Find out everything you can about the specific positionThe better you understand the position and the employer's needs the more effectively you can show how you'll benefit their organization. Read the job ad thoroughly - it will often tell you some of the employers major concerns.Practice introductionsThe decision to hire is often made in the first thirty seconds. Make a good first impression: Practice opening a door, coming into a room, offering your hand confidently, smiling and introducing yourself. Use your left hand for carrying, leaving your right hand free for the handshake.The interviewPractice responses to interview questions - but don't try to memorize them. Being yourself is essential to interview success. Responses need to feel and sound natural.When you've thought through how you can add value to a specific employer, you'll be able to easily add examples of how in the answers you provide.To give a top-notch interview, you need to know the answers to three critical questions: Why do I want this job? Wha t do I have to offer? What else do I need to know?You should prepare carefully for these questions. A good idea is to write out answers and practise them with family members and friends.Why do I want this job?Employers aren't just looking for bodies to fill in vacant positions. They want people who can bring something new and valuable to their business.The only way you can prove to an interviewer that you've got what it takes is to show that you know exactly what his/her organization does. Find out as much as you can.When you really know the answer to "Why do I want this job?" you'll be able to answer some important interview questions such as: How did you become interested in this field? Why did you submit your application to our company/organization? What are your general career interests? What do you see yourself doing in five years?

What do I have to offer?Employers want to know why they should hire you. To find out, they ask a variety of questions to help them find out who you are and what you can do. To be prepared, review your experiences at work, at school and in volunteer activities. Keep a mental list of your accomplishments. Think about challenges you've faced and how you dealt with them. Remember times that you've been a problem-solver. Consider mistakes that you've made as learning experiences.

What else do I need to know?One of the final questions you'll be asked in an interview is: "Is there anything you would like to know about the organization or the job?"Answering "No" sends the wrong signals--that you're not really interested in the organization, don't know what's important to you in an employee/employer relationship, or lack confidence and assertiveness. Here are some questions you should be prepared to ask. About the job What is the size of the department/branch/section? Do you have a training program? Could you please describe it? What are my opportunities for advancement? What is the salary range for this position?

About the person you would be working for Who would I report to directly? How long has he/she been with the company? What is their background?

Here are some sample interview questions for you to use. They are grouped into three types.Knowledge, ability and skills questionsThese questions often deal with the technical aspects of the job or basic knowledge that is essential to learn the job.Situational questions and behaviour based questionsSituation questions provide you with a hypothetical situation and ask how you would deal with it.Role playing questionsRole play questions are another way for employers to assess how you'll react in certain situations. They're often used to assess how you'll deal with customer service or working with other issues.Tell me about yourself.Purpose: To put you at ease. To learn from you why they should or should not hire you. To find out if your mind is on what you can offer an employer; or if it is on personal concerns that may interfere with your work performance. To learn a little bit about your background. To assess your ability to communicate orally.Suggestions: Demonstrate your ability to communicate information clearly and concisely. Demonstrate your ability to prioritize and your understanding of the employers needs by selecting the information about you of most interest to them. Briefly touch on the following: your experience related to the job. your attributes, including your ability to get along with others and appropriate personal information to show stability and a well-rounded character.Sample response:"In my work experience, I have a good background in industrial mechanics. This includes maintenance and repairs as well as keeping up with the latest advances in technology. I am also hard working, dedicated and personable. During my spare time, I take part in several sports and I enjoy fixing up old cars."

Tell me about your experience with this type of work.Purpose:To find out whether or not you can do the job.Suggestions: If you have done this work, state where and give examples of your achievements. If you have done related work, state your transferable skills. Show your interest in the position and your willingness to learn. If you have not done this work, mention other work-related attributes and skill. Quickly show your interest in on-the-job training.Sample response:"I was a millwright at the Butler Paper Company in Kendridge, B.C. from '86 until just recently. Before that, I was an industrial mechanic at Edgewood Mining Ltd. in Herman N.S. for ten years from '76 to '86. At these jobs, I was responsible for keeping the equipment in good running condition. This included recording all maintenance and repair work performed on each piece of equipment. I also maintained a clean, organized and safe work environment. After six years with Edgewood Mining, I was promoted to a team which specialized in diagnostic services. My training included a four-year apprenticeship program with Edgewood. In '85, I received a Red Seal trade certificate at Alexandria College in Halifax."

What kind of machines/software can you operate?Purpose:This question indicates that skills in this area are very important. Express your experience and capability.Suggestions: Be as specific as possible about your expertise. If you haven't had experience with the equipment required, describe similar machines/software you've worked with.

What are your greatest strengths?Purpose: To discover reasons for hiring you. To find out how well you know yourself. To find out if you believe in yourself; and if you are the right person for the position.Suggestions: Mention that besides the work skills, training and experience that you would offer, you also offer job-related qualities such as reliability, enthusiasm, dependability, flexibility and efficiency. If time permits, back up these qualities with examples.Sample response:"My strengths are inspecting equipment, analyzing problems, then making repairs. Trouble shooting is a regular part of the job. If I become puzzled with a particular problem, I consult my supervisor and manufacturers manuals, diagrams or schematic drawings. I am also dependable, knowledgeable and do not mind working long hours to meet a deadline."

