the professi onal's g uide to job interview prep€¦ · the professional's guide to job...

The Professional's Guideto Job Interview Prep

Interviews

Created By:

Lezlie Garr, CPRWFounder, ResumeLezlie.com

[email protected]

Andy ShearsMarketing Director & Partner

Materials prepared in collaboration with:

Yellow Brick Path Career Management & Consulting

Social Profile Masters

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The Professional's Guide to Job Interview Prep


CONTENTSInterview Preparation Checklist

310 Interview Blunders to Avoid

7

How to Influence Your Interviewer

6 Tips for Interviewing Like a Champ9

23Guide to Answering 10 Most Common Interview Questions

33Interview Questions About Salary History Are Gone

445 Must-Ask Questions to Impress Your Interviewer

51The Art of the Thank You Letter

56



Interview Preparation Checklist

Check to make sure you know: the company name, address and location,the name and position title of the interviewer, and the official time of yourinterview.


Perform online research about the company mission and culture, positiondescription, and expected salary. Check the company website, LinkedIn,Glassdoor.com, Google, etc.

Prepare anecdotes/stories about your successes, failures, work ethic, etc.,because they WILL ask.

Before the Interview



Prepare intelligent questions to ask the interviewer - these questions shouldconvey your desire to learn about the company and position, as well as yourdesire to be a good employee and ease the employer’s pain points.


Go to location at least 1 day in advance in the same timeframe as yourinterview if at all possible. This will give you an idea of traffic, construction,and other possible conflicts.

Choose your outfit at least 1 day in advance- and try it on!

Print and arrange to bring multiple copies of your resume.

Arrange to bring multiple writing pens (blue/black) and a binder or legalpad to write on during the interview- this will help you appear moreprofessional and organized.



During the Interview


Smile! Practice if you have to because this is an essential skill.

Focus on your strengths.

Pay attention and focus on what the interview is saying/asking.

Take notes.

Review the questions you prepared and ask the most relevant ones.

Ask what the next steps are in the interview process (try to get a time tableso you know when to follow up), and ask if they will notify you either way.



After the Interview


Write a thank you letter/email within 24 hours! Include all personnel whoconducted your interview.

Follow up with them (based on the time table they gave you during theinterview, or that you identified in your thank you letter).



Interview Blunders to AvoidThe Professional's Guide to Job Interview Prep

/ /

#1 Don't be late. Be sure to arrive early.

#2 Don't get distracted. Turn devices off.

#3 Don't smoke beforehand. Ew.

#4 Don't chew gum or eat candy/mints.

#5 Don't show your tattoos. Cover 'em up.

10/




#6 Don't be the first to bring up salary.

#7 Don't get negative. Stay positive.

#8 Don't go unprepared. Bring notes.

#9 Don't forget the details of your resume.

#10 Don't bring anyone else. Go alone.




6 Tips to Interviewing Like a Champ

The face-to-face interview is perhaps the most complex part of the job searchprocess. It is the first (and perhaps the only) opportunity for the job seeker to really“sell” themselves as the best candidate for the position, and it requires them to thinkand react quickly under pressure.

This can be difficult under the best of circumstances, but if you are underprepared, itcan be a disaster.

For most people, interviewing is stressful. Interview skills are not an innate ability thatmost people are born with. It takes a thorough understanding of the process anddedicated practice to master.




We’ve all heard the tired old interview advice: “dress for the job you want”, “practiceinterview questions”, “prepare your own questions”, etc. While these are all goodpieces of advice, following these alone will not set you apart from your competition.

So, I’ve compiled six solid pieces of advice that will definitely help to position youabove other candidates, and that you probably haven’t gotten from anybody else.

1. RESEARCH: The Position, Company, Culture, and Interviewer

If you are a professional who is beyond the entry-level point in your career, then youprobably realize that it is necessary to do research before heading into an interview.

You know that you will need to be able to speak intelligently not only about yourself,but also about the specific company and position to which you are applying and whyyou are the best candidate for the position.




However, if you are only doing enough research to learn about the position and thecompany, you’re missing out.

The best candidates go even further in their research, to learn as much as they canabout the company culture, and even the person with whom they are interviewing.

