Interview Questions= http://www.jobinterviewquestions.org/questions/interview-answers.

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(Marketing Interview) Why should we hire you? Do some research on the product/service the company you are applying for deals with, take note on how your background and skills meet the company selling needs and how you could contribute to the company. Remember that examples of specific situations are always good to mention. What features, skills or characteristics would you say are the most important for sales? You can make a list of these required skills before going to the interview and talk about it. Some are: active listening, flexibility, tolerance to frustration, communication skills, customer service skills, etc. Did you ever have to deal with an angry or difficult customer? Most of us had to deal with this at some point, so give an example, but remember that the interviewer is asking this not because he/she is interested in the difficult customer but because he/she would like to know how you dealt with the situation so show the interviewer how you kept control of the situation and made the best out of it. What Are Your Goals? Again, make a list of all your job-related goals before going to the interview; you do not want to improvise such an important answer. Have you ever had to change your whole customer approach because the one you were using did not work? What the interviewer is really asking is: "Are you adaptable when things dont work one way?" Give a specific example in which approach didnt work out as expected and then talk about the steps you too in order to adapt yourself and the out coming result. Tell me of a time you tried really hard but in the end the customer was not pleased, how did you manage it? For a sales position resistance and tolerance are very basic requirements. Show your interviewer you do not lack such requirements by giving him/her the right example and how easy it is for you to handle those difficult situations without getting disappointed. Do you usually meet your quotas? How? How do you feel when you dont? Look confident when asked this question, the interviewer is looking for your reaction. What products did you use to sell? This is a precise question and requires a precise answer. The interviewer wants to know what your background and technical experience is all about. Do you find sales interesting? Why? Do not generalize when giving and answer, on the opposite, give very specific and clear examples of the things you find interesting when it comes to sales. What are "Sales" to you? Give a picture of how you see the whole sales structure and procedure from the beginning to the closing

(Call Center Interview) A Call Center Agent position requires certain technical knowledge and skills (typing speed, computer knowledge, database knowledge, etc.) but it is also true that the right attitude is mandatory in order to get this kind of job. Check your level of technical knowledge and skill, you will most likely have to bring it up at some point in the interview (what

is the average number of phone call you can make a day? What applications are you familiar with?). However, it is not all technical-related questions, matter of fact, most questions during the interview have to do with your jobrelated competency and aptitude; the following questions are some examples: What can you tell me about yourself? Here you can go for a brief talk about who you are, and why you are applying for the job. Keep it professional and mention how much you like interacting with people. What was your experience in your previous call-center job like? Here you need to focus on your labor towards helping people. Mention your functions and duties, and mentioning how you enjoyed working with other people (co-workers) will give you some extra points. What software applications are you familiar with? Ok, a question about technical knowledge. Interviewers will most likely consider someone who is familiar with call-center programs and data bases as a more serious candidate since they would be able to save up a lot of training time. Make a list (or simply check your CV) of all the applications and data base knowledge you have. Do not leave any details behind; even regular computer software will be kept into account. What do you think about team work? In most customer-service jobs, interaction among co-workers is common. Employers will always consider communication and cooperation as basic requirements for the posted position. Why do you want to work with us? Mention your interest in working for the company but remember that you may have to support your reasons. Do not forget to mention how you feel your skills would perfectly fit the company needs. For interviewers it is important to know how long employees want to stay for, so be honest about it and if you are looking for a long-term job let them know. Some research about the company will be needed if you want to keep up with this question.

(Tips Of Interview) 1. Keep your answers brief and concise. Unless asked to give more details, limit your answers to two to three minutes per question. To practice you can tape yourself and see how long it takes you to fully answer a question. 2. Include concrete, quantifiable data. Interviewees tend to talk in generalities. Unfortunately, generalities often fail to convince interviewers that the applicant has assets. Include measurable information and provide details about specific accomplishments when discussing your strengths.

