“What’s your biggest weakness?” - the most hated interview question of all time.  Maria Hanson, from LiveCareer, shares ideas and advice on answering the question completely.

The first step is to give a relevant answer, nothing like:

• Brownies.
• Well, I had bronchitis last spring.
• My Chihuahua. I just can’t resist him when he looks up at me!

The next step is to recognize your weaknesses.  When talking about what you can improve try to focus on non-critical job skills and find weaknesses in them.  Don’t try to target a focal point of your position’s requirements.

Lastly, don’t use this as an opportunity to let skeletons out of the closet.

• I am bipolar.
• I do not own an alarm clock. The noise of it frightens me.
• I have a bad temper, which sometimes causes me to throw objects.
• I have a fear of eating in public places, so I prefer to eat under my desk. Can I eat under my desk at your company?

(All of the given examples are real)

Just be smart and be honest.

Ford R. Myers, author of “Get The Job You Want, Even When No One’s Hiring,” answers the questions of Heather Huhman of Entry Level Career Examiner.  They talk about standing out in interview and specifically what entry level/internship job seekers should be doing to focus their job search.

Heather Huhman: What is a major mistake you continually see internship and entry-level job seekers make?

Ford Myers: There are a few major mistakes that internship and entry-level job seekers seem to consistently make. First, they often “take anything they can get” rather than having a clear focus and professional direction. Even at the outset of one’s career, it is vital to have a clear plan and career objective. The internship or entry-level job should be a natural and necessary part of that longer-term career plan.

The second mistake I see internship and entry-level job seekers make is that they usually don’t know the value of their own talents and skills. Young folks can make significant contributions to an organization in their first assignment, and can even negotiate for better positions and higher compensation, based on those tangible contributions.

HH: Contrary to popular belief, you say, the “résumé is your least important tool.” Why is this the case? Has this always been true?

FM: Without a doubt, the résumé is a critical component in the “Job Seeker’s Tool Kit” – and it has to be great! However, the résumé has always had only one specific purpose—to apply for actual job openings. Everyone knows that networking is the most effective means of seeking employment, and up to 85 percent of the job seeker’s time and effort should be directed toward networking. The main purpose of a networking meeting is not to get a job offer, but to gather important information, feedback and referrals.

It follows, therefore, that a résumé is not the appropriate tool to bring to a networking meeting. Instead, the candidate should show-up with two primary documents: the “Professional Biography” and the “Target Company List.” There are many other critical tools to be developed for one’s “Job Seeker’s Tool Kit,” so that the candidate can use the right tool, for the right purpose, with the right person, at the right time. Since a very small percentage of the job seeker’s time will actually be spent in interviews or applying for open positions, the résumé should be seen as the “least important tool.”

HH: What are three steps students and recent graduates can take to identify their ideal jobs?

FM: First, do an “internal career inventory.” Take time to really take stock of your talents, goals and desires. Get clear on how you want to apply your gifts to make your unique contribution in the world. Do it now, not in the future, when it may be too late. Take career assessments, and get a full interpretation of the results from a qualified career consultant.

Second, get help and support. The best time to seek career counseling support is at the start of your career. Take advantage of career coaching, and use other support systems like college career placement offices, job search clubs and groups, online career resources, non-profit employment initiatives, and government or community career programs.

Finally, see your first job as part of a long-term career plan. Your first few jobs will largely shape the direction and success of your long-term career experience. So, don’t take your first few job choices lightly. It’s never too early to begin designing your career future. Every career decision you make and every position you accept should be viewed as a stepping stone toward your ultimate career objectives.

HH: In your opinion, what is the most important question internship and entry-level job candidates can ask during an interview?

FM: As mentioned earlier, every career decision you make and every position you accept should be viewed as a stepping stone toward your ultimate career objectives. Therefore, the most important question internship and entry-level job candidates must address is, “How will this opportunity support and facilitate my long-term career goals?”

HH: In your book, you discuss the “number-one way to get hired when no one’s hiring.” Can you please explain this technique?

