how to prepare for a job interview

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How to Prepare for a Job Interview

Four Parts:

1. Interview Help . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 2

2. Before the Interview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 6

3. The Day of the Interview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .page 9

4. After the Interview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .page 13

A job interview is one of the most drawn-out and intimidating ways

of making first impression. However, it’s also your opportunity to

get on an employer’s good side, which can give you a distinct

edge over even those applicants whose credentials are better

than yours. To prepare for a job interview, use these pointers.

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Interview Help

Questions and responses

Q: How will you advance this company?

This question should be answered with some tangible examples. Provide facts to

support the talent you will claim to bring. Make sure you offer skills that will actually

be useful to them.

A: My expertise in accounting has saved thousands and, in some cases, millions of

dollars for the different companies I’ve worked with. With the welfare of the very

infrastructure at stake, every penny counts, and I make it my priority to account for

each of those pennies. As noted on my resume, I was responsible for sourcing a

funds leak disguised as a supplies expense account at Innitech Corp. I can bring

that same relentless scrutiny to the books here.

Q: Where do you see yourself in ten years?

This is a good opportunity to be honest and incorporate your goals and priorities into

the conversation.

A. I don’t really plan my life by year or by month. My goal is to continue developing

useful software and applications for the open source community and keep learning.

So, if I had to say, I’d like to still be learning in ten years. I’d like to have contributed

enough useful programs to provide a whole new generation of coders with the tools

they need to make life easier. I don’t really believe in retirement either, so I plan on

doing this as long as I’m up and running.

Q: Why did you choose this company?

Potential employers don’t just want someone talented. They want to see if you’ll

mesh with the company.

A: This has been my dream company all along. I’ve been building up my experience

and developing my talent so that I could qualify for a position here. The people are

genuine and among the most talented in the world, you value progress and

cultivating a community of learning, and the focus is on quality work rather than

arbitrary rules of conduct and performance quotas. Everyone is here because they

want to be here, and they’re the best at what they do. The sense of responsibility

and high standards fits in perfectly with my values.

Q: Why are you the best person for this position?

Don’t be afraid to stroke your own ego here. Don’t say anything self deprecating.

Focus on this position in this company. Why shouldn’t they hire someone else?

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A: I’m the best for this position here because I’ve been following this company’s

progress for years. Any time there was a new release or you were mentioned in the

news, I was all over it. I already know the infrastructure and history of this place like

the back of my hand. Not only was my latest project focused specifically on the

new language developed here, but I’ve been implementing it in my own personal

work since its release six months ago. I can see being here for a very long time if the

company continues in the direction it’s going.

Q: What is your biggest flaw?

Don’t panic! They’re not trying to trick you here. Everyone has flaws. What they want

to know is if it will interfere with your work and whether or not you’re doing anything

about it.

I tend to be a bit too polite. When you’re too nice, people perceive you as a bit of

a pushover. While I would never be rude to anyone, I try to keep the small talk from

become excessive in order to maintain a “no-nonsense” reputation.

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Interview Strengths and Weaknesses

Types of

strengths

Examples Sample answer

Job-specific - computer skills

- technical training

- product/industry

knowledge

“One of my greatest strengths is my

proficiency with Microsoft Excel. I have a

tremendous amount of experience working

with the program.”

Transferrable - proficient in a

language

- written or oral

communication skills

- problem solving

“I have often been praised for my ability to

come up with out-of-the-box solutions to

problems facing my team or work group.”

Personal

characteristics

- punctual

- self-motivated

- adaptable

“I am excellent at adapting to changes and

becoming comfortable in new settings. This

has benefitted me greatly in my career as a

travel nurse.”

Types of

weaknesses

Examples Sample answer

Those unrelated

to the position

you are seeking

Fear of speaking

before

groups, if the job

doesn’t

require it

lack of computer

skills, if

the job doesn’t

require the use of

one

“I have learned through other jobs I’ve held

that I am not a gifted salesman. That’s one of

the reasons I am looking forward to the

potential to change careers.”

Those that can

be turned into

positives

Lack of attention to

detail, as a result of

seeing too much of

the big picture

Difficulty multitasking,

due to an intense

focus on the task at

hand

“Because I concentrate so much on what I’m

doing, I often have a hard time juggling

interruptions and other things that come up.”

Those that you

are working to

improve

Learning to delegate

and spend less time

on

assignments

spelling

“I’m such a perfectionist by nature that I

sometimes spend much more time on tasks

that necessary. As a result, I’ve learned to

keep a large clock on my desk. By giving

myself small deadlines all day, I make sure I

don’t waste too much time.

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Interview Tips and Tricks

Do Don’t

Start preparing early. Take as much

time as you have available to you.

Wait until the last minute.

Do your homework. Learn as much as

you can about the company and the

interviewers.

Go in knowing nothing about the

industry or the position for which you’re

interviewing.

Be prepared. Anticipate likely interview

questions and plan your answers.

Be caught off guard. A lack of

preparation makes you seem like you

don’t want the job.

Make a good first impression. Show up

early and looking well dressed and well

rested.

Arrive late or looking disheveled.

Practice everything from your

handshake to your introduction.

Fumble for words or sound unsure of

yourself because you haven’t

rehearsed

Answer questions completely honestly.

Paint yourself in the best light, but

remain humble and brief.

Exaggerate or lie about your

accomplishments. Droning on about

your achievements can make you look

phony.

Remain polite, respectful, and positive. Badmouth former employers or

complain about prior jobs you’ve held.

Have educated questions for the

interviewers.

Ask questions for the sake of asking, or

ask something you could have found

out on your own.

Follow up with a thank-you note after

the interview and email later if you

haven’t heard of them

Hound the hiring manager, as it could

hurt your chances.

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Part 1 of 3: Before the Interview

1. Research the company's profile and

background.

Start by looking into their future goals

and plans. Conducting the interview

with this in mind will make you seem like

a good long-term investment. You

should also be ready to talk in depth

about the industry, the organization,

and the position you are applying for.

Learn your interviewer’s name and job position before going to the interview.

You may need to call the company to find out.

Talk to current employees. Show initiative while getting a feel for the office

environment. Learn as much as you can about the company from people

who work there.

Know as much about the company as possible. You can't change your

employment history or your qualifications, but you can work harder than

every other applicant by being supremely knowledgeable about the

company. Use the company's website, their annual report, and

newspaper/business magazine articles to gather as much information as

possible.

2. Think of questions to ask your

interviewer.

Participating actively during the

interview gives a good impression of

your level of interest in the job. It's a

good idea to come prepared with at

least three thought-provoking

questions to ask your interviewer.

(Avoid asking anything that could be

easily answered through a quick

internet search, or you will simply come

across as lazy.)

