Finally, Here's How You Answer Tough Interview Questions!

Linda Matias is a Job-search certified Interview Coach (CIC), Job and Career Transition Coach (JCTC) and Nationality Certified Resume Writer (NCRW) and also the writer of two books. She has also been qualified consultant for Resume writing, interviewing process and career transition areas.

In her paper, Linda described the technique for answering interview questions which are likely to be asked and how they are to be approached. In an interview, some of the questions are tough and hard to tackle. If we follow such a situation, then being aware of the kind of question and where it is coming from could help us to defend ourselves and avoid a uncomfortable situation.

Some of the examples are as follows:

Q. You don't have as much experience for this job. We may have to spend some time with you training you and taking you at a level where we expect the job requirement is. But we have another candidate to whom we don't need to train and spend time with him... so why we would hire you?

Ans. This question demands you to show up your communication skills and show the interviewer that you are a self-starter. Showing that previously you had task in hand and you managed it without any aid would be a good help to tackle this question.

Q. You have been unemployed for a long time. How do you think your skills match up our level of demand?

Ans. This is again a question which may catch you off-guard. The questioner who has found out that you have a gap in your career. Now if we have been upgrading your skills in the time period when we were unemployed it becomes easy to answer. However, if were not covering this time period with any upgrade of skills then this could blow up our interview. To avoid any negative impression it's good to enroll in a program which develop required set of skills so that we could mention them in our Resume (even if we were involved in finding out the different offerings of courses in our area, it's not bad mentioning it in an interview)

Q. I am not sure if you would stick around with this job... what if you decide to move over a new place with in a year because you feel it is boring work now.

Ans. This is relatively easier question to answer because it does give us an opportunity to openly describe our qualities and work skills although the interviewer knows about our work history. Because we have invited for an interview and the person is open to listening, it's a good sign for us as we have a chance to express our qualities which we possess without getting defensive.

Interviewers sometimes ask tough or attacking questions to check our temperament. Simply answer those questions according to their merit. We don't have to be aggressive in tone nor in our stance because it sends a strong negative message to our interviewer and doesn't work out for us in the interview.

For example interviewers are not impressed with the candidate who does not possess the quality of good temperament and self-confidence. They may ask you tough yet reasonable questions, but then they will also consider how do you approach and respond to such type of questions. Getting nervy or embroiled at that crucial stage does not help the cause.

Written by: Bryan W Goldberg

Job Interview Question: How to Answer Who Is Your Best Friend?

The Who is your best friend interview question is used often as part of the behavioral assessment portion of a job interview. The answer you give to this question provides the hiring manager with a sense as to how introspective you are in terms of how other people view you, and well you map your personality characteristics into a work environment. Answering this question or a related question like this well will be important to your chances of getting that new job!

There is no perfect answer in the interview to this question, but there are answers that cast you in a positive light as a leading job candidate, and responses that will result in a strike against you - too many strikes across too many questions equals no job offer.

The interview question is often asked in the form of Who is your best friend. When a name is given, the interviewer will then ask If he/she was in the room with me right now, how would he/she describe you - both the positive and the negative. I have often received responses of my spouse, my sister or brother, and my mom or dad, all of which are acceptable as well as peer friends.

Good Interview Answers to the Positive Attributes Question

A good answer typically shows that you have a sense as to how other people view you, and you know how to position this view in a way relevant to a work environment. Some examples include the following for the positive character trait portion of the question:

• I'm outgoing and get along well with others.
• I'm focused and driven to succeed on whatever task I take on.
• I like to be challenged - whether a new game, a new environment, or physically pushing myself in sports.

Good Interview Answers to the Negative Attributes Question

I often don't see really bad answers to the positive piece, but it gets interesting when asked about any negatives a best friend may articulate. These are some generally good answers that managers look for in response to a friend's description of your negative traits:

• Sometimes I can be a perfectionist at things and won't stop until I master a task.
• I can be a workaholic, and sometimes have to remind myself to balance my personal life with work.
• I occasionally overextend myself with too many activities both at work and in my community work

Bad Interview Answers to the Positive Attributes Question

Believe it or not, I have received these answers in real interviews, and in addition to not being impressed with how the candidate is thinking, these often start tilting the interview more towards do not hire:

• I like to party and people always want to be around me.
• I am a shoe fanatic and the person to take shoe shopping.
• I'm a social butterfly, and often have stuff going on every night of the week in my personal life.

Basically you want to be honest about how your friend would describe you, but use something that translates into a character attribute that a manager would see applying in a work environment.

Shopping, driving cars, etc. don't fit this purpose, and some of the above answers indicate perhaps a lack of responsibility, especially if the impression is that you are too fun loving and your primary focus is on an active social life. A manager will interpret this as a weak work ethic, which will not be in your favor.

Bad Interview Answers to the Negative Attributes Question

Often responding with a negative is hard for most people [there are other interview questions along these lines as well], and the trick is to not portray a character trait as a true negative, and certainly never give an answer that casts you in a bad light in terms of lack of responsibility, maturity, work ethic, or teamwork.

Here are some real answers I've received in interviews that are not a good response to what would your best friend say in terms of negative characteristics or behaviors:

• I party too much and often have trouble getting going in the morning
• I don't pay attention to time and often am late for our social appointments / movies / etc.
• I'm always out of money and asking to borrow some until my next paycheck

Can you see why these would not be received well during an interview, and why you may not come across as someone I'd be excited at having on my team?

