Dealing With Interview Situations
Q: I don't think my interview went well. What can I do to lessen that first
impression of me--do I ask for another interview?
A: It is hard to lessen the impact of a first impression. It would be better
to ask for a chat with the interviewer to understand what you did wrong and to
ask for suggestions to help you in the future. This may turn into another
opportunity, but is should initially come across as though you really want to
improve on yourself and your interview skills.
Q: I was late for an interview and didn't know how to explain it. What should
I have done?
A: It is hard to explain being late especially when most people have access to
a phone. If you think you are going to be late, it is better to call in
advance and say that you may be running fifteen minutes late. That way, even
if you are not, you have still given yourself an extra margin, which will be
more understandable if you call in advance.
Robin Wilson is a Corporate Recruiter and has experience from working with
Houghton Mifflin Company, Isaacson Miller and Mercer Management Consulting.
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Have the Obvious Answers Ready
You can never be sure exactly what you will be asked at a job interview, but
certain questions are more likely to arise than others, and you should be
prepared for them. By developing solid answers to questions that are likely to
be asked, you will probably be in a better position to answer questions that
you had not anticipated.
Go through the 21 practice interview questions we have included here. At
first, you may wish to read the sample response and the accompanying
discussion. Later, as you begin to feel more comfortable with the questions,
you can try answering them without any help, as you would during a real
interview. How did you do?
Try to structure your responses in a way that conveys that you are someone the
employer would want to hire. In other words, project yourself as someone who
is likely to stay with the company for a number of years, who is achievement
oriented, who will fit in well with the other people, who is likable. Of
course, you should also try to present yourself as someone who is capable of
performing extremely well in the position.
Q: I don't think my interview went well. What can I do to lessen that first
impression of me--do I ask for another interview?
A: It is hard to lessen the impact of a first impression. It would be better
to ask for a chat with the interviewer to understand what you did wrong and to
ask for suggestions to help you in the future. This may turn into another
opportunity, but is should initially come across as though you really want to
improve on yourself and your interview skills.
Q: I was late for an interview and didn't know how to explain it. What should
I have done?
A: It is hard to explain being late especially when most people have access to
a phone. If you think you are going to be late, it is better to call in
advance and say that you may be running fifteen minutes late. That way, even
if you are not, you have still given yourself an extra margin, which will be
more understandable if you call in advance.
Robin Wilson is a Corporate Recruiter and has experience from working with
Houghton Mifflin Company, Isaacson Miller and Mercer Management Consulting.
******************************************************************************
*****
Have the Obvious Answers Ready
You can never be sure exactly what you will be asked at a job interview, but
certain questions are more likely to arise than others, and you should be
prepared for them. By developing solid answers to questions that are likely to
be asked, you will probably be in a better position to answer questions that
you had not anticipated.
Go through the 21 practice interview questions we have included here. At
first, you may wish to read the sample response and the accompanying
discussion. Later, as you begin to feel more comfortable with the questions,
you can try answering them without any help, as you would during a real
interview. How did you do?
Try to structure your responses in a way that conveys that you are someone the
employer would want to hire. In other words, project yourself as someone who
is likely to stay with the company for a number of years, who is achievement
oriented, who will fit in well with the other people, who is likable. Of
course, you should also try to present yourself as someone who is capable of
performing extremely well in the position.