FM: The number-one way to get hired when no one’s hiring is known as the “Proposal for Service.” It’s a great strategy for differentiating yourself from all the other job seekers, and identifying yourself as the only candidate for a new opportunity!

Here’s how it works: Once in a while, when your networking efforts have led to a meeting where you and the hiring manager truly click, the idea will occur to him or her to ask if you’d be interested in coming to work for their company. At that point, there may not even be a specific job opening at that company, but you’ve piqued the interviewer’s interest enough to start the hiring conversation.

In this case, you should preparing a “Proposal for Service.” This is a document in which you itemize your qualifications, skills and accomplishments, and show how they align directly to the challenges, problems and needs that the hiring manager has discussed with you. The “Proposal for Service” is usually a one- or two-page document that outlines all of the different things you could do for the company and how you would generate results for them, based on the specific needs you uncovered during the networking meeting.

Because the “Proposal for Service” usually grows out of a networking meeting, the letter takes a soft-sell approach. Rather than pushing for another meeting (as you would with other sorts of follow-up letters), you’ll leave it in their hands. If the individual calls or writes you back in response to your proposal, you’ll know you’ve “got something.” The company may even create a position for you. If you don’t get a response to the “Proposal for Service,” this indicates that the company wasn’t interested enough in you to engage in a serious dialogue.

From The Art of Manliness comes come videos and instructions on how to tie the perfect tie.

It’s a sad fact, but there are grown men who don’t know how to tie a necktie. If they have a big interview that afternoon, they’ll go shopping for a clip-on. Even if a man does know how to tie a tie, their knowledge is often limited to just one knot. But there are several ways to tie a necktie. Certain knots should be used with certain shirt collars and tie fabric materials to get the best results for your appearance. Below, we show you three classic necktie knots every man should know and give you the lowdown on when you should use them.

Here are the ties they cover:

1. The Four-In-Hand Knot - Also known as the “schoolboy,” this is probably the most widely used knot because it’s so easy to tie. It’s a good knot to use if your tie is made of heavier material. It looks best with smaller spread collars.
2. The Half Windsor Knot - This is the Windsor knot’s little brother. Like the Windsor, you’re left with a symmetrical triangle knot, but the Half Windsor is not as large. This knot is appropriate for lighter fabrics and wider ties. It’s best worn with a standard collar.
3. The Windsor Knot - The Windsor knot gives you a wide triangular knot that’s good for more formal settings. This knot is best worn with a wide spread collar.
4. The Shelby Knot - The Shelby knot is a more obscure knot and was popularized by anchorman Don Shelby in the 1970’s. It works best with wider ties that are made from heavier material.

Alexandra Levit posts some of tough interview questions and then goes on to answer them:

What weaknesses do you have for this job?

Answer is to ponder the question for a while, and then state that “you can’t think of any weaknesses that would compromise your performance at this job or that would negatively impact your handling of the job’s responsibilities.”

Are you considering other positions at this time?

Simply say “Yes.” If you say no, you’ll seem like a loser who nobody else values as an attractive candidate.

What changes would you make to our company if you came on board?

This question can instantly derail your candidacy.  No matter how comfortable you may feel with your interviewer or the situation, you are still an outsider. No one, including your interviewer, likes to think that a know-it-all outsider is going to come in, turn the place upside down, and promptly demonstrate what idiots everybody at the company has been for years.

What do you expect to get in this job that you haven’t gotten in your current/previous job?

State that your current/previous jobs have met or exceeded your expectations. With this new position, you would hope to have broader responsibilities and make greater contributions over time.

Tell me about the greatest achievement, and the greatest disappointment in your life.

Give one personal example (like meeting your spouse and getting married, putting yourself through college, saving up to buy your first house, etc.). Then give your bestprofessional accomplishment story (make it relevant to the company’s apparent needs and challenges). As for the disappointment, give an answer similar to the one above, such as, “Overall, I would say that I’m quite satisfied with the way my life and career have been developing, so I really can’t think of any major disappointments.”

