Interview Situations - Before the Interview

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Interview Situations
Before the Interview

Get the job you interview for -- without ‘interview jitters’, embarrassment, or being stumped by trick interview questions. Matt & Nan DeLuca and the job-interview.net experts will prepare you for your interview with the Complete Interview Guide.

Answers to more than 50 of the Toughest Interview Situations - follow-up calls & letters, illegal questions
Control your nerves and give natural, unrehearsed answers
Questions to ask the interviewers
Review hundreds of skills and abilities questions and answer tips

Answers to the Toughest Interview Questions

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INTERVIEW IN DEPTH
A detailed answer and analysis of a tough interview question from Matt & Nan DeLuca, authors of the best selling "Best Answers to the 201 Most Frequently Asked Interview Questions"

I have been employed as a temp with different companies. How do I answer the question, "Why have I had so many employers in the last two years?""

First---redo your resume and stress the continuity of employment (presumably doing similar/related work). Use a functional resume to stress your skills, experience and qualifications. Include any and all skills that you have picked up at these various companies.

Secondly, with the current interview pending, stress the # of years experience and it was a wonderful way to get on the job training in various companies. You will have to face the obvious question...why temp? Was it a choice or did you fall into it (took one job to tide you over while looking and more temp jobs came your way! success bred more success)

One thing that is seemingly more true is that organizations are blending their employee staff with a mix of full-time and temp/contract workers. You were just ahead of the curve.

Do not apologize for being a temp. Be proud that you were so able to fit into different companies and make a contribution from day 1. You were reliable, a quick learner and you had to have obvious people skills to be able to be effective in different environments.

Stress the positive aspects of temping...You got an education while earning a living and now, having seen what other organizations offer, you are able to target the job/organization where you wish to work as well as have a clear understanding of your personal skills and career goals.

I am a female seeking a job in a male-oriented profession. How do I show the interviewer that I am not afraid to get my "pretty, clean hands dirty"?

Words would not suffice with some interviewers who still do not 'get it'. Even so, listing jobs and projects where your support and involvement entailed getting dirty would be the best route. Tell some stories...

This is what I did (the results)
This is why it was important
This is how I/we did it

Include some examples of 'we' projects---shows that you can work with and support a team effort. Let your experience speak for yourself... If they cannot see the results for themselves based on what you have achieved and accomplished, then they lose. And, would you really want to work for a place like that?

Make a list now of key achievement, major responsibilities and projects that show you are hands-on...flesh them out with some details and you have a group of stories to tell. Make the stories concise and have them illustrate key skills...managerial as well as skill-related.

I have just been released from jail. Any suggestions about interviewing with a felony record?

Since this question is part of almost every application form, this subject will come up regardless whether you bring it up or not if you are asked to complete an application. The question on the application is usually asked this way. "Have you ever been convicted of a felony? If yes, please provide the details." This gets the matter out in the open as soon as the application is completed. Be ready to provide the details. We suggest you jot down the details -- dates and final charge(s) of conviction as well as venue.

The key here in terms of do's is to be open and honest but do not say more than is asked. This is where the application really helps. This way you can mention it in writing for all to see and you cannot be accused of hiding information later.

If there was any jail time and it was for an extended period (more than three months), there is terminology that may be provided by social workers and career counselors so that you are honest but not sharing more than you need to. Less than three months need not be mentioned unless all time needs to be accounted for elsewhere on the application.

In terms of don'ts -- do not lie on the application or during any interviews in the hope of the employer not finding out.

Last, before starting your job search, take advantage of any public job counselor assistance, such as the Vera Institute of Justice. Additionally, there is always help at the unemployment office and good career counselors will know employers who have identified themselves as being interested in hiring persons with a felony record.

Also keep in mind that this is a tight job market -- there are more jobs than people so it is a good one because employers may be more willing to accept a felon than in a job market with loads of applicants for each job. And--- remember If the question is not asked on the application or during an interview, you are not responsible for mentioning it.