The other day I wrote about some of the steps you can use to create a resume. Today I was thinking about using those same steps to help you prepare for your interview.
You know that two column chart I asked you to create? You can use that as your cheat sheet to prepare for your interview.
1. Look at the key words in the job requirements. (Column 1)
2. What did you do in your former job or life experience that relate to these? (Column 2)
3. New!! Develop specific, real-world examples of your accomplishments following the STAR Acronym - Situation, Task, Action, Results.
Let's look at an example open position for an administrative assistant. A partial description reads:
Effective organizational skills, including the ability to multi-task and prioritize and keen attention to detail, written and oral communication - effective interpersonal skills, requires effective command of the English language. Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Access, and Outlook.
Based upon the job requirements, you might prepare for these types of questions:
1. "The position requires that the employee be able to multi-task while working for several managers. Please give me an example of a task or situation where you had to prioritize your work due to the conflicting requirements. Take me through the steps you took and the results of these actions."
2. "Describe the most challenging report or written piece that you prepared. What aspects of the piece were challenging? Who was the audience? What was the outcome?"
3. " You mentioned that you are proficient in Microsoft PowerPoint. Explain the types of presentations that you created in your previous position. Who was your audience and how did you tailor the presentations to their needs?"
When you create a chart of the job requirements, your skills and competencies and your REAL LIFE application and accomplishments of these, you will be so much more confident in your ability to speak about them in an interview. The bottom line is to prepare so that you are confident, secure in your abilities and not blind-sided.
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2 comments:
This is a great example of how to prepare for an interview Nancy. I might also suggest having another person ask the questions once you have generated them, to more realistically create interview conditions. Answering questions in your head is not as effective as vocalizing your answers to another human being!
That's a great thing to do Brenda - the more practice, the better prepared. Thanks so much for replying.
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