John
When it comes to answering the standard or non-standard interview questions, I believe that you should answer truthfully. If the question is one that you have prepared for, give the answer in an upbeat voice; make yourself sound interesting and interested. If the question is one that you weren’t prepared for, take a few seconds to think what you will say and go for it. Be sure to fully answer their question, while focusing on your strengths and accomplishments. Try to have yourself come across as open-minded and intelligent.
As with any interview but especially with a phone interview you want to be sure that you are speaking clearly with pronunciation. Since they can’t see you the only thing they will be working off of is your tone of voice, therefore sound engaged. It is important to place yourself in a nice quiet setting that will not provide any interruptions or distractions. When placed in the position of a panel interview it is paramount to maintain good eye contact. While you may want to focus your attention to the person that asks each individual question, it is also important to include the rest of the people in the room. Keep in mind that a panel interview will most likely be intimidating, take your time, remember to breath and just be yourself. They will be able to tell when you aren’t being straight forward with them, so don’t even try it.
While it depends on circumstance, I would believe that you should wait until your closer to the end of the interview to bring up salary. This should not be the focus of your interview. You want them to be interested in you, not your obsession with money. Often the interviewer will bring the topic up when they have decided if they want you or not. If they were on the fence about weather or not to hire you, bringing up money without them expressing that they want you, might sway them in the other direction. Use good judgment and introduce the topic when you feel that it is an appropriate time to do so.
Mike
There are many ways to answer those standard and non-standard question that come in an interview. I feel that telling the truth is the best way to go about answering them. The standard question you can practice in front of the mirror to make sure that you come off positive and confident. The non-standard questions are a different story. I think the best way to answer one of these non standard questions would be to tell the truth but not to reveal anything about your personal life. The worst thing you can do in an interview is reveal something personal about yourself that is a negative thing. Everything directly relates to your work so do not reveal anything to personal.
When you are doing a phone interview the most important thing to think about is to be positive and confident. Even if you are not excited for the job, sound like its something you have been waiting for and let them know that you deserve the job. Make sure you do not mumble, and don’t over use “big” words. The main idea is for them to be able to like you by the end of your conversation. The best time to talk about salary would be towards the end of the conversation. You want to know what the job entails of and how you can help to reach a common goal. Remember they are looking for someone to fill the spot, you are the best qualified, so act like it, and prove to them you are a great addition to there staff !
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The best way to answer standard questions is to answer honestly. Also, I think that it is important to answer questions quickly. If it seems like you are answering the questions slowly, and that you have to think about your answers, it can seem like you are just trying to find the best possible answer. It can also seem like you are not answering truthfully.
ReplyDeleteThe best way to deal with a phone interview is to stay calm, have a calm voice and speak clearly. It is important to be well-spoken, since the interviewers first impression will be your voice!
One should not talk about salary until the very end of the interviewing process. You could talk about it when you know that you have been offered the job. Why? Because now you know you are the one that was best qualified for the position. In turn, you now have better opportunities to negotiate a really good salary!
John, I think you are right. You should come across as being open-minded and an intellectual person. It shows that you are mature, able to handle responsibility, and will perform well for the company.
ReplyDeleteDo you have any experience of phone interviews? I don’t, I think it would be just very awkward to talk to an employer over the phone. I think that I would rather do a face-to-face interview. What do you prefer – phone or face-to-face interview?
Mike,
ReplyDeleteI also think the best way to answer non-standard questions are to tell the truth without reveal anything about your personal life. It is also important to not reveal negative aspects about yourself either, since that can hurt your chances to get the job.
What is your worse mistake you have done on an interview?
I think that the best way to answer some of the standard interview questions would be with a non-standard response. What I mean is to answer correctly, but in a way that will make you stand out, that will leave the interviewer with a bit more information about yourself. To answer some non-standard questions I think it would be best to answer honestly and in a comfortable manner to show the interviewer that you are capable working under pressure and promptly, but also tell them what they want to hear. To deal with phone interviews I think its best to be polite and prompt and conduct yourself the same as you would in a face to face interview. For a panel interview I think you should conduct yourself the same, be polite and punctual, but also be prepared for a variety of different questions that will be asked, because there are multiple interviewers rather than just one. Also, I think the best time to talk about salary would be when the interviewer brings it up, then it will be appropriate to discuss possible salary.
ReplyDeleteJohn,
ReplyDeleteYou bring up very good points about interviews, some of which I didn't think of. I also think that being truthful is crucial towards a good interview. However, I didn't think of this but I also agree that while taking a phone interview it is imperative that you should speak clearly and with good punctuation, because the whole interview is done without a face to face format. And I also agree with you that you should wait until the end of the interview, or until it is brought up by the interviewer, to talk about salary, because you don't want the interviewer thinking all your interested in is money, you want them to feel you can contribute to the company.
Mike,
ReplyDeletePracticing standard questions prior to interviews is a good idea that I did not think of. It could help prepare for a series of standard questions and help someone shape their answers accordingly to what they think would be best. I also agree with you that revealing negative personal information is very bad, which can cause you to not get the job. Like you said, being truthful, sounding positive, and showing you are best qualified for the job are main things that should be made apparent when taking a job interview.
John,
ReplyDeleteI agree when you mentioned that when it comes to answering standard questions answer with honesty. If you don't answer these standard questions with honesty, the people that are interviewing you won't be able to trust you. If you lie on standarized questions what makes them think you won't lie for something more serious.
I agree make anything negative sound positive, such as "sometimes I work too hard", or "I am competitive". I think it is important to sound genuine as possible on the phone. Make sure you are clear, and do not talk to fast. Make a point to be organized an precise, so your potential boss can understand you. I also agree that brining up salary can be a touchy issue!
ReplyDeleteJohn,
ReplyDeleteI agree when you mentioned that when it comes to answering standard questions answer with honesty. If you don't answer these standard questions with honesty, the people that are interviewing you won't be able to trust you. If you lie on standarized questions what makes them think you won't lie for something more serious.
Mike,
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that confidence and a postive attitude is key in an interview. If you carry a postive energy into your interview it makes them feel comfortable about you. When this occurs it just allows for them to have a firendlier conversation with you and open up to you. Confidence then just lets them see that you are a confident person and that you feel you can do antyhing possible to help out.
Summer,
ReplyDeleteI agree with what you said 100%. Making anything sound positive. The more positive you present yourself the higher the chance is of you attaining the job, or being accepted to graduate school.
While you are preparing for and during a job interview, remember that you are a smart and capable of performing the job that you are being interviewed for. Hold yourself in high, but don’t act cocky, stay true to your core values and be honest. All you can do is try your best and hope that you were better than the rest of the applicants. Then if you get the position do everything that you said you could, just because you got the job doesn’t mean that you will keep the job.
ReplyDeletewhen you go into an interview, you need to seperate yourself from the other 10 people that have walked in. Be professional, be confident, and know what you are talking about !
ReplyDelete