3. Repeat your key strengths three times. Its essential that you comfortably and confidently articulate your strengths. Explain how the strengths relate to the companys or departments goals and how they might benefit the potential employer. If you repeat your strengths then they will be remembered andif supported with quantifiable accomplishmentsthey will more likely be believed. 4. Prepare five or more success stories. In preparing for interviews, make a list of your skills and key assets. Then reflect on past jobs and pick out one or two instances when you used those skills successfully. 5. Put yourself on their team. Ally yourself with the prospective employer by using the employers name and products or services. For example, As a member of __________, I would carefully analyze the __________ and ______. Show that you are thinking like a member of the team and will fit in with the existing environment. Be careful though not to say anything that would offend or be taken negatively. Your research will help you in this area. 6. Image is often as important as content. What you look like and how you say something are just as important as what you say. Studies have shown that 65 percent of the conveyed message is nonverbal; gestures, physical appearance, and attire are

highly influential during job interviews. 7. Ask questions. The types of questions you ask and the way you ask them can make a tremendous impression on the interviewer. Good questions require advance preparation. Just as you plan how you would answer an interviewers questions, write out any specific questions you want to ask. Then look for opportunities to ask them during the interview. Dont ask about benefits or salary. The interview process is a two-way street whereby you and the interviewer assess each other to determine if there is an appropriate match. 8. Maintain a conversational flow. By consciously maintaining a conversational flowa dialogue instead of a monologueyou will be perceived more positively. Use feedback questions at the end of your answers and use body language and voice intonation to create a conversational interchange between you and the interviewer. 9. Research the company, product lines and competitors. Research will provide information to help you decide whether youre interested in the company and important data to refer to during the interview. 10. Keep an interview journal. As soon as possible, write a brief summary of what happened. Note any follow-up action you should take and put it in your calendar. Review your presentation. Keep a journal of your attitude and the way you answered the questions. Did you ask questions to get the information you needed? What might you do differently next time? Prepare and send a brief, concise thank you letter. Restate your skills and stress what you can do for the company. Because of its importance, interviewing requires advance preparation. Only you will be able to positively affect the outcome. You must be able to compete successfully with the competition for the job you want. In order to do that, be certain you have considered the kind of job you want, why you want it, and how you qualify for it. You also must face reality: Is the job attainable?

(Illegal Questions) The key to understanding unlawful inquiries is to ask only questions that will provide information about the persons ability to do the job, with or without a reasonable accommodation. Also note that inquiries which are unlawful to ask a candidate directly may not be asked as part of a pre-offer reference check. Age? Date of Birth? Age based inquiries should be avoided because state law prohibits discrimination against persons age 40 and older. An age inquiry may be made to ensure a person is old enough to work for the job being filled, or if the job is among the few where age discrimination is permitted such as physically dangerous or hazardous work or driving a school bus. Example of Illegal Questions How old are you? When is your birthday? In what year were you born? In what year did you graduate from college/high school? Possible Legal Alternatives Are you over the age of 18? Can you, after employment, provide proof of age?

Marital/ Family Status (often alludes to sexual orientation) The purpose of these family inquiries is to explore what some employers believe is a common source of absenteeism and tardiness. Typically, these questions are asked only of women making the inquiry clearly unlawful. However, even if such inquiries are made of both men and women, the questions may still be suspect. Such information has been used to discriminate against women because of societys general presumption that they are the primary care givers. If the employers concern is regular work attendance, a better question would be, Is there anything that would interfere with regular attendance at work? Example of Illegal Questions Are you married or do you have a permanent partner? With whom do you live? How many children do you have? Are you pregnant? Do you expect to become have Possible Legal Alternatives Would you be willing to relocate if necessary? Travel is an important part of the job. Do you have any restrictions on your ability to travel? Do you have responsibilities or commitments that will prevent you from meeting specified work schedules?

a family? When? How many children will you have? What are your child care arrangements?

Do you anticipate any absences from work on a regular basis? If so, please explain the circumstances.

