you are interested, here are the questions again, for easier reference:

1. Your boss, Ms. Alpha, enters the room when you're meeting with an important client, Mr. Beta. You rise and say "Ms. Alpha, I'd like you to meet Mr. Beta, our client from San Diego." Is this introduction correct?
2. At a social function, you meet the CEO of an important Japanese corporation. After a brief chat, you give him your business card. Is this correct? 
3. You're entering a cab with an important client. You position yourself so the client is seated curbside. Is this correct?


4. You're hosting a dinner at a restaurant. You've pre-ordered for everyone and indicated where they should sit. Are you correct?


5. A toast has been proposed in your honor. You say "thank you" and take a sip of your drink. Are you correct?


6. You're in a restaurant and a thin soup is served in a cup with no handles. To eat it you should:


1. pick it up and drink it
2. use the spoon provided
3. eat half of it with a spoon and drink the remainder


7. You're at a dinner and champagne is served with the dessert. You simply can't drink champagne yet know the host will be offering a toast. Do you:


1. tell the waiter "no champagne"
2. turn over your glass
3. ask the waiter to pour water into your champagne glass instead
4. say nothing and allow the champagne to be poured


8. You're at a table in a restaurant for a business dinner. Midway through the meal, you're called to the telephone. What do you do with your napkin?


1. Take it with you
2. Fold and place it to the left of your plate
3. Loosely fold it and place it on the right side
4. Leave it on your chair


9. You're hosting a dinner party at a restaurant. Included are two other couples, and your most valuable client and his wife. You instruct the waiter to:


1. serve your spouse first
2. serve your client's spouse first
3. serve you and your spouse last


10. You're invited to a reception and the invitation states "7:00 to 9:00 PM." You should arrive:


1. at 7:00 PM
2. anytime between 7:00 PM and 9:00 PM
3. between 7:00 PM and 7:30 PM
4. go early and leave early


11. You're greeting or saying good-bye to someone. When's the proper time to shake their hand?


1. When you're introduced
2. At their home
3. At their office
4. On the street
5. When you say good-bye


12. You're talking with a group of four people. Do you make eye contact with:


1. just the person to whom you're speaking at the moment?
2. each of the four, moving your eye contact from one to another?
3. no one particular person (not looking directly into anyone's eyes)?


13. The waiter's coming toward you to serve wine. You don't want any. You turn your glass upside down. Are you correct?


14. When you greet a visitor in your office, do you:


1. say nothing and let her sit where she wishes?
2. tell her where to sit?
3. say "Just sit anywhere"


15. You're invited to dinner in a private home. When do you take your napkin from the table and place it on your lap?


1. Open it immediately
2. Wait for the host to take his napkin before taking yours?
3. Wait for the oldest person at the table to take his?
4. Wait for the acknowledged head of the table to take hers before taking yours?


16. You're scheduled to meet a business associate for working lunch and you arrive a few minutes early to find a suitable table. 30 minutes later your associate still hasn't arrived. Do you:


1. order your lunch and eat?
2. continue waiting and fuming that your associate isn't there?
3. tell the head waiter you're not staying and give him our card with instructions to present it to your associate to prove you were there?
4. after 15 minutes call your associate?


17. You've forgotten a lunch with a business associate. You feel terrible and know he's furious. Do you:


1. write a letter of apology?
2. send flowers?
3. keep quiet and hope he forgets about it?
4. call and set up another appointment?

Thursday, 27 September Potential Interview Questions

In class today: You will work on the "Typical Interview Questions" that were posted in yesterday's blog. I will post them here as well. Also, the Business Etiquette quiz and answers are at the bottom of this post.



Look at this list of possible questions you may be asked at an interview. Think about what the question is asking, and how you would respond.

Typical  Interview  Questions     

1.  Tell  me  about  yourself.   Go  over  this  again  and  again!  Briefly  describing  your  education  or  work  history  are   appropriate  responses  to  this  question.  Expand  briefly  on  some  of  your  results.  This   will  likely  cause  the  interviewer  to  select  an  accomplishment  and  ask  you  to  tell   more  about  it.  This  is  exactly  what  you  want;  you  score  points  every  time  you   discuss  results.  

