7 Common Interview Questions For The New Graduate (or anyone else) by R ON on JUNE 3, 2008 Ok, youve graduated.

Youve just spent tens of thousands of dollars and a large chunk of your life to get your degree. Why? My guess is that youre hoping to get a great, ell paying, fulfilling jo! that "atches your interests, skills, and a!ilities as ell as your degree. #o get that jo!, youll first have to $WOW% your potential e"ployer in an intervie and the key factor ill !e your intervie preparation. The easiest way to approach a job interview with a hi h con!idence level is to prepare answers to "uestions you mi ht be as#ed, and then to practice ans ering the" until you can do it naturally. &t doesnt "atter hether youre applying for a position as a delivery driver, a soft are progra""er, an accountant, or a secretary, intervie ers are rarely trained in theintervie process and as a result often use the sa"e general 'uestions to assess candidates. &f you prepare in advance for these 'uestions, youll !e a!le to tilt the odds of a jo! offer in your favor. #he ne graduate usually thinks of hi"self or herself as having a disadvantage fro" an e(perience vie point. $ut the most important thin you have to o!!er is your inte rity and sincerity% #hose t o characteristics ill help you in an intervie as ell as e(perience. )fter all, an intervie er ould "uch prefer an honest, sincere trainee, than a dishonest liar ith *+ years of e(perience, so approach the intervie ith honest and genuine ans ers. ,aving conducted hundreds of intervie s "yself, &ve co"e up ith seven co""on 'uestions intervie ers -including "e./ usually ask as ell as so"e ideas a!out ho to ans er each. )s part of your preparation for your intervie , take the ti"e to prepare YO0R honest ans ers to each 'uestion !y focusing on the jo!s specific re'uire"ents and your personal acco"plish"ents that potentially pair up ith those re'uire"ents.

1o""on intervie 'uestion 2; $1an you descri!e a previous ork or school situation in hich you 9 ?% #his 'uestion co"es in "any for"s, !ut hat the intervie er is looking for is your !ehavior on the jo!. 8e a are that "ore and "ore intervie ers are "oving to ard a behavioral interview techni"ue here "ost 'uestions are asked in ter"s that re'uire you to ans er ith specific e(a"ples of your past !ehaviors. Your ans er could focus on a crisis you helped resolve, overco"ing a negotiation deadlock ith your creativity, handling a pro!le" co orker, or juggling "ultiple tasks on a project for a previous jo! or class. :ast !ehavior predicts future !ehavior #he theory !ehind this type of 'uestion is that past !ehavior is the !est predictor of future !ehavior. &ntervie ers !elieve that ho you handled situations in the past ill indicate ho youll handle si"ilar pro!le"s in the future. :repare real jo! or school e(a"ples in advance, and descri!e your !ehavior in specific situations that prove you have the skills the jo! re'uires.

1o""on intervie 'uestion 2* $#ell "e a!out yourself% 3o"eti"es called a #4M)Y, this open ended 'uestion can set the stage for your getting a jo! offer very 'uickly. &t can also set you up to get dis"issed out of hand right a ay. )l ays, al ays, )5W)Y3 turn your answers into positive job accomplishments at every opportunity.6ont let your ans er "eander around a!out your ho!!ies, group affiliations, or hat you do in your leisure ti"e. #his is a 7O8 intervie , so ma#e your answer !it the re"uirements of the 7O8. &f you have specific training -such as an accounting degree/ or other training relevant to the jo!, "ake sure you incorporate that into your #4M)Y. &f this is the $lead off 'uestion% &f this is the $lead off 'uestion% -and it usually is/, ask for a "ore co"plete description of hat the position entails. You could say, $& have several acco"plish"ents &d like to speak ith you a!out, !ut to "ake the !est use of our ti"e together, &d like to talk directly to your needs and the jo! re'uire"ents. 1ould you tell "e the "ost i"portant priorities of this position? )ll & kno is hat & -heard fro" the recruiter, read in the classified ad, read on your e!site, etc./. and &d like a little "ore infor"ation.% Ne(t, follo 4up ith a second and even a third 'uestion, to dra out those needs even "ore. #his second or third 'uestion usually unearths hat the intervie er is "ost looking for. 8y asking, $)nd in addition to that?9% or, $&s there anything else you see as essential to success in this position?% youll set yourself up to understand !etter hat the intervie is looking for. &ts critical to think !efore you speak in an intervie 6ont fall victi" to your natural i"pulse to si"ply ans er the 'uestions. &f you can uncover the e"ployers ants and needs, you can tailor your answers to the job% :ractice your ans ers so the process ill feel "ore natural. Re"e"!er, this is a co"petition and you have to use your talents, skills, and preparation to outshine the other candidates. )fter uncovering hat the intervie er is looking for, descri!e hy the needs of this particular jo! "atch 'uite nicely ith the tasks youve successfully perfor"ed in previous situations. 8e specific ith e(a"ples of your responsi!ilities and especially your achieve"ents so you can present yourself as a perfect "atch for the needs of the position.