Not all interviewers use this question, but similar questions are used during most interviews - we want to learn more about your personality, and how you perceive yourself both in your eyes and in the eyes of others. Often people that are more introspective tend to be more focused on their behavior, contributions to a team, and receive and act on career coaching very well.

Written by: Russell Tuckerton

Job Interview Advice: What Is The Best Time Slot for a Job Interview?

If you are applying for jobs in which you are qualified for, you should soon start to receive interview request calls. When receiving these calls, you will notice a variance. Some companies provide you with an exact date and time. Others provide you with the option to choose your interview date and time. If this is the case, which time slot should you pick? What is the best time slot for a job interview?

The answer to this question isn't a simple one. After all, some personal factors need to be taken into consideration. The answer will depend on the individual in question. Moreover, you'll notice that different options, such as first thing in the morning or the last job interview of the day, have their own sets of pros and cons.

Early Morning Job Interviews

If you are given the option to interview for the job between the hours of 8am and 11am, you are looking at an early morning job interview. You will be one of the first applicants in the door to undergone this procedure.

First and foremost, are you an early morning person? If you regularly sleep until 10am each morning and aren't fully awake until an hour later, this may hurt your chances of making a good impression. Unless you are a person who is able to get a good nights sleep, rise early in the morning, and be fully awake, a later time slot for a job interview is advised.

One of the benefits of being able to land an early morning job interview is the fact that you are one of the first applicants through the door. The hiring many will be excited about what the day brings. Being one of the first applicants also enables you to provide answers without having them compared to the 15 job seekers before you. The hiring manager will accept your answers and move onto the next question.

Later Afternoon Job Interviews

As mentioned above, if should avoid early morning interviews if you aren't a morning person. But, what if you aren't an afternoon person? Are you sluggish and ready for a nap as soon as the clock strikes 1pm? Remember, you want to bring your best to an interview and that means opting (if you have the choice) for a time slot in which you can perform your best.

One of the benefits of being able to land a time slot in the afternoon is that you are one of the last applicants. Although your answers will be compared against the others provided throughout the day, you didn't have the tough task of setting the standard. Moreover, since you are one of the last of the day, your answers and the impression you create will be fresh in the mind of the hiring manager when it comes time to review the day's applicants.

So there you have it! You now know some of the pros and cons for opting for both an early morning and a later afternoon job interview. If you do have the choice to select your own time slot, it is recommended that you take these factors into consideration.

Good luck!

Information Technology Interview Questions - Important For Interviews

As we all know that the information technology is a highly developed field in which people have the good knowledge of latest and changes and development in information technology sector. A person having the knowledge of advanced changes in IT sector knows about different computer languages, programs etc. He knows various advanced computer software and hardware tools. He should be able to solve out the computer related problems.

If you really wish to secure a good job position in IT sector, then following are some essential questions that you should practice.

1. Explain all your professional qualification and abilities that are needed for this post.

If a person wants to secure a good job in information technology sector field, he should have the abilities of leadership qualities, management skills and organizational qualities. He should be able to motivate and direct subordinates the candidates in order to form some policies. They are involved in communicating directly with their customers to decide day to day activities.

2. Out of all the job seekers that I have met, why should we only hire you for this post?

Out of all job seekers that you have recently interviewed, you should choose me only as I can easily manage all the responsibilities and tasks with lots of effectiveness and efficiency. I have the excellent communication and interpersonal skills which are needed to deal with the variety of customers. I have good technical and organizational skills that can benefit the company. Moreover in addition to all these skills, I possess the needed qualification for this post.

3. Why do you wish to leave your present job?

There are so many reasons for leaving my current job but one of the main reasons for this is that I was looking for a globally recognized company just like yours where I can make use of my extensive knowledge, abilities, experience and skills for the better growth and development of the organization. Your reputed organization would definitely help me for my personal and professional growth.

4. Can you explain about the job specific proficiencies which are required for this post?

The specific proficiencies which are required for this post of information technology specialists are knowledge about networking, training and management, Help Desk Administration, internal system maintenance and Asset Management. Describe some of your projects that you had to complete at previous company.

Above described are some very important points and interview questions that you must surely remember while facing employer. My best wishes are always with you.

Career Success - How to Ace Your Job Interview

Looking for a job is always challenging - in good and in bad economic times. However, if you approach your interview the right way, you will drastically increase your chances of getting the job. Below are a few steps, which will help you ace your job interview.

1. Do some research. It is shocking how many people show up for interviews without knowing much about the company they are applying to. Stand out from the crowd by taking the time to research both the company and the specifics of the job you are applying to.

2. Prepare. It is a mistake to go to an interview, planning to wing it. Even if you are very good at thinking on your feet, preparation always shows. The benefits of preparation are confidence, polished answers and a clear signal to the interviewer that you are interested in the job.

3. Be confident. Do you think you are good at what you do? Do you believe you deserve to get this job? Then let your confidence show. Before the interview, try to stay calm and not let your nerves get the best of you. During the interview, answer in a loud and clear voice and, if you happen to mess something up, make a little joke. Confidence does not mean arrogance, so keep your attitude in check at all times.

4. Know your stuff. You may make a great first impression but, at the end of the day, the single most important thing is to have the knowledge and skills the company is looking for. Make sure that, in your answers, you mention your relevant experience and skills. Use examples, which highlight your qualifications. If you think that the interviewer is not asking you about a critical part of your experience, volunteer the information at the end of the interview.

