Interviewing Skills

Learn how to stand out during an interview and convince employers

that you have the skills, knowledge, and experience for the job.

Preparing for Job

Interview Questions
Most of what the employer seeks from a
potential candidate is all in the job description.
Read through the job description carefully
and use it as a road map to prepare for your
interview.

A key strategy in the job search is to share

short, true stories from your professional
experience that are directly related to the job.
These stories, also called Problem-Action- Job Interview Questions
Result (PAR) examples, will help you build
credibility as a top candidate for the job.

Problem or Project: State Action: Clearly describe the Result: Share positive short-
a problem or challenge you action you took to solve the term and long-term results
faced on the job: a crisis, a problem. Share your individual achieved and use numbers
project, an innovation you contributions beyond those of whenever possible to
initiated, a major responsibility, the team. demonstrate impact.
or an everyday responsibility
you held at work.

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How to Use PAR Examples
PAR examples can help you:

• Decide which jobs to apply for

• Write persuasive cover letters

• Answer interview questions effectively:

examples provide concrete proof that you
possess the experience and skills for the job

• Help your interviewer get to know you

better: build rapport and be memorable

• Speak confidently about your relevant skills

and experience when networking

The PAR examples you choose will depend

on your background and experience, plus the
requirements of the job description. Take your
time creating your PAR examples. This is your evidence why the organization should hire you. If you
do not have a PAR example that is an exact match, describe a PAR example about a similar or related
skill instead.
Answering questions with PAR examples:

Technical Questions: Anticipate technical questions by turning each of the main functions or
responsibilities from the job description into “Tell me about your experience in...”.

Behavioral Questions: Anticipate behavioral questions by identifying, from the job description, people
you would interact with (partners, colleagues, managers) and imagine possible scenarios. Common
behavioral questions are: “Tell me about a time when you dealt with a difficult colleague” or “…when you
faced a tight deadline.”

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A PAR Example
The following shows how to use a PAR example to
answer the interview question:

“Tell me about a situation where you had to solve a

difficult problem.”

Problem: “Soon after I started working as Warehouse

and Logistics Coordinator, an important shipment
never arrived and the local partner waiting for the
shipment was very angry with us.”

Action: “I contacted the partner right away to

apologize and found an immediate solution. I
discovered a way to expedite a new shipment and
include items that were recently requested after the
shipment went out. Later, I investigated the cause of
that error and our other most common distribution
errors. I then created training to show staff how to
avoid these issues in the future.”

Short-Term Result: “I was able to keep a major partner. I reduced our organization’s distribution errors by
20 percent and I was chosen to implement the training I designed on how to avoid that error and others.”

Long-Term Result: “The training was so successful that it was adopted across all programs in the
organizations, lowering our distribution errors internationally by five to 10 percent.”

How to Create Your Own PAR Examples

When creating your own PAR examples, read through the job summary and then write three PAR
examples for three main requirements in the job description.

Review your PAR examples and check that you have:

• Used the job description to customize the PAR example

• Explained the problem or project quickly and clearly

• Focused the majority of the story on actions and results

• Specified your role and contributions within the team

• Included numbers to quantify results

• Limited the example to a short, concise story that is two minutes or less when spoken aloud

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Problem-Action-Result Model
Interview Question: _____________________________________________________________

Answer using PAR:

1. Problem/Project
2. Actions
3. Results
• Short-term
• Long-term

Use this as a guide and fill in the blanks:

This is an example of when I

_____________________________________________________________________________________
(saved money or time, created a new project, reduced waste, learned from a mistake, etc.).

While I was working at ___________________________ as _______________________________,

we/I faced a project/situation involving _____________________________________________.

So I took these action steps

1. __________________________________________________________________________________
2. __________________________________________________________________________________
3. __________________________________________________________________________________

As a result, ________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________.
And I felt (or my teammates or managers felt/said) ________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________.
In the long term, ___________________________________________________________________.

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Common Job Interview Questions
Read the tips for answering common interview questions, then practice writing your response.

Tell Me About Yourself / Walk Me Through Your Resume/CV

• Have a short, two-minute answer ready about work-related items only.

• Talk about jobs you have held and emphasize your relevant experience and achievements.

• Start with the item furthest back and work up to the present.

• Mention any current professional development, internship, or volunteer position in your field.

What Are Your Strengths? / Why Did You Apply? / Why Should I Hire You?
• Choose three to five strengths (experience or skills) that directly relate to the job description.

