FAQ in Interview Slots
by
Your Curriculum Vitae and
cover letter were great. You look immense on paper and your capacity is
built as the Perfect Intern for the Temp.
position .
The Next Step : The Interview.
Though the internship interview can be intimidating, there’s a
lot you can do to get ready. Significantly, you know what to expect and preparation
of your answers can help you make an appealing impression. Start by reviewing
this list of some common interview questions.
Question 1 : “Tell me about yourself.”
This is a common question—and sometimes the hardest. It’s a
broad, general question, and the worst thing you can do is give a broad,
general answer.
So how do you make the most of this question? Use it as a
springboard to introduce the topics you want to discuss.
Decide in advance what you want the interviewer to know: Your favorite job
experience, your most valuable activities in college, your goals and dreams.
Focus your answer by picking one or two things and then use specific details to
bring the topic alive.
Example:
I’m a hard worker and
I think I generally have good organizational skills. In college, I led a team
of designers to create the Web site for each of the University’s volunteer
organizations …
Question 2 : “Why did you decide to pursue this career?”
Questions like this one do double duty. On the one hand, they
allow you to foreground your most relevant and impressive achievements, such as
honors coursework or special research projects. On the other hand, this kind of
question also allows you to talk more generally about “what makes you
tick”—what motivates you and how you make decisions.
The key, as always, is to focus your answer by picking a few
specific events and providing details so your answer doesn’t become too vague.
Example:
I’ve always been
interested in math, but I also wanted a secure career that had a strong practical
bent. I did a little research and decided to look into accounting. By the time
I applied to college, I was sure accounting was what I wanted. I attended State
University because they have a really strong accounting program. I also had a
great opportunity to serve as president of the Accounting Club.
Question 3 : “What have you gained from your work experiences?”
Since the employer has already read your resume, avoid simply
listing your past jobs. Instead, pick one or two work experiences and think
about them in detail. What were your duties? What particular activities, events
or crises stick out in your memory? Use these specific details to think about
what you learned while doing that job.
Example:
My work at the
community pool really helped me develop my interpersonal skills and learn how
to lead people. When I was teaching swimming, it was up to me to give my
students a sense of confidence and motivation—and to keep them safe while doing
it.
Question 4 : “What difficulties have you faced on the job?”
Even if you’ve had bad work experiences, you should never use
the interview as a chance to lay blame or complain about a past job or
employer. Instead, turn a negative into a positive. Describe problems as
challenges, and focus on solutions rather than the difficulties.
Example:
While working at the
daycare center, I had to balance a lot of competing demands—from the parents,
the children, the teachers and the administration. It really taught me how to
view all sides of any situation, and how to prioritize my time. I found that differences
of opinion usually occur because two people can’t see both sides of the
situation. I learned to see the other person’s side and explain my position.
Question 5 : “What is your greatest weakness?”
The key to answering this question is the same as the last: Turn
a negative into a positive. Don’t try to come up with a character flaw or
personal weakness. Instead, rephrase the question for yourself: “How do I want
to improve to become better in my career?” Identify areas in which you want
more training or guidance.
Example:
I would like to get
more experience as a manager. In the past, I’ve really enjoyed supervisory
roles, but I know there’s so much more I could learn to make me a better
manager. I’d like to build on that foundation and develop more skills.
Use these questions as a guide as you prepare. But don’t assume every question will show up, and don’t try to memorize answers. Instead, use them to help you review your experiences and plan some possible answers. When you get to your interview, relax and draw upon your preparation as you respond to your interviewer. Hopefully, the last question you’ll have to answer is “When can you start?” ...
