Avoid This Job Interview From Hell: Ask Margaret

Most job offers come AFTER you have done well on at least one interview and possibly a series of interviews. Don’t wing it on a job interview.  Be prepared!

Not every interview question you'll be asked is going to be unique. Certainly you need to be prepared to share something about yourself and discuss your qualifications. There are other typical questions that will come your way too. With some help from Joyce Lain Kennedy author of Job Interviews For Dummies®, 4th Edition you can answer these interview questions without breaking a sweat.

Some typical interview questions seem so safe and yet they have the potential to really trip you up. Consider these examples:

How did you prepare for this interview? Translation: Is this job
important enough for you to research it, or are you going through the motions
without preparation, making it up as you go? “The best answer?” says Kennedy.
“You very much want this job, and of course you researched it starting with the
company website.”

Can you describe a work/school instance in which you messed up? The
question within a question is whether you learn from your mistakes or keep
repeating the same errors. A kindred concern is whether you are too
self-important to consider any action of yours to be a mistake.

“Speaking of mistakes, here’s a chance to avoid making one during your job
interview,” notes Kennedy. “Never deliver a litany of your personal bad points.
Instead, briefly mention a single small, well-intentioned goof and follow up
with an important lesson learned from the experience.”

Personally, I love the ‘For Dummies’ books and I am never ashamed to leave a bookstore with one of these books tucked under my arm. The only thing that would truly be unintelligent would be to need help and not seek it out!

Until next time; wishing you peace at work. Remember to send
your questions to Ask@MargaretMeloni.com. If you prefer to remain anonymous that's OK. I will not publish your name.