Training for Book Authors
|
|
Other Resources for Book Authors & Publishers
|
|
Please Support Our Advertisers
|
|
|
|
|
Interviewing And The Electric Toothbrush
Copyright (c) 2007-2023 Carole Martin
Many electric toothbrushes have a shut off mechanism that turns off the toothbrush after two minutes of brushing – which is the time that someone decided was enough teeth-brushing for any one period.
Coincidentally, it turns out that two minutes (or less) is the recommended time period for the desired length of any one answer during the interview.
When answering an interview question it is best to be as focused as possible so that you can be succinct and to the point in as little time as possible – two minutes. When you ramble and bring in details that are not relevant to the question, you lose your audience, who in this case is your interviewer.
A successful answer to an interview question is one that addresses the question asked and gets to the point while not rambling. Here are two examples of answers to the same question. Note how one question addresses the question, and one rambles on and is not specific.
Question Asked: Can you give me an example of a time when you worked on a project that required a great deal of written communication?
Rambling Example:
"I've always been a good writer. My writing skills have always been my strong point. I have been commended on my writing ability in every performance review that I have ever had. I am very good at researching facts and following through on leads. In my last job I was involved in the creation of our website by writing the content. That was a great experience. Working closely with the designers, I was able to contribute and add to the message that they were trying to get across. Writing isn't the major focus of my job responsibilities but I do like to write very much. I have written some proposals and they have been received very well. When I do have writing assignments it is usually in addition to my regular job. I can tell you that whenever I have had the opportunity to write I have received several comments on what a good job I have done. In fact, I was given an award for my writing skills as a team member on a project that received a grant. I am looking at this job as a chance to learn and develop my writing skills."
The listener – the interviewer probably had the idea that you have strong writing skills after the first two lines, but you kept be-laboring the point and adding irrelevant facts.
Concise Two-minute Example:
"That would be when I took over the responsibility of writing the department newsletter. This was my first experience at coordinating a publication from start to finish by myself. The first thing I did was to consult with the people in the company that had written similar newsletters. This gave me a sense of what to do and what not to do. Next, I did an informal survey of company employees, everyone from the support staff to the director of the department. From their comments I came up with a new idea of getting the people involved. Each month I hold a writing contest and then publish the winner's stories. The employee involvement has made a big difference in my efforts. Recently, the newsletter was awarded "most creative departmental newsletter."
You can see that the first question does not address the question asked and has irrelevant information in the answer. While the second answer gives a specific example of a time when you had a writing experience – which is what the question asked for.
A tip in interviewing is to take time to listen to the question. Next, take time to process how you are going to answer. Pre-interview preparation will make a significant difference in your interview performance.
When you think about it, two minutes is a fair amount of time for a person to give his full attention to what others have to say. By sticking with the two-minute rule you will find that you will keep your interviewer interested and listening to your answer.
Start getting a sense of what you could say in two minutes -maybe the next time you brush your teeth.
Carole Martin is a celebrated author, trainer, and mentor. Carole can give you interviewing tips like no one else can. Get a copy of her FREE 9-part "Interview Success Tips" report by visiting Carole on the web at: http://www.interviewcoach.com
|
VOTE ON THIS ARTICLE
Needs Work >>
0 -
1 -
2 -
3 -
4 -
5
<< Excellent Article
Tell our authors what you think about their article.
|
Top-Level Category: Career Articles
10 Most Recent Articles Written by Carole Martin
Interview Coaching: A Home-Based Business on the Cutting Edge
Written by: Carole Martin |
Distributed: 2007-08-24 |
Word Count: 1400 |
Page Views: 4751
| Votes: 15 |
Rating: 2.80
You name it - Blackberry, Skype Connection, Cell Phone, iPhone -
these are the tools of this trade. Who would believe that someone
with a home-based business could reach out to someone in a far
away country and work with a client via a Blackberry and a cell
phone?
No Time To Prepare For The Job Interview? A Three-Day Countdown to Interview Success
Written by: Carole Martin |
Distributed: 2007-05-04 |
Word Count: 1234 |
Page Views: 5036
| Votes: 14 |
Rating: 2.29
You didn't see it coming – at least not this fast. The call came
in last night and you have until Friday to prepare for that
important interview – and today is Tuesday. What to do!! Don't
panic. You can prepare in three days by using this step-by-step
guide.
