CAREER AWARENESS Interview Preparation

Interview Preparation

Interview preparation is key and there are many skills and tools that can be learned that will make you a much better applicant, sheer by the way you handle the questions and yourself in an interview. Technical knowledge is only a very small part of an interview that can make or break the decision if you get hired or into a program of your choice.

Really and honestly, think through the questions, make notes, practice answers with friends or in front of a mirror. Judge yourself how you do.....

Here is one example of an approach to interview questions

STAR Technique

One strategy for job-seekers preparing for behavioral interviews is to use the STAR Technique, as outlined below. (This technique is often referred to as the SAR and PAR techniques as well.)

Situation or Task

Describe the situation that you were in or the task that you needed to accomplish. You must describe a specific event or situation, not a generalized description of what you have done in the past. Be sure to give enough detail for the interviewer to understand. This situation can be from a previous job, from a volunteer experience, or any relevant event.

Action you took

Describe the action you took and be sure to keep the focus on you. Even if you are discussing a group project or effort, describe what you did -- not the efforts of the team. Don't tell what you might do, tell what you did.

Results you achieved

What happened? How did the event end? What did you accomplish? What did you learn?

Here are some more questions:

Most common questions

Tell me about yourself.
How do you want me to remember you?
What are your goals? Immediate 5 – 10 years from now.
There are hundreds if not thousands of applicants, why should we choose you?
Convince me that you would make a good…….scientist, doctor, vet…...
Why do you want to study………parasitology, medicine, dentistry…..?
How do you think you did in this interview?
What are your alternative plans if you don’t get this position?

Minds

Please tell me about a time when you made a novel and significant observation or discovery.
Tell me about a time when you facilitated or helped someone else perfect or improve an idea, invention or concept.
Please tell me about a time when you uniquely reapplied or improved an existing concept or invention.

People

Please tell me about a time when you productively resolved conflict between individuals or in a group.
Please tell me about a time when you facilitated or catalyzed the personal growth of another individual.
Please tell me about a time when you organized and led a diverse group to a positive accomplishment.
Please tell me about a time when you applied your technical education and insight to solve a difficult problem.
Please tell me about a time when you made a novel and exciting observation in your field of study.
Please tell me about a time when you championed a technical concept.
How well will this person fit into the projected working group?
How well qualified is this person for this job. Would this person need additional support to excel?
Would you hire this person?

Expertise

Please tell me about a time when you applied your technical education and insight to solve a difficult problem.
Please tell me about a time when you made a novel and exciting observation in your field of study.
Please tell me about a time when you championed a technical concept.
How well will this person fit into the projected working group?
How well qualified is this person for this job. Would this person need additional support to excel?
Would you hire this person?

Overall Job Performance

How do you typically handle yourself in a fast-paced environment?
How would you describe your work pace: fast, moderate, slow, or if it varies and under what circumstances?
What are your strengths? Why?
What are your weaknesses? Why?
How do you handle a heavy workload with many deadlines?
In all jobs there are heavy periods and light periods. What do you do in such cases?
You are given several rush projects to be completed in a short period of time. How would you establish priorities? Why?
How would you describe your organizational abilities?
How would you describe your attendance and punctuality habits? How would you describe your work habits? How would you describe your own performance standards?

Initiative/Creativity/Innovation

What ideas did you contribute to your department? What were the results?
Give an example of something you recommended that was adopted.
What have you done to make your job easier or more interesting?
Give an example of a project you were responsible for starting. What did you do? How did it work out?
How much information do you need to get started on anew project or assignment?
When have you had to produce results, without sufficient guidelines or information? What did you do?
What is the most creative thing you have done in a past job? How did it occur?
In the last year, what innovative ideas have you had at work? Were you able to implement them? How were they innovative?

