Answer To What Are Your Weaknesses Interview Question

Interviewers who ask, "What are your weaknesses" do not expect you to admit to an embarrassing weakness. And while they know you've the rehearsed an answer to the greatest weakness interview question, interviewers want to see how well you handle it.

How to answer, "What are your weaknesses?"

You need to have several arrows in your quiver to handle this question. That's because some interviewers will press you to reveal a true weakness. When that happens, offer an answer and hope it satisfies your listener. If it doesn't, move on to the second answer. If that doesn't work, use the third and fourth answers in turn.

Answer To What Are Your Weaknesses Interview Question

Here are four answers to the weaknesses question. As mentioned in the last paragraph, they're intended to be used one at a time -

Answer #1

"I guess we all have weaknesses. But it's been a long time since I've thought about mine. I prefer to focus on my strengths and make them even stronger. That's why I've had such a successful career up to this point."

This is a good answer to the greatest weaknesses interview question because we're all born with strengths and weaknesses. To be successful, you need to focus on your strengths and use them the most. You must also be aware of your weaknesses and stop doing them.

If the interviewer says you haven't really answered the question, move on to....

Answer #2

"As I said, we all have weaknesses. But from what you've told me about the job, I know I won't be required to use a weakness."

At this point, you hope the interviewer will move on to the next question. But if she continues pressing, say...

Answer #3

"What I love about the job is that it allows me to use my strengths."

Finally, if the interviewer insists on another response, go to....

Answer #4

Talk about a technical skill that's not related to the position you're seeking; a skill you can easily learn. Then explain how you're working on "an area I've targeted for improvement." Here, you're replaced the word "weaknesses" with, "an area I've targeted for improvement."

You can say, for example, "I've gotten a bit rusty in my hands on computer skills since becoming a manager. So I'm spending time each week doing hands on work in order to stay on top.

In a nutshell

An interview is not a confessional. Whenever you're asked, "What are your weaknesses?" avoid talking about a shortcoming in your personality or admitting a true weakness. Both would be deal killers.

Answer To What Are Your Weaknesses Interview Question
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Randy Place, a career management consultant in private practice, and Internet host of Your Career Service - http://www.yourcareerservice.com Daily posts feature job-finding tips and career management advice. Topics include job interview tips, networking strategies, dealing with job loss, resume writing and personalized cover letters, getting ahead at work, how to handle standard interview questions and much more.

8 Most Common Interview Questions - With 8 Best Answers

When preparing for your next job interview, you'll want to have top-notch answers to the 8 most common interview questions. These answers provide a guideline to follow, and the most important thing to do is be yourself when answering these common interview questions. The sincerity that will come through will do more to impress the interviewer than anything you have to say.

Given that, here are the 8 most common interview questions:

1. Tell me about yourself.

8 Most Common Interview Questions - With 8 Best Answers

Perhaps this the most famous and common interview question of all interview questions. "Tell me about yourself" is the gateway to just about anything you wish to say. When asked the question, the interviewer doesn't want to know where you were born or what color your hair is. This question prompts you to show the interviewer why you are qualified for this job. Your answer may reveal some of your greatest achievements or how your past experience might relate to the job you are applying for.

2. Why would I hire you?

For this common interview question, you need to realize that the better answer you give, the easier it is for the employer -- It's up to you to give the employer a reason to hire you. This is a great time to tell the interviewer about any past work experience that is relevant to the job you are applying for. You might say, "When I was working at my previous job, I did (fill in with specific duty or responsibility). I feel that this experience will allow me to excel at this position I am applying for." This helps the interviewer picture you in the position, and is a great answer to this common interview question.

3. What are you strengths?

The first thing you should do is figure out 2-3 things about yourself that you really like about yourself and elaborate. This should put you in good shape to answer this commonly asked interview question. Always support your strength with a real-life example. For example, you may say you are dedicated. You should back this up with the time at your last job where you had an important project due and worked extra hours to make sure it got done, for instance. Now the interviewer has better insight into your work ethic and how you conduct yourself in pressure situations.

4. What are your weaknesses?

When answering this common interview question, you always want to give an answer that isn't really a weakness. You may say, "I don't speak a second language," or "when I start a project, I can't focus on anything else until I get it done." This shows that you are dedicated and hard working. You never want to truly bash yourself when answering this common interview question. That isn't the point. Making a positive seem negative is the trick.

