Being prepared is half the battle.

If you are one of those executive types unhappy at your present post and embarking on a New Year's resolution to find a new one, here's a helping hand. The job interview is considered to be the most critical aspect of every expedition that brings you face-to- face with the future boss. One must prepare for it with the same tenacity and quickness as one does for a fencing tournament or a chess match.

1. Tell me about yourself.

Since this is often the opening question in an interview, be extracareful that you don't run off at the mouth. Keep your answer to a minute or two at most. Cover four topics: early years, education, work history, and recent career experience. Emphasize this last subject. Remember that this is likely to be a warm-up question. Don't waste your best points on it.
2. What do you know about our organization?

You should be able to discuss products or services, revenues, reputation, image, goals, problems, management style, people, history and philosophy. But don't act as if you know everything about the place. Let your answer show that you have taken the time to do some research, but don't overwhelm the interviewer, and make it clear that you wish to learn more.

You might start your answer in this manner: In my job search, I've investigated a number of companies.

Yours is one of the few that interests me, for these reasons...

Give your answer a positive tone. Don't say, Well, everyone tells me that you're in all sorts of trouble, and that's why I'm here, even if that is why you're there.
3. Why do you want to work for us?

The deadliest answer you can give is Because I like people. What else would you like-animals?

Here, and throughout the interview, a good answer comes from having done your homework so that you can speak in terms of the company's needs. You might say that your research has shown that the company is doing things you would like to be involved with, and that it's doing them in ways that greatly interest you. For example, if the organization is known for strong management, your answer should mention that fact and show that you would like to be a part of that team. If the company places a great deal of emphasis on research and development, emphasize the fact that you want to create new things and that you know this is a place in which such activity is encouraged. If the organization stresses financial controls, your answer should mention a reverence for numbers.

If you feel that you have to concoct an answer to this question - if, for example, the company stresses research, and you feel that you should mention it even though it really doesn't interest you- then you probably should not be taking that interview, because you probably shouldn't be considering a job with that organization.

Your homework should include learning enough about the company to avoid approaching places where you wouldn't be able -or wouldn't want- to function. Since most of us are poor liars, it's difficult to con anyone in an interview. But even if you should succeed at it, your prize is a job you don't really want.
4. What can you do for us that someone else can't?

Here you have every right, and perhaps an obligation, to toot your own horn and be a bit egotistical. Talk about your record of getting things done, and mention specifics from your resume or list of career accomplishments. Say that your skills and interests, combined with this history of getting results, make you valuable. Mention your ability to set priorities, identify problems, and use your experience and energy to solve them.
5. What do you find most attractive about this position? What seems least attractive about it?

List three or four attractive factors of the job, and mention a single, minor, unattractive item.
6. Why should we hire you?

Create your answer by thinking in terms of your ability, your experience, and your energy. (See question 4.)
7. What do you look for in a job?

Keep your answer oriented to opportunities at this organization. Talk about your desire to perform and be recognized for your contributions. Make your answer oriented toward opportunity rather than personal security.

8. Please give me your defintion of [the position for which you are being interviewed].

Keep your answer brief and taskoriented. Think in in terms of responsibilities and accountability. Make sure that you really do understand what the position involves before you attempt an answer. If you are not certain. ask the interviewer; he or she may answer the question for you.

9. How long would it take you to make a meaningful contribution to our firm?

Be realistic. Say that, while you would expect to meet pressing demands and pull your own weight from the first day, it might take six months to a year before you could expect to know the organization and its needs well enough to make a major contribution.

10. How long would you stay with us?

Say that you are interested in a career with the organization, but admit that you would have to continue to feel challenged to remain with any organization. Think in terms of, As long as we both feel achievement-oriented.

11. Your resume suggests that you may be over-qualified or too experienced for this position. What's Your opinion?

Emphasize your interest in establishing a long-term association with the organization, and say that you assume that if you perform well in his job, new opportunities will open up for you. Mention that a strong company needs a strong staff. Observe that experienced executives are always at a premium. Suggest that since you are so wellqualified, the employer will get a fast return on his investment. Say that a growing,
energetic company can never have too much talent.

12. What is your management style?

You should know enough about the company's style to know that your management style will complement it. Possible styles include: task oriented (I'll enjoy problem-solving identifying what's wrong, choosing a solution and implementing it), results-oriented (Every management decision I make is determined by how it will affect the bottom line), or even paternalistic (I'm committed to taking care of my subordinates and pointing them in the right direction).

