Job Search & Application Process

• Accentuate your best skills to show employers what are capable of and what can be developed over time.
  
  
• Preparation is key to being ready for an interview. Do not hesitate to ask for help from friends, family, and career services to help you formulate a response to tough interview questions!
  
  
• Don't hesitate to talk to a career counselor or numerous career counselors to make the job hunt successful.
  
  
• Know the skills that can be developed professionally. The more versatile, the more employable the person may become.
  
  
• Make sure key details pertinent to the company stand out. Even if the employer glances over the resume before the interview, the key items will stand out.
  
  
• Network! Network! Network! You must be open to talk to others to aid in your job search.  There may be chances that a person has a lead for the job you are looking for.  Also, be sure to stay in touch with people willing to assist in the job search. Make sure to use all possible sources of job leads and vary how you approach each company.
  
  
• Try the buddy system. If you have a friend who is searching for a job, partner with them about plans and goals. They will be honest and keep you searching for a job.
  
  
• The job search could take months.  Make sure to plan accordingly. If possible, get a temporary job that pays bills while you actively search.
  
  
• Do not worry too much about rejections, this time can help build leads and find skills to work on for the next interview.
  
  
• Write all notes and follow-up contacts to make sure you are on top of the information needed.
  
  
• Reflect on past interviews and find strengths from that interview as well as points to work on for the next one.
  
  
• Memorize the name of the interviewer to make yourself personable and stand out.
  
  
• Stay positive and stay confident! The search for a job is stressful, but a good attitude and strong back-up plan will help you keep going!

Why Research Information on Employers?
There are two basic reasons to research employers:

1. to aid you in your job search
   
   
2. to help prepare you for your interview.

Researching an employer during your job search can help you determine more about that organization and your potential place in it. Some important information to look for are what activities are carried out by the employer, how financially stable the employer is, and what types of jobs exist with the employer. Using available resources, you can gain a better understanding of what career potential exists with a particular employer.

One approach to finding a job is to use a hierarchial strategy:

• Find industries that meet your needs.
• Locate employers within your targeted industries.
• Research information on executives.

Preparing for an interview is essential for success! Before meeting your potential employer it is essential to know what they do; how they do it; their financial state (if they are expanding or downsizing); expectations of potential employees in terms of skills, education, and previous experience.

Where Do Yo Find Information On Employers?

• Annual Reports - These reports and other materials are available from an organization's public relations office. Most large organizations produce a report, which presents an outline of the organization's successes, growth, history, goals, and financial status.
  
  
• Directories - These are geographic, business, occupational, professional, industry, and financial status directories available in your library. These directories may provide information about an organization's products or services, number of employees, principal executives, and location(s).
  
  
• Trade Associations - These organizations produce membership directories, journals, and information briefs. They also hold annual conferences for your networking, information gathering, and professional development purposes. Remember, almost every type of field or industry that exists has a trade association affiliation.
  
  
• Newspapers - The business section of most papers contain numerous articles about local companies and their executives.
  
  
• Fellow Professionals - Other professionals in the field can provide "word-of-mouth" information about organizations of interest.
  
  
• Competitors - Often an organization's competitors offer excellent insight about the inner working of that organization
  
  
• Public Documents - Government and quasi-government organizations have records that must be made available to the public.

Think you are running a good job campaign? Maybe. Let's see how you stack up. Look at the list below and check the things that you are doing.

Job Leads
Which of the following sources of job leads have you used?

• Career guidance/placement centers
• Ads in professional magazines
• Ads in local newspapers
• Directories of employers in your area
• Job search networking groups
• News stories of employer activities
• Government job information centers
• State employment service
• Talks with fellow job seekers
• Bulletin board job postings
• Professional associations/women's centers for which you may be eligible
• Asked people who turned you down for leads

Job Search Tools
Did you do the following . . .

