Tips for Presenting Yourself in 30 seconds

by Peter Espiefs

Your infomercial is your “TV ad”, your “brochure”, your introduction of your best employment-
related qualities. It is your pitch. The 30 Second version is for a quick introduction and should
begin by introducing yourself. The 2 Minute version is for interviews and discussions. It answers
the query so often posed by prospective employers, interviewers, and anybody who might be in a
position to assist you in your job search. The statement I am referring to is, of course, “So tell me
about yourself.”

Your cover letter could serve as a beginning step toward developing your infomercial. Be aware of
the person to whom you are “pitching”, what interests that person, what type of person might be
competing with you, and what you have to offer that your competition does not. Avoid telling your
life’s story. Tell only what is relevant in a clear, concise, and conversational manner. Be
enthusiastic about meeting the person and/or about the position you are interviewing for. Do not
expect the person to understand how your background might fit in with their needs. Do not expect
or allow the person, hiring team, or networking contact to draw their own conclusions about a
point that you are making. If there is a conclusion to be made, tell the person(s) what it is.

Your infomercial should include statements about your credentials, your experience, your
personal and professional strengths, your knowledge, and your skills. It should be tailored, or
adapted, to the person(s) to whom you are speaking. It should relate your accomplishments and
strong points to their agenda and needs. As mentioned above, it should flow in an enthusiastic,
confident, and conversational style.

Remember that this is your introduction to a potential employer. As such, your pitch should be
rehearsed but not sound rehearsed. Therefore, write out a 30 second and a 2 minute version of
your infomercial. Practice both versions in front of a mirror and time them. Practice them in front
of friends and/or family members. Ask them what they think, especially about how you look and
sound. Would they want to find out more about you, or hire you, based on your presentation?

Lastly, try to keep in mind that you are not selling: you are marketing your credentials. The idea
is to position yourself as an attractive candidate for employment.

Good luck!

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How good is your CV? A CV is probably one of the hardest things you will ever have to write. This
is because it is about you and most people find it hard to sell themselves in an attractive way.
How effective is your CV at opening doors for you? Jobsite's career guru Sarah Berry offers some
expert advice.

Most candidates are out of touch will what the present market requires. Sure they have a rough
idea of how to present themselves, what to include but they are not aware of how to present
themselves in modern and competitive terms to win over the employer.

CVs have evolved over time. There is no written law on CV writing, it is something which is very
personal and of course subject to the current employment market and needs of employers. Thirty
or forty years ago, all that was required of you was to write a brief letter, including relevant details
about yourself and why you thought you could do the job on offer. This changed and the trend
became to put everything down on paper - from graphic personal details including operations that
you may have had, to every course that you have ever attended - even if it is irrelevant. But this
trend has changed and has now proven ineffective in today's market.

Listed below are a few ways that a CV expert can help you improve your chances of achieving
your next career move.

1. Show you how to take control of your job hunt.

Your CV needs to be targeted towards your chosen profession. You can't get away with an all
round, general purpose CV. You need to show that you have depth and understanding of your
field of work. You need to make the employer feel comfortable and assured that you are an expert
in your field of work.

2. Point out the weakness of your current CV.

If you know where your current CV is letting you down, you can do something about it. What is it
about your current CV that is putting employer's off? Which sections of your CV need to be
improved? It there enough sell in your CV? Have you conveyed your personality and how you
operate within the business world? Have you convinced the reader how you will add value? Get
the information you need to transform your CV.

3. Show you how to present yourself in the best possible light.

Every candidate has a hurdle to overcome. For some it is an illness, a career break, or not having
the necessary qualifications. How are you going to tackle this? You need to make your 'hurdle'
work in your favour and to make you look even stronger on paper.

4. Highlight the most successful format.

Some CV formats and writing styles are not as appealing as others. You want to give yourself the
best possible reception. Have you gone on about yourself and risked turning the reader off? Do
you need to make some changes in this area?

