Interview Q&A Page

Preparation is a key ingredient to performing optimally in an interview. Having thought about the several types of questions one is likely to be asked, and then developing answers to them, is the core of any interview preparation.

Solid preparation involves developing both content and delivery. The content should be logical, positive, persuasive, and compelling. Delivery should not only share the same qualities of content, but also sound natural, relaxed but focused and credible. Writing out the answers and reading them aloud, first to yourself, and then to a close friend, will go a long way in helping you achieve the above characteristics to your potential interview answers. It will also help you develop confidence and smoothness for when you are on the "interview stage".

Depending on the nature of the question, such as a behavioral type of question, using a simple 'STAR' or 'SOAR' approach can help structure your answers in a focused and relevant way (This is covered in the "Accomplishment Stories" section here). As mentioned here, preparation of accomplishment stories ahead of time will be very helpful fuel for your answers to many possible interview questions.

This discussion is focused on types of questions you are likely to be asked regardless of the employer you are interviewing with. As such, this preparation can be done before any company invites you for interviews. When a company does invite you for interviews, then additional preparation steps can be taken, such as researching the company, the interviewers, and logistical details. These are addressed in the section on Harvesting Opportunities, topic #3, "Interviewing" here.

Make a list of all the questions you most expect to get asked, and then all the questions you hope never get asked (i.e. the ones that would make you feel most uncomfortable or be most challenging--links to sample lists provided below).
Write them out, or even better put them into a word-processing document for ongoing reference.
Now jot down the key points or stories you wish to share in response to those questions. Tying into your Accomplishments will help bolster your response with demonstration of positive and successful behaviors. Following either the STAR or SOAR format for your answers, without being rote, is also recommended to give your responses a coherence and "digestibility" to your interviewer.
Using these key points, write out answers as if you had to submit the answers via e-mail.
Read aloud the answers to ensure they sound ok for content and persuasiveness.
Tweak wording of answers so they are easy to deliver verbally.
Would generally target answer length for 60 secs or less, but if accomplishment story takes longer, so be it.
If a PC available, record your answers to play them back to both hear how they sound and time their length.
- At first, record by reading your answers. This will ensure that the "script" you create sounds right and is a manageable length.
- Next record your answers without reading. This will help you practice answering under a little bit of pressure and help start to "bake in" the key points you want to make.
- Recording in Windows can be done with an inexpensive microphone or microphone-headset from Radio Shack or a computer store.
- Once the microphone is plugged into your computer, click Start/ programs / accessories / entertainment / sound recorder to get the sound recording window to show on the screen. Click on the red button on the sound recorder window to start recording and then to stop.
  - Click Start/Help to get help on "sound recorder"
If a video camera available, try recording yourself to see how you look and sound when delivering typical answers (body language and interview strategies will be discussed in the "Opportunity Harvesting" section)
Once comfortable with delivering answers, try doing in front of a mirror to get the "feel" of talking to someone else, and to see your own visual style.
Once comfortable with delivering answers, consider a "mock interview" with a close friend to whom you give a list of questions to select from.


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