Job Interview Guide

7 Things You Should Say in an Interview

. I am very familiar with what your company does.
Letting a prospective employer know that you are familiar with what a company does shows that you have a legitimate interest in the business and are not just wasting their time. Do your homework before arriving for an interview. Check out the company website for information about products and services. Search for the latest transactions and pertinent business news.
Be sure to let the interviewer know that you are familiar with the newest company acquisition or the latest product that was just developed. Explain how your skills and experience are a perfect fit for the employer.
2. I am flexible.
Work environments are always changing. Prospective employers are looking for candidates that are open to change and can adapt at a moment's notice. In today's fast paced business world, employees must have the ability to multi-task.

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Stating that you are adaptable lets an employer know that you are willing to do whatever is necessary to get the job done. This may mean working additional hours or taking on additional job duties in a crunch. Show your potential employer that you are equipped to deal with any crisis situation that may arise.

3. I am energetic and have a positive attitude.

Employers are looking for candidates with optimism and a "can-do" attitude. Attitudes are contagious and have a direct affect on company morale. Let the optimist in you shine during the interview process.
Be sure to always speak positively about past employers. Negative comments and sarcastic statements about past employers and co-workers will make you look petty. If you bad mouth your past company, employers are liable to believe that you will do the same thing to them.

4. I have a great deal of experience.

This is your chance to shine. Highlight any previous job duties that relate directly to your new job. If it is a management position, state every time that you were responsible for the supervision, training and development of other employees. Discuss your motivational techniques and specific examples of how you increased productivity. Feel free to list any training classes or seminars that you have attended.

5. I am a team player.

Do you remember when you were young and your teacher wanted to know if you could work well with others? Well the job market is no different! Companies are looking for employees that are cooperative and get along well with other employees. Mentioning that you are a team player lets your prospective employer know that you can flourish in group situations. Employers are looking for workers that can be productive with limited supervision and have the ability to work well with others.

6. I am seeking to become an expert in my field.

Employers love applicants that are increasing their knowledge base to make themselves the best employees possible. Stating that you are aiming to become an expert causes employers to view you as an asset and not a liability. You are a resource that other employees can learn from.
This is also a subtle way of illustrating that you have an attitude of excellence. You are aiming to be the best at what you do! This will let employers know that you are not just a fly-by-night employee, but in it for the long run.

7. I am highly motivated.

A motivated employee is a productive employee. Talk about how your high level of motivation has led you to accomplish many things. If you are a meticulous worker, discuss your organizational skills and attention to detail. Companies are always looking for dependable employees that they can count upon.

The Bottom Line

Remember that a job interview is an opportunity to sell yourself to a prospective employer. Be sure to slip in the right phrases to give you the best chance possible of securing that cushy corner office on the ninth floor.

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1. “Tell me about yourself.”

    * DO: Talk about the ways that what you know and what you can do are perfectly suited to this job.
    * DON’T: Tell the interviewer your life story.

2. “Tell me something bad you’ve heard about our company.”

    * DO: You wouldn’t apply for a job at a company you disapproved of, would you? So you should be able to honestly answer that you haven’t heard anything negative about this place.
    * DON’T: Repeat gossip you might have heard.

[See how to ace the phone interview.]

3. “Why should I hire you?”

    * DO: Impress your interviewer with how much you know about the company’s requirements and then describe how you are the best person to meet those requirements.
    * DON’T: Get tripped up by a lack of prior research.

4. “Where do you see yourself in five years?”

    * DO: Talk about how your specific abilities, training, and experience will enable you to smoothly integrate with this company.
    * DON’T: Say that you have no idea.

5. “How would you react if I told you your interview so far was terrible?”

    * DO: Recognize that this is a test to see if you get flustered. Say, mildly, that you would ask for reasons why.
    * DON’T: Freak out. Remember, the interviewer said “if.”

[See how to keep your thank-you note out of the trash.]

6. “What’s the last book you read?”

    * DO: Mention a book that reflects well on you. Choose something by a reputable author that your interviewer has probably heard of.
    * DON’T: Name a book you haven’t actually read.

7. “Can you work under pressure?”

    * DO: Say that of course you can, and then relate a brief story about a time you did.
    * DON’T: Just say, "Yes I can." Provide a specific example.

8. “Who’s your hero?”

    * DO: Name a person who has inspired you and then describe specifically how this inspiration relates to your work.
    * DON’T: Get caught off-guard by what should really be a softball question. Come prepared with a good answer.

9. “Have you ever considered starting your own business?”

    * DO: Talk about how you are happiest and do your best work in a company that is amazingly similar to the one you’re applying at.
    * DON’T: Go on and on about how you’d love to be your own boss one day.

10. “If you won the lottery, would you still work?”

    * DO: Be honest and say you’d be thrilled to win the lottery; then add that even if you did you’d still seek out satisfying work, because work is what makes people happy.
    * DON’T: Say that you’d never work again (too honest) or that you’d just work for free (too BS-y).

Bottom line: It pays to think through in advance how you would handle some of the more common trick questions. In general, remember never to badmouth or blame others, especially past employers. Be careful not to betray your nervousness with jittery body language. Don’t lie or babble, or show frustration, impatience, disappointment, or anger.

The most important thing to remember is that hiring managers who ask these questions are far more interested in how you answer than what you answer. They just want to see how well you think on your feet. So even if a question completely flummoxes you, keep your cool, smile, and look ‘em in the eye.