Who knew making a first impression could be so complicated?
Showing posts with label Inertview tips. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Inertview tips. Show all posts
Saturday, December 25, 2010
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Most interviewees spend time thinking about and preparing for the questions they will be asked in a job interview and how they should answer.
What very few jobseekers spend time thinking about is the questions which they should ask in an interview!
But if you want to be one step ahead, you must.
In this article we'll tell you why and give you some good questions to ask.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
If you have been selected to have a Microsoft job interview, congratulations. Microsoft is one of the most prestigious and successful companies in the world, and only considers the very top candidates for positions with the company.
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Learning how to pass a phone interview is an important career-building skill. Especially in this economy, every job interview counts - and more and more employers are doing phone interviews so that nobody needs to bear travel and food expenses of a physics interview. Phone interviews require a slightly different set of interview skills than face-to-face interviews. Here is a beginner's guide to phone interview techniques that will help you have a successful job interview.
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Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Are you a Jobseeker? Need to update your knowledge or need to prepare for a job interview? Check out this collection of 64 Toughest Interview Questions...
- Question 1 Tell me about yourself.
- Question 2 What are your greatest strengths?
- Question 3 What are your greatest weaknesses?
- Question 4 Tell me about something you did - or failed to do - that you now feel a little ashamed of.
- Question 5 Why are you leaving (or did you leave) this position?
- Question 6 The "Silent Treatment"
- Question 7 Why should I hire you?
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Job interview is not a easy task. In fact many job seekers have trouble with the same set of questions. To ease the process of interviewing, Interview Star listed the Top 10 Hardest Job Interview Questions. Focus on these job interview questions, study them, learn them, research them, and ace your next job interview!
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Do you generally speak to people before they speak to you?
Depends on the circumstances.
What was the last book you read? Movie you saw? Sporting event you attended?
Talk about books, sports or films to show that you have balance in your life.
What is the toughest part of a job for you?
Be honest; remember, not everyone can do everything.
Are you creative?
Yes. Give examples
How would you describe your own personality?
Balanced.
Are you a leader?
Yes. Give examples.
What are your future goals?
Avoid, "I would like the job you advertised." Instead, give long-range goals.
What are your strong points?
Present at least three and relate them to the company and job you are interviewing for.
What are your weak points?
Don't say you have none. Try not to cite personal characteristics as weaknesses, but be ready to have one if the interviewer presses. Turn a negative into a positive answer: "I am sometimes intent on completing an assignment and get too deeply involved when we are late."
Depends on the circumstances.
What was the last book you read? Movie you saw? Sporting event you attended?
Talk about books, sports or films to show that you have balance in your life.
What is the toughest part of a job for you?
Be honest; remember, not everyone can do everything.
Are you creative?
Yes. Give examples
How would you describe your own personality?
Balanced.
Are you a leader?
Yes. Give examples.
What are your future goals?
Avoid, "I would like the job you advertised." Instead, give long-range goals.
What are your strong points?
Present at least three and relate them to the company and job you are interviewing for.
What are your weak points?
Don't say you have none. Try not to cite personal characteristics as weaknesses, but be ready to have one if the interviewer presses. Turn a negative into a positive answer: "I am sometimes intent on completing an assignment and get too deeply involved when we are late."
If you have not had the benefit of a coop, internship or temp assignment yourself, here are ten other ideas you can explore:
- Contact the school you graduated from and see if they would work with you and the local employers to create a post graduation internship. Start with the department you majored in and/or the career planning office on campus.
You've probably read all the job search books and reviewed your answers for the standard questions you expect to be asked on an interview. But what about those questions from left field? The ones you didn't expect. These can be the most difficult because they will demonstrate how well you think on your feet. They may also be so charming or disarming that you may fall prey to the interviewer's trap and reveal aspects of yourself or your personality that you weren't prepared to come clean about.
1. "What are you reading lately?" I was asked this by three different federal judges in interviews for legal clerkships. I told them what novels I was reading. One judge never heard of Tom McGuane, another said I was reading only western Montanan authors, and the third knew the novel's author and also shared my tastes in journalism (New Yorker, New Republic, etc) - Anne Marie,
Our advice: It is best to think always in terms of how the question relates to the job at hand. Better than proposing novels you are reading would be law related journals and books that are hot in your field. While you might just find an interviewer who understands your taste in literature, the question really suggests that the interviewer wants to know how up-to-date you are in the field.
