Firms focus on personality in interviews

Your resume got you in the door, and now it’s time for the interview. What are they going to ask?

Chances are, the tried and true “Tell me about yourself,” isn’t likely to be the first query from a potential employer, according to a survey of more than 2,000 recruiters by ResumeDoctor.com, a Vermont-based consulting service.

Most job interviewers first want to know your vision of the ideal job and boss, followed by the reason for your current search. After those, most said they ask about unique qualifications or experiences that separate you from other candidates.

Then, it’s time to describe yourself.

Among the other top 15 queries: “What are your short-term/long-term goals?” “What are the best and worst aspects of your previous job?” “What do you know about our company?” and “What would your former boss/colleagues say about you?”

So, while you’re nervous and focused on keeping your foot far from your mouth, remember that most recruiters aren’t asking you to confirm factual data.

They tend to ask open-ended questions about subjective matters, hoping to reveal as much of your personality as possible.