5 Ways to Think About Your Upcoming Job Interview

For many people the time spent in preparation for a job interview is one filled with incredible anxiety. There might be pressure to get a job due to unemployment or recent graduation from school. However, approaching a job interview with intense anxiety and concern will make it difficult to have a successful interview.

The following five ways to think about, and approach, an upcoming interview can help reduce anxiety and allow you to better demonstrate the talent and skills you have to offer the company.

The interview is all about the interviewer. You likely want the job you are interviewing for, but the interviewer is seeking out someone who will make their job easier. If you can demonstrate to the interviewer what you can do for them, and how you can meet the needs of the company, you are in a better position to land the job.

And it’s about determining if the job/employer is a good fit for you. Sure, the job might sound great on paper, but the interview process might reveal that you’d be working for a jerk or at a company that does not respect an employee’s personal life and obligations. The interview is a great opportunity for you to ensure that this job would be a good fit for you.

Practice makes better. Like anything, the more we do something the better we can become at it. Think of your job interview as practice. You might not get this job, but you’ve practiced interviewing and are now better prepared for the next interview that comes your way. Evaluate your performance and identify areas for you to improve upon in your next interview.

This is an opportunity to expand your network. You’ll be meeting other people throughout the interviewing process, from the person who greets you when you arrive, to the manager or human resource representative who interviews you. This provides you with introductions to new people who can expand your network, and who you might work with in the future. Be kind and remember those you might.

You’ll learn something about your field. The interview, if you approach it correctly, can also serve as a learning opportunity. You can deepen your knowledge of your chosen field by asking pertinent questions and gain an understanding of how other companies in the industry operate.

Adjust your thoughts and approach to your upcoming job interview and you can reduce stress and enjoy the process more.

4 Tips to Prepare for Your Next Job Interview

For many job seekers the job interview provides great anxiety and pressure, especially if you're currently unemployed and looking to find work as soon as possible.

Here are four tips to prepare for your next job interviewer and help you feel more confident when you greet that potential new employer.

1. Evaluate past interviews. Think about what went well in previous interviews and what might have gone better. Were there questions you were unprepared for? Did you fidget throughout the interview? Honestly consider your interviewing strengths and weaknesses.

2. What value do you bring? Understand and identify two or three strengths that you bring to the job. What are the specific skills or knowledge that you bring to the job? You need to be very clear about the value you bring to every position and ensure that you convey that value clearly throughout the interview process.

3. Practice. Write out your responses to expected questions and practice answering the questions with a friend, family member, or even with the mirror, until you feel comfortable. Watch your body movements and ensure that you project a calm and confident candidate, even if you feel anxious inside.

4. Relax. You'll feel more relaxed and confident if you are prepared for the interview so ensure that you take the necessary time to prepare. In addition, taking some time to meditate, envisioning a positive outcome, and breathing deeply can help you relax and enjoy the interview process.

Good luck on your next job interview!

High 5 Weekly Career Transitions Roundup: Job Interviewing Tips and Dealing with Difficulty

This is our weekly roundup of some of the best career-related articles, interviews, blogs, etc., we've read during the week. We share them so you have some great resources to prepare you for the coming week. Enjoy!

© Bellemedia | Stock Free Images & Dreamstime Stock Photos

• Dealing with Difficult Times: "Set small, simple daily goals ... every day and work to achieve them."


• 6 Bad Reasons to Change Jobs: "Feeling unfulfilled in your current role might make you want to take the first opportunity that comes along, but it might not be right for you."


• Things to Stop Doing in 2015: "Stop procrastinating, saving work for tomorrow, and waiting to be inspired to work."


• 6 Ways to be More Likable in the Job Interview: "Think of your interview as a time when you model the behavior you will exhibit after you are hired."


• Questions for the Receptionist While Awaiting the Job Interview: "The time you spend sitting in the waiting room waiting for the interview is a great opportunity to gather up some intel."

4 Reasons Why You May Not Be Getting a Job Offer

So you had a great interview. You felt like you made a connection with the interviewer, you were comfortable and confident when answering questions, you asked intelligent questions of the interviewer, and yet you still did not get the call with the offer. What happened?

There are all sorts of factors that go into whether or not you are the candidate selected for the job. Unfortunately many of them are out of our control. For example, you can't control the other candidates and their qualifications. You can't control whether or not the interviewer decided to hire their nephew. So, for the sake of saving our sanity, let's focus on 4 reasons that are within our control and look at what you can do to overcome these situations.

