Your interview is in 24 hours.

Use these four must-dos to help boost your

confidence.
1.

Conduct basic interview research. To prepare for an interview, find out as

much as you can beforehand. ...
2.
Learn about the company online. ...
3.
Think of some stories. ...
4.
Pick your outfit, and go to bed early.

1. Tell Me a Little About Yourself.

"Tell me about your yourself," - tailor your experiences and hobbies into your
response.
For example, if you're applying as an electrical engineer somewhere, mention where
you went to school, any tech related hobbies, and a brief bit about how you became
interested in the skill in the first place. If you're new to the job market, use it as a
means to talk about your schooling and how your background influenced the path
you're on. Keep your answers short and don't drag it out longer than about a minute.
You can even think of it in the same way as writing a snappy bio for yourself to keep
it short and to the point.
Entrepreneurship
School I went to Waterford Kamhlaba United World College where I
was exposed to ingenuity , and I realized it had so much potential in
Swaziland.
Then I went to the University of Cape Town and I kept working on it. In
University I started
Hobbies related to that Background link It ties nicely with my childhood
Engineering

School I went to Waterford Kamhlaba United World College where I

was exposed to ingenuity , and I realized it had so much potential in
Swaziland.
Then I went to the University of Cape Town and I kept working on it. In
University I started
Hobbies related to that Background link It ties nicely with my childhood

2. Why do you want to work for us?

they want to know how much you know about the company, why you think your skill
set would work for the job, and what you think you can bring to the team.
1. Research about the company. The interviewer is fishing to make sure you know
about the history, general practices, and its general style of office.
Based on the research I've done, you're company is great at (whatever it
does) and I believe my background, history, and work ethics would be a
good fit here." I found out that and my background in would be a
good fit

Why do you want to work here?

Use a Career Matrix to Determine Why You Want This (or Any)
Job
Applying the Career Matrix to this new opportunity will help you determine why you want
this job and the others you interview for.
To create your Career Matrix:

1. Write down the four to six things that are most important to you in a
job.
For example, money is always on the chart so start by putting down the amount of money
you would like for a new position. Then, ask yourself what else is important to you. These
could include:

Salary/compensation.

Customer-facing activities.

Variety of work.

Being part of a team.

Working for a company with a good reputation.

Working for a company which is growing rapidly.

Additional training opportunities.

Opportunities for growth in 3 years.

Company stability.

Using specific tools or technologies.

Recognition.

Camaraderie.

Commute length.

Work schedule.

Whatever is important to you not on this list.

Note: Do not put down a good boss or good benefits as those are a given.

Remember that these areas are identified for your insight and not necessarily for you to
share with the employer. Use them to help you develop your answer to this job interview
question. (More on that below.)

2. Now prioritize your entries.

If making a specific salary is most important to you, then rank that #1. However, if you are
willing to sacrifice some money now for continued training, then training has a higher
priority.

3. Evaluate your current (or former) job and the job you are
interviewing for.
After ranking all your categories, now evaluate your current/former job on a 1-10 scale for
each category in the chart and see how it ranks. This helps you see clearly why you are
not happy in your current position and will give you an indication of why you are
interested in the new opportunity.
When you have completed the Matrix for your current/former job, consider how the job
you are interviewing for meets your needs. Make note of those points where the new job
fits your preferences.
The Career Matrix sounds simple, but it does require some personal insight.
I coached a woman who was doing great in her job but was seriously unhappy and did not
know why. As a data analyst she was chained to her desk with little people interaction and
never heard a kind word about her performance.
In coaching, we discovered that she was an extrovert, liked interacting with a variety of
people, solving problems, and being recognized. Suddenly, it was clear why she was not
content in her current position -- and what would be important in her next job.
Use the Career Matrix as a good tool for you to evaluate the position you are interviewing
for and the other opportunities you are considering.

