Other questions that allow you to sell yourself include, “Why should we hire you?” and “What are your greatest strengths?” When applying to a sales job, you can say something like, “I graduated from business school and got right into sales. I worked for Joe’s Sales Inc. for three years before being promoted to sales lead. I consistently exceeded my quota and was the top in my team for most months out of the year. I have a love for communicating and closing deals. "
For instance, if an employer asks you to describe a challenging work situation and how you overcame it, you could say something like, “When I worked at Sue’s Grocery we had a very limited budget and broken equipment. I was able to look at the expenses and came up with cost saving strategies that allowed us to reduce our payroll costs. This enabled us to take the extra money and repair the equipment we couldn’t afford to fix. "
When going for a computer related job, make sure that you cite all the software and programming languages that you have experience using. When applying for a service industry job, knowing how point of sale systems and kitchen equipment works is a huge plus. Cite specifics. You can say something like, “I’ve worked with the POS system called Sales Force at the last restaurant and I worked in. I also have experience taking orders and using a deep fryer. I’m fast, clean, and committed to ensuring that the guest leaves happy. "
When going for a marketing job, make sure that you demonstrate your knowledge of both digital and traditional media. Cite all of the platforms that you have a following on and any networking connections that you may have. You can say something like, “I’ve worked with the Daily News, Inquirer, Local News, and the Chronicle with past events. I also have a huge following on Twitter and Instagram. I know how to determine trends before they trend. " If you’re a programmer you could say, “I’ve created layouts for websites, worked with PHP and CSS as well as Javascript and Ruby. I am really a big fan of responsive design and functionality when creating a website or app. "
If you catch yourself slouching over or looking off into different directions, try to reset your behavior by consciously changing the way that you’re sitting and interacting. When you first meet the person you’re interviewing, it’s customary to give them a handshake and to introduce yourself. Do not fidget or play with something while the interview is taking place. This can make you seem uninterested or distracted.
Speaking loudly and clearly shows your authority over what you’re talking about. Try to leave out filler words like “um” and “uh. " Think of your responses before you start to talk.
Try to be as natural as possible, but don’t look away while the person is talking. This can be perceived as rude and ruin your chances on the interview. Another method is to draw a triangle on a person’s face and adjust your gaze to each corner every ten seconds. This may make eye contact less awkward for you. [8] X Research source
Instead of bad mouthing a previous employer, say something like, “I really enjoyed the people I worked with and the company itself. I felt like I was able to grow and learn a lot from those around me. While it wasn’t everything that I wanted, it still gave me the mentality to succeed in the industry and I’m grateful for the experience there. " Do not oversell yourself, or artificially inflate your accomplishments or ability. This could backfire if you actually get the job and are unable to fulfill your duties. To reaffirm interest in the job, you can say something like, “I think the company culture here is great, and I’d be grateful for the opportunity to work for you. "
An answer to “Tell me about yourself” could be something like, “I hope to grow within my position here and take on more responsibility. I hope to learn a lot within the industry and become better at my job. " A temporary or contract position could develop into a full time job.
Being specific about the company will show the interviewer that you did your research and are serious about the job. Find things about the company that align with your personal interests. For instance, if you’re interested in sustainability, see if the company you’re applying to has a sustainability initiative and read about it. You don’t need to memorize things like when the company was founded or specific details that don’t go towards your position. While having this knowledge may impress an employer, concentrating on memorizing this information will give you less time to prepare for more critical aspects of the interview.
The most common interview questions include, “Why do you want the job?” “What are your strengths and weaknesses?” and “Can you complete the tasks and duties of the job?” Other questions may include, “Tell me about your past experience,” “What is your biggest accomplishment?” “Are you a team player?” “Why should I hire you?” and “Why are you the best person for this position?"[11] X Research source
Eliminate the amount you say “uh,” “um,” and “like. “[12] X Research source If you forget an answer to a question, refer back to your answers. Keep in mind that you won’t be able to use your notes for an in-person interview. Ask whoever is helping you practice to provide feedback after the faux interview.
You could ask a question like, “So you said that I’d be writing headlines for new articles. Do you know what industry I’d be writing about?” Avoid asking questions about benefits packages or salaries before an official offer is made or the employer specifically asks you for salary requirements.
Avoid loud and flashy colors and any clothing that has text. When in doubt, always dress more conservatively.
If you have children or pets, make sure they are in the other room so you can concentrate on answering the questions. Do not have an instant messenger or website open while answering questions on the interview. Get a pen and paper ready in case you need to write anything down. Keyboard clicks can be loud and distracting during an interview.
Do not respond to questions word for word by reading off your cheat sheet. Try to make your responses as natural sounding as possible. Hit the major points that you’ve outlined in your cheat sheet and adapt depending on the interviewer’s questions.
While a silence may feel awkward, it’s better than going on an unrelated tangent and dominating the conversation. Smile as you answer your questions. They won’t be able to see it, but it will affect the way your voice sounds. [17] X Research source
The way you look and feel dictates your energy level during a phone interview.
