这个星期刚刚找到专业工作，是在donntown的一家e-business公司里的Java Programmer。想跟大家分享一下经历，因为在这个过程中的确得到不少认识和不认识的人无私的帮助，自己也说过如果有那么一天自己找到了专业工作，也会尽自己所能帮助别人。今天就从如何找到这份工作开始。
我在国内5年工作经验，4年Java相关工作，基本是在外企，从申请到过来足足花了4年，期间也经常学习英文，但现在才确确实实知道跟西人的差别有多大，我相信这是接下来的重要任务。
来加多伦多4个多月，其间去过LINC（level 5）班，但没有上完就准备找专业工作，所以就没有拿到英文benchmark level 6的证书，这对以后参加政府资助的一些program没有好处，不过听说ESL的语言测试可以代替，但我最后也没有去考。一开始从LINC班出来直接向Monster.ca和Workopolis.com上的工作职位发简历，用的也是中国带来的简历（以为一直都在一些外企，格式差不多），结果一两个星期没有一丝一毫的反应，才确信格式很有问题，于是参加了一个政府资助的为期三天的改简历program，期间从图书馆也借了一些书参考书，从网上http://www.scguild.com参考了其IT人士的简历（不要去骗简历，我也发现google上的确有人发布的职位就是骗简历，没有必要也不好，我们既然来到这里就要注重我们的诚信），由txt格式改成了word格式，倒弄了一两个星期后基本定型，接着给了朋友参考给意见，作了一些修改，听说最好给西人检查，包括格式，语病，习惯等等，但我也没有，听说教会里，政府资助的Programe有这样的服务的。简历改的差不多了，就接着发，除了Monster.ca和Workopolis.com外我还在google的新闻组里找工作机会（因为新闻组不要花钱发布，小公司也许会在上面发布信息，而且大家都在Monster.ca和Workopolis.com上面找，竞争比较激烈，不过正如我刚刚说，上面不少骗简历的，不要被他们给骗了，我想一般他们的网站建立的很好，而且电话，地址在网站上也有的话就比较可信）。其间我也去过图书馆的scott数据库查找多伦多软件公司的联系方式，接着打cool call（YMCA有一些教如何cool call的program），只打了两天，效果不好，我想这个方法本身不是最好的，但实在没办法了，也可以试一试，重要的是keep trying。也就是在打call call的那段时间，通过http://www.google.com/advanced_group_search?hl=en上查找tor.job news group(sort by date)我的cover letter改为找volunteer机会为主，当然也说自己如何符合他们的职位等等，但重点是告诉他们我主要是找volunteer机会，取得到canadian experience。结果有两家公司找我，一加是中国人公司，说一个星期两天（好像很想我去3天），连续3个月（我说2个月他们还不愿意），说干完以后如果公司有新项目，有条件的话可以留下，这3个月有$100/month作为交通费用。因为接下来还有一个机会，而且我觉得他们的诚意不是很够，加上中国人的公司在这个方面一般来讲的确没有西人公司好，所以我就回绝了。到了另外一家公司，发觉是downtown的一家西人公司，准备让我协助他们做web service的项目，两个星期，9:00am~5:00pm，我就坚持下来了。结束的时候manager告诉我可以pick my stuff，但可以给我开reference的时候，我其实是非常难受的，因为一直还是想着就直接留下来的。但也没办法，留了manager和team leader的名片就离开了。发了Thank You Letter（刚得到volunteer机会发了一次，结束后再发了一次）后安慰自己两个星期换个reference也不错，要接着move on。就在我开始上另外一个找工program的第一天，好消息来了，说他的一个programmer要离开，有一个immediately openning，通知我第二天上班，那一天我一直觉得unreal，too good to be true，告诉他那是gift from heaven。接下来是要顺利通过他们的3个月考核。
总的来说，对于要找IT专业工作的朋友，我有以下建议（特别是来了不久或准备在短期类来的）：
1.强烈建议从volunteer/co-op开始（除非有信心能直接找到工作），其中以西人中小型企业为主要对象，又以自己联系为主（因为即使你去一些co-op，最终还是以你自己找为主，即使是他们帮你找，还存在那家公司是否已经养成使用volunteer习惯的风险），目标是通过volunteer/co-op建立与雇主的联系，让manager看到你的能力，能让他们一有openning，就想到你是一个很好的选择。如果不能直接得到offer，留下他们的名片，隔一段时间就要联系他们，让他们知道你还在找工作，跟他们聊一聊，保持联系，networking很重要的，我有一种感觉，他们一般还是很愿意帮助人的（当然不能过于频繁的骚扰或超出他们的能力范围），但你要ask for it，他们也不会很主动的送一份工作给我们，得到帮助或一些有用的信息后，要多谢一些他们，写一写thank you letter。