What did you like best/least about your last job?

Explain what you liked best. Then say, “While every job has its challenges, I have been fortunate enough to learn and grow professionally in each of the positions I have held.”

Why should I hire you?

This is a killer question, because so many candidates are unprepared for it. If you hesitate or improvise, you’ll blow it.  If you know the employer’s greatest needs and challenges, this question will give you a big advantage over other candidates because you’ll offer better reasons for getting hired than anyone else. Whether your interviewer asks you this question explicitly or not, this is the most important question of your interview! After all, the interviewer must answer this question favorably in his or her own mind before you’ll be hired. So, here’s what to do. Walk through each of the position’s requirements as you understand them, and follow each item with how well you meet that requirement.

At your previous job(s), what did you think management could have done to make you function more effectively as an employee?

Say something like: “My employer was very good in providing resources and support to my position, so I have no complaints about this.”

Tell me about the best/worst boss you’ve ever had.

Say, “While every boss has been different, I have worked productively with, and learned something from, each one.” (Be prepared to give some examples of what you have learned.)

What do people criticize about you?

Say that “You can’t think of any criticisms you have received from colleagues on the job. Of course, there have been areas for development, such as when your supervisors would have given you your performance reviews, and they might have made some suggestions for improvement.” Say that “You have always taken these suggestions seriously and have taken steps to make the improvements that were requested.” Add that “This has made you stronger as a professional.”

Entry Level Careers Examiner’s Heather Huhman shares some advice for those with “no experience” when looking for interviews:

1. Look at internships, not entry-level jobs. Admittedly, you will probably not be able to land an interview for an entry-level job without having had one or more internships first. Don’t look at this as a negative—plenty of new grads intern before joining the entry-level workforce. There’s absolutely no shame in that.
2. Be willing to work for free. A proper internship is mutually beneficial, with more benefit swinging in your favor. However, they are not always paid. And, in order to gain that much-needed experience, you should be willing to work for free. I do recommend, though, if you really need to be earning some money, arrange to work up to 20 hours a week during the summer and 10 during school semesters. That way, you have plenty of time to have a paying gig on the side.
3. Intern early. I can’t say this enough—intern as early as possible. High school internships are becoming more commonplace as the definition of entry-level continues to change. But, starting your freshman or sophomore year isn’t a bad idea, either—at this stage of your career, you’re not expected to have previous experience.
4. Emphasize the knowledge and skills you do have. Even if you’ve never worked at a job a day in your life, you still have experience. Talk about what you know and can do based on your hobbies, what you’ve learned in class, what you’ve learned doing extra-curricular activities, etc. You do have skills and knowledge—you just have to do a full self-assessment to discover what they are.
5. Be passionate, enthusiastic and willing to learn. Don’t be desperate about it, but these are three qualities every hiring manager seeks. Express them in all your written and verbal communications with the organization.
6. Read up on the industry. Maybe you don’t have “experience,” you know a little something about how the industry works. Again, this will be impressive to a hiring manager and a good topic to discuss during networking events.
7. Reach out to organizations that aren’t advertising internships. Just because an organization isn’t hiring interns at the moment doesn’t mean they wouldn’t take you on—especially if you’re willing to work for free. Be bold and make the first move.

What are hiring managers trained to look for during interviews?  Heather Huhman from Entry Level Careers Examiner shared some advice on the subject:

1. Likeability. Do you get along with the hiring manager? Does the hiring manager feel you will get along with his or her team? This is a big factor. I know when I see myself in candidates, I find myself leaning toward them more than individuals who remind me nothing of me. (That sounds self-centered, but hiring managers want a cohesive team!)
2. Strategic thinking. Are you thinking ahead about the future of the organization? Do you have a suggestion already in mind you’d like to brainstorm with the hiring manager? In this economy—or any, for that matter—organizations want (and need) results. If you can show you’re a results person—or at a minimum thinking about results—you will prove a strong candidate.
3. Clear communication. Is your tone and word choice professional? Do you get your message across effectively the first time? Chances are, you’re going to have to communicate with others in some fashion in order to do your job. Throwing in any type of slang word, giggling or other methods of unprofessional communication will make the hiring manager forget what you’re actually trying to say.
   