Ask questions that reflect your interest in future prospects. “Which are new

markets the company is planning to explore in next couple of years?” or

“What are the chances for professional growth in this job opportunity?” both

show that you want to be on the same page as the people you’ll be working

for.

Ask questions to bond with the interviewer and project your enthusiasm.

Inquire about his/her position and background or how long (s)he has been

with the company.

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Ask questions about what is discussed during the interview itself. Though you

may be tempted to respond to everything with an “Absolutely!” or a “Sure

thing!” to show how competent you are, this will actually make it look like

you’re not listening. Show that you are paying attention by asking for more

details whenever something isn’t clear. (Avoid asking questions for the sake

of asking, though, or it’ll seem like you can’t keep up.)

3. Practice with a peer.

If you have a friend who is also

preparing for an interview, consider

preparing together. Not only will this

give you a way to structure your

preparation, but it will also help you get

comfortable with giving answers,

telling anecdotes, and using

appropriate terminology. Practice

giving concise, complete answers and

maintaining eye contact with the

interviewer(s) while you give them. Make sure you aren't speaking too slow or too

fast and that your answers are stated with confidence.

Get feedback from your peer. Even if you think their feedback isn't on the

mark, it's something to consider: We don't always know how we come off to

other people, and the actual interviewer could share some of the same

concerns.

Know basically what you want to talk about before the interview. If you're

stumbling and fumbling for an answer on a very basic question, you're not

putting your best foot forward. Have your very basic answers down pat, and

anticipate some of the tougher questions before you step into the interview.

4. Anticipate questions from the

interviewer.

It’s best to prepare for a wide variety of

questions by thinking about your own

career goals, long-term plans, past

successes, and work strengths, but you

should also brace yourself for the

deceptively simple questions that most

employers like to throw at their

interviewees.

“What’s your biggest weakness?” is a

classic canned interview question that many people dread. Answering this

question is a bit of a tightrope walk: While you don’t want to be too honest

(“I have a really hard time staying motivated”), you won’t fool anyone by

trying to spin an obviously good quality into a weakness (“I just can’t bear to

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do less-than-outstanding work!”). Instead, think of a genuine issue you have

as well as ways you have managed to work with/around it (“I’m not naturally

a very organized thinker, but I’ve become very organized on paper and in

my personal space as a result”).

“Where do you see yourself in five years?” is another common question that

can take you off guard if you don’t see it coming. Your panicked reaction

might be to blurt out, “Working diligently for you, of course!” but unless you

are actually trying to get a job in your chosen career, this probably isn’t a

good strategy. If you’re going after what will clearly be a short-term job – or

even one that lasts only several years – be honest about what your greater

aspirations are (ex. going back to school, starting your own business);

ambition is a very desirable trait in an employee – to say nothing of honesty.

“Why do you want this job?” is so straightforward it can throw you for a loop.

If you’re going into a field you care about, you will have a much easier time

answering this. However, if, like many people, you’re just trying to make ends

meet, you can answer the question by using it as a way of highlighting your

skills (“I shine in fast-paced, high-pressure situations and would love to have

the opportunity to cultivate my talents here”).

“Why did you leave your last job?” is a common question that shouldn’t be

hard to answer provided that you didn’t have a major blowout with your

previous employer. If you did, be honest (without being bitter or laying blame,

as this will make you look ungracious and hard to work with) and try to put a

positive spin on things.

Don't be afraid to admit that you don't know something. While you definitely

want to seem knowledgeable, don't lie to make it seem like you know

something you don't. You probably won't fool your interviewer, and admitting

to not knowing something is much more impressive than lying during your

interview. If need be, just acknowledge that you do not know the answer but

will find out more about it and let them know afterwards.

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Part 2 of 3: The Day of the Interview

1. Dress for the interview.

As a rule of thumb, you should dress for

the interview the way you would for the

job itself. (If the job is unusually casual,

however, you might want to show up in

business-casual clothes to be safe.)

Choose subdued colors (blues, browns,

grays, black) and make sure that your

clothes are lint- and wrinkle-free. Avoid

wearing perfume, after-shave, or

scented lotion (but do wear

deodorant).

Applicants in banking or wealth management, business, academia, politics,

and health-related sectors should show up for an interview in business formal

clothing unless otherwise noted. For women, this means a skirt suit or pant suit

in a dark color, along with closed toe shoes and subtle makeup. For men, this

means a dark-colored suit and tie and dark-colored shoes.

Applicants in the service sector are usually invited to wear business casual to

an interview, although business formal is optional. For women, this means a

simple, knee length dress with conservative shoes (no jeans). For men, this

means dark or khaki pants with a collared button-up and leather shoes.

If you're unsure of the customary interview clothing expected by the

company, simply ask the HR rep or interview liaison. There's no shame in it.

There is shame in feeling horribly over- or under-dressed when you show up

for an interview.

2. Show up in the best possible shape.

Make sure you know exactly how to

get there and just where to park so that

you can arrive 15 to 20 minutes before

the scheduled interview time. Go to

bed early the day (or the days) before

the interview so that you look rested

and healthy on the big day. Bring an

extra copy of your resume, CV, and/or

references in case your interviewer

wants to go over any points with you or

neglects to bring their own copy.

If the interview is in the morning, be sure to eat a healthy breakfast. This is not

just an empty suggestion. A breakfast high in antioxidants, omega-3 fatty

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acids, and foods high in vitamin E, such as nuts and seeds, will help improve

brain function and leave you feeling more alert and invigorated.

Consider exercising before the interview to annihilate stress and increase

blood flow. If you're generally nervous or fidgety before an interview, it might

be a good idea to work out before your interview. Go hard for an hour, and

give your body at least another hour to calm down. Shower after exercising.

3. Show courtesy to everyone during the interview.

This means everyone from the reception staff to the interviewer herself. You never

know who has input in the hiring process, and you can only make a first impression

once.

Look everyone in the eye and smile.

Looking people in the eye will

telegraph alertness, and smiling will

signal friendliness.

Speak clearly and say "please" and

"thank you." Make sure the people you

talk to during the interview can make

out what you're saying. Talking audibly,

with good enunciation, tells people

you're confident, while good manners

tells them you're considerate of other

people.

Don't noodle around on your phone

or electronic device while waiting. In

fact, leave it in your car. Even though

it's practically acceptable, playing

around on your phone can communicate boredom and frivolousness (even

if that's not the case). Stick with a book or review your notes while waiting.

4. Be honest.

Many people think that an interview is

the perfect time to embellish. While you

want to structure your answers so that

your best, most qualified aspects take

center stage, you don't want to

deceive or outright lie. Companies do

perform background checks, and lying

about your experience is simply not

worth it.