Personal Minimum height and weight requirements are unlawful if they screen out a disproportionate number of women or minorities. Unless the employer can show that a height or weight requirement is essential for job performance, such inquiries should be avoided. Example of Illegal Questions Possible Legal Alternatives

Are you able to lift a 50-pound weight and carry it 100 How tall are you? yards, as that is part of the job? How much do you weigh? (Questions about height and weight are always illegal unless it can be proven that there are minimum requirements to do the job.) Disabilities Inquiries about a persons disability, health or workers compensation histories are unlawful if they imply or express a limitation based on disability. Under the federal Americans with Disabilities Act, any inquiry at the pre-employment stage, which would likely require an applicant to disclose a disability, is unlawful. Employers must avoid such inquiries or medical examinations before making a bona fide job offer. However, an employer may inquire about an applicants ability to perform certain job functions and, within certain limits, may conduct tests of all applicants to determine if they can perform essential job functions, with or without an accommodation. Example of Illegal Questions Do you have any disabilities? Have you had any recent illness or operations? Please complete this medical questionnaire. What was the date of your last physical exam? How's your family's health? When did you lose your eyesight/ leg/ hearing/ etc.? Possible Legal Alternatives

Are you able to perform the essential functions of this job with or without reasonable accommodations? (Legal if the interviewer thoroughly described the job.) Will you be able to carry out in a safe manner all job assignments necessary for this position? Are you able to lift a 50-pound weight and carry it 100 yards, as that is part of the job? NB: Medical exams are legal AFTER an offer has been extended; results should be held strictly confidential except for reasons of safety.

National Origin/ Citizenship Inquiries about a persons citizenship or country of birth are unlawful and imply discrimination on the basis of national origin. A lawfully immigrated alien may not be discriminated against on the basis of citizenship. The Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 require employers to verify the legal status and right to work of all new hires. Employers should not ask applicants to state their national origin, but should ask if they have a legal right to work in America, and explain that verification of that right must be submitted after the decision to hire has been made. To satisfy verification requirements, employers should ask all new hires for documents establishing both identity and work authorization. Example of Illegal Questions Where were you/your parents born? What is your native language? What is your country of citizenship? Are you a US citizen? Arrest Record There are laws that prohibits inquiries about past arrest records but permits consideration of a current arrest. If an applicant is under arrest for an offense that is substantially related to the job, an employer may suspend judgment until the case is resolved, advises the applicant to reapply when the charge is resolved, or refuse to employ the applicant. A current employee who is arrested may be suspended if the charge is substantially related to the job. Possible Legal Alternatives Do you have any language abilities that would be helpful in doing this job? (Legal if language ability is directly relevant to job performance.) Are you authorized to work in the United States?

An employer may not refuse to employ or discharge a person with a conviction record unless the circumstances of the conviction substantially relate to the circumstances of the job. If an inquiry about convictions is made, the employer should add a clarifier, A conviction will not necessarily disqualify you from employment. It will be considered only as it may relate to the job you are seeking. Anyone who evaluates conviction record information should be knowledgeable about how such data may be used. Example of Illegal Questions Have you ever been arrested? Have you ever been convicted of ____ crime? (Legal if the crime is reasonably relevant to the job; e.g. embezzlement for a banking job.) Military Service It is unlawful to discriminate against someone because of membership in the National Guard, a state defense force or another state or Federal Reserve unit. Questions relevant to experience or training received in the military or to determine eligibility for any veterans preference required by law are acceptable. Example of Illegal Questions What type of discharge did you receive? Possible Legal Alternatives In what branch of the Armed Forces did you serve? What type of training or education did you receive in the military? Possible Legal Alternatives

Affiliations Example of Illegal Questions What clubs or social organizations do you belong to? Do you go to church? Possible Legal Alternatives List any professional or trade groups or other organizations that you belong to that you consider relevant to your ability to perform this job.

Race/Color/Religion This question may discourage an applicant whose religion prohibits Saturday or Sunday work. If a question about weekend work is asked, the employer should indicate that a reasonable effort is made to accommodate religious beliefs or practices. An employ-er not required to make an accommodation if doing so would create an undue hardship on the business. Example of Illegal Questions All questions are illegal. Possible Legal Alternatives Are you available for work on saturday and Sunday?