• Attend a seminar on resume writing
• Have your initial draft resume critiqued by at least two people
• Revise your resume since you began your campaign
• Slant resume content to the job in question
• Attend seminar on letters of application
• Revise each letter to fit job in question
• Take part in interview training (mock interviews)
• Talk to your prime job counselor at least once in past week

Contacts
With whom have you discussed your job plans or asked for help . . .

• Family
• Friends and neighbors
• Past employers (summer jobs, etc.)
• Teachers
• School/agency career counselors
• Fellow job seekers
• People you worked with on past jobs

Job Search
Which of the following job search techniques have you used?

• Registered with school/agency career center
• Participated in campus interviews
• Attended job fairs
• Wrote employers of special interest
• Registered with state employment service
• Telephone job search
• Unsolicited walk-ins on employers
• Took civil service examinations
• Responded to want ads

Support
Which of the following have you done?

• Found an older person (mentor) to advise you
• Used information interviews to learn more about your field or obtain job leads
• Asked all those you use as references for permission
• Sent a copy of your latest resume to all those you use as references

Interviews
Do you . . .

• Spend at least two hours learning about an employer before the interview
• Make your career goals clear
• Point out why your talents and background are related to the vacancy
• Have several good questions to ask
• Clarify what happens next and when
• Record notes on the interview while fresh in your mind
• Always write a thank you letter after each interview

Effort
Do you . . .

• Spend at least 40 hours on job search activities (if a full-time job seeker)
• Make at least ten new contacts a week
• Keep on making new contacts, even after completing a hopeful interview

Now go back and count up how many you checked. Give yourself two points for each one and add up your score. If you did everything, you'd end up with 100 points. But few are going to score over 90. If you got 80 or higher, you are doing well. If you are between 60 and 79, your campaign is OK. Lower than that, try to use more of the techniques indicated.

• Address the employing officer by name and, if possible, by title. Make sure name and title are spelt correctly.
  
  
• Verify the name of the employing officer using resources such as the company website and public library.
  
  
• Speak to the reader as an individual.
  
  
• Write with an active voice. Use no cliches and write in short paragraphs. The cover letter should be no more than 1 page.
  
  
• Emphasize what you can do, not who you are.
  
  
• Your cover letter should not repeat everything that is in your resume. Its objective is to provide the recipient with a reason to read your resume with a degree of positive anticipation.
  
  
• Respond to the qualifications sought in the ad, but don't use their words to do so. Say the same thing, using different words at different times.
  
  
• Stress the part of your background that will portray you as a qualified candidate for the position.
  
  
• Catch the employer's attention by opening your letter with a strong statement.
  
  
• Use the center of your letter to intrigue the employer with stating brief facts about your accomplishments.
  
  
• Include clues that hiring you will lead to higher production, greater efficiency, and better performance by focusing on the self-interest of the person to whom you are writing.
  
  
• Try to include a challenging thought that will cause the employer to feel that meeting with you would be worthwhile.
  
  
• Be direct in requesting an interview or state that you will call to arrange a meeting.
  
  
• Plan on mailing a group of letters all at the same time. When all the letters are completed, mail them.
  
  
• When mailing a batch of letters, or even one, try to think when your letter will arrive so as to receive maximum attention. Most employers receive their heaviest mail on Mondays. Fridays may be too close to the weekend.

• If the company seeks leadership skills, you can say that you have experience:
  Organizing groups; effectively directing others; motivating individuals; taking acceptable risks; making difficult decisions; gaining other's cooperation; facilitating change; winning others' confidence
  
  
• If the company seeks management skills, you can say that you have experience:
  Forming objectives; managing time and energy; delegating responsibility; anticipating future needs; building teamwork; delegating authority; coping with change; establishing priorities
  
  
• If the company seeks communication skills, you can say that you have experience: 
  Asking strategic questions; listening effectively; writing convincingly; speaking persuasively; explaining concepts well; reading comprehensively; reporting accurately; writing persuasively

• If you don't have a name to whom you should address your cover letter, the greeting could be, "Dear Executive:". Similarly, if instructed to send the information to the Personnel Director, without a name, your salutation should read, "Dear Personnel Director:".
  