1. Your Social Media Presence Is Unfavorable
The statistics vary based on the survey you read. However, between 80 and 95% of hiring manager and human resources professionals admit that they check you out online before they make the hiring decision. Between 60 and 80% of employers do not hire people because of what they find on the internet. Do a Google search on yourself and see what comes up, then evaluate it from the employer's point of view. Ensure there are no controversial comments, avoid hot-button issues such as religion and politics, and take down any inappropriate photos or jokes.

2. Your References Say Negative Things About You
No matter how you left your previous positions, you need to keep your contacts with your references friendly and positive. Call your references and ask them to support your search for new employment. Swallow your pride, apologize for past issues, and mend those bridges. Negative references can be a huge stumbling block for job seekers. Be proactive; it is better to know in advance where you stand with your references than lose a great job due to a negative comment from a reference.

3. You Came Unprepared for the Interview
Preparation has two parts, preparing yourself to discuss your skills and accomplishments and knowing all you need to know about the company. Do your research in both areas to prepare for an effective interview performance. Learn about the company, its mission statement, product or service, and its competitors. Try to discover the motivation behind why the company is hiring. Do they have a problem you can solve? Do they have a need that you can fulfill?

4. You Did Not Effectively Deliver Your Value Proposition
Take the time to get to know your product (YOU!) and clearly define the value you can offer an employer. Remember, every employer is seeking the most cost-effective employee. If you present yourself in terms of how you can make them money or save them money, how you can make their life easier, or how you are more than worth the paycheck they will pay you, then you make the hiring decision an easy one.

How to Overcome Interview Jitters

I was teaching a class last week to a group of military service members preparing to transition into the private sector. At one point in the class I had a young gentleman ask me, "Why do people get so nervous in an interview? It's just a conversation!" I agree so much with that statement, I actually stopped the class to give the man a high five.

However, not everyone is so laid back about the job interview. Many of us are nervous about the idea of the job interview. No matter how much we prepare and practice, we still get the attack of the nerves. Next time you are facing the prospect of a job interview, use some of these strategies to calm your (often inevitable) nerves.

Put the Interview Into Perspective
Think of the interview as your opportunity to learn about the job, the company, and its culture. Treat the interview as a two-way street where you assess the company as much as they are assessing you. Almost all of us have been in an interview where based on your observations, or even your gut feeling, you know that this is not a place you want to work. Don't focus so much on giving a "great performance" that you lose track of the fact that you are looking for the right fit for you.

Assess Who Has More to Lose
Walking into the interview, the interviewer has much more to lose than you. All you truly have to lose is time and maybe a bit of money you spend on gas and a babysitter. However, every interview you gain experience, connections, and confidence in your ability to answer the questions. A wrong hire can cost the employer time, money, their reputation, their customers, and possibly their entire business. Think about how much more they have to lose than you next time you need to calm some of those nerves.

Practice the Three R's of Interview Preparation
The three R's stand for Research, Rehearse, and Relax. Research the industry and the company to become an expert at answering questions about why you want to work for the company and what key transferable skills you bring to the table. Prepare your interview talking points about your personal statement of value or cost-effectiveness, then rehearse it until it rolls off your tongue with ease. Last but not least, relax by revisiting the two points above. As I always tell people, luck is when preparation meets opportunity. Go out there and prepare and use your next opportunity to make your own luck!

Three serious interview tips from comedians

Last night I attended a hilarious comedy show by a nationally-known comedian. I have been a fan of his for a while now and it was a treat to see his show live because of his performance flair and the intricate awareness he brings to his life and our culture.

I was reflecting afterward about how difficult it must be to prepare a comedy routine, and I couldn't help but be struck between the parallels between it and preparing for an interview. There are things you can learn about interview preparation from comedians, ones that would make you a stronger interviewer.

1. Create an air of observation: for a comedian, anything has the potential to be material, from trips to the airport and dinner with a significant other to children and going to the doctor. Comedians have to be perpetually observant and bring those observations into their acts. As it is highly likely that you will one day be interviewing for another job, you need to create an air of observation now, as the material you are creating is material for an interview. What projects have you worked on of which you are particularly proud? What are your workplace strengths and weakness? How do you function on a team and how have you remained productive when working with difficult team members? These are but a few questions to get you thinking and there are many more. Spend time reflecting on your current and past positions to create a bank of interview material worth developing.