5. Inform you of how to sell yourself and make yourself look a winner.

The biggest mistake that most candidates make is to assume that the reader knows what value
you they have to offer. Employers are looking for certain key qualities and your CV needs to cover
these off.

6. Show you how to write about your work experience and education in a interesting
way.

Most CVs are dull and boring. They tire the reader rather than inspire the reader. Have you fallen
into this trap? Do you need to know what you have to do to change this emphasis?

7. Reveal that the CV is a crucial aspect of your job hunt.

While it may be easier to blame the market or things outside of your control, sometimes it is worth
getting an expert opinion of your CV.

8. Help you to recognise that you are capable of so much more.

Are you waiting for your employer to tell you how brilliant and capable you are? What is stopping
you from moving forward? Are you too comfortable with where you are and what you are doing?
Do you need 'to see' yourself in a different light?

9. Do you know what should be included in the CV and what needs to go in the covering
letter?

Each document has a very different and distinct role to play in your job application? Make sure
you are aware of what these are and what essential information you need to include in both.

10. Can you be bothered to make the necessary changes?

Are you willing to change? Do you recognise that your CV might not be right for this competitive
market? Are you in tune with what employer's are looking for when selecting electronically
submitted CVs?

Sarah Berry, best-selling author of 'Write a Perfect CV in a weekend', and career guru at Jobsite
can help you with your CV. CLICK HERE for further information.

So, you've been laid off. You were a high-flying executive in a technology company
two years ago and now you are grounded.

The good news is: you're not alone - there are thousands of other people out there in
the same position. The bad news is: you're not alone - there are thousands of people
out there in the same position, and you will have to find a way to set yourself apart
from them as you look for a new position.

To move yourself forward through what will likely be an intensive search is difficult,
but essential, and the operative words are "moving forward." If you merely present
your past accomplishments to prospective new employers, you will remain planted in
your past. Instead, you need to use your past experience to convince employers that
you have the knowledge and skills of their company and their industry to help move
them forward. If you can do that, you will propel yourself into a new position and
challenge.

The reality is that companies want people who know how to win. Here's how to
present yourself as a winner and come out on the winning end of a new job, perhaps
in a new industry.

1. Learn How to Market Yourself.

Keeping an upbeat attitude may be the most difficult task of all. At a time when you
may be feeling down and out, you must nonetheless remain positive and upbeat.
Don't let yourself get disillusioned or sidetracked and never give up faith in yourself
and your abilities. Most people hate acting as their own direct marketer, but that is
what searching for a job is all about. People are not lucky - - they create their own
luck. It starts with marketing the best product that you have - - you.

a. Create a focused plan. Research which industries and areas of the country are
hot right now and identify companies within those industries and geographic areas
that you want to approach. Don't assume that you must limit your search to the
industry in which you last worked. If possible within the constraints of your personal
life, look at companies in new areas of the country (or world). Once you have
decided the industries and geographic areas in which you would like to search,
network constantly and aggressively, but with focus. Direct your networking to where
there are real opportunities. This also involves extensive research: you must learn
who the contact people are in the companies, associations and cities in which you are
searching and seek out those specific people.

b. Create the right pitch. In order to land an interview, you first must get past the
"gatekeeper" - e.g., the secretary or administrative assistant who controls access to
the person with hiring authority. This isn't easy and requires you to develop a pitch
that sets you apart from other job seekers. The worst thing you can say is, "I'd like
to speak with Bob Jones about employment opportunities." You will be dead in the
water with that one. Instead, craft a pitch that demonstrates your knowledge of the
company, its products, its markets or its industry. You are much more likely to reach
Bob Jones if you tell his assistant that, "I have research on how the data
warehousing industry can increase sales and would like to present my findings to Mr.
Jones."

c. In the interview, sell yourself through your own questions. Most

interviewers remember more of what they have said during an interview than what
the applicant has said. To get beyond this, and to set yourself apart from others, you
should impress the interviewer with your own knowledge of the company and its
industry. The best way to do this is by asking concise, focused questions that allow
you to demonstrate that you've done significant research about the industry, about
the company itself - including its products, its market and its competitors. And last
but not least, you need to demonstrate that, as a result of your past experience, you
can help move the company forward.

