AgCareers Career Guide - September 2016 - US

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WWHAT KIND OF RESPONSES are
employers REALLY looking for when
they ask interview questions?! We hope
to provide some translations and
suggestions so you can eloquently
answer these common and sometimes
tricky questions.
TELL ME ABOUT YOURSELF.
“Employers use this information to gain
an understanding of what you are
passionate about, what makes you tick
and drives you,” said Sarah Rachels,
Human Resources Director, Carolina
Farm Credit. “Feel confident in sharing
a story that will help us remember you
over the others we are interviewing.”
Be wary of turning this into a 20-
minute speech; keep it to a quick
overview as it relates to the job. Don’t
delve into your hobbies or personal
issues. Relate your answer to the skills
that you can bring to the position.
“Articulate your story in a concise
manner that is relevant to the job,” said
Jessica Johnson, Talent Acquisition
Manager, Lansing Trade Group.
WHAT IS YOUR WEAKNESS?
It is important to be honest and show a
little humility. “I like it when candidates
can tell me a weakness, as it shows they
are self-aware,” shared Johnson.
“Continue your answer by sharing
a specific time when you worked to
improve a weakness,” said Rachels.
TELL ME ABOUT A TIME WHEN
YOU MADE A MISTAKE.
“Many employers promote a learning
culture and are understanding when an
employee makes a mistake, as long as
they take responsibility and learn from
it,” said Rachels. Use an example that
demonstrates that you can apply what
you’ve learned from mistakes. “I want to
know how accountable you are, and hear
what you’ve learned from your mistake,”
said Johnson.
WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELF
IN FIVE YEARS?
Research the company and know the
career path. Johnson shared a response
that impressed her: “I want to complete
the MIT program and become a success-
ful merchandiser, contributing to the
organization as a whole.” It is important
to be realistic and honest with the
interviewer. If your goals and the
organization’s don’t match, it might not
be a good fit for either. “Turnover is
very expensive to employers, and they
want an idea of whether or not they can
depend on you to utilize the countless
hours invested in your training and
development,” shared Rachels.
WHAT ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF?
Now is your time to gloat a bit and share
an accomplishment. “Oftentimes having
a degree is a requirement for a position,
so answering with ‘getting my degree’
probably isn’t enough,” said Johnson.
Did you pay for college by yourself? Did
you receive a grant for research? Even if
your example was a team project,
describe your efforts and the results.
Share goals that were accomplished or
exceeded.
IT’S IN THE DETAILS
“Remember that an interview should be a
two-way conversation,” added Johnson.
Be prepared with your own questions
to make sure the position is the right fit
for you.
“I cannot stress enough the
importance of researching a company
before the interview,” added Rachels.
No matter what the question, if you
want to be a successful candidate, “Use
specific examples whenever possible,”
added Johnson.
As a college student or recent grad,
you may think you don’t have
experience. However, your examples
can be from school, part-time jobs,
internships, activities or volunteer
experiences. Keep in mind you are
selling your “story” in the interview, and
you are the author and expert!
by Bonnie Johnson, Marketing Associate
Interview Question
25 A g & Food CAreer guide
Comic by Becca Schwartz
T R A N S L A T I O N S