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How to Anticipate Key Questions in an Employment Interview

Proper preparation helps an interviewer separate the ideal candidate from the other applicants. Competition for jobs can be fierce, but a candidate who has thoughtful, detailed answers to the critical questions will impress the interviewer. You wouldn't expect to go into any other examination or test without studying, so don't expect to be successful by winging the job interview without sufficient preparation. Fortunately, there are ways to anticipate the key questions you may be asked, allowing you to prepare thorough, relevant responses that will wow the hiring manager.

Instructions

    • 1

      Read the job description and vacancy announcement carefully to identify the key skills and abilities required to fulfill the position. Expect to be asked hypothetical or behavioral questions to assess your competence in these areas. For example, if one of the skills is "excellent customer service" you may be asked to tell the interviewer about a time you had to deal with a difficult, unreasonable customer and what you did to resolve the issue.

    • 2

      Research the company. Find out about the company's locations, products, employees and current performance data. Identify recent achievements, media coverage and any challenges the business is facing. Most -- if not all -- the information you'll need should be readily available on the Internet. If you can't find adequate data, speak to your networking contacts or direct your questions to the human resources department. Thorough preparation is key -- if you understand the company's business, you'll be better able to anticipate the company's current concerns and the key questions you may be asked.

    • 3

      Review standard interview questions that are frequently asked in interviews. Your local library will often have interviewing guides containing sample questions, or you can find examples on the Internet. Common questions include, "What are your greatest strengths?" "Where do you see yourself in five years?" "What interests you about working for this company?" and "Why do you want to leave your current job?" Practice answering standard interview questions with a friend until you feel comfortable with your responses.

    • 4

      Ask the company's human resources department about the interview format, and try to find out the names and job titles of the interviewing panel. Research each of the individuals on the panel and consider their roles within the organization. This can give you a clue to the questions they will ask and the components each member will be looking for in your answers. The CFO, for example, might be interested in your ability to manage your division's budget, whereas the HR director might want to know how you'd handle disputes between employees.

    • 5

      Ask your networking contacts about their own interview experiences. This will give you some insight about the hiring practices of the company overall, particularly if your contact was interviewed for the same position, or by any of the same people. Check if your contacts have subsequently participated on an interview panel with any of the individuals who'll be interviewing you, and ask about that experience. Inquire if any key issues currently exist within the division you're applying for, and check if there are any issues that you should talk about -- or avoid altogether.

Tips & Warnings

  • Identify key points you want to communicate rather than answers to specific questions. This will help you to answer a variety of questions on a range of topics.

  • Don't over-rehearse, or you run the risk of sounding scripted and insincere.

  • If you ask your networking contacts for information, make sure they're well-respected members of the organization. You don't want to rely on individuals whose priorities might not be aligned with the current mission and direction of the company.

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