2.如果短时间内不能自己找到工作或volunteer/co-op，而英语水平过关的话，参加以下co-op/work placement，政府资助的关于找工作的program中，我觉得下面的最有价值，时间太短的内容不多而且没有canadian experience，下面的program就提供了所有的你能免费获得的帮助： http://www.dpcdsb.org/coopcentre/register.coop.html（可能是中国人最多去的，也可能是是几个中最好的，但在Mississauga，我自己没去过，但本来是想去这个的）http://www.dpcdsb.org/alcmeslcoop/coopmain.html（Mississauga另外一个，好像没有那么多人去，不知道效果）NOW: http://www.tdsb.on.ca/business/cspd/now.htm（777 Bloor Street West, Room 122, Toronto,也有不少人去，不是到效果）Yorkdale: http://www.yorkdale.net/main/yorkdale_coop_programs.htm（38 Orfus Road North York, Ontario，但听说留下的不多）STIC: http://skillsforchange.org/stic/index.html（可能是唯一一个有专门为IT人士分组的，但听说accounting分组效果比较好，IT分组效果一般）
3.Keep Trying，这几个月是觉得辛苦，在国内从来没有受过这个苦，但只要有恒心和毅力，我们还是可以争取到的。开始怀疑自己的时候，告诉自己坚持就是胜利。我们在国内都不会如此，但现在的确比不上2000年了，我们刚过来找工作难是正常的，语言的差距是确确实实存在的，但也要记住还是有很多人坚持下来了，再加上一些运气（也可能是很大一部分），我们最终会得到的，但如果我们已经放弃了，那一点机会都不会有。今年听说IT比2003年要好不少，难度还有，但大家要加油啊！
4.参考IT简历:
http://www.scguild.com5.Google new group: http://www.google.com/advanced_group_search?hl=ensort by date, Newsgroup中填tor.jobs
6.每天更新Monster.ca和Workopolis.com上简历的状态。
如果有什么可以帮得上忙得话，可以给我留言，416-763-9913，因为我也得到过不少其他人的帮助，也的确体会到了其过程的压力，体会到在这个地球另外一边得到一些无私帮助时的喜悦。感谢所有多年来帮助过我的朋友，认识的和不认识的，也希望我的经历能够帮助一些朋友。
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Behavioural questions万变不离其宗
no matter what question the HR mgr asks, these are the aspects they want to know about you. So for each aspect listed below, prepare for some good examples. Tell the story in the formate of " this is what happens"--->" this is how I handled it"---> conclusion : "from this experience, i learned that... /I developed my skills in @@@ further."
1. your management style and you team work style
2. your time management skills
3. your conflict resolution skills
4. you skills to convince or influence people (make sure you give a well balanced response)
5. your strengs and weakness
7. you career orientation
8. you communication and presentation skills (how do you convey a difficult idea? how to you coach people? how do you make your point across clearly and effectively?) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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Behavior Interview
来源: 梅影 于 07-09-29
1.Tell me about yourself.
What the hiring manager really wants is a quick, two- to three-minute snapshot of who you are and why you’re the best candidate for this position.
So as you answer this question, talk about what you’ve done to prepare yourself to be the very best candidate for the position. Use an example or two to back it up. Then ask if they would like more details. If they do, keep giving them example after example of your background and experience. Always point back to an example when you have the opportunity.
