How to Handle Eight Common Interview Questions. 

Tom McGoldrick
http://www.usjobs.com
http://www.bostonsearch.com
http://www.rockymountainjobs.com

It is important to prepare for interviews by knowing how you'll answer common, but sometimes difficult, questions. Below are guidelines for how to handle eight common questions. If you are unclear as to what the interviewer is asking, don't be afraid to ask for clarification.

1. Tell me about yourself.

Probably the easiest difficult question you will face, and it is usually one of the first questions. Typically the interviewer is looking for an overview of your professional experience. Provide an answer that shows a logical progression in your career moves. If your educational background has led you in a certain direction, bring that into the overview.

2. Why did you change jobs?

Interviewers always want to know your reasons for leaving a particular position/employer. It is important to stay positive about your past experiences. Nobody wants to hire a person that complains about past employers. They figure you may complain about them in the future. Talk about why it was time to move on, that you learned a lot, etc.

 

3. What makes you stand out when compared with your peers?

Employers want to know that they are considering someone that will go above and beyond the call of duty. It is easy to hire a person that will do what they are asked to do between nine and five. However, it is better to hire a person that does that and more. Provide examples of projects undertaken, ideas that helped streamline operations, or new sales/marketing techniques that increased revenues. If you put some thought into it, there are probably several things you did in past jobs that make you stand out.

 

4. What type of management style do you prefer?

This question can come in many forms, but the meaning is always the same; can you be managed by people with different styles? You probably have reported to managers with vastly different approaches to managing people, and have learned which styles you prefer. Since you probably do not know the managers style at the prospective employer, talk about the positive aspects of each style you've encountered.

 

5. What did you like about your last position? What would you have added to make it more challenging?

Interviewers are looking for people that have some relevant experience for the position offered. This question allows you to pick the responsibilities that you enjoyed that are also included in the available position. (“I liked the people” is NOT an acceptable answer, unless you are taking them with you!). The second part of this question focuses on what you want to learn in your next job. If it were available in your present/last position, you would still be there. Think about what this position offers and what you can contribute. This should match well with what you want to learn/do.

The above is an excerpt from The Last Job Search Guide You'll Ever Need: How to Find and Get the Job or Internship of Your Dreams, which is available for sale for $19.85 in our bookstore or $27.00 at Amazon.com but for free to those who subscriber to our free career newsletter. This hot new book contains job search secrets of the most experienced, most knowledgeable and most respected career experts. Learn career planning, job hunting tools and tactics, interviewing, cover letter and resume writing (lots of samples!), networking, and how to find an internship. Written by 149 career experts. To receive a free copy, subscribe to our free career newsletter.

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