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Important Points
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Keep your answers brief and concise.
Unless asked to give more detail, limit your answers to two to three
minutes per question. Tape yourself and see how long it takes you to
fully answer a question.
- Include concrete, quantifiable data.
Interviewees tend to talk in generalities. Unfortunately, generalities
often fail to convince interviewers that the applicant has assets.
Include measurable information and provide details about specific
accomplishments when discussing your strengths.
- Repeat your key strengths three times.
It's essential that you comfortably and confidently articulate your
strengths. Explain how the strengths relate to the company's or
department's goals and how they might benefit the potential employer. If
you repeat your strengths then they will be remembered and—if supported
with quantifiable accomplishments—they will more likely be believed.
- Prepare five or more success stories.
In preparing for interviews, make a list of your skills and key assets.
Then reflect on past jobs and pick out one or two instances when you
used those skills successfully.
- Put yourself on their team.
Ally yourself with the prospective employer by using the employer's name
and products or services. For example, "As a member of __________, I
would carefully analyze the __________ and __________." Show that you
are thinking like a member of the team and will fit in with the existing
environment. Be careful though not to say anything that would offend or
be taken negatively. Your research will help you in this area.
- Image is often as important as
content.
What you look like and how you say something are just as important as
what you say. Studies have shown that 65 percent of the conveyed message
is nonverbal; gestures, physical appearance, and attire are highly
influential during job interviews.
- Ask questions.
The types of questions you ask and the way you ask them can make a
tremendous impression on the interviewer. Good questions require advance
preparation. Just as you plan how you would answer an interviewer's
questions, write out specific questions you want to ask. Then look for
opportunities to ask them during the interview. Don't ask about benefits
or salary. The interview process is a two-way street whereby you and the
interviewer assess each other to determine if there is an appropriate
match.
- Maintain a conversational flow.
By consciously maintaining a conversational flow—a dialogue instead of a
monologue—you will be perceived more positively. Use feedback questions
at the end of your answers and use body language and voice intonation to
create a conversational interchange between you and the interviewer.
- Research the company, product lines
and competitors.
Research will provide information to help you decide whether you're
interested in the company and important data to refer to during the
interview.
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