2. Develop your material for your specific audience: not every comedian is for every audience. Rodney Dangerfield would bring a different crowd to his shows than a Dane Cook. Knowing your interview audience would allows you to filter through your material and cater it specifically to this group. Think about who your audience is, what appeals to them, what their values are, and what their needs are; this will help you hone your material for them and make your message all the more relevant.

3. Practice like you have never practiced before: comedians practice new material through live stand-up appearances in front of hundreds of people. They refine their stories through trial-and-error and perfecting their deliver so that it is natural and not forced. Most of us, however, cannot practice in front of a mirror. If you want to land a position, practice thoroughly.

If you want to progress in your interview, do the hard work - comedian-level hard work - and get disciplined in your interview preparation.

The Dangers of Memorizing Interview Answers

I often hear from people who are getting ready to start interviewing for jobs. Their first instinct is to gather interview questions and memorize their answers to these questions. I often caution people that memorization of interview answers is not the most effective preparation method. Here are some of the dangers you face if you take this preparation tactic.

You will sound like a robot
Have you ever heard those "testimonials" on the radio where it is obvious that the person is reading directly from a script? I discount those ads as disingenuous. The same will happen to you if you come across in an interview as though you are reciting your lines from a script. It is preferable to sound human, carry on a conversation, and speak naturally to the interviewer.

You will be unprepared for other questions
What happens if you have only prepared for traditional interview questions and you walk into a behavioral interview where they want you to tell stories or give examples? There is no way to memorize an effective answer to every interview question in existence.

You will not be able to effectively sell yourself
Remember, employers hire because they have a problem to solve or a need to fulfill. Your goal in an interview is to demonstrate how you can meet the specific employer's needs. By only memorizing your "lines" you will not always be able to sell the benefits you can bring to the organization.

You will not be yourself
An interview is often compared to a chemistry test. The employer already knows you have the skills and qualifications they are looking for because they read your resume. The interview is their chance to determine if you fit into the organization or the team and to determine if they think they can work effectively with you. I once hired someone who was a completely different person their first week on the job than they were in the interview. Needless to say, that working relationship was not long-lived because I hired the person they pretended to be in the interview - not the "real" them.


Instead of memorizing your answers, memorize your selling points and the benefits you can offer the organization or team. Walk into every interview knowing how you can solve that company's problems or meet their needs. Prepare your interview "talking points" so that no matter what questions you are asked and no matter what order in which they ask the questions, you are ready to discuss what makes you a cost-effective employee.

Four Interview Topics to Keep in your Back Pocket

In a recent Daily Leap post we recommend that you have a current resume ready at all times. This is excellent advice for the reasons detailed in the post. Just as important as keeping a current resume handy are topics that can be used in an interview. When you are interviewed, you are asked questions about your work style, experience, character, decision-making, and other aspects about yourself. Keep from struggling to come up with answers by focusing in on these four broad areas, ones where - if you reflect on them regularly - you will be able to interview with ease.

1. Strengths and weaknesses: Nearly every interviewer will ask you something about your personal strengths and weaknesses, so it would be wise to have answers for these topics handy. Regarding your strengths, take a psychometric assessment such as the Strengths Finder 2.0 to obtain an objective appraisal performed, then add to it with examples of how those strengths manifest themselves in your work. For your weaknesses (or your strengths), complete a 360 degree evaluation of yourself to find areas of development, and address those areas in an interview and what you are doing to correct them.
   
 
2. Successes and failures: You will almost always be asked about your successes and failures as well, so as you go about your work make note of those projects that have been successful and the role that you played in them. The more successful projects that you led or provided substantial direction with, the better. Conversely make note of those projects that were not successful and what you learned from them. Both of these areas are essential topics for an interview.
 
3. Work style and environment: Be sure to have an answered prepared about your work style and ideal work environment. Do you like to be given a lot of direction or minimal? Do you prefer to frequently work with groups of people are you more of a solo contributor? Do you thrive in a fast-paced environment or one that is more slow and steady? Or do you like to work for larger organizations or smaller ones? Be prepared with answers to these and similar questions with clear, concise examples.
 