2. Be willing to take a step backward.

If it appears that you may have to accept a position at a lower level on the executive
ladder than your previous one, don't assume that you are losing opportunities to
move forward. In a hot company, or a hot industry, you may move ahead faster than
if you seek higher positions in companies or industries that are contracting.

3. Approach lots of companies.

In this economy, it is unrealistic to expect that you can successfully land a new job
by talking to only a handful of companies. You should plan to approach a minimum of
50 companies, and contacting 100 companies is not out of the question. From this, if
you have followed all the other steps outlined above, you should have a good chance
of landing five to seven interviews.

Searching for a new job following a layoff can be one of the most difficult, draining
and demoralizing processes that people have to endure. Or, it can become one of the
most uplifting, eye-opening experiences that can change your life for the better. Just
give yourself time, don't lose your self-confidence and follow a well-crafted plan.
Most important, never forget that employers are looking for people who can
demonstrate energy, intelligence, aggressiveness and persistence. And persistence
will pay off.

Jeffrey Christian is the President and CEO of Christian & Timbers, the Cleveland-
based executive search firm he founded in 1979, which now ranks among the top 12
such firms in the country. Mr. Christian was recently named to the Forbes Midas List
which ranked him as one of the top 50 most influential deal makers in technology.

Editor's note: This column first appeared on CIN, an internet.com site for IT
executives.

Automotive Management 16/10/90

Like it or not, and despite the protestations of many in the field, recruitment is an imprecise art. True, there
are many developments that allow us to be more scientific but still the face-to-face interview is the most
important part of the process. The problem for the candidate is securing that interview, and a properly
prepared CV is essential.

It is tempting to think that your carefully prepared life story will be studied at leisure by a highly trained
manager with an intimate knowledge of your industry. In most cases, nothing could be further from the truth,
and if your CV is not instantly able to do its job when it arrives with 300 others, the right person may never
even get to see it. It will end up in some secretary's bin!
Never forget that preparing a shortlist is a negative job.
"Always work on the basis that you have 30 seconds to make an impact" Employers will often screen out
those they don't want to see before arriving at a hard core of more or less suitable applicants to meet. The
more reasons to give them to reject you, the more often it will happen.
Keep in mind the aim of any CV - initially to secure that vital interview and thereafter to act as a quick
reference document for the interviewer. You can say everything you need in a maximum of two pages - if
you go beyond this you are saying too much or your layout is wrong. Avoid double spacing and capital
letters to try to pad it out, for it is difficult on the eye. Just stick to sensible, well laid out typing.
You need to say why you are different to everyone else but meet the criteria. In a previous article I discussed
how to sell yourself and here it is crucial. Concisely and clearly state what you have achieved using, where
possible, objective yard-sticks. Avoid trivia, making judgements that cannot be backed by fact, and above all
avoid the job descriptions, give only responsibilities that are quantifiable in terms of staff, turnover or profit,
do not fist duties, except if they are relevant and unusual for the position.
Always work on the basis that you have 30 seconds to make an impact. If someone reading it for the first
time takes longer to work out who you are, where you live, how well educated and qualified you are, who
you work for and in what capacity, then throw it away and start again. Discarding it is just what a hard
pushed recruiter may do, so make sure all this information is on the front page.
In terms of personal data, your full name and address should appear on both pages in case, any get
detached, and the following data is also necessary: home phone number; date of birth; marital status and
number of children; driving licence; languages; professional qualifications.
Positively avoid information such as height and weight - they are irrelevant and can only work against you if
you happen to be taller, shorter, fatter or thinner that a particularly conscious employer!
Education deserves its own section, but not a large one. Detail briefly your secondary school with number of
CSE, 0 levels and A levels if applicable. Higher education and degree, diploma or certificate subjects should
be given with your grade or class. Nothing more should be necessary unless you hold a particular position of
responsibility, such as head of school.
Finally, your employment history should give greatest prominence to your most recent position, which should
cone first, working back through previous jobs. Each section should be titled clearly with the relevant dates,
the company name and your most senior position. Previous moves within the ompany, responsibilities that
can he measured and tangible achievements should also be detailed within the text. Mention any training
courses you attended or awards you gained.
As you go back through the years, the less you will need to devote to each position, for it becomes less
relevant to your present situation. Check finally that there are no glaring gaps in the record that need
explaining and get someone else to check your spelling. (Please note that CV stands for Curriculum Vitae,
note its spelling if you are going to use it).
As a final thought, some of my pet hates in applications received are:
* Documents over four pages long - my record is 27 pages which I still have not had time to read.
* Whole pages taken up with 11+, 0 and A Level passes and grades - a complete waste of time.
* Plastic folders or binders, which make it difficult to file or photocopy the documents. They generally get
discarded, leaving ugly punched holes.
* I cynically feel that the more colourful the paper, the less colourful the candidate - stick to white.
* A front page that contains a name, address and an "in depth profile?' of the candidate. I have not read one
yet that impresses or persuades me that I must meet the person. It irritates me to have to turn to the second
or third page before finding what I consider to he relevant.
* No dates at all, especially no date of birth. The assumption will be that this fails outside the period 1900-
1980.
A properly prepared CV ready does stand out, at least 85% of the ones received here fall down in more than
one aspect. Keep it simple, concise and intelligible and you will he well ahead of your rivals - you will make
my life easier as well.

