Top 10 Interview Questions – Recap

Question 1. Tell me about yourself. “Tell me about yourself” is a very common question, but it is also the question which most candidates do not do well on. The challenge is because it is normally the first question asked, job candidates miss an important opportunity to make a great first impression. The good news is with some preparation and a lot of practice, you make a phenomenal first impression by answering this question well. First, what not to do: Do not recite your resume or academic transcript. The interviewer can read your resumé. Do...

How to Write Great Resumes Part 2

How to Build an IT RésuméRemember the hard work you put in at school studying, at work building a solid reputation and a valuable set of skills? If you want it to pay dividends and get you the right job, you need to convincingly tell your story in an attention-grabbing résumé. RÉSUMÉ COMPONENTSA standard IT résumé will consist of the following sections: Header Objective statement or summary of qualifications Education Certification Technical Skills Experience The HeaderYour résumé header should include: Your name in bold type at least 2 points...

How to Write Great Resumes Part 1

Your résumé is one of the best tools to assist you in getting the interviews that can lead to your best career opportunities. In this section, you will learn what it will take for you to create the best possible résumé to highlight and convey what you offer potential employers. Research, Research, Research!By this stage in your job search, you have no doubt noticed a pattern to the steps necessary to achieving success. Like every other major endeavor you will undertake as you pursue a great job with a great company, the creation and refinement...

How to Accept a Job Offer

Once you have an offer, you need to evaluate the position and the package you have negotiated and decide if it is the right fit for you. You may even have more than one offer you need to chose between. Analyze the OfferYour first task is to determine if the offer is the right one for you. To do this, you need to understand your needs and ambitions. Before analyzing a job offer, we strongly recommend your review your: Skill set Financial goals & needs Short-term career goals Long-term career goals Once you have a firm understanding of your...

Golden Rules of Successful Interviewing

The following is a summary of the most important things to keep in mind while preparing for a job interview. Know them well and execute them competently and you will represent your strengths and potential as well as possible. Do Your ResearchThis point cannot be overemphasized. Take time to research and deeply understand yourself and your skills, strengths and job preferences, the company for whom you would like to work, the industry in which that company competes, and, if possible, the people who will interview you. There are many excellent...

Sending A Thank You Note After The Interview

Sending a thank you note, either email or letter, after the interview can be the key to landing the job.  The thank you note allows you to better enhance your interactions you had with the interviewer and also displays your professionalism and interest in the job. The thank you note is only effective if it is delivered in time to impact the hiring managers decision.  For that reason, the interviewer(s) must receive your thank you note within 24 hours after the job interview. The most effective method is sending a thank you note...

How To Deal With Rejection

Getting rejected from a potential job is a common reality of conducting a job search. But, getting rejected can be viewed as a positive thing since if you never get rejected, it means you are not setting your goals high enough. Luckily, GILD can help you find other opportunities. If you are turned down for a position, do not be upset. Instead, try to use the opportunity to learn what you could have done better, and to leave the door open to a future position within the company. Always thank the employer for his or her time and consideration....

Top 10 Interview Question 10: Why are you looking for a new job?

Why are you looking for a new job?In asking this question the interviewer is trying to determine whether you can do the job.To answer this question, avoid blaming other people or circumstances and focus on your ability to bring skills relevant to a company problem and demonstrate these skills by providing a specific example.Potential answer:I love a challenge. I am looking for a position where I get a chance to put my skills to the test on a daily basis. Worst Answer: I am bored from my old job. ...

Top 10 Interview Question 9: What Makes You Unique?

What makes you unique?By asking this question, the interviewer is trying to get at the core of why they should hire you over the other candidates – some of whom may look remarkably similar to you. Be prepared to take this key opportunity to emphasize why you are different. Focus on your skills, abilities, qualifications and experiences that may be unique compared to the rest of your competition.Potential answer:If I look carefully at my experience at ABC, I know there is one thing that really stands out, I not only write code in a variety...

Top 10 Interview Question 8: What do You Like Most About Your Job?

What do you like most about your job?By asking this question, the interviewer wants to know (a) what motivates you and (b) about your work values. To answer this question, stress the values held by the employer and focus on performance and getting the job done. Try to use examples.Potential answer:I was very satisfied in my last job, because I worked directly with the programmers and solving their problems; that is an important part of the job for me. I enjoy working with a team of competent, energetic and innovative professionals to develop...

Top 10 Interview Question 7: Why Did You Leave Your Job?

7. Why Did You Leave (or Why Are You Leaving) Your Job?By asking this question the interviewer is trying to (a) see if you will fit in, (b) see whether you will stay at the company for a suitable period of time, (c) determine if you are worth the company’s investment and (d) find out if there is anything wrong with you. To answer this question, deal with the interviewer’s needs and state your reasons for leaving in a positive context.Potential answer:If you were laid off, show you were just one of many. I joined the company because it was a startup and I would get a lot of opportunities...

Top Ten Interview Question 6: What Are Your Goals?

Number 6. What Are Your Goals?By asking this question the interviewer is (a) giving you a chance to talk about your goals, (b) trying to see if you are a thoughtful, driven candidate and (c) trying to determine whether you fit within the organization. To answer this question, again link your skills to the customers need and show how your goals benefit the company. Sometimes it is best to talk about short-term and intermediate goals rather than locking yourself into the distant future.Potential answer:I have been looking for a position...

Top 10 Interview Question 5: Why Do You Want To Work Here?

Number 5. Why Do You Want to Work Here?By asking this question the interviewer is (a) trying to determine that you have prepared and are not just interviewing because there is an available position and (b) trying to get a sense of the value you would add. To answer this question, focus on how your experience allows you to solve a specific problem and give examples.Potential answer:I have always greatly admired ABC. After researching the company I came to admire it even more and understand that you are planning to expand into Europe and will...

10 Answers You Should Know Before Your Job Interview

Tell me about yourself. Chances are the employer doesn’t want to know how much you weighed when you were born, when you learned to tie your shoes, or how much you had to drink last night. He or she wants to know how you would fit into the company and what your relevant job experience is. You might answer by asking the interviewer what he’d like to know. Or you might talk about your education, the fact that you’re a team player, or whatever you think might be important to this particular company. Why should we hire you? Even though...

Top 10 Interview Question 4: Why Should We Hire You?

Number 4. Why Should We Hire You? By asking this question the interviewer is trying to (a) see how prepared you are, (b) determine how you handle a problem, (c) see why you would help the company and (d) determine your real motivations for seeking employment. To answer this question, relax, this is simply a chance for you to explain how your skills and abilities provide the employer with a benefit by giving examples. Potential answer: My research indicates you need someone with a help-desk background to reduce the call volume diverted...

5 Tips to Acing An Interview

1. Be UniqueThis is by far, the biggest tip I can give anyone who's looking for a job and I'll tell you why it works: Everyone looks the same on paper. Anyone reviewing your resume has also reviewed hundreds of other resumes, both in relation to the job you're applying for as well as any other positions they might have open. As a result, they've seen the words "Objective" and "Work Experience" more times than they can count and honestly, it all becomes a haze after a while. So here's what you do — you stand out. You don't look like everyone...

How to Answer 23 of the Most Common Interview Questions

1. So, tell me a little about yourself. I'd be very surprised if you haven't been asked this one at every interview. It's probably the most asked question because it sets the stage for the interview and it gets you talking. Be careful not to give the interviewer your life story here. You don't need to explain everything from birth to present day. Relevant facts about education, your career and your current life situation are fine. 2. Why are you looking (or why did you leave you last job)? This should be a straightforward question to answer,...