Good listening skills are a crucial factor in interviewing successfully. By listening carefully, you may be able to gather a wealth of information that will allow you to better assess the needs of your potential employer. When you have a good idea of your employer's needs, you will be better able to explain how your experience will fulfill their job expectations.

Good listening is demonstrated in a number of ways, most of which are expressed through the way you position yourself in the interview. Body language is perhaps the most important way of communicating confidence and interest. The following seven steps are "The Keys to Making a Good Impression," and should be used to present yourself effectively in any social situation:

• Establish rapport. Always greet others with a real smile, eye contact, enthusiasm, and a firm handshake
• Sit up straight. Good posture suggests that you have positive energy and are interested in conversation. It also shows that you are alert, attentive, and interested in the ideas of others
• Make good eye contact at all times. This shows that you are sensitive, open, sincere, confident, and comfortable dealing with others
• Avoid nervous gestures (e.g., tapping of your pencil or fingers, rubbing your eyes, ears, nose, or hair, or fidgeting with your hands or clothing). Such gestures are annoying and detract from your presentation
• Do not cross your arms in front of you. To many people, this gesture indicates defensiveness and unfriendliness
• Acknowledge key points of discussion with a nod, smile or another appropriate gesture that suggests you are attentive and responsive to the conversation
• Never Interrupt. In many cases, it may be difficult to determine when an interviewer is finished speaking. To avoid interrupting, a good suggestion is to wait until your interviewer looks at you for an answer. Interrupting his or her conversation will imply that you are frustrated or in a rush

COMMON INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

One of the most important steps in arriving at an interview prepared is to anticipate the types of questions that you will be asked. It would be impossible for anyone to list all of the questions possibly asked in the course of an employment interview as the array of choices is too enormous. However, it is possible to select a sampling of questions that are representative of the kinds that will likely be encountered. Comprehensive lists of interview questions are also available in most career-search books. It is a good idea to review these practice questions and formulate answers based on your personal experiences. They should prove a good warm-up exercise, and help you to improve your interviewing skills.

Use open probe questions, such as:

Tell me about yourself.

Why are you applying for this job?

What do you know about this job or company?

How would you describe yourself?

What are your major strengths?

What are your areas for improvement?

What were the major responsibilities of your last job?

What major changes and improvements have you brought about in your last job?

Considering your educational background, why did you choose __________ as a career?

Why did you leave your last job?

Where do you see yourself 5 years from now?

Following a description of the job. How do you see yourself fitting with this organization?

What do you think you will bring to this position?

What motivates you?

A problem solving question. A situation is detailed to you and you are expected to formulate a solution to this problem.

What are your salary expectations?

The Right Answers

This title is deceiving as there are no right answers that apply to everyone going for an interview. The right answer is the best answer that you are capable of giving. A good rule of thumb is to not talk too much. Studies have revealed that the people hired are those who mix speaking with interviewing 50%/ 50% during the interview. You will make the best impression when you speak for less than two minutes at a time. Here are some suggestions for good guidelines to follow for your answers:

• LISTEN, THINK, ANSWER. Do not let yourself be pressured into giving an answer too quickly. The interviewer will respect you decision to generate an answer that has been thoroughly thought through.Answer any specific questions with a specific detail that shows you at your best (e.g., If the interviewer asks "What was your most important course in University?" Do not answer "Phys-ed," unless you are applying for a position in recreation. The best answer would be to name a course or several courses related to the field you are in, and explain why they were important to you then and now
• Try to use general questions to give the information you want to communicate (e.g., If an interviewer says "Tell me about your background." You may ask, "Would you like me to start with my education or my work experience?" You may then use this opportunity to identify your strengths and knowledge of the company)
• If questions are confusing, always ask to have them explained again
• When answering problem solving questions, always answer from the perspective that you already have the job

Dealing With Weaknesses

Nobody is perfect. Everyone will have a weakness that comes from a gap in your education or experience, or even a weakness from something that you did. You must recognize and understand your own weaknesses in order to prepare yourself to deal with questions about them. The best suggestion on how to deal with weaknesses is to be honest but discreet, showing you take responsibility for your own actions and that you know how to develop your strengths. Things are only negative in context, and everything may be communicated as a positive learning experience. Do not dwell on the negatives, simply admit them and move on. Any efforts to apologize or overexplain will show a lack of confidence.

A good suggestion is to be prepared. Role-playing is a wonderful way to improve your interviewing skills. Together with a friend, follow through lists of possible questions and tape your answers. Keep it up until the answers run clearly and without any signs of stumbling or nervousness. You will be amazed at the improvements you make.