1o""on intervie 'uestion 2< $What are your strengths and eaknesses?% #his is pro!a!ly the "ost ell4kno n and co""on intervie 'uestion, and intervie ers so"eti"es sneak it in !y asking, $What areas did your "ost recent !oss praise you and hat areas ere suggested you ork to i"prove during your last perfor"ance evaluation?% Your !est !et is to fit your $strengths% ans er to skills that your prospective e"ployer seeks in the ne(t e"ployee. Make sure you keep everything jo! related though. You "ay have a uni'ue a!ility to !uild !lue!ird houses, !ut &" guessing that has little value in the jo!. Example: $&" a stickler for the details. On "y last jo! as a aiter, & as asked to train seven ne aiters over the course of a su""er. & !elieved it as i"portant to teach the" the finer details of ho our food offerings ere constructed, so & gave each of the" a detailed description of our dishes. =or e(a"ple, if asked a!out a particular chicken dish, & ould descri!e it as an her! "arinated, > ounce !oneless chicken !reast, grilled to perfection ith a light dusting of 1ajun spices, t o slices of thick, peppered !acon, and fresh, crea"y Monterey 7ack cheese, garnished ith parsley and a fe chopped scallions. #he custo"ers loved it and "y training ideas using these types of descriptions have !een incorporated for all trainees.% When it co"es to eaknesses and $gro th areas,% construct your ans er to sho ho you have i"proved yourself or situations, and certainly include as "any specifics as possi!le. #ailor your ans ers to this 'uestion so that you can relate things youve learned. 8ut dont !e too o!vious and use the $&" just too aggressive% angle. &ntervie ers see right through it.

1o""on intervie 'uestion 2? $Why are you leaving your current jo!?% or $Why did you leave your previous position?% & al ays ant to kno hy so"eone is illing to leave their current co"pany, especially if they have !een there for only a short ti"e. No "atter hat, al ays tell the truth, and never speak negatively a!out past e"ployers. &f you currently have a jo!, you are in a stronger position than so"eone ho is out of ork. 8e honest and tell the intervie er hat youre hoping to find in a ne jo!. Of course, as stated !efore, your ans er ill !e "uch stronger if you have already discovered hat this position is all a!out and you "atch your desires to it. &f youre currently une"ployed &f you do not currently have a jo! @ !e honest. )nd never lie a!out the reason or reasons you arent currently orking. #hose things are too easily found out. Example: &n "y last position, & found that & as li"ited in "y gro th potential. &" looking for the type of gro th opportunities youve "entioned here. OrA &n "y last position, "y !onus as !ased on hat the 1BO thought as a $good% !onus hereas & prefer perfor"ance !ased !onuses. &" constantly "easuring "yself against hat &ve acco"plished in the past and &" looking for a position that ill allo "e to "easure those results in co"pensation.

