The
Everything Job Interview Book
By
JOY DARLINGTON
and NANCY SCHUMAN
Reviewed
by Theresa A. Pugh
This
book includes hundreds of sample interview questions, ranging from
areas such
as Accounting and Banking, to Architecture, Communications and
Educational
Services. This book is especially well-suited for less experienced job
seekers,
and for those trying to switch fields.
“Whether
you’re out of school, diploma in hand and thrilled at the
prospect of finally
starting your career, or you’re a seasoned professional
thinking of changing
jobs or going back to work after a hiatus…you need an expert
guide to lead you
along the path to a job offer, from the preparation to the initial
handshake to
the tough questions to the good-bye and the follow-up.”
They
remind the job-seeker to “remember that practice will greatly
improve your
interviewing skills. They suggest that you rehearse by yourself or with
a
friend. Anticipating an interviewer’s questions and preparing
yourself for a
strong response helps too, they argue.
Among
other advice, they offer the following 10 tips for a “Winner
Interview”:
1. Grab attention with a winning cover letter that will land you an interview.
2. Be prepared with your “script” and a resume by the phone for what may be the
first round of your screening process.
3. Never go into an interview without researching the company, its competitors,
and, if you can, the person who will be interviewing you.
4. Schedule your interview in the morning when your interviewer will be at their
freshest (and you will, too!)
5. Present your most conservative, well-groomed, and attractive self to your
interviewer and prospective employer.
6. Separate yourself from the job-seeking crowd with your knowledge of the company,
its competitors – and your smile.
7. Do your homework and be prepared for the tough questions and any traps or
pitfalls the interviewer may spring on you.
8. Know the tough questions to ask to get the answers you need to see whether this
job is right for you.
9. Let the interviewer-- not you-- bring up the question of salary. Save the
discussion of benefits for after an offer has been extended.
10. Even if you feel you’re not right for this particular job, be gracious. You will
make a positive impression on your interviewer, and you never know -- it might lead to a more promising job.
This
book also suggests ways to deal common problems including pre-interview
jitters
and videoconference interviews.
The
book is divided into three basic parts. Part 1 guides you through Job
Interview Strategies, which includes cover
letters and interview research. Part II takes up the different types of
interviews, from the one-on-one traditional interview to alternative
interview
such as lunch interviews and video conferencing. Part
III covers interview questions that
look at experience and skills. This book helps the job-seeker be
coached on how
to talk about accomplishments,
and even how to deal with
career goals and personal interests. There’s also a
specialist section devoted
to job-seekers with “special
needs” – be
it a parent, student, senior or someone changing careers, this book
aims to
give you the tools and techniques to achieve success in that next job
interview.
About
the Authors
Joy
Darlington is a business writer whose work has been published in the
New York
Times and many other publications. She
is the editor-in-chief for a national newsletter for women
small-business
owners.
Nancy
Schuman is a vice president at Lloyd Staffing and the author of several
books. She writes the weekly Jobs
and Careers column for the Long
Island Press.
Other
online reviews of this book can be found at: