*formerly posted on the BGSU MBA blog in 2009
In the interview process for any job or academic program, we need to be prepared to answer numerous questions about our experiences, our careers, and our means of handling situations and problems. Thus, we should always review our information and essentially 'know ourselves'. There are also lists of sample questions out there that we need to understand--not only how to answer the questions, but why the questions are being asked (what is/are the meaning(s) behind the questions). Overall, our preparation reflects our readiness and competence for the job or program at hand.
Yet, the interview process is a two-way street. As we are being interviewed, we are also interviewing the company or school. As the interviewer and the company or school are trying to see if we fit into the job or program, we are trying to see if we fit and the company or school fits us. This means that we should be ready and willing to ask the interviewer questions when given the opportunity to ask questions (typically at the end of the interview). I recommend preparing questions in a two-fold manner. First, have some questions prepared beforehand, such as questions regarding the company or school (ex. career track/course schedule, benefits, something notable found on the web site). Please note that sometimes interviewers will answer some of our questions during the course of the interview, meaning that we should not ask the already answered questions. Second, be open to formulating questions during the interview. Sometimes, the interviewer will say something attention-getting (ex. he/she loves his/her job, he/she loves a unique training program) or ask us a question that causes us to wonder about something (ex. company structure, procedural/logistical issues). With that in mind, the number of questions that we can ask is limitless.
In the end, the interview process is our time to communicate and shine. This means being prepared, answering questions, asking questions, and ultimately being ourselves. In ORGD 601 class with Dr. O'Neil, the term consultant Peter Block uses is "being authentic". Well, best of luck in all of your future interviews and remember to be authentic!
In the interview process for any job or academic program, we need to be prepared to answer numerous questions about our experiences, our careers, and our means of handling situations and problems. Thus, we should always review our information and essentially 'know ourselves'. There are also lists of sample questions out there that we need to understand--not only how to answer the questions, but why the questions are being asked (what is/are the meaning(s) behind the questions). Overall, our preparation reflects our readiness and competence for the job or program at hand.
Yet, the interview process is a two-way street. As we are being interviewed, we are also interviewing the company or school. As the interviewer and the company or school are trying to see if we fit into the job or program, we are trying to see if we fit and the company or school fits us. This means that we should be ready and willing to ask the interviewer questions when given the opportunity to ask questions (typically at the end of the interview). I recommend preparing questions in a two-fold manner. First, have some questions prepared beforehand, such as questions regarding the company or school (ex. career track/course schedule, benefits, something notable found on the web site). Please note that sometimes interviewers will answer some of our questions during the course of the interview, meaning that we should not ask the already answered questions. Second, be open to formulating questions during the interview. Sometimes, the interviewer will say something attention-getting (ex. he/she loves his/her job, he/she loves a unique training program) or ask us a question that causes us to wonder about something (ex. company structure, procedural/logistical issues). With that in mind, the number of questions that we can ask is limitless.
In the end, the interview process is our time to communicate and shine. This means being prepared, answering questions, asking questions, and ultimately being ourselves. In ORGD 601 class with Dr. O'Neil, the term consultant Peter Block uses is "being authentic". Well, best of luck in all of your future interviews and remember to be authentic!