4. Working with others: Regardless of whether or not the job is strongly team-based, you will likely have to work with other people. Think about your experience working with others - including times you have had to professionally confront problems, work with a team, and had to work through divergent opinions - and prepare answers for them.

A good defense is the best offense. Reflect weekly on these four broad topic areas and - the next time you need to interview - you will be well prepared.

When Does the Job Interview Truly Begin?

On the surface, this may seem like a silly question. Of course the interview begins once you sit down to talk with your potential employer, right? Not really; the interview truly begins much earlier. If you don't pay attention to these key details before you even start the interview, it may make no difference how much you prepare for the questions you are asked.

Quite honestly, the interview begins the moment you submit your application for employment and does not end until you receive the job offer. Here are some details you may not have thought of before.

• Manage your first impressions. As a candidate, our resume usually makes the first impression for us. Ensure your resume is professional, compelling, and clearly states the value you can offer an employer.
• Every contact you have with the employer makes an impression. Proactively manage all the impressions an employer has of you from the very start. Things such as an error-free resume, a professionally addressed cover letter, and even the paper you choose (when mailing or hand delivering the resume) can make a difference for you.
• Think about the impression you will be making when the potential employer calls you. Don't answer your phone in a noisy environment such as in the car with your three kids laughing and screaming in the background or in a busy restaurant.
• The employer will happily leave a voice mail - as long as your voice mail greeting is professional and appropriate. Turn off the musical ringtone and take your kids singing "Old MacDonald" off your voice mail until you receive that job offer.
• Be polite to EVERYONE you meet once you arrive for the interview. The parking attendant, the door man, and the receptionist are often asked for their opinion of how you treated them before a hiring decision is made. Make sure they have nothing but positive things to say about your courtesy and professionalism.
• Wait patiently in the lobby. Sit up straight, don't pace, don't talk on the phone, and don't chew gum. You never know who may be watching you while you wait to see if you are nervous or unprofessional.

Take an Internal Interview Seriously

Occasionally throughout your career, you may need to interview internally with your current employer. This could happen as the result of a promotion opportunity or your current job being eliminated or redefined due to a company reorganization or downsizing. Regardless of the reason, you should consider this interview an opportunity, and following are some tips to help you make it a success.

Skip the Casual Approach

Even though you are familiar with your current employer, do not approach the interview casually. Dress in business attire and conduct yourself in a professional manner. As with any interview, you will need to convince the interviewer that your experience, skills, and knowledge make you the right candidate for the job.

Check Your Attitude

Don’t be overly confident and assume you’re a “shoe-in” for the job even if you are an internal candidate with great relationships across the organization. Conversely, make sure your attitude isn’t one of frustration, particularly if you’re required to interview internally because of a company reorganization or downsizing.

Leverage Your Inside Knowledge

Use what you’ve learned while working with the company. For example, highlight your accomplishments on key projects, and demonstrate your understanding of the business and company goals. Communicate how your current responsibilities and expertise will transfer to the position you’re interviewing for.

Prepare

Prepare for the interview by getting up to speed on company initiatives, products, clients, competitors, etc. Research the open position and the department and how both fit into the organization and support company goals. Be prepared to share examples of your professional achievements, and be ready to answer general interview questions but also those directly related to being an internal candidate, such as, “What is your opinion of the company’s recent decision to move forward with project x?”

Tell Me About Yourself. What an Interviewer Does Not Want to Hear.

This is most always the first question and quite possibly the most important question in an interview. How you answer this question sets the tone to how the interview will go. Make a misstep with this first question and you may lose the interviewer's attention for the rest of the meeting. In order to set you up for success when answering this vital question, I want to address what you want to avoid.

DO NOT offer any personal information.
The question itself is misleading, the interviewer specifically asks you to tell them about yourself. However, they really don't want to know where you grew up, if you are married, how many kids, dogs, and cats you have, or what you like to do in your spare time. What they want to know (and how you should answer) is what skills, experience, and knowledge do you have for this job?

DO NOT ask them what they want to know.
You may think that by asking the interviewer what they want to know about you, you are simply trying to focus your answer. However, what the interviewer sees is someone who did not prepare. This is one of those questions that you should write down and practice until you can deliver it naturally with poise and confidence.

DO NOT "wing it."
Although most hiring managers use this question as an ice breaker to make you feel comfortable and ease into the interview, they are also making judgments based on your answer. They want to assess your communication skills, they type of impression you will make, and how you can handle an "unstructured" communication environment. Going in unprepared is simply not an option if you want to make the best first impression.