Credit or Garnishment Record? Charge Accounts? Homeowner? Answers to these inquiries are almost always irrelevant to job performance. Because census data indicates minorities, on average, are poorer than whites, consideration of these factors may have a disparate impact on minorities. Therefore, requests of this nature may be unlawful unless clearly required by business necessity. Educational Background? While employers may inquire about a persons education, only clearly job related education should be considered in making the hiring decision. Educational requirements that are not necessary for performance of the job may be unlawful if they adversely impact protected group members. Rather, find a reliable way to determine if applicants have the skills necessary to function successfully in the job. Friends or Relatives working for us? This question is not relevant to an applicants competence and should be avoided. Since the question implies a preference for friends or relatives, it may be unlawful if the composition of the present work force is such that this preference reduces or eliminates employment opportunity for minorities or women. This question may also reflect a rule that only one partner in a marriage can work for the employer. This tends to have a disproportionate impact on women. Honesty Testing Being Done? An applicant may not be required to take a polygraph test and must be informed in writing and orally that the test is voluntary. Hiring decisions may not be based on polygraph test results, without the employer considering other relevant information obtained independently. Employers may use only one permitted type of mechanical device that visually, permanently, and simultaneously records the persons cardiovascular and respiratory patterns and changes. Questions must relate to a persons work performance. Display of polygraph protection posters may be required. Language Proficiency?

Some level of English skill may be necessary for many jobs. But, it is also clear that fluency or absence of an accent is not relevant for a substantial number of jobs. Employers must be careful about requiring English language proficiency and ensure the skill level being sought does not exceed the level required for successful job performance. Lowest Acceptable Salary? Women generally hold poorer paying jobs than men and are paid less for the same work. As a result of these practices, a woman might be willing to work for less pay than a man might find acceptable. It is unlawful to pay a woman less than a man for performing the same or substantially similar work. Maiden Name, Spouse's Name? Mr., Mrs., Miss. or Ms.? None of these inquiries are relevant to job performance and could be used to discriminate. A womans maiden name or spouses name may indicate religion or national origin. Having a person check a box for Mr., Mrs. or Miss may be an impermissible inquiry with regard to gender or marital status. An employer may not discriminate against a person because of their status of being married, single, divorced, separated, or widowed. Use or Nonuse of Lawful Products? Do you smoke? Drink Alcohol? A person may not be discriminated against for using or not using lawful products off the employers premises during nonworking hours. The law contains some exceptions, but employers generally should avoid inquiries in this area.

(INTERVIEW DURING A MEAL)

It is rare that a first interview will take place during a meal; second interviews sometimes involve lunch or dinner. In any case, if you are having a discussion in an office, which then continues over a meal, remember that you are being interviewed in both settings. What you say and do will be under review until you say goodbye. A few guidelines will help to make the meal less stressful. If you have questions about table manners, brush up with an etiquette book. Order something that is easy to eatstay away from items such as shish kebab, french onion soup, and spaghetti or linguine. Beware of finger food. You will want to be able to eat small bites of your food without dropping or spilling anything. Follow the lead of your host(s) regarding which courses and generally which items to order. You may want to ask, What do you recommend here? so that you will have an idea of what they are likely to order. Order items within the same price range or lower, and never order the most expensive item on the menu. If others are ordering an appetizer and an entre, you should do the same. If no one orders dessert, you should refrain. It is almost always unwise to drink alcohol in an interview setting. If you are at a group dinner or a cocktail reception where wine is served and your hosts are having a glass, you can have a glass to be sociable, but dont drink all of it. Even a small amount of alcohol can impair your judgment. Be prepared to ask a few questions during the meal, or you may end up with a full plate of food when others are ready for coffee. A meal may be a good time to ask your interviewer(s) about his or her career path(s).

(SALARY NEGOTIATION)
Do

Respond to the question positively without stating specific amounts. (Examples: Im earning in the low 30s. As a student, my jobs to this point have been geared toward gaining experience and making money to cover my educational costs.) Mention your desired salary, either saying that salary is negotiable depending upon the position or giving a $3-5,000 range (if you know the market value for the position and for someone with your skills and background). You may also use terms like competitive or open if you are responding to this question on an application form. Know your salary requirements as well as what you hope to make. You shouldnt mention these in your response to the salary history question, but you need to give this some thought for when you get to the negotiating stage. Be prepared to respond to a request for previous salaries in an interview. It can be handled by responding without stating specific amounts. Avoid specific amounts if at all possible.