5. What is the most important thing to you in a job?

If there is something really important for you to have in a job, be honest and say it. Remember, a job interview is a tool to reveal the best fit for the company. If something is really important to you that the company doesn't offer, it is best to reveal it now. Out of all the common interview questions, this is the one where you really need to follow your instincts.

6. What are you career goals?

Employers ask this interview question because they want to see what positions you might grow into if you were hired. The company may be looking for a candidate they can groom into their next Senior VP. However, if you are only looking for a job to cover you for the next couple of years, it might not be the best match.

7. Do you have any questions for me?

Do your research ahead of time and if you truly have a question, ask it. When you ask legitimate, relevant questions, you show the interviewer you put in time to research beforehand. However, don't ever ask questions just to ask questions or to look good. The interviewer will sense your lack of authenticity right away and that may hurt your chances. Make the time to think of an intelligent question about the job before hand. You may ask, "what is a typical day like for this position?" You can also ask, "What opportunity for advancement does this position have?"

8. Why did you leave your last job?

Whatever the reason was, tell the story of why is was mutually beneficial for you to leave the company. Never blurt out, "I got fired," and end it at that. It makes you look bad and can even make the interviewer feel uncomfortable. Prepare an honest story with a logical reason that doesn't reveal too much personal information or company gossip. If you did get fired, you can use this as an opportunity to discuss what you lessons you learned and what you would now do differently.

Now you have top-notch answers to the 8 most common interview questions. Keep practicing your answers and nail your next interview!

8 Most Common Interview Questions - With 8 Best Answers
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Robert Lawrence is a job interview expert who has interviewed candidates for multiple Fortune 500 companies. In his newly released book, Killer Interview Secrets, Robert reveals his "Killer Interview Formula" that will help you ace your interviews and have job offers fall into your lap! He even gives you audio files where he walks you through a real-life interview -- so you can hear what winning interview answers actually sound like! It's time to stop watching others get the jobs you deserve! Click here to visit Robert's website @ www.KillerInterviewSecrets.com and get your copy of Killer Interview Secrets today!

Interviews - Five Tips To Handle Tough Questions From Reporters

Journalists are trained and often experienced at getting information out of their subjects. Conflict and other negative situations often make the news and journalists often have a knack for taking a positive situation and twisting it into something else in order to make it more "sell"-able as news.

It's a common scenario. The media calls after your organisation has put out a news release on the latest groundbreaking achievements.

You've done the hard work in preparing your media message, spending time honing the features, benefits, evidence and proof that will build your case to overcome even the most cynical journalist. After hours of brainstorming, you've come up with a great quotable quote that even the most seasoned PR pro would be proud of.

Interviews - Five Tips To Handle Tough Questions From Reporters

You've practised and warmed up your voice. You've spent time to quietly relax, using your favourite visualisation technique to anchor your feeling of confidence as the moment of truth comes quicker than you realise. You've never been more prepared for this media interview in your life. The opening questions go well and you grow in confidence. Your body language and eye contact show you're in control and on message.

And, then it comes. Like an unannounced steam train, a question out of the blue. A tough 'red herring' completely throws you off balance as their ambush technique works with devastating effect. Crushed, your media interview stumbles from bad to worse. You miss several opportunities to stay on message and make the most of the media opportunity. Afterwards you feel deflated, humiliated and let down.

How can you avoid this situation and prepare for the tough questions that often come from seasoned, cynical and 'so what - who cares' journalists?

Here are Five Ways To Handle Tough Questions In A Media Interview.

1. COMPLIMENT THE JOURNALIST

Many journalists are attracted to the media because they want to see their face on TV, hear their voice on radio and read their name in the paper. I call them 'ego-driven' journalists. Work to their egos and stroke them. Compliment them on a great question. For example, use "that's a great question and I'm glad you asked it, ....."

2. GET BACK ON MESSAGE AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.

Once you've paid the compliment, get back on message as quickly as possible to show you are in control and not the reporter. For example, after the compliment use "...but what I want to say is this ..."

3. FOCUS.

Good reporters will always look for an angle to make the story more newsworthy and will try a range of techniques to get conflict into the story. Keep your focus, be disciplined and avoid going down a line of questioning that is not relevant to the story or your message. Be firm, but polite. For example, "I really think we're getting off track here, the main point I want to make is ...."

