It’s impossible to predict what you will be asked – but it is possible to think about what factors the interviewer will be looking for and possibly scoring you on your answers – based on the factor sought.

Common Factors For Most Jobs

These overlap in many areas – it basically boils down to about seven or eight common factors.

1. Ability to communicate orally /relate well with others – customer service

2. Ability to organize, plan, and prioritize

3. Ability to bring enthusiasm to the position – self-motivated

4. Ability to maintain a positive image – composure in stressful situations

5. Ability to evaluate information and make judgment decisions/ problem solving

6. Initiative and motivation – team/leadership

7. Ability to adapt to changing situations

8. Integrity

EXAMPLES
Question – What’s important for you in a job?
Factor – motivation, enthusiasm.

Question – How do you handle working with a difficult colleague?
Factor – communicate, relate with others

Question – How will you add value within 30-60-90 days?
Factor – self-motivated, initiative, ability to plan and organize

Question – Tell me about your last great idea.
Factor – initiative, problem solving, analyze, judgment

Question – If you were put into a compromising situation at work, where would you turn?
Factor – adapt to changing situation, maintain a positive image – composure, analyze, problem solve.

By focusing on factors rather than questions you will be able to tell stories that can relate your past experiences as indicators
of your future success.

www.thecompleteinterviewcoach.com

www.interviewfitnesstraining.com

2. How do you handle working with a difficult colleague?

3. How will you add value within 30-60-90 days?

4. Tell me about your last great idea…

5. If you were put into a compromising situation at work, where
would you turn?

6. Tell me about your last mistake…

This is a link to an article for employers – suggesting
questions to ask the candidate.

How would you do if the interviewer were to ask you these
questions?

http://tinyurl.com/83cg7q8

www.thecompleteinterviewcoach.com

www.interviewfitnesstraining.com

1. Listen to the Question. The first step is to make sure you listen to the question to see exactly what they are asking. Clarify the question if you need to. Is there a concern? You might ask, “Why do you ask that?

2. Think. Take your time and think the answer through. Sometimes just taking a deep breath and focusing will bring ideas into your head that has just gone blank. Listen to the question and then think it through.

3. Respond. Use positive information to answer. Answer it directly, then move on and refocus.

4. Refocus. As soon as possible – steer the conversation to another topic. Important point: Give only enough information to answer then move on. The best way to do that is to redirect the interview by focusing a question relating to your strengths and how they might be used to handle other concerns.

www.thecompleteinterviewcoach.com

www.interviewfitnesstraining.com

http://www.interviewcoach.com

As you read articles and books about interviewing you will notice that most of the information focuses on “being prepared.” When you look closely at the information provided by “experts,” you will notice that a great many of the tips given concern the external preparation. These are tips ranging from what to “wear to the interview,” to having the “correct body language,” or information on giving a “strong handshake,” and having a “script or stories” ready for the interview. There is much less emphasis or information found on internally preparing for the interview.

Internal preparations starts with your feelings about yourself, as well as your feelings about going out to find a job and interviewing. If you have been having a difficult time finding a job or have been laid off, your self-confidence may be running a little low on fuel. Your feelings about yourself, and your self-esteem, or self-confidence is fragile and can change from situation to situation. Think about the following statement:

Are you prepared to go out and sell yourself, and feel good about what you are selling – YOU?

If your answer was, “No,” there is some work to do on the inside before you can sell on the outside.

Poor Example: I think I am pretty good when it comes to helping people with problems.

Good Example: My strengths are my customer service skills and my ability to get to the root of a problem to help customers.

When you use weak terms like, “pretty good,” you send the message that you are not strong, just ok. Which would you hire? Someone who is “pretty good” at helping people with problems, or, someone who says his strengths are customer service and problem solving?

Not much room for doubt there. But, how exactly do you develop self-confidence?
A good way to begin your internal preparation is with an inventory of your capabilities. That means getting in touch with your strengths as well as your areas of weakness. You will find it very empowering to know what you have to offer. It is also a good idea to know what your short and long term goals are. What do you want?

Exercise

A simple exercise that will help you answer these questions will also help you take a look

inside yourself and begin to think about what you want “more of,” and what you want “less of” in your next job. People usually perform at a higher level if they are satisfied with the work that they do and as a result are more motivated to give 100% plus.