“Tell me about yourself” does not mean tell me everything. Just tell me what makes you the best.
sample answer:
I have been working in the field of civil engineering for the past 6 years. My most recent experience has been with an engineering consulting firm where I’ve worked for the last 2 years. I enjoy my job because it’s challenging and I like interacting with a variety of people. In my most recent assignment I was on a project that lasted nine months. I made a significant contribution to the project because of my expertise in sanitary engineering. One of my strengths is my attention to detail. I am known for being extremely thorough and meeting or exceeding deadlines and goals. My boss knows that I work well under minimal supervision, that I am very conscientious and that the job will be done right the first time. I’m looking for a new opportunity where I can contribute to the growth of the company by helping educate customers on the benefits of using our consulting services.
My background to date has been centered on preparing myself to become the very best _____ I can become. Let me tell you specifically how I've prepared myself...
Tell about your major, what you plan on doing when you get out of college, what other jobs you have had.
Answer in about two minutes. Avoid details, don’t ramble. Touch on these four areas:
How many years, doing what function
Education – credentials
Major responsibility and accomplishments
Personal summary of work style (plus career goals if applicable)
2.Did you bring your resume?
Yes. Be prepared with two or three extra copies. Do not offer them unless you’re asked for one.
3.What is your long-range objective?
The key is to focus on your achievable objectives and what you are doing to reach those objectives.
For example: “Within five years, I would like to become the very best accountant your company has on staff. I want to work toward becoming the expert that others rely upon. And in doing so, I feel I’ll be fully prepared to take on any greater responsibilities which might be presented in the long term. For example, here is what I’m presently doing to prepare myself . . .”
Then go on to show by your examples what you are doing to reach your goals and objectives.
Although it's certainly difficult to predict things far into the future, I know what direction I want to develop toward. Within five years, I would like to become the very best _____ your company has. I would like to become the expert that others rely upon. And in doing so, I feel I will be fully prepared to take on any greater responsibilities that might be presented in the long term.
4.Are you a team player?
Describe what would be an ideal working environment?
Team work is the key.
Almost everyone says yes to this question. But it is not just a yes/no question. You need to provide behavioral examples to back up your answer.
A sample answer: “Yes, I’m very much a team player. In fact, I’ve had opportunities in my work, school and athletics to develop my skills as a team player. For example, on a recent project . . .”
Emphasize teamwork behavioral examples and focus on your openness to diversity of backgrounds. Talk about the strength of the team above the individual. And note that this question may be used as a lead in to questions around how you handle conflict within a team, so be prepared
You are, of course, a team player. Be sure to have examples ready. Specifics that show you often perform for the good of the team rather than for yourself are good evidence of your team attitude. Do not brag, just say it in a matter-of-fact tone. This is a key point.
5.What is your greatest weakness?
Most career books tell you to select strength and present it as a weakness. Such as: “I work too much. I just work and work and work.” Wrong. First of all, using strength and presenting it as a weakness is deceiving. Second, it misses the point of the question.
You should select a weakness that you have been actively working to overcome. For example: “I have had trouble in the past with planning and prioritization. However, I’m now taking steps to correct this. I just started using a pocket planner . . .” then show them your planner and how you are using it.
Talk about a true weakness and show what you are doing to overcome it.
I would say my greatest weakness has been my lack of proper planning in the past. I would overcommit myself with too many variant tasks, then not be able to fully accomplish each as I would like. However, since I've come to recognize that weakness, I've taken steps to correct it. For example, I now carry a planning calendar in my pocket so that I can plan all of my appointments and "to do" items. Here, let me show you how I have this week planned out...
6.What is your greatest strength?
Numerous answers are good, just stay positive. A few good examples: Your ability to prioritize, Your problem-solving skills, Your ability to work under pressure, Your ability to focus on projects, Your professional expertise, Your leadership skills, Your positive attitude.