1. "What are you reading lately?" I was asked this by three different federal judges in interviews for legal clerkships. I told them what novels I was reading. One judge never heard of Tom McGuane, another said I was reading only western Montanan authors, and the third knew the novel's author and also shared my tastes in journalism (New Yorker, New Republic, etc) - Anne Marie,
Our advice: It is best to think always in terms of how the question relates to the job at hand. Better than proposing novels you are reading would be law related journals and books that are hot in your field. While you might just find an interviewer who understands your taste in literature, the question really suggests that the interviewer wants to know how up-to-date you are in the field.
Top 10 Issues You Need to Know to be Resume Ready
on 10:42 PM
Labels: Inertview tips, Resume Articles
- Write your resume in your own words. It may be challenging - especially if writing ranks among your least favored activities - but if you write your own resume and don't hand it off to someone else you'll be able to be sharp in your interview. No embarrassment not knowing what the resume expert meant when he wrote that smart phrase on your resume! If you do hire an expert to help you, work closely with that person to be sure your resume realistically reflects your abilities and your vocabulary.
- Put your best foot forward. People remember what they see first and last, so place your least important information in the middle. Have an objective or a key word summary or both in the beginning of your resume and end your document with strong content - such as your educational background.
Great interviews arise from careful groundwork. You can ace your next interview if you:
- Enter into a state of relaxed concentration. This is the state from which great basketball players or Olympic skaters operate. You'll need to quiet the negative self chatter in your head through meditation or visualization prior to sitting down in the meeting. You'll focus on the present moment and will be less apt to experience lapses in concentration, nervousness, self-doubt and self-condemnation.
- Act spontaneous, but be well prepared. Be your authentic self, professional yet real. Engage in true conversation with your interviewer, resting on the preparation you did prior to coming to the meeting. Conduct several trial runs with another person simulating the interview before it actually occurs. It's the same as anticipating the questions you'll be asked on a final exam.
Friday, December 11, 2009
- Research the prospected employers website
- Make sure you have directions and know where you will park
- Think of three criteria about yourself that make you a good candidate for this job.
- Decide what goals you want to accomplish
- Prepare a list of questions to ask
The following interview answers should help you with the How to
Common Job Interview Question 1. Tell me about yourself:
The most commonly asked question to start with interviews. You need to have a short statement prepared in your mind. Be careful that it does not sound rehearsed. Limit it to work-related items unless instructed otherwise. Talk about things you have done and jobs you have held that relate to the position you are interviewing for. Start with the item farthest
back and work up to the present.
Job Interview Question 2. Why should you be hired for this job?
Point out how your talents and how they meet what the organization needs. Do not mention any other job candidates and try to make a comparison. Try to tie a few things to your career path and how it is a good fit. Answer this question with confidence. Do not waffle. You show already know why you should be hired. If you have doubts or are tentative about this answer, your interviewer might also have doubts.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Most employers avoid asking sensitive questions in a direct way. Instead, they ask indirect questions during the interview in hopes of finding out what they are not "allowed" to ask more directly.
The questions that follow are all legal, and they give you the opportunity to let an employer know that you and your situation will not be a problem. Think about what might concern an employer regarding your particular situation and plan to cover this during your interview ,even if you are not asked about it in a direct way. Your good answer to one of these questions gives you the opportunity to put an employer's real, but perhaps unstated, concern to rest.
The questions that follow are all legal, and they give you the opportunity to let an employer know that you and your situation will not be a problem. Think about what might concern an employer regarding your particular situation and plan to cover this during your interview ,even if you are not asked about it in a direct way. Your good answer to one of these questions gives you the opportunity to put an employer's real, but perhaps unstated, concern to rest.
- What would you like to accomplish during the next ten (or five) years? Talk about what you want to do for that employer, not for yourself. "I'd like to cut production costs by at least 5 percent and find ways to streamline the layout procedure so that we can add publications without adding staff," is a much better answer than "I'd like to be making 25 percent more in salary and have my own magazine."
Saturday, November 21, 2009
For guys, it's simple�a suit and tie will do just fine in any situation. But for women, knowing what to wear to the interview can be more complicated than knowing the elements to the periodic table
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Introduction
#2: Practice how to tie the Four in Hand tie knot and make sure that the tie�s widest end is roughly at the upper edge of your belt.
#3: Use a tie bar to attach your tie to your dress shirt.