   Also, be aware of any strong accent you might have. For example, if you’re from Boston or New York and you’re speaking to someone from Chicago, your accent might be a little off putting. If you think it might be costing you jobs, there are professional speech therapists who can help you lose the accent.
4. Professional appearance. If you’re interviewing at an organization where you know the hiring manager will be wearing ripped jeans and a T-shirt, you can probably get away with far less than a suit and tie. However, at most organizations, you want to not only dress the part for which you are interviewing, but one step above. Again, it’s these little things that stack up in a hiring manager’s mind about whether or not to hire you.
5. Enthusiasm. Be happy you are there! And not just because this is the first interview you’ve had in weeks (or months), but because you are genuinely looking forward to the possibility of working at the organization.
6. Good eye contact and “engaged behavior.” Don’t stare and not blink throughout the whole interview, but make sure you have decent eye contact. Also, lean forward slightly when the hiring manager is speaking—this is what I call “engaged behavior.” Both tactics show the hiring manager you are listening and interested in what he or she has to say.

Maria Hanson at LiveCareer.com offers advice on what to do if you’re ever asked an “out of the box” wild card interview question.  I have rarely (almost never) heard of questions like these being asked, but depending on the company culture and industry one of the following questions may be asked:

How would you respond if you were asked one of the following interview questions:

“If aliens landed here right now, what would you do?”
“What did you want to be when you were 8 years old?”
“What would your refrigerator say if it could talk?”

These types of odd questions are called “wild cards” because they seem to come out of nowhere. With the current economic climate allowing employers to be more picky, these types of questions are becoming more common. A stellar resume, impressive credentials, and strong interviewing skills are no longer enough.

While a rare interviewer may ask these questions simply to watch you squirm, many wild-card questions serve a purpose. Generally speaking, interviewers ask these questions to see how well you perform under pressure and think on your feet. They also might ask wild cards to break out of the routine of a typical interview in order to get a glimpse of your genuine personality.

Here are some real questions as reported by job seekers, with some insight into what interviewers may be looking for — and how to deliver:

“If there was a fire in your house, what two things would you save?”

What’s the point? The interviewer is trying to determine how well your ideals and principles match the company’s values.

Approach: Find an honest answer that aligns you with the values of the company with which you are interviewing.

Possible response: If you’re applying for a job as a technical project manager, for example, you might say: “My computer and my family photo album.” This shows your obvious technical side but also demonstrates that you prioritize relationships. This could help distinguish you from your fellow techie competitors.

“If you were a cereal, what would you be?”

What’s the point? The interviewer is trying to gain some insight into your work personality to see what kind of worker you will be. If you are unsure of what your work personality is, you can take a career interest test to find out.

Approach: Try to tie your answer back to the job requirements.

Possible response: If you were interviewing for a nursing assistant, position, you could say: “Cheerios. Because I’m reliable, consistent, and good for you!” — all positive qualities for someone in the health-care industry.

“If you were writing an autobiography, what would its title be?”

What’s the point? This question gives the interviewer a peek into your self-perception as well as a read on how creative you are.

Approach: Emphasize your main selling points. If you can’t come up with something original on the fly, perhaps there is a song or movie title that captures your essence. You don’t need to invent something on the spot as long as you can provide a good explanation for the title you choose.

Possible response: If you were applying for a job as a social worker, you could say “I Will Survive,” explaining that the hardships you personally experienced made you a stronger person, qualified to help others to work through their own issues.

It’s impossible to rehearse the best responses to wild-card interview questions, since, by definition, they are unpredictable. But you can prep. Even if you don’t get asked the specific questions you’ve practiced for, you’ll still have a better handle on wild cards in general. If you answer honestly and justify your response, you’ll likely impress your interviewers and be one step closer to landing your dream job.