I Need to Know How to Ace a Job Interview?

Question

I have been working for the Social Security Administration for 20 years. Last year I was deployed to FEMA as CommunityRelations Specialist. I enjoyed this work so much I decided to apply for a permanant position. Well, I have been called for a job interview. I have not had a job interview in 20 years! I am a little anxious about it. Can anybody give me some good advice on what type of questions to expect, what the best replies may be and the do's and don'ts.

Answer 1

Always talk positive about yourself- even when they ask you "What do you feel is your biggest weakness as a worker?" Questions like these are designed to trip you up. They're looking to see that you have a positive image of yourself. Turn a potential weakness and make it sound good. I use something like "My determination to get things right... " as a weakness. Also they might ask you what you disliked (and liked) about your last job. Turn a dislike into something positive, never ever talk negative about an employer, even if you hated the job. This site helped me, hope it can help you out too :] Good luck!!

Answer 2

Do's:

Do arrive early, in professional attire, neat, clean.

Do have a resume and cover letter with no grammatical or typographical errors.

Do shake the hand of the interviewer, not a muscle grip or a limp fish.

Do maintain eye contact, but focus for 3 seconds on the eye, then move to another part of the face, and then back (so you do'nt look like you're staring).

Focus on how your past experience will help you - be prepared to ask why you want to change careers so late in the game. Expect a little bit of "age discrimination", so stress how you expect to be doing this for the next 10 - 15 years.

Expound on how your experience dealing with people in SSA and your knowledge of government agencies will minimize the training you'll require.

Get your computer skills up to date - Know MS-Word, IE, Excel - read a few articles so you understand the jargon.

If they ask you a question you don't know the answer to, repeat the question to them and ask for clarification - don't say "I don't know" - and if you're really stumped (maybe some lingo you're not familiar with) point out the parts you do understand and answer that part of the question.

If they ask for you weakness, say that sometimes, since you want to get the work done, you might stay a little after work, and in some offices others feel offended - almost make your "worst" weakness look like a strength. My personal one is that I type so fast (about 120 wpm), that sometimes the clattering of my laptop annoys others around me, so I always try to get a real quiet keyboard.

Answer 3

Brainstorm about all the tasks you did for FEMA, then priortize them and take that list with you to the interview. Use the hands-on experience/knowledge as a strength you bring into the position.
List all volunteer leadership positions as well as volunteer skills you've acquired in that time. In a community outreach program like FEMA, it will help that you've assisted with different projects unrelated to your job at SSA. (Church, family reunions, school events,...)
Do some online research on FEMA and get a good handle on what they do nationwide and how they serve locally. Being willing to deploy may be a requirement so be prepared to explain how you're prepared at home to leave with short notice.

Arrive 15 minutes early to scope out the interview area, take a breath, turn off your cellphone. Be sure and bring with you all previous jobs/addresses/houses just in case they ask you to fill out a background check.

Good luck...

Answer 4

Dress appropiatly for the job, dont where sleazy outfits, Be mature, Be open to what ever questions they ask you, Do not have anybody erupt you , such as turn off cell phone, Be direct, and be confindent, and sell yourself, Be a go getter, Tell them You are ambisious and anxious to work for them, and make them beleive in you, that you are there to work for them, And always be honest with the questions they ask you, Dont lie on the interview, and you should do great

Answer 5

-----Going to a bookstore and browsing through the many books on the subject should give you some pointers. I think a complete answer would be too long for this forum. ---Jim

Answer 6

check this for a list of blogs related to job interview
http://www.jobsforuscitizens.com/blogs/?cat=5

Answer 7

well you can have a little confidence in yourself but try to think of aback up plan

Answer 8

if they ask you to tell one negative thing about yourselfself...........say I have a tendency to take on to much at one time...........win-win answer

Answer 9

easy just relax....be honest.......and just say why you should have that job....it will work itself out