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So you think you found a job you like, what's the next step?
A good interview could mean the difference between you sitting at home watching the soaps with your little sister or brother and earning some cash to go shopping with, fixing up your car, or buy the latest cell phone equipment.
So, your future employer has seen your resume and is impressed by what you have said on paper and wants to meet you. Relax, all you have to do is speak positively about yourself in a confident manner and be prepared. Below, we have included some typical interview questions and what you should consider before answering these questions. An interview checklist is also included to help you keep things in order for the beginning of your job experience.
The most commonly asked interview questions
How would you describe yourself?
Be ready to spend about two minutes answering this question. Begin wherever you feel comfortable: middle school, high school, or a prior position. This is your opportunity to speak logically and clearly about yourself. Share the accomplishments and attributes that make you a valuable employee.
Tell me about your biggest accomplishment.
Your response here is critical. Focus on your hard work, commitment to long hours, or ability to work under pressure. Describe a recent challenge and how you were involved in the solution by working overtime, taking a leadership role, or other contributions. You may even want to discuss any school project or organization that required leadership and problem solving, but try to relate it to this new position.
How are you qualified for this position?
Focus on a few requirements of the job and how you can meet those requirements through your particular skills and experience. Highlight any technical skills or a personal success story.
Describe your most important strengths.
Identify five of your strengths that are most relative to the position for which you’re interviewing (i.e. technical skills). Describe each strength using a brief example of how you successfully applied that particular strength to a work situation.
Have you accomplished something you didn’t think was possible?
This question allows you to prove your integrity, work ethic, or commitment to achieving a goal. Be prepared to give an example of how you accomplished a significant challenge without giving up.
Is there a situation in the past in which you took the initiative?
A motivated, results-oriented employee knows what to do without being told. Describe to the interviewer situations in which you exhibited a strong work ethic or creative abilities that helped you overcome a challenging situation.
Have you been embarassed before in a particular situation? How would you handle the same situation today?
Your answer shows your ability to learn from past mistakes. Be honest about a particular failure, but talk positively about the lesson you learned from it.
How would you deal with this?
Ask for more details before answering this question. It’s helpful to break down the challenge into sub-challenges, in which you may have prior experience. Explain how you would handle these situations, and summarize with how you would solve the overall problem. This is a great opportunity to present your analytical and organizational skills.
Have you ever been in situations involving difficult co-workers, tight deadlines, or inadequate resources? How did you handle these situations?
This is where you can discuss effective management skills and your ability to handle various challenges. Describe your most difficult management task (like being a team leader in a school project) and the skills you used to deal with it, such as organizational and interpersonal skills, perseverance, and diplomacy.
What are your career goals?
Don’t mention goals you know are most likely not attainable. Give realistic answers, such as a promotion in three-to-five years.
Most importantly, why should we hire you?
Take this opportunity to present your skills, positive attitude, and confidence. Restate some of the key aspects of the job and describe traits that make you an ideal candidate for the position.
Don't forget your checklist!
þ Be prepared.
þ Answer key questions with confidence.
þ Ask good questions.
þ Sell your strengths.
þ Offer brief, focused responses.
þ Dress according to the company’s culture.
þ Arrive early.
þ Be friendly and enthusiastic.
þ Keep a positive perspective.
þ State your interest.
þ Don’t’ forget the thank-you letter.
A prompt thank-you letter exhibits your professionalism and interest in the position. Send a letter to the company’s key decision-makers as well as to the person with whom you’ve interviewed. It is also acceptable to e-mail a letter to your interviewer, which provides instant feedback regarding your interest, but determine if this kind of response is acceptable. Some managers view the e-mail approach as “too easy.” A short, handwritten note demonstrates you have taken the time to say thanks.