5. Ask thoughtful questions. Asking well thought-out questions at the end of the interview is another clear signal that you have done your homework and that you are genuinely interested in the job and the company.

6. Send a thank you email. Even after you have completed your interview, you can still make an impression and tip the scales in your favor by sending a thoughtful thank you email to your interviewer. Don't worry if they don't reply to your note - recruiters tend to be very busy but they do recognize the candidates who are most committed to getting the job.

Written by: Zornitsa Ivanova

30 Typical Job Interview Questions

�Job interviews are a common source of anxiety for many and much of this seems to stem from a concern that you will be thrown by a difficult question. The range and nature of questions you may be asked at interview is vast and it is therefore neither practicable nor desirable to swot up on questions in preparation. By completing the assessment activities we recommend in our career coaching programmes you will be more fully and confidently prepared and able to give natural, authentic responses.

The following questions are provided to give you an idea of typical questions and to give you an opportunity to check your preparedness, perhaps by randomly selecting a few questions and answering them. You may find it helpful to ask a friend, family member or your Coach to assist you.

1. Tell me about yourself.
2. What is it about this role that appeals to you?
3. Tell me why we should offer this job to you?
4. Where do you hope/intend to be in the next three years?
5. How would your ex-boss/ex-colleagues describe you?
6. What would you say were your main strengths?
7. What is your biggest weakness?
8. Give me an example of your problem solving skills.
9. Tell me about an occasion where your communication skills made a difference to the situation.
10. Describe a time when you had to persuade a reluctant person to take a particular course of action.
11. Describe a situation when you had to deal with an angry customer.
12. What type of responsibilities do you delegate? Give examples of projects where you made best use of delegation.
13. What would you describe as your greatest achievement?
14. What leadership qualities do you possess?
15. How would you describe your management style?
16. How do you keep up with technical developments in your field?
17. Describe a time when you were faced with unrealistic/unfeasible goals? How did you handle the situation?
18. If we offer you this job what area(s) would you feel most unconfident about?
19. If we offered you this job what would be your first priority on joining?
20. Are you considering other jobs at this time? How does this opportunity compare?
21. What salary are you seeking?
22. How do you motivate your team?
23. Give me an example of when your work has been criticised. How did you respond?
24. Why did you stay so long in your last role?
25. Would you be prepared to relocate?
26. Can you give me an example of your team work and leadership?
27. Do you prefer working on your own or in a team?
28. What do you do when you're not working?
29. What do you know about us?
30. Do you have any questions for me?

There are no right answers to these questions. What is important is that you can answer relevant questions confidently, honestly and in a way which positively promotes your abilities, experience and skills.

E: sarah.jaggers@managingchange.org.uk

Job Interview Tips - First Impressions Count and Appearance Is a Big Part of the Job Interview

Job interviews are the most important part of the hiring process. Your appearance will leave a lasting first impression and can make or break your chances of actually landing the job. When it comes to dressing for an important job interview, remember one thing; if you do not look the part you probably will not get the part. Your cover letter and resume will get your foot in the door but you must arrive to your job interview properly dressed.

Appropriate attire varies greatly by industry. Here are some general tips you may find useful:

Banking/Finance Interview

Banking and finance are very old-fashioned industries so you need to wear a suit that fits well and looks good. Sober dark-colored suits are ideal. You should look like a person that people will trust to handle their money and assets.

Government Job Interview

Classic suits are your best bet. The higher the position that you are aiming for in the government, the more formal your attire should be. Women should avoid having many accessories and be conservative with makeup and hairstyles, too.

Technical/IT Interview

In most cases you will not need to wear a suit. A good quality collared shirt and slacks or khakis for men is recommended while women should wear a blouse or sweater with a skirt or slacks. Dark blue and gray are popular neutral colors.

Trade Job Interview

Business casual is most likely a suitable choice. See the description above for technical/IT jobs. Wear nice shoes (not sneakers) that are neat and well-polished. Even though you might wear blue jeans during everyday work, employers still expect you to dress up for interviews although you need not go overboard by wearing a suit.

Entertainment/Fashion

The rules about dressing up for a job interview are somewhat relaxed for the entertainment and fashion industry. Being conservative is not really required and people will expect you to dress fashionably.

Apart from clothing, you should also take pains to look neat and well-groomed. Pay attention to the details such as your nails and hair.

When in doubt of the proper job interview attire, just ask! If you are really worried or are not sure what to wear, ask about appropriate attire when you are setting up the job interview and dress accordingly. If they say their attire is casual think business casual. Do not make the mistake of wearing jeans and a T-shirt. It is much better to dress up than to dress down when you are going to a job interview.

English for Your Job Interview - How to Succeed

Don't let your English disappoint at interview.

I will share ways you can practice and improve your English specifically for your English job interview. If English is not your native language, then the prospect of an interview in English for a job will make you even more nervous. However, there are steps you can take to prepare and practice your English for a job interview so you can be confident of success.

Research your job interview questions on the internet

Did you know there are many job interview sites in English on the internet with typical interview questions and answers for the job you are seeking? Past interviewees even share the questions they were asked in English sometimes. So, type these phrases into a search engine and you will get some useful results:

Typical job interview questions:
� for Nursing
� for Financial Analyst
� in English

Now view the questions in each category.