In a pinch, take a cue from

politicians. When a politician hears a question they don't like, they simply

answer a different question. You don't want to do this all the time, but you

can do it in a pinch.

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5. Keep things simple and short.

Talking about yourself can be very

difficult to well: You're trying to

convince someone you don't know

that you're qualified for a position

without sounding too cocky or

pompous. Stick to what you know well,

and keep things short and sweet.

Structure your answers so that you're

talking in 30-90 second chunks. Any less

and you're likely to seem unqualified;

any more and your interviewer is likely

to lose interest in what you're saying. In

the "tell me about yourself" question,

highlight 2-3 illustrative examples about

yourself before wrapping up.

Don't use slang or off-color humor during your interview. It's important not to

say "awesome" or "rad" during an interview, unless you're interviewing for the

local lifeguard position. It's also a good rule to avoid off-color humor; you

never know when someone might take offense, and it's best not to risk it.

Talk about what other people think you do well. Don't add the preamble, "My

friends think I'm a competent social organizer." Just go out and say it with the

right touch of confidence and humility. Women tend to underestimate their

overall job performance, so be aware of that before you second-guess or

undercut yourself, because it's unlikely to get you a job.

Don't criticize your former employer. When you're talking about your past

experience, be courteous about your former places of employment. Be

honest about your experience — what you liked and disliked — but don't

indict your former boss unnecessarily. Your class and restraint will shine

through.

6. Be personable.

Try to come off as a genuinely likable

person if you can. If you're cynical,

pessimistic, and absolutely disabused

of any faith in humanity, try to tone it

down during the interview. Being

personable is about getting the

interviewer's emotional side to like you

and believe in you. Employers don't

always hire the candidates most

qualified for the job, but rather the

candidates they like the best.

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Part 3 of 3: After the Interview

1. Shake hands with the interviewer and exchange pleasantries.

Try to invest some feeling into the

handshake and pleasantries, even if

you think you bombed the interview.

The interviewer should give you a time

frame for when to expect to get a

callback, if applicable.

Hold your head high and keep your

cool. Your emotions are probably

teetering at the highest of highs or the

lowest of lows, but try to stay measured.

Project a cool confidence — not cockiness — and walk out of the interview

with your head held high.

If the interviewer does not tell you when they will contact you if you're a good

fit for the position, it's appropriate to ask, "When can I expect to hear back

from you about the position?" This will prove important later on.

2. Send a thank-you letter to your

interviewer and/or liaison.

Now is a good time to thank the

person you interviewed with, even if it's

just a formality. You can say something

like:

"Dear [interviewer's name], Thank

you for the opportunity to discuss my

qualifications with you. I remain very

impressed by [interviewer's company],

and invite you to contact me if you

have any further questions. I look

forward to hearing from you about this

position."

If you missed any important points in your interview you wanted to stress, you

may include one or two in the thank-you letter. Keep the points brief, and tie

them into a discussion point that you or the interviewer made during the

interview.

If you received any help in getting the interview, follow up with appropriate

parts of your network. Inform them that you received an interview, are

grateful they helped you in your career search, and would be eager to help

them in the future.

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3. Follow up with the interviewer at the

appropriate time.

You should have received some

information about when you could

expect to hear back from the

employer. The standard time is about

two weeks, but it can depend. If you've

waited past the designated callback

date — or the callback date wasn't set

and it's been two weeks — follow up

with the interviewer in a short email.

You can say something like:

"Dear [interviewer's name], I interviewed at your company [at such and such

date], and am still interested in the position if it hasn't yet been filled. I'd

greatly appreciate any information you might have about my candidacy. I

look forward to hearing from you."

While you can't control your past experience or the way someone measures

you against someone else, you can control how much of your time you

dedicate to showing the interviewer you really want the position. Don't be

needy, and don't be greedy, but be persistent and courteous. You'll work

harder than at least half the other candidates, and it could be the decisive

factor in getting a job offer.

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Tips

As you are about to enter the interview room take 2 or 3 deep breaths to

calm your nerves. You will do better if you are relaxed and have a calm mind.

Your preparation for the job interview should be taken seriously. The

competition against another candidate with a better qualification is fierce.

Preparation helps you keep what's in your mind, and not slip it when you're in

a most uncomfortable position. An interview is the key before a company

hires you, so you better discover how to sell yourself before meeting with the

prospective employer.

When you are introduced to the panel of interviewers, shake hands firmly with

each person, create eye contact with each person & say that you are

pleased to meet them, and smile as you say so.

Don’t be afraid to be confident. Set your mind to why you are the best

candidate for the job. If you truly feel that way, it's likely you'll pass the

sentiment on to your interviewer.

If the venue is far from your place of residence, stop in the washroom when

you arrive to reset your hair, tie, etc.

Don't say something you'll regret later. Think before you speak.

Don't play with your chair while waiting to be called.

Don't munch on junk food while waiting for the interview. You wouldn't want

to offer a crumb-covered or sticky hand to the interviewer.

Start preparing for the interview well before the interview day. Thorough

preparation is a prerequisite to success in any interview. Ideally, start

preparing about a month before the interview. If that isn't possible, start

preparing as soon as you are able.

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Practice with Interview Questions:

Before you go to a job interview, take the time to review the most common interview

questions you will most likely be asked. Also, review sample answers and advice on

how to answer these typical interview questions.

Then take the time to research the company and to prepare for an interview. This

way, you will be ready with knowledgeable answers for the job interview questions

that specifically relate to the company you are interviewing with.

Interview Questions About You

What is your greatest weakness?

What is your greatest strength?

How will your greatest strength help you perform?

Are you lucky?

Are you nice?

How would you describe yourself?

Describe a typical work week.

Describe your work style.

Do you consider yourself successful? Why?

Do you work well with other people?

Do you take work home with you?

How do you view yourself? Who do you compare yourself to?

How many hours do you normally work?

How would you adjust to working for a new company?

How would you describe the pace at which you work?

How do you handle stress and pressure?

What motivates you?

Are you a self motivator?

What do you find are the most difficult decisions to make?

Tell me about yourself.

What has been the greatest disappointment in your life?

What are you passionate about?

What are your hobbies?

What are your pet peeves?

What do people most often criticize about you?

What is the biggest criticism you received from your boss?

What is the worst thing that you have ever gotten away with?

What is your dream job?

What is your professional development plan?

What makes you angry?

When was the last time you were angry? What happened?

Why did you choose your major?

Why did you go back to school?

Why should I take a risk on you?

If you could relive the last 10 years of your life, what would you do differently?

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If the people who know you were asked why you should be hired, what would they

say?

