Interviewprepkit v04 PDF
Interviewprepkit v04 PDF
Prep Kit
All content copyright © 2017 by Career Confidential. All rights reserved. No part of this document or related files
may be reproduced or transmitted in any form, by any means (electronic, photocopying, recording, or otherwise)
without the prior written permission of the publisher.
Limit of Liability and Disclaimer of Warranty: The publisher has used its best efforts in preparing this book, and the
information provided herein is provided “as is.” Career Confidential makes no representation or warranties with
respect to the accuracy or completeness of the contents of this book and specifically disclaims any implied
warranties of merchantability or fitness for any particular purpose and shall in no event be liable for any loss of
profit or any other commercial damage, including but not limited to special, incidental, consequential, or other
damages.
Trademarks: This book identifies product names and services know to be trademarks, registered trademarks, or
service marks of their respective holders. They are used throughout this book in an editorial fashion only. In
addition, terms suspected of being trademarks, registered trademarks, or service marks have been appropriately
capitalized, although Career Confidential cannot attest to the accuracy of this information. Use of a term in this
book should not be regarded as affecting the validity of any trademarks, registered trademarks, or service marks.
Career Confidential is not associated with any product or vendor mentioned in this book.
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Table of Contents
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01 Company Research Plan
Company Overview
*LinkedIn (see sample next page)
Decision Makers:
*Hiring Managers – (title, past experience, how long there, location, report to ?)
*Human Resources
Competitors:
*The company’s top 3 competitors:
Product Line:
* The company’s top products / services (be aware of new products in development)
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SWOT Analysis of Product/Service/Company/Opportunity
*Strengths
*Weaknesses
*Opportunities
*Threats
(…don’t forget reimbursement challenges, newer technology, market conditions, etc)
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Questions to Ask During
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the Interview:
* Why is the position open?
* What do they see as the primary focus for this position? What is
the greatest challenge?
*Can you describe the best performer that you have on your team
in a similar role?
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How to Use LinkedIn
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for Company Research:
For example, say you were interested in Stryker. You’d search that.
Notice that your search brings up other divisions of the company that you may not
have been aware of before.
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When you click on the company name, it will take you to the company’s corporate
webpage, where you’ll find all kinds of information about the company, including a link
to current employees.
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Scroll down the page further, and you’ll see updates on company activities. You might
see information on new hires, promotions, changes, projects, company events, or
even financial news.
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Check out the employees’ link, and you’ll see employee profiles that could tell you
what kind of person they like to hire. What is the median age? Do you see a gender
slant? Do they have similarities in background? These are indicators of culture.
If it’s a large company, you might consider reaching out to those that are or were in a
similar position as the one that you are considering. But be careful! Don’t reach out to
the person IN the position you’re applying for. If he or she has been let go, you may
not get an objective opinion.
Try someone in the same position (but another location) and explain that you’re
considering a position with the company and want to get their advice on the company,
position, etc. How do you contact these folks? If you are connected, you can message
them. You can ask to connect if you aren’t already. If you are not connected but are in
the same LinkedIn group, you can message them there.
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How Does Your Experience
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Fit This Position?
2. Why did you leave your last job? Why are you looking to leave? Don’t say any-
thing negative about the company, but be honest – is it salary, career growth, etc.?
3. What can you do for us that other candidates can’t? Be specific – give an
example of a success you had in the past that helped or improved a process.
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6. Describe a work-related issue or problem that you had to face recently. How
did you deal with it?
This is seeking your decision-making ability. Give an example where you had a
positive impact on the situation.
8. What was the best decision you ever made? What were the alternatives?
How did you go about making it?
This is checking for your judgment.
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Developing Your
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Success Story
Choose stories – and bullet points - to illustrate your proficiencies in the topics that are
important in the position for which you are interviewing. Some possible areas are listed
below, but feel free to include your own to highlight your strengths (not all topics will
apply).
Strengths as an Employee:
3. Recommendations
Management Style:
1. How did you handle conflicts among coworkers?
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Marketing Experience:
1. How did you determine where to go?
Leadership:
1. Did you motivate others?
Creativity:
1. What tools did you develop?
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Technical Expertise:
Dependability:
Team Player?
