NAIL THE INTERVIEW
DO YOUR RESEARCH
Most interview questions help determine a candidate’s ability to be successful in the open position. Therefore, researching the position might help you predict some of the questions. Look at the job posting to see what tasks are involved. Research the position, the department and the manager. This can make for great dialogue when interviewing and provide you with information on what they are looking for in an associate.
PRACTICE
Practice can make a HUGE difference while preparing for your interview, especially since interviewers can always tell who took the process seriously and who didn’t. Sharpen your skills by conducting practice interviews with someone you are comfortable with. While the answers are important, being comfortable with the format of the interview is also essential.
SAMPLE PRACTICE INTERVIEW QUESTIONS
- Tell me about a time when you administered excellent customer service. What did you do and what was the end result?
- How does your previous experience relate to the job you are applying for?
- Tell me how you would handle a difficult customer? What was the situation and what did you do to help the customer?
- What would you do if you witnessed another associate demonstrating poor customer service?
- Tell me about a time you had to come up with a quick solution to a problem. What was the impact of that solution?
HOW TO CREATE JOB-SPECIFIC QUESTIONS
First, you should always research the job you’re interested in and look at the tasks listed in the job description or job posting, as well as the working conditions.
Create questions starting with:
- “Tell me about a time you [insert task from job posting]”
- “Give an example where you [insert task from job posting], and what was the result?”
- “Tell me about a time where you have worked in [insert description of the work environment in the job posting, i.e. fast-paced environment”
TIPS FOR SUCCESS
ANSWER THE QUESTION COMPLETELY
You won’t get credit for things you don’t say. Many people often miss things because they feel some of the details in their answer are self-explanatory. A good way to avoid this and to ensure you answer all the parts of the question is to use STAR.
- S = State the Situation
- T = What Tasks need completed?
- A = What Action did you take?
- R = What were the Results of your actions?
- And for extra points, explain what you learned!
The person interviewing you wants to know if you have relevant experience, if you take the action they’re looking for in the job, if you can apply the learning to new situations, and if you’re a good match overall. For instance, if you’re asked a question about customer service, then you should describe a relevant situation from your experience, actions that you took and the results of your actions. Explain the full situation: how it addressed the specific customer needs and The Home Depot’s needs, how this is a good example of customer service, and what did you learn?
GET READY
- Be Prepared — Always bring a pen, paper and extra copies of your resume. Know what questions you’d like to ask at the end of the interview.
- Dress for Success — Dress one level up from the job dress code.
- Get Some Rest and Eat — You want to feel your best and be on your “A” game
- Arrive Early — Rushing and feeling frantic will carry over into your interview. Get there early, walk around and be calm when it’s time to meet the interviewers.
BE MEMORABLE
- Express your enthusiasm for the job and tell them you look forward to joining the team.
- Ask questions about the job and the group after the interview – it shows you’re interested and provides you with information to help you determine whether or not you’re a good match.
Question Examples:
- How long have you been with the company?
- What do you like best about working here?
- What makes people successful in this role and in this group?
- How would you describe the way the team interacts with one another?
- Don’t be afraid to ask about next steps in the selection process and when you can expect to hear from them
- Leave your interviewer(s) with a firm handshake, a smile and a “thank you” for their time
- Send a “thank you” note affirming your interest in the position
DISCOVER WHAT’S NEXT
Search for your next role by location, job title or keyword. Your next opportunity may be closer than you think.