Mastering Job Interviews: Answering Tough Questions with Confidence

1. PROFESSIONAL JOB INTERVIEWS Answering the Tough Questions

2. RULE of THUMB • Relate ALL answers to this position JOB ANSWER ANSWER ANSWER ANSWER

3. Answering Tough Questions • Think of these questions in terms of exam questions • more asshort essay questions • less as short, fill-in-the-blank

4. Answering Tough Questions • Use the material from previous “job search” assignments • Salary report • Keirsey report • Company research • 5-year plan • LCCC corporate culture • Education & Employment summaries • Résumé

5. 1) “Tell me a little about yourself.” • Be brief • Relate to this position • Avoid hobbies & other unrelated activities • (unless asked)

6. 2) “Why did you choose your college?” • Use reasons related to academics • The department’s standing • The faculty’s reputation • The job placement stats in your field

7. 3) “What are your strengths?” • Focus on 2 or 3 • Choose those that relate (positively) to this position

8. 4) “What are your weaknesses?” • Choose those that would be strengths in this position • perfectionism • attention to detail • OCD • workaholism • competitiveness

9. 5) “Why would you fit this company?” • Show off your company research • Connect several points about the company to • your professional goals • your professional interests • your professional experience

10. 6) “What jobs have you held?” • Relate to this position • Show how those past jobs — no matter how modest — helped prepare you for this position • EX: • PT fast-food work • honed your teamwork & interpersonal skills

11. 7) “What are your long-term goals?” • Refer to your already-prepared 5-year plan or 10-year plan • Show how these goals fit within this company

12. 8) “What salary do you have in mind?” • Avoid discussing salary at this point • save for the 2nd interview • Instead focus on • “job satisfaction” & “personal growth” • If pressed, • use your salary research

13. 9) “Do you like working in groups OR do you prefer working alone?” • TRICK QUESTION: • employers like both • Interest & experience in group work • college or employment • Individual drive, achievement • Consider the company culture from your research

14. 10) “Do you have any questions for me?” • TRICK QUESTION: • always be ready with questions • Reinforce your knowledge of the position • Reinforce your interest in the company • Show off your company research • expansions, training • benefits, promotions • computers & other technologies • travel requirements

15. Other Tough Questions • With the exception of #3 & #4, • These are quite similar to, rewordings of, questions from the previous list. • As usual, relate your answers to the position • And utilize material from previous “job search” assignments.

16. Other Tough Questions • Why do you want to work for our company? What do you have to offer? • How do you feel college has prepared you for your future? • What is the most difficult position you have been in? • What would you do if one of your co-workers was stealing? • Where do you see yourself in 5, 10 years?