Job Interview Articles

I think "CareerJournal.com" is a really useful site, and a number of articles caught my eye. The first one I read was "How to Answer Any Interview Question" because who DOESN'T want to know the answer to this? At first I didn't agree with what they were saying. The article basically said to have a few main points you want to convey in your interview and, no matter what the question asks, somehow get this point across. The first thing that came to my mind was a Powerword from 10th grade English--"circumlocution!" I felt like anyone who did this would seem like a politician talking in a roundabout way. The article went on to say that, unlike politicians, job interviewees must be respectful to their interviewer and answer the question with the content required. There was then a little formula that I thought made a lot of sense:

Q=A+1

"Q" is the question asked by the interviwer, "A" is the answer you give them directing the content of the question, "+"is the bridge between answering the question and a main point you want to make, and "1" is the point you want to make. The article said that if you just use the formula "Q=A" in an interview, then the interviewer is in control of the session.

One word sums up the best way to prepare for an interview: RESEARCH! The article gave examples of the importance of knowing company background to make you really stand out in an interview. For example, if you know the company is having financial difficulties, if an interview question asks about your strengths in a previous job be sure to incorporate how well you handled money (producing quality goods on time and under budget, etc.)

My dad has conducted quite a few interviews, and he has give me some useful advice. One of the best things I've learned is the realization that you (the interviewee) are essentially in control of the interview session. The interviewer isn't there to prove you wrong or hoping you don't work out--he or she WANTS you to be the perfect person so that the company can end their search. He told me that often the interviewers even try to talk themselves into thinking that an interviewee will work just so they can stop searching. So, as a little confidence boost, keep in mind that the interviewer really wants you to be the prefect match--all you have to do is show your skills to prove it.