If someone asks you "what's the most important part of your job interview attire?", what would you answer? The suit? The shirt? The shoes? Perhaps. But did you know that the tie, to your outfit, is what the focal point is to a picture?
The shirt is the canvas and the suit is the frame. Change the frame on a picture and no one notices, change the picture in a frame and you can change the look of an entire room. That's why it's important for your tie to enhance your look, not detract from it.
Buying The Right Tie
To begin with, you first need a quality tie made of 100% pure silk to accomplish that job. As a male, you are generally expected to wear a plain colored, non-distracting tie with your interview suit, e.g. in a dark red or dark blue color.
However, simply buying the most expensive tie you can find in town won�t just leave that �most-favorable� impression you are looking for. People judge your capabilities by how you look. A crooked tie projects a sloppy look and says the same about your skills and abilities. Therefore, it�s important to focus on the tie knot as well.
Tying the Four in Hand Knot
The most useful tie knot to know for starters is the Four in Hand. It's somewhat narrow and slightly asymmetrical in form and looks just about perfect with any standard button-down shirt.
To tie it, you would stand in front of a mirror with your tie hanging loosely around your neck. Now, there are two ends to a tie: One that's wide that we're going to call "A" and a rather narrow one that we're going to call "B". The wide end "A" should extend about 12 inches below narrow end "B".
To begin, cross the wide end "A" over narrow the end "B". Then turn the wide end "A" back underneath the narrow end "B". Continue by bringing the wide end "A" back over in front of the narrow end "B" again. Afterwards, pull the wide end "A" up and through the loop around your neck.
Next, hold the front of the knot loosely with your index finger and bring the wide end "A" down through the front loop. Finally, remove your finger and tighten the knot carefully to your dress shirt�s collar by holding on to the narrow end "B" and sliding the knot up.
If you're feeling overwhelmed right now, don�t worry! Rather check out the colored diagrams at http://www.tie-a-tie.net/fourinhand.html which might be quite helpful to you!
Once you�ve tied the knot make sure that the widest part of your tie hangs roughly at the same height as the upper edge of your leather belt. And the belt, of course, should match the color of your shoes!
The Benefits of Tie Accessories
Another item you should consider buying besides your tie is something called a tie accessory. Tie accessories come in the form of tie bars, clips, tacks and chains. Their main purpose is to hold your tie in place at all times and prevent it from getting in your way when you eat, work or play. From my personal experience, I would recommend a classic silver tie bar.
During a job interview a tie accessory comes in especially handy. That's because without one, your tie would move around as you greet your interviewer or when you shift in your seat. Subconsciously, you would reach down to adjust your tie and straighten it out but such little things would make you feel even more nervous than you already are.
Conclusion
So, here's a quick summary of what I recommend you do before going to your next job interview:
#1: Buy a quality, conservative, 100% pure silk tie.
#2: Practice how to tie the Four in Hand tie knot and make sure that the tie�s widest end is roughly at the upper edge of your belt.
#3: Use a tie bar to attach your tie to your dress shirt.
Remember � wearing a quality silk tie, properly tied and fastened, is probably the fastest way there is to improving your overall job interview appearance and doubling your chances of leaving a favorable impression. Enjoy the interview!
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Introduction
Here are 20 traditional job interview questions.
- How would you describe yourself?
- What specific goals have you established for your career?
- What will it take to attain your goals, and what steps have you taken toward attaining them?
- Please describe the ideal job for you.
- How do you determine or evaluate success? Give me an example of one of your successful accomplishments.
- Do you have the qualifications and personal characteristics necessary for success in your chosen career?
- How would you describe yourself in terms of your ability to work as a member of a team?
- What short-term goals and objectives have you established for yourself?
- How would you evaluate your ability to deal with conflict?
- Given the investment our company will make in hiring and training you, can you give us a reason to hire you?
- Describe what you've accomplished toward reaching a recent goal for yourself.
- Can you describe your long-range goals and objectives?
- What major problem have you had to deal with recently? How did you handle it?
- What plans do you have for continued study? An advanced degree?
- Describe the characteristics of a successful manager.
- Tell me what you know about our company.
- Why do you think you might like to live in the community in which our company is located?
- Would it be a problem for you to relocate?
- To what extent would you be willing to travel for the job?
- Tell me about the salary range you're seeking.
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Q: Describe yourself.
Q: Tell me about your educational background?
Q: What do you know about the organization?
Q: How do you justify the job?