Prepare a list of your positions (in reverse chronological order) for your own reference and just in case an employer in which you are very interested is absolutely adamant. (This will not happen often!) The list should include name of each company or organization, your position title, your compensation, and a brief synopsis of your position. Research Salaries in Your Field: Look at recent salary surveys, talk to others working in your field, and contact your trade or professional association to find out what other people are paid for doing the same work. Be Flexible: When going through a salary negotiation you aren't likely to get the exact amount of money you want. You will probably have to compromise. The trick is to figure out how much you are willing to compromise and what you will do if your boss doesn't offer you a salary you find acceptable.

Don't...

Include your salary history on your resume. What you did in a job is much more important than what you were paid. Lie about your previous pay rate. Employers can often verify your salary history through your reference checks. Look at How Much Money Your Friends in Other Fields Are Making: You may be envious of your friends who are earning more money than you are. If they aren't working in the same field you shouldn't make those comparisons. Talk About How Much Money You Need: When you are going through salary negotiations, don't tell your boss (or future boss) that you need to make more money because your bills are high, your house was expensive, or your child is starting college.

(SECOND INTERVIEW)
Almost all of what applies to first interviews applies to subsequent interviews, because you are usually meeting more people from the same organization for the first time. The greatest difference is likely to be in the level of understanding that you have about the organization. There can be numerous variations: you may interview first with a human resources staff person and then be invited to return to meet several more people; you may have a successful on-campus interview and then be invited to the home office to meet other people; you may in fact be interviewing with one person who is so impressed that he or she immediately calls a colleague to ask if that person has time to meet you. If time has passed before you are invited to return for further discussions, take the opportunity to reflect on your first conversation. The second interview is your opportunity to show that you have listened and learned. The more details you know about a position, the more successfully you can communicate your ability to meet its requirements. Think about what you know the employer is looking for and describe elements of your background and skills in such a way that you show that you have those specific qualifications. A candidate who can take information learned in a first interview and apply it in later interviews will be considered an astute observer and a quick study. If you have been saturated with information about the organization, position, training program, benefits, and anything else that might apply, certainly your interviewers will understand if you dont have a long list of questions to ask. The preferred option, however, is to formulate a few new questions, perhaps more detailed or more sophisticated, based on what you have learned. As with a first interview, it is important to be attuned to the position of the person with whom you are speaking. On a day- or half-day-long series of interviews, you may have the opportunity to ask questions of someone who would be your peer, someone who would be your supervisor, a representative of the human resources office, and the president or director. They will each provide a different perspective and knowledge base. The keys to managing the interview process successfully are preparation and practice. If you are dilligent at both, you will

present yourself in the best possible light and will be recognized by employers as a strong and effective candidate. Good Luck!

(SELLING YOURSELF)
What to Say Introduce yourself with a smile and firm handshake. Maintain good eye contact during conversation. Demonstrate to the recruiter what you want to and can do for the employer today, based on employer research. Give two minute commercial. Answer questions with: " Yes, for example (accomplishment/result statement)" and " No, however (accomplishment/result statement)" Show interest in what the interviewer is saying, by nodding your head and leaning toward him/her occasionally. Give positive answers to negative-based questions. Ask the recruiter prepared questions. Initiate the next step by asking what the next step is. Ask for the recruiters business card for future contact. Immediately after you leave make notes of important points of discussion. The "Tell me about yourself" question Here is an example about how to answer the first question most interviewers ask. Tell me about yourself It also allows the job seeker to share with the interviewer the most important thing they want to know Why should I hire you? 1. Personal and Education This part is used to give the interviewer relevant information concerning you personally and about your educational background. This does not include personal information such as marital status, children, etc. This does include information such as: hometown or state and/or personal attribute(s). The education should be either the latest obtained and/or major field if relevant to job objective. 2. Early Career/Life Experiences This part is used to share with the interviewer past work and life experiences relevant to the job objective. 3. Recent Work History/Life Experiences This is the time for the job seeker to relate to the employer two accomplishments/results of the job seeker that indicate why he/she is the best candidate for the position sought. 4. Why you are here In this part, the job seeker speaks with enthusiasm that he/she is here for the specific position sought. What to Do Arrive 10-15 minutes early. Use time wisely to review employer research information. Have pen and paper. Asking to borrow a pen indicates lack of preparation. Be enthusiastic. Recruiters remember a positive attitude. Listen carefully to the interviewers complete question before responding. If needed, pause and take time before answering difficult questions. Keep going even if you feel you made a mistake. Carry extra resumes, references, etc. organized in a portfolio Unless asked, do not discuss salary and benefits.