How did you learn from mistakes?
Character?
Mergers/ acquisitions?
Crisis management?
New product development?
New product introduction?
Product life cycle?
QSR?
Quality?
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10 Common Interview Questions
PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE!
1. Be descriptive. Don’t just answer “yes” or “no” to questions. But also avoid “over-
answering.” Make your answers colorful but not lengthy.
2. Sell yourself to the interviewer, but without exaggeration or telling lies. You are there
to market yourself, “blow your own trumpet” and explain why you’d be right for the
role. But don’t come across as arrogant.
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3. Avoid making negative remarks about your current employer, past employers, or
colleagues. This will only reflect badly on you in the interview.
4. Be determined. Make it clear that you want to get the job, even if you are given
information in the interview that sheds a new (negative) light on the role. Be positive,
and then evaluate the opportunity again when you are away from the interview. Don’t
burn your bridges.
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More Interview Appearance
06 and Presence Tips…
Blue, grey or black suits are always in style. Be sure it’s cleaned and pressed.
Shirts should be white, freshly laundered and well-pressed.
A quiet tie with a subtle design and a hint of red is suitable for a first
interview. Avoid loud colors and busy designs.
Jewelry should be kept minimal. A watch and wedding or class ring are
acceptable. Don’t wear jewelry or pins that indicate membership in religious or
service organizations.
Shoes that are black and freshly polished (including the heels) are a safe choice
for an interview. Socks should be black or blue and worn over the calf.
Ladies, avoid any clothing that could distract the interviewer from your talents.
Avoid exotic hairstyles and excessive makeup. Hair should be neat, clean and
brushed. Makeup should be light and natural-looking.
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Any other documents/ tools that will help you demonstrate your talents and skills.
Just a Reminder:
Leave early for the interview.
Use the restroom before you go into the interview.
No gum, cigarettes or tobacco.
Wear conservative business attire.
Never ask to use their phone.
Don’t look at your watch.
No sunglasses.
Maintain eye contact, but don’t stare.
Listen intently, so you don’t have to keep repeating,
“I’m sorry, but could you say that again?"
Ask for the spelling of the interviewer’s name and write it down.
(or get their business card)
Don’t ask about money.
Don’t mention a salary range in your resume or during an interview.
Don’t talk about personal problems.
Don’t take anyone else with you to the interview.
Don’t park at a meter or in a tow zone.
Don’t drop names.
Schedule nothing around your interview that will create a time crunch.
Turn off your cell phone.
Keep your eyes off the interviewer’s desk.
Don’t handle anything, especially personal belongings.
Get a haircut and shave if you need one.
No fragrances.
Never be sarcastic.
Never criticize anyone, especially an employer.
If asked to complete a form or application, fill in every space. Never write:
"See resume."
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All contents copyright © 2017 by Career Confidential. All rights reserved. No part of this document or the related
files may be reproduced or transmitted in any form, by any means (electronic, photocopying, recording, or
otherwise) without the prior written permission of the publisher.
Limit of Liability and Disclaimer of Warranty: The publisher has used its best efforts in preparing this book, and the
information provided herein is provided "as is." Career Confidential makes no representation or warranties with
respect to the accuracy or completeness of the contents of this book and specifically disclaims any implied
warranties of merchantability or fitness for any particular purpose and shall in no event be liable for any loss of profit
or any other commercial damage, including but not limited to special, incidental, consequential, or other damages.
Trademarks: This book identifies product names and services known to be trademarks, registered trademarks, or
service marks of their respective holders. They are used throughout this book in an editorial fashion only. In
addition, terms suspected of being trademarks, registered trademarks, or service marks have been appropriately
capitalized, although Career Confidential cannot attest to the accuracy of this information. Use of a term in this book
should not be regarded as affecting the validity of any trademark, registered trademark, or service mark. Career
Confidential is not associated with any product or vendor mentioned in this book
22 http://careerconfidential.com