By Caryl and Ronald L. Krannich Ph.Ds
Courtesy of Impact Publications

Each of us has a capacity to do well in a job interview. Some people always seem to interview well. They have the personality, social graces, knowledge, and experience that impresses potential employers. Others are not so fortunate. Finding the job interview an extremely stressful situation, they need tips on what they should know and how they should best prepare for the interview. Complete the following exercise by indicating your degree of agreement or disagreement with each statement by circling the number to the right that best represents your situations.

In an interview:		From strongly agree (5) to strongly disagree (1)
1. I know what skills I can offer employers.		5 4 3 2 1
2. I know what skills employers most seek in candidates.		5 4 3 2 1
3. I can clearly explain to employers what I do well and enjoy doing.		5 4 3 2 1
4. I can specify why an employer should hire me.		5 4 3 2 1
5. I can identify and target employers I want to interview.		5 4 3 2 1
6. I can develop a job referral network.		5 4 3 2 1
7. I can prospect for job leads.		5 4 3 2 1
8.I can generate at least one job interview for every 10 job search contacts I make.		5 4 3 2 1
9. I can follow-up on job interviews.		5 4 3 2 1
10. I can persuade an employer to renegotiate my salary after six months on the job.		5 4 3 2 1
11. I know which questions interviewers are most likely to ask me.		5 4 3 2 1
12. If asked to reveal my weaknesses, I know how to respond—answer honestly, but always stress my strengths.		5 4 3 2 1
13. I know how to best dress for the interview.		5 4 3 2 1
14. I know the various types of interviews I may encounter and how to appropriately respond in each situation.		5 4 3 2 1
15. I can easily approach strangers for job information and advice.		5 4 3 2 1
16. I know where to find information on organizations that are most likely to be interested in my skills.		5 4 3 2 1
17. I know how to go beyond vacancy announcements to locate job opportunities appropriate for my qualifications.		5 4 3 2 1
18. I know how to interview appropriate people for job information and advice.		5 4 3 2 1
19. I know many people who can refer me to others for informational interviews.		5 4 3 2 1
20. I can uncover jobs on the hidden job market.		5 4 3 2 1
21. I know how to prepare and practice for the critical job interview.		5 4 3 2 1
22. I know how to stress my positives.		5 4 3 2 1
23. I know how to research the organization and individuals who are likely to interview me.		5 4 3 2 1
24. I have considered how I would respond to illegal questions posed by prospective employers.		5 4 3 2 1
25. I can telephone effectively for job information and employment leads.		5 4 3 2 1
26. I am prepared to conduct an effective telephone interview.		5 4 3 2 1
27. I know when and how to deal with salary questions.		5 4 3 2 1
28. I'm prepared to take a psychological screening test and expect to pass with flying colors.		5 4 3 2 1
29. I know what to read while waiting in the outer office prior to the interview.		5 4 3 2 1
30. I can nonverbally communicate my interest and enthusiasm for the job.		5 4 3 2 1
31. I know the best time to arrive at the interview site.		5 4 3 2 1
32. I know how to respond using positive form and content as well as supports when responding to interviewers' questions.		5 4 3 2 1
33. I know how to summarize my strengths and value at the closing of the interview.		5 4 3 2 1
34. I know what to include in a thank-you letter.		5 4 3 2 1
35. I know when and how to follow-up the interview.		5 4 3 2 1
36. I can explain to interviewers why I made my particular educational choices, including my major and grade point average.		5 4 3 2 1
37. I can clearly explain to interviewers what I like and dislike about particular jobs.		5 4 3 2 1
38. I can clearly explain to interviewers what I want to be doing 5 or10 years from now.		5 4 3 2 1
39. I have a list of references that can speak in a positive manner about me and my work abilities		5 4 3 2 1
40. I can clearly state my job and career objectives as both skills and outcomes.		5 4 3 2 1
41. I have set aside 20 hours a week to primarily conduct informational interviews.		5 4 3 2 1
42. I know what foods and drinks are best to select if the interview also includes a luncheon or dinner meeting.		5 4 3 2 1
43. I know how to listen effectively.		5 4 3 2 1
44. I can explain why an employer should hire me.		5 4 3 2 1
45. I know when to use my resume in an informational interview.		5 4 3 2 1
46. I am prepared to handle the salary question if it comes up early in the interview.		5 4 3 2 1
47. I can generate three new job leads each day.		5 4 3 2 1
48. I can outline my major achievements in my last three jobs and show how they relate to the job I am interviewing for.		5 4 3 2 1
49. I know what the interviewer is looking for when he or she asks about weaknesses.		5 4 3 2 1
50. I am prepared to handle both series and stress interviews.		5 4 3 2 1

YOUR TOTAL I.Q. Once you have completed this exercise, add your responses to compute a total score. This will comprise your composite I.Q. If your score is between 200 and 250, you seem well prepared to successfully handle the interview process. If your score is between 150 and 199, you are heading in the right direction but could use some help to increase your interview competencies. However, if your score falls below 150, you have a great deal of work to do in preparation for the job interview. For assistance in preparing for the interview, and increasing your interview I.Q. score, see Drs. Ron and Caryl Krannich's latest editions of Interview For Success and 101 Dynamite Answers to Interview Questions (Impact Publications).