1o""on intervie 'uestion 2C $What is your ideal ork environ"ent?% #his 'uestion is not a!out hether you prefer a cu!icle or an office, so think !roadly to include ideas a!out supervision, "anage"ent styles, and your orkday routine. Many ti"es an intervie er ill use this 'uestion hen he or she feels you "ay !e over'ualified for a position. &t can also !e used to give the intervie er a sense of your ork ethic, your fle(i!ility ith your schedule, or ho creative you are. #ell the" hat they W)N# to hear in your intervie Your !est ans er is to descri!e the jo! you are intervie ing for. Make certain your ans er is !elieva!le !y tying it to specific reasons, stated ith sincerity, hy each aspect of this position is attractive to you. Example: )ctually, Ms. 7ones, the position you and & are discussing sounds like a perfect fit for "e. )s an assistant "anager for one of your high volu"e locations, & ould love the opportunity to !ring "y creativity and high degree of ork ethic to your co"pany. & !elieve "y previous operations e(perience ould !enefit the co"pany since & could !ring a fresh perspective to the challenges you face daily. #he hours are great, the orking conditions are great, and &d love to thro "y creativity and high ork ethic !ehind your organiDation.

)s a HfreshH graduate, & ould accept "y role ith hu"ility and a !undle of confidence. )s a ne nurse out in the field, i !elieve hu"ility is very i"portant. O!taining a advanced degree through a accelerated progra" gives you a disadvantageI lack of e(perience. 8eing open "inded, and illing to accept help fro" others ill definitely !e key in reaching "y potential. 1N3 have roles as a educator and e(pert clinicians. )lthough "y e(perience "ay !e "ini"al, & a" confident that through "y years in the graduate progra", & ill o!tain the kno ledge necessary. & ill !e confident and take "y responsi!ility seriously. </ )s a 1N3Js 5eadership role, ho ould you deal ith conflict and resolution. & ould !ring a clear head to the ta!le. 5isten to the different perspectives as ell as taking do n the different factors involved in the conflict and sort things out fro" there. ..this 'uestion is a !ig vague...not 'uite sure ho to ans er thisK? ?/ W,at are so"e contri!utions you ant to "ake in the nursing field?. )s cliche as this "ay sound, i ant to "ake a difference in the nursing field. Gro ing up ith fa"ily "e"!ers constantly !eing hospitaliDed &Jve realiDed ho i"portant a friendly s"ile or a ar" HhelloH can !e at a hospital setting. & ould love to research on patient care treat"ents involving the "ost "ini"alist tools such as. & guess this goes "ore into therapy depart"ent !ut ith a 8) in the fine arts and art theory. & ould love to use hat & have learned previous to create so"e kind of synergy effect in the hospital setting. #his can include using certain colors to ease patients highly irritated state, or holding so"e kind of art activities a"ong fello nurses to !uild sense of co""unity?.

1o""on intervie 'uestion 2E $Why do you ant to ork for this co"pany% &f you have done your research and are a!le to ans er this 'uestion ith authority and sho a deeper understanding of the co"panys goals, "arketing strategies, and history, you could hit the !all out of the park. Your !est research sources are the co"panys annual reports and possi!ly the corporate ne sletter. )sk for copies of these docu"ents hen youre scheduling the intervie . You could also research any contacts you kno at the co"pany, its vendors, advertise"ents, or articles a!out the co"pany in trade pu!lications. 7oin 5inked &n, and !egin !uilding a professional net ork online. Youll soon realiDe that youre only a fe degrees a ay fro" kno ing so"eone at al"ost any co"pany. 1o""on intervie 'uestion 2F $What is your "ost nota!le acco"plish"ent?% 8efore you go to the intervie , think of three or four acco"plish"ents and 'uantify hat their actions in ter"s of &ncreasing revenues. What have you done that !rought in "ore "oney? &"proving resources. What have you done that i"proved !usiness operations? You M03# !e a!le to 'uantify your achieve"ents if you ant to stand out in the cro d. )dditionally, sho ing that you understand ho your actions have !enefited your previous e"ployers indicate that you could potentially do the sa"e as a future e"ployee. Relate your results to the position =or ne graduates, these acco"plish"ents can easily !e related to the different organiDations you orked ith in high school or college. )l ays relate your e(periences here you ere a!le to produce the desired results. Were you on the 8lood 6rive 1o""ittee? What "arketing ideas did you i"ple"ent to increase donors? 6id you ork part ti"e at the 3tudent Govern"ent )ssociation? ,o as it changed for the !etter !y your involve"ent? 6id you assist a favorite professor? 1an he or she provide a reference for ho ell you perfor"ed? =inally, al ays say thank you. :eople, particularly intervie ers, ill re"e"!er. */ What is your vision for nursing.-fro" a future )dvanced nurse41N3 point of vie / & !elieve a advanced nurse holds a "ultifaceted role. #he roles of a 1N3 can vary 6epending on the hospital and in your specific area of specialty. ,o ever, a 1N3 nurse is e(pected to !e a clinical e(pert. &t is their role to educate fello nurses as ell as patients to o!tain the !est results. & a" e(cited to start the accelerated "asters progra" so that through the rigorous course ork of scientific concepts, health assess"ents and "ethodologies & "ay !e a!le to !e of so"e assist in creating a "ore pleasant environ"ent for the staff and patients. ;/ ,o are you illing to accept your role of authority

