What Things an Interviewer is Looking For in You-Present Best Interview Answers-Mention Resume

What are employers looking for during the interview?

1) Do you really want the job?

2) Can you actually do the job?

3) Would this job be a great fit for you?

4) Are you self-sufficient?

Here’s how to accomplish each of the four things the interviewer is looking for:

(1) Do you really want the job?

· Identify aspects of the job that appeal to you

· Research the organization – long-term stability/open-minded attitude/ethics, etc.

· Pinpoint characteristics that appeal to you – diversity, etc.

· Is the job in a favorable location?

· On your resume, work in aspects that appeal to you from the job that relate to your prior job experience

(2) Can you actually do the job?

· Select your top skills that relate to the job

· Establish most relevant hands-on experience

· Identify relevant education and training

· Mention relevant personal qualities

· Prepare for questions that ask about your computer and communication skills

(3) Would this job be a great fit for you?

· Prepare to talk about ways in which you resolved conflict

· Prepare to talk about ways in which you dealt with diversity

· Prepare to discuss your teamwork and leadership experiences

· Prepare to explain your management philosophy and experiences

· Identify your work style preference

(4) Are you self-sufficient?

· Prepare to discuss your life outside of work

· How do you resolve problems?

· Identify your time-management skills

· Prepare to discuss how you adapt to change and learning new things

· What is your degree of self-confidence?

Here are some questions they may use ask themselves to assess these previous four questions:

Competence – Did the interviewee…

· Communicate skills and knowledge, and use specific examples to present their experiences?

· Convey knowledge of the position and the organization?

· Address any lacking skills or knowledge or experiences?

Communication Skills – Did the interviewee…

· Answer questions that were asked?

· Give well-organized responses of appropriate volume and length?

· Use correct grammar and professional language?

· Refrain from using hand gestures and repeating themselves?

Enthusiasm – Did the interviewee…

· Express interest in the job? (i.e. eye contact, smile, attentive posture)

· Demonstrate a positive attitude toward self, position, and organization?

Poise/Maturity – Did the interviewee…

· Answer all questions in a credible and professional manner?

Leadership – Did the interviewee…

· Present examples of taking initiative in completing tasks?

An interviewer usually has a checklist in order to easily assess each candidate. Here is an example of such a checklist:

1. Punctual or early for interview

2. Resume or other paperwork presented at the interview

3. Confident approach (i.e. handshake)

4. Good eye contact

5. Body posture (i.e. never slumped)

6. Attention to professional attire

7. Showed enthusiasm (i.e. never gave negative comments)

8. Appeared calm and poised (i.e. didn’t express nervousness/refrained from using words such as “like”/ “you know” / “you guys”)

9. Exhibited self-confidence (i.e. smile, tone of voice, prepared/ refrained from saying “not very good at that”)

10. Articulated thoughts clearly (i.e. refrained from “ums”/ prompt with examples/ never vague with an answer)

11. Shared examples to demonstrate job-related skills (i.e. never vague)

12. Responded well to a situational question

13. Showed focus in relation to career goals

14. Prepared for the interview (i.e. researched the organization and shows an interest in its stability and growth)

15. Asked appropriate questions

Here are a few general questions an interviewer may ask:

1. Why don’t we begin by you telling me about yourself?

2. How has your education/training prepared you for this position?

3. If you have a poor GPA, they may ask – Tell me about your GPA. Could you have done better?

4. What two or three things have you learned from past work experiences?

5. What are your strengths? Weaknesses?

6. If I were to ask someone who knows you, how would they describe you?

7. What qualifications do you have that make you feel you may be successful in this position?

8. Give me an example of how you worked under pressure.

9. Why did you apply for this position?

10. Why should I hire you?

11. Is there anything else you may want me to know about you that we didn’t get to already?

Question #8 is a special question. It’s called a Situational or Behavior-Based question. These forms of questions are used to determine how a candidate approaches situations. It is an opportunity for the employer to see the candidate thinking critically about him or herself. It is understood that past behavior tends to predict future behavior, and so these forms of questions are a brief indicator of predicting such future behavior.

There are many other types of interview questions being utilized. There are specific questions for a graduate school applicant, teaching position, teaching/research position, and a medical school applicant, etc.

The next step is to understand how best to answer those difficult interview questions. The best way to prepare for this is to practice answering these types of questions.

Lastly, remember to have questions to ask the employer. In this way, you can get an insight into the work environment.

Good luck!