Excerpted from From
Here to There by Larry Stuenkel
These questions
are similar to what you can expect during a real interview. Being
prepared will enable you to think on your feet.
The suggested replies, excerpted from From Here to There
by Larry Stuenkel, aren't intended to give you one correct answer.
Rather, the answers should reflect your personal frame of reference,
based on your motives, goals, work skills and aspirations. The replies
are meant to stimulate your thinking, not to be memorized.
Q: What did you do to prepare for this interview?
As a general rule, before you head to the interview, you should
check the company's Web site. As a prepared applicant, you can share
with the interviewer the process of research that you went through
to prepare for this interview by saying, "I researched the company
and reviewed…"
They also may ask how you sourced their company; here again, you
would discuss your research and how you developed your database
of companies to contact.
It's excellent practice to ask the interviewer to send information
about the company when talking with a company representative or
recruiter by phone to set up an interview. Indicate you have checked
the company's Web site and would like additional information on
____. Specifically, ask your interviewer or potential supervisor
to send an annual report, a 10K report, a 10Q report, the last three
quarterly reports, and/or recent product literature and information.
This will indicate that you are the type of person who is going
into an important meeting well prepared.
Not all companies are on the Web and not all organizations with
Internet sites offer the above information. These actions create
a favorable first impression without the applicant and interviewer
having had the opportunity for the first face-to-face meeting. If
the company is privately held, there is little financial information
that would be obtainable except for purchasing a D&B credit report.
Such an action certainly would be advisable and a prudent investment
of $89 before accepting an offer of employment from a privately
held company.