2.  What  is  your  greatest  strength?   The  question  asks  for  your  number  one  strength,  skill,  or  asset  and  requires  you  to   analyze  yourself.  Going  into  the  interview  you  should  have  several  strengths  in   mind.  Begin  with  a  brief  statement  and  provide  a  clear  example.  

3.  What  are  your  three  most  important  career  accomplishments?   Choose  accomplishments  that  are  related  to  the  job  you  are  interviewing  for  and   ones  to  which  the  interviewer  can  relate.  Avoid  unnecessary  detail.  

4.  Why  should  I  hire  you?   This  question  is  often  asked  at  the  end  of  an  interview  and  allows  you  to  summarize   your  strengths.  Since  this  is  a  summary,  you  can  discuss  points  that  you  have   already  covered  and  mention  new  points  as  well.  Sell  yourself.  This  may  be  one  of   your  best  opportunities.  Try  to  focus  on  everything  you  learned  about  the  job,  your   future  boss,  and  the  needs  of  the  company.  

5.  How  would  your  supervisor  describe  you?   This  is  an  opportunity  to  mention  positive  qualities  that  you  know  or  assume  would   be  said  about  you.  Discuss  the  qualities  that  you  received  high  ratings  on  during   reviews.  Also  give  quick  examples  that  demonstrate  why  your  boss  would  see  such   qualities  in  you.  

6.  What  is  the  most  difficult  situation  you  have  ever  faced?   Select  an  example  that  will  demonstrate  your  positive  qualities  and  one  in  which   you  ultimately  came  out  on  top.  Tell  it  concisely  to  reveal  as  many  qualities  as   possible.  This  is  an  opportunity  to  sell  qualities  such  as  maturity,  perseverance,   emotional  stability,  effectiveness  under  stress,  and  sound  judgment.  

7.  What  would  you  like  to  improve  about  yourself?   This  is  one  of  the  most-­‐asked  questions.  When  asked  this  question,  it  is  best  to  state   a  weakness  that  you  are  improving.  You  do  not  need  to  demonstrate  that  you  have   totally  dealt  with  it,  but  you  should  indicate  that  you  have  made  major  progress   with  it.  The  goal  is  to  provide  a  short  answer  which  satisfies  the  interviewer.  

8.  What  are  your  career  goals?   This  question  tests  whether  you  have  established  career  goals,  and  whether  your   goals  match  what  the  organization  has  to  offer.  Mention  goals  that  you  feel  the organization  can  help  you  attain.  Express  them  in  terms  of  experience  you  hope  to   receive  and  the  expertise  you  hope  to  develop.  You  want  to  leave  the  impression   that  you  are  a  growth-­‐oriented  person  with  realistic  expectations  regarding   promotion  opportunities.  

9.  What  have  you  learned  from  your  past  mistakes?  What  were  some  of  them?   Everybody  makes  mistakes.  Often  there  are  lessons  to  be  learned  from  these   mistakes.  The  best  mistakes  to  share  are  those  from  which  you  were  able  to   recover.  In  any  event,  use  your  mistakes  to  show  how  you  have  matured  and  grown   from  these  experiences.  

10.  Can  you  work  well  under  stress?   You  do  not  have  to  say  that  you  like  stress,  but  you  need  to  demonstrate  that  you  can   work  effectively  under  stress.  Give  examples  where  you  have  coped  well  with  stress.   Most  stress  comes  from  deadlines  and  long  hours.  You  should  know  in  advance  if  this   organization  or  company  typically  requires  long  hours  or  faces  a  lot  of  deadlines.  

11.  Are  you  a  team  player?   This  question  indicates  that  the  organization  is  looking  for  a  team-­‐oriented  person.   Describe  how  you  are  committed  to  working  in  a  team.  You  need  to  show  that  you   are  flexible  and  cooperative  and  when  the  group  makes  a  decision,  you  willingly  go   along  with  it.  Provide  examples  demonstrating  that  people  enjoy  having  you  on   their  team  and  that  teamwork  was  essential  to  the  success  of  a  project  on  which   you  worked.  

