Surviving An Interview

What do I say if I was fired from my last job?

First of all, you don't have to say that you were fired unless you are specifically asked if you were fired. If that question does come up, then you answer the question truthfully. "Yes, I was terminated from my last position, here's why." Make the answer very short, sweet and simple. Perhaps you could say something to the effect of, "I was terminated because I made an error, an error that I have significantly learned from. And the termination from my last position actually wound up being a very positive thing for me, because it taught me some very important lessons that I can now bring with me to this new position in your company." So always take a negative and spin it into a positive.

What do I say if I didn't like my last supervisor?

You always liked your last supervisor, no matter what. The worst thing that you can possibly say during an interview is that you did not get along with, you didn't like or you had a personality conflict with your last supervisor or anyone you worked with. Employers are looking for people who have great interpersonal skills and that's something that you need to demonstrate during the interview process. So anybody you worked with, including your supervisor, you liked them.

What do I say about my hobbies and what I do in my spare time?

With regards to interview questions, hobbies and spare time activities should only be discussed in an interview if the interviewer brings up questions about your hobbies and spare time, or if you have specific hobbies that relate to skills or expertise that you might need in the particular position you're applying for. For example, if you're applying for a position as a physical therapist and you also happen to be a former Olympic skier, this hobby might be a great thing to include in the interview because those skills directly impact your credibility as an applicant.

What questions should I ask the interviewer?

Important questions to ask the interviewer are: Number one, "What specifically are you looking for in your ideal candidate?” After you've answered a few questions and chatted with the interviewer you can come back and say, "After chatting with me for a bit here, do you think that my qualifications meet what you're looking for?” You can either get a yes or a no response to that question. If you get a 'no' or the interviewer hedges, immediately take that opportunity to say: "What is it that you're looking for that I have not yet provided for you?” And then jump on that and point back to your experience, background, specific accomplishments. Always ask about the company's short and long term goals. Where are they looking to go? Where does the company want to be in five or ten years? Then, address how you can help the company get there. Finally, don't forget to ask for the job. That's the most important question and that's why you're there. You want the job, so, ask for it.