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Interview Questions - Things to Think About Before the Interview

Whether you are preparing to interview, preparing to be interviewed, or just interested in conducting a quick self-analysis, the following topics tips will help you develop a perspective.

PREPARATION

If you are preparing to conduct an interview, begin with a clear definition of the roles and responsibilities for the position. Create a list of requirements, objectives and priorities associated with the position and use this as a guide to create specific questions for the TOPICS below.

If you are preparing to be interviewed, research the job description and the company profile thoroughly. This information can frequently be found on the company web site. Develop a list of potential responses and also create your own questions to ask about the position role and responsibilities as associated with the TOPICS listed below.

Even if you are not prepared to conduct an interview, or to be interviewed, you can review your current career roles and responsibilities to reflect on the following TOPICS.

TOPICS

What have you learned from your previous success?

Can you identify significant achievements that highlight your talents, skills and capabilities? How can this knowledge and experience be leveraged to develop future success?

What have you learned from your mistakes?

Can you identify decisions or circumstances that you might change if given another opportunity? How can this knowledge be applied to mitigate future risks?

What have you learned from your experiences and industry knowledge?

Can you identify personal experience and perspectives that make you unique? How can unique experience or industry position be used as a strategic advantage?

What have you learned from other people?

Can you identify skills or knowledge that you have acquired from other experts, peers or mentors? How willing and able are you to learn from the expertise of others?

What have you taught other people?

Can you identify specific skills, motivation or direction that you have shared for a positive influence to others? How do you contribute to the community and improve your environment? How willing are you to share your knowledge?

What behavior did you learn as a child?

Can you identify specific characteristics that would best describe your behavior? How would you describe your work ethic?

REFLECTIONS

Every individual is a unique blend of talent, skills and experiences. Character traits can be acquired or learned over the course of our childhood, education and careers. These character traits can contribute to success, reduce risk and be used to enhance the environment around us.

In some cases conflicts may arise as a result of different character traits. For example, one person may have experience shaped by previous achievements or errors that have not been experienced by another, creating significantly different perspectives. In some cases the disparity may be related to work habits or personality traits that were learned as child and not easily changed or influenced in the work environment. These conflicts can be mitigated with a better understanding of the experience that shapes another's perspective. During the interview process it is the obligation of the interviewer and the individual being interviewed to determine how well the personal experience, knowledge and character match between the person and the position. This increases the potential for future success.

If you reviewed the questions as a personal assessment, it can be a meaningful review to reflect on your contributions, motivation and impact on your environment. As a unique blend of talent, skills and experience, you have the opportunity to share something of yourself with those around you. In return, you have an amazing opportunity to continually develop your personal knowledge by learning from the unique experiences of those around you. What you do with these opportunities will shape your character and your potential for the future.

Words of Wisdom

"All of us learn to write in the second grade. Most of us go on to greater things." - Bobby Knight

"I have never met a man so ignorant that I couldn't learn something from him." - Galileo

"It is of interest to note that while some dolphins are reported to have learned English -- up to fifty words used in correct context -- no human being has been reported to have learned dolphinese." - Carl Sagan

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