3 Tips For Successfully Answering Interview Questions

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practice-615644_1920What is it about interviewing for a job that can make otherwise intelligent people get tongue-tied? After all, we are at a job interview to discuss how we might help the company achieve its goals and who knows our career story, with all of our successes, better than we do?

Preparation is the key to a successful interview. Here are 3 tips to help you successfully answer interview questions.

1.Write Your Answers Ahead of Time

You have a good idea of the questions the hiring manager will ask, right? “Why do you want to work here?” “Give me an example of a successful project you managed” “What is your biggest strength/weakness?” and the all-important, “Tell me about yourself”.

Rather than “wing it” during the interview, think about what you want to say and type out your answers ahead of time.

Go back and review your answers, making sure they are succinct and convey the best part of you and your career. Place yourself in the hiring manager’s position: Are your answers what you would want to hear from a candidate?

2. Answer the Hiring Manager’s Question: WIFM?

The hiring manager is looking for someone to solve her problems. She’s silently asking the question, “What’s In It For Me?”

To answer this question, you need to “show”, not “tell”.

It also means using examples to show why she should hire you, NOT using fluffy words or generic information that isn’t specific to the position for which you are applying.

For example: “Tell me about yourself”. Your answer: “I’m passionate about analytics and am a dedicated, hard worker.  I really enjoy working in finance and would love to work here at XYZ Company.”

That’s awesome that you want to work for the company but the hiring manager doesn’t care about your needs/desires. I’m sure you are dedicated and hard-working, but how do you prove that in an interview? Besides, isn’t every candidate going to say that?

A better answer is, “I’m a financial analyst with more than ten years experience helping companies such as yours strategize and plan for the future. My career includes both corporate experience as well as consulting, for both domestic and global organizations. Recently my team completed a project that allowed our company to increase revenue by 8%. I believe my experience has prepared me to take the next step, and I’m ready to make a positive contribution to your organization.”

State who you are and show you can do for the hiring manager and the company.

3. Practice!

Just like being in a play, practice saying your answers out loud until they roll off your tongue naturally. Do not wait until the interview before you speak these words!

Trust me when I tell you that practice makes you sound perfectly unrehearsed.

Remember: Write. Show. Practice. These three tips will take you from tongue-tied to eloquent.

The Best Time To Look For A New Job

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We all know it’s a good idea to look for a new job while we are still employed. But when, exactly, should you launch a job search?

Similar to any social event, it’s always best to leave the party while you’re still having a good time. The best time to look for a new job is while you are still enjoying your current job.

This is much harder to do than it sounds. It’s difficult to walk away from a position you enjoy, co-workers you like and a boss you respect.

Here are some tips to help you determine if it’s time to leave the party:

  • Have you been at your current company long enough to show progression and a record of success? I’m talking about being at the same company for several years, with a series of wins under your belt.
  • Have you been considering a change in the back of your mind, yet putting it off until “someday”? If you know this is not your long-term gig, then it may be time to make a move.
  • Do you see opportunities for advancement at your current company or will you need to leave to achieve your goals? Be realistic here. If there truly is opportunity, then be patient. Yet if the same promise of promotion comes year after year without action, it’s time.
  • Is opportunity knocking? Sometimes through networking we get an opportunity that piques our interest, even something that’s not in our current field. A well thought-out opportunity may be just the ticket to an awesome career change.
  • You’ve been there how long? It’s possible to stay at a company too long, especially if you want to make a change. Hiring managers may wonder if you are set in your ways, unable to adapt to new ways of thinking. Definitely something to consider.

Only you can determine if the party is going strong enough for you to stay or if it’s winding down and time to make a move. Remember one thing: you don’t want to be the last guest, the one the host asks to leave.

Successful People Have This Characteristic

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What makes some people successful and others not so much? Luck? Intelligence? Money?

I’m guessing successful people have this characteristic: they are driven.

I like to think that I have a special relationship with all of my nieces and nephews. This is especially true of my sister’s kids, simply because I was single when they were born and had lots of free time to spend with them during formative years.