Do you prefer to work independently or on a team?

Give some examples of teamwork.

What type of work environment do you prefer?

How do you evaluate success?

If you know your boss is 100% wrong about something how would you handle it?

Describe a difficult work situation / project and how you overcame it.

Describe a time when your workload was heavy and how you handled it.

Questions About Your Qualifications

Are you overqualified for this job?

Describe how you managed a problem employee.

How did you impact the bottom line?

Interview questions about your abilities.

What applicable attributes / experience do you have?

What part of the job will be the least challenging for you?

Which parts of this job are the most challenging for you?

What philosophy guides your work?

What strength will help you the most to succeed?

Why are you interested in taking a lower level job?

Why are you interested in a non-management job?

Interview Questions About Your Work History

Name of company, position title and description, dates of employment.

What were your expectations for the job and to what extent were they met?

What were your responsibilities?

What major challenges and problems did you face? How did you handle them?

What have you learned from your mistakes?

What did you like or dislike about your previous job?

Which was most / least rewarding?

What was the biggest accomplishment / failure in this position?

What was it like working for your supervisor?

What do you expect from a supervisor?

What problems have you encountered at work?

Have you ever had difficulty working with a manager?

Have you worked with someone who didn't like your work?

How did you fit in with the company culture?

Who was your best boss and who was the worst?

Describe your ideal boss.

Describe the gap in your employment history.

Why are you leaving your job?

Why do you want to change jobs?

Why were you fired?

Why were you laid-off?

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Why did you quit your job?

Why did you resign?

What have you been doing since your last job?

Why have you been out of work so long?

Why weren't you promoted at your last job?

Interview Questions About Money

What were your starting and final levels of compensation?

What are your salary expectations?

What are your salary requirements - both short-term and long-term?

Why would you take a job for less money?

Interview Questions About the New Job and the Company

Should employees use social media at work?

What interests you about this job?

Why do you want this job?

What can you do for this company?

Why should we hire you?

Why shouldn't we hire you?

Why should we hire you instead of the other applicants for the job?

Why are you the best person for the job?

What do you know about this company?

Why do you want to work here?

What challenges are you looking for in a position?

What can we expect from you in the first 60 days on the job?

What can you contribute to this company?

What do you see yourself doing within the first 30 days on the job?

What would you do if you found out the company were doing something illegal?

Are you willing to travel?

What are the most significant trends in your field?

What is good customer service?

How long do you expect to remain employed with this company?

When could you start work?

Please rate me as an interviewer.

Is there anything I haven't told you about the job or company that you would like to

know?

Interview Questions About the Future

What are you looking for in your next job? What is important to you?

Where do you see yourself 5 years from now?

Where do you see yourself in 10 years? (for older applicants)

What are your goals for the next five years / ten years?

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How do you plan to achieve those goals?

How would you feel about working for a younger manager?

What will you do if you don't get this position?

Where else are you interviewing?

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Getting ready for a job interview.

1. Job Interview Questions About Yourself and Sample Answers

When the questions are "personal", about you, it can be a very slippery slope. The

answers below are guidelines so you can write out your answers long before you go

to the interview. Then, when the question is asked, you can take the few seconds

(expected by the interviewer) to think about the question and how you will frame

your answer (which you already know).

What would you do differently if you could start your working life over?

The interviewer is looking for a detour that continues to be a professional block in

your career.

Looking back over my career, I would have returned to school much earlier to

complete my Masters degree. Even though I got my degree later than I had

originally anticipated, I never lost sight of the goal.

How do you balance life and work?

The interviewer wonders if you've made arrangements for the days when your child

is too sick to go to school and/or daycare or if you're "out of there" as soon as it's

quitting time.

Best Answer: Being organized helps me balance my professional life and personal

life. Consequently, I can be fully engaged while I'm at work. For those unexpected

times, I have a good back-up system of child care for my children.

What is your preferred way to communicate?

This is a good opportunity to show you understand the importance of adjusting your

preferences when necessary.

At home, I enjoy talking on the phone and emails. At work, I follow the established

pattern. Each of my bosses, in the past, has had a preferred method I've followed

their lead.

Do you check voicemail and email when on vacation?

The interviewer is wondering whether they will always be able to find you.

Best Answer: While on vacation, I can be reached for emergencies; however, I also

know the people with whom I work are very capable of making good decisions

while I'm away. I understand the importance of recharging my battery.

What is your favorite book? How about your favorite movie?

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The interviewer wants to know whether you read to stay current and if you will you

fit into the company culture.

Best Answer (include your personal favorites): I read many different kinds of books.

My current "favorite" book is The World is Flat by Thomas Friedman. My favorite

movie? Miracle on Ice.

What historical figure do you admire and why?

The interviewer wants to know whether you are well read and what characteristics

you admire.

Best Answer (include historical figures you personally admire): Personally, I most

admire Abigail Adams, John Adam's wife; professionally I admired the leadership

style of Ronald Reagan.

What did you do during this six month gap in employment?

Everyone, at some point, will probably have a gap in employment. Do not "waste

it".

Best Answer: For the first month, I worked on my "to do list" at home and

accomplished a great deal. Then I began building a plan to reenter the workplace.

While it took a little longer than I'd anticipated, I've learned a great deal about

myself, am rested and looking forward to new challenges in the workplace.

What led you to this point in your life?

The interviewer wants to know if you are unhappy, frustrated, or lost?

My "road of life" has been interesting, sometimes challenging and always rewarding.

The steps along the way that have led to this point in my life are, in some ways, very

different than I had imagined; however, I like who I am today in part because of my

past. An example is when the second company on my resume suddenly closed their

doors during a down-turn in the economy. For a very brief time, the road ahead was

unknown; however, I discovered I had previously untapped strengths such as

perseverance.

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2. Job Interview Questions About Your Abilities and Sample Answers

Tell me about a time that you worked conveying technical information to a

nontechnical audience.

The Interviewer wants to know how you relate to people outside your area of

expertise.

While I worked for Mr. Smith in the accounting department, I was selected to explain

the financial section of the employee's paycheck to all new hires. After my first two

sessions, I realized I needed to reframe my information so the new hires would have

an accurate understanding of the impact of their decisions as it related to their pay.

I worked with colleagues in human resources and marketing, and developed a

training outline that was implemented at the other locations throughout the

company.

Tell me about a time that you worked with data, interpreting data, and presenting

data.

If you are in a non-technical profession, this question is designed to see if you are

comfortable with information not directly related to your position.

While at the GHI corporation, one of my job assignments was to work with the IT

department to prepare the annual meeting brochure complete with financial data,

graphs and related SEC requirements. I became proficient at designing graphs that

gave an accurate picture of the financial data, as well as editing the legal

information into a more readable format.