4. KEEP YOUR COOL.

Under no circumstances should you lose your temper, shout or get angry. This only inflames the situation and comments said in the heat of the moment when emotions are running high can often get you in trouble. Remember they make great copy and sensational 'news grabs'. Remain calm. Remember you are the one in control with the information that the media wants. You have every right to call a halt to an interview if the journalist become overly aggressive or offensive.

5. PREPARE and PRACTICE.

I've lost count of the number of times a novice interviewee has taken the whole bait and been taken down the garden path and completely off message by an irrelevant question during a media training exercise. Most people are quick learners and when they see it happening to others quickly learn not to do this once they've seen how easy it is to stay on track. Prepare for tough questions prior to the interview in a formal media training course or with a colleague. Road test your messages prior to talking to the media and you are more likely to stay out of trouble.

Interviews - Five Tips To Handle Tough Questions From Reporters
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Thomas Murrell MBA CSP is an international business speaker, consultant and award-winning broadcaster. Media Motivators is his regular electronic magazine read by 7,000 professionals in 15 different countries. You can subscribe by visiting http://www.8mmedia.com Thomas can be contacted directly at +6189388 6888 and is available to speak to your conference, seminar or event. Visit Tom's blog at http://www.8mmedia.blogspot.com

Job Interviews - How to Answer the "Why Do You Want To Leave Your Current Job?" Question

It is common for hiring managers to ask why you want to leave your current job. How you answer that question can have a big impact on your chances of getting the new position. So don't blow it!When answering the "Why do you want to leave your current job?" question, my advice is to be honest (to a point), positive and upbeat.

There are many reasons to leave a job. Most people are looking for career advancement opportunities or new challenges. Sometimes companies get into financial difficulty and have to reduce their work force. Where I live, many people would leave their current job simply to have one with a shorter commute!

Those are pretty straightforward reasons that anyone would understand.

Job Interviews - How to Answer the "Why Do You Want To Leave Your Current Job?" Question

Then there are people who want to leave because they do not like their job or their boss. But NEVER say anything negative about the company or people you are working for. If you do, the interviewer may think of you as a complainer who has a problem with authority or cannot get along with others.

So, even if the reason you want to leave is that you hate your job or do not get along with your boss, give a different reason for wanting to leave. You do not have to lie; just be discreetly selective with your answer.

Sample answers:

"I've worked with ABC Company for five years, and during that time I've achieved all of the goals I set for myself. I enjoy my job, but my advancement opportunities there are limited. I'm looking for new challenges with a larger organization, like yours. With my experience in (whatever), I'm sure I could contribute to your company's mission (be as specific as possible here) and continued success."

OR...

"To be honest, I don't want to leave. I've enjoyed my work at XYZ Company and have had great success there. But the company is going through a tough time and is downsizing its staff, so it's time for me to move on. Maybe this is a blessing in disguise. I've admired your company for years and am excited to have this opportunity to interview with you. I feel my experience at XYZ Company will enable me to help you with...(whatever)."

OR...

"I like my current job, but I'm interested in changing career paths. I'd like to broaden my horizons and find new ways to contribute to an organization's goals. This position with your company would allow me to do that by...(whatever)."

Try to include specific information relevant to the company you're interviewing with. For example, if you know the company participates in community environmental events, mention that ("I'm also eager to work for a company that helps the environment.").

KEY: The more you use specific information that shows you are knowledgeable about the job and the company for which you're applying, the sweeter your answer will sound to the interviewer!

Read "The Job Interview Success System" (mentioned below) for more great job interview tips.

Job Interviews - How to Answer the "Why Do You Want To Leave Your Current Job?" Question
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Bonnie Lowe has been helping job seekers get hired for many years, and is author of the book, The Job Interview Success System.

Job Interviews: How to Answer "Who is Your Hero?"

A fairly common job interview question is, "Who is your hero, and why?"

The intent of this question is to find out more about you -- your character, personality, and values. If you anticipate this question and prepare your answer in a way that shows the traits you most admire in others -- and more importantly, that you have in common with them -- you'll turn this question into another great opportunity to blast your competition out of the water!

But there's a right way, AND a wrong way to answer this question.

Job Interviews: How to Answer "Who is Your Hero?"

Here's the best way to develop your answer.

