Job Interviews: 19 Articles About What They Do

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27 Job Interview Tips

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When to Show Up

Wait until 10 minutes before your scheduled interview time to announce yourself. Arriving any sooner shows that you're not respectful of the time the hiring manager put aside for you. A candidate who arrived an hour early made workers uncomfortable. Companies really don't want someone camped out in their lobby.

The Interview

Signal confidence by offering a firm handshake.

Avoid looking around the room, tapping your fingers, or other nervous movements.

No matter how you're feeling, keep your personal woes out of the interview process. For example, if you were laid off, instead of lamenting the situation, you might say the experience prompted you to reassess your skills, and that's what led you here. "You want to demonstrate resilience in the face of unpredictable obstacles."

When you've done your homework on the company by explaining how your background and track record relates to its current needs.

Find out how recent changes in the marketplace have affected the firm, its competitors and industry overall. Read recent company press releases, annual reports, media coverage and industry blogs, and consult with trusted members of your network.

Questions to be Ready to Answer

What are your positive leadership qualities?

What are your strengths and weaknesses?

Can you describe a time when you had to make a decision in a crisis?

Tell me something about you I can’t read on your resume?

Questions to Ask

What would be your highest priority for me to accomplish?

What does success look like in this position, and how do you measure it?

How can I best contribute to the department’s goals?

What would you say are the top two personality traits someone needs to do this job well?

What improvements or changes do you hope the new candidate will bring to this position?

I know this company prides itself on X and Y, so what would you say is the most important aspect of your culture?

Do you like working here?

Is there anything that stands out to you that makes you think I might not be the right fit for this job?

What were the best things about the last person who held this position?

To whom do I report and what does that mean in terms of authority?

Who will I be working most closely with?

Are there opportunities for professional development?

Salary

Your best bet is to wait until you're extended a job offer before talking pay.

Come prepared, having researched the average pay range for a position in case you're pressured to name your price. You might say, for example, that money isn't a primary concern for you and that you're just looking for something fair. You can try turning the tables by asking interviewers what the company has budgeted for the position.

Follow Up

After an interview, make sure to address thank-yous to the right people. Look closely for spelling and grammatical errors.

Don't stalk the interviewer. Wait at least a week before checking on your candidacy.

Leave a message if you get voicemail.

More Job Tips

27 articles about job interview prep

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4 tricks for getting rid of your nerves and appearing more confident in a job interview - Business Insider

38 Smart Questions to Ask in a Job Interview - Harvard Business Review

41 impressive questions to ask in a job interview - ZDnet

6 Interview Questions that will make any employer want to hire you - PR Daily

7 Things you never say in a PR agency job interview - PR Daily

8 Questions To Ask An Interviewer - GlassDoor

10 self-sabotaging interview mistakes to avoid  - The Week

Avoid these 9 mistakes when answering interview questions - Fast Company

How to Answer Anecdotal Interview Questions - LifeHacker

How to Answer ‘Tell Me About Yourself’ - Undercover Recruiter

How to answer the 5 most essential interview questions - USA Today

How To Recognize Red Flags At A Job Interview - Digg

How to speak body language during an interview - PR Daily

How to Succeed in a Virtual Interview - Indeed

Interview Questions to Ask Your Interviewer - Dave Ceddia

It Pays to Ask Smart Questions at a Job Interview - Wall Street Journal ($)

How to Succeed in Your Next Job Interview - Harvard Business Review (video)

Interview Killers - Wall Street Journal ($)

Job Applicant's Social Fit can Trump Qualifications - Bloomberg

Learn What an Unstructured Interview Is and How to Prepare - Glass Door

Rookie Mistakes on Your First Job Interview - Ivan Dimitrijevic

Should you Admit Why You Were Fired? - Fortune

Talking Too Much - Wall Street Journal ($)

There's a Right Answer to What's Your Greatest Weakness in a Job Interview - Inc

What should you do if asked about your salary history in a job interview?  - Washington Post

What to Say When You Don't Have an answer to an Interview Question - LifeHacker  

Your ultimate guide to ace the most common interview questions - Fast Company

More Job Tips

What you should prepare to do during job interviews

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Be prepared to answer:

What are your values, goals, weaknesses?
What don't you like to do?
What work environment do you NOT like?
What's your passion for life and career?
Describe yourself.

Before the interview:

Take deep breaths
Remember they want to find the right person, they want you to do well
Listen, eye contact, sit up straight, enthusiasm, confidence (sound authoritative)

The interview: 3 types

-Behavior-specific skills (ex: tell me about the time..)
-Case-specific problems (ex: here a business case for you to work through..)
-Stress (more than one interviewer firing questions, i.e. let's see how you do under stress)

The company:

Where do you see the co in the next 5 years?
How would you describe the atmosphere here? (formal or informal, etc)
How does the company support work-life balance?
Are things handled differently for in-office and hybrid workers?
How does the company determine salary levels?

The position:

Reason last person left? How long was she in that position?
What did you like about the last person in this position?
How many times has it turned over in the last 5 years? (if a lot, ask why)
Who do I report to? Who would work under me?
What are my responsibilities?
Describe a typical day.
Do you have a written job description (get a copy)
What is the potential for promotion?
What is the greatest challenge I will face?
What problems might I face in the job?
How would you describe your management style?
How soon do you hope to make a decision?
Can I take a tour of the facilities?
Why is this position available?
Do you have any hesitancy in hiring me?

Benefits:

Health benefits booklet?
holidays and vacations?
Do you have any “employee resource groups” (erg)?

"Thank you for meeting with me."

Be ready to answer these 12 questions during a job interview

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12 Common Job Interview Questions

› What do you know about our company?
Or Are you a consumer of our product?

The employer hopes to learn..
Did you prepare for this interview? Did you do your homework?
Be ready to offer specifics.

› Why should we consider you for this position?
Or Why do you think you are a good fit for this position?

The employer hopes to learn..
Are you confident in your abilities? What does the company gain by hiring you?

› What are your strengths and weaknesses?

The employer hopes to learn..
Companies expect honesty in answering this question. You should be able to articulate what you are best at and areas you are working to improve.

› What do you want to be doing 5 years from now?

The employer hopes to learn..
Are you goal directed? Or will you be satisfied with an entry-level position?

› What other jobs experiences have you had?

The employer hopes to learn..
Have you held a job before? How long have you been working? Did you get along with others?

› What people have been important influences in your life?

The employer hopes to learn..
People quick to credit others often work well with others and are not driven by ego

› Are you a self-starter?

The employer hopes to learn..
Can you work alone and without direct supervision? If not given a task, are you the type of person who will take the initiative to find something to do?

› What are your interests apart from work?
Or What’s special about you? What do you bring to the job that will help you succeed?

The employer hopes to learn..
Hobbies, activities and other interests indicate people who are well rounded and can manage time and work. It’s an opportunity to sell yourself.

› Tell me about a problem you solved recently.

The employer hopes to learn..
Insight on your problem-solving skills.

› Tell me about a goal you recently achieved. What did your initial plan look like? What worked particularly well?

The employer hopes to learn..
Can you talk in detail about a goal you have achieved—where you created your own plan and not only followed those plans but adapted to circumstances and changing conditions.

› Tell me about a goal you failed to achieve.

The employer hopes to learn..
If you take responsibilities for failing without blaming other people or outside factors. Can you admit you were wrong and willing to change your mind. This will also indicate whether you learned from your experience: can you describe in detail what perspectives, skills, and expertise you gained from that training.

› How do you handle stress