Q: Why do you want this job?
Q: What do you want to work with this organization?
Q: Where do you see yourself five years down the line?
Q: What are your strengths?
Q: What are your weaknesses?
Q: What are your salary expectations for this job?
Q: What are the projects you have ever undertaken?
Q: What do you do in leisure time?
Full Content
Q: Do you want to ask anything from us?
Q: What are your hobbies?
Q: How do you pursue your hobbies?
Q: What has been your greatest achievement?
Q: What has been your greatest failure?
Q:How did you prepare for this interview?
Q:What are your professional goals for the next 3-5 years?
Q:Tell me about something you did recently that was not part of your job?
Q:How have you grown in your current job?
Q:What kinds of skills did you use in your past job?
Q:What are you seeking in your next job?
Q:What type of compliments do you receive from your peers or supervisors?
Q:What happens when two priorities compete for your time?
Q:Can you describe a recent situation in which you accomplished an important objective in a brief period of time?
Q: How do you take challenges?
Q: Are you willing to work in shifts?
Q: What is the thing you like the most in the world? Why?
Q: What is the thing you dislike the most in the world? Why?
Q: What does success mean to you?
Q: How do you define failure?
Q: How do you define arrogance? Are you arrogant?
Q: What role are you ready to take in a group?
Q: Who has been an inspiration for you?
Q: What is more important to you money or success?
Q: What kind of person are you?
Q: Rate yourself on a scale of 10.
Q:How do you handle repetitive tasks?
Q:Tell me about the last time you missed a goal or deadline.
Q:How do you keep others informed on work issues?
Q:When was the last time something upset you at work? What did you do?
Q:How do you ensure all of your work gets accomplished in a productive manner?
Q:What was the biggest professional risk you have taken and what was the outcome?
Q:Tell me about the last time you had to work with someone inside or outside of your department to accomplish a goal.
Q:Describe a situation where you were successful in directing the work of others.
Q:Describe a situation when you dealt with a difficult person and how you resolved it.
Q:If your supervisor criticized you unfairly, how did/would you handle it?
Q:What do you expect from this job?
Q: Do you know anyone working with this organization?
Q:What do you like best about what you have learned about this job?
Q:What concerns do you have about this job?
Q:What do you see as your primary qualifications for this job?
Q: Why did you choose _________ as your major/subjects?
Q: Are you willing to travel?
Q: Why are you leaving the organization you work for?
Q: How much time do you need to join the organization?
Q: Are you aggressive?
Q: What makes you a good manager?
Q: What motivates you the most?
Q: What skills and abilities do you have?
Q: Is there anything you want to ask?
Q:If you were hired for this job, what areas would you make an immediate impact?
Q:In what areas do you think you will need guidance?
Q:How will you approach learning this "new" job?
Q:How will you approach acquiring new skill sets?
Q:Describe the most difficult situation you have faced in your career and how you managed it.
Q:Describe some problems you encountered in your most recent position and how you resolved them.
Q:What specific steps do you utilize in solving workplace problems?
Q:What are some of the things that you and your supervisor disagree upon and how do you resolve them?
Q:What do you do when you are pressed for a decision?
Q:In your last job what kinds of pressure did you encounter and how did you react?
Q:What kind of work interests you the most?
Q:What kind of work interests you the least?
Q:How would your references describe you?
Q:Name five characteristics that describe you.
Q:Are you a self-starter? Please provide specific examples.
Q:How does your present position differ from past ones?
Q:What would you like to avoid completely in your next job?
Q:What have you done to prepare yourself to be a supervisor?
Q:How do you motivate employees?
Q:What aspect of supervision do you find the most difficult?
Q:What is the most important quality a supervisor should have?
Q:How do you decide what to delegate and to whom?
Q:Why do you feel we should hire someone with your background?
Q:What two accomplishments have given you the most satisfaction?
Q:Why should I hire you?
Q:What makes you better than the other people I'm seeing today?
Q:Give me an example of how you exercised leadership in a recent situation.
Q:Tell me about a time when you were held accountable for a problem that you hadn't caused.
Q:Think about the changes you have seen and tell me how you handle change.
Q:Tell me about a decision you made recently and how you reached it.
Q:What do you think makes a good manager?
Q:Why did you leave your past jobs?
Q:How did you become interested in this field/industry?
Q:Why did you select the University _______?
Q:If you could do it all over again, how would you plan your academic studies differently?