Interview Questions for Learning Agility

Would you prefer to learn by reading instructions, watching someone else perform a task, or by doing it on your own by trial-and-error?
Answer Guide: The candidate should demonstrate self-awareness about how he or she learns and integrates new information into every day activities.
Do you think it’s important to always have an answer for customer’s questions – why or why not?
Answer Guide: The candidate should exhibit a willingness to go to coworkers or supervisors whenever he or she doesn’t have complete answers to questions.
Is this true or not true of you: I like logical, analytical approaches to solving problems. Describe an experience that fits your problem solving style.
Answer Guide: If a candidate is applying for a technical position that requires analysis and a logical thought process, he or she should be able to discuss specific examples of a concrete problem-solving approach used successfully in the past.
Share an example of a time when you had to collaborate with a coworker to succeed at completing a project. Specifically how did you work together to do a good job?
Answer Guide: The candidate should display an ability to include others’ perspectives and experiences in completing assignments.
How do you use failure as a learning opportunity?
Answer Guide: The candidate can provide one or two examples of unsuccessful attempts at an assignment and how he or she learned from those experiences.
Describe an assignment that you volunteered for at work, even though you weren’t 100% sure you knew how to proceed at the beginning.
Answer Guide: The candidate should demonstrate a willingness to take on projects even though he or she isn’t completely certain at the beginning how to complete every phase of the project.
What do you see as your top skill, and how did you learn it?
Answer Guide: The candidate should exhibit self-awareness about how he or she takes in and processes new information.
Describe a crisis you had to handle at work and grade yourself on how you handled it.
Answer Guide: The candidate should have a calm approach towards identifying and handling priorities in crisis management.
When you’re leading or participating on a team, what steps do you take to get team members to contribute ideas?
Answer Guide: The candidate should demonstrate a willingness to learn from team members, regardless of their individual role, in the team problem solving process.
What is the your most challenging aspect of making decisions when circumstances are constantly changing, and how do you handle this?
Answer Guide: The candidate should exhibit an understanding of the importance of organizational and personal change and ways to stay calm during times of change.
How do you typically handle yourself in a fast-paced environment?
How would you describe your work pace: fast, moderate, slow, or if it varies and under what circumstances?
What are your strengths? Why?
What are your weaknesses? Why?
How do you handle a heavy workload with many deadlines?
In all jobs there are heavy periods and light periods. What do you do in such cases?
You are given several rush projects to be completed in a short period of time. How would you establish priorities? Why?
How would you describe your organizational abilities?
How would you describe your attendance and punctuality habits? How would you describe your work habits? How would you describe your own performance standards?
What ideas did you contribute to your department? What were the results?
Give an example of something you recommended that was adopted.
What have you done to make your job easier or more interesting?
Give an example of a project you were responsible for starting. What did you do? How did it work out?
How much information do you need to get started on anew project or assignment?
When have you had to produce results, without sufficient guidelines or information? What did you do?
What is the most creative thing you have done in a past job? How did it occur?
In the last year, what innovative ideas have you had at work? Were you able to implement them? How were they innovative?
Give an example of a situation at your previous employer when you have had to keep up with changes in technology, terminology, and information specific to your field?
How quickly have you learned new processes for a job? What did you have to learn?
How soon could you learn this job well enough to become productive?
If time did not permit a training period on a new job, how would you go about learning the things expected or required of you?
Give three examples of your adaptability.
Describe the most recent formal learning experience you’ve had.
What are your long-term professional goals? How do the duties and responsibilities in this position relate to that goal?
What do you consider to be important attributes of a supervisor?
What kind of supervisor do you enjoy working for most? Least?
Describe a specific time on any job that you’ve held when you were faced with issues that tested your problem-solving skills. What did you do?
Give an example of a time when you had to keep from speaking or not finish a task because you did not have enough information to come to a good decision. Be specific.
Give an example of a time when you had to make a quick decision.
Give an example of a time when you had to use your fact-finding skills to get information to solve a problem- then describe how you analyzed the information to come to a decision.
Give an example of a problem you faced on a job and describe how you solved it.
Describe your most stressful work-related situation and how you handled it.
How do you typically handle yourself under pressure or stress? Describe a difficult situation you encountered with a supervisor or co-worker and how you handled it.
What are some examples of important types of decisions or recommendations you are called upon to make in your past/present position?
Most of us can think of an important decision we’d make quite differently if we could do it over. Any examples from your experience?
Give an example of a difficult decision you had to make at your last job. How did you solve it? Follow-up: Why did you choose that method instead of another solution?
What has been a stubborn or recurring problem you would have liked to solve in your cur-rent job, but haven’t yet?
What process do you follow in solving problems?
What methods do you use to make decisions? Please give an example of your approach.
What kinds of decisions did you have authority over? Which ones did you have to check with your manager before making?
What information or technical support has helped you succeed on the job?
Have you ever had to make a decision before you had all the data you wanted? Give an example. What did you do?
What is effective communication?
Tell me about a job experience when you had to speak up in order to be sure that others knew what you thought or felt.
Describe how you would endeavor to convince your boss to grant you additional funds for a purpose you have-in-mind.
Describe some projects you worked on that required strong writing skills. What was the level of your responsibility? Who was the primary audience?
How would you characterize your written and oral communication-skills?
What do you require from a supervisor?
Would you rather work on a team or on your own?
Describe what a "team" environment means to you.
What experience have you had working as a member of a team? What are the advantages?