A participative style is currently quite popular: an open-door method of managing in which you get things done by motivating people and delegating responsibility.

As you consider this question, think about whether your style will let you work hatppily and effectively within the organization.

13. Are you a good manager? Can you give me some examples? Do you feel that you have top managerial potential?

Keep your answer achievementand ask-oriented. Rely on examples from your career to buttress your argument. Stress your experience and your energy.

14. What do you look for when You hire people?

Think in terms of skills. initiative, and the adaptability to be able to work comfortably and effectively with others. Mention that you like to hire people who appear capable of moving up in the organization.

15. Have you ever had to fire people? What were the reasons, and how did you handle the situation?

Admit that the situation was not easy, but say that it worked out well, both for the company and, you think, for the individual. Show that, like anyone else, you don't enjoy unpleasant tasks but that you can resolve them efficiently and -in the case of firing someone- humanely.

16. What do you think is the most difficult thing about being a manager or executive?

Mention planning, execution, and cost-control. The most difficult task is to motivate and manage employess to get something planned and completed on time and within the budget.

17. What important trends do you see in our industry?

Be prepared with two or three trends that illustrate how well you understand your industry. You might consider technological challenges or opportunities, economic conditions, or even regulatory demands as you collect your thoughts about the direction in which your business is heading.

18. Why are you leaving (did you leave) your present (last) job?

Be brief, to the point, and as honest as you can without hurting yourself. Refer back to the planning phase of your job search. where you considered this topic as you set your reference statements. If you were laid off in an across-the-board cutback, say so; otherwise, indicate that the move was your decision, the result of your action. Do not mention personality conflicts.

The interviewer may spend some time probing you on this issue, particularly if it is clear that you were terminated. The We agreed to disagree approach may be useful. Remember hat your references are likely to be checked, so don't concoct a story for an interview.

19. How do you feel about leaving all your benefits to find a new job?

Mention that you are concerned, naturally, but not panicked. You are willing to accept some risk to find the right job for yourself. Don't suggest that security might interest you more than getting the job done successfully.

20. In your current (last) position, what features do (did) you like the most? The least?

Be careful and be positive. Describe more features that you liked than disliked. Don't cite personality problems. If you make your last job sound terrible, an interviewer may wonder why you remained there until now.

21. What do you think of your boss?

Be as positive as you can. A potential boss is likely to wonder if you might talk about him in similar terms at some point in the future.

22. Why aren't you earning more at your age?

Say that this is one reason that you are conducting this job search. Don't be defensive.

23. What do you feel this position should pay?

Salary is a delicate topic. We suggest that you defer tying yourself to a precise figure for as long as you can do so politely. You might say, I understand that the range for this job is between $______ and $______. That seems appropriate for the job as I understand it. You might answer the question with a question: Perhaps you can help me on this one. Can you tell me if there is a range for similar jobs in the organization?

If you are asked the question during an initial screening interview, you might say that you feel you need to know more about the position's responsibilities before you could give a meaningful answer to that question. Here, too, either by asking the interviewer or search executive (if one is involved), or in research done as part of your homework, you can try to find out whether there is a salary grade attached to the job. If there is, and if you can live with it, say that the range seems right to you.

If the interviewer continues to probe, you might say, You know that I'm making $______ now. Like everyone else, I'd like to improve on that figure, but my major interest is with the job itself. Remember that the act of taking a new job does not, in and of itself, make you worth more money.

If a search firm is involved, your contact there may be able to help with the salary question. He or she may even be able to run interference for you. If, for instance, he tells you what the position pays, and you tell him that you are earning that amount now and would Like to do a bit better, he might go back to the employer and propose that you be offered an additional 10%.

If no price range is attached to the job, and the interviewer continues to press the subject, then you will have to restpond with a number. You cannot leave the impression that it does not really matter, that you'll accept whatever is offered. If you've been making $80,000 a year, you can't say that a $35,000 figure would be fine without sounding as if you've given up on yourself. (If you are making a radical career change, however, this kind of disparity may be more reasonable and understandable.)

Don't sell yourself short, but continue to stress the fact that the job itself is the most important thing in your mind. The interviewer may be trying to determine just how much you want the job. Don't leave the impression that money is the only thing that is important to you. Link questions of salary to the work itself.

But whenever possible, say as little as you can about salary until you reach the final stage of the interview process. At that point, you know that the company is genuinely interested in you and that it is likely to be flexible in salary negotiations.