That last statement speaks volumes about my dating life during that time. But I digress.

Now they are young adults and I’m in awe of their smarts and capabilities. Each has different interests and is driven to succeed in different ways. There is no doubt in my mind that all will be successful.

My oldest niece is particularly driven. From the time she was a little girl, she’s wanted to be a veterinarian. The time is now; this fall she will enter vet school to fulfill that dream.

I’d love to say this has been an easy road: go to college, get degree, apply to vet school, get accepted, and off you go.

Anyone with any knowledge of vet school knows that it’s easier to get into medical school than vet school. Barely into her bachelor’s program, professors told my niece as much; not-so-politely suggesting that she give up her dream and head over to the med school.

Many of her classmates gave up quickly, letting one or two people’s opinions shatter their dream.

Not my niece. She pushed and worked and kept staring them down when they’d tell her “no”.

She completed a rigorous masters’ program, graduating summa cum laude while working at the veterinary hospital on campus to prove herself, even managing the large-animal ICU as a tech after graduation.

Still, no acceptance from her dream school.

Determined – DRIVEN – to succeed, she applied to multiple schools, received several offers and accepted one from an outstanding program where she will begin this fall.

This young lady is intelligent, mature and knows what she wants. She has worked her butt off to get to her dream; now it’s happening.

I am so proud of her. For having a strategic plan to get from point A to point B. For staying positive and gaining experience wherever she could. For NOT GIVING UP.

How many of us would more easily give up when searching for a job?

I speak with job seekers frequently about their dreams, their searches and what they are doing to achieve those dreams. Even if the dream is simply to find employment.

  • When I suggest developing a strategic plan, many say “I don’t need that; it’s just a job search”.
  • When I forward a job opening for them to consider, I’m met with, “I’m probably over-qualified”.
  • When I suggest that perhaps they take a lower-paying job or a volunteer position in their field that will keep them working and cover gaps on their resume, they say, “I’m better than that” or “That’s a lot of work for little reward”.

Wow. So many times I’m met with such negativity that it’s hard even for me to maintain a positive attitude.

And then my niece reminds me that sometimes dreams are worth fighting for, no matter what it takes or how many lower-level jobs you have to endure while you wait.

Makes me think that successful people are more driven than others. Or at least they don’t give up as easily.

Trust Is A Very Important And Powerful Part Of Your Career

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Interviewing is a lot like dating. Job seekers and employers alike are searching for Mr. or Ms. Right.

Similar to Match.com, companies and candidates post their profiles online in hopes of making a connection.  Candidates are much more anxious to find a steady date than companies seem to be, browsing online dating sites LinkedIn, Career Builder, Indeed and others daily, looking for just the right mix of strengths, capabilities, salary and commute.  When we find a “match”, we submit our resume and wait for our “date” to ping us back.

Sometimes we wait in vain, which is so annoying.  Just when we are about to give up, we receive a message from a company that wants to meet us.  A real date!

Being experienced daters, we know that this meeting is really more of an interview to see if we get along.  A feeling of trust is part of it. If the candidate and company are unable to build a relationship based on trust, there will be no second date, and certainly no job offer.

Here are two examples of “Work Dates” to learn from, one good and one, well, that is just wrong.

Jordan Spieth

In case you don’t know, he’s only the hottest up-and-coming golfer on the planet.  This young man seems to have his head screwed on correctly.

He’s an excellent golfer. He appears to be very bright and level headed.  From what we’ve seen and read, he acts like a gentleman at all times – no need to worry about putting a mic close to his face; have not seen him mouth a curse word yet.  He’s humble and caring, especially when it comes to his sister with special needs.

Jordan has won two major tournaments and is on his way to the British Open; if he wins he will set some sort of record.  Having just come off a tournament, most players left for Scotland to get acclimated and start practicing.  Yet over a year ago Jordan had committed to play in a lower-tier tournament the weekend prior to the British Open. 

