Part 41 (1/2)

If you have experience with traditional interviewing techniques, you'll find the BBI different in several ways: * The interview will be structured to concentrate on areas that are important to the interviewer, instead of allowing you to concentrate on areas that you think are important. (The T-account exercise and a thorough understanding of the job description will give you all the clues you need.)* Rather than asking how you would behave would behave in a particular situation, the interviewer will ask you to describe how you in a particular situation, the interviewer will ask you to describe how you did behave did behave in a similar situation. in a similar situation.* The interviewer will drill you for details. You'll have no time to speculate. (Now you know why we've spent so much time detailing your accomplishments.)

If you prepare reasonable answers to the following questions, you'll be well on your way to acing your interview, no matter who is conducting it.

Strengths * What key factors have accounted for your career success to date? * What key factors have accounted for your career success to date?* What do you consider to be some of your most outstanding qualities?* What is your greatest strength or a.s.set?* In what areas have others been particularly complimentary about your abilities? Why?* During past performance reviews, what have been consistently cited as your major a.s.sets? Why?* From a performance standpoint, what do you consider your major attributes?

Weaknesses * What aspects of your current position could be better performed, and what kind of improvement could you make? * What aspects of your current position could be better performed, and what kind of improvement could you make?* If we asked 2 or 3 of your peers who know you well to be somewhat critical of your performance, what 2 or 3 improvement areas would they likely identify? Why?* If you could, what 2 things would you most like to change about yourself to improve your overall effectiveness-and why?

Job Performance * What have been your last 3 performance evaluation ratings? Why? * What have been your last 3 performance evaluation ratings? Why?* In what areas does your performance excel?* Why, in your judgment, are certain businesses successful?* In your judgment, what factors account for most business failures?

Personal Style * What kind of operating style do you feel is not conducive to good performance? Why? * What kind of operating style do you feel is not conducive to good performance? Why?* What basic values and beliefs do you feel are important to good performance?* How would you categorize the traits and attributes of a good manager? Why are these important?

Management Skills * What are some of the techniques you use to motivate poor performers? * What are some of the techniques you use to motivate poor performers?* Give me some examples of how you have used these techniques.* What results did you get?* How could these have been improved?* What is the toughest decision you have had to make as a manager?

Communication Skills * Give me an example of a complex communications problem that you faced. * Give me an example of a complex communications problem that you faced.* What made it complex?* Why was it difficult to communicate?* How did you solve this problem? Why?* How might you have further improved the communications?

Integrity * If you caught one of your most valued employees doing something dishonest, what would you do? * If you caught one of your most valued employees doing something dishonest, what would you do?

a.s.sertiveness * If your boss told you that you had a ”stupid idea,” but you knew it was a very good one, what would you do? * If your boss told you that you had a ”stupid idea,” but you knew it was a very good one, what would you do?

Risk * What factors most influence your willingness to take a risk? * What factors most influence your willingness to take a risk?

a.n.a.lytical Skills * What is, perhaps, the most complex business a.n.a.lysis you have had to make? * What is, perhaps, the most complex business a.n.a.lysis you have had to make?* What factors made it complex?* How did you tackle this task?* How did your result reflect the effectiveness of your a.n.a.lytical abilities?

Perseverance * Describe a work situation where you knew you were right, but the odds of winning were such that you felt you had to abandon your position? * Describe a work situation where you knew you were right, but the odds of winning were such that you felt you had to abandon your position?* What odds did you face?* How great was the resistance?* What approaches did you use?* What factors persuaded you to abandon your position?

How did you do? I can't overemphasize the need to practice your answers to these questions. If you can, you should rehea.r.s.e with a nonjudgmental friend. If you don't have any friends, rehea.r.s.e in front of a mirror with a tape recorder. (Make a mental note to acquire some friends in the future.)

Ask and answer the questions one-by-one, and when you're finished, watch or listen to the tape. Do you sound confident? Are your answers complete? Would you hire you? Last, did you notice your facial expressions? Did you look happy, relaxed, and natural; or did you look like someone who needed to pa.s.s gas? Practice, practice, practice-until you feel confident and look terrific.

How to Answer the ”F” Question

If you where fired from your last job, you should expect to be asked why. What are you going to tell them? The truth! How you tell them is the important point. Use truthful, positive information to put yourself in a favorable light-and modestly explain what you learned from the experience. Outline the steps you've taken to upgrade your skills or change your behavior to ensure it won't happen again. If it was a personality issue, then briefly state the following, ”I'm open to working overtime but can't work 70 hours a week.” They'll conclude your former boss was a slave driver without your having to say so. If you don't make a big deal over it, neither will they.

How to Answer the ”L” Question

Many people have been answering this question lately. Layoffs happen all the time. It's a fact of modern-day life. It's not personal, so don't take it that way. Explain in 30 seconds or less how it came to be and why you where chosen: seniority, geography, nepotism, whatever the case. If the company went through 7 layoffs and you were in the last round, that's positive news you should impart. Practice describing your situation from the employer's viewpoint. Work through any feelings of anger or bitterness beforehand. You'll score points for professionalism.

DRESS FOR EXCELLENCE

I don't care how many times you've read ”dress like the interviewers,” it's wrong. You dress in the best clothes you have, no exceptions. Guys, there are only 2 colors when it comes to suits: navy blue and charcoal gray. Shoes are black with matching black socks (if you wear white socks, I'll find out and personally hunt you down). If you have body art, you should cover it.