Company culture should be a HUGE consideration for you when applying for jobs.Hiring managers know that they can train the right candidate with new skills, but it’snearly impossible to train someone fit in to an existing culture.

If you can demonstrate in the interview that your personality and work ethic alignwith the culture of the company, you will be much more likely to land the job thansomeone else with similar experience who does not (or cannot) do so.

A lot of the first impressions we make in interviews (as well as in our everydayinteractions) are made subconsciously.




Researching the interviewer may be going outside of your comfort zone, but it couldhelp you gain an edge.

The more you can familiarize yourself with who the person is, what they like, and whatthey want in a candidate, the more you will be able to align yourself with those things.

And so long as you are only researching what is readily available to anyone else,you’re okay.

The key to being successful in an interview is to make them like you, so…

2. Be Like-able.

I’ve always been really good at interviewing. I think it’s because I’m what theycall a “people-pleaser”. I’m good at making people like me – at least upon a firstmeeting.




Since I was a fairly awkward child and early teen, I developed the ability to readpeople quickly and adapt my personality to fit their preferences.

Of course, this isn’t something I do with everyone, all the time, but it is something thatcomes in handy when I’m being thrust into unfamiliar or high-stress situations.

Being like-able is especially useful in interviews!

Much of what I said above can and should be used to make yourself more like-able in the interview. Again, the more you know about what is wanted of theperson they hire, the more you can prove yourself to be exactly those things.

This may seem a little devious, and it would be if you were interviewing for aposition for which you knew you were unqualified. But if you are genuinelyinterested in and qualified for the job, then maximizing your like-ability issimply a smart move on your part.




3. Make Eye Contact and Smile

For me, the theme of interviewing is just what is stated in point number 2: Be Like-able.

And as I’ve already mentioned, a huge part of formulating first impressions anddeciding whether or not you like someone is done subconsciously.

Making good eye contact and producing a genuine smile are two of the mosteffective ways to create a positive first impression when meeting someone new.

Professional Training Coach Nikki Shapiro talks about this in her blog post TheTriad of Likeability: Smile, Eye Contact, Handshake. She says:

For me, the theme of interviewing is just what is stated in point number 2: Be Like-able.




“Eye contact is fundamental to human engagement. Babies as young as4 months old process faces almost as well as adults. Babies as young as 7months old can differentiate emotions on their mother’s faces, andrespond to them. Multiple parts of our brains have evolved to “read”expressions, even subtle ones, extremely well, even at a distance. Weare looking at eyes and faces A LOT to understand the relationships in thepeople around us. In situations when we meet someone for the firsttime and we don’t see an expression of openness or positivity, we don’tbuild rapport with that person.”

That is the bottom line when it comes to first impressions. Understanding theimportance of eye contact to human relationships and trust-building allows us to bemore aware of how we come across to people, and thus have more control over theimpressions we make.




[True Story]I was driving to work one day when I was about 24. As I approached the turn in tothe parking lot, I noticed there was a car waiting to pull out of the lot who was sittingbasically in the middle of the entrance/exit, and partially blocking the entrance.

Now, there was plenty of room for me and my tinylittle car to turn into the entrance without anyproblem, but my 24-year-old ego still felt like hisbad driving was an affront to my sensibilities, so Ihonked and flipped him “the bird” as I drove by.

I parked my car, went inside, and thought nothingmore about it…for about an hour.




That’s when my office was called into a meeting for everyone to be introduced to thenew boss. (Can you guess, yet, where this is going?)

Much to my dismay, it turned out Mr. New-Boss-Guy was also Mr. Bad-Driver-Guy,whom I had honked and flipped a middle finger at just an hour before. Luckily, hedidn’t recognize me and this was not on my way in to an interview, but I think thelesson is the same:

Always be nice to the people you encounter in professional situations, even onyour way to them!

Many people make the mistake of thinking that their interview doesn’t start until theyare greeted by the interviewer and walked into the interview room. This is adangerous misconception.




They are often seen as a trusted advisor by the manager, and therefore have a highlevel of influence when it comes to hiring new people.

This means that they are likely watching you closely from the time you walk into thedoor to the time to go into your interview, and then again on your way out the door.

In many offices, the person working the front desk has a large amount of input intooffice operations.




