Interview Questions

The following is a summary of the skills you will develop in preparing for Interview Questions:

• Understanding that interview questions are a test of how you conduct your work; a projection of how you will do your job under structured conditions; and the quality and character of your work ethics
• Preparing for questions that are designed to measure your past performance; questions that may be masked and designed to measure your underlying character and personality

Potential candidates are scrutinized, sorted, and selected based on the quality of the resume and cover letter they submitted to the hiring manager.  The final 4-6 candidates are usually interviewed face-to-face, although in some cases the interview may still be conducted remotely through video conferencing systems.

During the face-to-face job interview each candidate is evaluated based on how they look on paper and how that compares to the person in front of them. The resume is static, compared to the live interview, which is dynamic and flexible.

A rough cut for the most qualified candidates was made based on their work history, responsibilities, accomplishments, career progression, education, and a summary of the candidate’s career.  The interview is designed to evaluate the depth and flexibility of the experience, ability, and personal characteristics of each finalist.  It is designed to assess their specific and general knowledge, and their behavior under various live spontaneous circumstances.

Many questions today are skewed to the past and projected behavior of the candidate under diverse pressures and challenges.  Questions may also be asked about hypothetical circumstances introducing different challenges which test decision-making, judgment, flexibility, and behavior under pressure.

Generally, answers to questions should be kept succinct and definite.  See Rules of the Road for word use that demonstrates a positive outlook and results.  Also look for the “silent pause” from the interviewer, which is designed to produce unsolicited information.

I strongly recommend you have questions prepared to ask the hiring manager, throughout the interview and when s(he) says at the end of the interview: “Do you have any questions for me?”  Come prepared by bringing 8 – 10 questions to ask the hiring manager.  These questions should come from your research about the company, the industry, the hiring manager, the leadership of the company, direction, and current events and news which may apply.

I recommend practicing interview questions, but without scripting your responses.  Refer to samples of questions in my Source Blog and my upcoming book, Job Hunting Launching to Landing, to decide what the interviewer is really asking when they pose a specific question.