Do you know the benefits of establishing a positive and professional self-representation during an interview? Promotions depend on preparation and practice, but knowing what to prepare and how to practice is essential. Mastering the Interview Training Materials holds the knowledge of the qualities that employer’s desire. Expanding your expectations of the questions that will be asked during an interview can give you an incredible advantage over other applicants for the position. Even more, being able to demonstrate your unique skills through a well-articulated answer to interview questions will put you in the lead. Taking the initiative to prepare for an interview can create new opportunities for career development in your industry. By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to answer the following questions: 1) What are the common interview questions and how to prepare your answers? 2) What information do I need to know for every interview? 3) How do I answer difficult questions? 4) What are good questions to ask your interviewer? 5) How to answer the question: “So tell me about yourself’? 6) What do I do after the interview? 7) What are common interview mistakes?

1. BOOK2BOARDROOM
INTERVIEW SKILLS THAT GET
YOU HIRED!

2. BOOK2BOARDROOM
Workshop Objectives
• What are the common interview questions and how do I prepare my answers?
• What information do I need to know for every interview?
• How do I answer difficult questions?
• What are good questions to ask my interviewer?
• How do I answer the question: “So tell me about yourself?”
• What do I do after the interview?
• What are some common interview mistakes?

3. BOOK2BOARDROOM
Module 1:
What Are The Common
Interview Questions And
How Do I Prepare My
Answers?

4. BOOK2BOARDROOM
“Tell Me About a Time When…”
Interviewers often ask a question that starts with the phrase: “Tell me about a
time when….” Here are some examples:
• Tell me about a time when:
- You had to deal with an angry or irate customer
- You had to come up with a solution to solve a problem your company was
facing
- You had to juggle your priorities to meet a deadline
- You had to work with a difficult co-worker

5. BOOK2BOARDROOM
Tips For Answering Questions Starting With
“Tell Me About a Time When…”
• Create a list of examples and skills you can
mentally refer back to
• Pick examples that have a positive outcome
• Be specific
• Focus your response on the process you
used and the resulting outcome

6. BOOK2BOARDROOM
Other Common Interview Questions
• Why do you want this job?
• Why should we hire you?
• What are your strengths and weaknesses?
• What is your greatest professional
achievement?
• Why are you leaving your current job?
• What are your career goals?

7. BOOK2BOARDROOM
Other Common Interview Questions
• What motivates you?
• Have you worked with someone you didn’t like? How did you handle
the situation?
• Are you willing to relocate?
• What are your hours of availability?
• Do you have any questions for us?

8. BOOK2BOARDROOM
Tips For Answering Common Interview
Questions
• Do your homework
• Be positive
• Prepare a list of questions you are likely to be asked
• Clearly identify what the organization’s needs are
• Practice by interviewing yourself for the position
• Learn from previous interviews

9. BOOK2BOARDROOM
Module 2:
What Information Do
I Need To Know For
Every Interview?

10. BOOK2BOARDROOM
Planning For The Interview
Information you should know going into any
interview:
• The name of the company
• Detailed information about the position you
are interviewing for
• The names of the people conducting the
interview
• The company’s culture, mission, and values

11. BOOK2BOARDROOM
How To Plan For The Interview
• Gather as much information about the
company as possible
• Familiarize yourself with the company’s
website
• Check for news articles about company
• Understand the different types of questions
you may be asked
• Know your resume and/or portfolio so you
can answer questions if needed

12. BOOK2BOARDROOM
Module 3:
How Do I Answer
Difficult
Questions?

13. BOOK2BOARDROOM
Examples of Difficult Questions
• What is your greatest weakness?
• Why is there a gap in your employment history?
• Why didn’t you leave your old job sooner if you weren’t happy with the
company?
• Have you ever been fired from a job?

14. BOOK2BOARDROOM
Examples of Difficult Questions
• What is your dream job?
• What didn’t you like about your old job?
• If you were hiring someone for this position, what qualities would you look
for?
• Why weren’t you ever promoted at your old job?