Most in the golf world have said that it would have been perfectly acceptable for Jordan to apologize to the lesser tournament, explain that he had no idea he would qualify for the British Open so early in his career, and catch a flight to Scotland.

Jordan played in the tournament, stating that he made a commitment and he intended to honor it. He won the tournament too.

#honor #trustworthy

DeAndre Jordan

DeAndre is in the NBA; played for the Los Angeles Clippers who were “this close” to winning the championship this year.  But DeAndre was not 100% happy with his job so at the end of the season he became a free-agent in order to “change jobs” – move to another team.

Enter Mark Cuban of the Dallas Mavericks, who together with his crew wooed and wined and dined DeAndre, showing him what life would be like if he accepted a job with the Mavericks.  They offered him exactly the job he wanted.  After a lengthy party/interview, DeAndre accepted the offer to become a Maverick.

After a few days, apparently reality sank in and DeAndre realized he didn’t want to move to Dallas for whatever reason.  Except that he already told his boss (LA) he was leaving and Mr. Cuban (Dallas) he was coming.

He did some fancy talking and got his old job back. Word got out to Mark Cuban that DeAndre had cold feet.  Things got weird.   Mark got a Tweet from DeAndre that said “Hope we can still be friends”.

#interviewfail  #nottrustworthy

Trust is a very important and powerful part of your career. Job candidates and employees who misuse or abuse trust will find out quickly that once trust is lost, it may be impossible to regain.  It’s a mistake that can haunt you for the rest of your career.

Think about it when you are making career decisions.

And whatever you do, always speak to the hiring manager about your decision.  Even if it means telling them you’ve changed your mind. It’s more respectful and simply the right thing to do.

The Five Minute Resume Update

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When was the last time you updated your resume?

Some of us keep an always-updated resume close at hand. Many of us – more than likely, the majority of us – update only on occasion, usually when we need the resume for a job interview.

Updating a resume can be time consuming.  In our busy lives, who has time to creatively weave a great one or two page document about our achievements?  It’s not something that any of us truly like to do either.

“If we could only find time, then we would update our resumes”, we tell ourselves.  Somehow I don’t believe us.

What’s the old saying: How do you boil the ocean? One cup at a time.

For anyone who has not updated their resume in at least a year, all it takes is five minutes to make a quick review and resume update.

The Five Minute Resume Update

  1. Review the top of your resume, including your name and contact information. Your name should be in larger font than the rest of the information. Remove your street address; include city and state only. List one phone number; no need to label it as “Cell” or “Home”. Be sure to include any social media links such as LinkedIn or your website.
  2. Review your opening statement. If it still says something like “Seeking a position as….” time for a change. This statement should tell the reader who you are and what you want to do. Example: Marketing Director with proven success integrating social media and traditional marketing campaigns to drive consumer traffic.
  3. Review the end of your resume. Remove any reference to college GPA and related activities, personal factoids, including hobbies or family information, and the phrase “references available upon request”. If you are forty or older, time to remove college graduation dates as well.

That’s it; The Five Minute Resume Update. It’s not an overhaul by any means. But it gets us started and moving in the right direction.

When It Comes To Interviewing, Just Be Yourself

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Bruce Jenner.  Unless you’ve been living in a cave, no doubt you’ve heard or seen or read about his decision to start living the life he has always wanted to live.

He’s finally going to start being true to himself rather than trying to simply fit in.  

While his case is an extreme, really don’t we all play a little bit of a game when it comes to being true to ourselves?

Especially at interview time.  Sometimes we paint a picture or act in ways that might be just a tad bit different from the person we actually are, instead of simply being ourselves.

Maybe we’ve been out of work for quite some time and we need the money that comes with the job.  Maybe it’s our “dream” company and we would do anything to get our foot in the door.  Maybe we are super excited about the actual work that comes with this particular job.

Whatever the case, we may do our best to fit in; to act a certain way during the interview process to secure an offer.