Make notes only under the most important questions and practice your replies by saying your answers in English, using your notes as prompts. Your answers should be 1-3 sentences long usually and clear and concise. Note where you are having difficulty explaining yourself and practice until you feel comfortable.

Be ready to talk about your past, present and future in English

Interviewers want to know about you. So to prepare for this part of the interview, make 3 columns on a piece of paper:

• My history
• My CV, background, education/work history. My personality - Strengths/weaknesses
• Future: why I want this job - future prospects

Make general bullet points under each - only points - do not write an essay on each. Now practice your English by speaking aloud, focussing on each of the points you have made.

Be ready for the killer question' tell me about yourself'. The answer should be a 2-4 sentence summary and not a monologue starting from your birth. The interviewer just wants an overview so this is a good possible reply:

'I'm a 35 year old Financial Analyst, married with 2 young children. I love my job but am looking for a more senior position with a bigger company where I can grow.'

Refine your responses

Practice responding with a headline and then give more detail and a real example where possible afterwards.

This clearly tells your interviewer what you are going to talk about - and shows them that you can evidence your response. So, one answer to: 'why do you think you would be good at the job?' could be:

'This job suits someone who is good with people and I think this is true of me. In my past employment my manager said this was one of my key strengths.'

If English is not your first language, you may get 'lost' in longer more complicated answers. Structure your responses and use useful phrases in English. For example, in response to the question -

'What are your strengths and weaknesses? You could reply with

'I believe I have 3 really key strengths. Firstly, I am good at....secondly, I have the ability to..... thirdly....' etc.

When you are nervous you tend to speak faster. It would be a great shame if you have prepared well - but then the interviewer cannot understand you because your pace is too fast.

Practice, practice, practice your English

Your job interview could be your passport to better life prospects. Ask yourself how important this job is to your life? Is it worth spending a little time and money on English lessons with a qualified teacher to get ahead? Choose an English teacher who has helped others with interview practice before. Ensure English lessons are 1-1 and entirely focused on your particular job interview. You may need only 5 lessons to ensure your English is perfect for the interview. Think; are the other candidates taking English training? To give yourself the best chance at interview, perhaps you need to do the same.

Written by: Louisa Walsh

Interview Information That Can Get You in Trouble

An interview can be a stressful event, and often times people will use casual conversation to break the ice and try and form a rapport with the interview manager. However, this can be a deadly trap, as in my 20 years of experience in Fortune 500 companies I have seen personal information kill the chances of a candidate getting hired. I will show you why never to share personal information - managers aren't truly allowed to ask personal questions, so this boils down to you not volunteering it - ever.

Personal Information in an Interview - A Case Study

You see pictures of children on the manager's desk, and starting out the interview you inquire about their ages, what interests they have, are they in sports, etc. This invariably leads [if you have children] to you talking about your children. Perhaps your son is a soccer star and has games and practices 4 days a week, last year he went to the tournament in a nearby city, and you're beaming with pride.

STOP. Why? Here is what I've taken away from this exchange as a manager: the candidate will have a lot of personal commitments outside of work, may not be able to commit to the crunch time every business has, and will likely be requesting a lot of time off to attend tournaments that require travel. Compare this to a candidate that has not mentioned anything about having kids [even if they do] - if all else is roughly equal myself [and most managers] will go with the second candidate who did not talk about their kids. Almost every job and company realizes there is a balance in life between work and family life - but don't make it top of mind during the interview session.

Marital status in an Interview

Here is another common situation - somehow it comes out that you're single, divorced, or married. At best this will be neutral; at worst it will cause the manager to not rank you as high as other candidates that didn't share this info. Why? Let's look at these scenarios.

Interview Scenario 1: Single and very active socially, in sports, and/or in your church.

If you volunteer this type of information, again what I hear is personal and social commitments are extremely important to me, and will likely restrict when I can work any overtime or travel for the role. You didn't say this, and it may not even be the case, but be cautious about how we are interpreting it. The minimal benefit of establishing a social rapport with the hiring manager is not worth the risk unless you tightly control and position what you are saying.

Interview Scenario 2: Divorced with 2 kids

This one has come out countless times when I am interviewing people. It sounds innocent, and can even be a socially positive conversation about your dedication to your kids, juggling time with their other parent, etc.

Can you guess how it comes across? Exactly like the other scenarios - managing raising the kids, coordinating visits with the ex-spouse, perhaps even drama or ongoing emotional drains due to a bad relationship with the ex - all of it spells complications in the managers mind, and again if you are comparable or even slightly more qualified than another candidate, this could swing the balance towards the other candidate.

Work-Life Balance

Almost all companies promote a strong work life balance, and of course a good majority of people [especially more senior] in companies are married, have kids, are divorced, are single and very active, etc. However, the work life balance comes AFTER you are hired - you shouldn't be focusing on it either consciously or unconsciously during the interview process. We all have families, friends, and a need to have a life outside of work [even as executives], and we expect out employees to as well. However, highlighting the need for this during an interview can portray the perception that it will be challenging for you to balance work and personal life, and we don't want to see that as a highlight of the interview.

One final note - please never ask about work-life balance during the interview - it takes all the perceptions above and neatly positions you as someone who is concerned a job may be too hard, impact your personal or family life, and be a burden on you. There are other ways to get at the same information [i.e. Describe a typical week at the company for this role that are constructive and don't come across as a work-life balance concern].