24. What are your long-range goals?

Refer back to the planning phase of your job search. Don't answer, I want the job you've advertised. Relate your goals to the company you are interviewing: 'in a firm like yours, I would like to...

25. How successful do you you've been so far?

Say that, all-in-all, you're happy with the way your career has progressed so far. Given the normal ups and downs of life, you feel that you've done quite well and have no complaints.

Present a positive and confident picture of yourself, but don't overstate your case. An answer like, Everything's wonderful! I can't think of a time when things were going better! I'm overjoyed! is likely to make an interviewer wonder whether you're trying to fool him . . . or yourself. The most convincing confidence is usually quiet confidence.

  準備是成功的一半

如果你是一個對目前的職位不滿意，正著手去在新的一年里找到一個新的職位，這篇文章就是你的一個幫手。工作面試是你去面對未來的老板的征途中最重要的一個過程。你必須像進行一個擊劍錦標賽或著一個國際象棋比賽那樣的堅韌和敏捷來對待面試。

1.介紹你自己

這個問題通常是一個面試的開始的第一個問題，要額外的小心不要滔滔不絕。盡可能的讓你的回答在一分鐘，最多2分鐘的時間內(nèi)結(jié)束。你的回答應該包含以下4個主題：早期生活，教育背景，工作背景以及最近的工作經(jīng)驗。要著重強調(diào)最后的那個主題。要牢記這個問題通常是一個熱身的問題，不要把你的最重要的觀點浪費在這個問題上。

2.你對我們公司有什么樣的了解

你必須能夠談論關于這個公司的產(chǎn)品，服務，收入，業(yè)界聲望，形象，目標，存在的問題，管理風格，職工，歷史和企業(yè)文化等問題。但是不要表現(xiàn)出你對這個公司的一切都了如指掌。讓你的回答能夠體現(xiàn)出你對該公司做了一些研究，但是不要讓面試官被你打�。╫verwhelm），并表現(xiàn)出你希望能夠了解關于公司更多的情況。

你可以用這樣的態(tài)度來開始回答問題：“在我的尋找工作的過程中，我調(diào)查研究了很多公司，出于如下的理由，貴公司是我感興趣的公司之一：”。

用一個積極的態(tài)度來回答這個問題，不要這樣說：“每個人都告訴我這個公司處于困境中，有各種樣的麻煩，這就是我來這兒的原因”，即是那的確是你在這兒的理由。

3.為什么你希望來我們公司工作？

最糟糕的答案就是“因為我喜歡人”。要是你喜歡的是動物，那你去哪工作呢？

在這個問題的回答上，并且貫穿整個面試的過程中，一個優(yōu)秀的答案總是來自于你所作的調(diào)查研究，這樣的話你可以從公司的需要那個方面來回答。你可能說你的研究表明這個公司所做的工作正是你說希望參與的，并且他們做這個工作的方式極大的吸引了你。例如，如果這個公司由于強大的管理而著稱，納悶你的答案可以提到這個事實，并表示你希望成為這個小組的一員。如果這個公司著重強調(diào)研發(fā)，那么就強調(diào)你希望創(chuàng)造你的事物，而你知道這個公司非常鼓勵這樣的行為。如果這個公司強調(diào)經(jīng)濟控制，你的答案就應該包含對數(shù)字的熱愛。

如果你覺得你必須捏造一個答案，例如如果這個公司強調(diào)研發(fā)，但是你覺得你必須提到這一點而實際上你對這根本不感興趣，那么你可能根本不應該參加這個面試，因為你可能根本不會考慮在這個公司工作。

你的之前的準備必須包括對這個公司做詳盡的了解，來避免到一個你無法發(fā)揮才干或者根本不想去的公司面試。大多數(shù)人都不擅長說謊，所以在面試中欺瞞面試官是一件很困難的事情。即使你成功的做到了這一點，你所獲得的也只是一個你不想?yún)⒓拥墓ぷ鳌?/p>

4.你可以為我們完成哪些其他人做不到的事情？

這個問題上，你有權利或者是義務來自吹自擂。談論一些你完成工作的記錄，提到你簡歷中的獨特之處，或者列出你職業(yè)生涯中的成就。告訴別人，你的技能和興趣在獲取這些結(jié)果的過程中發(fā)揮了很大的作用，并使得你很有價值。提到你能夠合理的安排工作優(yōu)先順序，找出問題，并利用你的經(jīng)驗和精力來解決問題。