Begin by making a list of the tasks at your last job. These would be the tasks that you were particularly proud of, or were energized by. In other words, when your job “turned you on.” Think about the last time you were so involved in a project or task that you woke up thinking about how you could improve the situation. Write those experiences down and try to determine what the factors were that were satisfying for you.

Let’s say you were a “Project Leader.” The tasks list would read something like: “Led a team; coordinated and monitored project progress; assured the flow and completion of work on schedule; monitored expenditures and budget.”

What were the stimulating tasks of this job? Was it the leadership aspect? Or, was it the challenge of coordinating the details and people? Was it completing the project on time or below budget? Were there customers involved (internal or external) and, if so, is that what you found most challenging? What didn’t you like, and hope that you will do less of in your next job?

After you have written this list for your current job, try doing the same thinking about previous jobs. If you recently graduated from college, use the classes that were most stimulating and interesting for you, or the projects you worked on with teams while in school.

By making lists of motivating experiences from your last two or three jobs, you will hopefully begin to see patterns of projects and tasks that stand out. Analyze what you did before. Do you want more of this type of responsibility in your next job? The answers to these questions will give you the answer to what you want and some possibilities for fulfillment in future jobs that have similar responsibilities. Knowing what you want will make you feel more confident about finding the right job.

Thinking about these and other questions about yourself will give you power and knowledge to be able to sell yourself. You will also discover what makes you unique and what differentiates you from the next “guy” who walks through that door.

Only when you believe in yourself can you convince someone else that you are the best person for the job.

The Interview Coach, Carole Martin, is a celebrated author, job coach, and speaker on the subject of interviewing and recruiting. Contributing writer at Monster.com and featured on talk radio. Carole is using her proven methods for coaching job seekers on competitive interviewing skills in technical and non-technical industries.

No time to read interview self-help books? Now you can listen to Carole as she coaches you through her book, Interview Fitness Training at www.interviewfitnesstraining.com

www.thecompleteinterviewcoach.com

When you change careers the focus will be on your “transferable” or “portable” skills. These are skills you have used at any and every job or situation you have been in, including volunteer work and school.
2. Find your uniqueness.

One of the things that the interviewer is looking for is “someone to fit in” – who is likeable with the ability to work well with other team members. What personality traits make you unique?
3. Believe in yourself.

When you believe in yourself and the fact that you have something of value to offer it will be easier to show confidence and to convince the employer that you can do the job.

Any sales person will tell you that when you believe in your product it is far easier to sell and influence someone to buy. It is your job to listen to what the interviewer is looking for and then to sell yourself as the solution to the problem.

The Interview Coach, Carole Martin, is a celebrated author, job coach, and speaker on the subject of interviewing and recruiting. Contributing writer at Monster.com and featured on talk radio. Carole is using her proven methods for coaching job seekers on competitive interviewing skills in technical and non-technical industries.

No time to read interview self-help books? Now you can listen to Carole as she coaches you through her book, Interview Fitness Training at www.interviewfitnesstraining.com

www.thecompleteinterviewcoach.com

1. Poor non-verbal communication image

• Stand straight, and make good eye contact.
• Connect with a good, firm, enthusiastic handshake.
• Sit erect, learning forward to appear interested and attentive.

2. Poor verbal communication skills

• Good communication skills include listening and letting the person know you heard what they said.
• Observe your interviewer’s style and pace, and then match that style.
• Use appropriate language. Beware of using slang words or references to age, race, religion, politics, or sexual preferences.

3. Not asking questions

• When asked, “Do you have any questions?” if your answer is “No,” it is the WRONG answer!
• Asking questions shows your interest. The best questions come from listening to what is said during the interview.
• Asking questions assists you in finding out if this is the right place for you.

Being aware of your verbal and non-verbal performance and the messages you are sending could make the difference between getting a job offer or not.

www.thecompleteinterviewcoach.com

www.interviewfitnesstraining.com

In the job search, the right words are essential to your success. Whether you are creating your resume or preparing answers for an interview, being aware of and using “industry jargon” is important. Each industry uses “key words” or “lingo” to describe what is required for a job.

Job descriptions or postings, are a list of qualities and skills employers are looking for in a candidate – the “wish list.” By making use of this information and using key words you can reveal yourself as a match as the “ideal” candidate.