  
• You'll see ads asking you to respond to a name such as "M. Jones". Address your letter as:
  M. Jones
  XYZ Company
  Anytown, ND 58701
  The salutation would read "Dear M. Jones:.
  
  
• For names that could belong to either a man or a woman (Pat, Chris, etc.) begin your letter Dear Chris Jones:.
  
  
• Use appropriate titles when they are known. If you are asked to respond to Mary Smith, Ph.D., the salutation should be "Dear Dr. Smith:".
  
  
• If you are asked to respond to a medical doctor, address the letter and envelope to Edward Smith M.D., but the salutation should read, "Dear Dr. Smith".
  
  
• Always make sure you have spelled the recipient's name properly. Check to see if the name is spelled "Smith" or "Smyth," "Louis" or "Lewis".

Objective
To secure an interview by conveying information which will stimulate employer interest

Function
A resume should be a nice accompaniment to the cover letter. The resume also serves as a calling card and reference resource for the employer, and well as making the process of setting an interview much easier.

Content
A resume should include your educational background, training, and course highlights. Do not forget to include related work experience together with: volunteer work, honors, activities, and awards. Also
mention in your resume that references will be available upon request to
the employer.

Preparation

• Collect and organize material
• Select categories
• Write rough draft
• Evaluate and revise
• Get second opinion
• Draft final copy

Appearance
A resume should have an attractive layout with ample margins and suitable spacing. The resume should be free of grammatical and typographical errors

Production
A resume should be typed with professional fonts (such as Times New Roman and Arial) and printed on quality paper.

DO

• Include a job objective, clearly and concisely and focus your resume on your future objective to show the employer "where I am going," not "where I have been or where I am now" (Optional)
• Include experience/skills directly related to job objective
• Start each sentence with an action word
• List all related experience . . . paid or unpaid. Include experience from internships, school activities and committees such as organizing fundraising events, sorority/fraternity treasurer or social chairperson, etc.
• Keep your resume down to one or two pages
• Know your audience - use the vocabulary and speak the language of your targeted field.
• Write your job objective from the standpoint of what you can offer your prospective employer and company.
• Describe your experiences from an accomplishment point-of-view.
• Present all information positively: if anything could possibly be interpreted negatively, either don't use it, or rewrite it with a positive perspective. Don't present an easy reason to eliminate you from consideration. But don't lie, either.
• Utilize strong, active words for emphasis. For example:
  Action Verbs - achieved, expedited, managed.
  Concrete Nouns - ability, capacity, leader.
  Positive Modifiers - actively, substantially, effectively.
• Make your resume easy to read or scan. Leave plenty of open space. Eliminate all typos! Use a layout and lettering that allows easy viewing.
• Test your resume for relevancy - all information should directly support your job objective or work abilities. If it doesn't, leave it out.
• Develop and maintain a list of references, and have it available upon request. Don't include it in mailings unless instructed to do so.
• Make sure that the information in your cover letter (employer name, title, address, position applied for) is completely accurate.
• Keep it short! The longer your resume is, the less it will be read.
  

YOUR RESUME: MAKE IT WORK FOR YOU
Your resume is designed to help you get an interview. It should present your qualifications in an interesting and efficient manner and many consider it to be the key instrument in the job campaign. Candidates for jobs spend hours developing their resume. Here are some of the ways you can make your resume more successful.