You know that your key strategy is to first uncover your interviewer's greatest wants and needs before you answer questions. And from Question 1, you know how to do this.
Prior to any interview, you should have a list mentally prepared of your greatest strengths. You should also have, a specific example or two, which illustrates each strength, an example chosen from your most recent and most impressive achievements.
You should, have this list of your greatest strengths and corresponding examples from your achievements so well committed to memory that you can recite them cold after being shaken awake at 2:30AM.
Then, once you uncover your interviewer's greatest wants and needs, you can choose those achievements from your list that best match up.
As a general guideline, the 10 most desirable traits that all employers love to see in their employees are:
1. A proven track record as an achiever...especially if your achievements match up with the employer's greatest wants and needs.
2. Intelligence...management "savvy".
3. Honesty...integrity...a decent human being.
4. Good fit with corporate culture...someone to feel comfortable with...a team player who meshes well with interviewer's team.
5. Likeability...positive attitude...sense of humor.
6. Good communication skills.
7. Dedication...willingness to walk the extra mile to achieve excellence.
8. Definiteness of purpose...clear goals.
9. Enthusiasm...high level of motivation.
10. Confident...healthy...a leader.
7.If you had to live your life over again, what one thing would you change?
Focus on a key turning point in your life or missed opportunity. Yet also tie it forward to what you are doing to still seek to make that change.
For example: “Although I’m overall very happy with where I’m at in my life, the one aspect I likely would have changed would be focusing earlier on my chosen career. I had a great internship this past year and look forward to more experience in the field. I simply wish I would have focused here earlier. For example, I learned on my recent internship…” …then provide examples.
Stay focused on positive direction in your life and back it up with examples.
8.How did you prepare for this interview?
When I found this position posted on the internet (monster.com) I was immediately interested. I checked out the company website and mission statement, looked at the bios of company founders and executives, and was impressed. Once I had the interview appointment, I talked with friends and acquaintances in the industry. And, I’m sure I’ll find out a lot more in today’s meetings.”
9.What kinds of people do you have difficulties working with?
In my last three jobs I have worked with men and women from very diverse backgrounds and cultures. The only time I had difficulty was with people who were dishonest about work issues. I worked with one woman who was taking credit for work that her team accomplished. I had an opportunity to talk with her one day and explained how she was affecting the morale. She became very upset that others saw her that way, and said she was unaware of her behavior or the reactions of others. Her behavior changed after our talk. What I learned from that experience is that sometimes what we perceive about others is not always the case if we check it out.
10.How do you handle conflict? (How would you evaluate your ability to deal with conflict?)
On the job, there are many possible sources of conflict. Conflicts with: fellow employees management rules, procedures clients, customers demands of work vs. personal life, family The best way to approach a good answer is to look at if from the employers point of view—they want to be your first priority and they want you to solve problems (not bring them any). “I know everything cannot run smoothly at work all the time. When there is a conflict I usually try to determine the source of the problem and see if it can be solved. This might involve other members of the work team discussing the problem and offering possible solutions. I would then try to pick the solution which appears to have the best outcome and put it into action.” A natural follow-up to this would be: Tell me when you solved a conflict at work. So, have a brief example… a short story… to illustrate your approach. Even if not asked, you can offer your story! If it proves your point and accentuates a skill needed for the position, go with it.
I believe I am quite good at handling conflict. Working in retail and in the residence halls required that I make many unpopular decisions at times, whether it was terminating an associate or taking judicial action on a resident. Often the person in conflict with me would be upset and sometimes physically outraged. I would always make sure that I fully explained the situation, the policies behind my decision, and why those policies exist. Usually by the end of the conversation, the person could see the other side of the situation.
11. How do you handle rejection?
Rejection is part of business. People don’t always buy what you sell. The tick here is to separate rejection of your product from rejection of yourself: “I see rejection as an opportunity. I learn from it. When a customer takes a pass, I ask him what we could do to the product, price or service to make it possible for him to say yes. Don’t get me wrong: You’ve got to makes sales. But rejection is valuable, too. It’s a good teacher.”