Why do you think you will be successful at this job?

The interviewer is concerned as to whether you see this as a career move, or stop-

gap employment.

As my resume reflects, I have been successful at each of my previous places of

employment. My research of your company, the job description outlined, and the

information we've exchanged today, lead me to believe I have the skills and

experience for which you are looking; and I'm eager to be a contributing employee.

Tell me about a time that you participated in a team, what was your role?

Companies, for the most part, do not want "Lone-Rangers" - - they are looking for

employees who will adapt to the company culture and get along with others.

In high school, I enjoyed playing soccer and performing with the marching band.

Each required a different kind of team play, but the overall goal of learning to be a

member of a group was invaluable. I continued to grow as team member while on

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my sorority's debate team and through my advanced marketing class where we

had numerous team assignments.

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3. How to Answer Job Interview Questions About Your Resume

Interviewers frequently start a job interview by asking you to provide an overview of

your experience. This will often take the form of a request like "Walk me through your

resume."

Typically, candidates will recount their experiences in order from past to present and

focus their presentation on their job titles and the names of their employers.

However, interviewees taking this approach don't tell employers much that they

don't already know - and miss out on a critical opportunity to frame their case

positively.

Be Selective

You can take advantage of the opportunity to create a favorable impression early

in the interview by leading the interviewer through your resume in a more selective

manner. You should highlight the most compelling elements of your experience. You

don't need to share everything you have done.

Prepare by analyzing the most critical requirements for the job for which you are

interviewing. Then select the aspects of your work, academic and volunteer history

which best demonstrate that you have the right stuff to excel in that position.

Focus on Your Accomplishments and Skills

Rather than a bland rendition of your position titles and responsibilities, cite key

accomplishments and reference the skills that enabled you to achieve those

successes.

Be sure to mention how you impacted the bottom line in those roles, and how you

added value to your employer. Try to present your points in the form of stories that

portray problems you solved and challenges you met.

You Don't Have to Cover Everything on Your Resume

Feel free to leave out jobs that are not relevant or impressive, and to deviate from

a chronological presentation. At the end of your presentation, the interviewer

should have a clear understanding of 5 - 7 assets in your background that will enable

you to perform at a high level in the job for which you are interviewing.

Get Your Facts Straight

It's important be accurate when you're recounting your work history. When you're

stressed about interviewing, it can be easy to forget the exact details of your

employment history. Review your resume ahead of time and bring a copy with you

to the interview. Here's information on sharing your work history during job interviews.

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4. How to Respond to Interview Questions About Demotions

If you've made any obvious steps down the career ladder, you should be prepared

for your potential employer to ask about the demotion during your interview. While

this doesn't have to be a deal breaker for the position, you should try to frame that

transition in the least damaging way possible.

The Best Way to Answer Interview Questions About a Demotion

If your demotion was in the past and you have now moved on to a higher level job,

you can emphasize what you have learned and accomplished since the demotion,

and how it qualifies you for a higher level job. Perhaps you identified a weakness

and took steps like courses or workshops to strengthen that area.

Your task will be more challenging if you are currently in a job which represents a

step down. You should emphasize the skills you have applied and the positive results

which you have generated in your current role. If there were circumstances beyond

your control, like a restructuring which reduced the number of management

positions, then you can explain those factors.

Don't Criticize the Company

Regardless of which angle you're coming from, be careful not to criticize

management in any way. If you have identified any issues in your skill set or

performance which led to your demotion and taken concrete, documented steps

to address those issues, you might include some of that information.

For example, if a previous job required you to create reports in Excel and you were

demoted because you weren't able to do so, but now have taken online courses

and mastered Excel, then you might reference that development.

A preemptive way to defuse any concern about a demotion is to acquire a

reference from a boss or colleague at that organization which clearly affirms the

value you have added as an employee. You can also start the spin in a positive

direction by framing the issue in your cover letter or resume, so you have a

foundation which you can elaborate on during the interview.

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5. Job Interview Answers to Questions About Your Supervisor

How to Answer Interview Questions About Co-Workers and Managers

Job Interview Questions About Co-Workers and Supervisors and Sample Answers

For the most part, the following questions may be asked to determine if you are a

team player. Take a few seconds, when asked a difficult question, before you

answer. An interviewer is not expecting you to have a ready answer. However, the

Boy Scout Motto - Be Prepared - - certainly applies here as well.

Tell me about a time when you had to deal with a co-worker who wasn't doing

his/her fair share of the work. What did you do and what was the outcome?

I worked closely with Ann who, for the most part, always carried her fair share of the

work load. During a stressful time, working on a project with a deadline, I realized

Ann's contributions to the project were almost minimal. I made the decision to wait

until after the project to speak with her. I'm glad I did, because I learned she'd been

going through a very tough time in her personal life and she appreciated my

willingness to go the extra mile so the project was completed on time. As a result,

our ability to work well together significantly increased.

Give me an example of a time when you took the time to share a co-worker's or

supervisor's achievements with other?

At my most recent position, one of my co-workers, Dan, did an outstanding job of

calming an irate customer, solving the customer's problem and completing a sale.

When our boss asked me how things were going, I told him everything was going

fine and that Dan had just completed calming an irate customer and closing a sale.

It was a win-win-win- for our boss, Dan and the customer.

Tell me about a time that you didn't work well with a supervisor. What was the

outcome and how would you have changed the outcome?

Early in my career, I had a supervisor (Judy) who was in a fairly good mood on

Monday, but it deteriorated each day until by Friday, the supervisor was finding fault

with everything I did. I didn't realize, until I left that position, that I had been a

contributor to the decline in her mood. Judy would ask me how my weekend was

(on Monday) and during the week she would ask how it was going. I would tell her

how much fun I was having (I was single) and how I was looking forward to the

weekend plans. After I left, I realized my life was in complete contrast to hers and I

reminded her of it almost daily. When she asked the questions, I should have had a

quick answer, and then asked her how she was doing!

Have you worked with someone you didn't like? If so, how did you handle it?

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Yes, I've worked with someone whom I found difficult to like as a person. However,

when I focused on the skills they brought to the job, their ability to solve problems

and the two things I did appreciate, slowly my attitude towards them changed. We

were never friends, but we did work well together.

Tell me about a time that you helped someone.

Most recently, we had a new hire (Paul) that was really struggling with getting to

work on time, and I knew the boss (Harry) was getting irritated. Over lunch one day

I explained to Paul how important it was to our boss for everyone to be there at least

10 minutes early. It was personal with the Harry, but you could really get on his bad

side when you were frequently late. The new employee was grateful for the advice.

