Interviews

Interviews

Abstract

For people who are in the market for a new job, the interview process can be a nightmare. What should I know? What should I do? What should I say?..may be the questions that are clouding one's mind on top of being nervous just to be nervous. There are dozens of questions one can be prepared for when walking in to a job interview. Some maybe personal, some business related, some unrelated, some uncomfortable, and then even some that one would be least expecting. In the following individual project, I will be discussing some common questions, and some that are not so common. I will also discuss some of the information one should be knowledgeable in prior to walking in to an interview, and then finally put together a small "thank you" paragraph in the final part of this project.

Interviews

Being prepared for an interview can be something that can make or break the entire discussion. This could lead one into gaining new employment or even losing the confidence and or admiration by a hiring manager. Ensuring that you are on top of your game when it comes to professionalism, sharpness, and likability is important, especially when you are in a first interview. Bottom line, first impressions do count in interviews. They can be the stepping stone to interview number two, actually being hired, or having your resume simply put in a pile with the rest of the resumes that will be filed in a cabinet for years to come. Being ready to answer some common, and not so common questions can help with that impression.

There are five very common questions that are more than likely going to be asked by at least someone in the company that you are interviewing in. In order to be prepared for them, it is best to understand the reason they are asking and what they are looking to hear. The questions should not appear overly rehearsed. Those questions are as follows:

1. Tell me about yourself (HR World Editors, 2011): The first and most common question that I have seen in my research. It sets the ground for the interview, and allows for the hiring manager to begin seeing your personality. It is best to steer away from personal things, and stay on the course of educational and career background. These items should go from the earliest to the present (Sundarmoorthy, 2006).

2. Why are you leaving/did you leave your last job (HR World Editors, 2011): Our second questions relates to a question that could be uncomfortable given the prior job situation. If one was downsized or fired, this could be tricky, and one should explain the downsizing but be brief, and positive. Mentioning things like growth and opportunity can help in this section of the interview. Money should not be mentioned here, neither should any riffs with ex-coworkers and ex-supervisors (Sundarmoorthy, 2006).

3. What do you know about this organization (HR World Editors, 2011): This is the questions that our job seeker must use his/her research skills. This not only will show the hiring manager your interest in the company, but will show your eagerness to learn about the potential company you would be working. Being knowledgeable on the current issues and the major players helps with this question (Sundarmoorthy, 2006).

4. Why do you want to work here (HR World Editors, 2011): One's ultimate career goals, and action plans should be mentioned here, as it relates to the last question. Sincerity will be evident here and should be emphasized - but not overdone (Sundarmoorthy, 2006).

5. Why should we hire you (HR World Editors, 2011): Another very common question, which should be answered carefully. This one should include a nice list of talents. You should not mention anyone other than yourself in this conversation, matching your talents to the hiring organization is what one's aim should be here. Trying to stand out to the hiring manager is what one wants to do overall (Sundarmoorthy, 2006).

One of the particular questions that stands out is question number three. In doing your research on a potential hiring company, it would be best to