12.Tell me about a time when you tried and failed?
Has this ever happened to you? No one expects perfection actually, employers are more interested in your ability to cope, to learn from mistakes, and to deal with others who are less than perfect. If you have an example, certainly pick one that happened a while back, was not earth shattering in the results, and one which you learned and applied this knowledge recently. This is a version of ‘damning with faint praise’ by picking an incident that was minor in scope but, since you are so wise and are always willing to learn, has taught you a valuable lesson.
13.What are some of the things you find difficult to do?
The interviewer is looking to determine how well you know yourself, how you react to difficult situations/tasks and credibility. Look back over your work experience for examples of challenges… speaking in public at a meeting, disagreeing with a manager over an important issue, being asked to use a software program you have not had an opportunity to learn… These ’stories’ should illustrate a lesson learned, a problem overcome or a weakness being dealt with. “I always seem to need a day or two to prepare myself to give a presentation to department heads. When I know I have to give a report on my projects, I plan out all the details in advance and rehearse. One time, there was a problem with a supplier and I was asked to update senior management… immediately. The supply chain was crucial to the completion of an important project we had been working on for 5 months and decisions had to be made based on the information I had to prepare and present on a moment’s notice. I gathered the information and presented it simply and in detail. It was much easier than I thought without the hours of concern and practice. The facts spoke for themselves. Since I understood the situation, I was able to make it clear to management and get a rapid decision. I still prefer advance notice but I know I can deliver when asked to.”
14.What are your short and long term goals?
No one can make goals for you. It comes down to where you are in your professional life and what you want to do. Most people have 5-6 careers in their working lifetime—some with 2 careers going at the same time (like us). The best advice is to be certain to relate your answers to the organization that interviews you. Do not make a point of having goals that cannot be realized there (”I want to work in Paris.” Organization is strictly domestic.) If you do your research into the organization, and into what you truly want to do in the future, you will be able to come up with reasonable responses. No one is going to come back to you in five years and chastise you for not meeting these goals! You will not be held to them… it is only an interview and they are interested in how you see yourself (and they want to see you in the job.)
My primary objectives are to learn as much as possible about your company's product offering, organizational structure, and professional sales techniques so that I may become the most productive member of your sales team.
What are your short-term goals?
Many executives in a position to hire you are strong believers in goal-setting. (It's one of the reasons they've achieved so much.) They like to hire in kind.
If you're vague about your career and personal goals, it could be a big turnoff to many people you will encounter in your job search.
Be ready to discuss your goals for each major area of your life: career, personal development and learning, family, physical (health), community service, and (if your interviewer is clearly a religious person) you could very briefly and generally allude to your spiritual goals (showing you are a well-balanced individual with your values in the right order).
Be prepared to describe each goal in terms of specific milestones you wish to accomplish along the way, time periods you're allotting.
My short-term objectives are to graduate from the Professional Development Program before the standard two years and begin developing a clientele. As an intern, I prepared ahead of time by studying for the Series 7 and Series 64 exams that constitute a majority of a beginning financial consultant's time. I'd like to make make the company that hires me wonder what it ever did without me.
15.Where do you see yourself in five years?
This is the interviewer trying to see how you are in making long range plans and if you have goals that mesh with the organizations. One way to answer this question is to look back on your accomplishments to date: “I started out in my profession as a junior clerk while I completed my college studies during the evenings. Once I had my degree, I applied for a transfer to a more advanced position, citing my on-the-job training. This has been my pattern for my career with my past 2 employers. I learn quickly on the job and am willing to take classes and workshops to augment my experience. I have been able to assume greater responsibilities and add more value to the organization. I do not think in terms of titles… I think more in terms of “How can I solve this problem? Since this has been my career style to date, I do not imagine it to change. In five years, I feel I will have continued to learn, to grow into a position of more responsibility and will have made a significant contribution to the organization.”
