Do You Know The 4 Must Know Statements Used In Every Successful Job Interview?

At the beginning of the interview, you may be asked why you want to work for XYZ Company? Can you find the must know statement that relates to this question?

• A.

  I hear that you pay really well and I would get lots of benefits.

• B.

  I understand what your company does and I have some examples of things I've learned I would like to share with you.

• C.

  This company is very near my house and I hate commuting.

• D.

  I really don't want to work here, but I must go on interviews to keep collecting unemployment benefits.

During the interview you will be asked what you have done in prior jobs. Can you find the must know statement?

• A.

  I have increased sales in positions I have held. Here are examples.

• B.

  At the bank, I was a teller; at the taxi company I was a dispatcher; at the shoe store I was a salesman and stocker.

• C.

  I did anything that was asked of me.

• D.

  My resume has all of my jobs and what I was responsible for listed.

As the interview progresses, the interviewer will want to know more about the things you have done in past jobs. Can you find the next must know statement?

• A.

  An an engineer, I worked on vaious projects.

• B.

  At the drug store, I was a pharmacy tech, then I took a job at a retailer and I did the same thing.

• C.

  I have decreased expenses in positions I have held in the past. Here are examples.

• D.

  I spend a lot of time answering the phones, I think my current employer should hire a receptionist so I can get more work done.

Before the interview wraps up, there is one more must know statement that you should talk about. Can you find it?

• A.

  I am a people person.

• B.

  At Bob's Trucking I drove a tandem dump truck from the gravel pit to job sites. Sometimes I would deliver asphalt when we would get paving jobs.

• C.

  I do so many things for my current employer that I couldn't possibly list them all.

• D.

  I have provided excellent customer service in positions I have held in the past. Here are specific examples.

1. Demonstrate your knowledge of the company you are applying to – If you have to ask me “what does your company do?”, then you are wasting my time. If all you know is that someone told you it was a great place to work or that we pay “really good”, then you are probably not going to be a good fit for me. I am looking for someone who has invested a little time in finding out what my company does. As an applicant, be able to throw in some fun facts about our recent earnings or a TV news report that mentioned us or even a story about how your Aunt Nellie was helped by someone in our company when she had a problem. Any information that shows you took the time to find out what the company that you are interviewing with actually stands for, goes a long way in the interview process. You are creating a bond with me as the interviewer, because I really like my company and I want others to understand it. When you show you do, you are on your way to becoming “one of us”. ​ 2. Give examples of how you increased sales – Even if this is going to be your first paying job, you should be able to come up with examples of how you increased sales. Maybe it was a fund raiser for a local charity. You had an idea for a bike challenge; you set up the event and raised $450 for your charity. Or perhaps you have had previous jobs. At one place, you suggested to the boss he invest in a software program to automate his monthly billing. You were able to get his clients to pay on-time by generating professional invoices and mailing them out on a regular schedule. Your boss gave you a raise because you increased his cash flow. Think about this in advance and be able to share your success stories in the interview. ​ 3 Give examples of how you decreased expenses – The same holds true for decreasing expenses. If you have had a job, then somewhere you have had an idea that saved the company money. Perhaps you noticed that your company was paying for 15 incoming phone lines, but that 7 of them where never used. By updating your plan, you saved the company $637.50 a year. Or in college, you joined the marching band and helped with travel arrangements to away games. You found a bus company that would give a discount to college students and ended up saving the college $3,762 last fall. Take time to think about this before the interview. Even if you don’t get to use all of your examples, knowing you have them will give you added confidence. ​ 4. Give examples of how you improved customer service – Many of us, me included, have worked at a fast food establishment or a retailer at some point in our careers. Nobody lasts long in these businesses unless they understand that “the customer is always right”. You should be prepared to discuss how you have consistently provided exemplary customer service in your present and previous positions. Maybe it was something as simple as replacing an item they found defective. Maybe you had to research a problem and come up with a solution that took care of the customer within your company policy. Think back on what you have done and be ready with one or two specific examples. If you have no paid work experience, cite examples of how you sold Girl Scout cookies and took care of a customer's order that wasn't filled correctly, or how you worked the concession stand for you high school basketball games and made sure everyone was taken care of quickly ​ Preparation is the key to your being hired by the company of your dreams. Once you have a list of companies you are going to apply to, take the time, before you are even called for an interview, to review your answers. Make notes about each topic and look at them regularly. Be ready because you may be asked some questions during the initial phone screening. As someone who has interviewed 1,000's of applicants, these tips will give you a chance to stand out, making you the clear choice when the hiring decision is made. So please follow my suggestions and I look forward to saying “Congratulations on your new position!” ​ Show off, make sure you shine.