Prepping for a job interview?

Question

I have an interview tomorrow. I have already researched the organization and I am pretty familiar with it. I am trying to think of what questions they may ask? I know what some typical ones are butr what suggestions can you give me about prepping or questions you have been asked. This is going to be a panel interview by the way. I already work in the same type of position now, this one will be a little more responsibility and full-time instead of part-time. Any suggestions?

It's working as a staff member in a higher education environment.

Answer 1

First, best advice to prep for the interview is to get a good night's sleep and eat breakfast (just don't have a spinach omelet).

Some tougher questions I have been asked, and how I answered them:

What are your weaknesses when it comes to work? -Some people will tell you to say you're a perfectionist, or you tend to work too hard - I think by this time employers know those are not always true answers. I think you should tell the truth. What I said was that I tend to obsess on one project, getting it perfect, sometimes to the neglect of other projects, and that I might need help spreading myself out.

Why have you worked at so many different places? -Here I addressed the "job hopping" which might not be an issue for you but if it is, what I said was that it took me a while to figure out what I wanted to be when I grew up, ha ha, but that it turned out to be a good thing, because I am so well rounded now, I am very flexible, and I can do anything I'm faced with.

That's all I can think of for now. Good luck!!

Answer 2

I have interviewed MANY times over the years and I've also been the interviewer. There is an awful lot of advice on the net, but something I never seem to hear people tell you is more than, "Be yourself!" The typical questions will be things like asking you why you think you're a good fit for the position, why they should hire you for it, how do you think your co-workers see you, best traits, worst habits, etc. One thing that REALLY turns me off is when people are SO nervous they start to sound as if they're in a Miss America pageant with the answers. Not everyone is as nice as I am to just say, "Relax..." As silly as you may think this is and at 45, I STILL use something my present boss said to me nearly 8 years ago (and I sell $100,000 items), "They can't eatcha!" It's silly, I know, but when you sit there in front of the panel, just remember that they were all at one time in a chair just like yours, being asked the same thing, and like you, they can't wait to get out of there and go to lunch or get off work and go have a drink. Be professional, confident not cocky, pleasant not silly, and PLEASE answer the question asked. People get so carried away talking that they often forget and then never answer the question. The panel is looking at the question.
If I were you, I'd approach this as a sales presentation, even if you're not in sales. Introduce yourself pleasantly, THANK THEM for taking the time to interview you (big points) but don't go off on a tangeant about knowing how busy they are, etc... Then just relax and when asked a question, take a breath, PAUSE for a few seconds and think about your answer. Then, repeat the question back to them at the beginning of your answer. At the end, as you're leaving, shake every hand, thank each person with a DIRECT look in their eye and then ASK THE CLOSING QUESTION if you can. If you're not comfortable just flat out asking, "Based on our discussion today, do you feel I am the strongest candidate for this position at this point of the process?" You could make it a statement ("closing") like, "Thank you for the opportunity to become one of your team members, I PROMISE you will never regret making the decision to hire me!" and smile...
People who are interviewing KNOW DARNED WELL that GOOD help is (and always will be) hard to come by. Also, YOU are MUCH better than you think you are because we're all intimidated by those candidates we never see or meet who are competing for the same position. MOST do stupid things, have terrible resumes, or BOMB in the interview. You can do this! Look in the mirror before you go and picture yourself accepting the position! Visualize yourself working there!
I have gotten every job I've ever asked for since I was 25 and learned THE HARD way what NOT to do and say in an interview! The most important thing is to be sincere, prepared, confident, and TELL them that you WANT the job! That's SO important! ASK FOR IT and you'll get it!
GOOD LUCK! You'll do it! You'll see!

Answer 3

Some possible job questions they may ask:

1) What can you bring into the company?

2) If a situation arises between you and another co-worker, how will you handle the problem?

3) Tell me about yourself.

4) Are you a people person?

5) If you caught another employee (who happened to also be a friend of yours) stealing and lying, what would you do? How would you handle it?

6) Why should we hire you?

7) Have you committed a felony before?

8) Will you be able to work the hours we give you, even if that means time off from your family? Or overtime?

I'm not sure what position you are applying for so I gave general possible job interview questions.

Answer 4

One question they always ask is, " What is your one of your weaknesses and how does it affect your performance on the job?"

Remember when questions like this are asked, turn it around. Employers want to know that you can take a negative situtation and turn it into a positive learning experience.

For example, 'I am a perfectionist. To others I might seem a bit obsessive but I am proud of my work and I want to do it right the first time. I will do what it takes to do a good job."

Another line of questions might involve your activities out of work. I don't know if they just want to know what you do have a normal, stable life outside of work or something but it seem to come up alot. My answers usually involves travel and learning about different culture. Anything to do with learning and growing helps!!!

Another advice - just stay calm and relax. Tell them about yourself but don't gush over your qualifications. Before you leave convince them you are an asset to their company and this position not only help you in your career but you will be a great addition to their workforce.

Good luck. Knock 'em out with your charm!!

Answer 5

I was recently (6 months ago) in a panel interview for my current job. Some of the questions they asked were: 1) Why are you looking to relocate to another area? 2) What did you like about your former job? didn't like? 3) What do you feel you will be able to contribute to our organization. 4) How do you handle stress? Questions along those lines....If you maintain your cool, answer questions honestly...you will have a good shot at the job!!
Good Luck!

Answer 6

If you have already done your homework on the company (and it sounds like you have), the next most important thing is to honestly but positively be able to answer "what is your greatest weakness?" This is truly the make-or-break question, and one of the most popular asked by potential employers. Think of what your weakness may be (eg. procrastination) and state it, but with a positive spin, such as "...because I am very careful and want to see something done correctly and to the best of my ability." Good Luck!

Answer 7

Well, you have done the right thing so far you have prepared, that would be my best advice for you. When they ask you a question try to answer the question with details but keep it short and sweet remember to breathe. Heres one more tip for you, pick out an outfit that is appropriate and your comfortable with it it will make you feel great. Good luck and tell me how it goes!

Answer 8

What type of job? Different questions would be asked for different types of jobs.....

Generic ones include:
Where do you see yourself in 5 (or 10) years?
What do you believe you can bring to this position?
What worries/excites you about the position?
What in your past has prepared you for this position?

Answer 9

what position is it for? company name?