The Salary Negotiation Dance During A Job Interview
Written by: Carole Martin |
Distributed: 2007-04-10 |
Word Count: 640 |
Page Views: 5290
| Votes: 8 |
Rating: 2.13
To perform the job interview salary negotiation dance steps, you
must have a good sense of balance. Knowing your value and your
worth will help you feel more confident about staying in step
during the salary negotiation process. The employer takes the
lead and you follow, staying with the rhythm. You move together
through the interview process; aware of the other, taking care
not to step on one another. The salary negotiation dance is never
confrontational or harsh, but smooth and in harmony.
The Job Interview Is Not Just About The Job Duties
Written by: Carole Martin |
Distributed: 2006-10-31 |
Word Count: 657 |
Page Views: 5007
| Votes: 13 |
Rating: 2.23
"CAN HE DO THE JOB? The first item of business for an
interviewer to determine is if you have the qualifications to
perform the duties of the job. That is the basic part of
interviewing - to determine if the qualifications and experiences
fit the requirements of the position.
10 Killer Job Interview Questions and Answers
Written by: Carole Martin |
Distributed: 2006-10-04 |
Word Count: 1094 |
Page Views: 23386
| Votes: 83 |
Rating: 2.42
Behind every interview question there is a concern or another
question. Your job is to process the question thinking about what
the interviewer's concern might be. In other words, why is the
interviewer asking you this question?
Questions You Should Ask During The Job Interview
Written by: Carole Martin |
Distributed: 2006-09-14 |
Word Count: 680 |
Page Views: 17494
| Votes: 16 |
Rating: 2.50
At some point, usually at the conclusion of the interview, you
may be asked, "Do you have any questions?" A common answer to
this question is, "No, I think you've covered everything very
well." This is the wrong answer!
Pieces of Gold in Those Job Postings
Written by: Carole Martin |
Distributed: 2006-06-22 |
Word Count: 452 |
Page Views: 6446
| Votes: 13 |
Rating: 1.92
Job Postings are "pieces of gold." They are your customer's
wish lists. Any sales person would tell you that in order to sell
someone something you have to know what they need. Read through
job postings to find out what your customer (the employer) is
looking for - what is the need?
Assessing Your Skills: What Makes You Different from All the Others?
Written by: Carole Martin |
Distributed: 2005-11-30 |
Word Count: 0 |
Page Views: 2415
| Votes: 3 |
Rating: 0.67
Make yourself stand out from the competition.
The three skills categories.
Put the 3 P's of marketing to work for you.
Three Common Deadly Mistakes Made In Job Interviews
Written by: Carole Martin |
Distributed: 2005-10-14 |
Word Count: 0 |
Page Views: 2027
| Votes: 2 |
Rating: 0.50
Since no two interviews are alike it is difficult to be prepared
for the unexpected. You can however focus on your presentation
skills which may be even more important than what you have to
say.
The Offer Is Not Always As Good As It Looks
Written by: Carole Martin |
Distributed: 2005-06-21 |
Word Count: 0 |
Page Views: 2173
| Votes: 2 |
Rating: 0.50
Whether you negotiate a salary or not is secondary to doing your
homework before accepting an offer. It is always best to take
some time before signing on the dotted line so that you
understand exactly what you are gaining – or losing.
All of Author's Articles on this site: Carole Martin Articles
Most Recent "Career" Articles
The Keys to Writing a Killer Resume Cover Letter
Written by: Gerald Penniston |
Distributed: 2013-07-24 |
Word Count: 904 |
Page Views: 5541
| Votes: 10 |
Rating: 1.60
As a job seeker, you must understand the importance and
value of a professional resume... Do you, however, also take
stock of the importance of a well-written cover letter? Many
job seekers fail to realize that a cover letter completes a
resume, and both should go hand-in-hand.
How to Write a Resume - Simple and Complex at the Same Time
Written by: Rebecca Hawkes |
Distributed: 2010-12-09 |
Word Count: 438 |
Page Views: 6878
| Votes: 9 |
Rating: 1.89
Writing an effective resume is as much a creative art as it
is a logical puzzle. How do you take 500-600 words and make
them jump out and scream "hire me" to an employer? It's a
skill that needs constant refining.