12.  What  are  the  things  that  motivate  you?   Challenge,  creativity,  success,  opportunity,  and  personal  growth  are  most   frequently  mentioned.  You  can  also  mention  specific  skills  that  you  are  motivated  to   use.  These  might  include  problem  solving,  decision  making,  listening,  writing,   speaking,  planning,  or  counseling  people.  

13.  What  is  the  most  important  thing  to  you  in  a  job?   What  do  you  value  in  a  job:  challenge,  good  working  conditions,  friendly  coworkers,   traveling?  Mention  one  or  two  items  and  explain  why  they  are  important.  

14.  Tell  me  about  your  duties  at  your  present  job.   This  question  provides  an  opportunity  to  really  sell  yourself.  As  you  describe  your   major  duties,  describe  an  associated  accomplishment  as  well.  Be  concise.  People   know  their  own  duties  so  well  that  many  go  on  and  on  adding  unnecessary  details   that  bore  the  interviewer.  

15.  What  is  the  most  important  aspect  of  your  job?   This  question  tests  your  judgment.  Although  you  may  have  numerous   responsibilities,  the  interviewer  wants  to  have  your  view  on  what  you  can  do  to   contribute  the  most  to  the  organization.  For  each  responsibility  you  need  to  show   that  you  have  been  very  effective  in  that  area.  

16.  What  duties  have  you  enjoyed  most?  Least?  Why?   Select  your  favorite  and  least  favorite  duties  based  on  what  you  have  learned  about   the  job  for  which  you  are  interviewing.  In  general,  you  should  mention  major  duties   to  like  and  minor  duties  to  dislike.  

17.  What  frustrates  you  about  your  job?  

If  you  feel  strongly  about  a  particular  frustration,  give  concrete  examples  when   answering  this  question.  Describe  the  situation  causing  the  frustration,  and  how   you  deal  with  it.  

18.  Why  would  you  like  to  work  for  us?   This  is  your  opportunity  to  describe  what  you  know  about  the  organization.  You   should  mention  positive  points  that  you  have  discovered  on  your  own,  as  well  as   some  mentioned  by  the  interviewer.  You  might  mention  that  the  job  is  a  factor  in   your  wanting  to  work  for  the  company.  

19.  What  are  some  of  the  characteristics  you  like  or  dislike  about  a  supervisor?   List  all  the  qualities  you  truly  like  and  dislike  in  a  supervisor  and  then  select  those   that  are  the  most  appropriate.  Concentrate  on  strengths  rather  than  weaknesses.   You  might  answer  by  saying  you  prefer  a  supervisor  who  is  fair,  open-­‐minded  and   has  high  integrity.  

20.  Tell  me  about  your  experience  in  school.   Be  prepared  to  talk  about  the  courses  you  liked  most  (and  least),  how  your   schooling  prepared  you  for  this  job,  what  kind  of  grades  you  had,  and  your  major.  It   is  important  to  describe  how  your  overall  high  school/college  experience  has   prepared  you  for  work.  You  can  also  describe  the  skills  and  experience  that  you   have  gained  in  extracurricular  activities  and  internships.  

Typical  Interview  Questions - Answers

Using the above descriptions as a guide, write a short response to each question. This is due by the end of class today--Copy and paste into a Word document to print or email to amclean4@mail.naz.edu.

1.  Tell  me  about  yourself.  

3.  What  are  your  three  most  important  career  accomplishments?  

4.  Why  should  I  hire  you?  

5.  How  would  your  supervisor  describe  you?  

6.  What  is  the  most  difficult  situation  you  have  ever  faced?  

7.  What  would  you  like  to  improve  about  yourself?  

8.  What  are  your  career  goals?  

9.  What  have  you  learned  from  your  past  mistakes?  What  were  some  of  them

10.  Can  you  work  well  under  stress?  

11.  Are  you  a  team  player?  

12.  What  are  the  things  that  motivate  you?  

13.  What  is  the  most  important  thing  to  you  in  a  job?  

14.  Tell  me  about  your  duties  at  your  present  job.  

15.  What  is  the  most  important  aspect  of  your  job?   This  question  tests  your  judgment.  

16.  What  duties  have  you  enjoyed  most?  Least?  Why?  

17.  What  frustrates  you  about  your  job?  

18.  Why  would  you  like  to  work  for  us?  

19.  What  are  some  of  the  characteristics  you  like  or  dislike  about  a  supervisor

20.  Tell  me  about  your  experience  in  school.  

Test Your Business Etiquette Questions (answers below)

Social and business etiquette can be tricky, and making the right moves can make a big difference. Take this quiz and see how you fare in the following business situations.

