Interviewing

Preparing your "short stories"

• Your "short stories" are one of the most important parts of the interview.
  
• Vivid word pictures will stay with an interviewer much longer than a general statement.
  
• "Show (through vivid word pictures) don't tell," is a good phrase to remember.
  
• Use the STAR technique in developing your "short stories."

• Select experiences that demonstrate your skills and abilities and are relevant in some way to the type of position for which you are applying.
  
• Once you have prepared your "short stories" practice telling them to friends and family.

Behavioral Interviews

The premise of the behavioral interview is that the best way to predict future behavior is to determine past behavior. In this type of interview, you will be asked how you have done things in the past, providing details and specific examples. The interviewer will ask a pre-worded question designed to stimulate recollection of a situation that would lead to a desired behavior. Some behaviors and characteristics employers may attempt to measure include: initiative, organizing, teamwork, flexibility, problem solving, motivation and leadership. To prepare for this type of interview:

• Recall recent situations that show favorable behaviors or actions, especially those involving the behaviors and characteristics mentioned above.
  
• Prepare short descriptions of each situation and be ready to give details if asked
  
• Each story should have a situation or task, an action and an outcome or result.
  
• Be sure the result or outcome described reflects positively on you
  
• Be honest - don't embellish or omit parts of your story. The interviewer will find out if your story is built on a weak foundation.
  
• Be specific - don't generalize, give a detailed account of a specific event.

Behavior-based Interview Questions

• Describe a situation in which you recognized a potential problem as an opportunity. What did you do?
  
• Tell me about a time when you came up with an innovative solution to a problem.
  
• Tell me about the co-worker you get along with the least.
  
• Tell me about the most creative idea you have had.
  
• Tell me about a difficult customer you had to deal with and how you handled it.
  
• Describe a time when you failed to meet a deadline. What were the circumstances and what did you learn from the experience.
  
• Tell me about a time you were assertive and it backfired on you.
  
• Tell me about a work situation where you had to do creative problem solving.
  
• Tell me about a time you went above and beyond the call of duty for a customer.
  
• Tell me about a recent project you've found challenging.

General Interview Questions

Personal
1. Tell me about yourself.
2. What are your hobbies?
3. Why did you choose to interview with our organization?
4. Describe your ideal job.
5. What can you offer us?
6. What do you consider to be your greatest strengths?
7. Can you name some weaknesses?
8. Define success. Failure.
9. Have you ever had any failures? What did you learn from them?
10. Of which three accomplishments are you most proud?
11. Who are your role models? Why?
12. How does your college education or work experience relate to this job?
13. What motivates you most in a job?
14. Have you had difficulty getting along with a former professor/supervisor/co-worker and how did you handle it?
15. Have you ever spoken before a group of people? How large?
16. Why should we hire you rather than another candidate?
17. What do you know about our organization (products or services)?
18. Where do you want to be in five years? Ten years?
19. Do you plan to return to school for further education?

Education
20. Why did you choose your major?
21. Why did you choose to attend your college or university?
22. Do you think you received a good education? In what ways?
23. In which campus activities did you participate?
24. Which classes in your major did you like best? Least? Why?
25. If you were to start over, what would you change about your education?
26. Do your grades accurately reflect your ability? Why or why not?
27. Were you financially responsible for any portion of your college education?

Experience
28. What job-related skills have you developed?
29. Did you work while going to school? In what positions?
30. What did you learn from these work experiences?
31. What did you enjoy most about your last employment? Least?
32. Have you ever quit a job? Why?
33. Give an example of a time in which you worked under deadline pressure.
34. Give an example of a situation in which you provided a solution to an employer.
35. Have you ever done any volunteer work? What kind?
36. How do you think a former supervisor would describe your work?

Career Goals
37. Do you prefer to work under supervision or on your own?
38. What kind of boss do you prefer?
39. Would you be successful working with a team?
40. Do you prefer large or small organizations? Why?
41. What other types of positions are you considering?
42. How do you feel about working in a structured environment?
43. Are you able to work on several assignments at once?
44. How do you feel about working overtime?
45. How do you feel about travel?
46. How do you feel about the possibility of relocating?
47. Are you willing to work flextime?
48. What other types of positions are you considering?

Education questions
Pre-Med Physical Therapy Questions
Preoptometry Questions
Social Work Questions

Questions to ask employers

The interview is a two-way street - you are also interviewing the employer to determine if you would like to work for them. Research the organization and go in prepared to ask questions. It shows your interest and also lets the employer know that you have done your homework prior to the interview. Typical questions include:
1. What are the opportunities for personal and professional growth?
2. How is an employee evaluated and promoted?
3. Describe a typical day on the job.
4. What kind of qualities are you looking for in your new hires?
5. What makes your company or organization different from its competitors?
6. What characteristics does a successful person have at your organization?

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