S.D. Kelly & Associates

Face to Face Interview Tips

Preparation

  • Research the company, its marketplace and key competitors.

  • Prepare a list of relevant questions that will help you evaluate the company and opportunity.

  • Review your qualifications for the position.

  • Prepare answers to specific and broad questions about yourself.

  • Review your resume; be prepared to substantiate everything.

  • Practice interviewing with a friend or relative.

  • Arrive 10-15 minutes before the scheduled time of your interview.

Personal Appearance

  • Be well groomed.

  • Dress appropriately; wear a conservative business suit whenever possible.

The Interview

  • Know the names of your interviewers and firmly shake hands as you meet.

  • Approach the interview with energy and enthusiasm.

  • Do not use slang and/or profanity.

  • Build rapport with each interviewer.

  • Ask probing questions about the position and the organization.

  • Demonstrate your listening skills.

  • Draw correlations between your background and requirements of the position.

  • Use closing skills with each interviewer; attempt to move process forward to next step.

  • Thank the interviewer and follow up with a carefully constructed and proofread letter.

  1. First paragraph - Thank interviewer for his/her time

  2. Second paragraph - Resell interviewer(s) on the assets you bring to position as well as why you feel this is a positive career opportunity.

  3. Third paragraph - Address the issue of closure to move process to the next step.

Interviewing Questions

  • We've outlined a number of questions that are likely to be presented to you in an interview.

  • Why are you interviewing with us?

  • What kind of work interests you most?

  • Describe your ideal job.

  • If you were hiring for this position, what would you be looking for?

  • How do you determine your priorities?

  • How do you plan your day/week?

  • What do you consider to be your strengths?

  • What have you done that shows initiative?

  • What have your biggest challenges been?

  • What happens when two or more priorities compete for your time?

  • What's the toughest communication problem you have faced?Have you ever worked in a place where it seemed to be just one crisis after another? If so, how did you handle it? How did you feel?

  • What do you consider to be areas for self-improvement?

  • Define team building.

  • What qualities should a successful manager possess?

  • How are you best managed?

  • Describe the best manager you've ever had. Describe the toughest manager you've ever had.

  • For what have you been most frequently criticized?

  • Cite one or more outstanding achievements.

Your responses enable the interviewer to determine if you possess the following core skills and qualities:

  • Communication/presentation

  • Analytical problem-solving skills

  • Self-motivation

  • Creativity/vision

  • Organization/time management

  • Cooperative team member

  • Leadership capabilities

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