Frame a Great Answer Based on Your Needs and the

Employer's Needs
Now that you know what is important to you and how this opportunity fits your needs,
lets consider what is important to the employer, and why they ask this question.
Simply put, employers want to know whether you are a good fit for them. Retention is a
major issue for companies as it costs them tens of thousands of dollars to replace
someone, and get them up to speed.
Consequently, employers are looking for someone who is:

Enthusiastic about the position and the company,

Likely to be a long-term player.

A good fit for their corporate culture.

Someone that others will enjoy working with as a team mate.

Thus, your response needs to show:

How your skills match the role.

Your enthusiasm for the job.

How you fit into the culture.

Even if it's true, do not mention salary, hours, or commute as the primary reasons you
want the job. Those reasons willnot impress an employer with your fit for their job.
Your exercise in building the career matrix will allow you to show that you have given
some real thought about what you are looking for and what jobs would be a good fit.
Some good responses are:
I learned a long time ago that doing the same thing every day is not for me as I enjoy
problem-solving in fast-paced environments. I am also a people-person who likes to build
relationships. Based on what you have told me, I would be the point-of-contact with
customers resolving issues and overseeing their product delivery. So every day would be
different and interesting. I would get to know my customers and build long-term
relationships with them.
I am looking for a company where I not only enjoy what I am doing but I can also grow
into new positions. I am very good at what I do, but in the computer field there are always
new tools and technologies coming out. I want a company that allows me to learn more
and expand my capabilities into new areas. The fact that you sponsor a week of training
every year and that most of the people Ive met have been here more than five years
shows me that we share the same values.
To be honest, I do not enjoy politics at work where each person is trying to outdo the
other to get attention. In my perfect world, I would work with my team mates where we all
are focused on a common goal and support each other. I was impressed by your teambuilding and employee recognition programs as they indicate we share the same values.
NOTE: Saying we share the same values is a great closing line!
A final statement can be:
A great job is one where I am excited about coming to work, and thats what I think this
position offers.

3. What Are Your Strengths and Weaknesses?

Tailor your strength directly to the job description you applied for in the first
place. Basically, picture the question as a benefit for you, not a hindrance.

The Smart Two-Part Answer

Weakness: New Graduate, Entry-Level, or Career Changer without

Relevant Experience -- Strength: Fast Learner
(Confession) "Some people would consider the fact that I have never worked in this field before as a
weakness. However, being highly trainable and open minded, I have no pre-conceived notions on how to
perform my job.

(Recovery) "Working with your organization will give me the opportunity to learn the job the way you
want it done, not the way I believe it is done. In addition, although I have no former on-the-job experience,
I do bring with me extensive hands-on training and experience which can only enhance my ability to learn
extremely quickly."

Demonstrate Your Strengths with Your Relevant

Accomplishments
Make a list of the times when you demonstrated a strength on your list:

Issues you recognized and addressed?

Problems you solved?

Processes you improved?

Expenses reduced as a result of your actions or ideas?

Profits were generated as a result of your ideas?

Other improvements that resulted from your ideas or actions?

When you have a list of 3 or more examples of a strength, think about exactly what
happened -- what was the reason you did the action, how did you do it, and what was the
benefit of your work. Apply the principles of the structuredC.A.R. (Challenge - Action Result) or S.T.A.R. (Situation - Task - Action - Result) method to describe your
accomplishments.

Be prepared to describe your strength and the accomplishments that prove you have that
strength. Also, be sure that both the strength you choose and the accomplishments that
illustrate it are relevant to the job you are interviewing for.
Your CAR/STAR descriptions will help you with your resume and LinkedIn profile as well
as with your job interviews.

Possible Strengths: Characteristics Employers

Value
Look at this list, below, of characteristics that employers prefer for their employees.
Relate the characterists you choose to the requirements of the job, with examples of how
you have demonstrated the characteristic in the past:
1. Honest/trustworthy
2. Intelligent
3. Reliable
4. Likeable
5. Positive
6. Independent (vs. needing close management)
7. Problem-solver
8. Detail-oriented
9. Hard-working
10. Team player
11. Quick learner
12. Good communicator
13. Flexible
14. Creative
15. Passionate about doing a good job
16. Organized

If the job also involves managing people, like a department or project team, add "leader"
to that list of strengths you consider.

