What to Say in a Job Interview: Open-ended Questions
Employers want to get the information they need to make a
safe, profitable hiring decision. You, the candidate, want
some privacy and a fair chance to be considered based on
your merits. Open-ended interview questions generally
achieve both goals.
For instance, instead of an employer asking "Are you
living with anyone?" she may phrase the question as "Do you
foresee any situations that would prevent you from traveling
or relocating?" The employer may want to know whether you
have any limitations regarding work schedule or whether you
have roots in the area that will encourage you to stay. The
less direct question allows you to decide what information
about your private life applies to the job at hand. Of
course, if you are not prepared for such a question, you
could provide information that might damage your chances for
getting the job.
So, you see, employers often want to know details of your
personal situation for legitimate reasons. They want to be
sure that you can be depended on to stay on the job and work
hard. Your takes in the interview is to provide information
indicating that, yes, you can be counted on to do the job.
If you don't get that idea across, you will probably not be
considered for the job.
Once a person has covered the external factors in getting
prepared for a job interview, gone over questions that will
probably be asked during the interview as well as some
unexpected questions that might come up, the next step is to
get yourself prepared on how to act in the interview. Make
sure that going into the interview you don�t overdo the
rehearsal of the interview and your responses. You want to
be ready and rehearsed but not overdone on either count. You
want to be confident and relaxed when walking into an
interview and a good way to begin this process is do a
little homework on the company you are going to interview
for. Since you'll be getting some background on what they
are all about this will hopefully make it easier for you to
relax. Becoming more familiar with them should help ease
some of your nerves.
Once you are in the interview and have greeted the
interviewer or interviewers with a firm handshake and eye
contact, you are now ready to begin. As the questioning
begins remain calm and keep occasional eye contact going
throughout the interview with everybody that is there. You
want to remain somewhat loose because the person or persons
doing the interviewing and/or hiring are going to want to
work with someone they like and enjoy talking to. Too much
nervousness can raise questions about your confidence and
ability to lead (Kirrane, 1996). Another thing besides being
too nervous that can kill an interview is to talk too much
about yourself. Instead, try to show them some positives
that you can bring to the company. This is much more
important to them than going on and on about yourself. They
want to know what you can add to their company, not what
your favorite cookie is. In order to be successful in
today�s higher powered interviews you are going to have to
show them that you fully understand that company�s needs as
well as demonstrate for them that you possess the skills to
handle the position. Most importantly though, you may have
to convince the company your are interviewing for that you
are in sync with their corporate culture.
After you have gone through the interview and answered
their questions to the best of your ability and hopefully
presented yourself in a positive manner you may be asked
about salary. Knowing what similar jobs and positions are
making will aid you in your quest for equal money. One thing
not to do is to play hardball. It would not be a good idea
to start demanding certain dollar amounts in an interview.
If they give a certain dollar amount and you think it is too
low for your qualifications and experience then simply show
them some figures on what is the going rate for someone in
this position with your qualifications. If this doesn't work
then negotiate with them; ask them if maybe raises or
bonuses are a part of this position if certain tasks or
goals are met in the first six months to a year. No hardball
is needed, just negotiate with them (Alderman, 1995).
In closing out the interview be sure to offer a handshake
and smile. Keep eye contact going and maybe say something
like, "Thank you for your time, and I look forward to
hearing form you." You always want to keep the eye contact
going throughout, from the greeting to the closing. It shows
them that you are truly interested and serious about what is
going on in the interview. You never want to show them or
give them any reason to think that you have drifted
elsewhere at any point in the interview. It will definitely
hurt your chances, if not end your chances of obtaining a
job at that company.
So remember when preparing for that interview to be clean
and dressed appropriately. Also, be prepared for some of the
questions that may be coming your way and don't be afraid to
repeat some of the questions in your answers to make your
answers seem a little fuller (Kirrane, 1996). Lastly, don�t
forget to close in style.
|