5.你覺得這個職位最吸引你的地方是什么？最不吸引你的地方又是什么？

列出3到4個這個工作吸引人的方面，然后提出一個簡單的不重要的不吸引人的問題。

6.為什么我們應該雇傭你？

參見問題4, 考慮你的能力，你的工作經(jīng)歷和你的干勁。

7.你希望在工作中能夠獲得什么？

讓你的答案來源與這個公式提供的機會。談論你希望能夠大展身手并獲取認可的要求。讓你的答案基于工作機會而不是個人的要求。

8.談論一下你對你應聘的這個職位的定義

你的答案應該簡短并且是基于工作要求的�？紤]這個工作的責任和義務。在你回答問題之前確定你真正的了解這個職位所涉及的方方面面。如果你不確定，就去問面試官，他可能會幫你回答這個問題。

9.你需要多久能夠?qū)�公司做出顯著的貢獻？

答案要實際一點�？梢赃@樣回答，盡管你希望從第一天開始就能夠滿足公司緊迫的要求，并開始發(fā)揮作用，但是你可能需要6個月到1年的時間來足夠了解這個公司及其需要來做出很大的貢獻。

10.你會在公司工作多久？

可以這樣回答，你對在這個公司的職業(yè)生涯很感興趣，可是也得承認你必須能夠不斷感覺到有挑戰(zhàn)才能夠繼續(xù)在任何公司呆著�？梢钥紤]這樣的語句“只要我們雙方都感覺有收獲”。

11.你的簡歷顯示你的能力超出了這個工作的要求，你是如何認為的？

強調(diào)你對在這個公司開始一個長期的合作的興趣，你可以說你認為如果你在這個職位上表現(xiàn)的很好，公司還會為你提供新的機會。也要提到一個好公司需要好的職員。有檢驗的職員總會有很好的獎勵；既然你是如此的很是這個職位，雇主將會很快從他的投資中獲得回報。一個發(fā)展中的，充滿活力的工資永遠不會嫌天才多的。

12.你的管理方式是什么樣的？

你必須對這個公司的風格有足夠的了解，這樣才能讓你的管理風格對其進行補充�？赡艿娘L格包括：基于任務的（我喜愛問題-研究那些是錯誤的，選擇一個解決方案并完成），基于結(jié)構(gòu)的（我做出的任何一個管理的決定是基于它是如何影響問題的底線的），或者是家長式作風的（我致力與管理好我的每一個下屬，并給他們指引正確的方向）。

民主參與式的風格是目前比較流行的一種：一個開放的管理方式，通過激勵手下并根據(jù)所負責的事情分派任務來完成每一件事情。

當你考慮這個問題的時候，要思考你的風格是否會讓你在這個公司里高興并有效率的工作。

13.你是一個合格的經(jīng)理嗎？你可以舉一些例子嗎？你是否覺得你有頂級管理人員的潛力？

保證你的答案是基于成果和任務的。通過你職業(yè)生涯中的一些例子來加固你的論點。強調(diào)你的經(jīng)驗和精力。

14.當你招聘人手的時候你需要什么類型的？

考慮一些技能方面的問題。主動性，以及能夠舒服和有效的與其他人一起工作的適應性。提到你希望雇傭一些看起來能夠在公司中獲得提升的人。

15.你是否曾經(jīng)不得不解雇一些員工？是什么理由？你是如何解決這個情況的？

要承認這個情況不是容易解決的，但是你還是很好的解決了，不管是從公司角度還是從個人角度。讓他們知道，和其他人一樣，你不喜歡這種讓人不樂意的工作，但是你可以有效的富有人情味的解決問題，尤其是在要解雇某個人的時候。

16.你認為作為一個經(jīng)理或者高級行政人員最困難的事情是什么？

要提到指定計劃，指定和成本控制。最困難的任務是要去激發(fā)并管理雇員來完成一些計劃中的事情，并且按時的在預算范圍內(nèi)完成任務。

17.在我們這個行業(yè)中你覺得什么是最重要的趨勢？

一樣要準備兩到三個趨勢來闡明你對所在行業(yè)的是多么的了解。你可以需要考慮技術上的挑戰(zhàn)或者機會，金融環(huán)境甚至管理的需求作為你所應該考慮收集的關于你的行業(yè)說面對的狀況。

18.你為什么離開你現(xiàn)在的工作（上一個工作）？

在不傷害你自己的情況下要簡明扼要并誠實的回答這個問題�；厮莸侥銓ふ夜ぷ鞯挠媱濍A段，那時你正在把這個話題當作你的工作經(jīng)歷。如果你是在一次公司裁員中被裁掉的，直接說出來好了；否則的話，要指明這次離職是你自己的決定，你自己行動的結(jié)構(gòu)，不要特到任何關于性格沖突等。