Although it is hard to predict the future, I sincerely believe that I will become a very good financial consultant. I believe that my abilities will allow me to excel to the point that I can seek other opportunities as a portfolio manager (the next step) and possibly even higher. My ultimate goal continues to be -- and will always be -- to be the best at whatever level I am working at within Merrill Lynch's corporate structure.
16.Where do you want to become ten years from now?
Ten years from now I see myself as a successful consultant for a world-class firm like yours. I want to have developed a wonderful bond with my employer I will have proven myself a highly competent systems analyst and will represent my company in helping others find solutions to their information-systems needs in a professional and timely manner.
17.Would you rather work with information or with people?
I like the validity of information and also like the energy that comes with working with people. The best thing about working in a group is combining the great minds from different perspectives and coming up with something extremely great, compared with when you're working alone. At the same time, information can generate vitality in the project you're working on. No matter how many heads you've got together, without information, you can't go very far. The perfect situation would be a combination of working with information and people, and I'm confident of my abilities in both areas.
18.Do you have the qualifications and personal characteristics necessary for success in your chosen career?
I believe I have a combination of qualities to be successful in this career. First, I have a strong interest, backed by a solid, well-rounded, state-of-the-art education, especially in a career that is technically oriented. This basic ingredient, backed by love of learning, problem-solving skills, well-rounded interests, determination to succeed and excel, strong communication skills, and the ability to work hard, are the most important qualities that will help me succeed in this career. To succeed, you also need a natural curiosity about how systems work -- the kind of curiosity I demonstrated when I upgraded my two computers recently. Technology is constantly changing, so you must a fast learner just to keep up or you will be overwhelmed. All of these traits combine to create a solid team member in the ever-changing field of information systems. I am convinced that I possess these characteristics and am ready to be a successful team member for your firm.
19.What are your weak points?
Don’t say you have one, but give one that is really a “positive in disguise.” I am sometimes impatient and do to much work myself when we are working against tight deadlines.” Or “I compliment and praise my staff, but feel I can improve.”
20.What personal weakness has caused you the greatest difficulty in school or on the job?
My greatest weakness had been delegation. I would take it upon myself to do many small projects throughout my shift as a manager that could have been done by others in an attempt to improve my workers' efficiency. Once I realized that I was doing more work than the other assistant managers, and they were achieving better results, I reevaluated what I was doing. I quickly realized that if I assigned each person just one small project at the beginning of their shift, clearly state expectations for the project, and then follow up that everything would get done, and I could manage much more efficiently and actually accomplish much more.
21.How has your education prepared you for your career?
This is a broad question and you need to focus on the behavioral examples in your educational background which specifically align to the required competencies for the career.
An example: “My education has focused on not only the learning the fundamentals, but also on the practical application of the information learned within those classes. For example, I played a lead role in a class project where we gathered and analyzed best practice data from this industry. Let me tell you more about the results . . .”
Focus on behavioral examples supporting the key competencies for the career. Then ask if they would like to hear more examples.
As you will note on my resume, I've taken not only the required core classes in the _____ field, I've also gone above and beyond. I've taken every class the college has to offer in the field and also completed an independent study project specifically in this area. But it's not just taking the classes to gain academic knowledge I've taken each class, both inside and outside of my major, with this profession in mind. So when we're studying _____ in _____, I've viewed it from the perspective of _____. In addition, I've always tried to keep a practical view of how the information would apply to my job. Not just theory, but how it would actually apply. My capstone course project in my final semester involved developing a real-world model of _____, which is very similar to what might be used within your company...
22.Have you ever had a conflict with a boss or professor? How was it resolved?
Note that if you say no, most interviewers will keep drilling deeper to find a conflict. The key is how you behaviorally reacted to conflict and what you did to resolve it.
For example: “Yes, I have had conflicts in the past. Never major ones, but there have been disagreements that needed to be resolved. I've found that when conflict occurs, it helps to fully understand the other person’s perspective, so I take time to listen to their point of view, and then I seek to work out a collaborative solution. For example . . .”
Focus your answer on the behavioral process for resolving the conflict and working collaboratively.
23.If I were to ask your professors to describe you, what would they say?