5. Use Mirroring

Another key to like-ability in an interview is to match the speech and body languageof the Interviewer. This is called mirroring, and it can be a difficult task at first, but itreally pays off! In fact, a CareerRealism article from 2014 states that mirroring is the#1 tip for acing an interview. In that article, Don Goodman wrote:

“[Mirroring is] subconsciously helping those in conversation maintainrapport through similarities observed from body language. There is asense of ease talking with one another and a sense of the same mood.Establishing good rapport is vitally important during a job interviewand it may make the difference between getting an offer or not.Remember, people hire people they like so, the next time you findyourself in a job interview, apply the technique of mirroring to help youget a better handle of the other person and to make everyone feel atease with the conversation that is taking place.”




The important thing to remember is to be subtle when utilizing this technique.Don’t try to mimic the other person’s behavior, gestures, or speech.

Instead, subtly alter your body language or speech insuch a way that it more closely resembles theirs. Thiswill allow them to feel increasingly more comfortablewith you throughout the interview process.

Find out more in this Forbes article about The Artand Science of Mirroring.


https://www.forbes.com/sites/carolkinseygoman/2011/05/31/the-art-and-science-of-mirroring/#5fb3bea71318



6. Be sure to follow up!

The #1 most overlooked etiquette tip for interviews is writing a thank-you letter.Many modern job seekers are neglecting this tool in their job search, to theirdetriment.

Most HR professionals will tell you that any candidate who sends a thank-you letterafter their interview gets first consideration.

So, if you are looking to give yourself an advantage above the other job applicants,then be sure to follow up your interview by writing a letter showing your genuineappreciation for the opportunity.

Your letter should be written and sent within 24 hours of the interview, and sent toall people who were involved in the interview, or at least the highest-rankinginterviewer.




While a hand-written letter is an extremely nice touch, sending through traditionalmail takes far too long to be effective in today’s fast-paced world. If you cannot dropoff the note personally within 24 hours, sending your letter via email is perfectlyacceptable.

Writing to the employer is another way to showcase skills and competency incommunication and your career. Make sure your letter is understandable, easy toread, and professional. Don’t be afraid to personalize the letter and let yourpersonality come through.

It is also a good idea to mention something specific that you talked about in theinterview, either to add more detail, or just remind them exactly who you are.

Interviewing is difficult and stressful, there is no doubt about that. But when you areappropriately prepared, it can turn into something at which you really excel.




How To Influence Your Interviewer

The study of Influence is not a new one, and you probably already know at least afew tricks listed here, just from normal social interaction. We learn, before we caneven speak, how to use influence to get what we want.




These valuable techniques will help you be more relatable, likable and memorableto your interviewer, greatly increasing your chances of a call back:

BODY LANGUAGE

POSTURE

Imagine a string is attached to your head. Now, pull that string upward and follow themotion with your upper body.

The idea is that your spine is as vertical as comfortable, your chin is slightly raisedand your shoulders are not slumped. A straight posture will promote self-confidenceand exude that confidence to others.

“Your posture can have a great deal of influence on your personal presentationand image, revealing your attitude toward yourself and others.” ― Cindy Ann Peterson, Author/Image Consultant




SMILE

Having a genuine smile makes you seem more inviting and sincere. Please, don’tforce or fake it. If you need motivation, think of something that makes you reallyhappy.

Make sure you are smiling when you first meet the interviewer (and anyone on theway, cause you never know), then reserve your smile for appropriate occasionsduring the conversation. The smile doesn’t need to be overdone.

HANDSHAKE

Approach the person's line of sight, look the person in the eye and smile. Use a firmgrip, but don't squeeze too hard. And, be sure to avoid a limp grip.

This applies to men and women alike.




EYE CONTACT

Keep a connection to show that you’re genuine and interested. Try not to stare, asthat can be awkward and make the interviewer uncomfortable.

“People look at each other about 75% of the time when talking but only 40% of thetime when listening. One looks to get, and keep, the attention of others.” - The Secrets of Eye Contact, Revealed

LOOK LIKE YOU'RE PAYING ATTENTION

You want to show that you are paying attention and are not distracted by anythingelse. If you have to, convince yourself that this is the most important thing in theworld right now, and leave all baggage at the door.

