Here are some QwikTips we think you’ll find helpful as you prepare for any interview.
But first — here’s the underlying question:
What are the most common questions asked in an interview and how should you prepare in order to provide great answers?
Finally, prepare by becoming confident but also relaxed and real. Help them hire you by making the people that interview you comfortable with you. Remember to focus on THEIR organization and THEIR needs — not just your own.
Want to “nail” the interview — be enthusiastic, stay focus, and — above all else — be authentic!
More about interviewing . . . .
What’s the most important thing to have at the ready in order to be completely prepared for any interview questions?
There is an absolute truth in life and work. Behavior predicts behavior. Simply put, what you have actually done in the past is the best predictor of what you can and will do in the future. People in business likely know this. Therefore you will have the strongest opportunity to get any job if you can demonstrate how you have successfully navigated similar work situations in the past.
Naturally people always want someone who has done the exact same thing in a similar company — but getting such a person is often very challenging. Make the connection for the interviewer between your experience, what you might face in a new position, and how your track record of demonstrated performance and success will help the new company.
The best preparation is to make a list of things you have actually accomplished in your work or your life that includes the following:
- The situation you were faced with.
- What you actually did.
- How it worked out — including how you took personal responsibility for the results.
Have examples around several areas:
- Your technical/professional expertise.
- Your leadership/management expertise.
- Your teamwork/team leader expertise.
- Your collaboration efforts/successes.
Use this example as a model for what you might say at an interview.
The Situation: Sales were flat to down when I arrived.
What You Did: Engaged in a collaborative effort with the sales force and an outside consultant to carefullyidentify and analyze all the reasons this was happening.
How It Worked Out: Because we worked collaboratively and involved the sales people (rather than blaming them for poor sales and leaving it at that) we were able to utilize our existing sales force in a new and fresh way, avoid demoralizing them, and kept the organization motivated and looking towards the future. As a direct result, sales turned around in 6 months.