[00:12.31]“What can you tell me about yourself?” This is not an invitation to give your life history.
[00:18.75]The interviewer is looking for clues about your character, qualifications, ambitions, and motivations.
[00:26.47]The following is a good example of a positive response.
[00:30.61]“As a college student, I worked in a clothing store part-time and found that I could sell things easily.
[00:37.26]The sale was important, but for me, it was even more important to make sure that the customer was satisfied.
[00:44.89]It was not long before customers came back to the store and specifically asked for me to help them.”
[00:51.28]“Why do you want to work for us?”
[00:53.83]This is an obvious question and, if you have done your research on the company,
[00:58.31]you should be able to give a good reason.
[01:01.10]Organize your reasons into several short sentences that clearly spell out your interest.
[01:07.52]“You are a leader in the field of electronics. Your company is a Fortune 500 company.”
[01:14.41]“Why should I hire you?” Once again, you should not be long winded,
[01:19.39]but you should provide a summary of your qualifications. Be positive and show that you are capable of doing the job.
[01:27.61]It can be “Based on the internships that I have participated in and the related part-time experiences I have had,
[01:35.60]I can do the job.”
[01:37.93]“How do you feel about your progress to date?” Never apologize for what you have done.
[01:44.52]“I think I did well in school. In fact, in a number of courses I received the highest exam scores in the class.”
[01:52.61]“As an intern for the X Company, I received some of the highest evaluations that had been given in years.”
[02:01.35]“What would you like to be doing five years from now?” Know what you can realistically accomplish.
[02:08.45]“I hope to be the best I can be at my job and because many in this line of work are promoted to area manager,
[02:15.81]I am planning on that also.”
[02:18.99]“What is your greatest weakness?” You cannot avoid this question by saying that you do not have any,
[02:25.74]everyone has weaknesses.
[02:28.46]The best approach is to admit your weakness but show that you are working on it and have a plan to overcome it.
[02:36.61]“What is your greatest strength?”
[02:38.88]This is a real opportunity to toot your own horn.
[02:42.97]Do not brag or get too egotistical, but let the employer know that you believe in yourself and that you know your strengths.
[02:52.48]“I feel that my strongest asset is my ability to stick to things to get them done.
[02:58.08]I feel a real sense of accomplishment when I finish a job and it turns out just as I’d planned.”
[03:05.21]“What goals have you set and how did you meet them?”
[03:08.72]This question examines your ability to plan ahead and meet your plan with specific actions.
[03:14.84]“Last year, during a magazine drive to raise money for our band trip,
[03:19.33]I set my goal at raising 20 percent more than I had the year before.
[03:24.98]I knew the drive was going to begin in September, so I started contacting people in August.
[03:31.44]I asked each of my customers from last year to give me the names of one or two new people
[03:37.00]who might also buy a magazine. I not only met my goal, but I also was the top salesperson on the drive.”
[03:45.50]No matter what question you are asked, answer it honestly and succinctly.
[03:50.80]Most interviewers are looking for positive statements, well-expressed ideas, persuasiveness,
[03:57.43]and clear thinking under pressure.
[04:01.04]Always maintain eye contact with the interviewer.
[04:04.91]Show that you are confident by looking straight at the person.
[04:09.32]Most interviewers greet the applicant with a handshake.
[04:13.14]Make sure that your clasp is firm. Being jittery about the interview can result in cold,
[04:19.64]clammy hands, which create a negative impression. Therefore, make sure your hands are warm and dry.
[04:27.99]Before leaving, try to find out exactly what action will follow the interview and when it will happen.