• Prepare a PAR example to demonstrate each strength.

• Mention your fit with the company or passion for the field. Show enthusiasm for the role.

What Are Your Weaknesses?

• Pick a real weakness that you have identified and that you are working on overcoming.

• Do not describe a weakness that is central to the job description.

• Do not mention your language skills or that you have no weaknesses.

• End your statement with an explanation of how you are overcoming the weakness.

Why Do You Want to Work Here?

• Show that you have done extensive research about the employer before the interview. Be aware of
their history, goals, current position, and major players in the field.

• Describe the impact you wish to have on the organization’s objectives and why it matters to you.

• Talk about your passion for the role, field, organization, or services.

Where Do You See Yourself in Five Years?

• Research common career paths from this position.

• Show enthusiasm for the role and state that you are looking for an organization with which you
can grow.

• Express a desire to take on more responsibilities down the road.

• Do not say that you want to go back to school or move somewhere else.

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What Are Your Salary Expectations?
• Research the salary range that this type of position and organization would pay in the job location.

• Emphasize your interest and passion for the field/organization/role.

• State your willingness to negotiate your salary within the sector standard.

• If they insist on having a number from you, provide a 10,000 USD/9,000 EUR range based on your
research.

• Be prepared to answer this question, but do not bring it up first.

Questions for the Interviewer

Interviewers will often ask “Do you have any questions for me?” at the end of an interview. When this
question comes up, have at least three questions ready for the interviewer. This will help show your
curiosity, eagerness to excel, and that you have done your research. Do not ask for information you
could have been easily found with a quick online search.

Do Ask Do Not Ask

• How will my performance be evaluated? • What does the organization do?
• Can you describe a typical day for someone in • Can I adjust the job details, the schedule, or the
this position? salary?
• What is your favorite part about working here? • What are the benefits, pay, and time-off policy?
(Wait until later in the process to inquire about
• What is it like to work with the team? these things.)
• What are this position’s biggest challenges? • If I’m hired, when can I start applying for other
• Who are the most successful people in this positions in the organization?
organization and why? • Do you monitor email or internet usage?

• Do you do background checks?

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Before, During, and After the
Interview
There several things to keep in mind for each
step of the interview process.

Job Interview Checklist

Before the Interview

• Research the organization. Learn about their mission, work, and partners. Review their
website and any relevant publications, news, or articles about the organization.

• Review the job description. Use the information to anticipate questions and practice
your answers.

• Be prepared to talk about yourself including your background, previous job experience,
career accomplishments, what you are seeking in a job, and past team dynamics.
Practice introducing yourself to feel confident in front of others.

• Prepare three to five questions to ask the interviewer about the organization, position,
and working environment.

• Dress professionally; avoid strong cologne or perfume and smoking.

• Bring copies of your resume/CV.

• Be on time. Plan to arrive with enough time to find and get into the building before the
interview.

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 During the Interview
• Show politeness and enthusiasm. Relax and smile.

• Shake hands and make eye contact with the interviewer (if culturally appropriate).

• Turn off your phone and avoid chewing gum.

• Speak calmly and confidently.

• Think carefully before answering questions. Ask the interview to repeat the question if
you do not fully understand or hear the question.

• Respond with specific PAR examples to support your answers. Keep responses
concise, without omitting important information.

• Ask at least three questions.

After the Interview

• Ask for the interviewer’s contact information or business card (if available).

• Send a thank-you email to all the interviewers within 24 hours.

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Writing a Thank-You Note
After the Interview
Following up after an interview will impress the
interviewer(s) and show that you are interested
in the position, are reliable, and have good
communication skills. Draft a personalized
thank-you note to everyone who interviewed
you and plan to email it to them within 24
hours, following these tips:
1. Be ready. Send a thank-you note within 24
hours of your interview.
Following Up After
2. Personalize. Send a personalized message
to each interviewer. Make sure you spell the Interview
their names correctly.
3. Stand out. Reference something that stuck
out during your conversation, or take the
opportunity to mention something you wish
you had mentioned at the interview.
4. Be concise and to the point. Briefly show your enthusiasm for the organization and role, and
confidently reassure your reader that you are the best candidate for the position.
5. Proofread, proofread, proofread. Proofread your message carefully. Take a break and proofread
again. Then, ask another native-language speaker to proofread. Finally, proofread again.