Of course, you would never use a word just to impress your interviewer. Knowing the definition behind the word is what will convince the interviewer that you know what you are talking about.

Finding the “key” words will make your statements more powerful. Speaking the industry lingo will help you be taken more seriously as a candidate worthy of a job offer.

www.thecompleteinterviewcoach.com

www.interviewfitnesstraining.com

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/03/business/economy/us-adds-120000-jobs-unemployment-drops-to-8-6.html?_r=1&nl=todaysheadlines&emc=tha2

Not only is this the wrong answer, you have missed an opportunity to find out information about the company. It is important for you to ask questions; not just any questions, but questions relating to the job, the company, and the industry.

Example: Two candidates are interviewing for the same job. They are both asked the same question – “Do you have any questions?”

Henry asks, “I was wondering about benefits, and when they would become effective? Also, what is the yearly vacation allowance? And, does the company match on the 401K plan?”

These are not the best questions to ask at this time. Assuming that this is the first interview, it is premature to ask about benefits. This is a “What’s in it for me?” question, and could be interpreted as self-centered, and lacking interest in the job itself.

The next candidate, Chris, says, “No, I think you just about covered everything that I wanted to know. I’m sure I’ll have more questions if I get the job.”

This is a very passive response, which doesn’t demonstrate interest or imagination. Once you get the job, if you get the job, it may be too late to ask questions.

It is important for you to ask questions to find out about the challenges of the job and the company. In some cases the interviewer will be listening to hear the types of questions you ask.

The best questions will come as a result of your listening to what is asked during the interview. A good answer would be:

“Yes, I do have some questions. From what you’ve been asking me during the interview, it sounds like you have a problem with customer retention. Can you tell me a little more about the current situation, and what the first challenges would be for the new person?”

This answer shows interest in the problem presented in this position – and how you could be the possible solution. It is also an opportunity to get a sense of what will be expected.

By preparing ahead of time you can think about what information you need to know before you consider working for this company.

You will have to use your judgment about the number of questions you ask, or when to ask them. Think of this as a conversation. There will be an appropriate time to ask certain types of questions, like those about benefits and vacation. To be on the safe side, it is best to concentrate on questions about the responsibilities of the job and your fit for the position, until you get the actual offer.

Appropriate questions to ask depending on the timing and the person interviewing you:

About the Industry

• What do you consider to be this industry’s biggest challenge now and in the future?

• Where do you see this company advancing in the next three to five years?

• What do you see as the new trends in this industry? How will these trends effect the industry?

About the Company

• Why would someone want to come to work for this company? (Could be turned around to you – Why would you like to come to work for this company?)

• How would you describe this company’s culture?

• If I asked one of your employees, “What is the best thing about working for this company?” what would he/she say?

• What are the strengths and weaknesses of this company/organization?

About the Position

• What qualities do you look for in people who join this firm?

• What would be the challenges I would face in the first three months in this job?

• How has this job been performed in the past? How would you like to see that change?

• What are your concerns about this job and the person you hire?

When you change your thinking and begin to think of the interview as a two-way process you will see that it is important for you to find out as much as possible about the company. Questions will give you the opportunity to find out if this is a good place for you to work before you say “Yes.”

===============================

The Interview Coach, Carole Martin, is a celebrated author, job coach, and speaker on the subject of interviewing and recruiting. Contributing writer at Monster.com and featured on talk radio. Carole is using her proven methods for coaching job seekers on competitive interviewing skills in technical and non-technical industries. http://www.interviewcoach.com

Follow The Interview Coach on Facebook, Twitter and Linkedin from her blog at www.interviewcoach.com/blog to learn about current workshops and seminars Carole is offering.

================================

Are any of these symptoms familiar? At least some of them?

Your heart is beating faster than usual, your hands feel clammy, your mouth is so dry it feels like you have cotton inside – and the butterflies in your stomach are out of control.

Are these common feelings when you are going to be tortured – or going to a job interview? The answer is a Job Interview. For some the job interview is torture.

Why is the job interview so feared? What are “they” going to do to you that is so nerve wrenching?

Reasons For The Fear Factor And The Job Interview.

1. Fear of the unknown.

Ideally you would sit poised thumbing through a magazine, feeling relaxed as you wait your turn to have a conversation with the interviewer for the company. Not so when waiting for the interview.