Fresh rad& '( tips to ace your job interview

We often tend to think of an intervie as a technical viva si"ilar to those e appear for during our college e(a"inations. 8ut a jo! intervie evaluates you on a "uch !roader spectru" than just on your technical pro ess. &n the fourth article in our continuing series on e"ploya!ility skills, e talk a!out so"e i"portant things that should !e kept in "ind to i"prove your perfor"ance in the intervie processA )void an*iety Most of us feel !utterflies in the sto"ach hen e alk into the intervie roo". #his is due to the tension !uilt up during the aiting ti"e !efore the intervie . #o avoid this, one should stay a ay fro" intervie 4related discussions outside the intervie roo", and instead focus on the strengths that one needs to sho case during the intervie . Con!ident body lan ua e shows a con!ident mind 8efore entering the intervie roo", take a fe deep !reathes and alk confidently upto the desk, flashing a gentle s"ile on your face. 6onJt forget to greet the intervie er suita!ly depending on the ti"e of the day. Carry your port!olio with you &t is good to have your certificates, "arksheets and other e"ploy"ent4related docu"ents handy hile you are appearing for an intervie . You can also carry any proof of recognition or appreciation that de"onstrates your creativity and innovativeness, hich canJt !e put on your resu"e. )lso carry a pen, you "ight !e asked to rite so"ething do n. +earn to say no &t is not necessary that you kno the ans er to every 'uestion asked in the intervie . Nor do the intervie ers e(pect you to ans er each and every 'uestion they pose to you. 3o if you do not have a clue a!out a particular 'uestion, donJt try to invent ne theories on the spot. &nstead, !e honest ith the intervie panel and accept that you donJt have any kno ledge a!out the su!ject. ,aintain your composure Maintain your co"posure hile sitting. :ortray a positive !ody language. 6onJt !e too aggressive or too evasiveL"eek. =or e(a"ple, if the chair is a revolving one, then donJt keep turning it left and right. :ut your feet fir"ly on the ground so that you "aintain a grip. 5ook into the eyes of all intervie ers. -rocess your thou hts !irst 8efore giving a detailed ans er, it is !etter to think a!out the ans er and give it a structure rather than speaking rando"ly and "issing out on a fe points. You can even ask for a fe

3aving "oney. What have you done to reduce e(penses?

seconds !efore you start ans ering a 'uestion. 3ilence of a fe seconds is !etter than !lurting out the rong ans er. $e clear and concise 6onJt try to "islead the intervie ers !y giving confusing ans ers or !y circu"venting a point and not getting to the core of it. #o the e(tent possi!le, give short and to4the4point ans ers. .o your homewor# well Make sure that you have read up on the co"pany for hich you are intervie ing. Mno ledge a!out the co"panyJs various products and services is al ays helpful in strengthening your candidature for a particular jo!. /now yoursel! Your resu"e is a docu"ent hich you prepare to tell the intervie er a!out your credentials. &t is i"portant that you kno ell a!out each and every ord ritten in it. =urther, !e honest a!out hat you rite in your resu"e and hat you speak during the intervie . B"ploy"ent ith a co"pany is a long4ter" relationship and you should not try to !uild that relation on a eak foundation. )lso, any deviations found during reference checks at a later point of ti"e "ay land you in an e"!arrassing situation and "ay also pose a threat to your e"ploy"ent. .o you have any "uestions& #his 'uestion, if asked, gives you a good opportunity to sho your interest in the co"pany and the jo! profile. &t also gives you a chance to sho your illingness to e(plore the jo! profile so that you can "ake a ell4infor"ed decision. 3o donJt take the easy route !y not asking any 'uestionsI instead prepare ell in advance for such a scenario.

