Are you qualified to do the job well?
At a minimum, you must have the experience and training to handle the day-to-day duties of the position. It’s not enough to have an impressive résumé — many résumés are exaggerated or even falsified. Your interviewer will want to probe to verify your background, learn more about the details, and identify any potential gaps.
Remember that you are likely being evaluated in relation to a number of other strong candidates. Beyond the minimum qualifications, your interviewer will be looking for what makes you different and how you can contribute in this specific role at this specific organization.
Here’s your chance to kick off the interview with a concise sales pitch that highlights what makes you the best choice.
Your interviewer will be looking for strengths that will help you shine in the job and weaknesses that won’t be handicaps.
Be prepared to describe each position concisely, with emphasis on the experience and responsibilities most relevant to the opportunity at hand.
Behavioral questions are designed to draw out the details of how you’ve handled specific scenarios and projects in previous positions. Past behavior will give your interviewer a good idea of future performance. These questions will focus on competencies such as teamwork, problem solving, leadership, communication, and time management.
Often, interviewers will ask specifically about your experience with a particular type of project, process, or technology.
Your interviewer also wants to get a sense of your work style and personality and understand your compatibility with the company culture, the work environment and the other personalities in the department.
If you get this position, your interviewer will likely be working closely with you. Part of her decision will be asking herself, “Can I see myself working late nights under pressure with this person?”
In some cases, your interviewer will also be selfishly wondering, “Can I see this person outshining me or taking over my job?” She may hesitate to hire someone who could be competition for promotions, raises, and glory. You must demonstrate that you’re a team player and not in too much of a rush to get promoted — or angling for your boss’s job.
Other questions you might be asked:
Don’t forget about the basic interview questions. These serve as a foundation for the rest of your interview.
Possible answer to “What are you looking for in a new position?”
“I’ve been honing my data analysis skills for a few years now and, first and foremost, I’m looking for a position where I can continue to exercise those skills. Another thing that’s important to me is the chance to present my findings and suggestions directly to clients. I’m always very motivated by being able to see the impact of my work on other people. And I’m definitely looking for a position where I can grow since I hope to take on managerial responsibilities in the future. To sum it up, I’d love a position where I can use my skills to make an impact that I can see with my own eyes. Of course, the position is only part of the equation. Being at a company where I can grow and work toward something I care about matters, too. DNF’s goal of being at the intersection between data and education inspires me, and I’m really excited about this opportunity.”