Possible Strengths: Skills Employers Need

Don't forget your skills that apply specifically to this opportunity, like your experience
with or education in:
1. A type of customer
2. A type of business
3. An aspect of business (marketing, finance, law, and so on)
4. A skill (writing great blog posts, selling a specific product, writing great proposals,
designing excellent products, etc.)
5. A technology (OS10, Bluetooth, AWS, CISSP, and so on)
Don't limit yourself to the skills you have developed only in school or in a job. You may
have also developed skills in any volunteering you may have done, too.

4) Are you working on any sort of developmental

goals currently? Do you set goals for yourself?
Ooh, this one is sneaky! Its the same question.
My goal is to be involved in more team tasks. I have a hard time
delegating and realize this is something I need to work on. Being the only
one in control isnt always realistic or possible and my desire to control
every aspect of a project can not only slow me down, but can also give my
teammates the impression that I dont trust them or value their work.
Because I know this is something I have to work on, I like to volunteer for
team projects. The experiences, while initially uncomfortable for me as I
had to learn to let things go and rely on other people, have really helped
to open my eyes to the value of cooperation. As a result Im discovering

that projects, which would have been fine if I had done on my own, are ten
times better as a result of the input and work of the entire team.

5) If I called your past supervisor, what would they tell

me are areas you could improve on?
Aarghthis one is one of the toughest ones because not only are you being asked to
come up with a weaknessyoure being asked to think about what
someone else would find as a weakness in you.
(Delay in raising issues)

I get really nervous speaking in front of other people. Normally this isnt a
problem but Ive found that there have been times during meetings when
Ive kept quiet and not shared my ideas or insights. As a result things that
should have been brought up and problems that should have been
addressed early on werent, meaning more work for me as I had to deal
with them as they arose.
My supervisor in my last job was instrumental in encouraging me to speak
up for myself and would often put me on the spot, asking me directly what
I thought about things or asking me for suggestions. It was terrifying, but
necessary and really helped me realize my voice was important in these
meetings.
Learning to speak up and take charge hasnt been easy, but its made my
ability to do my job more efficiently and resulted in improved productivity
for my department overall.

6) Where Do You See Yourself in Five Years?

This question can potentially derail an interview if you aren't prepared.
Considering the average length of time people stay with a company or in a job is 4.6 years,
according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, it seems a little silly that employers will still ask this
question.

Avoid Giving a Non-Answer

Most job seekers jump into this question without truly having set any personal career goals or
having a good sense of the company culture.
A common mistake is trying to name a specific position that may or may not exist in the company.
On the other hand, a vague response such as, "I would hope to be able to progress into a senior
level position," could backfire if the position doesn't offer any advancement. And a flippant
response, like "I'd like to have your job," could be a complete disaster.
So, taking the time to provide a thoughtful answer will ultimately be helpful both to you and to the
employer.

What the Employer Is Trying to Discover

Before answering this question, it is helpful to understand that the interviewer is looking for five
primary things in your answer:
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1. Do you have a solid grasp of the position and what it entails?
2. Do you have the right attitude?
3. Are you going to be dependable?
4. Are you a good cultural and social fit for the organization?
5. How are you going to use your strengths to achieve success in this job?
Qualifications and experience being somewhat equal among candidates, the decision maker(s)
wants the candidate who is the best fit culturally. The candidate who takes time to prepare a list
of personal goals in advance of the interview will be able to communicate his/her strengths and
potential fit best.

How to Prepare Your Answer

Try using these three strategies to prepare for this question in advance, as well as examine your
own personal career goals.