This is a threat of reference check question. Do not wait for the interview to know the answer. Ask any prior bosses or professors in advance. And if they’re willing to provide a positive reference, ask them for a letter of recommendation.
Then you can answer the question like this:
“I believe she would say I'm a very energetic person, that I’m results oriented and one of the best people she has ever worked with. Actually, I know she would say that, because those are her very words. May I show you her letter of recommendation?”
So be prepared in advance with your letters of recommendation.
24.Tell me about a time when you had to plan and coordinate a project from start to finish.
I headed up a project which involved customer service personnel and technicians. I organized a meeting to get everyone together to brainstorm and get his or her input. From this meeting I drew up a plan, taking the best of the ideas. I organized teams, balancing the mixture of technical and non-technical people. We had a deadline to meet, so I did periodic checks with the teams. After three weeks, we were exceeding expectations, and were able to begin implementation of the plan. It was a great team effort, and a big success. I was commended by management for my leadership, but I was most proud of the team spirit and cooperation which it took to pull it off.
25.Describe a situation where others you were working with on a project disagreed with your ideas. What did you do?
I was on a project team in a business class in my freshman year in college, The group brainstormed ideas for the video we were assigned to produce, and everyone but me was leaning toward an idea that would be easy. I suggested instead an idea that would be more difficult but would be something different that no other group would be doing. I used my communications skills to persuade the rest of the group to use my idea. During the project, we really learned what teamwork was all about, became a close team, and ended up putting a lot of hard work into the project. All the team members ended up feeling very proud of the video, and they thanked me for the idea -- for which we earned an A.
26.Why did you choose to attend your college?
My college has always had a reputation as having an excellent accounting department, so I knew that if I enrolled there, I would achieve first-class preparation for my chosen career field. It is also a highly accredited school known for satisfying employers with the preparation of its graduates -- that's why companies like yours recruit at my school -- the school produces top graduates. The school offers an excellent liberal-arts background, which research shows equips graduates with numerous qualities, such as versatility and strong critical-thinking skills. Finally, having visited the campus before enrolling, I knew that the business school emphasized group projects. During my four years in the school, I participated in more than 35 group projects, which taught me invaluable teamwork, communication, and interpersonal skills.
27.What changes would you make at your college?
My major department had a wonderful internship program, and I was able to complete three valuable internships with my department's guidance. Some other departments in the business school don't have internship programs that are as strong as my department's. I'd like to see all the departments have strong internship programs so all my school's business grads would have the same opportunities that I had.
28.How will the academic program and coursework you've taken benefit your career?
As you will note on my resume, I've taken not only the required core classes for the finance field, I've also gone above and beyond by double majoring in accounting. I doubled majored since I knew that the financial consulting field requires much knowledge of portfolio analysis and understanding of the tax laws. I believe that my success in both areas of study have specifically prepared me for this area. But it's not just taking the classes in these two areas that allow me to offer Merrill Lynch clients more. I minored in Spanish to understand the growing Hispanic clientele in the Central Florida area, which as you are well aware, is a growing source of revenue for the industry. If you like, I can elaborate on other aspects of my education further.
29.What were your favorite classes? Why?
My favorite classes have been the ones pertaining to my major, which is marketing. These classes have laid the groundwork for my career in marketing. They have also taught me skills that I can bring to my employer, ranging from communication skills to interacting with others.
30. Do you enjoy doing independent research?
Are you the type of student for whom conducting independent research has been a positive experience?
Yes, I love it. I thoroughly enjoyed my senior research in college while many others in my class were miserable. I was never tired of learning more about my topic and found it exhilarating to be researching something that had not been studied before.
31.Who were your favorite professors? Why? Describe the type of professor that has created the most beneficial learning experience for you.
My favorite professors were the ones who gave me hands-on learning experiences that I can apply to my career. Any person can make you memorize the quadratic equation, but someone who can show you how to use it, and why, were the professors I liked. I liked teachers who realized that sometimes there is more then one answer and everyone thinks differently.