At his previous employment, the boss was only concerned about the work getting

done on time; he/she did not "watch the clock".

Tell me about a time that you misjudged a person.

There was a long-time employee (George) at my second company who was very

gruff when he spoke to me. At first, I went out of my way to win the George's

approval. Then I realized that was compounding the problem. So I observed how

he interacted with other employees and discovered I wasn't alone. He was gruff to

most people. I quit trying to gain his approval and, in the process, discovered he'd

learned his behavior from a former boss he'd had whom he admired.

How do you get along with older (younger) co-workers?

Suggested answer if your co-workers are older: There are times when I just know that

a new way of doing something makes more sense to me; but, first hand, I learned

that my "better way" may not be the best way to get the job done. As a

consequence, I respect my older co-workers knowledge and I've learned how to

make a suggestion at the appropriate time.

Suggested answer if your co-workers are younger: I quickly realized it was not my job

to "parent" the younger people with whom I work; it was my job to get to know them

and for us to find common ground where we could effectively work together. It took

time, but the result was worth the effort.

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6. Job Interview Answers to Questions About Your Career Goals

How to Answer Interview Questions About Your Goals

Job Interview Questions About Your Career Goals and Sample Answers

The overall theme for each of the answers below is: have you thought about the

impact of your decisions at the time you made them - or do you have a reactive

response to most situations. Far too often, a person's career appears to have

happened by chance. In today’s fast-paced, ever changing world of work,

employer's want to know if they can count on you to make good decisions, not

knee-jerk reactions.

Start with your graduation from college and explain the rationale behind each of

your career moves.

When I graduated from college, I was immediately recruited by the ABC Company.

As my resume reflects, I received two promotions and then a recruiter contacted for

the position at the XYZ Company. I've been there for the past 4 years and have

learned a great deal, while making significant contributions to my department.

Also, explain the thinking process that went into make each of those decisions.

For my first job, I was happy to know I would be working in a job that utilized my

education. It was exciting to know that within just a few weeks of graduation, I had

my first paycheck. My thinking behind the XYZ position centered on the fact that

they have a global presence, it was a definite promotion and positioned me to be

a viable candidate for the marketing position with your company.

How many hours a day/week do you need to work to get the job done?

I use my time efficiently at work and, for the most part, it's not the number of hours I

work; but how effective my time has been to accomplish the job. I'm sure my

references will tell you I was more than willing to put in the time to be sure the job

was completed as quickly and as professionally as possible.

If you stayed with your current company, what would be your next move?

The upward mobility at my current company would most likely be in the global

marketing department.

How do you measure success?

I measure professional success by the standards of the company for which I work,

the feedback I receive from my peers, supervisors and subordinates. Personally, it is

to know I'm regarded as a good husband, father and member of society.

Describe your dream job.

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As a child, I dreamed of being the starting pitcher for the Chicago Cubs. When I

realized I did not have a fast ball, or a change -up; I concentrated on my skills in

marketing because I realized it is an area where I not only can make significant

contributions, but I enjoy using my talent in a corporate environment.

More Interview Questions About Your Goals

What are you looking for in your next job? What is important to you?

What are your goals for the next five years / ten years?

Where do you see yourself 5 years from now?



What are your salary requirements - both short-term and long-term?

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Using the STAR technique to shine at job interviews

There are many types of interviews, from the free flowing to the formal, but one that

you are likely to come up against at some point is the competency-based interview.

They're designed to make the job application process as objective as possible,

removing any conscious or subconscious bias by the interviewer by asking each

candidate the same questions. Some people feel this type of interview is more stilted

– there can be less opportunity to build rapport. However, they are very common,

especially in large organizations and the public sector, so it's worth refining your

technique.

The questions will be driven by a competency framework that's required for the job.

For example, a marketing executive may require problem-solving skills, or a job in

customer services may require conflict management skills.

The interview questions tend to start with a variation of, "Tell me about a time

when…" This may sound simple but, in the heat of the interview, it's easy to give an

unstructured answer, miss out key details, or let the story peter to a halt.

One way of avoiding this is by using the STAR acronym to structure your response.

Here are two examples of how to implement the technique:

A candidate for a marketing executive role might be asked: "Tell me about a time

that you solved a problem to a tight timescale." Here's how you could structure your

response:

• Situation – set the context for your story. For example, "We were due to be

delivering a presentation to a group of 30 interested industry players on our new

product and Stuart, the guy due to deliver it, got stuck on a train from Birmingham."

• Task – what was required of you. For example, "It was my responsibility to find an

alternative so it didn't reflect badly on the company and we didn't waste the

opportunity."

• Activity – what you actually did. For example, "I spoke to the event organizers to

find out if they could change the running order. They agreed so we bought ourselves

some time. I contacted Susan, another member of the team, who at a push could

step in. She agreed to drop what she was doing and head to the event."

• Result – how well the situation played out. For example, "Stuart didn't make the

meeting on time but we explained the problem to the delegates and Susan's

presentation went well – a bit rough around the edges but it was warmly received.

Stuart managed to get there for the last 15 minutes to answer questions. As a result

we gained some good contacts, at least two of which we converted into paying

clients."

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There are a few things to note with this response: it's important to speak in specific

rather than general terms and quantify your success. In this example, we mentioned

30 delegates, the names of the people involved and quantified two contacts

converted to clients. From a listener's perspective, this makes the story more

interesting and they are more able to gauge your success. Nameless figures and

undefined successes can make the answer less feel less convincing. Secondly, as

there are likely to be many questions and interviewers have short attention spans,

it's important to keep your answers concise: convey the maximum achievement in

the minimum time. Finally, it's important to finish on a positive note so the overall

impression is strong.

In a second example, a candidate for a customer services role is asked: "Describe

a situation when you had to deliver excellent customer service following a

complaint"

• Situation: "A customer rang up complaining that they'd waited more than two

weeks for a reply from our sales team regarding a product query."

• Task: "I needed to address the client's immediate query and find out what went

wrong in the normal process."

• Activity: "I apologized, got the details and passed them to our head salesperson,

who contacted the client within the hour. I investigated why the query hadn't been

answered. I discovered that it was a combination of a wrong mobile number and a

generic email address that wasn't being checked. I let the client know and we

offered a goodwill discount on her next order."

• Result: "The client not only continued to order from us but posted a positive

customer service tweet."

Used at its best, the STAR structure is invisible to the listener and it simply comes across

as a well-articulated example. Create a bank of answers in this format in advance,

so don't struggle to do it on the day and can make it appear as seamless as possible.

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How to succeed at a job interview

For many people, a job interview can be one of the most stressful experiences of

their lives. Although many believe that only the best qualified candidates are

selected, the truth is that many highly talented and qualified people never get hired

because of the poor impression they make at the interview, while less competent

candidates who know how to present themselves well will often get the job.

