201 Knockout Answers to Tough Interview Questions: The Ultimate Guide to Handling the New Competency-Based Interview Style [Paperback]

Linda Matias (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 28, 2009

Increasingly, employers today are using a tough new kind of interview to evaluate candidates and determine how well they think on their feet. To be successful in these new competency-based interviews, job seekers must be prepared with situation-specific examples that highlight the accomplishments, knowledge, and abilities they have that employers need. Featuring a plethora of sample questions and winning answers. This indispensable guide features fill-in-the-blank exercises readers can use to prepare themselves to demonstrate sought-after competencies and wow potential employers. It's a powerful book no job seeker should be without.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Competency-based interviewing seems to be picking up steam at the nation's larger employers. If you have a crucial interview coming up, here's my recommendation: Spend some quality time with Matias' 195-page book -- the best I've seen on the topic.” --Joyce Lain Kennedy, Tribune Media syndicated career columnist

"Featuring a plethora of sample questions, this indispensable guide features fill-in-the-blank exercises." --CareerBuilder.com

Book Description

Increasingly, employers today are using a tough new kind of interview to evaluate candidates and determine how well they think on their feet. To be successful in these new competency-based interviews, job seekers must be prepared with situation-specific examples that highlight the accomplishments, knowledge, and abilities they have that employers need. Featuring a plethora of sample questions—and winning answers—this book is organized by the five core competencies most interviewers are looking for:

• Individual responsibility (decisiveness, independence, flexibility, career goals)

• Managerial skills (leadership, delegation, strategic planning)

• Motivational factors (ambition, initiative)

• Analytical skills (problem solving, attention to detail)

• People skills (teamwork, communication, customer service)

This indispensable guide features fill-in-the-blank exercises readers can use to prepare themselves to demonstrate sought-after competencies and wow potential employers. It’s a powerful book no job seeker should be without.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Paperback: 195 pages
• Publisher: AMACOM (October 28, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0814415008
• ISBN-13: 978-0814415009
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #46,304 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #81 in Books > Business & Investing > Job Hunting & Careers > Job Hunting

More About the Author

Certified in all three areas of the job search - Certified Interview Coach (CIC), Job & Career Transition Coach (JCTC), and Nationally Certified Resume Writer (NCRW) - Linda Matias is qualified to assist you in your career transition, whether it be a complete career makeover, interview preparation, or resume assistance. Linda is the former president of the National Resume Writers' Association.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars You can tell when an author is an expert, October 21, 2009

By 

C. Driskell "Euro Walker" (SC) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: 201 Knockout Answers to Tough Interview Questions: The Ultimate Guide to Handling the New Competency-Based Interview Style (Paperback)

201 Knockout Answers is one of those books that every parent should buy for their child who is trying to enter the workforce. It's a book that seasoned veterans, especially in this economy, should tuck into their briefcase and study. And finally, it's an excellent book for employers to use in reverse, which is what I do. I'm using it for our interviewing process, and I also plan to provide a copy for any employees who might leave us.

No matter what type of job a person might be seeking, the questions, obstacles, actions, and results Matias lists are something that every worker will face at some point in their life. She is obviously an expert in the field. The book doesn't read like something a good writer simply researched. Rather, the ample nuggets provided seem fueled by years of expertise in the field of interviewing and human resources.

Finally, the workbook blanks and examples are helpful to anyone who wants to polish themselves before any interview.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If you are concerned about answering interview questions - excellent, February 20, 2010

A Kid's Review

This review is from: 201 Knockout Answers to Tough Interview Questions: The Ultimate Guide to Handling the New Competency-Based Interview Style (Paperback)

This book is precisely what the title says and more. It has great questions to help prepare and examples as well. Going through the questions section and being able to answer aloud would be helpful presentation for most applicants. The book takes competency categories one by one and gives solid answers to build from. Also has some really nice resume examples to work from.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars No easy Answers, July 10, 2011

By 

Rene S. Hoepelman Jr. (Cary, NC) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: 201 Knockout Answers to Tough Interview Questions: The Ultimate Guide to Handling the New Competency-Based Interview Style (Paperback)

No easy answers in this book, basically it gives you a format to follow but its really up to you to do the research on yourself. I didnt read the whole book word for word just skimmed through pages took about 15 mins. Its not the most interesting book in the world to read. But that does not mean it wont help you get through an interview, because it will.

What you'll find is that, there is no "ONE" knock out answer to securing a job. Its a bunch of neatly compacted smaller tasks and answers that add up to a better interview expierence, starting from how you format and word your resume to improving voice techniques. Being interviewed is tough, this book will help you organize your thoughts so your more prepared. In truth, I dont feel this book is anything more than what you already expect on an interview.

here is a sample question: Question 179. Describe a position in which you used technology in answering

customer inquiries. What was the process?

Its really up to you to answer this question but the book does provide a general generic answer and some explanations but the book is alot more than just answering questions. Gives tips on preperation for the interview as well. I would guess that if you were to read this and follow through would take a few weeks to ready yourself according to what the book expects. I dont care for the book, I found it boring but I hate to knock it for trying to help.