Page 15 - 101 Dynamite Answers to Interview Questions

8 Nail the Job Interview!

apprehension, raising your anticipation, and focusing on the main
purpose of the interview - exchanging information that will help you
make a critical career decision as well as assist the employer in malung
an important hiring decision.

Prepare Your "Best Self"

The slulls involved in answering and asking interview questions are not
something you acquire overnight by reading a book on how to conduct
effective job interviews. They are communication skills you already
possess but which you may not have used for a while. What you need to
do is refocus and sharpen those slulls in relation to a clear understanding
of how the interview process unfolds and what you are expected to do in
the interview situation.
You want to prepare well for all types of questions you are likely to be
asked as well as identify several questions you need to ask of the employ-
er. This preparation involves everything from anticipating certain types
of questions and maintaining a positive attitude to expressing a particular
answering style and presenting positive content in your answers.
You want to be honest in everything you say and do. This by no means
implies you should be either naive or stupid in what you say by confessing
your weaknesses to hiring officials. You need to stress what is right about
you - your strengths and achievements - those patterns that determine
and support your success. This is what you should concentrate on when
preparing for the interview - presenting your best self to employers who
are interested in hiring your strengths.
Without this preparation, you may not be able to present your best
self to the employer. Your dry throat, sweaty palms, and wobbly knees
may tale center stage as you male numerous interview mistakes that
prevent you from both impressing the employer and acquiring useful
information. That would be unfortunate, since you have already come a
long way toward landing the job. Whatever you do, don't short-change
yourself by not preparing well for possible interview questions.

You Need to Both Answer and Ask Questions

This is what this book is all about - learning to sharpen communication
slulls you already possess in relation to the interview situation and the