Students: Career Planning: Interviewing: Step 4

STEP 1 | STEP 2 | STEP 3 | STEP 4

Make the most of your interview
Fifteen Knockout Factors (reasons why candidates receive rejection letters after interviews)

• Lack of proper career planning-purposes and goals ill defined-needs direction
• Lack of knowledge of field of specialization-not well qualified-lacks depth.
• Inability to express thoughts clearly and concisely-rambles
• Insufficient evidence of achievement or capacity to incite action in others.
• Not prepared for the interview- no research on company- no presentation.
• No real interest in the organization or the industry- merely shopping around.
• Narrow location interest- unwilling to relocate later- inflexible.
• Little interest and enthusiasm- indifferent- bland personality.
• Overbearing-overaggressive-conceited- cocky-aloof-assuming
• Interested only in best dollar offer-too money conscious
• Asks no or poor questions about the job- little depth and meaning to questions.
• Unwilling to start at the bottom-expects too much too soon- unrealistic.
• Makes excuses-evasiveness- hedges on unfavorable factors in record.
• No confidence and poise- fails to look interviewer in the eye- immature.
• Poor personal appearance- sloppy dress- lacks sophistication.

Frequently Asked Questions usually asked at interviews

1. Tell me about yourself. Expand on your resume.
   1. Watch a CollegeGrad.com 1 minute video: Tell Me About Yourself?
2. For what position are you applying?
3. What are your long-term career goals? Where in ten years?
   1. Watch a CollegeGrad.com 1 minute video: What Is Your Long Range Objective? 
4. Why do you feel that you will be successful in____?
5. What supervisory or leadership roles have you held?
6. How do you spend your spare time?
7. What have been your most satisfying and most disappointing experiences?
8. What are your strongest (weakest) personal qualities?
   1. Watch a CollegeGrad.com 1 minute video: What is your greatest weakness? 
9. Give me some examples that support your stated interest in _____.
10. Why did you elect to interview with us?
11. What courses did you like best? Least? Why?
12. What did you learn or gain from your part-time and summer job experiences?
    1. Watch a CollegeGrad.com 1 minute video: How has your experience prepared you for this job? 
13. What would your most recent employer say about you?
    1. Watch a CollegeGrad.com 1 minute video: How would your boss or professor describe you? 
14. Would you prefer on-the-job training or a formal program?
15. What can you do for us now? What can I do for you?
16. What are your plans for graduate study?
17. How did you choose your major?
18. Why should I hire you?
    1. Watch a CollegeGrad.com 1 minute video: Why Should I Hire You? 
19. Tell me about your extracurricular activities and interests.
20. Why did you quit your various jobs?

Questions You Should Ask During an Interview

1. How much travel is normally expected?
2. Do employees normally work many hours of overtime?
3. Can I progress at my own pace or is it structured?
4. How frequently do you relocate professional employees?
5. What is the average age of your first level supervisors?
6. Is the sales growth in the new product line sustainable?
7. How much contact and exposure to management is there?
8. At what level is an employee placed in the "exempt" status?
9. Is it possible to move through the training program faster?
10. When does the training program begin? Only in June?
11. About how many individuals go through your program each year?
12. What is the housing market like in your city?
13. How much freedom is given and discipline required of the new people?
14. Does the firm recommend any night courses the first year?
15. How often are performance reviews given?
16. Is it possible to transfer from one division to another?
17. How much decision-making authority is given after one year?
18. Have any new product lines been announced recently?
19. How soon would I expect to report for work?
20. How much input does the new person have on geographical location?
21. In your firm, is this position more analytical or more people orientated?
22. In promotions, are employees ever transferred between functional fields?
23. Does the firm provide employee discounts?
24. Is a car provided to traveling personnel?
25. Is the city difficult to adjust to compared to this campus community?
26. What is the average age of top management?
27. What is the normal routine of a _____?
28. How much independence is allowed in dress and appearance?
29. Is public transportation adequate?
30. What is the average time to get to a certain level in the career path?

Recruiters' Objectives
You can increase your employment chances if you keep in mind the recruiters' objectives. Recruiters have many specific entry level vacancies to fill. They want people who are seriously interested in a career in a particular field. They need answers to the following questions:

• Why does this person want to work for my company?
• For what position would this individual be best suited?
• What are the qualifications of the interviewee?
• How does he or she compare with his or her peers?

If you are prepared to answer these questions, you will have a better chance of landing the job.

Role Play
The interviewer is going to ask you a number of probing questions (see sample questions). Prepare for them by first attempting to predict what will be asked and, then , by practicing your answers. Role play with someone who knows you well. If possible, record the session. Examine your responses and evaluate your performance. You should try to express yourself in a clear and logical manner and to communicate a sense of self-confidence and direction. The best way to practice for interviews is in a video-taped mock interview. This method is excellent for providing feedback regarding your responses, mannerisms, and overall interviewing style. We offer video-taped mock interview workshops on a regular basis throughout the year. Check the current workshop schedule.

Watch a CollegeGrad.com 1 minute video: What You Need To Do Before You Interview 
Watch a CollegeGrad.com 1 minute video: Eliminate Fillers in your Speaking in your Interview