8ased on e(perience, the follo ing is "y personal guide to pass a jo! intervie and easeA

ith confidence

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

/now the trade. 5earn ho to conduct a jo! intervie yourself. While this is "ostly applica!le to e(perienced jo! seekers, !ut fresh graduates ill also find this very useful. #here are a lot of pu!lications a!out ho to conduct an intervie . Read. Google it. -1heck out this great jo! intervie reference/. -repare !or it. Get enough sleep and !e sure to look fresh and good during the jo! intervie . &t is al ays ise to have focus during the jo! intervie and have that great state of "ind and health. .ress smart. & usually ear a s"art !ut si"ple !usiness attire -in the :hilippines, it is okay to ear long4sleeved polo and slacks T neck tie is optional/. & choose pastel colors, or color co"!inations that looks cool and pleasant to the eyes. 2ear your smile. & "eant !e natural ith your s"ile. You can perfect this in front of the "irror. & could easily spot a natural s"ile and a fake one, orse, a nervous s"ile. $e strai ht to the point. 6o not give ans ers to 'uestions that ere not directly asked. &f you ere asked ho long you have !een orking, ans er C years instead of ans ering you orked for < years, then stopped to study "asters, then orked again for ; years. Focus on your stren th. You have to kno 6i you read and learn how to conduct a job interview yoursel 5 you should already !et this point7that jo! intervie ers do not e(pect for a perfect "atch or a perfect e"ployee. &t is all a!out ri ht attitude and your a!ility to reco ni3e your stren ths and wea#nesses that really "atter to "ost e"ployers. &f you are a fresh graduate, perhaps you can find "y panel intervie ans er as a tip. 5astly, you have to successfully assure your prospect e"ployer that you are traina!le, and that you have the drive to learn ne things. .o not lie. #his is o!viously a no4no in a jo! intervie . Most jo! intervie ers can distinguish a false ans er. #hey study those things. &ts their jo!. 3o dont !e too s"art to think youre s"arter than the". )s# the ri ht "uestions. Most jo! intervie ers "ay ask you if you have 'uestions T !ut just li"it your 'uestions to the scope of the jo!, so"e clarifications a!out the nature of the jo! if so"e infor"ation ere not clear to you, and hat ill !e the ne(t stage after the intervie . While others suggest that you ask a!out the co"pensation package, & strongly suggest to defer this 'uestion until you are invited !ack to discuss a!out it. )void asking too "uch 'uestions T only relevant ones as suggested a!ove.

