Skip to main content

Section - 9 - Interview and Interviewing skills.

1. "Tell me a little about yourself."

If you're the interviewer, there's a lot you should already know: The candidate's resume and cover letter should tell you plenty, and LinkedIn and Twitter and Facebook and Google can tell you more.
The goal of an interview is to determine whether the candidate will be outstanding in the job, and that means evaluating the skills and attitude required for that job. Does she need to be an empathetic leader? Ask about that. Does she need to take your company public? Ask about that.
If you're the candidate, talk about why you took certain jobs. Explain why you left. Explain why you chose a certain school. Share why you decided to go to grad school. Discuss why you took a year off to backpack through Europe, and what you got out of the experience.
When you answer this question, connect the dots on your resume so the interviewer understands not just what you've done, but also why.

2. "What are your biggest weaknesses?"

Every candidate knows how to answer this question: Just pick a theoretical weakness and magically transform that flaw into a strength in disguise!
For example: "My biggest weakness is getting so absorbed in my work that I lose all track of time. Every day I look up and realize everyone has gone home! I know I should be more aware of the clock, but when I love what I'm doing I just can't think of anything else."
So your "biggest weakness" is that you'll put in more hours than everyone else? Great...
A better approach is to choose an actual weakness, but one you're working to improve. Share what you're doing to overcome that weakness. No one is perfect, but showing you're willing to honestly self-assess and then seek ways to improve comes pretty darned close.

3. "What are your biggest strengths?"

I'm not sure why interviewers ask this question; your resume and experience should make your strengths readily apparent.
Even so, if you're asked, provide a sharp, on-point answer. Be clear and precise. If you're a great problem solver, don't just say that: Provide a few examples, pertinent to the opening, that prove you're a great problem solver. If you're an emotionally intelligent leader, don't just say that: Provide a few examples that prove you know how to answer the unasked question.
In short, don't just claim to have certain attributes -- prove you have those attributes.

4. "Out of all the other candidates, why should we hire you?"

Since a candidate cannot compare himself with people he doesn't know, all he can do is describe his incredible passion and desire and commitment and ... well, basically beg for the job. (Way too many interviewers ask the question and then sit back, arms folded as if to say, "Go ahead. I'm listening. Try to convince me.")
And you learn nothing of substance.
Here's a better question: "What do you feel I need to know that we haven't discussed?" Or even "If you could get a do-over on one of my questions, how would you answer it now?"
Rarely do candidates come to the end of an interview feeling they've done their best. Maybe the conversation went in an unexpected direction. Maybe the interviewer focused on one aspect of their skills and totally ignored other key attributes. Or maybe candidates started the interview nervous and hesitant, and now wish they could go back and better describe their qualifications and experience.
Plus, think of it this way: Your goal as an interviewer is to learn as much as you possibly can about every candidate, so don't you want to give them the chance to ensure you do?
Just make sure to turn this part of the interview into a conversation, not a soliloquy. Don't just passively listen and then say, "Thanks. We'll be in touch." Ask follow-up questions. Ask for examples.
And of course, if you're asked this question ... use it as a chance to highlight things you haven't been able to touch on.


Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Interview Notes / Questions - US Taxation 1065 & 1120

  1.     163 J: Business Interest Expense limitation: Example: Capital Structure: Debt - 98% Equity - 2% 8890 Fedra Form Why IRS limiting a corporation? Corporation highly leverage on debt so they pay high interest expense to claim deductions.   2.     Sec 78 Gross up: If parent paid taxes of it's foreign subsidiaries, then the parent Can Claim that tax in us and can pay less tax Ex. 100$ (CFC) earn & paid 10$ tax & in Us parent must 21% 21$ pay can deduct 10$, must pay only 11$. line 30 state 50% deduction line 28 State 100% deduction   $210 $ 10 = $ 11 3.     Sub part F: If Sub part f is an income which is relatively movable from one taxing jurisdiction to another and that is Subject to low rates of foreign tax - This applies to CFC only.   4.     DRD: Dividend Received Deduction It is a tax deduction available to corporations in the US that receive dividen...
Post a Comment
Read more

Interview Questions

Interview Questions Tell me about yourself What do you want to do with your life? Do you have any actual work experience? How would you describe your ideal job? Are you ready to shift to (any other place) and what is your parents view about this? Why did you choose this career? When did you decide on this career? Why (COMPANY NAME WHICH YOU APPLIED) company? What goals do you have in your career? How do you plan to achieve these goals? How do you evaluate success? Why (COMPANY NAME WHICH YOU APPLIED) company? Describe a situation in which you were successful. What do you think it takes to be successful in this career? What accomplishments have given you the most satisfaction in your life? If you had to live your life over again, what would you change? Would you rather work with information or with people? Are you a team player? What motivates you? Why should 1 hire you? Are you a goal-oriented person? Tell me about some of your recent goals and what you did to achieve them. What are yo...
Post a Comment
Read more

UNIT II - INCORPORATION OF COMPANY

2.1 Incorporation of Company The incorporation of a company refers to the legal process that is used to form a corporate entity or a company. An incorporated company is a separate legal entity on its own, recognized by the law. These corporations can be identified with terms like ‘Inc’ or ‘Limited’ in their names. It becomes a corporate legal entity completely separate from its owners. Steps in Incorporation of a Company A group of seven or more people can come together so as to form a  public company  whereas, only two are needed to form a private company. The following steps are involved in the incorporation of a company. 1. Ascertaining Availability of Name The first step in the incorporation of any company is to choose an appropriate name. A company is identified through the name it registers. The name of the company is stated in the memorandum of association of the company. The company’s name must end with ‘Limited’ if it’s a  public compa...
Post a Comment
Read more