What are your weaknesses?Purpose:To discover if you are wrong for the job as a result of lack of experience or training, poor people skills, refusal to follow orders, poor attitude laziness...Suggestions: Describe a positive attribute, then continue with a statement of reassurance. For example, I feel that it is very important to meet deadlines; satisfy the customer; ... I have to really make myself be patient, diplomatic, firm, when I see that this is not happening. Honestly describe an obvious weakness, then describe factors that make up for it. Remember, when you raise a doubt, explain it immediately. If you cannot think of any weaknesses, tell the employer this.Sample response:"I dont like to be over-supervised because I have a lot of initiative, and I like to foresee problems before they even arise."

What kind of salary are you expecting?Purpose:The interviewer wants to determine whether you have realistic salary expectations.Suggestions: Mention a salary range. Stating an exact figure may harm your chances. This is where your research can pay off. If you know the going rate for the type of work you can use that in your answer.Sample responses: I understand the usual rate is between X and Y. That would be acceptable. I am open to any fair offer which is in line with my experience.

Situational questions and behaviour based questionsSituation questions provide you with a hypothetical situation and ask how you would deal with it. Employers can check your understanding of specific processes as well as your interpersonal or working with others skills. How would you respond to a customer who isn't happy with the product? What would you do if a co-worker isn't pulling their weight? How would you organize a file directory system on our computer network?Behaviour based questions are used to assess similar skills and abilities to situational questions. In behaviour based questions the employer asks you to describe what you did in an actual experience. Past action is a predictor of future actions. How you've dealt with situations tells the employer a great deal about how you'll handle things in their organization. Before you select a situation to describe, think about what it says about your ability to work well with others, to solve problems, to provide good customer service. Behaviour based questions often start with tell me about a time when. Tell me about a time when you dealt with a customer complaint? Can you tell us about a school or work situation where you recognized a problem and took action to correct it? Give us an example of a presentation you made at work/school? How did you research it? What were your findings and conclusions? Can you describe a group situation where you were the only person who disagreed with a point of view or action? How did you handle it? What were the results?When you get a question like this, answer it as if you were telling a story and: Identify the skill that your story demonstrates. Identify the situation in which you used the skill. Describe your actions. Describe the results of your actions.

Practice Questions1. Why do you want to work here ?2. What are your long-range goals?3. Can you work under pressure or tight deadlines?4. What would you do in "this" situation?5. Why did you leave your last job/want to leave your present job?6. How often were you absent from your last job?7. What five words would you say describe you best?8. What do you think of working in a group?

1. Why do you want to work here?Purpose: To find out what you know and like about the organization and if you would stay. To see if your work qualifications fit their requirements and approach. To find out if you are genuinely interested in contributing to the company or only the security, benefits and prestige they offer.Suggestions: Describe what you know about the company. Tell them what you like about the company, (ie. reputation service, growth, product). Mention the effort you have put into collecting background information. Say that you like the work you do and how your skills match their requirements.Sample response:"Your company has a reputation of high quality products and service as well as strict environmental controls. These qualities are very important. You are a young company and you also have the latest technology and automation. Im very interested in using my mechanical skills and growing with the company."

2. What are your long-range goals?Purpose: To discover whether you will stay with the company. To find out what it is that you really want. To identify your career plans. To see if your goals fit with those of the company.Suggestions: Keep your answer work-related, with this company in mind. State your interest in and commitment to staying and growing in this field of work.Sample response:I would like to move into a supervisory position where I could make better use of my management and organizational skills.

3. Can you work under pressure or tight deadlines?Purpose:To find out your attitude towards pressure and your ability to deal with it.Suggestions: Give job-related examples from your past experience showing your ability to cope with pressure. Describe what you consider normal pressures for the type of work you would be doing. If you cannot cope with pressure, first state some positive points (ie. your thoroughness, cheerful attitude, punctuality). Add that you prefer knowing deadlines in advance and work better in that situation. Talk about several examples where you met deadlines. Show how capable you were in rising to the occasion. Indicate that you didn't mind the stress and, if it was the case, even enjoyed it!Sample response:"Pressure and deadlines are a part of any working environment. I am confident that I can meet realistic goals and challenges. I maintain a healthy active lifestyle outside of work that helps me to maintain a positive working attitude."

4. What would you do in "this" situation?Purpose: Assess your ability to handle unexpected questions. Assess your ability to judge and handle real life situations. Learn of the experiences you have had. Discover if you are aware of company policy and government rules.Suggestions: Mention your commitment to follow company guidelines and to consult your supervisor where appropriate. Describe a time when you successfully dealt with such a situation. Describe related situations, experience, skills and attributes.

5. Why did you leave your last job/want to leave your present job?Purpose: The interviewer is trying to determine whether you had previous work problems.Suggestions: Focus on the positive. Don't say anything negative about your previous/present company or supervisor.Sample responses: "I need a career change." "I would like a job that suits my skills better." "I'm seeking more challenges in my work life."

6. How often were you absent from your last job?Purpose: The interviewer wants to know about your dependability.Suggestion: Discuss your past attendance record and give assurance of your future reliability.

What five words would you say describe you best?Purpose: The interviewer wants to get a sense of who you are and your self-image.Suggestion: Select only positive aspects and relate them to the employers needs.

8. What do you think of working in a group?Purpose: The interviewer wants to get a sense of your ability to get along well with others.Suggestions: Discuss the advantages of working in a group. Be prepared to give concrete examples of your experience of teamwork.