• Slant Your Qualifications - A resume differs from a job application which asks details on your background. On a resume you may select materials from your experiences or background to highlight.
• Point Out Achievements - Rather than merely listing what you have done, as on an application form, highlight your achievements on a job or other situations which reflect your abilities. As manager of a school yearbook, for example, did you produce a bigger, better, more timely, or on-time publication?
• Create a Work of Art - A resume should look attractive with a good combination of subheads, lists, and other techniques to make the information stand out. It should be presented on high-quality paper and invite reading.
• Revise It Frequently - Don't get wedded to a single resume or stand pat once developed. Jobs have different requirements and you may want to revise your resume. Keep in mind the description of the position sought and present your qualifications to match it.
• Use a Good Cover Letter - Your resume isn't the only paper upon which you will be judged. An effective letter of application, with content coordinated with the resume, is needed to help insure that your qualifications will stand out.
• Your Resume Should Introduce You - Someone has said that a resume is like a book jacket. It is designed to be attractive and to make the reader want to know more. Try to make your background sound interesting by including some personal things: honors or prizes, athletic or other skills, hobbies and special interests, etc.
• Stress Past Employment - Employers like people who have worked - even in summer, volunteer, or part-time positions. No need to describe your duties in detail but do give examples of the kinds of work you have done to show that you are used to job requirements.
• Benefit From The Experience Of Others - There are dozens of good books on resumes in the library. Look at several and pick up ideas on content, layout, and use of strong action verbs. Ask counselors or others to review your draft resume and make suggestions.
  Prepared by the Career Opportunities News, PO Box 190, Garrett Park, MD 20896
  

DON'T

• Don't use long, repetitive explanations
• Don't include personal history
• Don't forget to include your GPA under education, if it's a 3.5 or higher
• Don't list references on resume - put references available upon request and use separate sheet to list them
• Don't include high school education or activities

Sooner or later in the job campaign, you are going to be asked for the names of three to six references. Here are some tips for making references a stronger part of your application.

Brief Your Contacts
Make sure the people you are using as references know about your past and present activities, as well as the kind of work you are seeking. One of the best ways to do this is to provide them with a complete current resume, and have notes on things you may wish to have them mention.

Get Their Permission
It goes without saying that you should always request permission to use a person's name as a reference. You need not ask them every single time their name is used but, if you haven't cited their name recently, check to make sure it is still OK. Many people combine the request to use a reference with the process of briefing, cited above.

You're Judged by Whom You Know
To the extent that persons you list as references are well-known and respected in your community, what they say about you will carry more weight. Ideally, references should be people who are leaders in an organization at the management or professional level.

Provide Details on Your References
When you list references, give the name of the person, his or her job title, place of employment, address and phone number. It's best to use a work rather than a home address.

Pick the Right Kind of References
What relatives, ministers or rabbis, personal friends, and certainly therapists say about you isn't going to do much for your job candidacy. In contrary, what former employers, community officials, and other known leaders say about you will help your cause. Your references and what they say about you may make the difference between getting a job or finishing out of the running

Pick People Who Know Your Best Achievements
Were you honored in high school, college, or in your community for a particular achievement? Did you do something outstanding in a prior position? If you have had some major achievements in life, but don't want to tout them too highly yourself, use as references someone who knows and can report on them.

After They Have Helped, Inform and Thank References
When you know they have given a reference for you, be sure to thank them and tell what happened. To the extent that they become interested in your job campaign, they are more likely to give a more favorable report next time.

Your Two-Minute Summary: A Key to a Successful Interview
The job does not always go to the best candidate - it often goes to the person who is best prepared for the interview. One way to sell yourself in an interview is to develop a two-minute summary of your background and qualifications. You are not likely to use it in two uninterrupted minutes, but you should use segments as you respond to questions or volunteer information.

Prepare a Summary of Your Qualifications
Work up a two-minute statement on your education, training, and work experience related to the job for which you are applying.

Stress Achievements Which Are Unique
The employer likely knows where you went to school, what jobs you have held, etc. You need to add information on your accomplishments during those experiences. Did you campus group have great success because of something you did?

Slant Your Presentation to the Job in Question
Depending upon the job involved, vary the contents of your two-minute summary. Emphasize items which may be of particular relevance to the position for which you are interviewing.