______________________________________________________________________________________

YOU CAN'T SELL YOUR ART UNTIL YOU LEARN HOW TO

SELL IT

Q: I'm a visual artist networking and marketing my own work. I'm 
looking for resources and references. I paint primarily contemporary 
abstracts on panel and canvas. I would like to find a rep or gallery to 
show and sell my work. Please visit my website and have a look at my 
art, and if you have a moment, I could use feedback. Thanks for your 
time. 

A: If you're taking shots in the dark like this, you need professional 
help. Hire an art consultant, artist agent, or perhaps even an art dealer, 
and pay them for an hour or two of their time. Perhaps this is not what 
you want to hear, but if it's any consolation, plenty of other artists need 
the exact same thing. Rather than get help, though, they continue to 
make arbitrary random attempts to call attention to themselves and their 
art, attempts that almost always fail. 

Take your attempt, for example. I don't know how many people you've 
sent this email to; I'm sure I'm not the only one. So I'll try to give you a 
generic answer, typical of one that any art business professional would 
give you. Of course, most simply won't respond, but what you're about 
to read is similar to what they'll be thinking as they read your request.... 

You say in your opening sentence that you're marketing your own work, 
but you're not really. You're asking me to help market it for you. You 
want me to give you references and resources. You want me to help you 
find a rep or gallery. You want me to look at your art and give you 
feedback. Maybe you even want me to rep you myself. 
Here are my questions for you: Am I supposed to take an hour or two or 
three of my time to study and critique your work, put my thoughts into 
writing, and email them to you? Am I supposed to go through my 
contact list and give you a bunch of names so that you can ask them the 
same questions you're asking me? Am I supposed to offer whatever 
additional help I can to advance your art career? 

Assuming I am supposed to do any or all of these things, what's in it for 
me? Am I supposed to do it for free? You don't say anything about how 
you intend to compensate me for my time. 

Not to belabor the point, but let's say I look at your art for free and email 
you my thoughts. Would that mean anything? You're getting them for 
nothing. You'll read the email, save it if you like it, and delete it if you 
don't. If you really like it, and you're not familiar with copyright laws, 
you might even publish it or use it to sell your art without asking my 
permission. 