32.Why is your GPA not higher? Do you think that your grades are a indication of your academic achievement?
I have focused much of my energy on work and obtaining real-world experience. I commend my classmates who have earned high GPAs, but I also feel it's important to be well-rounded. In addition to work experience, I participated in sports and extracurricular activities in school. These activities taught me leadership, communication, and teamwork skills. Sometimes my heavy load has not allowed me to keep up with some of my studies, but I have learned an enormous amount that I can apply in my future industry. As you will discover if you talk to my supervisors, my ability to work effectively is much more reflective of my future potential than is my GPA.
33.Do you have any plans for further education? What plans do you have for continued study? An advanced degree?
I plan to continue my education for the rest of my life. In any technology-related field, keeping up to date through continuing education is of the utmost importance. Continuing education can include on-the-job training, courses sponsored by the employer, and courses taken in new technologies as they emerge. I plan to be not only a career employee but a career student so that I can be the best information systems analyst I can be. I will ensure, however, that any education I pursue not only doesn't interfere with my job or the company's policies, but will enhance my value as an employee.
34.Give an example of how you applied knowledge from previous coursework to a project in another class.
Last semester I was taking a microeconomics and a statistics course. One of the microeconomics projects dealt with showing the relationship between the probability that customers would stop buying a product if the price was raised a certain amount. Through what I learned in statistics I could find the median where the price was the highest and still kept most of the customers happy.
35. Describe a situation in which you found that your results were not up to your professor's or supervisor's expectations. What happened? What action did you take?
Recently I was asked to put together a proposal for a migration of network systems. Misunderstanding my boss, I thought it was just an informal paper. When I presented it to him days later, he was upset with the quality since it had to be presented to our VP. I explained my misunderstanding, apologized, reworked the paper, and had it back to him with enough time for him to review it before he presented it successfully at the meeting
36.What do you know about our organization?
Research the target company before the interview. Basic research is the only way to prepare for this question. Do your homework, and you’ll score big on this question. Talk about products, services, history and people, especially any friends that work there. “But I would love to know more, particularly from your point of view. Do we have time to cover that now?
This question is one reason to do some research on the organization before the interview. Find out where they have been and where they are going. What are the current issues and who are the major players?
37.What experience do you have?
Try to cite experience relevant to the company’s concerns. Also, try answering these questions with a question: “Are you looking for overall experience or experience in some specific area of special interest to you?” Let the interviewer’s response guide your answer.
What experience do you have in this field? Speak about specifics that relate to the position you are applying for. If you do not have specific experience, get as close as you can.
I think I have my current job because of my experiences abroad. Those experiences gave me greater self-confidence and a greater understanding of myself, which led to my willingness to uproot myself and try new work in a new location.”
38.According to your definition of success, how successful have you been so far?
Be prepared to define success, and then respond (consistent record of responsibility)
You should always answer yes and briefly explain why. A good explanation is that you have set goals, and you have met some and are on track to achieve the others.
39. How has your college experience prepared you for a business career?
Emphasize your best and favorite subjects. If grades were average, talk about leadership or jobs you took to finance your education. Talk about extra-curricular activities (clubs, sports, volunteer work)
I have prepared myself to transition into the the work force through real-world experience involving travel abroad, internship, and entrepreneurial opportunities. While interning with a private organization in Ecuador, I developed a 15-page marketing plan composed in Spanish that recommended more effective ways the company could promote its services. I also traveled abroad on two other occasions in which I researched the indigenous culture of the Mayan Indians in Todos Santos, Guatemala, and participate din a total language immersion program in Costa Rica. As you can see from my academic, extracurricular, and experiential background, I have unconditionally committed myself to success as a marketing professional.
40.What do you look for in a job?
Flip this one over. Despite the question, the employer isn’t really interested in what you are looking for. He’s interested in what he is looking for. Address his interests, rather than yours. Use words like “contribute,” “enhance,” “improve,” and “team environment.” Fit your answer to their needs Relate your preferences and satisfiers/dissatisfiers to the job opening. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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