3 Cutting Edge Steps Show You The Real Way To Make Money Online
Written by: Ryan Parenti |
Distributed: 2010-11-16 |
Word Count: 742 |
Page Views: 6101
| Votes: 5 |
Rating: 0.40
Tens of thousands of people all over the globe are quietly
cashing in on what may be the only recession proof industry
-- at the very least it's one of few industries maintaining
consistent and enormous growth! These people... well, these
are just regular folks who have decided they want some extra
income and have turned to information publishing for profit
(staggering profit). Here is how they do it.
The Perspective of Dawn
Written by: Barbara Wulf MS, ACC, CPCC |
Distributed: 2010-03-15 |
Word Count: 560 |
Page Views: 5279
| Votes: 5 |
Rating: 0.80
For years, I have been a night owl as opposed to an early
bird. I embrace beautiful sunsets, bur rarely, on purpose,
strive to witness a glorious sunrise. Recently while on a
Caribbean cruise, with Diane Ackerman's book in hand, I
challenged myself to be an early riser to discover the
beauty of sunrise rather than my standard, sunset. It was a
chance to try a different perspective. And, it was rather
enjoyable.
The Top Ten Mistakes Made in Job Interviews and How to Avoid Them
Written by: Cecile Peterkin |
Distributed: 2010-03-11 |
Word Count: 650 |
Page Views: 5677
| Votes: 6 |
Rating: 0.83
A job interview is your chance to shine. Now that you've
been given this opportunity, it's critical that you don't
waste it. Here are the top ten mistakes made in job
interviews and how to avoid them.
The Decline and Fall of the Retirement Empire
Written by: Irene A. Majchrzak |
Distributed: 2010-03-10 |
Word Count: 1317 |
Page Views: 4835
| Votes: 2 |
Rating: 0.50
"I have a pension and it'll have to be enough!" As a
financial Advisor over the past 10 years I have often heard
this statement. It was difficult 10 years ago to explain to
future retirees why this was an impossible belief to hold.
10 years ago no one would believe the changes that would
occur in our world view.
Plan Ahead: Your Personal Body Art May Carry An Unforeseen Cost
Written by: Eileen Howerton |
Distributed: 2010-02-25 |
Word Count: 532 |
Page Views: 4920
| Votes: 2 |
Rating: 0.50
Over half of all tattoos that are given each year are
spontaneous, and given without plan or thought. While these
tattoos seemed like a great idea at the time, many young
people are finding out that these tattoos are costing them
more than the charge to have them put on.
New Year Still Is A Time Of Uncertainty For Economy
Written by: Barbara Wulf MS, ACC, CPCC |
Distributed: 2010-02-02 |
Word Count: 509 |
Page Views: 5872
| Votes: 2 |
Rating: 0.50
As we look back on the first decade of the new millennium,
we realize in many ways it was a dud and disappointment. We
witnessed the World Trade Towers being toppled with
senseless terrorism. We closed the decade with the toppling
of the global economy that resulted in high unemployment and
massive job loss for young and old, skilled and unskilled.
She's After Your Money
Written by: Scott Bywater |
Distributed: 2009-12-14 |
Word Count: 460 |
Page Views: 4907
| Votes: 3 |
Rating: 0.33
Who would you rather be? The guy who had just managed to
inherit a tidy sum from a bank before he left and had
$700,000 in the bank... but had no money and limited skill?
Or the guy who had invested the last five years of his life
to gain the knowledge to practice as a specialist in this
country with highly sought after skills. Many people would
probably say the first guy.
Job Searching and Staying Marketable in a Recession
Written by: Cecile Peterkin |
Distributed: 2009-08-11 |
Word Count: 507 |
Page Views: 4863
| Votes: 11 |
Rating: 1.36
Job searching is never fun, nor is it something that is
particularly comfortable for the majority of people out
there. It can be frustrating, but ultimately, it can prove
to be an extremely rewarding experience. There are
additional challenges that exist, however, when it comes to
job searching in a recession. Here are some helpful tips to
ensure you'll be successful.
Most Viewed "Career" Articles
Why Becoming a Pharmacist Means You Don't Have to Worry About Student Loans
Written by: Jennifer Charleston |
Distributed: 2008-09-26 |
Word Count: 692 |
Page Views: 37428
| Votes: 102 |
Rating: 3.00
So you want to become a pharmacist but are not sure where to
start? Unlike other careers, there really is only one way to go
about becoming a pharmacist. And that is to attend a university
and gain a degree. For this reason all prospective pharmacists
must have fantastic study abilities as well as the commitment to
see out a long six year degree.