Written by: Russell Tuckerton

5 Interview Questions and How to Answer Them Appropriately

Can you quickly think of 5 interview questions and how to answer them appropriately? You may fumble for a second, read the question once again and quickly summarize the questions you were asked when you faced the interviews.

The interviewer asks questions from various categories such as:
� Basic interview questions
� Behavioral questions
� Brain taster questions
� Salary related questions
� Career related questions
� Questions focused to judge you as a person, your analytical skills etc.

5 most frequently asked interview questions and answers are mentioned below. You will definitely find the information useful.

Q.1) Tell me/us something about yourself

This is one of the opening questions asked during the interview. It is same like playing the first ball on the wicket. Answer this question precisely. Do not explain the things such as, how loyal you are, how dedicated and hardworking you are etc. Focus on your unique selling points. Emphasize on your abilities to provide the best deliverables. Give the answer with great confidence in a minute.

Q.2) How can you prove yourself better than the other candidates?

Most of the candidates babble while answering this interview questions. The interviewer checks your confidence level. You can give the answer focusing on many things such as you are a target breaker, proven hard worker and you have similar work experience in hand.

Q.3) Tell us why should we hire you?

You should be a good self analyzer and promoter too. You can mention your skills, strengths and the noticeable achievements so that you can claim that you are the right candidate. You should be successful to put forward bright track record.

Q.4) What is your salary expectation?

This is a very crucial question, as after all every thing boils down to salary. If possible try to put up the salary expectation in a range, than a specific number. Another diplomatic answer for the question would be as per the market standards.

Q.5) Why do you want to leave the current company?

There can be many reasons to leave the current company. You can answer this question on a very positive note. You can say that you are enjoying working at your present company, but want to face new challenges, and grow further. You will contribute to organizational growth too. Thus you can successfully indicate your attachment and dedication towards the existing company as well as your ambition to move ahead in your career.

Written by: Ashton Lopez

How to Tackle an MBA (HR) Interview

Human resource management is increasingly becoming a critical function inside most businesses and more and more b-schools in India are offering specialized courses in HR. As a matter of fact, MBA as a course of study is moving towards greater specialization and it is not unusual for an MBA aspirant today to find himself shortlisted for five different courses - an MBA in Finance from SP Jain, a PGDHRM from XLRI, a PGP in agri-business from IIM-A, an MBA in Rural Management from IIFM Bhopal and an Operations Management course from NITIE. A possible reason for such widespread specialization among MBA courses is that with the proliferation of b-schools all over India, the better ones are trying to strengthen their brand by offering tailor-made courses based on their core competences. This way, the institute stays away from the rat race of general MBAs and builds for itself an image of a market leader in its particular domain of MBA education. While it would be premature to signal the end of the general MBA course, it is undeniable that specialization is on the rise and MBA aspirants must, in addition to cracking the entrance exams, prepare themselves for the group discussions (GDs), personal interviews (PIs) and statements of purpose (SOPs) of the specific function that they have applied to.

Given this context, I have, from my experience as an interviewee for and now a student in an HR course, tried to put together seven points that an aspirant for an MBA in HR may do well to bear in mind. While the issues mentioned below have been specifically related to an HR interview, I believe they would apply in a similar vein to other specialized courses as well. However, my success in an HR interview and my experience in an HR course limit my observations to the HR domain only.

1. Be informed about HR as a profession. If asked about which domain in HR you find interesting, you should not stare blankly as if you thought specialization ended with selecting the MBA(HR) option on the application form. The HR function has many sub-functions within it, like Compensation, Recruitment and Selection, Training and Development, Performance Management and Industrial Relations. Read up broadly on the various domains and try to delve a bit into any one domain that seems interesting to you from the surface. This equips you with fodder for an informed discussion with the panel. For instance, if IR (industrial relations) interests you, you could read up on the latest industrial strikes in the country and a bit on the different trade unions that are there and their political affiliations, so that you can substantiate your interest in the subject by giving examples. Always remember that the best proof of interest is knowledge.

2. Communication is not a core HR skill. Never say that your communication skills (or any other so-called 'soft' skill for that matter) will make you an excellent HR manager. Communication is a basic skill that is required of any manager inside any organization. In fact, a marketing manager working with brands or a production manager on a shop floor needs to communicate more on a daily basis than an average HR manager working with payrolls or appraisals. He would never be expected to talk to clients or suppliers, and even within the organization, his interaction with employees is to a far lesser extent than the immediate supervisor's. On the contrary, an HR manager designing a compensation system for 10,000 employees would need as much analytical and number crunching skills as would someone in finance or operations. The perception therefore that HR is all about soft skills is a completely wrong one and talking about soft skills as a core competence in an HR interview could be a recipe for disaster.

3. Sound realistic about the prospects in HR. Do not sound nave when talking about where you see yourself in the long run. It is good to say that you wish to be a CEO, but be prepared for a counter-attack from the panel giving you a dim statistical probability of an HR manager ever becoming the CEO of a company (though there are such examples). You should be aware of the career path of a typical HR professional, both in functional HR as well as in the consulting domain. You should also be aware that a shift to a general management role from an HR role is not possible at any or every stage in one's career. Usually, such shifts are possible only at the senior and top management levels where one has gathered enough functional expertise to be able to take on a strategic role. Most of his career, an HR professional would gather expertise as a generalist or specialist in a line role (inside any organization) or as consultant in a consultancy firm (like the Hay Group or KPMG). Finally, you should also be aware of the fundamental difference between a line or functional HR role and a consulting role and the challenges associated with each. Very broadly, a functional HR manager works within an existing HR framework in an organization, while a consultant designs frameworks for various organizations of different size, age and culture and advises them on policy and implementation.