For each question, indicate your answer (yes/no) and one reason WHY you gave that answer.

1. Your boss, Ms. Alpha, enters the room when you're meeting with an important client, Mr. Beta. You rise and say "Ms. Alpha, I'd like you to meet Mr. Beta, our client from San Diego." Is this introduction correct?

2. At a social function, you meet the CEO of an important Japanese corporation. After a brief chat, you give him your business card. Is this correct?

3. You're entering a cab with an important client. You position yourself so the client is seated curbside. Is this correct?

4. You're hosting a dinner at a restaurant. You've pre-ordered for everyone and indicated where they should sit. Are you correct?

5. A toast has been proposed in your honor. You say "thank you" and take a sip of your drink. Are you correct?

6. You're in a restaurant and a thin soup is served in a cup with no handles. To eat it you should:
1. pick it up and drink it
2. use the spoon provided
3. eat half of it with a spoon and drink the remainder

7. You're at a dinner and champagne is served with the dessert. You simply can't drink champagne yet know the host will be offering a toast. Do you:
1. tell the waiter "no champagne"
2. turn over your glass
3. ask the waiter to pour water into your champagne glass instead
4. say nothing and allow the champagne to be poured

8. You're at a table in a restaurant for a business dinner. Midway through the meal, you're called to the telephone. What do you do with your napkin?
1. Take it with you
2. Fold and place it to the left of your plate
3. Loosely fold it and place it on the right side
4. Leave it on your chair

9. You're hosting a dinner party at a restaurant. Included are two other couples, and your most valuable client and his wife. You instruct the waiter to:
1. serve your spouse first
2. serve your client's spouse first
3. serve you and your spouse last

10. You're invited to a reception and the invitation states "7:00 to 9:00 PM." You should arrive:
1. at 7:00 PM
2. anytime between 7:00 PM and 9:00 PM
3. between 7:00 PM and 7:30 PM
4. go early and leave early

11. You're greeting or saying good-bye to someone. When's the proper time to shake their hand?
1. When you're introduced
2. At their home
3. At their office
4. On the street
5. When you say good-bye

12. You're talking with a group of four people. Do you make eye contact with:
1. just the person to whom you're speaking at the moment?
2. each of the four, moving your eye contact from one to another?
3. no one particular person (not looking directly into anyone's eyes)?

13. The waiter's coming toward you to serve wine. You don't want any. You turn your glass upside down. Are you correct?

14. When you greet a visitor in your office, do you:
1. say nothing and let her sit where she wishes?
2. tell her where to sit?
3. say "Just sit anywhere"

15. You're invited to dinner in a private home. When do you take your napkin from the table and place it on your lap?
1. Open it immediately
2. Wait for the host to take his napkin before taking yours?
3. Wait for the oldest person at the table to take his?
4. Wait for the acknowledged head of the table to take hers before taking yours?

16. You're scheduled to meet a business associate for working lunch and you arrive a few minutes early to find a suitable table. 30 minutes later your associate still hasn't arrived. Do you:
1. order your lunch and eat?
2. continue waiting and fuming that your associate isn't there?
3. tell the head waiter you're not staying and give him our card with instructions to present it to your associate to prove you were there?
4. after 15 minutes call your associate?

17. You've forgotten a lunch with a business associate. You feel terrible and know he's furious. Do you:
1. write a letter of apology?
2. send flowers?
3. keep quiet and hope he forgets about it?
4. call and set up another appointment?

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Answers to Business Etiquette Quiz

Now lets see how you did...

