Let’s face it… you can’t get a job without at least one interview. Think of an interview as an opportunity to sell your “wares” to a potential customer - the employer.

The people who are most successful in their interview focus on three areas:

• Preparation
• Practice
• Performance

These are the basic topics covered during most interviews and the order in which they most commonly come up:

• Your skills and background
• The company
• The position itself
• The compensation

An interview should be a dialogue, not an interrogation. Remember that this is your opportunity to ask for information as well as to provide it.

Basic Techniques

• Before the interview, do some thinking about your interests, skills, experience and goals so you’ll be ready to talk about them.
• Prepare some questions about the job based on your own research of the company or organization.
• Find out exactly when and where the interview will take place and arrive 10-15 minutes early.
• Dress on the conservative side and avoid wearing strong perfumes or after-shave lotions.
• During the interview, maintain eye contact and listen to what the interviewer has to say.
• Emphasize your strengths and stay positive; focus on experience and personal qualities that would be beneficial in the position.
• Speak about your abilities with confidence, but be careful not to appear arrogant.
• Provide specific examples of your accomplishments in previous settings, especially when they reflect skills and qualities this company is seeking.
• Know exactly what you can do for the company before you go to the interview.
• When the time comes to discuss salary, be prepared to state the amount you expect; be sure, though, that it is within the normal salary range for the position. That may mean doing some research before the interview.
• Thank the interviewer for his or her time and interest.
• Remember, no matter how good you are or how great the demand for your skills, you still need to sell yourself. Your positive attitude, enthusiasm and desire for the job will help you make a good impression, and your interviewing skills will improve with every interview.

Typical Interview Questions

Most interviewers of college and university graduates ask similar types of questions. Below are 45 of the most common ones. Practice answering them so you’re ready for your next interview.

1. What are your short- and long-range goals, when and why did you establish them and what are you doing to achieve them?

2. What specific goals, other than those related to your career, have you set for yourself for the next five years?

3. What do you really want to do in life?

4. What do you see yourself doing five years from now?

5. For you, what aspects of a business career would be most rewarding?

6. What do you expect to be earning in five years?

7. Why did you choose the career you are preparing for?

8. Which is more important to you, the money or the type of job?

9. What do you consider to be your greatest strengths and weaknesses?

10. How would you describe yourself?

11. How do you think a friend or professor who knows you well would describe you?

12. What motivates you to put forth your greatest effort?

13. How has your college/university experience prepared you for this particular position?

14. Why should we hire you?

15. What qualifications do you have that make you think that you will be successful in this position?

16. How do you determine or evaluate success?

17. What do you think it takes to be successful in a company like ours?

18. In what ways do you think you can make a contribution to our company?

19. What qualities should a successful manager possess?

20. Describe the relationship that should exist between a supervisor and those reporting to him or her.

21. What two or three accomplishments have given you the most satisfaction? Why?

22. What major problems have you encountered and how did you deal with them?

23. Describe your most rewarding college/university experience.

24. If you were hiring someone for this position, what qualities would you be looking for?

25. Why did you choose the (specify your program) program at (specify your university or college)?

26. What led you to choose your major field of study?

27. What subjects did you like best? Why?

28. What subjects did you like least? Why?

29. If you could go back in time, would you plan your academic studies differently? Why?

30. What changes would you make in your college/university? Why?

31. Do you plan to continue your studies? Will you pursue an advanced degree?

32. Do you think that your grades are good indication of your academic achievement?

33. What have you learned from participating in extra-curricular activities?

34. What kind of a work environment are you most comfortable in?

35. How do you work under pressure?

36. What part-time or summer jobs have you found most interesting? Why?

37. How would you describe the ideal job for you?

38. Why did you decide to seek a position with this company?

39. What do you know about our company?

40. What two or three things are most important to you in your job?

41. What criteria are you using to evaluate the companies you consider working for?

42. Do you have a geographical preference? Why?

43. Are you willing to travel? To relocate?

44. Are you willing to spend at least six months as a trainee?

45. What have you learned from your mistakes?

Interview “Turn-offs”

According to a study involving 186 companies, the negative factors listed below are the ones most likely to lead to rejection.

1. Poor scholastic record, low grades without reasonable explanation, low level of accomplishment.

2. Poor attitude, lack of poise, lack of self-confidence, timidity, hesitant approach, introversion.

3. Lack of goals/objectives/motivation, inability to express his/her own interests, indecision, poor planning.

4. Lack of interest in our type of business, our company, or the type of job we have to offer.

5. Inability to express himself/herself, poor speech, inability to sell himself/herself.

6. Unrealistic salary demands, more interested in salary than in opportunity, unrealistic expectations, over-emphasis on management positions, unwilling to start at the bottom.

7. Poor personal appearance, careless dress.

8. Lack of maturity, no evidence of leadership.

9. Uninformed about our company, lack of preparation for the interview, did not read the literature.

10. Objects to travel, unwilling to relocate.

11. Excessive interest in security and benefits.

12. Inadequate preparation for type of work – inappropriate background.

Closing the Interview

It is important to leave the interviewer with a positive impression of you, no matter how you feel the interview has gone.

• Remain confident and determined to the end; each question the interviewer asks is important, including the last one.
• Make sure that you are aware of all conditions of employment (travel, medical, security, etc.); you may want to discuss these conditions with the interviewer at the end of the interview.
• Ask when you will be notified; address the interviewer by name (but make sure you get the name right!).

After the Interview

Contact C. Scott & Associates at 416-214-9822 to discuss what went well during the interview and what areas you need to work on. Ask for feedback on your interview performance so you don’t find yourself repeating the same mistakes. And don’t take constructive criticism personally – interviewing skills are too important to your future to let hurt feelings stand in the way of improvement.

Remember, your preparation and practice before each interview, your performance during the interview, and the feedback you receive afterwards will improve your performance in the next interview.