When you are competing with a large number of applicants your job search can

be a lot like musical chairs: winning often means surviving until the last round, when

everyone else has been eliminated. In today’s competitive job market, you need to

make the best possible impression to ensure that you will be one of the handful of

people they consider for the position.

Many times, the things you don’t do at an interview can be as important as the

things you do. That’s why we have prepared a list of dos and don’ts to help you put

your best foot forward at your next job interview.

DON’T

Arrive late

Nothing makes a worse impression than arriving late. If you can’t get there on time

for your interview, what can the company expect from you as an employee? If

there’s even the slightest chance that traffic, the weather, or difficult-to-follow

directions might give a problem, leave ridiculously early, just to be sure.

Smoke

Smoking is guaranteed to turn off interviewers who are non-smokers. Even if you

happen to be interviewed by a smoker, studies show that 90 per cent of all

executives say that they would hire a nonsmoker over a smoker if their qualifications

were the same. What’s more, smoking makes you look nervous, not a good thing in

an interview situation.

Chew gum

It should go without saying that chewing gum looks extremely unprofessional.

Bring a friend or relative

Although many people like to bring someone along for support, you should come

to the interview on your own. Even saying goodbye to someone at the door of the

building can make you look as if you aren’t independent enough to arrive on your

own. The same can be said of having someone pick you up after the interview.

Bad-mouth your boss

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Never say negative things about a company that you worked for in the past, since

it tends to make you look like a complainer. No matter how bad your experience

was, you probably learned something from it. Always emphasize the positive, and

do it with a smile.

Try to improvise

No one would try to make an important speech or presentation without practicing

first, but that’s exactly what many people do at interviews. Visualize the entire

interview beforehand, from start to finish, and try to see yourself performing with style

and confidence. Make a list of questions you think are likely to be asked, and

practice answering them with a friend or a tape recorder.

Lose your cool

In some situations, interviewers will deliberately ask questions designed to provoke

or intimidate you. They do this in order to see how professional and self-assured you

can be under pressure. Stay calm, and answer as best you can without losing your

cool.

DO

Prepare for the interview

It sounds obvious, but too many people walk into an interview without knowing

enough about the industry or the company. Find out as much as you can about the

position, the company, and its needs. Try to show how your background and

qualifications can help meet those needs.

Dress appropriately

Remember, how you look has a great deal to do how you are seen. Dressing too

casually or too flamboyantly can ruin your chances of getting the job. The best

choice for any interview situation is a tailored suit in a conservative color like dark

blue, gray, or tan. Make sure that your clothes are in good condition the night

before: your shoes should be polished, you shirt/blouse or pants/skirt should be

pressed, and there should be no missing buttons or dangling threads.

Be well-groomed

Cleanliness is extremely important. Your hair should be clean, neat, and

conservatively styled. Fingernails should be cut short and no visible dirt under them.

You should avoid wearing excessive make-up and jewelry. If you wear perfume or

cologne, make sure it’s not overpowering.

Have a good handshake

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A good, firm handshake projects confidence. A limp or otherwise distasteful

handshake can set a negative tone that will affect the entire interview. Work on

developing a strong handshake that doesn’t feel like you’re trying to crush the

interviewer’s bones.

Show enthusiasm and make eye contact

You can show enthusiasm by looking the interviewer directly in the eye, and keeping

and interested expression on your face. Be sure to nod and gesture when

appropriate, but keep in mind the excessive movement can distract and annoy the

interviewer. Body language is important: stand straight, move confidently, and sit

slightly forward in your chair.

Have good communication skills

Having good grammar and articulate speech are essential to presenting yourself

well. Practice speaking in front of a mirror or with your family if you think you need to

work on this area. Listening is another important skill; be sure to listen carefully and

ask questions to probe deeper into what the interviewer is telling you.

Ask questions

Many interviewers will ask if you have any questions. If you don’t have any, it makes

you look uninterested, unimaginative, or both. Be prepared to ask questions that

show you have done some research on the company, and indicate an interest in

learning more about the position and show you can be of value to the company.

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Writing a Résumé

Part 1: The Objective

One of the most important elements of a job search in the US is a well-written résumé.

Although a Curriculum Vitae is common in many countries, almost all American

employers will ask for a résumé. What is the difference between a CV and a résumé?

In general, a CV is usually long, often running to several pages; a résumé is short,

ideally no more than one page is length. In order to give a prospective employer a

good idea of your background and skills in such a limited document, it’s important

to follow a format that includes all of your relevant information. In the next several

classes, we will be looking at the important elements of a résumé, and how to write

each section. By the end of this unit, you will have a complete and effective résumé

After your contact information, the first section that you should include is your

objective. With a clearly defined career objective, you can design your résumé to

reflect the experience, skills, and training that show your potential employer that you

are the best candidate for the position. Keep in mind that hiring managers often

have to work through hundreds or even thousands of résumés for a single job

opening; be sure to keep your objective short and to the point.

It’s important to focus how you will benefit the employer, not how the employer

would benefit you; your objective should therefore include a description of the

values or skills that the company is looking for.

The following formula that you can use to write your objective:

OBJECTIVE: A/An _____1_____ position in an organization seeking

_____2_____ and _____3_____

In the sentence above, __1__ is the name of the title of the position you are applying

for. ___2___ and ___3___ are the most important abilities, achievements, or qualities

that will work in your favor; it’s important to find out what is most important to your

prospective employer when filling in these blanks.

Below are some sample objectives for a variety of job descriptions:

A vice president of marketing position in an organization seeking a

professional with a strong track record of increasing market share and

Internet experience.

A senior staff position at a bank seeking to use my expertise in commercial

real estate lending and strategic management.

An English teaching position in an institute seeking someone with the ability

to motivate and communicate effectively with students.

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A dive master in an organization seeking an experienced diver with extensive

knowledge of Pacific sea life and a record of leaving customers with the

feeling that they have had a once-in-a-lifetime experience

To write your objective, answer the following question:

What position are you looking for?

What are the most important qualities you will bring to the position?

In the space below, write your objective, using the formula above as a guide.

OBJECTIVE:

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Writing a Résumé

Part 2: Education

The next item on your resume should be education. Most employers are only

interested in your studies after high school, so don’t include information about high

school or earlier. You should include all degrees that you have completed,

beginning with your undergraduate work and progressing to post-graduate

degrees. A standard format for listing your educational credentials is the following:

Degree in (major), (honors), (minor in subject), date, university, location

In the formula above, the items in the brackets are only included if relevant, while

the words in italics must be included.