During the interview, nod your head while the interviewer is talking to show thatyou are engaged. Again, use good judgment and try to nod with purpose and intentrather than robotic motion.




KEEP YOUR BODY LANGUAGE OPEN (AVOID UNCONSCIOUS GESTURES)

Your body should be aimed at the interviewer and your arms uncrossed.

Robin Dreeke, former head of the FBI Behavior Analysis Program, also adds,

"Keep your palms up as you're talking, as opposed to palms down. That says, ‘I'mhearing what you're saying. I'm open to what your ideas are.’"

And, be aware of your normal reaction tendencies; don’t let them be a surprise toyou, especially in the interview! A poorly timed sigh or eye roll could be the end ofthe interview. Nervous ticks like clenching/grinding teeth or a restless leg need to beunder your control.




STAY RELAXED

Breath; slowly and deeply. Seriously, concentrate on air flow.

MIRROR

Use similar body language, gestures, and tone as your interviewer.

This will send more oxygen to your brain making you more alert and focused, as wellas increasing blood flow throughout your body, helping to keep you relaxed. It’s agreat daily practice to decrease stress.

This is a common social technique to show empathy and understanding. Try to keepit subtle, as too much mirroring could be mistaken as mockery.




SPEECH

Take your time before answering questions; a little thought can go a long way. Toyour advantage, it gives you time to filter your response, as well as showing theinterviewer that you are having genuine thoughts about the answer instead of havinga canned response.

'UM...'

Try not to use filler words (um, like, you know, etc.). Concentrate on your answer andbe clear and concise without adding unnecessary filler words. Also, try not to stutter.

POSITIVITY

Use as much positive language as you can and have a positive focus and outlook. Donot speak ill of former employers or coworkers. Avoid: don’t, can’t, and never, andinstead focus on what you could do or could’ve done, or what you may have learned.




WEAKNESSES

Everybody has them - and not the ‘workaholic’ kind. Your interviewer is not lookingfor a fake answer; avoid the cliches.

Be honest and sincere and it will make you more relatable and likeable. Being honestalso shows that you’ve reflected on your professional growth, and have an interest inimproving over time.

RESEARCH

Use the Internet and memorize facts and stats about the company; it may be handyduring the interview.

You can use social media to find common experience with your interviewer, throughpersonal profiles, or connecting with current company employees. This is goodnetworking, and will make you more personable and memorable. Findingachievements made by the interviewer and complimenting him/her at the right timecould be extremely valuable.




BRING RELEVANT MATERIALS

Have a portfolio with work examples, awards, and any relevant documents that willdemonstrate your professional history, accomplishments, and worth. This willdemonstrate organization and pride in your work.

USE STORIES

Use appropriate stories from your professional past todemonstrate your skills. Use relatable situations and vividdetails to bring the interviewer into your world.

Most people like stories, especially if they are entertainingand relevant. Use humor wisely and cautiously;everyone’s sense of humor is different.




Guide To Answering 10 Common Interview Questions

1. Who are you as a professional?

This is undoubtedly the most common opener question in any interview. It may noteven be a question- it could be, "So, tell me a little bit about yourself."

The important thing to remember when answering this question is that theemployer is only looking for information about your professional life, not yourpersonal life. Keep age, marital status, religion, etc. out of your answer.

You'll want to illustrate 3 or 4 important things about your professional life that willshowcase positivity. Name a few of your best attributes or an accomplishmentyou’re proud of. This is a great time to utilize part or all of your 'elevator pitch.'




2. Why are you interested in this position?

Another way to say this could be, "Why do you want to work for us?"

This is the perfect opportunity to show off what you know about the position andthe company. Hopefully you’ve done your pre-interview research and you canspeak genuinely about why you are interested in the position.

If you can find a way to show that you feel a personal connection to the companyand what they stand for, that can be helpful. Employers know that people whobelieve in the company they work for are hard-working and more loyal than peoplewho are just there to collect a paycheck.

Take a cue from their website or any other reliable source of information and usethis as an opportunity to show what a good fit you are for the company.




3. What is your greatest strength/weakness?

This question always seems tricky for a lot of people.

Talking about our biggest strengths can sometimes makeus feel like we’re being boastful, but the truth is there’s nobetter time to do so than in an interview.