DO NOT talk to long.
Be brief, concise and succinct. Highlight a few of your strengths, but don't tell your life story. I once asked this question in an interview and the candidate talked for 15 minutes! Hard as I tried, I have to say my attention waned around the 5-minute mark. As a general rule of thumb, try not to talk for more than 2 minutes at a time in an interview.

Interview Preparation Checklist

You have done your homework, prepared for all the possible interview questions, and decided what to wear the day of the interview. However, no matter how much advance preparation you make, if you are not ready the day of the interview, it will all be for nothing.

Here is a checklist of what you should do to prepare yourself for the day of the interview.

What to take with you to the interview:

• Multiple copies of your resume. Be sure to take enough copies for everyone that may be interviewing you as well as a few extras just in case. Make sure you take the same resume you sent to obtain the interview. Print your formatted resume on high-quality resume paper so it is pleasing to the eye.
• Note paper and pen. You probably will not be asked to fill out an application by hand in today's technology-centered workplace. However, be prepared just in case with a pen and all the information you will need to complete an application. Also, take note paper to write down details of the interview, interviewer name, and any interesting facts you learn about the job in the interview. These notes can be used when writing your thank you letter.
• Traveling directions. Not only should you take traveling directions, you should also take a "dry run" driving to the interview locations at the same time as your interview to evaluate traffic conditions. Leave yourself extra time - and plan an alternate route - for unforeseen circumstances such as traffic jams or road closures.
• Questions you are going to ask. Use this previous blog post to develop your interview questions. Write them down and take them with you to the interview.

Last minute preparation tips:

• Arrive ten minutes early. You should arrive no sooner than 20 minutes early and no later than 10 minutes before your scheduled interview time. Arriving right on-time is almost equivalent to being late.
• Leave your troubles at home. The interviewer does not want to hear about your nasty divorce or your worries that if you don't get a job, you will be evicted. The employer wants to hire someone who will not bring their personal problems to work. The interview is your chance to demonstrate that trait.
• Research the company in advance. You should know everything about the company: its mission statement, its competitors, and how you can add value to the business. Prepare your answer to the question "why do you want to work here" by conducting advance research.

Why Did you Leave your Last Job? The Do’s and Don’ts of Answering this Interview Question.

This is a common interview question that has the potential to have a negative affect on your interview. Even if you are currently employed, your interviewer may ask you about your motivation for seeking a new position. Often, employers ask this question to try and define your motivation. However, more often than not, they are fishing to see if you will reveal your “dirt” or will speak negatively about a former employer so that they can gauge what kind of an employee you will be.

As with all interview questions, the key to answering this question is to be prepared. Here are some tips to help you be ready to take the focus off the past and shine on your future in your next interview.

Don’t ever talk negatively about a former employer, no matter how much you think you were in the right. When you talk down a previous company or boss, it automatically leads the interviewer to think you are a difficult, problem employee.

Do show the interviewer that you have researched their company and have a solid reason that you want to work for them. Demonstrate your knowledge of and enthusiasm for the company with an answer such as, “The opportunity to work for the aerospace industry’s leading propulsion engineering company on the new P229 engine was an opportunity that I had to pursue.”

Don’t give the impression that you are hard to please. When you give answers such as ‘I was not being challenged’, ‘I was being underutilized’, or ‘I was bored’ make you sound like someone who may also leave their company as soon as the going gets tough.

Do stay positive. Talk about what you really liked at your former employer and express that you can’t wait to be involved in that area with this new employer. Explain in the interview that you discovered you really enjoy and excel at a skill that you know you can expand upon in the new job. Working as part of a team, helping people, working independently, and managing projects are all examples of what you use in this answer.

Preparing Strategically for Behavioral Interviews

The behavioral interview is based on the premise that you can predict an employee’s future performance in a job based upon their history facing similar situation. This type of interview is focused solely on your experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities as they relate to the job for which you are interviewing.

Questions that start with “tell me about a time when,” “how would you handle it if,” and “describe a situation where,” are examples of behavioral questions. When an employer asks a behavioral question, they expect an example or a story that focuses on the skill or ability in question. Vague answers with no concrete examples will not do in this type of interview.

