PREPARATION

The single most important part of being ready for an interview is preparation. Like anything else in life, the more prepared you are, the easier and more successful you will be at the task at hand. You owe it to yourself, putting your career on the line, to take as much time as possible to prepare for any interview.

Anticipate the Questions

Advantage is in knowing what is going to be asked.

First, look for internal sources. Discuss your intentions with your supporting manager and ask them what questions they were asked in their interview. If you have a proper relationship with your supporting manager, they would have been developing you towards the next opportunity and should be happy to help you out. Also, you should leverage relationships with peers, acquaintances in similar positions you're applying for and members at head office that could help you out. Ask them for feedback on your strengths, examples of positive performance they have seen in you and what questions they were asked in their interview. (This also gets it out there that you're looking to move and gets people talking about you. Who knows who may be listening?)

Second, do your own research. If your company has an intranet site you may be able to find sample questions for similar interviews. Most retail interviews are behavioral based, which you can find many examples of online. There is tons of useful interview information on retail resource and career oriented websites relating to behavior based interviews. Below is an example of the type of question asked in a typical behavioral based interview:

Example: Tell me about a time you set a performance goal and achieved it.What methods did you use to achieve this goal?

Prepare Your Answers

Your strengths are displayed in your answers.

After accumulating what you see as the possible questions being asked, you must prepare your answers. I recommend you first list as many accomplishments as you can, then think of how they may relate to any of the questions that may be posed. Second, match them to the most relevant question and lastly, ensure you script a complete answer. Those interviewing you are looking for specific measurable experiences, evidence of desired competencies and positive outcomes. They may probe further for contradictory evidence.

Components of Complete Answers

• Situation - Description of your example
• Actions - What specific steps or actions you took
• Result - The POSITIVE result or learning of the situation

• Answers with measurable proof impress more then those without
• Especially important if competing for a promotion with your current employer

• Find and read a profile or job description for the position you're applying
• Ensure to use answers that display experiences in desired qualifications

• Be ready to tell the truth, not s
  Starting a Career in Nursing
  Midlife career changes are nothing new. If you’re looking for a field with abundant opportunity and if you enjoy caring for others, nursing might be right for you. The job outlook is robust: The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports employment among registered nurses will grow faster than the average for all occupations through 2008. Some reports indicate that more than 1 million new and replacement nurses will be needed by 2012. A career in nursing is also lucrative: Typical salaries start in the $35K-$5
  r career on the line, to take as much time as possible to prepare for any interview.

  Anticipate the Questions

  Advantage is in knowing what is going to be asked.

  First, look for internal sources. Discuss your intentions with your supporting manager and ask them what questions they were asked in their interview. If you have a proper relationship with your supporting manager, they would have been developing you towards the next opportunity and should be happy to help you out. Also, you should leverage relationships with peers, acquaintances in similar positions you're applying for and members at head office that could help you out. Ask them for feedback on your strengths, examples of positive performance they have seen in you and what questions they were asked in their interview. (This also gets it out there that you're looking to move and gets people talking about you. Who knows who may be listening?)

  Second, do your own research. If your company has an intranet site you may be able to find sample questions for similar interviews. Most retail interviews are behavioral based, which you can find many examples of online. There is tons of useful interview information on retail resource and career oriented websites relating to behavior based interviews. Below is an example of the type of question asked in a typical behavioral based interview:

  Example: Tell me about a time you set a performance goal and achieved it.What methods did you use to achieve this goal?

  Prepare Your Answers

  Your strengths are displayed in your answers.

  After accumulating what you see as the possible questions being asked, you must prepare your answers. I recommend you first list as many accomplishments as you can, then think of how they may relate to any of the questions that may be posed. Second, match them to the most relevant question and lastly, ensure you script a complete answer. Those interviewing you are looking for specific measurable experiences, evidence of desired competencies and positive outcomes. They may probe further for contradictory evidence.