You Are Interesting, So Show It
Try to include one or two things which reflect your special interests to humanize your application. Were you a competitive swimmer in high school? Did you volunteer on a political campaign?

Tell What You Can Do Well
By emphasizing your strong points which are closely related to the job in question, you will help link yourself to the position and subtly persuade the employer to hire you.

Combine All Your Qualifications for the Job
Be sure to dip into all your background to cite courses, summer activities, volunteer and community projects, past employment, etc., to pick from each experiences which help prepare you for the job.

Show Your Knowledge of the Employer
As you present your qualifications, you should relate your attributes to the needs of the employer and thus demonstrate your special knowledge of the particular organization.

Alertness may be the key in job interviews
Evidence shows that too many people lose out on interviews because they fail to show high energy, enthusiasm, and sharpness when talking with employer reps.

Arrive Enthusiastically.
When you come into the room, try to radiate energy. Walk in briskly, cheerfully, and as if you have been looking forward to this conversation.

Watch Your Body Language.
It goes without saying that good eye contact is important - not staring unceasingly into the interviewer's eyes - but keep looking the interviewer in the face. Also when you are making some really important point, look right at the interviewer, not just staring into space.

Posture Perfect.
Sit up straight, don't lounge in the chair. One authority says that when you sit up on the edge of the chair it looks like you are really interested in what's going on.

Animation Helps.
Keep the volume of your voice at a level which communicates alertness and your own basic self-confidence. This can be difficult when the interviewer seems bland, but if you emulate his or her laid back style you are likely to appear bland and disinterested yourself.

Be Specific.
When asked, or when you volunteer information, about your past education, work, or other activities, be prepared to talk in precise detail about what you did, learned, and your unique and noteworthy achievements.

Use Positives.
Try to minimize all negatives which come up. Your goal is to communicate enthusiasm and satisfaction with your education, past jobs, and your way of life. If you are asked questions with a negative spin, respond quickly and briefly.

Anticipate Tough Questions.
Your enthusiasm and self-confidence may be hurt if you are asked tough questions, unless you have prepared for them. Think about the best way to respond to such questions as "What your major weaknesses?" or "What did you dislike most about your last job?" or the classic, "What kind of people rub you the wrong way?"

Let's face it, some employers feel the interview is a search for negatives: trying to find out what (if anything) is wrong with you. Here are some of the questions which may make your life tough in an interview - and suggestions for handling them. Look them over, think about them and prepare your answers before you walk in for your interview.

How did you hear about our organization?
The key here is to demonstrate a real interest in the organization - you are not just applying because you happened to see an ad last week. Cite any contact you have had with its employees, products, etc. which have given you a positive impression.

Where do you think you will fit in best?
This is designed, in part, to measure how much you know about the organization. Thanks to prior research, you may know of places that need strengthening, areas in which it is expanding, etc. and can base your response on that information. But, unless you are interviewing for a specific job in a specific department, keep your response general by indicating several areas in which you'd be excited to work.

Tell me about yourself?
This is always one of the toughest. The only way to handle it is to prepare ahead of time. Work up around a two-minute summary of your past experiences (successes) and challenges (faced and met) and the kind of things which interest you the most. It should be positive and enthusiastic.

What are your weaknesses?
If you try to outthink the interviewer and use things like "I am impatient" (meaning I like to get things done) or "I tend to work long hours and shortcut leisure," these are overused. Think of a couple of things which you can improve on - not basic to the job.  Some employers love to sit in silence after you answer, hoping you'll feel nervous and say more negatives about yourself.

What are your strong points?
Don't list more than three, as some employers may ask you to list as many weaknesses as you cite strong points. Cite one or two really strong areas and then one or two less strong.

Why did you leave your last job?
If you say "it was a personality clash," you might as well walk out of the interview. Never criticize a past employer or the atmosphere. The best answer may be your desire for a job with a better future, the chance for new or broader work experiences, etc.