1. Focus on what you are grateful for regarding this position.

Consider the personal feelings that swell up inside you as you consider working in this job and for
this employer. Will you have more of a work-life balance? Will your commute be easier? Does it
seem like the kind of environment where you can leverage your strengths and be valued? Will
you have a greater opportunity to learn new things? Will your value in the job market increase?
Take time to name your feelings and strengths, and write out how an employer could make you
feel valued.

2. Think about how you would like to spend your day and the kind of
actions you will be performing.
Don't focus on the specific job duties. Instead think about how you will interact with your coworkers, customers, and anyone else who crosses your path. How would you like to feel at the
end of your workday? What new skills or information will you learn? What do you see yourself
doing in this job that is different from your current or previous jobs?
Take a moment to write down those thoughts and think about what it would feel like to love your
job and the company where you work.

3. Try setting some goals as you visualize yourself in this new

position.
Even if you can't specifically determine where you see yourself five years from now, what
possibilities seem to develop for you by having this job? What seems new? How are things
different for you?
Take a moment to focus on your personal and professional values, write them down, and
formulate a response to a modified version of this question such as "What is going to be
important to you in your career in five years?" or "How would you like to see your life/career
differently in five years?"

Develop Your Answer

As you develop some personal career goals as well as a strategy about how you want to achieve
those goals, you're now in a better position to be able to answer the question, "Where do you see
yourself in five years?" without blurting out something that doesn't sound believable.
Better yet, you won't blurt out something that will completely turn the interviewer off.
Hopefully, the more you really think about your career in this manner and take time to visualize
how things could improve for you personally and professionally, the clearer things may become.

Bottom Line
By focusing on personal and professional values, you will be able to formulate a believable
response that will give the interviewer a positive impression of your strengths, attitude,
dependability, and potential for success

Strength?

Success: What IS Your Greatest Strength?

Hopefully, you are reading this article because you understand the importance of
preparing for a job interview. Walking into an interview expecting to succeed without
preparing is a waste of time.

1. Develop a List of Your Strengths

Since the same strength won't necessarily work for every job opportunity, even in the
same company, develop a list of three to five (hopefully, more) strengths that you can use
as appropriate for an opportunity.
[See the bottom of this article for lists of possible strengths.]
Be sure to have a couple of examples of accomplishments that prove those you have
those strengths.

What Do You Think Are Your Strengths?

Think about the aspects of your work that make you feel the most successful, and write
them down:

What accomplishments are you proudest of (even if no one else seemed to

notice)?

What have you been recognized for by an employer -- either in a performance

review, a salary increase, or a bonus?

What other internal reward or recognition have you received -- like employee of the
month?

What external reward or recognition have you received?

Which of the characteristics employers value (above) are reflected in your

accomplishments? Connect your accomplishments to those highly valued characteristics.
These strengths can be a simple as never missing a day of work or never being late for
work (reliable).

What Salary Are Your Looking For?

"If I am your candidate of choice and, in turn, if this is the right opportunity for me,
then I know the offer will be more than fair."

Tell Me About a Problem You Solved at a Past Job

This one is hard to prepare for directly, but before you head into the interview, make
sure you have a mental list of some accomplishments from past jobs.We've noted
before the best way to think about responding to these types of questions is by
applying the STAR method to formulating your answer:

Do You Have Any Questions for Me?

The answer is always yes. This is your chance to get an inside look at the company to
see if it truly is a place you want to work. Mashable put together a big list of questions
you should (and shouldn't) ask. Your main goal is to avoid questions with negative
connotations like, "How long do people typically stay in this position?" and instead
ask questions that get you a better picture of the job itself. For example, "Could you
describe your ideal candidate for this job?" can help you gather more information
about the position than you did in the original posting.
Prepare yourself for the above questions and you'll do better on most job
interviews. Develop a set of sound bites for each of these questions so you can answer
them quickly and accurately without fumbling around in your memory. If they ask
any questions you're uncomfortable with, we've shown you ways around those as
well.