0ow to succes!ully pass a job interview

&t is jo! hunting season for "ost ne =ilipino college graduates. )nd ith so "any graduates as against availa!le jo!s -"ost nota!ly, "atched jo!s/, it is 'uite tough co"petition out there. ) job interview, apart rom cra tin! a !ood"loo#in! resume, is pro!a!ly one of the "ost difficult challenges a jo! seeker faces during the jo! application process, regardless hether one is a fresh graduate or a jo! Nhopper for so"eti"e. & "ust ad"it that & do enjoy this part, !ut theres no secret for"ula than just !eing yourself -dont pretend to !e so"eone else, orse an e(pert/ and just great a"ount of self4confidence. With so"e "i( of hu"ility and straightfor ardness, you are ready to face any jo! intervie challenge, even the "uch dreaded panel intervie s. )t a young age, & had the opportunity to actually ent through an intervie intensive jo! application. My first jo! application -& as a ne graduate then/ for a consulting position in an &8M 8usiness 1onsulting partner as *+O ritten -just an &P e(a"/ and >+O intervie . &t as a <4stage jo! intervie process here the last phase as a panel intervie . Q,#M5*R & still re"e"!er that panel intervie , hich & al ays share ith "y colleagues "ostly in an anecdotal ay. & as a ne graduate, fresh fro" an &ndustrial Bngineering degree in a university. #raditional jo!s did not really enticed "e. 1ould not i"agine "yself sitting for S4hours doing so"e production planning, or inventory control, or doing so"e purchasing stuff. 3o & applied for a jo! ith this announce"entA $usiness Consultant needed 1 2"3 years e$perience in a %anu acturin! settin!& %ust have #nowled!e in '(% )*+,00 system operations& E$perience with (-.* or any %/-'' so tware is pre erred& 0nowled!e with %/-'' is a must& %ust be hardwor#in! and, %ust be a ast learner. 6uring the panel intervie - hich "eans, "iraculously, & ent past the &P e(a" and hurdled through ; intervie stages/, this 8oss4looking guy asked "e ith a straight faced 'uestion, $ *o, what do you have that you thin# will ma#e us consider your application1 $. =or a "o"ent, & paused, and ith a straight face, & ans ered !ack, $*irs and %adam, ' am a new !raduate, ' don2t have any e$perience in a manu acturin! company, e$cept as an 3J4& ' don2t #now anythin! about '(% )*+,00 5 haven2t seen one& (-.* and %/-'' so tware are new to me, but, ' am proud to say ' #now %/-'' 6we studied it in school7, ' am hardwor#in! and most o all, ' am a ast learner.% )fter < days, so"e!ody called "e up to infor" "e & as hired. 5O5.

7. 8.

4nd with a smile and a handsha#e. Most people s"ile after the jo! intervie process T again, give that natural s"ile. 8ut so"e dont !other to approach the jo! intervie er and give a ar" Nthank you and a handshake. Make the jo! intervie er feel that you "ean !usiness, and "ost !usiness deals end ith a nice handshake. 7ust do it. #his ill !e first of a series of posts regarding jo! intervie s -!oth fro" an intervie er and an intervie ees point of vie /. 3o check !ack again.

9.

5Tell me about yoursel!6 interview samples

-osted by 8ee &t occurred to "e yesterday that hen & gave guidelines for responding to the'uintessential intervie 'uestion of $tell "e a!out yourself% & failed to actually give an e(a"ple of the ans ering strategy put into action. 3o, here are three different e(a"ples of ho to ans er the 'uery. ,odel '7 )ctivity1 eared answer 64his would be or students who participated in some really uni9ue e$tracurricular activities that they2d li#e to ocus their interview on.7 Interviewer7 3o, 6ee, tell "e a!out yourself.