The person interviewing you has never met you before, so ifyou don’t tell them what you’re good at, how will they everknow?

Pick a quality that is important to the position for which you are applying (which youshould know from doing your research) and be sure to be able to give an exampleof a time that strength has benefitted you or an employer.




Discussing a weakness can be a bit trickier, but there are two basic ways you canhandle it that generally lead to success.

You can either mention a weakness, and talk about how you’ve learned to use itto your benefit:

“Sometimes I can be shy in new situations, but I’ve learned to use thatto my advantage by observing new situations and figuring out how Ican best fit in and be effective right away”

Or you can mention a weakness and then talk about how you work consistently toimprove upon it:

“I’ve struggled in the past with my organizational skills, but over timeI’ve learned what works best for me and implemented methods thathelp to keep me organized even in fast-paced and hecticenvironments”




Again, remember to keep things professional.

When answering this question, try to highlight your strengthsand positive attributes as they relate to the position.

Emphasize your desire to create a stable environment in a position where you cancontribute successfully while continuing to learn and grow as a professional.

If you have a desire to continue taking on additional responsibilities or eventuallymove into management, be sure to say so in a way that is humble and doesn’tseem to say that you are looking to take over the job of your interviewer.

4. What are your short-/long-term goals?




With this question, the interviewer is trying to gain an understanding of whereyour priorities lie and what you value.

It is important that you have prepared a few different anecdotes which provideexamples of your accomplishments and your skills. You may even want toprepare a story which illustrates a time in your career when you failed atsomething, what you learned from that experience, and how you used thatknowledge to improve upon yourself.

The important thing to remember is to tell a story which illustrates your truecharacter as an employee, and do your best to make sure that character isaligned with the culture of that company.

5. What is one of your greatest accomplishments/failures?




This can be a tricky question, if you’re not prepared for it.

While the employer is probably genuinely interested in the answer to thisquestion, they also want to see if you fall into the trap of “trash talking” yourprevious employer- don’t do it!

If you speak negatively about your previous employer, the new prospectiveemployer can safely assume you will do the same to them. Even if you are/werein a bad situation, keep your language positive. If you were fired or left theposition on bad terms, it is important to plan out how you will handle this in aninterview.

6. Why did/do you want to leave your current position?

Every job seeker has a different history, so getting personal assistance from acareer services, human resources, or recruiting professional is always best.




This is another tough question for some people, and one that is often besthandled in a one-on-one conversation with a professional.

As I mentioned earlier, each job seeker has a different history, so each answerneeds to be different as well.

7. Can you explain the gap in your employment?

Just as with the last question, it is very important that you take the time to planhow you’re going to answer this question before you go into an interview.

If you’re struggling for an answer that won’t put you at a disadvantage, you canexplain how you were taking time for personal reflection and growth, but you’llneed a few good examples of your findings.


https://www.resumelezlie.com/add-ons/#interview-coaching



This is your time to shine! This is similar to the question about your strengths, butthis one adds a bit of a competitive edge.

Remember that research you’re supposed to do on the company and theposition?

8. What can you offer us over your competition?

That’s going to be the best way for you to be sure you’re answering this questioncorrectly. Be sure that whatever answer you give matches what they say they arelooking for in a candidate, as well as the company culture. And don’t just picksomething generic.

Do some good reflective analysis on yourself as an employee and really try toexplain what makes you unique.




Most companies are interested to know how you will interact with theircustomers/clients, or at the very least with your coworkers.

When discussing how to handle conflict, it is important to remember thatcustomer satisfaction is the ultimate goal, and that excellent listening andcommunication skills are usually the best tools to get you there.

9. How do you handle conflicts with clients/coworkers?

If you can remember a specific time when you handled conflict well and wereable to get a good outcome, then definitely prepare that story before going intoan interview. If you don’t have a specific story to tell, you can speak in generalterms about how you would handle such a situation.




Again, your research on the company, the position, and the industry will help youto best answer this question.

Share what you’ve been able to find out on your own, show your ambition whentalking about what you’d like to accomplish, and don’t be afraid to ask for inputfrom the employer to get a clear picture of the full breadth and scope of theposition.