4. Be clear as to why HR. This question would haunt you in any interview in different forms, and it is better to be prepared with a specific answer instead of giving a general answer for 'why MBA'. While there is no 'model' answer to this question, I would suggest giving a frank and simple response instead of something that involves your inborn 'people skills' or 'communication skills'. Something as simple as 'my cousin is a senior HR manager at P&G and I like the work he does' could be a perfectly acceptable answer, provided you know broadly what your cousin does. You have to come up with your own answer based on your past experience in or exposure to the corporate world and if it sounds genuine, there is no reason why a panel should doubt your reason for wanting to do an HR course.

5. Be clear as to why 'XYZ' to HR. You might be asked to justify why you want to shift from a career in the software coding to one in HR. Personally, I have faced this question at two of the top HR institutes in the country, viz., TISS and XLRI and more so because my background was something as unlikely as architecture. Most aspirants often make the mistake of trying to relate their past work or education with HR and justifying how skills acquired in one will come in handy in the other. (On a lighter note, most panellists believe you don't acquire any skills in a software job!) Do that only if you can strongly relate the two, else steer clear of it. The best answer to this would again be a frank answer and one that is relevant to your own experience in life. In my case, I told them that architecture was exciting as a course of study, but as a career, it was overhyped in terms of creativity and stagnating in terms of progression. I wanted an MBA in HR because, firstly, MBA would give my career a fillip, and HR was something that I could grapple with, given my background and inclination (as compared to finance, operations or marketing).

6. Reflect on HR issues in your workplace. If you have worked before, then think about what problems you yourself faced in your workplace and how you would try to solve them if you were the HR manager in the company. A friend of mine who was a journalist before joining an HR course mentioned in her interview that she knew too well how a sub-editor is overworked and underpaid, and her entire interview turned in the direction of employee satisfaction in the journalism industry, something she could talk for hours on. Therefore, knowing about HR issues in your past job shows that you are aware of the challenges an HR manager would typically face in an organization.

7. Do not aggrandize HR. Finally, HR is not the ultimate profession in the world. It is only as good or as bad as any other corporate function. Try not to make statements that suggest HR as the reason behind all corporate successes or that HR can solve all corporate evils. Be aware of the limitations of human resource management both as a function in an organization and as a career for yourself. At the same time, emphasize the fact that HR is an emerging field and most of the unsolved or unattended problems in organizations today lie in the domain of HR, and even as a support function, well-designed HR policies and practices can help HR play a strategic role in the success or failure of a company.

Keeping the above points in mind will hopefully help any aspirant to an HR course to make a positive impact on the interviewer and convey an impression of genuine interest in pursuing a career in human resource management.

Sourav Sengupta

10 Things to Bring With You Should Always Bring With You to an Interview

The current state of the economy and the job market has made it almost impossible to find a job. If you want to be one of the chosen to land an interview, you must be at the top of your game. No longer is it enough to simply appear at an interview dressed in a suit and armed with a positive attitude. Today's candidates must be thoroughly prepared for each interview they attend. An important component of that preparation is knowing the ten things you should always bring with you to an interview.

1. Five copies of your resume - even if you have submitted your resume electronically, it is still important to bring along hard copies. In many cases, candidates will find themselves interviewed by multiple managers, so it is always important to have enough resumes to go around.

2. Professional references - be sure to bring a list of 3-5 professional references. Include each reference's contact information including email address as well as the capacity by which they know you.

3. Personal references - more and more companies are turning to personal references to round out the interview process, so bring a list of personal references as well. Phone numbers, email address and relationship should be carefully noted for each reference.

4. Work History - keep a list of your previous employers including physical address, phone number, employment dates and manager names. Being unable to provide this information is unprofessional and may raise an eyebrow or two.

5. Education - bring a list of each school you attended, the address and the degree, or program studied.

6. Skills - As technology continues to evolve, many potential employers are interested in what programs candidates have mastered. You should also include any specialized skills or equipment you can operate

7. Questions - almost all hiring managers will end the interview by asking if the candidate has any questions - prepare a list in advance. It is a great idea to do this by carefully reviewing the company website. The questions should be thought-provoking and relevant.

8. Documentation - Bring along any professional certifications as well as a valid driver's license and social security card. In the event that the position is immediately offered to you, you will have all of the information needed with you.

9. Samples - Many jobs require a candidate to provide samples of their work. Be sure to bring along representations of your best work. This applies to almost all jobs. For example, an architect may bring along samples of their designs while a teacher might bring lesson plans or an example of a teaching plan.

10. Attitude - never underestimate the power of your attitude - remember you are selling yourself, so it is crucial you come prepared to do just that. Be well rested and eat shortly before your interview.

Being adequately prepared for an interview is the first step towards has a successful session. Be sure to prepare your interview items in advance so you are not rushing around trying to locate everything right before your interview.

How to Describe Yourself in an Interview

Interviews with recruiters can be very nerve-racking, but the beauty of getting interviewed is that all the questions asked in an interview are very basic and in plain words are highly clich�d, therefore preparing for an interview is as easy as pie. One of the most basic asked in an interview is to describe you in an interview; where most candidates can get really overwhelmed and may mess up bad.