1. No. Introduce the more important person first. You should address your client and say "Mr. Beta, I'd like you to meet our Vice President of Development, Ms. Alpha." (Alternative answer? Introduce the client as the more important person!)
2. No. In Japan (unlike in the United States or the UK), business cards are taken as a serious reflection of their owner and are exchanged with great ceremony. Researching the importance of business cards in various cultures can help in avoiding embarrassing faux pas.
3. Yes. When your client steps out of the car, (s)he will be on the curbside and therefore won't have to deal with getting out in traffic or sliding across the seat.
4. Yes
5. No. If you do, then you're toasting yourself.
6. B. It's not a cup of coffee, for heaven's sake. And don't slurp, either.
7. D. It's more polite not to call attention to the fact that you can't drink champagne.
8. D. Leave it on your chair. Definitely don't put it on the table--what if you have crumbs on it?
9. B and C. Sort of a trick question, but this is important.
10. A, B, or C. It's terribly impolite to arrive early.
11. A, B, C, D, and E. In other words, it's rarely improper to shake someone's hand. Make sure you have a firm (but not painful) handshake for both men and women.
12. B. Make eye contact with all of the individuals you're talking with.
13. No. Again, don't call attention to your dislike of your host's chosen beverage.
14. B. Indicating where your guest should sit will make her feel more comfortable.
15. B, C, or D. Just don't grab it first unless you're playing one of these roles.
16. A. You've waited 30 minutes. Expect an apology later, though.
17. D. Call and set up another appointment. And don't forget to apologize for your error. Imagine how you'd feel if it was you!

Wednesday, 26 September Business Etiquette

In class today: 

Today we will begin talking about "business etiquette," or "Expected behaviors and expectations for individual actions within society, group, or class. Within a place of business, it involves treating coworkers and employer with respect and courtesy in a way that creates a pleasant work environment for everyone."

The following is a business etiquette quiz that you will take to see how much you know about this topic. Please record your answers on a separate sheet of paper. REMEMBER: when you record your yes/no answer, also include an explanation as to why you picked that answer.

Test Your Business Etiquette

Social and business etiquette can be tricky, and making the right moves can make a big difference. Take this quiz and see how you fare in the following business situations.

For each question, indicate your answer (yes/no) and one reason WHY you gave that answer.

1. Your boss, Ms. Alpha, enters the room when you're meeting with an important client, Mr. Beta. You rise and say "Ms. Alpha, I'd like you to meet Mr. Beta, our client from San Diego." Is this introduction correct?

2. At a social function, you meet the CEO of an important Japanese corporation. After a brief chat, you give him your business card. Is this correct?

3. You're entering a cab with an important client. You position yourself so the client is seated curbside. Is this correct?

4. You're hosting a dinner at a restaurant. You've pre-ordered for everyone and indicated where they should sit. Are you correct?

5. A toast has been proposed in your honor. You say "thank you" and take a sip of your drink. Are you correct?

6. You're in a restaurant and a thin soup is served in a cup with no handles. To eat it you should:
1. pick it up and drink it
2. use the spoon provided
3. eat half of it with a spoon and drink the remainder

7. You're at a dinner and champagne is served with the dessert. You simply can't drink champagne yet know the host will be offering a toast. Do you:
1. tell the waiter "no champagne"
2. turn over your glass
3. ask the waiter to pour water into your champagne glass instead
4. say nothing and allow the champagne to be poured

8. You're at a table in a restaurant for a business dinner. Midway through the meal, you're called to the telephone. What do you do with your napkin?
1. Take it with you
2. Fold and place it to the left of your plate
3. Loosely fold it and place it on the right side
4. Leave it on your chair

9. You're hosting a dinner party at a restaurant. Included are two other couples, and your most valuable client and his wife. You instruct the waiter to:
1. serve your spouse first
2. serve your client's spouse first
3. serve you and your spouse last

10. You're invited to a reception and the invitation states "7:00 to 9:00 PM." You should arrive:
1. at 7:00 PM
2. anytime between 7:00 PM and 9:00 PM
3. between 7:00 PM and 7:30 PM
4. go early and leave early

11. You're greeting or saying good-bye to someone. When's the proper time to shake their hand?
1. When you're introduced
2. At their home
3. At their office
4. On the street
5. When you say good-bye

12. You're talking with a group of four people. Do you make eye contact with:
1. just the person to whom you're speaking at the moment?
2. each of the four, moving your eye contact from one to another?
3. no one particular person (not looking directly into anyone's eyes)?

