[00:05.16]061. Questions Asked in an Interview [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.