What kinds of people rub you the wrong way?
You should NOT admit much here. It would be safe, however, to say something like, "People who loudly claim they are going to do something and then fail to produce" or "people who have a preconceived notion that a task can only be done a certain way."

What exactly is behavioral interviewing?
The basic premise behind behavioral interviewing is this: The most accurate predictor of future performance is past performance in a similar situation. Behavioral Interviewing provides a more objective set of facts to make employment decisions than other interviewing methods. Traditional interview questions ask you general questions such as "Tell me about yourself."

Important Points About Behavioral Interviewing:

• Employers will ask pointed questions to determine if th candidate has the particular skills the company is looking for. Before the interview, do not be afraid to ask employees you may know at the company and read the company literature to determine the skills the company is looking for.
• In the interview, your response needs to be specified and detailed. Tell them about a particular situations that relates to the question, not a general one. Tell them briefly the situation, what you did specifically, and the positive result or outcome. Frame it in a three step process: 1. situation, 2. action, 3. result/outcome.
• The interviewee tells a story for a few minutes; typically the interviewer will pick apart the story to try to get at the specific behavior(s). The interviewer can probe further for more depth or detail such as "What were you thinking at the point?" or "Tell me more about your meeting with that person," or "Lead me through your decision process."
• Always listen carefully to the question, ask for clarification if necessary, and make sure you answer the question completely.
• Your interview preparation should include identifying examples of situations where you have demonstrated the behaviors for a given company.
• Your resume will serve as a good guide when answering these questions. Refresh your memory regarding your achievements in the past couple of years. Demonstration of the desired behaviors may be proven in many ways. Use examples from past internships, classes, activities, team involvements, community service and work experience. In addition, you may use examples of which you may be especially proud such as running a marathon, running for student body president, exhibiting paintings in an art show, etc.

Sample Behavioral Interview Questions
These are often difficult question to answer on the fly. Jot down examples of stories in your past that you would use to answer these questions. Careful preparation is the key to an effective behavioral interview. Setting up an appointment for a behavioral mock interview with the Career Services office is an excellent way to practice.

• Describe a situation in which you were able to use persuasion to successfully convince someone to see things your way.
• Describe an instance when you had to think on your feet to extricate yourself from a difficult situation.
• Give me a specific example of a time when you used good judgment and logic in solving a problem.
• By providing examples, convince me that you can adapt to a wide variety of people, situations and environments.
• Describe a time on any job that you held in which you were faced with problems or stresses that tested your coping skills.
• Give an example of a time in which you had to be relatively quick in coming to a decision.
• Tell me about a time in which you had to use your written communication skills in order to get an important point across.
• Give me a specific occasion in which you conformed to a policy with which you did not agree.
• Give me an example of an important goal which you had set in the past and tell me about your success in reaching it.
• Describe the most significant or creative presentation which you have had to complete.
• Tell me about a time when you had to go above and beyond the call of duty in order to get a job done.
• Give me an example of a time when you were able to successfully communicate with another person even when that individual may not have personally liked you (or vice versa).

These are often difficult question to answer on the fly. Jot down examples of stories in your past that you would use to answer these questions. Careful preparation is the key to an effective behavioral interview.

• Describe a situation in which you were able to use persuasion to successfully convince someone to see things your way.
• Describe an instance when you had to think on your feet to extricate yourself from a difficult situation.
• Give me a specific example of a time when you used good judgment and logic in solving a problem.
• By providing examples, convince me that you can adapt to a wide variety of people, situations and environments.
• Describe a time on any job that you held in which you were faced with problems or stresses that tested your coping skills.
• Give an example of a time in which you had to be relatively quick in coming to a decision.
• Tell me about a time in which you had to use your written communication skills in order to get an important point across.
• Give me a specific occasion in which you conformed to a policy with which you did not agree.
• Give me an example of an important goal which you had set in the past and tell me about your success in reaching it.
• Describe the most significant or creative presentation which you have had to complete.
• Tell me about a time when you had to go above and beyond the call of duty in order to get a job done.
• Give me an example of a time when you were able to successfully communicate with another person even when that individual may not have personally liked you (or vice versa).   

