Fearless InterviewingQUESTION: What kinds of skills do you have that would benefit this
company?
ANSWER:I believe that my management, budgeting, and pur-
chasing skills would benefit the company. In my last
company, I initiated a new procedure for purchasing
materials that ended up in a 37 percent decrease in
annual materials costs. That’s what I’d like to do for
your company.
- The phrase “That’s what I’d like to do for your compa-
ny” is very powerful and persuasive when it follows an
impressive Q statement. Try it!
The next question is one that might apply to a person who is
completely changing careers. The question is posed to assess
whether she possesses the skills for the new career:
QUESTION: What prepares you to move from being a public health edu-
cator to a book editor?
ANSWER:Well, although I have not yet had professional expe-
rience in book editing, I have 7 years’ experience in
the writing, proofreading, and editing of public
health education reports. I have written and edited
at least 40 reports of more than 100 pages each and
submitted them to the state of Florida Public Health
Department for review. I was also commended twice
for writing, editing, and proofreading grant applica-
tions for over $350,000, one of which was submitted
to the state, and one to the federal government. In
addition to editing at my last job, I took an adult
education class in copyediting at Seminole College in
Fairfield. I’d like to be able to make similar contribu-
tions to your company.
QUESTION: Why should I hire you?
ANSWER: If you want someone who is going to raise morale in
the company, I believe I am the one. Under my lead-