Goof proof interviews

Felice Primeau Devine is a writer from Albany, New York. She has worked in publishing for more than ten years as an editor, publicist, and brand director. She is the author of U.S. Citizenship: A Step-by-Step Guide, and Pharmacy Technician Career Starter. She has also authored three other books in the Goof-Proof Series: Goof- Proof Grammar, Goof-Proof Spelling, and Goof-Proof Resumes and Cover Letters. Ms. Devine is also the coauthor of Cosmetology Career Starter, Second Edition.

goof-proof INTERVIEWS g o o f - p r o o f INTERVIEWS Felice Primeau Devine N EW Y ORK ® Copyright © 2003 Learning Express, LLC. All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. Published in the United States by Learning Express, LLC, New York. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data: Devine, Felice Primeau. Goof-proof interviews / Felice Primeau Devine. —1st ed. p. cm. ISBN 1-57685-463-9 (paperback : alk. paper) 1. Employment interviewing. 2. Job hunting. I. Title. HF5549.5.I6D48 2003 650.14—dc21 2002156255 Printed in the United States of America 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 First Edition ISBN 1-57685-463-9 For more information or to place an order, contact Learning Express at: 55 Broadway 8th Floor New York, NY 10006 Or visit us at: www.learnatest.com Felice Primeau Devine is a writer from Albany, New York. She has worked in publishing for more than ten years as an editor, pub- licist, and brand director. She is the author of U.S. Citizenship: A Step-by-Step Guide, and Pharmacy Technician Career Starter. She has also authored three other books in the Goof-Proof Series: Goof- Proof Grammar, Goof-Proof Spelling, and Goof-Proof Resumes and Cover Letters. Ms. Devine is also the coauthor of Cosmetology Career Starter, Second Edition. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Introduction xi SECTION ONE The Goof-Up: Starting Off On the Wrong Foot 1 Rule #1: Be Easy to Schedule 2 Rule #2: Keep All the Scheduling Details Organized 3 Rule #3: Don’t Forget Your Manners 5 Rule #4: Schedule Your Interview with Plenty of Time to Prepare 6 SECTION TWO The Goof-Up: Being Unprepared 9 Rule #5: Research the Company 11 Rule #6: Use Your Network as You Research the Company 13 Rule #7: Practice Before Each and Every Interview 15 Rule #8: Choose the Right Thing to Wear 17 CONTENTS viii goof-proof INTERVIEWS Rule #9: Make the 12 Hours before the Interview Count 20 Rule #10: First Impressions Are Important 22 Rule #11: Show up on Time 23 SECTION THREE The Goof-Up: Right Information, Wrong Interview Format 25 Rule #12: The Informational or Networking Interview 27 Rule #13: The Human Resources Screening Interview 31 Rule #14: The One-on-One Interview 33 Rule #15: The Repeat Performance Interview 36 Rule #16: The Group Interview 38 Rule #17: The Campus or Job Fair Interview 41 Rule #18: The Panel Interview 43 Rule #19: The Second Interview 45 Rule #20: The Off-Site Interview 46 Rule #21: The Phone Interview 48 SECTION FOUR The Top Ten Interview Goof-Ups . . . And How to Avoid Them 51 Rule #22: Be Prepared to Describe Your Experiences in a Compelling Manner 52 Rule #23: Control Your Nervous Habits 54 Rule #24: Tell the Truth 56 Rule #25: Answer Every Question Asked 58 Rule #26: Sell Yourself as You Answer Questions 59 Rule #27: Don’t Speak Ill of, or Belittle Past Job Experiences 62 Rule #28: Ask Questions about the Company 64 Rule #29: Prepare a List of References 66 Rule #30: Know Your Interview Etiquette 68 Rule #31: Avoid Engaging in Inappropriate Behavior 70 SECTION FIVE The Ten Most Common Interview Questions. . . And How to Give a Goof-Proof Answer 71 Rule #32: Tell Me about Yourself 73 Rule #33: How Would the Company Benefit by Hiring You? 75 Rule #34: What Are You Looking to Achieve in Your Next Position? 77 Rule #35: Tell Me about a Failure in Your Career 79 Rule #36: What Is the Most Difficult Thing You Have Ever Accomplished? 81 Rule #37: What Are Your Strengths? 83 Rule #38: What Are Your Weaknesses? 85 Rule #39: Why Have You Chosen This Career Path? 87 Rule #40: Where Do You See Yourself Five Years from Now? 89 Rule #41: Being Idealistic: What Is the Ideal Company for You? The Ideal Job? The Ideal Boss? 93 SECTION SIX The Goof-Up: Failing to Follow Through 97 Rule #42: Always Send a Thank-You Letter 99 Rule #43: Carefully Evaluate the Job Offer 101 Rule #44: Negotiating Tips 104 Rule #45: When and How to Say Yes to the Job Offer 107 Rule #46: Get All the Answers before Signing on the Dotted Line 109 Rule #47: How to Say No to a Job Offer 111 contents ix . has also authored three other books in the Goof- Proof Series: Goof- Proof Grammar, Goof- Proof Spelling, and Goof- Proof Resumes and Cover Letters. Ms. Devine. THE GOOF- PROOF METHOD WORKS ● The 47 Goof- Proof Rules are presented in Goof- Up form. You will read about a common mistake, then learn how to Goof- Proof