Nothing bad, mind you, it’s just that we may say or do things that are not exactly in line with our personality.  Or we may ignore little “red flags” that say “Your personality would not fit in with this corporate culture”.

Take me, for example.  I’m a very straight-forward, get-the-job-done kind of person.  I succeed in an environment that allows me to lead my team, to make decisions and to move the work forward.  An assertive leader, it’s my opinion that the best way to succeed is to understand the situation, set goals, formulate a strategy to achieve those goals and execute the tactics, knowing that there will be changes along the way.  I enjoy working with a strong, assertive leader as well; someone who will not hide from tough decisions or conversations.  And they’ve got to have a good sense of humor; I love to have fun at work too.

What if I ignored these known facts about myself during an interview?  What if pretended that instead, I was a bit more laid back and was okay with not having answers?  Or if I somehow knew that my assertive leadership capabilities would not be appreciated, and the corporate culture preferred a more easy-come, easy-go approach? Or any sense of humor would fall on deaf ears?

At best I would sit in silent frustration.  At worst, both the company and I would realize that while we both desired to do good work, our methods of achieving the outcome would be dramatically different.

It would mean that I was not being true to myself from the beginning, just to get the job.

I’ve said before that job hunting is a lot like dating.  And successful dating means being yourself; allowing the other person to see the real you in order to make an informed decision.

Same thing for accepting a job.  Just because it’s your “dream company”, if you have to suppress your personality during the interview or when you arrive for work, it probably is not a good fit long-term.

Right now, if you haven’t done this already, think about who you are.  The real you; your good qualities and bad; how you interact with people and how you work.  List them out.  Think about how this fits into a corporation’s culture.  (This is not to say we can’t include areas for self-improvement – I’ve got a list of those too.  Yet for this moment, know where you stand.)

When it comes to interviewing, just be yourself.  You owe it to yourself and to your employer.  Your success depends on it.

Decision Time: What To Do With Multiple Job Offers

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You’ve been interviewing for months with what seems likes a zillion companies and now it looks like you are a final candidate for two great positions.  You’ve got your fingers and toes crossed that one of them turns into a bona-fide offer of employment.

Both jobs are interesting, both offer similar types of work and both are located in the same area of town so the commute will be good.  It appears that both have a great corporate culture and you clicked with the hiring manager as well as team members.  No red flags that you have identified.

In other words, either would be a good job.

What’s the old saying? “When it rains, it pours.” Much to your surprise, BOTH companies make you an offer!

Once you’ve calmed down after high-fiving everyone in the neighborhood, at the grocery store and at the gym, reality comes crashing in.  How do you decide what to do with multiple job offers?  Especially since both companies are pretty much offering the same opportunity.

Wait; they aren’t.  One company is offering a much greater compensation package then the other one. Higher salary, signing bonus and other perks.

So what’s a job seeker to do?

If – and this is a big IF – both offers are truly apples-to-apples, then higher compensation may win out.

But rarely are two offers truly an apples-to-apples comparison.  There are usually a few differences that need to be looked at closely to help determine which job is the right job at this particular point in your career.

Deciding on an offer is different for every job seeker.  Certain things may be more important to me than they are to you, so we each need to decide for ourselves.

Here are a few ways to help:

  • Know what’s important to you.  Prior to a job search, write down your top ten career goals.  Do the same thing for your personal life (lifestyle goals).  See how those two lists intersect.  You want to make sure the job allows you to fulfill some of your lifestyle goals; if it doesn’t you will not be happy in the long run.  (If you did not do this exercise prior to job search, do it now.)
  • What are you trying to accomplish with this new job?  Is it learning a new skill and moving up in the company?  Job stability?  Benefits? Is it all about the cash?  Answering those questions will help you make an informed decision because one company will probably fulfill your needs better than the other.
  • Know Your Strengths. Hopefully you only interviewed for jobs that played to your strengths. Sometimes, though, we discover during the interview process that the job has more layers to it and maybe it’s not exactly as outlined in the job description. Make sure the job you choose really does match your strengths.
  • Stage in Life.  If you’re a new college graduate with few responsibilities, it’s much easier to take a job that requires long hours and lots of travel than someone with a family.  If you’re nearing retirement you may trade off salary for work that is more personally fulfilling.  Again, the “career goals vs. lifestyle goals” exercise comes in handy here.