13. The waiter's coming toward you to serve wine. You don't want any. You turn your glass upside down. Are you correct?

14. When you greet a visitor in your office, do you:
1. say nothing and let her sit where she wishes?
2. tell her where to sit?
3. say "Just sit anywhere"

15. You're invited to dinner in a private home. When do you take your napkin from the table and place it on your lap?
1. Open it immediately
2. Wait for the host to take his napkin before taking yours?
3. Wait for the oldest person at the table to take his?
4. Wait for the acknowledged head of the table to take hers before taking yours?

16. You're scheduled to meet a business associate for working lunch and you arrive a few minutes early to find a suitable table. 30 minutes later your associate still hasn't arrived. Do you:
1. order your lunch and eat?
2. continue waiting and fuming that your associate isn't there?
3. tell the head waiter you're not staying and give him our card with instructions to present it to your associate to prove you were there?
4. after 15 minutes call your associate?

17. You've forgotten a lunch with a business associate. You feel terrible and know he's furious. Do you:
1. write a letter of apology?
2. send flowers?
3. keep quiet and hope he forgets about it?
4. call and set up another appointment?

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Interview Cheat Sheet

By Carole Martin, Monster.com Contributing Writer 

Relax -- a cheat sheet is not really cheating. It's a checklist to make sure you stay focused before, during and after the interview. Creating a cheat sheet will help you feel more prepared and confident. You shouldn't memorize what's on the sheet or check it off during the interview. You should use your cheat sheet to remind you of key facts. Here are some suggestions for what you should include on it.

In the Days Before the Interview

• Draw a line down the center of a piece of paper. On the left side, make a bulleted list of what the employer is looking for based on the job posting. On the right side, make a bulleted list of the qualities you possess that fit those requirements.
• Research the company, industry and the competition.
• Prepare your 60-second personal statement.
• Write at least five success stories to answer behavioral interview questions ("Tell me about a time when..." or "Give me an example of a time...").
• List five questions to ask the interviewer about the job, the company and the industry.
• Research salaries to determine your worth.
• Determine your salary needs based on your living expenses.
• Get permission from your references to use their names.

Prepare Your Interview Answers

Be ready to answer common interview questions such as these:

• Tell me about yourself.
• Why did you leave your last position, or why are you leaving your current position?
• What do you know about this company?
• What are your goals?
• What are your strengths and weaknesses?
• Why do you want to work here?
• What has been your most significant achievement?
• How would your last boss and colleagues describe you?
• Why should we hire you?
• What are your salary expectations?

Before You Go to the Interview

Do you look professional? Check yourself in the mirror; part of your confidence will come from looking good.

Carry these items to the interview:

• Several copies of your resume on quality paper.
• A copy of your references.
• A pad of paper on which to take notes, though notes are optional.
• Directions to the interview site.

Upon Arrival

• Arrive early -- enter the building 10 minutes before your appointment.
• Review your prepared stories and answers.
• Go to the restroom and check your appearance one last time.
• Announce yourself to the receptionist in a professional manner.
• Stand and greet your interviewer with a hearty -- not bone-crushing -- handshake.
• Smile and maintain eye contact.

During the Interview

• Try to focus on the points you have prepared without sounding rehearsed or stiff.
• Relax and enjoy the conversation.
• Learn what you can about the company.
• Ask questions and listen; read between the lines.
• At the conclusion, thank the interviewer, and determine the next steps.
• Ask for the interviewer's business card so you can send a follow-up letter.

After the Interview

• As soon as possible, write down what you are thinking and feeling.
• Later in the day, review what you wrote and assess how you did.
• Write an interview thank-you letter, reminding the interviewer of your qualities.

For Thursday:

Look over these "Typical Interview Questions." After reading the descriptions of each question, record your answers to the questions on a separate sheet of paper.

Typical  Interview  Questions     

1.  Tell  me  about  yourself.   Go  over  this  again  and  again!  Briefly  describing  your  education  or  work  history  are   appropriate  responses  to  this  question.  Expand  briefly  on  some  of  your  results.  This   will  likely  cause  the  interviewer  to  select  an  accomplishment  and  ask  you  to  tell   more  about  it.  This  is  exactly  what  you  want;  you  score  points  every  time  you   discuss  results.  