First, decide which personal traits would be best to highlight for the position. For example, if you're applying for a job as a firefighter or police officer, you'd want to highlight traits such as courage and integrity.

Here are some other traits that employers are looking for: leadership, honesty, creativity, dedication, generosity.

Next, craft your answer to include the traits you want to highlight.

Be careful about naming a celebrity, sports star or politician! Why? Because interviewers are people, and people have attitudes and biases that you'll be unaware of.

Suppose you named Lance Armstrong as your hero because of his total commitment to success and amazing ability to overcome challenges and obstacles. Most people would have no problem with that. But what if the person interviewing you is a woman who thinks Lance is a total jerk for putting his career ahead of his family and leaving his wife for a rock star? It might not be fair, but this interviewer may think you are a jerk for admiring Lance! Do you think she's going to hire a jerk?

People have opinions about people they think they know. You won't know what those opinions are. So the safest bet is to name a hero they can't possibly know or object to.

Sample Answer:

"My hero is my father. He taught me to always do the right thing; to value others and help them whenever I can; to plan ahead, work hard and do my best in any situation; to be a lifelong learner; to smile and keep a sense of humor even when things get tough; and to love, support and protect my family."

Remember, all interview questions can provide an opportunity to highlight not only your qualifications, but also your character and values. Plan ahead, give great answers, and win your dream job!

Job Interviews: How to Answer "Who is Your Hero?"
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Bonnie Lowe is author of the popular Job Interview Success System and free information-packed ezine, "Career-Life Times." Find those and other powerful career-building resources and tips at her website: http://www.Best-Interview-Strategies.com

Good Job Application Cover Letter Will Secure Interviews

A job application cover letter is the single most important document in your job search package when you apply for a job. A well prepared letter can make a difference if you're going to get interviews or not. Therefore, it is important to learn how to write a professional letter.

Hundreds of candidates with good qualification and work experience will react to a job ad. The employer will usually do a quick scan on the application packages to pick the best candidates to interview. The hiring manager will never have time to go through the whole stack of resumes. Based on information from the cover letters, the employer will pick a few candidates that look professional and meet their requirements. The rest of the resumes will probably go into the dustbin.

You need to have an effective job application cover letter to get noticed. So, how to write a letter with great impact?

Good Job Application Cover Letter Will Secure Interviews

1) What to include

Since the employer will only have time to browse through your cover letter, the letter will have to be prominent to motivate the recruiting manager to find out more about you. Usually, you just need to highlight specific information from your resume such as your professional experience, skills, strengths, and the value you can offer to the future company.

2) Benchmarking the best

Since cover letter will determine if you will get interview or not, you should make use of all available resources online and offline to craft your job application cover letter. This includes the use of samples from the professional and valuable software tools.

Today, the job market is full of high caliber and experience people. To win in the job search competition, the only way is to rise above the battle and show the future employer that you're the right candidate. Make use of the letter samples that are proven to attract interviews. You do not need to reinvent the wheel.

3) Important things to keep in mind

When writing your letter, here are some things to remember.

Do research on the company, the job and the industry. This will help you in writing your letter and handling the interview. Send your application package to a real person. Proofread your letter to make sure it is free from spelling, grammar and punctuation errors. Stay within one page with 2 to 4 paragraphs. Thank the hiring manager for reading your application letter and request for an interview.

To get interviews of your dream job, you must put in efforts in preparing your job application cover letter.

Good Job Application Cover Letter Will Secure Interviews
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(Copyright Steve Wong) - Please visit our site for more helpful tips on job cover letter.

Human Resources - Strategic Business Partner

Human Resources, with its diverse internal and external customer base, the ability to touch all levels of the organization and the legendary understanding of the organization's environment could not be more suited for the critical role of a strategic business partner.

In General Electric's recently published 2008 annual letter to shareholders, the CEO Jeff Immelt stated the following: ".....The secret to all of these dimensions of developing leaders is to have a great team of human resource professionals. Enduring companies must have a passion for people. GE has a great HR team that protects our valuable human assets. I want to give them special recognition this year...." For years, GE has acknowledged the success of Bill Conaty, their Senior Vice President of Corporate Human Resources. Bill Conaty is highly valued for his continued contribution to the organization. His insight and input have been invaluable. In a 2004 article written by Anne Freedman, Conaty himself stated: "I consider my real core competency and my value to the organization as being a human resource leader, but without having the business grounding, I don't think I would be an effective HR partner."