• If hired, would I be filling a newly created job, or replacing someone?
• When was my predecessor promoted?
• Would you describe a typical work day and the things I'd be doing?
• What duties are most important for this job? Least important?
• How would I be trained or introduced to the job?
• How is the job important to the company - how does it contribute?
• What are the department's goals for the year?
• Who are the other people I'd be working with and what do they do?
• Can someone in this job be promoted? If so, to what position?
• How will I get feedback on my job performance?
• If hired, would I report directly to you, or to someone else?
• Has the company had a layoff in the last three years? How long was the layoff? Was everyone recalled?
• Is this company owned by another corporation?
• What major market does this company compete in?
• Are sales up or down over last year?
• If you were to offer me this job, where could I expect to be five years from today?
• How would you describe your most successful employee?
• Do you think I'll find this job to be challenging and stimulating?
• Could you give me a tour? I'd enjoy seeing where your people work.
• What could I say or do to convince you to offer me the job?

I. Questions About College Experiences

• Tell me about your educational background
• How long have you been in school?
• What's your GPA?
• How do you find time to study?
• What kinds of extracurricular activities have you been involved in?
• Have you had courses in ______?
• What is your proficiency in _______?
• Why are you majoring in ________?
• What classes have you most enjoyed?
• Is there any class you have completely disliked?
• How have you changed since you started college?
• Is there anything you've been involved in at college that you are really proud of?

II. Questions About Work Experience

• What type of position do you have now?
• How did you find your current job?
• How many hours do you work per week?
• What did you like best about your ____ job?
• How were you evaluated in _______ position?
• Why don't you want to stay in _________ business?
• Tell me about your past sales experience
• Is there any one thing you feel you learned as a ______?
• What would your past supervisors tell me about you?
• Tell me about your last situation with an unhappy customer. What did you do?
• Did you ever have a customer get mad at something that wasn't your fault?
• Give me an example about a conflict with an employee and how you handled it?
• What has been the most difficult situation you've had to deal with? How did you handle it?

III. Open Inquiries

• Do you have any questions? (There was little variability in the form of this question.)

IV. Questions About Abilities, Aptitudes, Strengths, or Weaknesses

• What are your strengths? (or, Tell me something about your skills.)
• Why would you be an asset to our company? (or, What skills, or strengths, would you bring to our company?)
• What is your best quality?
• What has been your greatest accomplishment? Your greatest disappointment?
• Tell me about your leadership skills.
• What do you perceive as an area that could use some improvement?
• If you could start Monday on a self-improvement course, what one area you'd like to improve?
• How do you handle people who are critical? (or, How do you handle rejection?)

V. Biographical Questions

• Why don't you give me a brief, verbal resume?
• Give me a little bit of your background.
• Do you think you have the personality to be a manager?
• What motivates you?
• Give me three words that best describe you.
• What are your interests? (or, What types of activities do you like the best?)
• How do you think your friends would describe you?

VI. Questions About Career Aspirations

• What type of career are you looking for?
• Tell me your career goals.
• Where do you see yourself in five (or 10 to 15 years?)
• Why do you want to be a _______?
• Would you describe yourself as motivated more by your goals or by money?

A half dozen federal laws protect job applicants from questions that might be used to discriminate against them. Basically, the employer must prove (if challenged) that an interview question is directly related to the duties of the job for which you are applying.

Listed below are items which can be asked during the interview and items which are illegal to ask. Your job resume and employer application form also need not contain this information. You may, however, voluntarily provide any of the information below.

