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: Tell us about yourself.
This is the perfect opportunity to respond in 15-20 seconds by
reciting back the summary of experience paragraph at the top of
your resume. Many people have difficulty with this question because
it seems so broad, and too difficult to get one's hands on the meat
of the question.
Keep in mind you are in the interview to discuss business — and
only business — unless otherwise directed. All answers should be
given in a business-like manner. Because this question is probably
the single most asked question in interviews, it is necessary to
develop a good, polished response. The thrust of the question is
designed to get you to talk. When you start talking and opening
up, the interview becomes less stressful and you become more relaxed.
The reason this question is selected is to accomplish this objective
is, who better to talk about this area where you are the world's
greatest authority? Nevertheless, most people falter on this question
because they have the tendency to be undisciplined, unfocused and
rambling. A good response time is 15 to 20 seconds.
Q. What do you look for in a job?
Suggested answer: "I am looking for an opportunity to take my current
skills and develop them into a career opportunity." Alternative
answer: "I am not looking for a job, I am looking for a career."
The implication here is that the term "job" implies short-term,
"career" implies long-term. Using the section of your resume that
summarizes your experience, you might say, "I am looking for an
opportunity to use my 20-plus years in health-care human resource
administration. I am looking for an opportunity that allows me to
use my extensive generalist background in employee relations, compensation,
management development, recruiting, orientation and training, employee
benefits and security."