15. BOOK2BOARDROOM
Tips For Responding to Difficult Interview
Questions
• Keep it positive, even when discussing your weaknesses
• Be honest
• Keep the focus on your strengths
• Don’t trash your old job/boss
• Try to connect your responses to the job you are seeking
• Highlight your successes
• Discuss plans for personal improvement

16. BOOK2BOARDROOM
Module 4:
What Are Good
Questions To Ask
Your Interviewer?

17. BOOK2BOARDROOM
Why Ask Questions to Your Interviewer?
You should always prepare a list of questions to ask the
person/people interviewing you. This shows that you have done
your research and you are very interested in working for the
company.

18. BOOK2BOARDROOM
Some Common Questions to Ask The
Interviewer
• What skills and experiences would make an ideal candidate?
• What kind of training would be provided for a new person coming into this
role?
• How does this role relate to the overall structure of the organization?
• What have you enjoyed most about working here?

19. BOOK2BOARDROOM
Some Common Questions to Ask The
Interviewer
• What would you say are the biggest challenges for this industry?
• What would be some of the first projects for a new person coming into this
role?
• What is staff turnover like for this position? What about the organization as a
whole?
• What area of business needs the most attention?

20. BOOK2BOARDROOM
Tips on Framing Your Questions to the
Interviewer
If you are having trouble finding a way to ask questions, you can use one of
the following lead-ins:
• “I found an article on your website that talked about….”
• “When I read your annual report I noticed that…”
• “ I see that your company is planning on ________. Can you tell me about
that?”

21. BOOK2BOARDROOM
Module 5:
How Do I Answer The
Question, “Tell Me
About Yourself?”

22. BOOK2BOARDROOM
“Tell Me About Yourself”
Interviewers often ask you to tell them about yourself. Interviewers
like this questions because it is open-ended and unstructured. This
requires the job candidate to determine what information is important
enough to share. Additionally, the interviewer likely wants to know
how articulate and confident you are.

23. BOOK2BOARDROOM
“Tell Me About Yourself” -
Tips to Help You Respond
• Prepare a script for this question
• Avoid revealing too much personal information – keep it
professional
• Talk about where you are right now, then about your past
experiences, then about where you want to be in the future
• Focus on your professional strengths and accomplishments

24. BOOK2BOARDROOM
“Tell Me About Yourself” -
Tips to Help You Respond
• Be confident and articulate
• Keep your answer brief; they don’t want your entire life story
• Include your educational background
• Get their attention with your response
• Practice!

25. BOOK2BOARDROOM
Module 6:
What Do I Do
After The
Interview?

26. BOOK2BOARDROOM
After The Interview
• Send a formal thank you note to the company that interviewed you
• Follow up with the company if you do not receive any response after a
reasonable amount of time
• Be prepared for a second interview or pre-employment testing
• Don’t resign from your current position until you receive a formal offer

27. BOOK2BOARDROOM
After The Interview
If You Get the Job
• Negotiate your salary
before you sign a
formal offer
• Determine your
starting date and time
If You Don’t Get the
Job
• Ask for feedback
• Write down the
feedback so you can
refer to back to it for
future interviews

28. BOOK2BOARDROOM
Module 7:
What Are Some
Common Interview
Mistakes?

29. BOOK2BOARDROOM
Tips to Avoid Common Interview Mistakes
• Arrive early
• Be enthusiastic
• Be professional and courteous
• Dress appropriately
• Keep the focus on the employer’s needs
• Have a copy of your resume and/or portfolio on hand

30. BOOK2BOARDROOM
Tips to Avoid Common Interview Mistakes
• Familiarize yourself with the company
• Use a strong handshake
• Be aware of your body language
• Maintain good eye contact
• Use a strong and confident voice
• Say “thank you” at the end of the interview

31. BOOK2BOARDROOM
Review: Workshop Objectives
• What are the common interview questions and how do I prepare my answers?
• What information do I need to know for every interview?
• How do I answer difficult questions?
• What are good questions to ask my interviewer?
• How do I answer the question: “So tell me about yourself?”
• What do I do after the interview?
• What are some common interview mistakes?