You may be asked and SHOULD answer the questions:

• Where have you worked before?
• What duties have you performed on past jobs?
• What are your short and long-range career goals?
• Why are you interested in this organization?
• Tell me about yourself?
• What education have you completed? (If a certain level is required for the job.)
• How did you learn about this job?
• Who are people prepared to write or give references for you?
• What is your social security number?
• What is your address and phone number?
• What special qualifications do you have for this job?
• May I answer any questions about the job or organization?
• What are your greatest strengths and greatest weaknesses?
• Why does this job interest you?
• Why did you select this particular career?
• Are you willing to travel, to relocate?
• What job skills do you have? (When specific skills are needed)
• Do you have a license for the field? (if required) 

You may be asked and NEED NOT answer these questions:

• Are you married?
• With whom do you live?
• If married, are you expecting to have children soon?
• What does your spouse do?
• Were your parents born in this country?
• How old are you? (But, may ask if you are legally old enough to work)
• Have you ever filed for bankruptcy?
• Where do you bank?
• Have you ever been arrested? (But, you may be asked to provide information on criminal convictions)
• How tall are you?
• How much do you weigh? (But may be asked about height and weight if they are necessary for the performance of a job)
• How many children do you have?
• If you have children, what kinds of day care arrangements have you made?
• What memberships do you hold in social, religious, and community groups?
• What is your military service status?
• If a veteran, what kind of discharge did you receive?
• Are you physically handicapped?

Statistically, less than 10% of interviewees ever follow up with thank you notes. Imagine how positively that 10% will be viewed. A thank you note can make a candidate stand out from the rest of the pool.

How to Write a Thank You Note
Thank you notes should be sent as soon as possible after the interview. If you want the thank you note to have the most influence, it must be sent before the hiring decision is made. Thank you notes should not just say thank you. Here are some elements to include:

• Express Enthusiasm
  Convey your continued interest for the position. Remind the interviewer that you are a good fit for the company.
    
• Answer Unresolved Issues
  Answer and expand upon any useful questions raised in the interview. If you did not get a chance to mention certain points, the thank you letter can address those items. The thank you note is your last chance to make a positive first impression.
  
  
• Express Sincerity
  It must be genuine, sincere, and recognize the importance of the meeting.
   
• Personalize It
  Highlight a key point from your meeting that was unique and meaningful for the interviewer. This will refresh the interviewer's memory of you. In addition, if you met with several people, make sure you slightly vary the content of each thank you note.
  
  
• Keep It Short
  Choose three points you want to stress about yourself which might include skills, knowledge and personal traits. Ideally, these three points should be presented in the resume, reflected in the cover letter, discussed in the interview and then re-presented in the thank you letter.
  
  
• Typed vs. Handwritten
  For more conservative firms, you may want to consider typing your thank you note. Typing it conveys that this meeting was important enough to take the time to present yourself in a professional manner. However, people you know may prefer a handwritten thank you. This assumes careful preparation, legible handwriting, and nice stationery.
  
  
• E-Mail Thank You Notes
  If the employer has an e-mail address on their business card or is a technology-based employer, then a well thought out e-mail thank you note may be appropriate. A word of caution: do not make the note overly friendly. Also, try to keep your note to one screen's length. Choose this method wisely, some employers may prefer the traditional approach.

Employer's Name and Title
Company Name
Address
City, State, Zip

Salutation:

Thank you for meeting with me this past week to discuss my candidacy with ABC Corporation. I would like to reiterate my interest and enthusiasm in working in the Finance Department at ABC. After speaking with you, I can see how the analytical skills I developed at XYZ and as Financial VP of the Student Forum at Union would enable me to make an effective contribution at ABC.

I appreciated discussing the accounting career track with you, and was highly impressed with how ABC has developed its unique market niche in the accounting field. In addition, I enjoyed sharing our mutual interest in underwater basket weaving and love of ping-pong.

I look forward to the next step in the recruiting process, and will call you, as we discussed, in two weeks to follow up on my candidacy. Thank you again for your consideration. I look forward to speaking with you soon.