But enough about what you want for you without making clear what 
you'll do for me in return. Convincing someone to show and sell your 
art involves more than asking them to look at it on a computer screen 
and give you feedback. No one is going to visit your website, see your 
art, and become so taken with it that they decide to represent you right 
then and there. They have no idea who you are, how you are to work 
with, what your capabilities are, or anything else about you. You're a 
total stranger approaching them from out of nowhere. 

For the sake of argument, however, let's suppose someone does like 
your art enough to email you back. Can you demonstrate that your art is 
salable or explain what about it or what about you will make it sell? Can 
you provide information about art you've sold, where it's sold, for how 
much, and under what circumstances? Can you present yourself in such 
a way as to convince this person to represent you or give you a show at 
their gallery? Would you know what to say if they called you on the 
phone, or met with you in person? 

Do you know anything about them or their business or how they are to 
work with? Have you visited their gallery or office? Are you sure they're 
reputable? Have you spoken with other artists who they represent? Are 
those artists satisfied with how they've been represented? 

If you're feeling a tad queasy at this point, then we're right back where 
we started. Get professional help and pay for it or trade art for it or 
make clear in some other way that you are prepared to compensate 
those who help you. An experienced art consultant or any other art 
business professional can show you how to present your art effectively, 
maximize your chances for results, minimize problems, and enter into 
mutually beneficial business relationships. And here's the good news: 
You don't have to compromise your artistic integrity or change the look 
of your art in the process; you learn how to present yourself in ways and 
in places that are more likely to result in sales of your art. 

Art galleries, agents, and artist reps sell art for a living. If they can't 
make their livings selling art, then they have to get real jobs like the rest 
of us. In order to avoid such a fate, they carefully evaluate every artist 
who presents them with art, and decide to work only with those who 
demonstrate, one way or another, that their art is not only salable, but 
that it will sell. Before you can get representation or a show, you have to 
understand how people who sell art for a living think, what they need, 
and how you can give it to them. 

Just so you don't think you're getting dumped on here, it's not all your 
fault. Art school does not teach you how to how to sell your art in the 
real world. You may learn how to put together a portfolio, but that's not 
selling art. At worst, you graduate thinking that all you have to do is get 
yourself a studio and start cranking out art like you're printing money. 
That's not the way it works. 
Oops. I got a little off the subject. Anyway, you've got to pick up a little 
art business expertise somewhere along the way in order to know what 
to do with your art once it's ready to leave your studio, and how to 
present your portfolio once it's together. As for paying to learn how to 
do this, you've already paid tens of thousands of dollars to go to art 
school; now pay another couple hundred bucks for a quick dose of 
reality. 

Get some basic training about what makes people buy art. Learn how to 
present, show, and explain your art in ways that whoever's listening will 
find compelling. And learn how, at some point during your 
presentation, to convince them your art will sell. Only then will you be 
ready to continue your art marketing adventures. 