How You Should Answer Behavioral Questions
You may have heard of the PAR formula; this is an acronym for the formula that you can use to answer behavior-based questions. When telling a story, you want to have a beginning, middle, and an end to the tale.

• The P stands for the problem you solved or task you took on. In other words, you need to set the stage for the story. Provide a brief description of the situation you were faced with.
• The A stands for the action you took to solve the problem. This is where you tell the interviewer what you did, as well as who and what were involved.
• The R stands for the result of the situation. Discuss the outcome of the situation, talk about the end result, focus on your success, and expand on what you learned from the experience.

How You Can Prepare for Behavioral Questions
• Before going on an interview, you must prepare yourself in order to be successful. Start by researching the company and the job to determine the skills that will be most valuable. Based on your research, define the five most important skills that you possess and write a PAR story that proves your hands-on experience using that skill.

• Whenever it is possible, quantify the results you achieved with numbers, dollars, and percentages to provide a scope of what you have done. Numbers help the employer to quantify the value you can bring to their company.

• Be prepared to talk about negative examples. For example, be prepared to discuss how you handle failure, what you do when things don’t go as planned, and how you overcome obstacles. Use negative examples to show that you can overcome adversity, that you can learn from your mistakes, and that you are aware of your shortcomings and are able to improve yourself.

How to Interview Like a Pro Even When You're Not

Sure, most post grads have been on an interview before. We've all had jobs at the local grocery store or had internships that helped connect classroom studies to real life. Interviews are always nerve-wracking and now that you're a post grad you're facing career interviews which can seem even scarier. You may have never had an intense interview or you feel the pressure to really outshine the other candidates in this economy.

Here are some tips on squashing your nerves and acing your first interviews as a post grad:

1. First off, it’s normal to feel anxious and nervous for job interviews. Unless you happen to have nerves of steel, I guarantee you'll be a little shaky and worried. Keep calm by getting prepared. Familiarize yourself with the company and the job you're applying for. Learn the basic facts about the company and prepare a few words to share about why you want to work there and why you're passionate about this company instead of other similar ones. Even if you're applying around to similar jobs, make your interviewer feel like you want to work there and only there.

2. Sell yourself not only by talking but by showing. Bring samples of your best work from college or internships and bring your resume and cover letter. Instead of just saying that you're a great graphic designer, you can show them how awesome you really are and what kind of work you've done. If the job you're looking for doesn't really allow for samples, bring along your college transcript to make sure they see your amazing grades and classes you took that pertain to the job.

3. Be confident but not cocky. Scour the Internet for sample questions that an interviewer might ask (bonus points if you find some for the type of job or company you're applying at). Practice with friends, family, and counselors about what type of answers you should give to sound confident and skilled, but not cocky or fake. Remember to be true to yourself and don't make the interviewer think you're someone you aren't. There is a difference between giving the best answer and the best answer for you. Always choose the best answer for you.

4. Remember that if you don't get the job it is not the end of the world. If something happens and you totally screw it up or you get a gut feeling you don't want to work there, it is okay. The right job will come along at the right time. Don't beat yourself up because as a post grad, you're always learning and making mistakes is a good part of that.

Now tell us, what are your tried and true interview tips?

Do Your Homework. Four Questions You Should Answer in Your Pre-interview Research

Once you get the call for an interview, your work has just begun. It is now time to dig into your research of the company and learn some critical facts. This research will demonstrate that you are interested in the company and that you are prepared. However, more importantly you will gain important information that will directly contribute to your success in the interview.

Basic Company Facts
You must be well-versed in the company’s history as well as the current state of the industry they operate within. Become an expert in their products or services. Gather as much information on their beginnings, their leadership team, and their culture.

SWOT
Keep in mind, companies hire for two reasons: to fill a need or to solve a problem. Evaluating their SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats) will help you find out WHY they are looking to fill this position. Think of yourself as more than a job candidate. You are the potential solution to their problem or the one that can fulfill their need. However, in order to demonstrate that you can do these things, you must first discover their existence.

Competition
Don’t just research the company, but also find out as much as you can about their key competitors in the industry and what they are doing. Discover what challenges the company may be facing, but also what their competitors within the industry are facing – and what they are doing about it.

Current Events
Read all the industry information about the company. What are the current trends? What do analysts think about the company’s future? What does the future hold for the company? Are there any recent or upcoming product or service launches or market expansions?