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Thank-You Note Email

Items to Include in Your Thank-You Note Thank-You Note Email Template

E-mail

1) E-Mail Subject Email subject: (1) Thank you – Project Coordi-

nator Interview
2) Greet your reader.
Greet your reader with “Dear First Name or Mr./ Email message: (2) Dear Ms. Garcia,
Ms. Last Name,”.
(3) It was a pleasure speaking with you to-
3) Initial thank you for the interview: day about the Project Coordinator position at
Thank the reader for the interview and/or AIM Organization. (4) This role is an excellent
mention how much you enjoyed it. match for my skills, experience, and interests.
The creative approach to managing projects
4) Your interest/enthusiasm for the job: that you described confirmed my desire to work
Show your interest/enthusiasm for the job and with you and your team.
organization.
In addition to my enthusiasm, (5) I will bring to
5) Your qualifications and skills: the position strong writing skills, assertiveness,
Restate why you are the best fit for this position leadership, and the ability to encourage others
based on your key qualifications and skills. to work cooperatively with the department.

6) A final thank you: (6) I appreciate the time you took to interview
Close the note thanking your reader for the me. I am very interested in working with you
interview. and look forward to hearing from you regarding
this position.
7) Sign: Close the email with “Sincerely,” or “Best
Regards,” and include your first and last name, (7) Sincerely,
and phone number. Amer Nader
+44 18-123-12340

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How to Negotiate Your Salary
Once you have received an official job offer, it
is important to fully understand your contract
and think about how to negotiate the salary
and/or terms to successfully get what you
desire. The negotiation process can vary
depending on the organization, position,
cultural norms, and the standard practice in the
country. There also might be a set salary range
for the position on the job announcement, so
make sure to check this before asking for a
salary increase.
Negotiating Your Salary
In most cases, negotiating the salary will not
make the organization change their mind.
As long as you are realistic and professional,
the organization should do their best to meet
you in the middle. For the employer, it is more
time consuming to go back to the interview
process to look for other candidates. If the
organization is small and there is not much
flexibility around the salary, you may be able
to negotiate other terms, such as paid time
off, job responsibilities, or working from
home. Whatever you negotiate, you and the
organization should reach an understanding,
so you can be as happy and effective as
possible.

Prepare for Salary Negotiation

• Know your skills and what they’re worth in
the job market.

• Negotiate based on their need for you, not

your need for more money.

• Have a clear understanding of job

requirements and how you meet or exceed
them.

• Research the salary of positions in similar

organizations in your city.

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Evaluate Your Salary
Negotiation Terms
• Assume the salary figure they’ve offered
you is likely mid-range. Employers rarely
begin with the highest figure in their range,
so there is likely room for negotiation.

• Consider the total compensation package,

including health insurance, paid time off,
paid holidays, and retirement plan.

Negotiate Your Salary

• If you are happy with the offer, you can
accept it or say enthusiastically that you
are very interested and that you need some
time to consider the offer. Here is some
language you can use when receiving the
job offer:

“Thank you very much. I am excited

about this opportunity. I would like 24
hours to think about it.”

• If you would like to ask for a salary increase

to the original offer, get back to the
interviewer within the agreed time frame.
Here is some language you can use:
“I really appreciate the offer and I am very interested about the opportunity. I’ve thought about the
salary, and I would like to see if you can consider another proposal. Considering the market rate
and my skills in X (name at least three specific skills you will bring to the role) and experience, I
was hoping to start at X. Would that be possible?”

“This job seems to be a great match, and I am very interested to begin. The only area holding me
back from accepting is the starting salary. After researching the role and considering my own
experience, I was hoping to start at X. Is it possible to adjust the starting salary?”

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Negotiation Etiquette Tips
• Remain professional and positive regardless of the outcome.

• Use your preparation work to negotiate (know the average salary for the type of position you seek).

• Do not get personal or share details about your current financial situation.

• Do not demand a salary or become overly aggressive. Know your required minimum yearly income
so you are prepared to accept or decline any new offers during the negotiation process.

• Get the final offer in writing before you officially accept. Confirm any additional expenses, like taxes
and pension, that could be taken out of your monthly salary.

• Practice how and what to say so you feel comfortable when negotiating with the interviewer.

• If a salary increase is not possible and you still want to accept, be prepared to ask for other types of
benefits (paid time off, job responsibilities, working from home, bonuses).

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