  Components of Complete Answers

  • Situation - Description of your example
  • Actions - What specific steps or actions you took
  • Result - The POSITIVE result or learning of the situation
  Know Numbers / Results / Company Goals
  • Answers with measurable proof impress more then those without
  • Especially important if competing for a promotion with your current employer
  Are You a Match?
  • Find and read a profile or job description for the position you're applying
  • Ensure to use answers that display experiences in desired qualifications
  Full Disclosure!
  • Be ready to tell the truth, not
    The Pros And Cons Of Personnel In The Translation Business
    Are you planning to set up a translation business? Then there are two or three fundamental questions you will need to consider if you want your business to be a success. One of these, and in fact the most obvious one, is how to attract clients. However, the marketing effort and insight needed to tackle the issue of client acquisition is the subject of another article. In this specific issue I would like to concentrate on a fundamental dilemma that many self-employed translators will face: to work as a
    amples of positive performance they have seen in you and what questions they were asked in their interview. (This also gets it out there that you're looking to move and gets people talking about you. Who knows who may be listening?)

    Second, do your own research. If your company has an intranet site you may be able to find sample questions for similar interviews. Most retail interviews are behavioral based, which you can find many examples of online. There is tons of useful interview information on retail resource and career oriented websites relating to behavior based interviews. Below is an example of the type of question asked in a typical behavioral based interview:

    Example: Tell me about a time you set a performance goal and achieved it.What methods did you use to achieve this goal?

    Prepare Your Answers

    Your strengths are displayed in your answers.

    After accumulating what you see as the possible questions being asked, you must prepare your answers. I recommend you first list as many accomplishments as you can, then think of how they may relate to any of the questions that may be posed. Second, match them to the most relevant question and lastly, ensure you script a complete answer. Those interviewing you are looking for specific measurable experiences, evidence of desired competencies and positive outcomes. They may probe further for contradictory evidence.

    Components of Complete Answers

    • Situation - Description of your example
    • Actions - What specific steps or actions you took
    • Result - The POSITIVE result or learning of the situation
    Know Numbers / Results / Company Goals
    • Answers with measurable proof impress more then those without
    • Especially important if competing for a promotion with your current employer
    Are You a Match?
    • Find and read a profile or job description for the position you're applying
    • Ensure to use answers that display experiences in desired qualifications
    Full Disclosure!
    • Be ready to tell the truth, not
      Play Your Position! - The Only Way to Win in Business
      Have you ever watched 5-year-olds play soccer? It should be called "Follow the Ball," because that is what happens the entire game. The beginning of the game starts with players in assigned positions. However, as soon as the whistle blows, all the kids form into a big herd guided by a little checkered ball.High school soccer is an entirely different experience. The players start in the same positions as the 5-year-olds. This is where the similarity ends. The whistle blows to start the game
      formance goal and achieved it.What methods did you use to achieve this goal?

      Prepare Your Answers

      Your strengths are displayed in your answers.

      After accumulating what you see as the possible questions being asked, you must prepare your answers. I recommend you first list as many accomplishments as you can, then think of how they may relate to any of the questions that may be posed. Second, match them to the most relevant question and lastly, ensure you script a complete answer. Those interviewing you are looking for specific measurable experiences, evidence of desired competencies and positive outcomes. They may probe further for contradictory evidence.

      Components of Complete Answers

      • Situation - Description of your example
      • Actions - What specific steps or actions you took
      • Result - The POSITIVE result or learning of the situation
      Know Numbers / Results / Company Goals
      • Answers with measurable proof impress more then those without
      • Especially important if competing for a promotion with your current employer
      Are You a Match?
      • Find and read a profile or job description for the position you're applying
      • Ensure to use answers that display experiences in desired qualifications
      Full Disclosure!
      • Be ready to tell the truth, not
        Quick Tips For Successful Branding
        Points You Want To Remember When Branding Your BusinessIt’s easy to get lost in the business shuffle these days. There are hundreds of companies that produce similar products or provide parallel services, but how do you make yours distinct? There are a lot of ways and only one highly important characteristic to a successful business. It is branding. Below are key points to follow when brainstorming your brand.Identify With Your BuyerEveryone is not
        ts of Complete Answers
        • Situation - Description of your example
        • Actions - What specific steps or actions you took
        • Result - The POSITIVE result or learning of the situation
        Know Numbers / Results / Company Goals
        • Answers with measurable proof impress more then those without
        • Especially important if competing for a promotion with your current employer
        Are You a Match?
        • Find and read a profile or job description for the position you're applying
        • Ensure to use answers that display experiences in desired qualifications
        Full Disclosure!
        • Be ready to tell the truth, not stories
        • Don't forget important details
        • What you say will be investigated
        Documentation!
        • Bring relevant documentation (store's performance reporting etc...)
        • Consider bringing short presentations for key projects / performance measurement
        • Use projects/experiences that highlight job specific requirements