10. What would you like to accomplish in the first 30/60/90 days?

By making it a collaborative effort between yourselfand the interviewer, you can start to plant the picturein their mind of you being the one they hire for the job.That can be a pretty powerful tool.




The interview questions about salary history have long been a difficult group tohandle in the job interview process. While there have always been tips and tricksout there to side-step this landmine of a question, you could never really be surehow best to respond in any given situation.

Interview Questions About Salary History Are Done

Answer honestly, and you might get a low-ball offer from the new potentialemployer. Inflate your salary history, and you risk getting caught in a lie and losingthe opportunity all together.

For most people in job search mode, the ban on these types of questions is prettygood news. This new trend is happening as a result of the push to close thegender pay gap, since women still earn on average about, according tothe National Women’s Law Center, 20% less than men nationwide for the samejob– a gap that hasn’t narrowed much in the last 10 years.




The theory is that salary history questions can lead to lower offers, andinadvertently cause an inescapable cycle of under-compensation.

Laura Kray is a professor of leadership at UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Businesswho studies the role of gender in negotiations. Kray has applauded the new laws,stating they are “a way of ensuring that disadvantages at one point in time don’thave ongoing consequences into future jobs” for women. She predicts they’ll helpraise women’s pay relative to similarly qualified men.

Emily Martin, General Counsel at the National Women’s Law Center, says that usingpast salary as a guide in negotiations, “is another place where unjustified inequitiescreep in. Women tend to ask for less in negotiations than men, and employersdon’t react as well when women negotiate.”

The concept behind these new bans seems to be that employers should setcompensation based on labor market data, the candidate’s job experience,qualifications, skills, education, and interview performance – not the candidate’ssalary history.




Other experts feel a little less enthusiastic about the new laws, with argumentsincluding:

The disclosure of salary history could be a legitimate tool used todetermine appropriate salary offers

No matter how people feel about it, the general consensus seems to be that thenew trend will likely sweep the nation and the salary history job interview questionswill soon be a thing of the past.

Revealing salary history could be a potential benefit to the job candidatein negotiations

Employers’ may have difficulty ensuring reasonable salary expectationsbetween employer and candidate, especially early on in the hiringprocess




Oregon is one of the 9 locations in the great U.S. that has banned (in one form oranother) inquiries about a candidate’s salary history. Kerry Lear, Director ofPortland’s Mammoth HR says, whether or not you or the candidate is in a locationthat’s already enacted the ban, you should probably go ahead and, “Just take thesalary questions off for everyone. We expect other states to be joining along.Employers might as well just get ahead of it.”

Which locations have already enacted a ban?

CALIFORNIA

Banned private and public employers from asking about a candidate’s pay history.

DELAWARE

Banned all employers from asking candidates about their salary history.

MASSACHUSETTES

As of July 2018 – all employers are prohibited from inquiring about a candidate’spay history.




NEW ORLEANS

Banned inquiries about all city departments and employees.

NEW YORK CITY

Banned public and private employers from asking about a candidate’s pay history.

OREGON

Banned all employers from inquiring about a candidate’s salary history.

PHILADELPHIA

Banned all employers from inquiring about a candidate’s salary history.

PITTSBURG

Banned inquiries about all city departments and employees.

PUERTO RICO

As of March 2018 – all employers are prohibited from inquiring about a candidate’spay history.




And what exactly is prohibited or permissible in the job interview?

PROHIBITED:

Asking candidates or otherwise directly soliciting information about prior earningsor benefits.Asking current or former employers of the candidate about salary history orbenefits.Asking the candidate (or current or former employer) about commissions earned.




PERMISSABLE:

Asking the candidate about their expectations regarding salary, benefits, and othercompensation.Discussing with the candidate any unvested equity or deferred compensation (andits value and structure) that would be forfeited or cancelled by resignation fromtheir current employer.Asking the candidate (and obtaining written documentation) about revenue, sales,and production, books of business, profits generated, or other objective indicatorsof performance.

Bob Dylan had it right: Times, they are a changin’. I’ll do my best to keep youinformed about current trends in resumes, interviews, job searching, and careeradvancement!




Must-Ask Questions To Impress Your Interviewer

There’s nothing worse than getting to that point in the interview when theinterviewer says, “Well, that’s all the questions I have for you. Do you have anyquestions for me?”, and just drawing a blank because you didn’t prepare.