2.  What  is  your  greatest  strength?   The  question  asks  for  your  number  one  strength,  skill,  or  asset  and  requires  you  to   analyze  yourself.  Going  into  the  interview  you  should  have  several  strengths  in   mind.  Begin  with  a  brief  statement  and  provide  a  clear  example.  

3.  What  are  your  three  most  important  career  accomplishments?   Choose  accomplishments  that  are  related  to  the  job  you  are  interviewing  for  and   ones  to  which  the  interviewer  can  relate.  Avoid  unnecessary  detail.  

4.  Why  should  I  hire  you?   This  question  is  often  asked  at  the  end  of  an  interview  and  allows  you  to  summarize   your  strengths.  Since  this  is  a  summary,  you  can  discuss  points  that  you  have   already  covered  and  mention  new  points  as  well.  Sell  yourself.  This  may  be  one  of   your  best  opportunities.  Try  to  focus  on  everything  you  learned  about  the  job,  your   future  boss,  and  the  needs  of  the  company.  

5.  How  would  your  supervisor  describe  you?   This  is  an  opportunity  to  mention  positive  qualities  that  you  know  or  assume  would   be  said  about  you.  Discuss  the  qualities  that  you  received  high  ratings  on  during   reviews.  Also  give  quick  examples  that  demonstrate  why  your  boss  would  see  such   qualities  in  you.  

6.  What  is  the  most  difficult  situation  you  have  ever  faced?   Select  an  example  that  will  demonstrate  your  positive  qualities  and  one  in  which   you  ultimately  came  out  on  top.  Tell  it  concisely  to  reveal  as  many  qualities  as   possible.  This  is  an  opportunity  to  sell  qualities  such  as  maturity,  perseverance,   emotional  stability,  effectiveness  under  stress,  and  sound  judgment.  

7.  What  would  you  like  to  improve  about  yourself?   This  is  one  of  the  most-­‐asked  questions.  When  asked  this  question,  it  is  best  to  state   a  weakness  that  you  are  improving.  You  do  not  need  to  demonstrate  that  you  have   totally  dealt  with  it,  but  you  should  indicate  that  you  have  made  major  progress   with  it.  The  goal  is  to  provide  a  short  answer  which  satisfies  the  interviewer.  

8.  What  are  your  career  goals?   This  question  tests  whether  you  have  established  career  goals,  and  whether  your   goals  match  what  the  organization  has  to  offer.  Mention  goals  that  you  feel  the organization  can  help  you  attain.  Express  them  in  terms  of  experience  you  hope  to   receive  and  the  expertise  you  hope  to  develop.  You  want  to  leave  the  impression   that  you  are  a  growth-­‐oriented  person  with  realistic  expectations  regarding   promotion  opportunities.  

9.  What  have  you  learned  from  your  past  mistakes?  What  were  some  of  them?   Everybody  makes  mistakes.  Often  there  are  lessons  to  be  learned  from  these   mistakes.  The  best  mistakes  to  share  are  those  from  which  you  were  able  to   recover.  In  any  event,  use  your  mistakes  to  show  how  you  have  matured  and  grown   from  these  experiences.  

10.  Can  you  work  well  under  stress?   You  do  not  have  to  say  that  you  like  stress,  but  you  need  to  demonstrate  that  you  can   work  effectively  under  stress.  Give  examples  where  you  have  coped  well  with  stress.   Most  stress  comes  from  deadlines  and  long  hours.  You  should  know  in  advance  if  this   organization  or  company  typically  requires  long  hours  or  faces  a  lot  of  deadlines.  

11.  Are  you  a  team  player?   This  question  indicates  that  the  organization  is  looking  for  a  team-­‐oriented  person.   Describe  how  you  are  committed  to  working  in  a  team.  You  need  to  show  that  you   are  flexible  and  cooperative  and  when  the  group  makes  a  decision,  you  willingly  go   along  with  it.  Provide  examples  demonstrating  that  people  enjoy  having  you  on   their  team  and  that  teamwork  was  essential  to  the  success  of  a  project  on  which   you  worked.  

