Your advantage is
being prepared.

Candidate Preparation

Dress the part: dark suit, dark shoes, pressed white shirt, conservative tie. Learn how to open strong, ask the right probing questions, and align your experience with the employer's priorities.

• Start by clarifying the primary duties and responsibilities of the position before answering open-ended questions.
• Ask what the #1 priority is — then answer with specific examples of your accomplishments in that area.
• Inquire about your first project, production goals, and what obstacles could prevent you from reaching them.
• Don't forget to ask: 'If I perform well, where can I go in the company?' Compare your future goals with the company's.

Questions to Ask in an Interview

The questions you ask reveal your judgment, preparation, and interest. Here are key questions every candidate should consider asking during an interview.

• What are the responsibilities of the position, and which are most important? What is the #1 priority?
• What would be my first project or production goals? What obstacles would prevent me from reaching them?
• What results are expected of this position? What are the limits of my responsibility and authority?
• What problems and opportunities are associated with this position? How are you currently addressing them?
• What specific aspects of my background make me right — or wrong — for this position?
• What support is available to help me fulfill my charge here? Will I have subordinates, and what are their strengths and weaknesses?
• Who will be my superior, and what are their strengths and weaknesses?
• Are there any projects in motion that I will inherit? What is their history and status?
• What are the goals of the company and my department? What are the long- and short-term objectives?
• What criteria will be used to evaluate my performance? When are evaluations scheduled?
• What can you tell me about my peers? What are common denominators for successful employees here?
• Why did my predecessor leave this position?
• What characteristics does the company feel are attractive about itself? How can the company market itself to me?
• Are there any industries or outside influences that affect company growth?
• In what areas does the company excel, and in what areas does it have limitations?

Power Words for Interviewing

The language you use shapes how interviewers perceive your experience and capabilities. Use these proven power words to communicate impact.

• Action words: Planned, Created, Conceived, Developed, Initiated, Implemented, Formulated.
• Leadership words: Organized, Directed, Supervised, Guided, Managed, Contributed, Demonstrated.
• Result phrases: Reduced, Contributed, Saved, Led, Evaluated.

Competitive Interviewing Skills

A structured approach to every interview — from the opening handshake to the closing question — helps you stand out from other candidates.

• Break the ice. Use humor or flattery as a lead-in. Know the industry you are interviewing for.
• When asked 'Tell me about yourself,' allow the employer to prioritize how you answer by asking what matters most to them.
• Follow up with a synopsis of your responsibilities, or a dialogue about previous roles. Explore the technical details.
• Be yourself. Come in with the proper attitude. This is a key first impression.
• Rehearse your interview, and your meeting will flow. Rehearsing important questions demonstrates listening skills, people skills, and sincerity.
• Allow the interviewer to completely finish speaking before you answer a question.
• Devise a 'T' account: list new job responsibilities on one side and similarities to previous jobs on the other. This creates a feature-benefit-feature presentation that connects your experience directly to their needs.