.ee7 Well, just to start off generally, &" a senior at 3o"e here ,igh 3chool, and in addition to acade"ics, throughout high school & as really involved in three -or t o/ activities that & really enjoy and spend a lot of ti"e on. =irst, & a" really involved in "usic. & played the tu!a in our high school !and, and !y senior year, no &" dru" "ajor. 3econd, &" really active ith local politics. & interned for our states senator hose offices are located in "y city, and & learned so "uch researching issues for the ca"paign. )lso, &" an avid soccer player. &ve !een playing since & as five, and & as really e(cited hen & as voted tea" captain of our clu! tea" last year. Interviewer7 Oh, thats great. #ell "e "ore a!out !eing dru" "ajor. What does thatinvolve9? 8ther !ollow1up "uestions to e*pect7 What does !eing a dru" "ajor involve? What are your responsi!ilities? Whats your leadership style? What ca"paign issues did you research? What as the "ost interesting learning e(perience you had hile orking for the state senator? What surprised you a!out politics during your internship? ,o do you as soccer tea" captain handle a loss? ,o do you "otivate your tea"? ,odel 97 -ersonal traits answer 64his would be or students who want to be really !eneral about themselves.7 Interviewer7 3o, 6ee, tell "e a!out yourself. .ee7 3ure. Well, &" no a senior at 3o"e here ,igh 3chool. &" a really energetic person hose a real self4starter. What & "ean !y self4starter is that in the past &ve loved !eing independent and taking on ne projects and developing "y fresh ideas. =or e(a"ple, last year & started an &nternet4!ased co"pany that sells cookie recipes and the site has increased in traffic !y ;+O since three "onths ago. 8ut, so"eti"es &" also "ore introverted too, and enjoy just reading and riting, and painting as ell. Follow1up "uestions to e*pect7 #ell "e a!out your co"pany? What has !een your !iggest success thus far? Your !iggest failure? What did you learn fro" that? What are your goals for the future ith your !usiness? 6o you see yourself continuing ith that through college? Whats your favorite !ook, and hy? What style or hat genre or hat for" of riting do you do? What do you paint? 6o you take classes or are you self4taught? What piece of ork are you "ost proud of? ,odel :7 $ac# round in!ormation answer 64his would be or students who have particularly interestin! personal or amily bac#!rounds.7 Interviewer7 3o, 6ee, tell "e a!out yourself. .ee7 & just started "y senior year at 3o"e here ,igh 3chool. )ctually though, & asnt al ays in standard schools. When & as younger, "y "o" as in the "ilitary so & spent "ost of "y childhood on "ilitary !ases going to school ith other "ilitary kids. &t as a really interesting ay to gro up !ecause e ere "oving around a lot, so it as really ne and e(citing for "e to start school at sort of a standard, )"erican high school. My "o" as actually inspired to join the "ilitary !ecause of her father, ho as a general. )nd, !y seeing "y "o" ork in so "any different countries, shes really inspired "e in hat & ant to study in college too. Follow1up "uestions to e*pect7 What as the !iggest challenge you had to overco"e? What skills or 'ualities did you gain fro" your e(periences? ,o have you learned fro" that e(perience? ,o has your e(perience shaped ho you are today and hat goals you have for the future? Whos your role "odel? Whats your fa"ilys !ackground? Note that these 1)N and should !e t eaked to fit your o n personal needs. #hese are just the sa"ples for the three styles that & think are !est to ans er the 'uintessential $tell "e a!out yourself% 'uestion. =or "ore a!out this intervie 4starter, refer to the post, $)h, the 'uintessential Ntell "e a!out yourself.%

6iscussing the compensation aspect is undenia!ly one of the "ost e"!arrassing and a k ard phases of the jo! search process. =or the greenhorn in particular, it can also !e a lopsided face off due to his or her lack of !argaining e(perience and e(pertise. =resh college graduates "ay think that ith little or no ork e(perience to speak of, they are at the "ercy of hiring e"ployers hen it co"es to salary negotiation. 8anish the thought. You can definitely increase the odds of getting a fair pay package if you understand ho the process orks, kno !argaining dos and donJts and have a good idea of industry going rates.

1.

-re1bar ainin sta e )nd the first lesson ork orld ne !ies have to learn is that the salary negotiation process doesnJt start only after you pass the intervie . &t starts even !efore that ith a self4 assess"ent of your financial needs and situation so that you can arrive at hat you consider a orka!le initial salary scale. 1alculate the a"ount youJll need to support your lifestyle, factoring in your "onthly e(penses including transportation costs, ork clothes, food e(penses, etc. #he secret is to co"e up ith three figuresA the "ini"u", "id level and "a(i"u" accepta!le salary. When asked your co"pensation range, articulate the last t o figures, never the "ini"u" salary, hich should only serve as your guide for the a!solute !otto" line offer youJre illing to entertain. #his stage also re'uires co"parative research on prevailing salary trends so you donJt under price or overprice yourself out of the "arket. ,o to conduct a salary survey? &n'uire fro" friends, net ork contacts, professional associations or other jo! seekers. You "ay also give your school career center a try, as ell as trade pu!lications and jo! e!sites % 1onduct a discreet study of the hiring co"pany as ell. )sk fro" inside contacts if you have the", visit its e!site or gather co"pany !rochures or profiles. #his should help you in co"ing up ith your desired salary spectru". 8y the end of this stage, you should have ans ers to these 'uestionsA What is the salary range for the jo! according to industry standards? What is the salary range the co"pany is likely to offer for this position? What "akes "e orth a higher salary?