Further Reading..
Know Yourself What are my skills and abilities? What are my strengths? How do my skills and experiences relate to the position and employers needs? What contributions will I bring to the employer? Am I willing to relocate? How do my values compare to the philosophy of the organization? What points do I want to be sure to get across during the interview? How does this position fit into my career goals? If interviewing in a country other than your home country, do you understand the cultural expectations?

Prepare Yourself Obtain a copy of the job description. Use the employer information and the employers websites to gather information (annual reports, employee handbooks, policy statements, employee newsletters) on the organization. Locate the employers home page on the Internet. Conduct informational interviews with persons in similar positions to learn about the career field and how your skills may apply. Develop a list of appropriate questions that reflect your research. Be sure to know the culture of the country where you are interviewing. U.S. employers are expecting you to articulate your future career goals and past accomplishments. They are assessing you according to American values such as self-confidence, initiative, directness, and individualism. Practice Review attached list of questions most asked during an interview as well as list of questions to prospective employers. Practice answering interview questions (out loud). Schedule a mock interview, through the Office of Career Services, to gain experience and feedback. Be aware of your body languagewhat is your body language under pressure? Remember to smile and be yourself! Checklist Confirm date, time and place of interview. Pack several copies of your resume; a list of references, including names, titles, addresses and telephone numbers; writing samples if appropriate; and letters of recommendation. Dress appropriately (conservative business attire). Be punctual. Plan to arrive early. Research the Occupation: Know the area in which you are interested: Read articles written by people who are in the field. Inform yourself about future trends. Check if your interests and abilities compare to the requirements of the position. Find out the average income earned by people in the occupation. Some methods of finding this information include: Conduct information interviews. Reading the information in the Connection Centre (Student Life & Career Services), either through Internet or hard copy publications. Talking to friends, relatives or others.

Researching the Organization: Before the job interview, you should research the organization. It is easier to convince an employer that you would be of benefit to the organization if you are knowledgeable about it. In addition, information obtained through research can help you decide whether you want to work for a specific organization. General areas to research: How old is the organization, and what is its history of development? Where are the plants, offices, or stores located? What are its products or services? If the organization sells, what are its markets? Retailers? Wholesalers? What are its new products? Is it a public or non-profit organization? What purpose does it serve? How is it funded? Whom does it serve? What functions does it perform? How does this organization rank in the industry? What is the financial status of the company? Last years sales? Growth record? Are there any plans for expansion? What is the organizational structure? How does the organization fit into the community? To what degree is it committed to solving community problems? What problems does the organization need to overcome? (By identifying the problems that the organization faces, you can match your abilities to these ends during the interview.) One of the best ways to find company information is on the Internet. You should be able to find plenty of information to get you started by exploring the Web with a good browser and search engine. Just entering the company name in the search engine will usually result in success. Here are five things that most employers want to know about you. 1. They want to know if you are qualified for the position. What are your greatest strengths? Do you have experience in this field? What do you believe you bring to this job? Why should I hire you? 2. They want to know what motivates you. What motivates you to put forth your greatest effort? Where do you see yourself five years from now? What is more important to you, the money or the job? What did you like most about your last job? 3. They want to know about the negatives. Why did you leave your previous job? What did you like least about your last supervisor? What is your greatest weakness? What did you like least about your last job? Why have you been unemployed so long? 4. They want to know if you are a good fit. What kind of people do you find it hard to work with? Tell me about a time when you worked as a member of a team. In what kind of environment are you most comfortable? Do you prefer to work alone or with others? 5. They want to know if you want their job with their company. What are you looking for in a position? Who else are you interviewing with? Why are you interested in this position? What do you know about the company?