Now that you know what to look for, check back later in the week for the resources of where to find the information.

Why Did you Leave your Last Job? How to Navigate This Interview Question.

One of my favorite sayings is “luck is when preparation meets opportunity.” Success in an interview is measured by being prepared for all questions that may be asked. Don’t be thrown off-track by this popular question. The key to answering this question effectively is to remain brief, be positive, and don’t provide unnecessary details.

Interviewers ask this question so that they can understand your motivations and try to gain insight into how you handle conflict. You would be amazed at some of the things candidates have told me in response to this question. The answer to this one question can serve as a giant red warning sign that says “DO NOT HIRE.” Here are some situations you may be facing and how to deal with each one:

If you were fired
This situation can be tricky. You could answer that you made a mutual decision to take your career in a new direction. However, honesty is always the best policy. Take responsibility for the situation, explain what you learned from the experience, and express that the issue will not happen again. Don’t feel compelled go into details. Never try to blame your former employer; you will always come across as though you were the problem.

If you were laid off
Being laid off is seldom viewed as a negative toward the candidate. When stating your reason, explain that you were part of large-scale reduction in force. Provide a general reason for the lay-off such as the company was downsizing, outsourcing, or business slowed down. Do not come across as bitter or angry. Express appreciation for your former company, talk about what you learned in your previous position, and convey enthusiasm for your future opportunities and challenges.

If you did not get along with your boss or coworkers
Never speak negatively about a boss, coworker or the company in an interview. Do not feel the need to explain the situation and who was right or wrong. No matter the circumstances, if you are the one complaining you will come across as a problem employee who is difficult to manage.

When the situation was uncomfortable, it is best to offer a brief answer such as “I was looking to use my skills and experience in an environment where I could make a positive impact.” Unless pressed for further details, it is best to leave it at that.

If you were unhappy with your career direction
Career satisfaction comes from many angles – being challenged, continued growth, adequate pay, and appreciation. However, if you complain about any of these issues, you may come across as easily bored and unmotivated. Talk about how you want to continue to grow and develop your career and how you feel your skills and knowledge can benefit their company. Show that you are self-aware and motivated to succeed by talking about how your skills were not a fit in your previous employer and then state how you feel you fit into the company for which you are interviewing.

If your life circumstances changed
Our personal lives inevitably impact our work. However, you don’t want the interviewer to feel as though your job will be negatively impacted by your personal life. Briefly explain how you left your last job to raise a family, but be sure focus on how you feel you can contribute and bring value to the organization.

Tell Me About Yourself – 4 steps to Preparing a Compelling Answer to This Interview Question

This question is one of the most commonly asked interview questions. When it is asked, it is usually one of the first questions. Your answer to this question can play a big role in making a positive first impression in the interview. This is one of the few interview questions that I recommend scripting out and practicing until you can say it by rote.

Keep in mind that this question is not a chance to offer your life story. The response should not include any personal information (i.e. where you grew up, how many dogs or kids you have, etc.) and should be no longer than two minutes. Here are some tips to prepare your answer to this important question.

Your background and experience
Offer an overview of how many years of experience you have to offer and your area of specialty in the field. Here is an example of how to start off the answer to the question. “I am a production manager who specializes in leading teams of up to 200 personnel to meet daily goals. I have more than 7 years of experience organizing maintenance professionals from multiple specialties. My experience includes production management in the semiconductor and microchip fields.”

Your skills
Do your research before the interview and define the company’s needs or specific problems that they hope to solve by filling the position. Identify your top two or three skills and speak about benefits these skills can bring to the company. For example, “I am a motivational leader who has the ability to gain team buy-in to new processes. I consider myself a productivity expert who is able to identify the source of inefficiencies and streamline procedures to optimize the team’s efforts.”

Your best accomplishment
Based on this same research, offer an example of your greatest accomplishment that demonstrates your ability to apply your skills such as “In fact, in my last position at XYZ Microchips, I was part of a continuous improvement team that revamped the production processes. By rearranging the production floor and streamlining the supply gathering procedures we were able to increase production by 22% while improving quality standards by 11%.”

