SUCCESS ADVICE FROM DIANE AND PAT - Interview Tips

Posted on: July 24, 2007

If you are looking around for new employment, then you will be interviewing with prospective employers. This can be one of the most challenging aspects of landing the perfect position. Diane and Pat of Boly:Welch Staffing Services have helped thousands of people through this process; they have some great tips for you.

Interview Tips

Be prepared for your interview by thinking about how your knowledge, skills and abilities match the requirements of the job. Listen carefully to the job description and don’t be afraid to ask clarifying questions.

Familiarize yourself with these typical interview questions:

1. Briefly tell us about your previous experience and how it relates to this position.
   
2. How do you set your priorities to help manage your workload? Give examples.
   
3. Give us an example of a project that you generated on your own because you saw the need for it.
   
4. Describe a complex situation that you have faced. What was the problem? How did you resolve it?
   
5. Tell us about a project or process that you have had to organize. What did you do?
   
6. What do you do if two or more supervisors ask you to complete different tasks? How do you handle conflicting priorities?
   
7. Give us an example of when you were a productive team player.
   
8. How would your last supervisor describe you?
   
9. How would your co-workers describe you?
   
10. Most of us have worked with difficult customers or clients. Tell us about a time that you had a difficult customer and how you handled it.
    
11. What types of documents have you written in the work place? You may be asked to provide writing samples to demonstrate your written communication skills.
    
12. Do you have any questions of us?

Remember, a job interview is a 50/50 process; you are there to asses whether opportunity fits your employment needs. At the first interview, focus your questions on the job requirements and the company culture, rather than on specifics such as vacation pay, benefits, etc.

Avoid using negative descriptors and instead use positive, forward-looking words. Stay away from terms like “boredom”. Never bad-mouth previous employers or co-workers. Say what you’re looking for and what you would like to get from a job rather than what you don’t like.

Internet Know-How

1. Don’t use your email address at your current employer for your job search activities.
   
2. Keep your personal email address professional. Your friends may love you as kittybabe@isp.net but prospective employers prefer to know you as kb@isp.net.
   
3. Spelling and grammar are just as important online as they are in hard copy; always proof-read your information before you hit the send button.
   
4. It’s easy to format your cover letters and mass mail them to prospective employers. Be sure you change all the editable information before emailing. Assure that the names, addresses and all other pertinent information make the right impression on the intended recipient.

Article by Diane Boly and Pat Welch of Boly:Welch Staffing Services. “Boly:Welch has served Portland’s staffing needs for over 20 years. We help connect the dots in our client’s lives. Please give us a call if you are looking for a new career, or have a position to fill.” Please contact Carie at 503-242-1300 or c.strahorn@bolywelch.com to connect with one of our staffing divisions.