10 Killer Job Interview Questions and Answers
Written by: Carole Martin |
Distributed: 2006-10-04 |
Word Count: 1094 |
Page Views: 23386
| Votes: 83 |
Rating: 2.42
Behind every interview question there is a concern or another
question. Your job is to process the question thinking about what
the interviewer's concern might be. In other words, why is the
interviewer asking you this question?
Why a Nursing Career is the Most Highly Rewarding Career You Can Choose
Written by: Jennifer Charleston |
Distributed: 2008-10-06 |
Word Count: 766 |
Page Views: 23214
| Votes: 40 |
Rating: 2.60
Nursing careers provide a richly rewarding career option. If you
enjoy helping people and making a difference in their lives, then
nursing is a wonderful career choice for you.
How to Know if You'll Make a Good Police Officer
Written by: Jennifer Charleston |
Distributed: 2008-09-24 |
Word Count: 789 |
Page Views: 19748
| Votes: 37 |
Rating: 3.16
Becoming a police officer means you'll be taking on the most
noble of jobs. Police officers are highly respected members of
any community who risk their life daily in order to protect
citizens. For this reason, becoming a police officer can be risky
although very exciting. No two days are ever the same for a
police officer out in the field.
Questions You Should Ask During The Job Interview
Written by: Carole Martin |
Distributed: 2006-09-14 |
Word Count: 680 |
Page Views: 17494
| Votes: 16 |
Rating: 2.50
At some point, usually at the conclusion of the interview, you
may be asked, "Do you have any questions?" A common answer to
this question is, "No, I think you've covered everything very
well." This is the wrong answer!
One Star that Doesn't Need to Shine: The truth behind the Order of the Eastern Star
Written by: Siobhan Gamble |
Distributed: 2007-07-09 |
Word Count: 831 |
Page Views: 14433
| Votes: 41 |
Rating: 1.54
Standing firm by the side of the organization that many of us
know as Freemasonry, is a woman's auxiliary which was founded in
1868 known as the Order of the Eastern Star. It is the largest
Fraternal Organization in the world. Also known as the "Star",
OES is only open to women with specific Masonic affiliation and
men who are Master Masons.
Job Interview Answers - What To Say If You Got Fired
Written by: Bob Firestone |
Distributed: 2007-03-12 |
Word Count: 747 |
Page Views: 12853
| Votes: 21 |
Rating: 2.67
Have you ever been fired from a job? Use these winning job
interview answers to beat this tough question and get hired into
the job you want.
Building and Sustaining Positive Relationships in the Workplace
Written by: Gail Solish |
Distributed: 2006-10-04 |
Word Count: 539 |
Page Views: 11462
| Votes: 15 |
Rating: 2.60
It's Monday morning and you've only been at the office for a
couple of hours. The phone has not stopped ringing, you've
barely made a dent in your emails, there is a project deadline
looming, a team meeting to lead and your boss is concerned and
hassling you about the project outcome. Does any of this sound
familiar to you? Does it feel overwhelming? The truth is that
order to be successful, productive and less stressed, you need
positive, supportive relationships at work.
There's More to Culinary Arts Than Being a Chef
Written by: Jennifer Charleston |
Distributed: 2008-10-09 |
Word Count: 797 |
Page Views: 11292
| Votes: 20 |
Rating: 2.50
Culinary arts is simply the art of cooking. Working in the field
of culinary arts usually involves preparing meals which not only
taste good, but look great too.
The Pros and Cons of Teaching Abroad
Written by: Justin Burch |
Distributed: 2006-10-31 |
Word Count: 720 |
Page Views: 9331
| Votes: 28 |
Rating: 2.82
As it has been said, teaching abroad isn't for everybody. Each
program you will encounter will require some prerequisites and
the proper attitude, but will offer unique challenges and
personal incentives to the right individual. Here is an
impartial analysis of opportunities confronting both sides of
the arguments you need to consider before deciding to teach
abroad
Highest Ranked "Career" Articles
How to Know if You'll Make a Good Police Officer
Written by: Jennifer Charleston |
Distributed: 2008-09-24 |
Word Count: 789 |
Page Views: 19748
| Votes: 37 |
Rating: 3.16
Becoming a police officer means you'll be taking on the most
noble of jobs. Police officers are highly respected members of
any community who risk their life daily in order to protect
citizens. For this reason, becoming a police officer can be risky
although very exciting. No two days are ever the same for a
police officer out in the field.
