Do You Rehearse and Memorize the Answers of Expected Questions?

Now that you know something about the organizations that you may want to join, it becomes a question of applying your knowledge to its best advantage.

The best way to begin is to memorize answers to questions you can expect to be asked. The following is an abbreviated list of typical questions that will serve you well if you are prepared to answer them:

"Why did you decide to become an accountant?"



"Why do you want to work for the West End Pressure Tank Company?"

"What qualifications do you possess that will help you in this job?"

"How do you feel about travel?"

"What do you know about our company?"

"Why did you leave your last job?"

"What are your personal plans and ambitions?"

"How do you spend your spare time?"

"What are your professional goals as far as this company is concerned?"

Now, if you look at each of the questions you will discover that they are all open-ended and subjective. That is, they ask for answers that you can usually shape to your own ends.

For example, "Why did you decide to become an accountant?" should be answered with a response that is committed to memory, based on your research. Let us suppose that the company in question is a small, well-established manufacturing firm that specializes in high-pressure tanks. The firm is well-known for quality and its reputation is built on years of service to its customers. Let us further suppose that it has a few steady contracts that amount to 90% of its yearly sales.

A company like this would probably want a straight-forward accountant who would treat any customer (even the most irate and rude customer) with extreme politeness and who would exhibit a strong sense of public relations. They would also want a team player, one who follows orders and doesn't rock the boat with radical ideas and new ways of doing things. Finally, they would probably subscribe to the notion "if it isn't broken, don't fix it."

If a person has done his or her basic research, he or she should know his or her response to the question, "Why did you decide to become an accountant?

"Well, sir, I decided on accounting because it is a service position that supports operations. It demands a person who enjoys helping others achieve goals. And, perhaps above all, the best accountants are a vital part of a team effort. As far as I am concerned, working with others is enjoyable but more to the point, it is a satisfying way of making a contribution to the total effort."

If the interviewer followed up with ''Why do you want to work for the West End Pressure Tank Corporation?" the proper response, under the circumstances would be as follows:

"As I'm sure you know, West End enjoys a solid reputation in this area as a high quality manufacturer that doesn't compromise on anything. And that's the kind of company for which I want to work. There are a lot of fast-track organizations that look good on the outside but who don't respect the tradition of craftsmanship and respect for the customer that you do. As I'm sure you know, West End stands out in this regard."

You may be saying to yourself, no interviewer in his or her right mind would ever fall for such a line. Fortunately for the interviewee, most of those asking the questions do fall for such answers. You see, so few of them are trained in interviewing, and so many of them hear such ineffective and half-baked answers, that anything sounding articulate and well thought out, stands out as a pleasant and well-received response. Most candidates, asked the same questions, will hesitate and stumble through their answers.

"I’ll be perfectly honest, I'm not sure I want to work for your company. I just saw your ad so I thought that I'd apply. Besides, I'm looking at another company that looks pretty good."

It is hard to imagine why someone would apply for a job without really wanting to work for the particular company, especially when he or she hardly knew anything about the nature of the position or the opportunity it presented. Perhaps it was a question of not knowing what else to say. Nevertheless, the memorized, structured, and well-planned response to these questions is superior because it will make a better impression than the stumbling, sometimes ridiculous and self-defeating answers frequently presented.

The rehearsed responses are impressive because they tell the interviewer that: you took the time to research the company; you are very articulate and therefore very able; and most important, you sound good.

However, even the best speech is useless unless you look the part as well. In other words, you must dress and act appropriately or your words will hardly be heard. If you think about it, we all see people in interviews before we hear them. Before the first syllable, the employer will notice clothing, grooming, and body movements.