19.你覺得放棄原來所有的福利待遇等來尋找一個新的工作是什么感覺？

要提到你很自然的擔心這一點，但是并不很恐慌。你愿意為尋找到合適的工作而冒一點風險。不要說，你對安全感比成功的完成工作更感興趣。

20.在你上一份工作中，你最喜歡那個方面的特點？最不喜歡哪個？

要小心而計息的回答這個問題。要多說你喜歡的特性，而少說你不喜歡的。不要引用個人的問題。如果你使得你的上一份工作聽起來很糟糕，面試官會疑問你為什么還能在上一份職位上一直待到現(xiàn)在。

21.你如何看待你的老板？

要盡可能積極的回答這個問題。你潛在的未來的老板很希望能夠了解你未來在相似的場合會如何談論他。

22.你在現(xiàn)在的年齡中為什么不能賺到更多？

要告訴他這是你尋找新的工作的理由之一，不要處于守勢。

23.你希望這個職位的薪水是多少？

討論薪水是一個很微妙的問題。我們建議你在條件允許的情況下盡可能的拖延用一個精確的數(shù)據(jù)來回答這個問題。你可以說，“我知道這個工作的薪水的大概范圍是￥---到￥---。這個對于我來說是合適的價位。”你也可以用一個問題來回答這個問題：

“你可能在這個問題上可以幫助我。你能否告訴我在公司中對相似職位的工作的大概薪水是多少？”。

如果你是在一個最初的面試中遇到這個問題，你可以說你覺得你需要更多的了解這個職位的職能才能夠?qū)�這個問題有個有意思的回答。在這個問題上通過詢問面試官或者人事高級主管或者自己去尋找結(jié)果，你可以嘗試去獲得這份工作是由有一個工資等級。如果有，并且你能夠接受，那么直接回答你滿意這個薪水范圍好了。

如果面試官繼續(xù)糾纏這個問題的話，你可以說“我現(xiàn)在的薪水是￥--。和其他人一樣，我希望能夠提升這個數(shù)字，但是我主要的興趣還是在工作本身。”要記住，獲取一個新的工作這件事本身不會使得你能夠賺到更多的錢。

如果一個獵頭公司也參與了此事的話，你的聯(lián)系人可能可以幫助你解決這個薪水的問題。他甚至可以幫你介入此事。例如，如果他告訴你這個職位的待遇，然后你告訴他你現(xiàn)在已經(jīng)賺那么多的，并且希望待遇能夠適當?shù)奶嵘�，他可能會去雇主那然后提議給你增加10%的待遇。

如果沒有獲得關于這個職位的合適的信息，而面試官還繼續(xù)這個話題的話，你可以用一個具體的數(shù)字來回答這個問題。你不能給別人留下待遇完全沒有影響你將會接受任何待遇的印象。如果你年薪8W的話，你不可能沒有變現(xiàn)出放棄自己的時候，說3.5W一年也是可以接受的。（如果你是在做工作的一個徹底的變化的話，這種情況可能也是有道理，可以理解的）。

不要很快就把你自己賣掉：），但是要繼續(xù)的強調(diào)這個工作本身才是你最看重的東西。面試官可能會去判斷你希望從這個工作的待遇是多少哦。不要給面試官留下金錢對你來說是唯一重要的事情的感覺。把薪水的問題和工作本身掛鉤。

但是無論合適可能的話，在你到面試過程的最后一個階段之前，少談論薪水的問題。到那個階段的時候，你就應該知道，這個公司對你有很大的興趣，這個時候在談論薪水待遇的話就會有很大的余地了。

24.你長期的目標是什么？

回到你尋找工作的計劃階段。不要這樣回答“我希望能夠得到你廣告中的工作”。把你的目標與你面試的公司關系起來，“在你們這樣一個公司，我希望能夠...”

25.你目前位置在工作中是多么的成功？

你要回答，總的來說你對你目前為止的職業(yè)生涯是很高興很滿意的。列舉一些生活中普通的瑣事，你覺得你完成的很好，沒有怨言。

要想別人展現(xiàn)一個積極和自信的面貌，但是不要夸大其詞。例如這樣的回答“所有的事情都特別的好！我不能想象一個更好的事情了！我非常的開心。”，會使得面試官覺得你是不是在愚弄他或者你自己。最具有說服力的答案通常都是相當自信的。