Create Success-With Whatever You Have! 7 Practices for Creating What Matters Most In Life And Work
Written by: Bruce Elkin |
Distributed: 2007-12-25 |
Word Count: 1103 |
Page Views: 5603
| Votes: 19 |
Rating: 3.00
Seven Practices For Creating Almost Anything -- These 7 practices
are no magic formula. But they will help you create outstanding
results-with whatever you start with.
You Give What You Get In Your Career
Written by: Deborah Brown-Volkman |
Distributed: 2007-01-23 |
Word Count: 653 |
Page Views: 4717
| Votes: 8 |
Rating: 3.00
How do you treat the people you work with? Do you say hello in
the morning or stare at something else as you walk by? Are you
friendly or aloof? Are you only nice to those that you deem as
necessary or can further your career?
Why Becoming a Pharmacist Means You Don't Have to Worry About Student Loans
Written by: Jennifer Charleston |
Distributed: 2008-09-26 |
Word Count: 692 |
Page Views: 37428
| Votes: 102 |
Rating: 3.00
So you want to become a pharmacist but are not sure where to
start? Unlike other careers, there really is only one way to go
about becoming a pharmacist. And that is to attend a university
and gain a degree. For this reason all prospective pharmacists
must have fantastic study abilities as well as the commitment to
see out a long six year degree.
How Generation *R* Got It Right!
Written by: Kent Jacobson a.k.a. Mr. Success |
Distributed: 2007-06-14 |
Word Count: 472 |
Page Views: 4632
| Votes: 12 |
Rating: 2.92
Who is generation R? I'll tell you, they are our retired mothers
and fathers, and even our grandparents who were born in the 20's
and 30's. Why am I writing about this generation of people?
Federal Jobs Are Plentiful
Written by: Benji O. Anosike |
Distributed: 2009-02-26 |
Word Count: 1351 |
Page Views: 6252
| Votes: 10 |
Rating: 2.90
Think there are no job hiring anywhere in america today? Have you
tried to job search in one place? Truth is, there are plenty of
federal jobs with the federal government right now, with even
increased worker hiring scheduled. And here's how and where!
You Gotta Go Through
Written by: Deborah Brown-Volkman |
Distributed: 2007-04-25 |
Word Count: 676 |
Page Views: 5042
| Votes: 9 |
Rating: 2.89
Are you facing a situation in your career that you thought you'd
never face? Working in a job that you are overqualified for?
Reporting to a boss that doesn't get or like you? Unemployed
after years of hard work? Interviewing endlessly when in the past
jobs came to you?
Online Medical Assistant Schools
Written by: Mark Stout, BSc, MD |
Distributed: 2008-06-05 |
Word Count: 399 |
Page Views: 5324
| Votes: 8 |
Rating: 2.88
Medical assistants perform administrative and clinical tasks to
keep the offices of physicians, podiatrists, chiropractors, and
other health practitioners running smoothly. The duties of
medical assistants vary from office to office, depending on the
location and size of the practice and the practitioner's
specialty.
Key to Success: 10 Success Tips for Maximum Achievement
Written by: Sharif Khan |
Distributed: 2006-05-23 |
Word Count: 1787 |
Page Views: 5436
| Votes: 35 |
Rating: 2.86
First off, I would echo the voice of 18th century French
philosopher Voltaire, made popular and relevant in today's
leadership lexicon by "Good to Great" author Jim Collins,
who said, "Good is the Enemy of Great."
Interior Designers: Dynamic Careers for Those with a Vision
Written by: Jennifer Charleston |
Distributed: 2008-09-18 |
Word Count: 818 |
Page Views: 5637
| Votes: 14 |
Rating: 2.86
Interior design careers are exciting, creative and dynamic.
Interior design is becoming a popular field of work due to many
people now wanting to renovate their homes. This could be due to
the success of home improvement TV shows, magazines and websites.
|
|
|
|
|
Article Reprint Rights
|

This work is licensed under a
Creative Commons License
You are not required to show the creative commons license notice when you reprint this work.
|
Article Statistics
|
Word Count: 697
Total Views: 4606
Article Rating: 3.00 of 5
Votes Cast: 11
More Articles By Author:
Articles On This Website
Last Distribution Date:
2007-01-18 11:48:00
Internal ID: #4244
|
|
|