Interviewers ask this question in order to gain an insight into the workings of the potential employee's mind. Employees may stress out a lot over this particular question and even though one should never ever lose their heads but should be very careful while answering this question. Try not to sound too modest or too grandiose, make sure you answer the question in such a way that it is directly relevant to the job that you are being interviewed for. If you are applying for the post of a writer your employer is not really interested in the fact that you're an amazing dancer or a singer - Keep it as professional as possible, remember it's not a blind date!

Before you answer your question, always try to put yourself in the employer's shoe to guess as to what kind of employee he would want to hire. Use power words to describe that add weight to the trait you possess. Such as creative, perfectionist and other such words that instantly give the interviewer an idea about the potential employee. Do NOT feel shy, brag about your skills but remember be confident because cockiness never did good to anyone. If you're telling them about your strengths make sure that u squeeze in a few weak points here and there - your employer wants a human being to work for them not a robot. Talk about your creative side and talk about what kind of working environment best fuels yours creativity and your motivation to work.

The best way to respond to this question is to break the answer down into the following components; start your answer by listing 5 strengths that are pertinent to the field you're applying. Then mention your weakness, but do not focus too much on them - Put your best face forward. Tell them what kind of work environment you're looking for and then back up strengths by talking about your past accomplishments; if you're a newbie in the job market or if you're a veteran, talk about your past job experiences.

Whoever gets successful in describing himself inform of an employer in the right way, gets a high level of chance to be taken seriously and thus get the job. So you should start preparing yourself to express yourself in the best manner possible. You can do so by applying the best technique to overcome your fears and confidence glitches and that is the 'mirror practice'. The mirror practice helps in overcoming all the fears you have in the simplest manner and that is to stand in front of the mirror and do what can not do in front of others. After practicing this technique you will be able to get rid of your problems that can come in your interview process. So after this, you are prepared to describe yourself as effectively as never before!

Written by: Bryan W Goldberg

Police Oral Board - Scenario Questions and Answers

The police oral board is something that weighs on the minds of police applicants every day. Not knowing what to expect is the worst. Combine that with the horror stories from other applicants, especially those that have failed, and one could have full-blown anxiety. I have the solution for you...preparation. It is the key to passing the oral board and it is easily obtainable.

One of the most asked about questions are the scenario questions. In a previous article, I mentioned that scenario questions are somewhat self-explanatory, and they give the interviewee a situation with a tough decision at the conclusion. What the board is looking for here is a peek at your decision-making abilities, judgment, and oral communication. It sounds intimidating, but there is a way to cut through each question and give a sound answer.

Let us look at a couple scenario questions and break them down so you can see what you are dealing with:

1) You have been out of the academy for several weeks. It is the beginning of your shift and you are assigned to a veteran Field Training Officer (F.T.O). While speaking to your training officer you notice the smell of alcohol on his breath. What do you do?

Breakdown- Consider this; the department needs to know you will do the right thing, the ethical thing, for not only the department but for the community at large. Think of the headlines if you and your training officer are involved in a critical incident or a traffic accident.

Challenge- You would turn in your F.T.O.? What if your F.T.O. loses his job? What about loyalty to your training officer? No matter what, you have the duty to report. Tough decisions come with police work, but in the end this should not be a tough one. You must confront and report.

2) You have been dispatched to take a burglary call at a residence with a large loss. When you are getting close to the burglary, you hear other units get dispatched to a medical call with an unresponsive subject lying in the street. You are only several blocks from each call. What do you do?

Breakdown- This can be broken down to a life vs. property question. Choosing life over property is a rule of thumb.

Challenge- But you were dispatched, you would disobey dispatch? The answer is yes. Rendering aid and possibly preserving the scene of a person crime outweighs a report call.

In today's law enforcement agencies, it is all about ethics, as it should be. Remember these tips when answering scenario questions. First, do not add extra facets or caveats to a question asked of you. Take the question at face value. Second, always take the ethical high road and you can't go wrong. Finally, as I have stated before, do not change a well thought out answer. Stick to your guns; or better yet, stick to your ethics.

The one common trait among successful police applicants is preparation. They have all been ready to face the first harrowing challenge on their way to becoming a law enforcement officer. Ask them all, and they will all say it was worth it. It was worth the investment, and it gave them a powerful advantage when taking on all the oral board threw at them. Prepare, and you will certainly win your badge.

Investment Banking Interview Preparation

Important Interview Questions

When preparing for a job interview don't forget to include important interview questions in your career guide. These questions should be divided into two groups; questions you should ask and questions the interviewer could ask you. Though there is no set formula for questions interviewers will ask, there are basic ones you can prepare to answer. The questions you should ask depend heavily on your knowledge of the position, the company and what you want or need in terms of fulfillment and compensation.

It is also suggested to be tactful with the order in which you ask your questions. Don't let the first words out of your mouth be, How much are you guys gonna pay me? Be professional and courteous. Let your initial questions reflect interest in the position and company. Here are questions to consider adding to your career guide when preparing for an interview.

Questions to consider asking during a job interview:
� How did this position become available?
� What accomplishments would you like to see within this role?
� What were the major strengths and weaknesses of the last person who held this job?
� What would you consider to be the most important aspects of this job?
� Could you describe a typical day or week in this position? What are the expectations for this position?
� How many people are in the department for this position? How many people are on the team for this position?
� How long has this position been open? What is your time frame for filling his position?
� What are some examples of the achievements of others who have been in this position?
� What do you see in my personality, work history or skill set that qualify me for this position?
� Are there growth opportunities involved with this role?
� What are the next steps in the interview process?
� When can I expect to hear back from you?

