“WHAT ARE YOUR LONG RANGE CAREER GOALS? YOUR SHORT RANGE CAREER GOALS? WHEN AND WHY DID YOU ESTABLISH THESE GOALS? HOW ARE YOU PREPARING TO ACHIEVE THEM?
This refers to career planning. What are your long range career goals, when and why did you make this choice, what are you doing for yourself to help prepare for this career, and how does the job for which you are interviewing (short range career goal) fit into your broader career plans?
“WHAT DO YOU REALLY WANT TO DO IN YOUR LIFETIME?”
This is another career goal question that may be difficult to answer in terms of a specific job or career position. If you do not yet know the answer as it relates to a career, indicate that you are flexible and adaptable with an open attitude for your future; that you want the security of knowing that you are doing a productive job, happy in your environment, and properly challenged.
“WHICH IS MORE IMPORTANT TO YOU, MONEY OR THE JOB? WHAT ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT REWARDS YOU EXPECT TO RECEIVE FROM YOUR CAREER?”
Both money and the job should be important to you, but one should not expect payment of money if the job is not done well. The feeling of accomplishment for doing a job well, helping a company achieve planned goals, and attaining desires career status are important rewards to consider.
“WHAT ARE THE REASONS FOR YOUR SUCCESS? WHAT IS YOUR DEFINITION OF SUCCESS?”
It is best to keep this answer very general, permitting your interviewer to probe more deeply if it becomes necessary. Offer a short list of positive character traits that describe you. “I like to work hard”, or “I get along with all kinds of people and I know how to listen.” Or, “I pay close attention to details; I know how to watch costs and I can keep difficult customers smiling”.
Look up the definition of “success” in the dictionary. Think about it in your terms. Decide what you feel your definition of “success” and “successful” should be, based upon what you want out of your career.
“WHAT HAVE YOU DONE IN THE PAST THAT SHOWS INITIATIVE AND A WILLINGNESS TO WORK?”
This question is looking for attitude, accomplishments, the initiative to perform above and beyond the basic description of your job, for the sake of meeting a challenge or achieving a goal.
“HAVE YOU DONE THE BEST WORK OF WHICH YOU ARE CAPABLE?”
This is the best answered with some degree of self-effacement. “I would be lying to you if I told you I was perfect, but I have tackled every assignment with all my talents.” Or, “I am sure there were times when I could have worked harder or longer, but over the years, I have tried to do my best and I believe I have succeeded.”
“WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? (NOBODY EVER SAYS “MONEY”)
Everyone has a difficult time discussing money issues. One works for money to begin with, but not for long. After that, you work for pride. One corporate chairperson was one of the very few to ever publicly admit that “the best man is the bought man”.
Most job seekers in most businesses should approach the salary issue with extreme caution. On one hand, they must not appear over-motivated by the almighty greenback. This is considered bad business etiquette. On the other hand, they must move carefully less they sell themselves too cheaply or overprice their skills for a position they want.
“WHY WERE YOU FIRED?”
If you want to be successful, you must also be able to profit from failure. If you have never had a temporary failure, then you have not set your goal high enough.
Being fired is not a sin, a crime, nor an embarrassment. It is an opportunity. The person who is concerned about a dismissal on his record had one important job to do for himself and his employer. He must turn this experience into an attribute, not a liability.
Admit that you were fired if asked by the interviewer. Applicants who hide the fact always get caught and compound any possible damage that might have resulted. Virtually all interviewers agree that complete candor on this subject not only helps exonerate you, it often makes you a more interesting candidate.
The moment the subject of your dismissal comes up, you should be prepared to offer your interviewer a well-organized and candid description of the events which led up to the action. Urge the interviewer to call a good reference from your previous employer. This quick demonstration of confidence will effectively terminate a negative discussion and move the interview onto more positive points.
While a previous dismissal is not a disaster, it is also not something to brag about. Do not introduce your dismissal until asked.
“WHY DO YOU WANT TO CHANGE JOBS? WHY ARE YOU LEAVING YOUR PRESENT POSITION?”
This is one of the first questions interviewers ask. Be sure you are ready to answer it satisfactorily. If you are currently in a dead end position, locked out of advancement opportunities, explain this. The interviewer will understand your job has become routine, void of learning experiences. It will be accepted if you feel your present employer is losing ground to competitors through no fault of your own. If you say, however, that your salary is too low, then suspicion will arise. If you say that you hate your boss, the question then arises as to whether you will hate your new employer, too. If you say that you are bored, suspicion will arise as to your being a job-hopper.
Another answer, if appropriate, may include the following example.
“I am anxious to earn more money and take an added responsibility. In addition to enjoying my work, I would like to expand my knowledge. Quite frankly, there is not much opportunity in my present position.”
“WHY HAVE YOU CHANGED JOBS SO FREQUENTLY?"
This question if crucial. In fact, an unsatisfactory answer to this one is among the top reasons why applicants fail to get the jobs they want. You must convince your interviewer that your job-hopping days are over. If you feel you made a mistake leaving previous jobs, tell the interviewer while at the same time reminding the interviewer that your job performance was never in question. Your candor will be appreciated. If something in your personal or business life has recently changed and would affect your stability in the future, come right out with the facts. The interviewer will be anxious to hear.
“WHY WERE YOU OUT OF WORK SO LONG?”
If there is a gap in your resume, you must be prepared to explain what you were doing in that period. Until you have satisfied your interviewer’s curiosity, you will not get hired. If you were fired and have spent the last year looking for a job without success, you will understand an employer’s reluctance to hire you. If, on the other hand, you explain what you have learned or accomplished during this hiatus, your candidacy will be warmly received. For example, “I have taken several courses to strengthen my skills in…”. Or, “I used this period to re-examine my goals and have reached this conclusion:…”. The interviewer must have a positive explanation.
No comments:
Post a Comment