Why you want to work for their company
As I discussed in a previous blog post, the job search process is not all about you. Never talk about what a company can offer you such as benefits, salary, or work conditions. Instead focus on the benefits you can bring the company with your skills. Make the interviewer feel as though you have chosen to work for their company – not as though you are just looking for a paycheck. For example, you could end your answer with a statement like this, “I understand that your company just started implementing Lean and 5S concepts. I have experience rolling out these programs at my previous employer and know I can be of assistance to your company during this same program implementation.”

Recovering After a Bad Interview

Interviewing is not a comfortable process for most; almost everyone can recount at least one bad interview experience. An interview can fall short for many reasons: Maybe you didn’t provide the right information or enough information, or perhaps you tripped over your words or weren’t convincing enough. Regardless of the reason—even one that was out of your control—your best response is to use what you’ve learned and move forward.

If you experienced an interview that went wrong, try some of the action steps below to prepare and improve for your next interview.

Identify Opportunities for Improvement

Immediately following your interview, make a list of things you felt didn’t go well in the interview. Next, carefully consider and note viable solutions to issues you’ve identified. For example, if rapport with the interviewer was an issue, develop a few ice breaker questions to use next time. If you didn’t close the interview well, rehearse a fine-tuned closing pitch. Were some of your answers incomplete? If so, develop accurate and strong responses for next time. Practice your responses out loud or, even better, ask someone you trust to practice interviewing you and give you candid feedback.

Review and Refine Your List

Just prior to your next interview, review your list of challenges and solutions to make sure you’re adequately prepared. As you acquire more interview experience, add to your list. Note solutions that are working and modify solutions that aren’t.

Make a Lasting Professional Impression

It’s natural to feel disappointment when you are not invited to the next interview step, but you should still focus on leaving a lasting, professional impression. Remember to send the interviewer(s) a thank you note. Emphasize your continued interest in the company, and ask to be kept in mind for future opportunities. Regularly check the company’s website or job boards for new postings that may be a good fit.

The wisest interview strategy is to be your professional best in every interview situation. And remember, every interview should be viewed as a learning experience.

Three Interview Prep Tips That Will Leave Them Wanting More

I rocked that interview!

Those are the words that every career services professional wants to hear after spending time coaching a student. The elation and confidence that oozed from Jamie’s (name changed) voice was enough to energize me on an otherwise humdrum Friday. He recounted the “zone” that he was in after crossing the threshold into the conference room where the interview was held and the validating nods and smiles he received from the panel of interviewers. While he has not been offered the job yet (he will hear back this week), he felt that there was nothing more he possibly could have done to better sell himself in that interview. Every candidate should feel that way.

As proud as I am of Jamie, what he did was nothing special. He just took to heart these important components of interview preparation.

Practice the right way: In my opinion, there is one right way to practice for an interview: create the same conditions you are likely to encounter in the interview itself. Jamie knew that he was going to be asked behavioral questions so he almost exclusively studied and practiced these questions when preparing. Further, he didn’t just read the questions and try to come up with a mental response for each one. He-with the help of his girlfriend-practiced in front of a mirror, with her asking him a randomly selected question he wrote on a flash card. The flash card method helped him become comfortable hearing the question and formulating a response, and practicing in front of a mirror-as awkward as it sounds-helped him better gauge his nonverbal nuances to ensure that they were not distracting or unprofessional.

Know your audience: Through careful research, Jamie came to understand what the institution where he was interviewing-a medical clinic-was about and he tailored his answers to cater to this audience. Embedded in this clinic’s mission was patient care above anything else, so after every answer he gave in the interview he emphasized how that particular scenario or strength he possessed or skill he had developed would enhance his ability to deliver outstanding care to patients. Once you determine what the core function is for the organization where you applying, exploit it: keep referring back to it in the interview. It demonstrates awareness of the organization’s mission and purpose and the ease with which you will fit into its culture.

The end is not the end: Jamie understood that the end of the interview was not really the end: he still had to impress the panel. Thus, when he was asked if he had any questions for his interviewers he did not make the mistake of asking about work-related benefits or how much time off he would receive. Instead, he impressed them further with questions like:

• What distinguishes a good candidate from an exceptional one?


• What gaps do you see between what you are looking for in a candidate and my experience?


• What are your biggest needs right now that you would hope the person you hire would quickly address?

These questions indicated his primary interest was to be an above-average candidate, showing that he was committed to the organization and not simply his own interests.

The next time that you interview, be like Jamie and feel confident through your painstaking, intentional preparation. Follow these principles to make your interviews more successful and leave them wanting more!