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Things To Know...

All interviewers want to know, "How will you add value to our company?" You need to be able to convince employers that you know their mission and vision.  You should demonstrate how you desire to contribute to their mission while connecting your skills to their needs.  The research used for your resume and cover letter should be utilized to prepare you for the interview.  Most interviewers will first ask, "Tell me about yourself" and your Elevator Pitch is the description needed to express how you connect with the company.

Practice makes perfect! So begin with your Elevator Pitch and go over the mock interview questions and the following information to be best prepared.

Types of Interview Questions

Situational Questions

Questions that expect the interviewee to make a decision about how they would address a scenario are situational. "What would you do if..." type phrases hint that it may be a situational question.  The employer wants to know if the interviewee can handle the scenario appropriately.

Behavioral Questions

Past actions predict future behaviors.  Questions that ask about how the interviewee handled past situations, such as "tell me about a time when..." are behavioral type questions.  Employers want to know if the actions of this individual have equipped them for the current job.

Negative Questions

Use a positive response to a negative question.  Questions that conjure an immediately negative response in the interview can be rephrased in a positive light without dishonesty.  "Did you like your previous job?" may be an example of a negative question, so you could instead express what you learned from your past position.

Skill-Based Questions

Discovering the strengths and weaknesses of the interviewee is essential for the interviewer.  Many of the common interview questions will be assessing the skills and abilities of the interviewee.  Use real situations and stories to make skills tangible and personal.

Answering Strategies

C-A-R

When answering questions, use the Challenge-Action-Result model to formulate stories and responses.  Highlight a challenge that happened, describe the action taken in regard to the challenge, and finish with the results of this action.  Make sure that your action is positive (for example, don't use a story where you had to tell a co-worker).

5-Finger Rule

What skills are needed to be successful in this position? Assign a relevant, major point or story to each of your five fingers to get across in an interview.  Make sure these points are conveyed no matter what!

Communicating Personal Brand

After the interview is conplete, the employer is left with an impression of the interviewee.  Use the interview to craft and shape the impression that lingers after the conversation is over.  Strategically communicate skills that will leave a positive branding impact.

Thank You Letter/Note

Thank you letters or notes should always be sent within 24 hours after the interview.  This action allows you to show genuine gratitude and keeps your name in front of the interviewer well after the conversation has ended.  Remind the employer how you fit with his/her company, highlighting specific skills that connect you to the organization.  When communicating with future employers keep email conversations polite and professional.  Keep these email etiquette tips in mind.