Ability to Learn

Give an example of a situation at your previous employer when you have had to keep up with changes in technology, terminology, and information specific to your field?
How quickly have you learned new processes for a job? What did you have to learn?
How soon could you learn this job well enough to become productive?
If time did not permit a training period on a new job, how would you go about learning the things expected or required of you?
Give three examples of your adaptability.
Describe the most recent formal learning experience you’ve had.
What are your long-term professional goals? How do the duties and responsibilities in this position relate to that goal?
What do you consider to be important attributes of a supervisor?
What kind of supervisor do you enjoy working for most? Least?

Decision Making/Problem Solving/Analytical Skills

Describe a specific time on any job that you’ve held when you were faced with issues that tested your problem-solving skills. What did you do?
Give an example of a time when you had to keep from speaking or not finish a task because you did not have enough information to come to a good decision. Be specific.
Give an example of a time when you had to make a quick decision.
Give an example of a time when you had to use your fact-finding skills to get information to solve a problem- then describe how you analyzed the information to come to a decision.
Give an example of a problem you faced on a job and describe how you solved it.
Describe your most stressful work-related situation and how you handled it.
How do you typically handle yourself under pressure or stress? Describe a difficult situation you encountered with a supervisor or co-worker and how you handled it.
What are some examples of important types of decisions or recommendations you are called upon to make in your past/present position?
Most of us can think of an important decision we’d make quite differently if we could do it over. Any examples from your experience?
Give an example of a difficult decision you had to make at your last job. How did you solve it? Follow-up: Why did you choose that method instead of another solution?
What has been a stubborn or recurring problem you would have liked to solve in your cur-rent job, but haven’t yet?
What process do you follow in solving problems?
What methods do you use to make decisions? Please give an example of your approach.
What kinds of decisions did you have authority over? Which ones did you have to check with your manager before making?
What information or technical support has helped you succeed on the job?
Have you ever had to make a decision before you had all the data you wanted? Give an example. What did you do?

Interpersonal Communication Skills/Dealing with Conflict

What is effective communication?
Tell me about a job experience when you had to speak up in order to be sure that others knew what you thought or felt.
Describe how you would endeavor to convince your boss to grant you additional funds for a purpose you have-in-mind.
Describe some projects you worked on that required strong writing skills. What was the level of your responsibility? Who was the primary audience?
How would you characterize your written and oral communication-skills?
What do you require from a supervisor?
Would you rather work on a team or on your own?
Describe what a "team" environment means to you.
What experience have you had working as a member of a team? What are the advantages?

Here is one list of sample behavioral-based interview questions:

http://www.quintcareers.com/sample_behavioral.html

Describe a situation in which you were able to use persuasion to successfully convince someone to see things your way.
Describe a time when you were faced with a stressful situation that demonstrated your coping skills.
Give me a specific example of a time when you used good judgment and logic in solving a problem.
Give me an example of a time when you set a goal and were able to meet or achieve it.
Tell me about a time when you had to use your presentation skills to influence someone's opinion.
Give me a specific example of a time when you had to conform to a policy with which you did not agree.
Describe a time when you anticipated potential problems and developed preventive measures.
Describe a time when you set your sights too high (or too low).
Give me an example of a time when something you tried to accomplish and failed.
Give me an example of a time when you had to make a split second decision.
Give me an example of a time when you motivated others.
Give me an example of a time when you used your fact-finding skills to solve a problem.
Give me an example of when you showed initiative and took the lead.
Please discuss an important written document you were required to complete.
Please tell me about a time you had to fire a friend.
Tell me about a difficult decision you've made in the last year.
Tell me about a recent situation in which you had to deal with a very upset customer or co-worker.
Tell me about a time when you delegated a project effectively.
Tell me about a time when you had to go above and beyond the call of duty in order to get a job done.
Tell me about a time when you had too many things to do and you were required to prioritize your tasks.
Tell me about a time when you missed an obvious solution to a problem.
Tell me about a time when you were forced to make an unpopular decision.
Tell me about a time you were able to successfully deal with another person even when that individual may not have personally liked you (or vice versa).
What is your typical way of dealing with conflict? Give me an example.
What is your greatest fault?
How do others describe you?

PANEL HEADING

And here are some trick questions:

Microsoft schedule on the wrong day - see how you react
Diversity issues (gender, race, ethnicity)
“Glassdoor.com” – interview questions
Behavioral questions
Learning agility – how do you bring creativity to the job?
Be careful when they invite you for dinner – DON’t drink too much
What are the pros and cons to our health-care system?
If you had the power, what changes would you make to our health-care system?
What is your opinion of HMOs and PPOs?
Do doctors make too much money?
Is it ethical for doctors to strike?
What is the Hippocratic Oath?
What is the difference between Medicare and Medicaid?
Should fetal tissue be used to treat disease (i.e. Parkinson's)?
If you were a doctor and an underage girl asked you for the Pill (or an abortion) and she did not want to tell her parents, what would you do?