PROJECT 9: Interview Questions and Answers

OVERVIEW:

The interview is your chance to personally sell yourself to the employer by highlighting your personality and competencies as they relate to the job description. Determining in advance what types of questions might be asked of you and how you would respond to those questions is critical to successful interviewing. The goal of this project is to provide skills in interview preparation by familiarizing you with the various types and categories of interview questions used by recruiters. By combining the textbook materials, the PowerPoint lectures, any Discussion Sessions that you attend, tests and web research, you should be able to respond to the questions typically asked in interviews.

PROJECT INSTRUCTIONS:

Read Chapters 17, 18 and 19 in the textbook. The figures listed with the project refer to the class textbook Career Planning Strategies: Hire Me! (5th Edition).

A.  Complete Part 1 plus one question from each of the other remaining six parts below, following instructions carefully to include all components.  You will have 10 questions and answers total when you have finished.

B.  Focus on Behavioral Situations as you answer interviewer questions. Use the S.T.A.R. and Z.A.P. approaches in responding to anticipated questions as discussed in the textbook, Discussion Sessions, and lectures.

C.  Respond to your ten questions as you might in an interview situation with two to four paragraphs for each question. Responses should be one to three minutes when read aloud. You are welcomed to use an outline format if your 5-10 words or sentences are understandable when used in conjunction with your resume and oral presentation.

Review PowerPoint lectures on interviewing:

Ø      Preparing a Winning Interview Strategy

Ø      Presenting Your Interview Case

Ø      Addressing Common Interview Issues

Ø      Behavioral Interviewing

Part 1: Twenty Questions (Chapter 19) – REQUIRED SECTION

A.     Read the “Questions” section of Chapter 19.

B.     Using the “Twenty Frequently Asked Questions” Figure 17.8 as a guide, prepare a list of four questions that you feel an employer will ask you. Make each question personal to your situation.

C.    Respond to your four questions as you might in an interview situation with two to four paragraphs for each question. Responses should be one to three minutes when read aloud. You are welcomed to use an outline format if your 5-10 words or sentences are understandable when used in conjunction with your resume and oral presentation.

Part 2: Questions on Goals (Chapter 19)

A.     Review the questions within the text under “Education Questions” in Chapter 19.

B.     List one goal-related question. You may use the questions in Chapter 19 as a guide. Consider beginning some of your questions with a scenario where the recruiter references a situation in your past so you can give a S.T.A.R. response as described in your textbook.

C.    Respond to your question as you might in an interview situation with two to four paragraphs. Your responses should be one to three minutes when read aloud. You are welcomed to use an outline format if your 5-10 words or sentences are understandable when used in conjunction with your resume and oral presentation.

D.    Explain why you selected the goals you did. Explain any specific events that influenced your career choices.

 

Part 3: Education Questions (Chapter 19)

A.     Review the questions within the text under “Education Questions” in Chapter 19.

B.     List one education-related question. You may use the questions in Chapter 19 as a guide. It is acceptable to begin your question with “Tell me about the situation where…” or “Discuss your experiences in…”

C.    Respond to your question as you might in an interview situation with two to four paragraphs. Your response should be one to three minutes when read aloud. You are welcomed to use an outline format if your 5-10 words or sentences are understandable when used in conjunction with your resume and oral presentation.

D.    Explain why you made your educational choices as they relate to the job at hand. Give examples of past behaviors and decisions. Can you describe specific turning points in your academic life? Describe these realizations.

E.     Respond to your education question with a S.T.A.R.-based reply.

 

Part 4: Work Experience Questions (Chapter 19)

A.     Review the questions within the text of the project as well as the “Stress Interview Questions.”

B.     Consider the different replies that you could give for each and analyze which replies would give a more positive impression.

C.    List one work experience-related question. You may use the questions in Chapter 19 as a guide. It is acceptable to begin your question with “Tell me about the situation where…” or “Discuss your experiences in…”

D.    Respond to your question as you might in an interview situation with two to four paragraphs. You responses should be one to three minutes when read aloud. You are welcomed to use an outline format if your 5-10 words or sentences are understandable when used in conjunction with your resume and oral presentation. Discuss how your seemingly unrelated work experience(s) has taught you things that are related to the job being sought.

E.     Remember to link your responses to your goals, values, and the position you seek in both the short and long term. Respond with a S.T.A.R.-based reply.

 

Part 5: Values Questions (Chapter 19)

A.     Review the questions within the text under “Values Questions Action Project” as well as the “Stress Interview Questions.”

B.     Consider the impression about your values that you want to leave.

C.    List one values-related question. You may use the questions in Chapter 19 as a guide. It is acceptable to begin your question with “Tell me about the situation where…” or “Discuss your experiences in…”

D.    Respond to your question as you might in an interview situation with two to four paragraphs. You responses should be one to three minutes when read aloud. You are welcomed to use an outline format if your 5-10 words or sentences are understandable when used in conjunction with your resume and oral presentation. Let each answer reveal that you are motivated, hard working, and committed to excellence.

E.     Your values will be judged by your past actions and accomplishments. Use a S.T.A.R. to illustrate how you developed your values.

 

Part 6: Interest Questions (Chapter 19)

A.     Review the questions within the text under “Interest Questions.”

B.     List one interest-related question. You may use the questions in Chapter 19 as a guide. It is acceptable to begin your question with “Tell me about the situation where…” or “Discuss your experiences in…”

C.    Respond to your question as you might in an interview situation with two to four paragraphs. Your response should be one to three minutes when read aloud. You are welcomed to use an outline format if your 5-10 words or sentences are understandable when used in conjunction with your resume and oral presentation.

D.    High levels of interest drive motivation and success. Tests like CareerLeader and Merkler assist in identifying interests. You must show the relationship to the job. If you have taken any interest tests recently, use the resulting descriptions in your brief interview presentation.

E.     Respond with a S.T.A.R.-based reply to this question.

 

Part 7: Personality Questions (Chapter 19)

A.     Review the questions within the text under “Personality Questions Interview Action Project” as well as the “Stress Interview Questions.”

B.     List one personality-related question. You may use the questions in Chapter 19 as a guide. It is acceptable to begin your question with “Tell me about the situation where…” or “Discuss your experiences in…”

C.    Reply to each as you might in an interview situation revealing your commitment to teamwork, ability to work with and for others, your approaches to communication with others, and your assertiveness level. Use two to four paragraphs. Your response should be one to three minutes when read aloud. You are welcomed to use an outline format if your 5-10 words or sentences are understandable when used in conjunction with your resume and oral presentation.

D.    Personality tests help identify your preferred type and behaviors. The descriptive words you receive from personality tests should be used to describe yourself. Don’t describe your personality per se. Allow your actions and stories to indirectly illustrate your personality.

E.     Your one- to three-minute (two to four paragraphs) answer should use past situations to describe your unique personality and traits. Use the S.T.A.R. approach in your replies whenever possible.

 

Deliverables: Turn in to your Career Counselor

Ø      Ten questions and answers.