2008 Woodie Awards
The Career Coach: The Five Toughest Interview Questions
Marian Cacciatore
Issue date: 10/7/05 Section: Holt News
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Last time we discussed the importance of preparing for a phone interview. Part of this preparation includes thinking about and practicing common interview questions.
It's important to clarify what I mean when I say "prepare for common interview questions."
Prepare does not mean create an interview script or stand in front of a mirror until you commit your answers to memory. Prepare means being comfortable with common interview questions and being able to clearly articulate your success and accomplishments.
Let's look at the Five Toughest Questions for many students:
Tell me about yourself?
We are asked forms of this question in a variety of situations. Many people who respond comfortably to this question in a social or academic situation, become paralyzed with fear when this question is used at the beginning of an interview.
First, let's look at several hot spots to stay away from when you are asked this question in a job interview. Refrain from mentioning your age, family/marriage status, religious affiliation or hobbies. Instead ask yourself what information is relevant to the recruiter? For instance, in a mock interview, a recent Holt school graduate responded to this question with the following "60 Second Introduction":
"As you can see by my resume, I have over 6 years experience in customer service and general administration and I graduated with my BA degree from Rollins College in May. I am really proud of my degree, since I attended classed in the evening while working full time.
Now that I have achieved my goal of earning a degree I am ready to apply both my school and work experience in a new role. I've been looking forward to the chance to speak with you today to learn more about the staffing needs of your Public Relations department".
What are your salary requirements?
If this question is asked early in the interview beware! The recruiter is trying to determine whether or not there is a match. Your goal should be to navigate through this question by delaying the real salary discussion until they have offered you the job.
How do you do that? Communicate your flexibly in the area of compensation. After all, isn't the entire compensation package more important than simply a base salary?
For example let's look at 2 different jobs: One offers $25K annually and the other offers 25K annually. In addition, they offer 100 percent tuition reimbursement and the company pays 90 percent of the health insurance. Is this the same 25K? Absolutely not!
Here's what this dialogue might sound like:
Recruiter: "Tim, what are your salary requirements?"
Tim: "I am flexible in the area of compensation area. If possible, I'd like to learn more about the position and your staffing needs."
Recruiter: "We'll get to that but I want to make sure that we are on the same page. What do you want to make?"
Tim: "Again, I am flexible, perhaps you could share with me the typical salary range for this position?"
Chances are, the recruiter will give Tim the range. Now, Tim can comment on his flexibility and then hope to return the conversation back to learning more about the job at hand.
Even if the salary range is lower than he had hoped, this is NOT the time to engage in a salary negotiation. Wait until you are offered the job.
What are your strengths?
Sometimes it is hard for a candidate to know what to focus on with this question. Highlight three or four of your key strengths with examples that are relevant to the department's needs. Base your answer on the position you are applying for and your research on the company.
What are your weaknesses?
Offer only one and emphasize what you have learned and how you have developed in this area. Make sure not to highlight a weakness that is critical to the job! For example, if the job requires outstanding organizational skills it would not be wise to identify a lack of planning as your weakness.
What are your career goals?
Indicate your desire to do the immediate role well, along with the confidence that the future will offer growth opportunities. This balance is important. You do not want to appear as if you do not want to grow, but it is important not to appear as if this position is only a stepping-stone.
Maybe there are other questions that are challenging to you. Don't forget that you are able to take advantage of individualized mock interview prep. Simply call Marian at (407) 646-2232 or email her to schedule your session.
Do you have a question for Marian? E-mail her at: mcacciatore@rollins.edu. She guarantees that all questions will be responded to individually or in this column.