Expert Advice

Deal with the big questions first, and new career

ideas will start to flow.
This month, columnist and life coach Jo Miller answers some knotty questions about layoffs and
getting work in tough times.
QUESTION: "I am in a field that was in huge demand last year. Now there is a glut of
professionals with my skills and I am having a very hard time finding a new job. I never
considered myself as anything but an IT professional, but lately I have considered changing
fields. What steps should I take to explore this process?"
JO MILLER: The first step in considering a career transition is to make sure you can cover your
basic living expenses like rent and bills. Even though you are in lesser demand than last year, I'm
sure if you think creatively you will see a way to cover your basic expenses while you explore
other options. You may need to downsize your lifestyle in the short term as you consider moving
into a new career.
IT is a great field for offering you the flexibility to explore other areas. You could try working on a
part-time or consulting basis, say 4 days per week, while using your free time to brainstorm and
try out new options. Buy a book on careers to work through. Ask yourself some big picture
questions, like: What is fulfilling enough that it would be worthy of my time? What do I want to
learn? What do I want the rest of my life to be about? If money was not an issue, what would I
most love to be doing with my time? Deal with the big questions first, and new career ideas will
start to flow.
QUESTION: "I have several years of experience in as a manager, project manager and creative
director. Ironically, I have a lot of difficulty presenting myself on interviews as well as in public
presentations. I tend to freeze up, stammer and project nervousness or even incompetence.
unprepared ness. The standard public speaking exercises seem to work really well for me. That
is, until I get in the ACTUAL public setting and then it’s like I forgot everything I learned. How can I
improve my interviewing/presentation skills?"
JO MILLER: Practice, practice, practice. Keep up the public speaking exercises, as I can assure
you they are not a waste. It sounds like you need more time and practice before speaking
confidently becomes an automatic response in any challenging situation. You are probably getting
very close to the breakthrough you want. I also suggest practicing in an actual interview situation.
There are two ways to do this. Do you have a friend who is in HR or recruiting who can run some
mocks with you? Or try applying for jobs you're not that interested in, where the stakes are not
high and nothing depends on your performance.
Finally, I suggest you break the ice at the start of an interview by acknowledging that you get
nervous. They will do more to ensure you feel comfortable, and often speaking about an
automatic emotional response like nervousness can take away the power it has over you.
QUESTION: "For the past two years I worked for the same company in a role that I believed was
integral to the company’s growth. I always received excellent performance reviews, earned
bonuses and accolades and was considered part of the "in" group at the company. Imagine my
surprise when I was RIF’d in the first round of layoffs the company had ever endured. Though all
my supervisors assured me that it had nothing to do with performance, I still couldn’t believe it. It
has been almost a year since then and while I have done intermittent contract I have not gotten a
full time job. Friends tell me I have not gotten past being laid off. What can I do?"
JO MILLER: Listen to your friends! It is time to move past this, and until you do, you will find it
hard to project the kind of positive, enthusiastic energy that potential employers are attracted to. I
can promise you this: you were a great asset to your ex-employer, and you were integral to their
growth. But sometimes that is not enough. Ask 15,000 Lucent employees who were let go this
week. Believe your supervisors when they said it's not about you! If you can't take their word for
it, look to your performance reviews, your bonuses and accolades as proof that you are a great
asset to the company. That should be all the hard evidence you require. Call your old boss if it
helps.
Get our your calendar. Schedule one more week of dwelling in the doldrums. You may wish to
keep a daily journal of thoughts. List every piece of evidence you have that you were great at
your job. Catch yourself in the act of looking on the downside instead of the upside. Interrupt
those negative thoughts by reminding yourself of your accomplishments. Make a commitment to
yourself to have moved on by this time next week, and start from ground zero with a new
approach to your job search.

You may have all the qualifications for a job and lose it to someone else
who knows more about presenting himself or herself than you do. That
would be a shame. We've included some information here on how to
present yourself in an interview to keep that from happening. And
don't forget to check out what interviewers notice in the first ten
seconds.

Show up for an interview, or to apply for a job, looking like you're ready to work.

If the worksite is an office, wear office clothing. That generally

means a jacket and tie for men, even if it's 100 degrees in the
shade. For women, it generally means a dress and stockings, even if
you don't feel that comfortable in them. And if you're applying for a
job at a construction site, it's steel-toed boots and work gloves. But
keep in mind that many workplaces are becoming more casual--you
might want to call ahead and find out what the dress code is at that
 particular company.

Prepare your interview outfit in advance. If you spend the day

before the interview racing around the mall, you may not end up
with the look you want. Shop your closet in advance and make sure
your outfit, including shoes and accessories, are in good condition
and stain- and wrinkle-free. When you've got all the pieces together,
try everything on in a dress rehearsal.

Look alert, well-groomed, and clean.

Even at the dirtiest construction site, where you want to wear

clothes you aren't afraid to get dirty, make sure they're clean when
you first get there. Get to bed early the night before you apply for a
job or have an interview. Get a good night's sleep (yeah, we know
you're nervous.) Get up in time to shave, shower, and groom
yourself. Shine your shoes. Sharpen up your image--it's important,
and interviewers notice details like scuffed shoes or chipped nail
polish.

