Musical Chairs: Part III of the Interview: Education, Training, and The Close

​The third part of the interview will most likely regard your education; although the hiring manager might decide to put that before your work experience.  In any case preparation is important.  The hiring manager may use some open-ended questions about the courses you liked, if you changed majors (and who hasn’t?) and what made you decide to major in the field that you ended up with.  
 
The manager might ask you about the courses you felt less satisfaction with. This is where you should be careful that you point out the positives. It is important to stress the positives about what courses you decided to take, rather than get tripped up by any negative experience you may have had in a particular course or major.  The questions will be sure to include whether or not you participated in extra-curricular activities.  If you did, wonderful.  If you did not participate in any extracurricular activities, be prepared with a reason why you might not of. For example, you may say you wanted to put all of your energy into your courses, or perhaps you were working while going to school.  Be sure to include the work information as it shows industriousness and perseverance; two valuable qualities.
 
Discussing outside interests is another area of inquiry during this interview period.  Questions will include what sports, hobbies, music, theatre, reading and any civic responsibilities you have or are participating in.  Politics is off base during an interview as is religion unless it is a part of a civic responsibility you have taken on, like religion sponsored food banks, aiding the homeless, or sponsored activities for children. While you are preparing for the interview, do not forget a very specific paragraph on this information so you will be ready when the questions come up. 
 
This is a time when you can open up about your interests, but it is also a time where you can show interest in your hiring manager’s hobbies and musical interests.  As I have said elsewhere in this series of articles, you are also interviewing the hiring manager to see if you will be a good fit.  Showing interest in the life of someone you may have to work with on a daily basis, is a plus.
 
Whew!! The closing of the interview!  Your interviewer may summarize your strengths that they have noticed during the interview.  This will be their opportunity to sell their organization and the job you are applying for.  They may discuss the way the organization rewards their employees for learning and achievement.  If they are accomplished, they will not make any promises and will not discuss compensation.  It is important that you do not bring up compensation.  That discussion is for the next interview that I am sure you will be fortunate to get, if you follow the advice and preparation I have outlined in these three articles.  For more in depth information on behavioral interview questions, please visit my career and life transition web site debkhiggins.com.