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10-3 Create A Question-and-Answer Planning Sheet : Career Action Worksheet

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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
803 views

10-3 Create A Question-and-Answer Planning Sheet : Career Action Worksheet

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Chapter 10: Prepare for Your Interview

CAREER ACTION WORKSHEET

10-3 Create a Question-and-Answer Planning Sheet 


Record the answers to typical questions you can expect to be asked during job
interviews. Also write sample questions you can ask during interviews. Use the
suggestions in this chapter and Chapter 9, as well as your 30-Second Commercials and
Personal Brand Statement. Tailor your answers to your target job. Emphasize your
qualifications for the job at every opportunity. Use positive, action-oriented words.

General Information Questions


Why do you want this job?
I want this job because I am passionate about my career as a Medical Administrative
Professional. After reading the job qualifications for this job, it sounds like a job I would
love to go to every day.

What type of work do you enjoy doing the most?


I enjoy having a busy schedule. In my current job, I deal with all the insurance tasks of the
chiropractic office. I find it quite interesting to learn about different insurance companies,
their coverages, and policies. I like the challenge of working with unpaid claims with
insurance companies and resolving those issues.

What are your strongest skills?


My strongest skill, I would have to say, would be that I have an eye for detail. The
perfectionist in me likes to make sure that everything I am doing is accurate and correct. I
tend to check over my work multiple times to ensure it is done properly.

What are your long-term career goals? How do you plan to achieve them?
My long-term career goals are to be in a leadership role for insurance/billing. I plan to
achieve this by working hard, learning as much as I can, and being a dedicated employee
to the company.

Do you think of yourself as a team player? If so, give examples.


Yes, I consider myself a team player. I find that as a business, if you cannot work as a team,
you cannot succeed. I have worked in environments where being a team player is crucial
to the business’ success. For example, in my current job position, I am not required to
work at the front desk or answer the phones. If I notice there is a patient waiting at the
front desk, or hear the phone ringing more than a couple times, I do not simply ignore this
because it is “not my job”, but instead I step in and help where needed.

Your Career: How to Make It Happen, 9e 1


© 2017 Cengage Learning®. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license
distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website or school-approved learning management system for classroom use.
Chapter 10: Prepare for Your Interview
Do you have a geographic preference? Are you willing to relocate?
At this point in my life, I am not willing to relocate. I currently travel about 40 miles per
day to my current job, and I wouldn’t mind traveling a little further for the right
opportunity.

Under what management style do you work most productively?


I work most productively if I am given tasks to complete at my own pace. I need
management to be available if I have questions, but I do not need someone to keep an eye
on me as I work. I am a self-motivated worker and I handle direction well.

What is important to you in a company? What do you look for in a company?


It is important for me to work for a company that cares about its employees. I look for
smaller businesses that can offer a more positive and connected workplace.

Your Career: How to Make It Happen, 9e 2


© 2017 Cengage Learning®. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license
distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website or school-approved learning management system for classroom use.
Behavioral and Character Questions
What have you accomplished that demonstrates your initiative?
I am a person who loves to set goals and then be able to cross them off my list. My biggest
accomplishment to date is setting a goal of running a half marathon, and then spending 12
weeks training for and crossing that finish line.

How do you deal with an angry customer or coworker? Describe an experience you’ve
had.
At my current job, it is not uncommon to have an angry customer. I work in billing, and all
phone calls regarding billing complaints are directed towards me. Most recently, I had a
patient call in and question his bill. I began by allowing him to talk uninterrupted. I
remained calm, and when he was ready, I explained the scenario to him. This patient was
very unhappy about his bill, but I remained calm and professional the entire time.

How are you able to adapt to change? Give an example.


I can adapt to change more easily than I would have ever thought. After losing my job a
year ago, I was forced into the biggest change of my life. I didn’t let the unknown get my
down, but instead used it as an opportunity to better my career.

How would you describe yourself?


I would describe myself as ambitious. I love to learn and have a strong desire to succeed.

What rewards do you look for in your career?


In my career, I look for recognition. It is always nice to know that you are valued as an
employee. I am not looking for a “trophy” reward, but more so just to be known that I am
valued.

What accomplishment are you most proud of, particularly as it relates to your field?
My biggest accomplishment thus far, is getting hired in my field before graduation. I was
able to use my skills from the Medical Administrative Professional program in real time as I
learned the job duties at Imperium Chiropractic.

What do you think are the most important characteristics and abilities a person must
possess to be successful? How do you rate yourself in those areas?
I think the most important characteristics are to be dependable, hard-working, and loyal. I
do believe that job skills are something that can be taught on the job, but your work ethic
cannot. Therefore I believe these characteristics are so important because they define the
worker. I rate myself highly, as I do believe I have strong work ethic.

Stress Questions
Why do you think you are the best candidate for this job? Why should I hire you?
I am the best candidate for this job because I have all the necessary job skills required. I
also have a year of experience working as a Medical Administrative Professional.

Why do you want to leave your current job?


I want to leave my current job because I feel that this company can offer a better career
for me.

Why have you held so many jobs?


Over my working career, I have had several different jobs. As a young person, just out of
high school, I was unsure of my career path. I switched jobs several times during this
period to figure out what I wanted to do. I began working at a company five years ago, and
although I was 100% dedicated to that job, the plant closed, forcing me to once again find
another job. At this point in my life, I am confident I have found the right career for me,
and I am looking for a job that will last me until retirement.

What is your greatest weakness?

My greatest weakness is that I am an introvert. Sometimes I find it hard to ask for help when I
really need it. I also struggle to develop connections with my coworkers because of this. I prefer to
work alone, but I am constantly trying to break out of this habit.
Have you ever been fired from a job?
No, I have never been fired from a job.

Does your current employer know you are planning to leave?


My current employer will get a proper two-week notice once I have been hired.

What kinds of decisions are most difficult for you?


I find life-altering decisions the most difficult for me.

What is your salary range? (Although this is not strictly a stress question, being asked
about salary expectations is awkward. Chapter 12 has advice about handling this
common question. Hint: Avoid giving a direct answer.)
My starting salary range is anywhere from $30k - $35k, with opportunity to grow with the
company.

Questions and Topics to Avoid


List several questions to avoid asking during an interview and explain why the questions
are inappropriate.
1. What is your age?
2. Are you married?
3. Do you have a family?
Any question that is personal is inappropriate and should be avoided during the
interview.

Q&A Savvy Strategies


Review “Savvy Q&A Strategies” on page 263. List the strategies that are most
applicable to your job search. Add others you found through your Internet research.
Pause to think before you reply – this is important to make sure that I truly understand the
question being asked before I say the first thing that comes to mind.
Be candid and honest – I think being honest is always important. It wouldn’t be wise to say
I know how to do certain things, but later in the job they find out that wasn’t the truth.

Your Questions
Review the sample questions in “Ask Questions That Stand Out” on pages 265–266.
In your own words, write the questions you want to ask during your interviews. If
necessary, ask for help from a member of your support system. Add questions that
are pertinent to your job search and goals.
What does a typical day in this position look like?
Is there opportunity for growth in this position?
What are the goals of the business?

Add your completed work to the “About Jobs” section of your Career Builder Files.

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