12.  What  are  the  things  that  motivate  you?   Challenge,  creativity,  success,  opportunity,  and  personal  growth  are  most   frequently  mentioned.  You  can  also  mention  specific  skills  that  you  are  motivated  to   use.  These  might  include  problem  solving,  decision  making,  listening,  writing,   speaking,  planning,  or  counseling  people.  

13.  What  is  the  most  important  thing  to  you  in  a  job?   What  do  you  value  in  a  job:  challenge,  good  working  conditions,  friendly  coworkers,   traveling?  Mention  one  or  two  items  and  explain  why  they  are  important.  

14.  Tell  me  about  your  duties  at  your  present  job.   This  question  provides  an  opportunity  to  really  sell  yourself.  As  you  describe  your   major  duties,  describe  an  associated  accomplishment  as  well.  Be  concise.  People   know  their  own  duties  so  well  that  many  go  on  and  on  adding  unnecessary  details   that  bore  the  interviewer.  

15.  What  is  the  most  important  aspect  of  your  job?   This  question  tests  your  judgment.  Although  you  may  have  numerous   responsibilities,  the  interviewer  wants  to  have  your  view  on  what  you  can  do  to   contribute  the  most  to  the  organization.  For  each  responsibility  you  need  to  show   that  you  have  been  very  effective  in  that  area.  

16.  What  duties  have  you  enjoyed  most?  Least?  Why?   Select  your  favorite  and  least  favorite  duties  based  on  what  you  have  learned  about   the  job  for  which  you  are  interviewing.  In  general,  you  should  mention  major  duties   to  like  and  minor  duties  to  dislike.  

17.  What  frustrates  you  about  your  job?  

If  you  feel  strongly  about  a  particular  frustration,  give  concrete  examples  when   answering  this  question.  Describe  the  situation  causing  the  frustration,  and  how   you  deal  with  it.  

18.  Why  would  you  like  to  work  for  us?   This  is  your  opportunity  to  describe  what  you  know  about  the  organization.  You   should  mention  positive  points  that  you  have  discovered  on  your  own,  as  well  as   some  mentioned  by  the  interviewer.  You  might  mention  that  the  job  is  a  factor  in   your  wanting  to  work  for  the  company.  

19.  What  are  some  of  the  characteristics  you  like  or  dislike  about  a  supervisor?   List  all  the  qualities  you  truly  like  and  dislike  in  a  supervisor  and  then  select  those   that  are  the  most  appropriate.  Concentrate  on  strengths  rather  than  weaknesses.   You  might  answer  by  saying  you  prefer  a  supervisor  who  is  fair,  open-­‐minded  and   has  high  integrity.  

20.  Tell  me  about  your  experience  in  school.   Be  prepared  to  talk  about  the  courses  you  liked  most  (and  least),  how  your   schooling  prepared  you  for  this  job,  what  kind  of  grades  you  had,  and  your  major.  It   is  important  to  describe  how  your  overall  high  school/college  experience  has   prepared  you  for  work.  You  can  also  describe  the  skills  and  experience  that  you   have  gained  in  extracurricular  activities  and  internships.  

Typical  Interview  Questions - Answers

Using the above descriptions as a guide, write a short response to each question.

1.  Tell  me  about  yourself.  

3.  What  are  your  three  most  important  career  accomplishments?  

4.  Why  should  I  hire  you?  

5.  How  would  your  supervisor  describe  you?  

6.  What  is  the  most  difficult  situation  you  have  ever  faced?  

7.  What  would  you  like  to  improve  about  yourself?  

8.  What  are  your  career  goals?  

9.  What  have  you  learned  from  your  past  mistakes?  What  were  some  of  them

10.  Can  you  work  well  under  stress?  

11.  Are  you  a  team  player?  

12.  What  are  the  things  that  motivate  you?  

13.  What  is  the  most  important  thing  to  you  in  a  job?  

14.  Tell  me  about  your  duties  at  your  present  job.  

15.  What  is  the  most  important  aspect  of  your  job?   This  question  tests  your  judgment.  

16.  What  duties  have  you  enjoyed  most?  Least?  Why?  

17.  What  frustrates  you  about  your  job?  

18.  Why  would  you  like  to  work  for  us?  

19.  What  are  some  of  the  characteristics  you  like  or  dislike  about  a  supervisor

20.  Tell  me  about  your  experience  in  school.