Prepare For Your Next Interview

1. Tell me about yourself.

After your brief introduction and the firm handshake, the usual first question is: Tell me about yourself. Make sure to be well rounded. Tell a little bit about yourself, your experience and education.

2. Why are you applying at this company?

Do your homework. Research the company, go to their website and find out a little bit about the company and why you want to work for them. Is it because they are a family-friendly company? Is it their excellent training program? Benefits? Their various locations and/or room to grow within the company?

3. Why should I hire you?

What makes you different from other candidates? Talk about your past experience and education. Talk about your accomplishments. Explain why you're confident you will make a good employee for the company. Discuss skills you have gained from your past work experiences and skills you gained from being a mom. Include your "Mommy" skills like multi-tasking, organization, time management and working well under pressure. They are valuable skills for any position.

4. If I hire you, what are your future goals with this company?

Talk about both short and long-term goals that involve a commitment to the company and personal growth.

5. What are some of your strengths? Weaknesses?

Play down your weaknesses and discuss what you are doing to improve them. For example, you might be lacking in computer skills. But you can tell the employer what you are doing to rectify the situation by taking a computer class at your local Community College. Discuss your positive traits.

6. What do you want from the company?

You can answer this question with the simple truth. What are you looking for? Training? New skills? Experience?

7. Describe some of your most important accomplishments.

Do you consider being a mom a career? I do. It's a career to me because it's a life-long choice that has brought me great happiness and that I have a strong passion and commitment for. As such, my answer to this question would also discuss previous work accomplishments and/or educational awards. I would also include any accomplishments that involve charity or volunteer work.

Just a reminder: Show up fifteen minutes early to your interview, be dressed professionally and comfortably, smile and give a firm handshake.

Diane Lang is a Career Counselor and Author of the book: Baby Steps the Path from Motherhood to Career. She currently works as a Career Counselor and Adjunct Professor in the New York City area. You can visit Diane's website here.