How to prepare for an interview

Excerpt taken from Job Search Guide with 25 Action Takeaways.

For your own copy of the entire document contact: 

Bill Gunn, http://www.linkedin.com/in/wfgunnjr

An experienced interviewer will try to learn as much as possible about you
and may conduct a thorough and structured interview.

Be prepared to give answers to the following:

 Work History and Experience.
Employment Stability • Relevance of Experience

 Job-related Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities.
Technical Competence • Level of Sustained Performance • Accomplishments

 Job Interest and Motivation.
Industry, Company/Organization, Position/Profession

 Education and Training.
Formal Education • Professional Training/Certifications • Continuing Education

 Personal Characteristics and Strengths.
”Fit" for Position, Department, or Organization • ”Corporate Culture" Match
• Characteristics Valued by Organizations: Adaptability • Cooperation • Creativity
• Enthusiasm • High Energy • Perseverance • Collaborative • Performance Driven

For a more in-depth development of each category above, read on:


Work History/Experience
1. How did you acquire your last three positions?
2. Which of your past companies would you be most eager to
rejoin? Why?
3. What would references from previous employers reveal?
4. What two work accomplishments have given you the most
satisfaction?
5. Do you have an employment agreement, a non-compete or
non-solicitation agreement?


Knowledge, Skills, Abilities
1. If you are an IT service delivery manager, you may
expect questions about:
 Customer satisfaction
 Cost management
 Decision making and problem solving
 Productivity and people management
 Leadership
 Interpersonal/organizational effectiveness
2. These questions should be open-ended like:
– “Tell me about a time when ...” or
– “Describe a situation when ...”
Job Search Planning Guide 25 ©


Motivation for the Job, Department Mission, company
and the Industry.
1. Why are you in the job market today?
2. What attracts you to our company?
3. How were you referred to us?
4. Why do you feel this job is a good fit for you?
5. Can you do the work?
6. Why do you think you will really enjoy this job?
7. What motivates you to put forth your greatest effort?
Job Search Planning Guide 26 ©


Education and Training | Life-Long-Learning
1. How do you stay up to date technically?
2. What’s your most significant academic achievement?
3. Why would your coworkers call you an active learner?
4. What professional development or industry certifications
are you pursuing?
5. What development goals have you set for yourself?


Personal Strengths / Lominger Competencies
1. What would your past bosses say are some of your special
strengths or personal qualities?
2. How do you stay cool under pressure in very complex and
difficult situations?
3. Tell me about a time you overcame resistance inside the
organization to get a project done.
4. Discuss how your team-building skills have been recognized
in past performance reviews or career discussions?
5. What would your coworkers say is their biggest challenge
working with you?
6. Tell me why your new colleagues will like working with
you.