;. The interview 6uring the intervie , you can raise your orth in the recruiterJs eyes !y stressing your strengths, talents, kno ledge, acco"plish"ents and skills. &n lieu of ork e(perience, you can discuss your school projects and undertakings, using such control ords as $took charge,% $initiated,% developed% or $i"ple"ented% to indicate successful co"pletion of a progra" or activity. ) ord of cautionA Resist atte"pts at this stage to discuss salary. 3i"ply state that you are open to negotiation and illing to consider a co"petitive offer. &f the e"ployer insists on "ore specific infor"ation, provide a salary range rather than a definite nu"!er. #he rationale here is that the less you divulge a!out hat offer ill "ake you !ite, the "ore youJre likely to receive a !est offer. <. The ne otiation sta e No co"es the tricky part. )d"ittedly, salary ranges for "ost entry4level positions are set and leave you little roo" for negotiation. 8ut understand that "ost e"ployers ould pro!a!ly 'uote the lo er end of the salary scale, so your goal is to shoot for a high4end offer. #o reiterate, try not to !e the first to "ention "oney so as not to shortchange yourself !y inadvertently revealing a lo salary e(pectation. 8elo is an e(a"ple of a salary offer and your possi!le responses to it. #o avoid sounding arrogant or de"anding, e(perts suggest fra"ing your response in 'uestion for". $#he salary is 86# *;,+++ per "onth,% the e"ployer says. You "ight replyA 44$& a" happy a!out the jo! offer and & a" very interested in the position. 8ut considering

todayJs high cost of living, &Jd like to !e "aking around 86#*F,+++. Would that !e possi!le?% Or, 44$&J" delighted in your interest in "e and & really !elieve & could contri!ute, !ut & have other options in the 86#*F,+++ range -say this only if true/. &s there a ay e could ork this out?% #here are other negotiation ga"!its e"ployers "ay take. 8ut the i"portant thing to re"e"!er in giving your ans er is to 'uote the higher part of your salary scale !ased on your research44after youJve "ade a convincing pitch that youJre orth that "uch. ,ere, variations of the salary 'uestion that "ay co"e your ayA ,o "uch do you hope to receive? What kind of salary do you think youJre orth? 6o you !elieve people in your occupation should !e paid "ore? We canJt pay you hat you think you should get. ,o do you feel a!out this? )nd hat do you do if the e"ployer raises o!jections to your salary re'uest, citing a"ong othersA your lack of e(perience the lo er salaries of other e"ployees the !udget ceiling the fi(ed range for ne hires You can !est ans er these !y co"ing up ith a follo 4up 'uestion on hat the range is and hat it ould take to get to the higher level. )nother tactic is to have an alternative plan, like asking for a salary increase at a later date if you donJt get hat you asked for. 1areerists say this is here your preli"inary research into the co"pany ill co"e in handy. &f youJve done your ho"e ork, you should have prior kno ledge of their !enefit and co"pensation package and can pick up clues if youJre pushing your luck. Re"e"!er that youJre negotiating for the upper end of their salary !racket, not s'ueeDing the co"pany dry, a strategy thatJs sure to !oo"erang. ?. The job o!!er Once you receive a jo! offer, never accept or reject it on the spot. #ake this opportunity to ask a!out their other fringe !enefits a!ove the *<th "onth, vacation leave, 333 contri!ution and other govern"ent4"andated perks. #hen ask for at least ;? hours to think it over. When "aking a decision, consider all factors includingA opportunities for gro th, pro"otion, training and skills enhance"ent co"pany sta!ility and "anage"ent style advice fro" your "entors, fa"ily and friends the total pay and !enefit package C. )cceptance #he pri"ary rule in accepting an offer is to get everything do n in riting, particularly if youJve succeeded in getting special considerations such as a signing !onus or other perks, so that you have so"ething concrete to hold on to. 3alary negotiation is considered !y "ost applicants as the "ost e"!arrassing and a k ard part of the jo! search process. =or the ne entrant to the orkforce in particular, it can also !e a lopsided face off due to his or her lack of negotiating e(perience and e(pertise. #hus, it is vital that you ac'uire the !argaining skills set !ecause the payoff is tre"endous and long lasting. :ulling off a favora!le deal can produce a do"ino effect considering that any future pay hike ould !e dependent on your current salary. #hat should "ake you

shed your inhi!itions a!out haggling for a !etter pay, so long as you re"e"!er that it should !e done ith restraint, taste and finesse.