Above all, put everything together. Remember the people you met, the corporate culture, the feeling you had when you left the interview, and how you feel now about the job itself.  If the compensation packages were equal, which one gets you most excited?

Again, deciding on a job offer is different for each person.  No matter what, don’t get so bogged down in the minutia of decision making that it takes the fun out of the moment.  Remember how great it is to have even one offer, much less multiple offers!

Interview Musts

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There are certain things that are considered “musts” when it comes to interviews.  An early arrival, manners and basic hygiene top the list, followed closely by breath mints.

To me these are all part of SOP – standard operating procedure.

It’s been brought to my attention that the younger crowd is not up on all of the SOP’s.  They may get the manners and hygiene, but I’ve noticed that many fail to bring copies of their resume to interviews.

I guess they think hiring managers are mind readers.

Since college students are in full interview mode right now, for either internships or full-time jobs, here is a brief list of Interview Musts:

  • Bring plenty of copies of your resume. Never assume that everyone you meet will have received a copy. In fact, some managers may have only been given five minutes’ notice that they will conduct an interview.  So make it easy for them and present a copy of your resume.  They will appreciate it.
  • Bring your business cards. This is a nice addition to your resume.  Also helps if you meet so many people that you run out of resumes.
  • Dress for success. Even if the firm is casual, you should be dressed for business.  Shoes should be clean and polished. Clothes ironed. Ladies, don’t carry too many bags.  If you carry a tote, then have a small handbag.  No need to look like you’re moving in with so much luggage.
  • Be prepared! Have your quick “About Me” speech with a memorable story ready to go so that it rolls off your tongue in a conversational manner.
  • Show them how you are the best candidate for the job and that you can solve their problems.  If you could only tell the hiring manager three things about yourself, what would they be?  Avoid things like, “I’m dedicated, hard-working, passionate and I’ve always wanted to work here”.  Use succinct stories that show examples of who you are instead of fluffy words.
  • Always be “on”. From the time you walk in the building to the time you get back to your car, be in “interview mode”.  Everyone you meet is judging you as a potential candidate.  If they take you to lunch, they are interviewing you whether it seems like it or not. They will watch to see if you speak about relevant topics, if you are too quiet or talk too much, if you talk with your mouth full, etc.  I’m not kidding.
  • Thank Them.  Thank each person after each interview.  And follow up with hand-written thank-you notes mailed either the same night or the following morning at the latest.

This list of “interview musts”, while not all-encompassing, is a great reminder for all of us to be prepared for interviews. Now go get ‘em!

Sometimes You Can’t Beat Experience

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Do you ever wonder about your capabilities at work?  Perhaps you wonder if you’re really any good at what you do, or if you’re even remotely smart.

No? Well lucky you. You can quit reading now.

Despite years of job success and multiple degrees which tell me otherwise, I sometimes doubt my intelligence.

This doubt permeates my thinking when more confident (read: cocky) individuals are present.  Not one to boast, I’m usually left wondering if I really have anything to offer at all.

Many times I think I’ve got a good answer to whatever we are discussing. Part of me wants to chime in, many times in disagreement as I believe others at the table are incorrect in their assessment.  The other part of me wants to keep my mouth shut just in case they are, indeed, correct.

So I sit in silence with Mr. Doubt Monster.

For me, one of the best ways to confirm my intelligence is to spend time with students.  I love working with college marketing classes and mentoring the kids who are pursuing careers in marketing or PR.  Each time I head to campus though, my doubt monster pops into my head, trying to convince me that I don’t have much to offer.

I have learned to kick that doubt monster out of the car.

