A job interview is essentially an audition. If you were in a play there is a very good chance that you'd rehearse your lines, practice your delivery, and do all you could to ensure that when the curtain went up, you would be ready to give a great performance. Why should interviewing be any different? In fact, your livelihood may very well depend on the results of your interviews, so you should be prepared. One way to prepare is to know some of the most common job interview questions you may have to face. If you can ace these questions you will be well on your way to doing well on the entire interview.
1. Why are you looking for a new job, or why did you leave your last position? Be prepared to tell the truth, without bad mouthing your past employment. If you were laid off, be honest about this, as well.
2. What is your ideal work setting? The purpose of this question is not to find out if you prefer mauve or green, or whether you enjoy windows over cubicles. Are you someone that works well independently or in groups? Are you deadline or project driven? Try to give a sense of your work habits and flexibility. Use what you know about the structure of the position you are interviewing for to creatively answer this question.
3. What are your greatest strengths and weaknesses? This question is not always asked directly, but it usually enters into most interview situations. Tailor your strengths to the skill set that will most benefit the employer. What do they need? How can you fulfill their needs? As far as weaknesses, answer in such a way to indicate areas you have improved and what you may be doing to specifically continue to improve.
4. How do you handle mistakes? Focus on one or two specific instances of the past to highlight actions that may have relevance to the job at hand. Show that you have the maturity to deal with setbacks and can learn from adverse situations.
5. What were your greatest accomplishments? When you boil away the fluff, employers want to know in quantifiable ways how you will benefit their organization. What have you done to grow sales, and by how much? How have you controlled costs, limited turnover, etc.? Success stories in one setting may well indicate to your interviewer that you will be able to be successful again in the future.
Dawn Penfold, CMP, is president of Meetingjobs.com. Learn more at www.meetingjobs.com.