Look the interviewer in the eye and smile.

Nod when the employer says something that you're sure (s)he
wants you to understand or agree with.

Looks matter...and so does talking.

How you speak and listen is critical in making a good impression.

When you speak, use the words of the trade or industry. If you're in
a machine shop, talk about calipers, micrometers, and machine
tools (and make sure you know what they actually are!) In an
accounting office, talk about spreadsheets, Microsoft Excel, and
other tools of that trade. (Again, make sure you know what you're
talking about.)

The other half of the communications equation is listening.

If the employer requires you to have a certain kind of skill or values,

you will hear it. Just pay attention and concentrate. Let the
employer know you're paying attention by rephrasing something
you just heard, in your own words. The point is to let the interviewer
know you know the job's qualifications.

All this is packaging.

 Before advertising, we didn't need to market ourselves. Now, in the
advertising age, you do need to do it. It's not hard, and it can be
fun. And it's very important. You'll find if you follow this simple
guide, you'll stand a little taller and feel like the professional you're
becoming.

The following is a list of 50 frequently asked questions in the MBA qualifying interviews. The student
is well advised to prepare complete and convincing answers to these questions before proceeding to
the interview.

1. What are your long-range and short-range goals and objectives, when and why did you establish
these goals, and how are you preparing yourself to achieve them?

2. What specific goals, other than those related to your occupation, have you established for
yourself for the next 10 years?

3. What do you see yourself doing five years from now?

4. What do you really want to do in life?

5. What are your long-range career objectives?

6. How do you plan to achieve your career goals?

7. What are the most important rewards you expect in your career?

8. Which specialization would you like to take in MBA? Why?

9. Why did you choose the career for which you are preparing?

10. Which is more important to you, the money or the type of job?

11. What do you consider to be your greatest strengths and weaknesses?

12. How would you describe yourself?

13. How do you think a friend or a professor who knows you well would describe you?

14. What motivates you to put forth your greatest effort?

15. How has your education prepared you for a career?

16. What are your reading habits? Favorite book? Favorite author?

17. What qualifications do you have that make you think that you will be successful?

18. How do you determine or evaluate success?

19. What have you learned from your hobbies?

20. In what ways do you think you can make a contribution to our institute?

21. What qualities should a successful manager possess?

22. Describe the relationship that should exist between a supervisor and subordinates.

23. What two or three accomplishments have given you the most satisfaction? Why?

24. Describe your most rewarding college experience?

25. If you were the interviewer, what qualities would you look for?

26. Why did you select your college or university?

27. What led you to choose your field of major study?

28. What academic subjects did you like best? Least?

29. Do you enjoy doing independent research?

30. If you could do so, would you plan your academic study differently?

31. What changes would you make in your college or university?

32. Do you think that your grades are a good indication of your academic achievement?

33. What have you learned from participation in extracurricular activities?

34. Do you have plans for continued study?

35. In what kind of an educational environment are you most comfortable?

36. How do you work under pressure?

37. In what part-time or summer jobs have you been most interested? Why?

38. How would you describe the ideal job for you following post-graduation?

39. What are the three major characteristics that you bring to the job market?

40. What do you know about our Institute?

41. What two or three things are most important to you in your job?

42. Are you seeking employment in a company of a certain size? Why?

43. What criteria are you using to evaluate the company for which you hope to work?

44. Why did you choose _____ Institute of Management to conduct your higher education?

45. What have you done in the past year to improve yourself?

46. Why should we take you rather than another candidate?

47. Give an example of something you have done in the past that demonstrates your initiative and
willingness to work?

48. Who are your role models? Why?

49. What major problem have you encountered and how did you deal with it?

50. What have you learned from your mistakes?

Questions for the Interviewer

Try to ask your interviewer some relevant and interesting questions. Do

not waste time by asking questions with publicly available answers.

Ask questions that will help you make a decision on whether you
would like to work for that company.

What would a normal working day be like?