Q:Assuming that you could do anything you wanted, what would you really like to do in life?
Q:How do you determine or evaluate success?
Q:Who is your hero? Why?
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Interviewers often ask behavior-based questions: questions about your past experiences that may indicate how you would handle tasks and problems in the future. (The job competencies they’re designed to measure are in parentheses.)
Here are some examples:
- Describe a situation in which you had to use reference materials to write a research paper. What was the topic? What journals did you read? (research)
- Give me a specific example of a time when a co-worker or classmate criticized your work in front of others. How did you respond? How has that event shaped the way you communicate with others? (communication)
- Describe a situation in which you recognized a potential problem as an opportunity. What did you do? (initiative)
- Give me a specific example of a time when you sold your supervisor or professor on an idea or concept. How did you proceed? What was the result (assertiveness)
- Describe the system you use for keeping track of multiple projects. How do you track your progress so that you can meet deadlines? (commitment to task)
- Tell me about a time when you came up with an innovative solution to a challenge your company or class was facing. What was the challenge? What roles did others play? (creativity and imagination)
- What, in your opinion, are the key ingredients in building and maintaining successful business relationship? Give me examples of how you’ve made these work for you. (relationship building)
- Describe a time when you got co-workers or classmates who dislike each other to work together. How did you accomplish this? What was the outcome? (teamwork)
- Tell me about a time when you failed to meet a deadline. What things did you fail to do? What were the repercussions? What did you learn? (time management)
- Describe a specific problem you solved for your employer or professor. How did you approach the problem? What role did others play? What was the outcome? (decision making)
Interviewing tips
- Learn as much as you can about the company beforehand—know its products and services, its profit margin, its management, its culture, its dress code, and anything else you can think of. Good sources are your career services center, a college or public library, and the Internet.
- Do practice interviews with a career counselor, friends, and family members—or with yourself, in front of a mirror. Many career services centers offer workshops, mock interviews, or one-on-one coaching. Some even make videotapes of mock interviews.
- Think about how your experience in work, classes, and activities can relate to the job you’re seeking.
- Allow plenty of time to get to the interview and, if possible, visit the site in advance and time how long it takes to get there.
- Plan your interview attire in advance and make sure your clothing is pressed, your shoes are shined, and your hair and nails are well groomed.
- Bring extra copies of your resume and a list of references.
- Speak slowly and clearly and don’t be afraid to pause for a moment to collect your thoughts.
- Be honest. Don’t try to cover up mistakes. Instead, focus on how you learned from them.
- Be assertive. Remember that the interview is a way for you to learn if the job is right for you.
- Ask the interviewer for a business card and send a thank-you note or e-mail as soon as possible.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
OK, so you filled out the application form, got through all the testing and answered all their questions easily. Now your faced with your greatest challenge!
The dreaded question, "is there anything you would like to ask us?". DOH! You know you can't just say "no, I'm fine" and walk away.
This is your final test - all the rest was just a warm up - this is the big game!
Most of the questions to ask, below, would naturally have to be tailored for each position applied for (I can't hold your hand all the way through your application process - you're just gonna have to learn to stand on your own two feet!).
What scope for promotion and upward progress is there within this company?
This shows that you are both keen and are making long term plans to remain with the company.
Is the company planning any expansions or developments that might lead to further career opportunities?
This shows that you are taking an interest in the company, and again that you are making long term plans to remain with them.
I am keen to further develop my skills and experience. What sort of scope is there to do this within your company?
Employers will value potential as much as existing skills and experience. You will be perceived to be more valuable to them if they think your skills and knowledge will continuingly grow. Also, most employers will have some sort of training or staff facilities in place, so it's always good to let them know they're not wasting their money!
Relate to your past experience.
For example, if you found a previous job not to be challenging enough, then say so at your interview.
Ask your potential employer how they will challenge you! :)
Note: If you tell them that you found your previous job dull and boring, but you are applying for the same role in a different company, then the chances are that you won't get the job!
Relate to what they have been telling you at the interview.
If you bring something up that they have mentioned to before, it shows that you have been listening (which is the least that they can expect from you after all!).
Say something along the lines of, "You said before that you are expanding into the music business. I have a particular interest in the music industry, so would it be possible, nearer the time, for me to participate in this?".
Relate to the industry.
Read up on the industry that your potential employer works in.
If there have been notable developments recently, then bring them up (ask what impact the developments had on their business
