Get The Job You Want, Even When No One's Hiring: Take Charge of Your Career, Find a Job You Love, and Earn What You Deserve

Chapter 61. Interviewing Survival Guide for When No One's Hiring

The key to acing the interview is preparation, preparation, preparation. No matter which kind of interview you're faced with, there is one and only one key: preparation .

One thing I have noticed over the years in my career coaching practice is that candidates often get trapped in certain interview questions that are designed to make them say something negative or self-defeating (which generally leads to rejection). Indeed, job seekers are not even aware of how negative many of their answers sound at interviews.

Here's my biggest piece of advice on the subject of interviewing: never state anything negative or anything that could possibly be construed as negative. Candidates can avoid being disqualified by stating all of their answers in positive (or, at least, neutral) terms.

Note

Never state anything negative or anything that could possibly be construed as negative.

The following are some of the most commonly asked interview questions, along with suggested approaches for answers. It is important that you prepare and practice these responses (yes, out loud!) until you are able to handle all of the questions effectively and naturally, using your own words and infusing your own personality.

Why do you want to work here? How can you help our company? Why should we be interested in you?

Answer is always based on information you've researched in advance about the company and their needs.

Why have you been out of work so long?