Answering Interview Questions (cont.)

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Some Tough Questions and Their Answers

Q. Tell me a little bit about yourself.
Be careful with this question because you could wind up go where you don't want to. A recommended approach is to answer this question by talking about: your education, where you've worked, and experiences or accomplishments.

Q. So what do you know about our organization?
A common mistake is to come unprepared. If you are really interested in working for a particular company, you should know something about the company itself. Research their products or services, market position, competitors, and size of the company in terms of revenues and employees.

Q. Why do you think we should hire you?
This is an opportunity for you to show the value you will bring to the company. Talk about your skills, achievements and how you will bring that same winning attitude to their company.

Q. How long do you intend to stay with us? Or When were you planning on leaving?
You can turn this tough interview question around to your advantage by stating you are interested in a career and you enjoy to staying challenged. As long as you are challenged and the company offers you a career path, it's a win-win situation.

Q. Why did you leave your last job?
You need to be as honest without hurting your chances for a new job. When answering this question, stay clear of personality clashes with your old boss. If you chose to leave, let the interviewer know. If you were terminated, saying something like "there were differences of opinion we could not come to closure on" is a safe statement.

Q. Do you have any questions?
This is your chance to briefly mention something you know about the company and then ask about your pay, any benefits and what the company offers. You can also turn the question into a question asking, ‘what benefits does the company offer?’ This gives you opportunity to look interested in the company and somewhat curious.

Answering Questions over the Telephone

More and more frequently, potential employers are using telephone interviews as a way of screen candidates. Phone interviews can minimize expenses associated with travel and they can save everyone a great deal of time if a good match isn't in the making.

Remove Distractions During a Phone Interview

Stay focused on the caller and their questions. Close the door, going into another room, keeping kids out, turn the TV or stereo off, then do it. Since it is a phone interview you can even ask the caller if they could hold while you prepared yourself, so long as it take only a minute. You've got enough pressure without worrying distractions hurting your chances a good impression and landing a job.

Interview Cheat Sheets

One thing you can have during a phone interview which you cannot have in person is a interview cheat sheet. Keep a copy of your resume nearby, write down your accomplishments, answers to tough questions and background information about a company. Don't make your answers sound like you are reading them from a script, but there is nothing with being prepared.

Smile During an Interview

Smiling, without forcing a smile, when you're answering interview questions, especially over the phone comes across as positive. It may seem unnatural, but studies have found if you are smiling while talking, you project a more positive image, especially over the phone.

Good Luck, and stay positive.

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