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 Question: Finance (Accounting)

Interview Questions (Continued...) Domain Questions-finance (Accounting) 1. How does the owner recover his capital from business?  -> From profits 2. What is permissible accounting method (it is a method mentioned in GAAP). -> Only the accrual accounting method is allowed by generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). Accrual accounting recognizes costs and expenses when they occur rather than when actual cash is exchanged. 3. Name two accounting principles? -> Accrual principle Conservatism principle Consistency principle Cost principle Economic entity principle Full disclosure principle Going concern principle Matching principle Materiality principle Monetary unit principle Reliability principle Revenue recognition principle Time period principle 4. What do you mean by going Concept? -> Going concern is an accounting term for a company that is financially stable enough to meet its obligations and continue its business for the foreseeable futur...
Post a Comment
Read more

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

Phrose 1 - The Town Week - by E.V. Lucas (Sem IV)

In his celebrated essay, “The Town Week” E. V. Lucas very artistically painted various moods and attitudes of the urban people in the seven days of a week. On Monday, people wake up from their dreamy and lazy languor. The day seems flat as if without any colour and flavour. The fun and relic of the Saturday and Sunday have gone. They look morose and pale. A dull and monotonous life is going to eat them up once again. Reluctantly, people come back to their workplaces from their village home. The town becomes populated and busy. The local trains are over-crowded. They do not put their interest in their work. So, most of the time, they enjoy gossiping with their colleagues about their week-end spending. The laziness of Monday almost dries up on Tuesday. People become more active and exciting like “glittering star”. They take their job more seriously. The day is pretty good for the businessmen. The week looks more stirring and energetic on Wednesday. It is th...
Post a Comment
Read more