Preparation

Preparation
Know what type of interview you are to expect. Even though each is important, each also has a slightly different agenda and goal. Generally your goal for each step is to get to the next step in the process.

Phone Screen – Goal: Get an in-person interview.
As time constraints become tighter, more clients (and applicants) are requesting phone screens to take place prior to an in-person interview. While we believe an in-person interview to be more effective (given our level of pre-screening), we respect our customers choice and time.
Stand up and smile into the phone, both will increase your odds of sounding clear and friendly. Give the detail required but don’t talk yourself out of consideration. Do not express any concerns.

1st in-person – Goal: Get an offer or 2^nd interview.
This is the bread and butter interview. Re-iterate anything that took place in the phone screen and follow all the other tips.

2nd+ in-person – Goal: Get an offer.
Usually to decide between several close candidates or to allow interviews with multiple other team-member staff. Re-iterate anything that took place in the 1st in-person and follow other tips.

There are several details to be aware of even prior to going to an interview (Carroll Technology Services will provide you with as much as possible to reduce surprises).

• Understand the company you are visiting
• Get the address, direction and phone number where you are going
• Get the name, title and role of the people you are to meet with.
• Research the company thoroughly and know what its core business or product line is.
• Know what its competitors are (at least an idea if not by name)
• Know if it is profitable (public company) and growing or downsizing.
• Understand the job description

• What is the role, management, reports to, etc ?
• What skills are necessary versus preferred ?
• Match your skills and prioritize them against those requested. Also for accomplishments.
• Is the position from growth, attrition, new or replacement ?

• Understand what to expect in the interview –

• What is the interview process, application to be filled out ?
• How many interviews, groups or individual, phone or in-person ?
• What tests are to be taken ?

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Questions to expect

During the interview, remember if you do not understand what the hiring manager is asking you, don't be afraid to ask for further clarification. If you think you may not have answered the question completely or correctly, don't be afraid to say "I'm not sure I interpreted your question correctly, was that the information you were asking for?"

• Chronological outline of career and education

Break down your life into "segments" (education, first job, second job, etc.). For each segment, make note:

• why you went into the job
• what was your role, technologies used, etc.
• what you accomplished while you were there
• what did you like / dislike
• why you left

The chronology should flow logically and bring you to the present day. Be prepared to explain any gaps in time or significant changes in career direction.

• Long/Short-term goals
  Where you want to be in the short and long term and why it makes sense based on where you've been according to your history. Also, why would you be appropriate for the job you are interviewing for and why you are interested in the position ?

• Why are you looking for a new position? or Why do you want to leave ?
  It is best to respond with "I feel I’m ready to take on additional responsibilities" or "The type of technology I’m interested in is not available." Never point out negatives of the current company. Everyone realizes there has to be something you are not pleased with or you would not consider a change – don’t focus on it – focus on the positive of forward progress.

• What do you like least about you current company ?
  As above, it is best to respond with "My current company is fine, I just feel I’m ready to take on additional responsibilities" or "My current company is fine, but the type of technology I’m interested in is not available." Never point out negatives of the current company.

• How do you feel about working with ABC (specific technology) ?
  This seems like a straightforward question but can be a trap. Be positive in your answer without over committing. Many candidates eliminate themselves be saying "I really enjoy using ABC and can’t imagine not continuing to use it" thinking the interviewer feels the same way. In reality, the interviewer’s group has just decided to switch to XYZ and can’t use the ABC skills. Once you over commit, it’s virtually impossible to recover.

• Strengths?
  Technical Skills: specific technology (Windows, .
  People Skills: ability to get along well with co-workers, clients and motivate staff.
  Career motivated: team player, goal-oriented, will do whatever it takes to get the job done.

• Weaknesses?
  Never give a personal weakness, they all have a negative side. State a professional weakness. It's not a reflection on you, but rather reflects a lack of exposure that is no fault of your own.

• What are some situations in which your work was criticized?
  Give only one or two examples and emphasize how you addressed the criticism and how it is now not a problem. Ensure that you show you are open to constructive criticism.

• What do you think of your boss?
  Create a positive image, even if this is not the case.

• How long would it take you to make a meaningful contribution to our company?
  Realistically speaking, experience and requirements of the job will influence how long it will take.

• Why haven't you found a new position before now?
  Explain that finding the right job is more important than just finding a job. This can be a difficult task as the current economy may be a factor.

• Why were you laid off?
  Be as positive as possible. Do not discuss interpersonal conflicts, regardless of how sympathetic the interviewer may seem. Discuss economic conditions. Do not go into much detail unless asked.

• Why should we hire you? or Are you interested in this job?
  Explain why this is a logical position for you, sum up your work history and re-emphasize your strongest qualities and achievements. Above all, let the interviewer know that you will be an asset to the company.

PROFESSIONAL MATURITY

• What are the major problems you've run into at your current position and how have you handled them?
• What would you do if (name an adverse situation that he/she may likely encounter)?
• If you disagreed with a superior's decision, what actions would you take?
• If you could make a major policy change at your present company what would it be?
• Tell me about what you learned from your previous jobs.
• What did you dislike most about your last job?
• What do you think you would like least about this job/company/field?
• What recommendations do you have on how your current organization could improve its product, financial position, etc?