DEGREE

These are several different kinds of undergraduate degrees from undergraduate

degrees from universities in the US, and these are usually abbreviated according to

the following list:

B.A.: Bachelor of Arts

B.S.: Bachelor of Science

M.A.: Master’s Degree

MBA: Master’s in Business Administration

PhD: Doctorate

There are other abbreviations for degrees in specialized fields.

HONORS

Honors are listed on diplomas to reflect your success in earning your degree, and

are based on the grade point average achieved when you graduate. The honors

are:

cum laude: with honors

magna cum laude: with high honors

summa cum laude: with highest honors

Obviously, if you have managed to achieve your degree with honors, you should list

it on your resume.

MINOR

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Some universities allow students to pursue a secondary degree in a different subject.

If you have enough credits for a minor. It should be listed after your major.

UNIVERSITY AND LOCATION

Be sure to give the name of the university and the city in which it is located.

Examples:

Below are some examples of the education section of some different résumés.

B.A. in Accounting, cum laude, June 2000 ABC College, Brooklyn, New York

B.S. in Economics, Minor in Psychology, June1983 Fleer College, Greenboro,

Tennessee

In the space below, write your education, using the formula above as a guide.

EDUCATION:

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Writing a Résumé

Part 3: Work Experience

The next item on your résumé should be your employment history, or work

experience. The purpose of the employment history is to show how your experience

and skills would benefit a potential employer. Experience listings are usually made

in reverse chronological order; this means that your most recent experience will be

listed first.

JOB TITLE

To begin, start each listing with your title, the name of the company, the city, and

the dates.

For example:

Human Resource Consultant, J&B Services, Boston, Mass. 1995 – 2000

EXPERIENCE LIST

Next, you should list your relevant experience in that job. It’s important to follow the

conventions of résumé writing when listing your experience:

Write the résumé in first person, but do not use first-person pronouns like “I”

and “we”) it is understood that the subject of most sentences is “I”).

Begin sentences with action verbs such as “created” or “launched” (there is

a list of “power words” at the end of this section that you can use in writing

your own résumé).

If you are listing something that you still do, use present tense; if you are

describing an accomplishment or task from a previous job, use past tense.

Use active voice, not passive voice; avoid constructions such as “duties

included” or “was responsible for.”

Examples:

Manage employee relations for high growth and rapidly changing sales with

150 stores, 75 sales offices, 2 distribution centers, and 5,500 employees in

States and in Canada.

Designed and implement three new training programs for management and

employees dealing with sexual harassment and cultural diversity.

Analyze, revise and develop Human Resources policies and procedures.

Develop innovative computer tracking and department performance

system.

POWER VERBS TO USE ON YOUR RÉSUMÉ

DEMONSTRATE LEADERSHIP, DECISION MAKING, OR MANAGEMENT SKILLS

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advocate, determine, direct, elicit, enlist, form, found, govern, hire, institute, lead,

manage, moderate, operate, oversee, produce, recruit, represent, sponsor, start,

supervised

DEMONSTRATE ADMINISTRATIVE, ORGANIZATIONAL, AND FOLLOW-THROUGH SKILLS

arrange, assemble, catalogue, collect, coordinate, disseminate, distribute,

execute, formalize, implement, install, maintain, organize, plan, prepare, process,

record, reorganize, schedule, update

DEMONSTRATE COMUNICATION SKILLS

answer, brief, conduct, contact, demonstrate, draft, educate, explain, familiarize,

handle, inform, instruct, introduce, lecture, present, report, respond, speak,

summarize, teach, train, translate

DEMONSTRATE ANALYTICAL OR RESEARCH SKILLS

analyze, audit, compile, consult, discover, document, edit, evaluate, examine,

gather, identify, interpret, interview, research, search, survey, test

DEMONSTRATE THE ABILITY TO CREATE OR INNOVATE

author, compose, conceive, conceptualize, create, design, devise, establish,

invent, originate, revolutionize

DEMONSTRATE COUNSELING, HELPING OR MEDIATING SKILLS

aid, assist, attend, collaborate, comfort, contribute, counsel, facilitate, foster, guide,

help, mentor, provide, support, treat, tutor

DEMONSTRATE THE ABILITY TO CONVINCE OR SELL

arbitrate, convince, market, mediate, negotiate, persuade, promote, publicize,

resolve, secure, sell, solicit

MORE USEFUL POWER VERBS

attain, augment, calculate, decrease, develop, eliminate, exceed, excel, expand,

finance, generate, improve, increase, launch, master, publish, reconcile, reduce,

strengthen, supplement, utilize

EXAMPLE EMPLOYMENT HISTORY

Below is a sample of an employment history section of a résumé.

Human Resource Consultant, Davidson Group, Dallas, TX, 1997-Present

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Recruit new employees for 50+ companies within Dallas area.

Perform reference checks on all potential candidates.

Personnel Manager, PMS Retail, Dallas, TX, 1992-1997

Recruited and trained new employees for 23 stores.

Established complete personnel record/employee hiring tracking systems for

entire organization.

Facilitated training programs for managers and staff.

Updated orientation, and store cash terminal procedures and manuals.

Use the space below to come up with your experience.

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Writing a Résumé

Part 4: Putting it all together

Now that you’ve written the most important sections of your résumé, you’re ready

to put it all together in its final form.

Contact Information

The first section on your résumé should be your contact information. This should

include your name, address, home and work telephone numbers, and an email

address.

Example:

Trey Diamond

123 Elm Street Home: (960) 555-2468

Poffitsburg, Colorado 81207 Office: (960) 555-1357

USA Email: [email protected]

COMPUTER SKILLS

These days, almost every job requires some kind of computer skills, so it’s a good

idea to list the programs that you can competently at the end of your résumé.

Example:

Computer Skills

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Power Point

Adobe Illustrator

Adobe Photoshop

Microsoft Front Page

COMPLETE RÉSUMÉ

You are now ready to create your complete résumé. On the next page write down

sample of your complete résumé. Study the sample résumé, then add your contact

information, copy what you wrote for Objective, Education, and Work Experience

in previous classes, and include your computer experience to create a complete

résumé.

CONTACT INFORMATION

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OBJECTIVE

EDUCATION:

JOB EXPERIENCE

Sources:

http://www.wikihow.com/Prepare-for-a-Job-Interview

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http://jobsearch.about.com/od/interviewquestionsanswers/a/interviewquest.htm

http://jobsearch.about.com/od/interviewsnetworking/a/interviewguide.htm

http://jobsearch.about.com/od/interviewsnetworking/ss/job-interview.htm

http://jobsearch.about.com/od/preparation/

http://careers.theguardian.com/careers-blog/star-technique-competency-based-

interview

how to prepare for a job interview

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