5

If you’re anything like me, that’ll happen once and only once before you wise upand make sure you prepare for that moment in every future interview for the rest ofyour life!

Interviewing isn’t just about the employer getting to know you, it is also aboutyou getting to know the company/position, and assessing your potential fit andinterest. Coming to an interview prepared with questions is as essential as comingto an interview well-dressed and with your resume; in other words, it’s a must.


https://www.resumelezlie.com/add-ons/#interview-coaching



Asking the right questions will help you impress your potential employer with yourcommitment, interest, and thoughtfulness.

To help you prepare, I have compiled five must-ask questions at your next jobinterview:

1. What do you think is the biggest challenge facing someone in this position?

Often in interviews, both sides are trying to present the most positive image theycan. This question not only gives you the opportunity to judge the full breadth ofthe position you are applying for (the good and the bad), but it also says to theinterviewer that you want to be successful in the position and you want to preparefor potential challenges ahead of time.




2. What accomplishments/progress do you expect from me/this position in thenear future?

Ask this question to get familiar with what kind of goals you might need to startworking toward right away. Know where you’ll be going right off the bat, and you’llhave a chance to impress your new managers, colleagues, etc. by hitting theground running. This question also shows the interviewer that you’re a “go-getter”and ready to do what it takes to make progress with the program.

3. What are your goals for the company/branch/department (depending onwho you’re talking to) in the near future, and how does this position supportthose goals?

Ask this question to get familiar with where the company stands, where it’s going,and how you can be a part of its future. This is a good opportunity to show off theresearch you should have done prior to the interview. Asking this question willshow that you’re knowledgeable of and interested in the company, plus help youenvision what opportunities may await you at your potential job.




4. Do you have any concerns about my skills or ability to perform well in thisposition?

This is a better way of saying: “Do you think I’m a good fit?” This question will giveyou some insight into what the interviewer is thinking about your qualifications atthis point in the hiring process.

It will also give you the opportunity to address any problems immediately andpotentially alleviate an interviewer’s concerns.

Keep in mind that some concerns, like lack of experience, are not always fixable;however, if you consistently refer to your hands-on experience from youreducation, you can sometimes prove your skill and qualifications for the position.




5. What are the next steps?

This question is crucial! Ask the interviewer where he or she is in the hiring processand what the next steps will be.

Make sure to find out the best method (and time) to get in touch — can you call? Dothey prefer email? You’ll get a better idea of the timing and when you might expectto hear from the company, or when a good time would be to follow up. Always,always follow up.




The Art of the Thank You Letter

The #1 most over-looked etiquette tip for interviews is writing a thank-you letter.Many modern job seekers are neglecting this tool in their job search, to theirdetriment.

Most HR professionals will tell you that any candidate who sends a thank-you letterafter their interview gets first consideration.

So, if you are looking to give yourself an advantage above the other job applicants,then be sure to follow up your interview by writing a letter showing yourgenuine appreciation for the opportunity.

It really does makes a difference




If you cannot drop off the note personally within 24 hours, sending your letter viaemail is perfectly acceptable.

Writing to the employer is another way to showcase skills and competency incommunication and your career, so be sure your letter is understandable, easy toread, and professional.

Don’t be afraid to personalize the letter and let your personality come through. It'salso a good idea to mention something specific that you talked about in theinterview, either to add more detail, or just remind them exactly who you are.

Your letter should be written and sent within 24 hours of the interview, and sent toall people who were involved in the interview, or at least the highest-rankinginterviewer. While a hand-written letter is an extremely nice touch, sending throughtraditional mail takes far too long to be effective in today’s fast-paced world.




First, express your sincere appreciation for the interview:

Second, reemphasize your best qualifications for the position requirements:

Third, reiterate your enthusiasm and interest in the job. At this time, you may wantto offer additional information not previously given.

The letter format should include the following:

“Thank you so much for taking the time to speak with me today.”

“After speaking with you, I feel even more confident that my [insert skills]make me an excellent fit for this position.”

Fourth, once again mention your appreciation:

“Thank you again for the opportunity to showcase my qualifications for andinterest in the [position] at [place]. I look forward to hearing from you soon."



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