SKILL LEVEL

• What are your responsibilities?
• What do you feel you can learn from this position?
• What are your greatest strengths? Your weaknesses?
• What was the biggest contribution you made in your current position?
• Do you have a final statement?
• What makes you different from the other candidates for this position?
• Describe the accomplishment of which you are the most proud.
• How did you select your degree ?
• Describe the job or the activity that has had the greatest impact on your career goals.
• How would your references rate your technical competence?

CHARACTER

• What is the most important aspect of a job to you?
• Where do you see yourself in five years? In ten years?
• What items would you like me to know about you that are not on your resume?
• What would you like your lasting impression to be?
• If you could invite anyone you would like to a dinner party (famous or historical figures, dead or alive), which ten people would you invite?
• If you could trade places with someone for a week, who would it be?
• Have you ever failed at anything?
• What has been your greatest challenge?
• How would you describe your ideal work environment?

COMPATIBILITY

• What interests you about our organization?
• How would your co-workers rate you as a team player?
• Why are you leaving your current company?
• How would your references describe you?
• What interests/impresses you about this company?
• What do you believe are the key issues and problems in our industry today?
• What do you think it takes to be successful in this field?
• What other jobs/fields are you considering?
• In what kind of work environment do you do your best work?
• With what kind of people do you like to work?
• What kinds of tasks and responsibilities motivate you the most?
• What is your ideal job?
• Do you have a geographical preference?
• What do you expect to get from this position that you're not getting now?

CREATIVITY

• What do you do in your spare time?
• What was the last book you read and why did you like/dislike it?
• What do you enjoy doing outside of work-in your free time?
• What is your favorite book/movie/song/painting-or author/actor/singer/artist?
• Which magazines/newspapers do you read regularly? Which books have you read recently?
• What do you do in your spare time?
• If you had six months ahead with no obligations and no financial constraints, what would you do?

OTHER QUESTIONS

Behavioral or Situational Questions: In order to hear more than generalities from a candidate, interviewers may ask questions about specific experiences from your past.

• Tell me about a time when you demonstrated initiative. Describe an example of your leadership ability.
• Tell me about an experience that you have had working on a team when the group could not proceed due to an interpersonal conflict-how did you respond and what role did you play on the team? Interviewers will assume that your answers to these questions will reveal interesting information about you and may be reliable predictors of your behavior in future situations.

Illegal Questions: Most employers know that it is illegal to ask about age, ethnic background, national origin, marital status, family planning, or sexual, religious, or political preference. Try to think about why the question was asked and respond directly to that concern without answering the question.

• If you are asked how many children you plan to have, you may choose to answer, "If you are concerned about my ability to travel, I can assure you that my family responsibilities will not interfere with my ability to do the traveling that is necessary for this position."

Role Play Questions: Some interviewers like to ask you to role play, posing a question such as "Imagine that you were the Director of Marketing and the CEO presented the following problem to you, how would you handle it?" The variations are endless. Remember to think for a moment or two before you begin to answer.

Industry-specific Questions: Even for entry-level positions, some interviewers will want to get a sense of how much you know about the industry. For example, they might ask a question like "Can you explain the difference between an investment bank and a commercial bank?"

Current Events Questions: Sometimes in an effort to be conversational or to actually gain information about your political views, an interviewer will ask for your opinion on an upcoming election or a current event of particular interest. Be wary of expressing strong political opinions when you don't know about the political culture of the organization or the orientation of the person interviewing you. It is best to be brief and to say something nonpartisan.

"Do you have any questions you'd like to ask of me?"
(see the Questions to Ask section for examples)

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• Questions to ask  (again some of these Carroll Technology Services will have already provided the answers to)

Make a list of 10 to 12 questions addressing the company and the position. Remember not to ask about money, benefits or working hours.

• What is the expected growth of the company in the next 3-5 years ?
• Does the company have plans to expand internationally?
• What has the historical growth of the company been in the last 3-5 years ?
• Can you tell me which new markets the company is currently considering entering?
• Does this company have many strategic partnerships?
• What is the expected growth of the department in the next 3-5 years ?
• Is the company likely to acquire any other companies (or be acquired) ?
• I understand that you have just introduced a new product. How has it been received thus far?
• Who decides (and How do they) on future technologies to implement ?
• What computer systems/software would I be using immediately (in 1 years, in 3 years) ?
• Why did you join this company ? What do you like about this company ?
• What team would I be part of ? Who will I be?
• Who would I report to / interfacing with? Individual or matrix organization ?
• What special projects would I be working on ? How is project work allocated among the team?
• How many projects does a person work on simultaneously?
• Are there any problems/difficulties with the position ?
• Is the position due to growth or turnover ?
• How has the recent restructuring of this organization affected this department?
• What is most important to succeed in the position ?
• What are the potential career paths that might be taken by those who begin as job title?

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