Questions you may be asked during a job interview:
� Tell me about yourself.
� Why do you want to work for this company? Why do you want to work in this position?
� What contributions can you bring to our company?
� Why should we hire you instead of another candidate with similar qualifications?
� What are you strengths and your weaknesses?
� What are your short term and long term professional goals?
� How long do you see yourself working for this company?
� Where do you see yourself in five (or ten) years from now?
� What do you look for in a job, i.e., responsibilities, hours, co-workers, managers etc.?
� What do (did) you like the most and the least about your current (last) position?
� Why are you leaving (did you leave) your present (last) job?
� What is your compensation requirement as far as salary and benefits are concerned?
� Describe a situation where you had to work under pressure to solve a problem and what was the result?

Don't blow your chances during an interview and miss out on a good opportunity because you can't answer or ask questions properly. Our career guide offers additional interview etiquette to help in your job search.

Important Interview Questions to Ask

Many job seekers don't recognize the importance of asking pertinent questions at the end of the interview.

Typically, the interviewer will initiate an open door for the job seeker to make a lasting impression by well thought out questions. Here are the ones NEVER to ask:

1. Can you tell me the salary and benefits of this job?
2. Can I leave early on some days?
3. What is your company policy on sick leave and days off?
4. What is a typical day like?

The vital key to successful interviewing is ALL in employer perception of you.

How do you want to be viewed? Here is how they will see you if you asked those questions:

1. You just want to know how much money you will make. You really don't want the position. This would be a wasted hire.
2. Potentially lazy, diffused attitude without much energy. Indifferent to the contribution they need to make.
3. Poor judgment on when to ask appropriate questions. We haven't even offered the job yet!
4. You should already know this through research and the interview process. Obvious clue that you don't take advantage of resources already available.

So, how do you want to be seen in the interviewer's perception of you as a potential contributor to the organization?

Consider these questions instead:

1. Describe for me the top reasons you enjoy working for ABC, Inc.
2. How would you describe the culture of your organization?
3. What is the greatest reward for you in working for ABC, Inc.?

These questions will likely provoke a positive response from your interviewers. In the best scenario they will talk openly and among themselves as they contribute to the answer. If they don't, maybe the organization isn't a place you want to be. Every question provides an opportunity for them to see you as open, personable, adaptable and invested in the interview process. The reality is yes, we need our jobs to provide money to live. Yet, an employer would want you to think working for them is more than just a source of income. The more vested you are in thoughtful interview questions, the more likely you are to give it your best shot when you're hired. Otherwise you may be seen as a potential liability.

Finally, you are intentionally asking questions to invite the interviewer to talk about themselves and the company. After you leave the interview and they begin to discuss it, chances are someone will say Wow. He was a great listener and very personable. Actually, you just simply let them discuss what they love. Remember, it is all about perception. More about this in following posts. For now, think about how you want to be perceived and if what you say in an interview is an accurate reflection of your professionalism.

Written by: Carla Hunter

What to Wear to an Interview

Going to an interview can be a stressful time for many. Try to feel comfortable by wearing something that will make you look professional, whilst giving a good impression to the interviewer. It makes sense to dress your best at an interview even if the job you are applying for doesn't require this. First impressions are lasting ones, so make yours good.

Try before

The classic mistake that everyone makes is to rush and put something on an hour before they're set to leave, feeling uncomfortable and simply just not looking great. Always try on different clothes the night before, so that you can be prepared in the morning and you know what you want to put on, without rushing and panicking, it is not the best way to start your day.

The Classic Suit

You can't go wrong wearing a classic ladies suit. Choose a colour that suits you, the best suits are usually black, gray or navy blue. Button up your suit jacket to show just a tiny section of your blouse. Make sure that your suit is the right size for you as you don't want it to be too tight and restricting. You should be able to move your arms freely.

The Blouse

Wear a different coloured blouse underneath your suit jacket. Go for a crisp white coloured one to really stand out against your pucker suit. If you don't think you suit white, then opt for a grey coloured one. This will look great against a dark black suit.

Skirt or Suit?

If you're not sure whether to wear a skirt or suit trousers, try both combinations on first, and see what you look most comfortable in. If you do wear a skirt, make sure that it is long enough and the correct size, so that when you sit down it is not too tight; making you feel uncomfortable.

Shoes

Don't wear 4 inch heels that you cannot walk in, there is nothing stopping you from wearing heels; just wear something that is comfortable for you and that you can get along in. There would be nothing worse than tripping over in front of your interviewer. Failing that, if you don't feel comfortable wearing heels then opt for flat shoes. They will still look perfect and be the final touches to your suit. If you do wear flat shoes, make sure your trousers do not drag.

Jewellery

Make sure you keep your jewellery to a minimum. There is nothing worse than moving your arms and constantly hearing your jangly bracelets making a noise.

Handbag

Carry a portfolio along with you to make you look ultra professional. Even if it just has your notebook and pen inside, you'll feel prepared and look the part.

Perfume

This may not be an obvious one, however it is fairly important. Don't overdo your perfume, there's nothing worse than the interviewer getting a headache because your perfume is so heavy. Remember that you can't always smell it on yourself as much as others can smell it on you. Less is more ladies.