Organizations that consider their employees to be the most valuable asset cannot afford to not have human resources functioning in a true strategic business partner role. Human Resource professionals are equipped with the knowledge, skills, and abilities, the talent to partner with senior leadership to not only be involved in the strategic management of the organization but drive the implementation of it. As stated in "The 8 Practices of Exceptional Companies, How Great Organizations Make the Most of Their Human Assets" by Jac Fitz-Enz, "Strategic plans must be laid on a core strategy, a solid wall of values. Core strategies lead to strategic plans, organizational charts, operating plans, quantitative objectives, and ultimately, to specific human behavior and task performance." Business oriented HR professionals can help design a strategic plan that balances the needs of the organization, its employees, and other stakeholders. It can help align the efforts of the various functions in the organization with the plan's strategic goals, and it can support those functions by ensuring that they can recruit, develop, and retain the necessary company team members. HR, as strategic business partners should be the drivers of the organizations values thus the drivers of the strategic plan.

Human Resources - Strategic Business Partner

HR should be made responsible for owning the leadership and employee development, as well as direct all communication efforts, especially as it relates to the pulse of the employee population. Succession planning is an area that a strategic HR business partner should be involved in. As discussed in "Good to Great" by Jim Collins, having the right people on the bus, the wrong people off the bus, and the right people in the right seats is the key element to the success of any organization - who better than to manage the people process than a strategic HR business partner.

To fulfill a strategic business partner role, HR leaders must understand the organization's business. In addition to fully understanding the business, HR must understand the environment in which it operates, the competition, and the circumstances that could influence the progress of the organization. HR can no longer focus on its own internal tasks. It must be responsible for ensuring that HR's strategy, goals and priorities are driven by and aligned with the overall business needs. It must establish key business partnerships with senior management, as well as key figures in other functions within the organization. Although the operational role of HR, the day-to-day tasks required to run an organization are not strategic in nature, the responsibilities must mirror the goals of the organization. There needs to be a more integrated global company-wide process that considers how each of the HR programs can help move the entire organization in the right direction.

In addition to HR increasing its own knowledge of the organization and creating solid partnerships through collaborative communication efforts, increasing its knowledge in other areas is extremely important to being a successful strategic business partner. HR must increase its knowledge of Finance and Accounting, Marketing and Sales, Operations, and Information Technology and hone in on key business skills. Almost every activity in an organization can be referred to as a project. That is why it is important for professionals in HR to improve their project management skills. In addition to project management skills, strategic HR business partners must fully understand the strategic planning process. HR must be able to manage change, perform environmental scanning, and understand the importance of outsourcing and the process associated with outsourcing. Being able to manage technology and measure the effectiveness of all company-wide programs and efforts are equally important. HR should also be playing a vital role in leadership coaching, should be responsible for implementing strategies to become an employer of choice, and should be responsible for leading programs to safe guard your company performance from external elements.

To summarize, Human Resource professionals touch every level and every department in the organization. Due to the involvement across the company, employees at all levels get to know and trust the members of the HR team. Because of HR's familiarity with the change management process and human capital development, successful companies benefit from having HR fully functioning in a strategic business partner role. If your company is not already doing so, allow Human Resources to be represented in meetings along side other senior leaders. There is not a more suitable functional group within the company to be responsible for leading the development of strategic plans, implementing key tactics, and measuring the organizations success in executing its plan than Human Resources.

Human Resources - Strategic Business Partner
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Jeannie Moravits Smith

Principal Consultant, President/CEO

HR - Rx, Inc. http://www.theHR-Rx.com

April 2008

History of Discrimination

Discrimination has a long history throughout the world.  Most societies, especially the larger ones, have practiced some form and some degree of discrimination.  In fact, a notable trend (though by no means necessarily an always true law) is that larger societies have had a larger propensity to discriminate.  Why?  Because of their achievements.  Larger societies, to reach the size that they were, had to accomplish.  They built extensive and complicated networks.  Their engineering was on a scale and level enough to support a large society.  Their art was complex.  They had a formal language and writing system.  All of these things were--and are--marvelous achievements.  But couple with them the fact that for most of human history, people lived only within their societies and had almost no contact with peoples of different societies, and it becomes easy to see why discrimination occurred.  They saw others as foreign and "backward," not having accomplished as much as they did.

