job interview

Competency-Based Interviews: Master the Tough New Interview Style And Give Them the Answers That Will Win You the Job
$13.99
This book is so easy to read and apply. The strategies and guidance helped me to get my first job out of college. I'm about to go on another job search and plan on reading the book all over again. This book is definitely required reading for any serious job-seeker.

To the author, Robin Kessler: Thank you for writing this book! It's a keeper for a life-time.

Winning Job Interviews
$12.99
After recently returning to the states from an overseas assignment, I found myself suddenly unemployed in the great recession. First, I was excited about the prospect of finding a great new challenge, but it quickly turned to despair.

Dr. Powers to the rescue! The author has taken a conversational and humorous approach to job searching, stating early on in no uncertain terms that "job searching sucks!"

This book allowed me to face my fears, learn which of the 12 'roadblocks' were mine, and have at least some enjoyment in the job search. Make no mistake, for most like me, the job search is an emotional process, but Dr. Powers provides great practical advice to every step of the search task through accepting a position.

After returning to this book again and again, for both reference and for a lift, I wholeheartedly recommend this to any job searcher that would like as close to a personal coach that a book could provide.

The 250 Job Interview Questions You'll Most Likely Be Asked
$9.95
This audio book provides 250 job interview questions, basic ones, and very short responses that are designed to steer clear of controversy or create a poor impression.

I'm basically always up for reading/listening to another book that discusses interviewing. For me the value is on the side of the interviewer since that is one of my job functions. In case I am the interviewee, I feel prepared.

Books of this nature provide value to anybody that will be in job interviews on either side of the table. I learned the hard way that I need such books, because my first interviews didn't go well due to the fact that I didn't know what to ask. I'm sure I appeared unprepared and even stupid and felt ten times worse. After that, I made it my business to understand the interviewing process well and always be prepared.

The value of this book is limited because it doesn't go into any detail. I think one should be authentic in an interview and not provide "canned answers" where books such as this could lead. Still, if you're being interviewed and you really don't have a good answer or one you're comfortable with, you might as well give a very short memorized answer right out of this book. Nothing wrong with that as long as other parts of the interview are more engaging and authentic! You will appear well-prepared and informed about what makes for an acceptable short answer.

The person being interviewed has to at some point show some leadership in the interview, unless it is for a very low-paid position. Thus, having answers ready is only the beginning of preparation. You should ask questions and get into discussions related to the company and the work itself.

In my opinion, an interview where the interviewer asks questions and the interviewee merely responds is not a "good" interview. That's an interview that both sides can check off as completed but unlikely to go to the next level. This book can provide some basic support, the beginning of one's preparation for a successful interview.

Acing the Interview: How to Ask and Answer the Questions That Will Get You the Job
$16.95
I bought this book as I was preparing to go on my first round of interviews as a medical resident searching for my first real job as an independent physician. I think the book is clearly (and understandably) geared more towards those in a business-like profession--e.g. marketing, advertising, finance, consulting, etc. I think the most helpful part of the book is the beginning that talks about how transient we have all become in the job market, the personalities of the types of people you may interview with and how to "wow" them and what they have at stake in hiring (or not hiring) you, different types of interviews (panel interviews, series of interviews, etc.), how to be aggressive in pursuing opportunities in the discovery and actual interviewing phases, etc. I think the book was particularly good at how to address "rough spots" in your work history with honesty and grace. I also think the book is helpful in teaching you to think from the interviewer's perspective. I think everyone who is interviewing for a new job could benefit by spending some time with this book as clearly most of us do not interview frequently and can always use some brushing up on how to approach various interviewers and situations, how to address difficult questions, and to review some of the types of questions that may be asked in order to brainstorm some good answers before the fact--especially in this economy and brutal job market we all need to make the most of each potential job possibility.