Brought to you by Carole Martin, The Interview Coach and The Career Center Interview Coach System
What if you walked into a job interview tomorrow and you were asked the questions below, would you have your answers ready? Are your stories with examples prepared? Or would you be surprised at these questions and stumble trying to come up with your answer?
1. What’s important for you in a job?
2. How do you handle working with a difficult colleague?
3. How will you add value within 30-60-90 days?
4. Tell me about your last great idea…
5. If you were put into a compromising situation at work, where would you turn?
6. Tell me about your last mistake…
Questions from interviewers will be different in every interview. How would you do if the interviewer were to ask you these questions?
You can find answers to questions and prepare by thinking “FACTORS”
What are “FACTORS?”
Employers are looking for certain qualities in an employee. By looking at a question and matching it to a factor – you can be ready with an example or a story to answer the question – no matter what the question.
It’s impossible to predict what you will be asked – but it is possible to think about what factors the interviewer will be looking for and possibly scoring you on your answers – based on the factor sought.
Common Factors For Most Jobs
These overlap in many areas – it basically boils down to about seven or eight common factors.
1. Ability to communicate orally /relate well with others – customer service
2. Ability to organize, plan, and prioritize
3. Ability to bring enthusiasm to the position – self-motivated
4. Ability to maintain a positive image – composure in stressful situations
5. Ability to evaluate information and make judgment decisions/ problem solving
6. Initiative and motivation – team/leadership
7. Ability to adapt to changing situations
8. Integrity
EXAMPLES
Question – What’s important for you in a job?
Factor – motivation, enthusiasm.
Question – How do you handle working with a difficult colleague?
Factor – communicate, relate with others
Question – How will you add value within 30-60-90 days?
Factor – self-motivated, initiative, ability to plan and organize
Question – Tell me about your last great idea.
Factor – initiative, problem solving, analyze, judgment
Question – If you were put into a compromising situation at work, where would you turn?
Factor – adapt to changing situation, maintain a positive image – composure, analyze, problem solve.
By focusing on factors rather than questions you will be able to tell stories that can relate your past experiences as indicators of your future success.