THE JOB INTERVIEW- What personal accomplishments have given you the most satis-
faction?
Questions like those above give you the opportunity to take charge
of the interview.
Threatening questions:- Do you feel you can handle this job?
- Why did you leave your last job?
- What makes you think you can handle this job without direct
experience?
You can handle threatening questions by assertive, moderate-risk
answers. Express your competence, but try not to antagonize the
interviewer.
Neutral questions:- Who was your last employer?
- Have you had much experience with this work?
These pose no threat and give you a chance to expand on your
background.
Another personnel director says the best way to handle an inter-
view is to walk a middle line. "Follow the lead that's given to
you by the interviewer, but watch for a chance to take control of
the interview. Be sure your questions get to the point. Don't ramble
when you answer questions. Ask about the business and its needs,
but stay away from pension plans and retirement benefits. These
will be laid out by the interviewer if he's doing his job properly."
Shifting the focus of the interview so that you are the one asking
questions is a good idea. For one thing, it puts the interviewer