Preparing for the interview
One of my co-workers told me about some of the questions that come up during an interview. Like where you see yourself in 5 years. (I've never known how to answer that.)
So I took a walk around the pond to do some thinking.
Why do I want this job? [I'm not sure I do. Can I think about this some more?] Because it combines a familiar task with the opportunity to learn something new and valuable for the company. What can I offer this job? Good secretarial skills, cheerful disposition and team spirit.
Name three strengths: [I'm cute, I'm funny and I make good scrambled eggs. Too bad I can't use that in an interview.] I am good with computers, love solving problems, and am responsible.
Name three weaknesses: I have trouble getting to work on time (a problem lessened if I take the bus), I tend to get irritable when stressed, and my EQ could be higher.
Where do I see myself in five years? [After some thinking, I actually have an answer.] I want to learn more about the business my company's actually in, work on my people skills and eventually try management. [And now I'm not so adverse to maybe getting this job, after all.]
Finally, I will be asking a question: What sort of boss is my potential future boss. I've had good and bad, and I now know that I want open lines of communication, openness around decision-making, and a boss who goes to bat for her employees when it comes time to get raises or necessary equipment, etc. Also, a boss who lets her employees know what they can do to earn a raise or more responsibilities.
I'm a bit nervous about my interview tomorrow even though it's not a do-or-die situation. But that is a good thing. It means I actually care.
Comments
The bottom line to success always involves proper preparation for an interview. It tells the employer that you really are serious about getting the job. As a job applicant you must learn the answers to job interview questions the employer may ask you.
The one thing that has been consistent is the inconsistency of job interview questions. Job seekers should understand that the person doing the interview may not be the sharpest knife in the drawer. He or she may not have been adequately trained. That is one reason learning to give good job interview answers is so important.
The questions asked at job interviews often hide what the job interviewer really wants or needs to know! One of the things in the job interview process for the applicant involves discovering what that is. As a job seeker ask yourself why am I being asked these employee interview questions?
For example the interviewer asks, “Do you have problems working with different types of people?” From my experience here is what the job interviewer was really asking. “Have you had trouble dealing with different racial groups?”.
Job seekers need good job interview help before the job interview to have successful job interviews. When looking for employment learn all you can about the potential employer and job interview answers.
LOL! In Norway that question usually means, "Just how well can you tolerate the office weirdo?"
At any rate, I wasn't asked that. Maybe because I tend to be the office weirdo. ;-)