From a list of all of the societies that ever existed, it is easy to pick out societies that discriminated.  Spain used to discriminate heavily against the Jews, who were forced either to convert Catholicism or to leave Spain.  The Spanish also created a body--called the Inquisition--to persecute who were not like them.  So, people were persecuted for being Jews.  If someone was thought to be a witch, the she or he was also persecuted.  Likely, homosexuals were also persecuted.

In South Africa, Australia, and the Untied States, the black and indigenous populations have faced heavy persecution.  Jim Crow laws in the United States, intentionally imitated by South African and Australia, persecuted blacks.  Segregation was prevalent in all of these three countries.  Blacks were illegally prevented from voting.  Violence against blacks was common.  In the Untied States, the native American population faced heavy discrimination.  Their families were broken up, the children were forced to go schools that would eradicate their culture, and families were forced to abandon their original ways of life and live on reservations.

History of Discrimination

Fortunately, the world as a whole is less tolerant of discrimination today than it was in the past.  Most nations have laws barring most, if not all, forms of discrimination (discrimination based on sexual orientation is an exception, though, and still faces a lot discrimination across the world).

One specific barring of discrimination in the U.S. involves employment practices.  Employers are prevented by the law from discriminating against employees or potential employees (during interviews).  If you feel you have been a victim of any sort of work place discrimination, contact the Orange County Employment Discrimination Lawyers of Perry Smith by visiting their website or by calling 888-356-2529.

History of Discrimination
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Joseph Devine

Pharmaceutical Sales Brag Book - How to Make, What to Include, and How to Present Within Interviews

Many of you new to the pharmaceutical sales career search process may not have heard of using a brag book or interview portfolio to win the job. A pharmaceutical sales brag book is simply a way to support or prove the claims made in your resume and within the pharma sales interview.

Think of it this way: your interviewer doesn't know you from Adam...so a brag book essentially validates and corroborates your story within the interview process.

In effect, your pharmaceutical sales brag book is a sales aid - similar to the detail binder that pharmaceutical reps utilize when promoting products to physicians. In the same manner that the detail binder backs-up, supports and adds credibility to a rep's sales presentation, the brag book adds credibility to your resume and supports your assertions of skills, experience and accomplishments.

Pharmaceutical Sales Brag Book - How to Make, What to Include, and How to Present Within Interviews

In fact, the brag book is considered such an essential part of the pharmaceutical sales interview that if you fail to create one...you'll very possibly fail the interview. PERIOD!

Now, just as a pharma rep utilizes "features and benefits" to sell a product, you must think in those terms, as well. Your mission is to shamelessly sell your "benefits" (aka achievements) to the hiring manager, and your pharmaceutical sales brag book is the key!

Now, on to your next question...what in the world goes in my Pharmaceutical Sales Brag Book?

Now assemble all the documents, in addition to your resume and reference page (co-workers, supervisor's names/titles/contact info), and organize in a logical manner. Next, go to your local copy store to have it spiral bound together (wire spiral) with a professional-looking cover. You may also wish to utilize tabs for the different sections, in order to quickly access during the interview.

How to best use your Pharmaceutical Sales Brag Book to your advantage?

It's all in the presentation...

Your pharmaceutical sales interview portfolio, or brag book, is best utilized in the same manner a pharma rep would present to a physician. In other words, only the most important information (achievements) will be highlighted. Avoid hypnotizing/boring the hiring manager by going over it page by page. ~YAWN! Instead, utilize it in response to an interview question. If the manager asks you about your sales aptitude, provide a great example of your sales aptitude (STAR format) and back it up by pointing to the appropriate, tangible achievement in your brag book. Also, practice using your brag book in response to interview questions. Make sure you know the contents inside and out, so that you may effortlessly find the appropriate section within the interview.

Pharmaceutical Sales Brag Book - How to Make, What to Include, and How to Present Within Interviews
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Anne Marie Posegate - former pharmaceutical sales recruiter, teacher, corporate trainer, and current interview coach - has created one of the largest FREE pharma sales jobs information sites in existence...filled to the brim with candid advice and information about pharmaceutical sales careers.

In addition, Anne has just released to the public her time-tested, step by step, e-book system for gaining pharmaceutical sales interviews AND jobs...and she's absolutely thrilled to have helped hundreds of candidates gain the pharma jobs of their dreams!!