Think about it – what do you have to lose here? What’s the worst thing that can happen? What if you don’t get this job – is the world going to stop turning? Realizing of course, that bills must be paid, but this is the wrong approach to present yourself. If you are coming across as desperate – “Please, please, hire me,” the interview is beginning on a defensive note.  Interviewers smell fear.

2. Fear of looking like you don’t know what you’re talking about – “brain freeze.”

You may have prepared – or not – but all of a sudden you forget everything that you have been preparing. Your mind goes “blank.” It happens all of the time. Who is putting the pressure on you to perform? YOU. Who knows you better than you know yourself? YOU.

So, you’re about to go in and talk about yourself. What’s so tough about that? For some people that is huge. They consider it bragging and they “hate” bragging and talking  about themselves and their accomplishments.

3. Fear of Rejection

Who wants to be rejected? Nobody. It doesn’t feel good at all. Somebody, and in the job interview often a complete stranger says, “We don’t want you – you’re not good enough.” At least that’s what you hear. The truth is that it may have nothing to do with you. It has to do with the interviewer/company getting the most for the dollar. And, there are tons of extenuating circumstances.

The Cures

A change in thinking

The first, and most important step is to change the way that you view the interview. This is not an appointment with the dentist who may inflict pain. It is a conversation with another person. What is the worst thing that can happen as a result of the interview? You won’t get the job, which may not have been the right job for you anyway.

Secondly, this is a conversation – a two-way process. You will be interviewing them as much as they are interviewing you. Is there a good fit here – both ways? What looks good on paper may not be what it appears – for either party. It will be part of your job during the interview to investigate whether this is a good place for you, and whether you want to invest a significant part of your life here. When you are not checking them out and what they have to offer, you are missing an opportunity that you may regret later.

Calming techniques

One of the best techniques to handle stress is through breathing. Take deliberate, shallow breaths. Take air in through the nostrils and exhale quietly through your mouth. This is a technique that should be practiced as a relaxation technique before the interview so that your body gets used to slowing down the breathing process and relaxing.

Relaxation techniques such as yoga, and meditation classes, are recommended for anyone who has an extreme case of “interview fright.” The interview can cause panic attacks if the fear is strong enough. Pre-conditioning will do wonders for this type of anxiety.

Preparation before the interview

These are competitive times and you should steel yourself to expect some rejection. Think about it this way, “Did you get a marriage proposal after every date?” Well, you probably aren’t going to get a job offer after every interview.

For every job you apply for there are more than likely three to four equally qualified candidates in line for the same job. Whether you stand out from “the crowd” will depend on your preparation and ability to show confidence in yourself – believing that you are the “best candidate for this job.” How can you possibly sell anyone anything if you don’t believe in it yourself?

Preparation will make you feel more confident and less anxious. Can you imagine giving a performance without some practice and preparation? “Winging” the interview in today’s market is a big mistake.

Fear of Rejection

You may have had a number of interviews with no offer. You may be feeling defeated, and it’s beginning to affect your-self esteem.This would be true of anyone. But it is a mistake to take it personally. There are so many factors that could be affecting the offer that it is impossible to say what is happening. There may be internal candidates, relatives promised jobs, a competitor who is a perfect match for the job, a lack of chemistry between you and the new boss, a mismatch in salary needs, etc., etc.

Let it go

Give yourself credit for getting an interview – only a small percentage of people get this far in the process. Give yourself credit for going out there and putting yourself on the line, even though it is painful for you. Give yourself permission to not get job offers. Believe that an offer will come through when it is the right offer – the right fit for the company and for you. Take the control back and reject the feeling of fear.

When you have done everything to prepare for the interview, and you are satisfied that you can present yourself in the best light possible, the next step is for you to let it go. You can learn something from each interview.

Learn to enjoy meeting new people and having new experiences. Who knows you may even grow to like interviewing.

===========

The Interview Coach, Carole Martin, is a celebrated author, job coach, and speaker on the subject of interviewing and recruiting. Contributing writer at Monster.com and featured on talk radio. Carole is using her proven methods for coaching job seekers on competitive interviewing skills in technical and non-technical industries. http://www.interviewcoach.com

Follow The Interview Coach on Facebook, Twitter and Linkedin by visiting her blog at www.interviewcoach.com/blog to learn about current workshops and seminars Carole is offering.

============