Once on campus and engaged in the classroom, any doubts are quickly erased as I realize how much I really know.  To me, the points I share are just things that are part of my job and have become second-nature. To the students, they are something new and interesting to learn.

Here’s the deal:  Experience is one heck of a teacher. The lessons happen daily without formal tests so it’s hard to gauge success.  Trust me when I say that time + experience = lessons learned.

We don’t realize how much we’ve actually gained throughout our careers until we start sharing that knowledge with students who are only armed with textbook knowledge.

Recently a student contacted me about a class marketing project, wanting to ask some questions and run a few things by me to see if she was on the right track.  It involved a consumer promotion which is right up my alley.

After reviewing the information, I quickly started asking questions that she and her group had not considered.  In my mind, this was rudimentary.  But to her it was mind-blowing. And I realized just how much I knew, and that this knowledge was valuable.

She’s not dumb and I’m not Einstein.  It’s simply that years of hands-on corporate work give me a lot of experience in this arena.

It’s an awesome feeling to realize how much you know.  And that this knowledge is useful to a company and others.

Lesson here is to truly understand what you’ve learned from working for so many years. Be able to articulate that knowledge when interviewing.  Share that knowledge with those just starting out, as they will appreciate the help. 

School is great – and necessary; it gives us the foundation to build our careers.  But sometimes you can’t beat experience.

Flying Interview Questions

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Ashton Cooper took a surprise hit as we were driving home.  That’s right; Ashton – my Mini Cooper Clubman – had a run-in on the highway with a large piece of flying debris.

We were enjoying a nice ride when suddenly out of nowhere a shredded tire flew right at us.  With just seconds to make a decision, I clutched the steering wheel and held on.  Good news, the piece of tire landed on the ground in front of us.  Bad news, we had to run over it.

Instantly I could tell Ashton was hurt.

He was shaking and different lights illuminated the dashboard. As I searched for an exit, I watched through the rear-view mirror as Ashton’s bumper flew out from under the car down the highway.

Sort of good news: Ashton was no longer shaking. Sigh.

We cruised to a pit-stop to assess the damage. I took photos and texted them to Hubby for a second opinion.

This was uncharted territory for me. Having never been in an accident of any kind (knock on wood) I was not experienced in this situation.  Not to mention I was just outside a small town about an hour from home.  It’s not like Hubby could drop everything to come get me or I could quickly ask my favorite auto mechanic what to do.

I had to think on my feet. And quickly.

So I did what anyone would do in a small town where you don’t know anyone: go to a busy restaurant and ask the manager for a reputable auto mechanic.

Worked like a charm.  After securing what was left of the bumper, the mechanic assured me that Ashton was good to drive home.

Flying objects coming straight towards you are no fun.  Although I’m glad to know that I was able to deal with it; the experience taught me to quickly assess the situation and stay calm under pressure.

Sometimes job interviews sling a flying object or two at candidates, with random questions coming out of nowhere that might catch us off guard.  We only have seconds to develop an appropriate response or risk being left out of the prospective hiring candidate pool.

Happened to me once, after three hours of interviewing with multiple people.  The final interviewer wanted a numerical answer on the spot to the question, “How many gas stations are there in the United States?”

Never. Saw. It. Coming.

Luckily I realized he was more interested in my ability to think logically than actually knowing the correct number of gas stations. I explained my thought process and gave him a number.  He was happy with my answer, enough so that I received a job offer.

I’ve never forgotten that lesson: to be prepared for unexpected flying interview questions. 

How do you prepare? Ask friends and family to help. Share questions that each of you have experienced during interviews to learn from each other.  The last thing anyone wants is to be all “deer-in-the-headlights” when a random question strikes.

It’s important to note that such questions may appear to fly out from left field, with no relevance whatsoever. Yet they are asked for a reason; there is a “question behind the question”.  Treat them as seriously as the rest of the interview.

Ashton and I were very happy to get home.  He’s seen a couple of car doctors who assure us they can repair the damage caused by the flying tire.  Which is great because I’ll need him to drive me to interviews.