Tough Interview Questions - How to Answer Difficult Interview Questions

Many of the people that I work with in my career coaching practice express a concern about how to answer what they define as tough interview questions. It will come as no surprise that people define tough in different ways. So for example the person that has not prepared for an interview may class a lot of the questions as difficult. Whereas if they have prepared there is a certain type of question people see as tough.

Preparation

Preparation for any interview is the key to success and there is a separate article by me which gives much more detail on this. However the key points to good preparation are:

Tough Interview Questions - How to Answer Difficult Interview Questions

Make sure you can run through your CV in three or four minutes Consider in advance the type of competencies an employer may be looking for in the successful candidate. So for example many roles require the ability to deliver results against tough deadlines. The interviewer will be looking for evidence of this and may ask a question like 'can you give me an example of where you had to deliver results against a difficult deadline. What did you do? What was the outcome?' If you can work out the competencies most of the questions are likely to follow this format So if you haven't prepared and you are going for a job that requires creativity you may well find this type of question tough 'describe a time where you had to be particularly creative. What did you do and what was the result?' Make sure you look at your experiences and achievements for examples of the competencies the interviewer is likely to be looking for in a good candidate. Be ready to give an example of where you have shown each competence, what you did, and the result

The Tough Interview Questions

In this group of questions I include all those questions that it is difficult to anticipate and for which it is hard to prepare. These are much less likely to be based on the competencies for the job. They are often questions that the interviewer has been asked before and found difficult. Alternatively they might be questions that are a favourite of the interviewer. From a candidates perspective they often seem to act to create a black hole in the interview, but they do not need to. I have listed below some of the questions my clients have reported back to me as being tough. Beneath each is a guide to providing a good answer which is unlikely to risk your prospects of getting the job.

Q If you were doing this interview what question would you want to ask next?

A Find a question that allows you to highlight your strengths and not one designed to reveal weaknesses. For example 'What strength do you think would be most valuable to our company?'

Q What has been your biggest mistake at work and what have you learned as a result?

A Find an answer that reveals a weakness that may be strength from an employer's point of view. For example, 'I have learnt that my drive to get results can be detrimental to the moral of team members who do not see the urgency and importance of a project. I am much more aware of this now and make sure I ask people if they are going to be able to hit deadlines beforehand'.

Q What do you see as the five greatest successes in your life?

A Give an answer that has at least three work achievements, an educational achievement or one related to an interest and one related to family and friends. This demonstrates your achievement orientation and a balance in your life.

Q What are you three greatest strengths and weaknesses?

A This is a chance to shine as well as show self-awareness. Give three positive strengths that are related to the requirements of the job. For the weaknesses find two that are strengths in disguise, and one minor weakness that will not impact your employment chances. For example, 'I know that sometimes I find it difficult not to finish a job before I leave and this sometimes means I stay longer at work than I should. I can be a bit of a perfectionist so my drive for top quality can sometimes irritate others. My wife sometimes says I should have more outside interests'.

Q Where do you see yourself in 5 years time?

A With this type of question you need to balance your ambition with the expectations of the interviewer and reality. Firstly do not say you see yourself in a job outside the company. Do not say you see yourself as a Director if you are 18 and taking a role at the first level in the organisation. A safe answer would be 'I would hope to have demonstrated my skills and progressed to a level more senior to this job. This shows ambition and drive, as well as a realistic level of career aspiration.

Q Are there any questions you would like to ask us?

A Some candidates see this question as a kind of trap - it isn't. It may be an idea to ask a question to show an interest in the job but you don't have to. A good one that shows you are motivated to succeed would be 'can you tell me about the training and development I can expect to receive?'

There will be a lot of other questions similar to the ones listed here that come up in interviews. But by following the principles given here you will be able to answer them and give yourself the best chance of getting the job. I'm always interested in collecting more tough questions to help my clients. So if you get one please send it to me.

Tough Interview Questions - How to Answer Difficult Interview Questions
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Tony Goddard is the Director of Tony Goddard Consulting, an Executive and Career Coaching Company. Prior to becoming a Coach, Tony was a Director of Human Resources and has many years experience of selecting candidates for roles at all levels of seniority and across all functional areas. More information is available about Tony and his Executive and Career Coaching Company at:

http://www.tonygoddardconsulting.com/career-coaching/