March 26, 2004, Newsletter Issue #10: 2 Typical Interview Questions

Tip of the Week

Why? The answers show no research, no thought, no consideration. They sound stock and could suffice for any number of companies. Overall, unimpressive responses. Let`s look closer.

o WHY DO YOU WANT TO WORK HERE?

Here`s where you get to show off your research. Tell the interviewer what you`ve learned about the company and why it`s appealing to you. SPECIFICS are the key here.

Share what you can do and why you feel you can make a contribution and benefit the company. This question is about how YOU can benefit the company, not how the company can benefit YOU.

o WHY DID YOU LEAVE YOUR LAST JOB?

This isn`t a trick question. Obviously if you decided to relocate or the company went out of business, it`s a fairly straightforward answer. But if you were terminated, be honest.

If you didn`t like the way the company was run, be honest about that too. But here is another question where, if you haven`t prepared an answer, you might trip yourself up. If you were terminated, you don`t need to go into great detail, but you do need to show that you can accept responsibility and learn from your mistakes.

If you didn`t like the way the company was run or you hated your boss - it sounds much better to say "I chose to leave, because I work best when given a task and am left alone to do it," than it does to say, "my boss was always looking over my shoulder. He was such an anal retentive, control nut. I couldn`t stand it!"

NEVER NEVER NEVER speak negatively of your previous employers.

Do your homework before EVERY interview! There`s no chance to make a second good impression!

Blessings,
Judi Perkins
career guru for lifetips.com
www.findtheperfectjob.com
recruiter@intergate.com

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