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The College at Brockport
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NEWS EVENTS
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INTERVIEW Q&A:

Here are a few common interview questions and suggestions on how to respond to them.

Tell me about yourself.
intervieweeA: This is an open-ended question usually asked to help “break the ice.” The key thing to remember is to keep your response related to the job. Be specific and don’t ramble. Your answer should touch on experience, skills and education and should be a couple of minutes in length. Think of it as a “one-minute commercial.”

Why are you interested in working for this company?
A: This will show the employer if you have done your homework. Be specific and state how what you have learned about the company through your research relates to your career goals.

What do you consider to be your major strength/weakness?
A: Your major strength should be easy, but be sure it is directly related to the position. As for your major weakness, again, put a positive spin on it. For instance, “I tend to be nervous around my supervisors, although I’ve gained more confidence in that area since my last job where my supervisors encouraged me to ask questions.” Give me an example of a problem you encountered either in school or at work, and explain how you solved it.
A: Be logical. Use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action & Result) method.

Describe an experience in which you worked as part of a team.
A: Being able to both contribute and lead a team are very important qualities. Give this question serious consideration and develop answers for both situations. Answer using the STAR method.

Why have you chosen this particular field?
A: This allows you to demonstrate your enthusiasm and dedication to your field.

If you could be an animal, which would it be and why?
A: This is not a trick question. You may be asked questions that seem ridiculous or out of place. The interviewer is trying to see if you can think on your feet.

Do you have any questions?
A: This is a question you can always anticipate. You should always have several good job and/or company specific questions to ask. Stay away from salary and benefits.

With these questions, the interviewer is trying to get to know you and your skills in order to determine if you are a good fit for the company. There are no right or wrong answers, but you want to remain positive and always showcase your best skills. Here are some other questions that could be asked. Try to decide how you would best answer them.

Have you ever had any failures? What did you learn from them?
Why should we hire you?
How has your college experience prepared you for a career?
What personal experiences have you had and skills have you developed that would help you in this job?
How do you think a former supervisor would describe your work?

COMMON TYPES OF INTERVIEWS

Initial Screening - This is 30 to 60 minutes and usually conducted by Human Resources and follows a set format. Emphasize that you possess the desired skills/abilities for the position.

One on One - This is the most common interview form and is usually conducted by the hiring supervisor. Focuses on questions to assess your skills, knowledge and abilities as they relate to the job.

Panel & Peer Group Interviews - Panel is usually conducted by three or more people representing various departments while peer group will introduce you to your potential co-workers. Direct your answer back to the person who asks the question, but maintain eye contact with the other members as well.

Second Interview -
A 1-hour to full-day interview that usually is started by the hiring manager and is held on site. Usually involves many people and can have a combination of individual, panel and peer group interviews throughout the process. Designed to get to know the person’s potential “fit” with the organization.

Behavioral Interview - Based on the premise that the best predictor of future performance is past performance. Questions will ask about your past performance such as, “Tell me about a time when you had to take leadership of a situation.” Using the STAR method will help to answer questions well

WHAT ABOUT THE SALARY QUESTION?

The most appropriate time for salary discussions to occur is at the time of the job offer. However, employers may want to bring this topic up much sooner than that as a screening tool. It is best to let the employer bring up the question of salary.

dollarsYou should attempt to avoid this discussion until after the offer is made, so that there is room for negotiation.

If it is brought up before the offer is made, consider:

Trying to delay discussing salary, e.g., “I would rather wait to discuss salary expectations until after I have a better understanding of the position and the organization.” If forced to give a figure, rely on your research and give a range.


Turn the question back to the employer. Remind him/her of your skills and qualifications and that the salary is negotiable. Ask the interviewer what he/she has in mind.

So, how do you find research on salary information? There are several places to do so. Keep in mind these are going to be estimates and will usually be nationwide averages. Some places to look include:
http://www.salary.com
http://www.salaryexpert.com http://www.homefair.com

Read more on salary negotiation

Return to the Interviewing article.