Interviewing: Books to Help You Prepare for the Interview Process
By Michele Blandino
It is usually the least anticipated, but most necessary part of the job hunting process: the job interview. For most, the interview represents the one opportunity to prove you are the most qualified person for the job, the time to set yourself apart from the other candidates.
Yet, despite the importance of the interview process, many job applicants fail to properly prepare, succumb to nervousness or simply just don’t know what to expect.
Fortunately, there are many books on the market that can help you better prepare for the interview process. We will profile some of the best here.
Killer Interviews
Authors Frederick W. Ball and Barbara B. Ball have spent their careers counseling scores of professionals through career transitions and the outplacement process. In this book, they present strategies for successful interviews and coach the reader on their personal presentation style. In addition to presenting a discussion of the importance of the interview process, the reader will gain an understanding of the critical role psychological, physical and intellectual preparation play in a successful interview. This book also provides valuable insight on negotiation, weighing offers and selecting the right opportunity.
- Best Answers to the 201 Most Frequently Asked Interview Questions
- More Best Answers to the 201 Most Frequently Asked Interview Questions
These books by career expert Matthew J. DeLuca break down common interview questions into several categories including those designed to be ice breakers, questions designed to ascertain more information about your professional and educational background, your people skills and your ability to effectively handle pressure and other types of difficult situations.
Unlike many other books that provide interview tips and coaching, these books are well-suited for both the new job market entrant and the seasoned veteran looking for a change. Throughout the course of both books, DeLuca provides advice on what constitutes a good answer as well as the types of answers that should be avoided. In addition, the book provides advice on how the importance of maintaining an awareness of the nonverbal queues you may receive during the course of the interview which may provide important clues as to the suitability of the job.
In this book, author Ron Fry likens the job interview to a sales call with the interviewee attempting to sell their skills to the hiring manager. In the end, Fry reasons, the ultimate goal of any job interview is let the hiring manager know as much as possible about you, your skills and the reasons why you are the right person for the job.
The book contains a number of preparation exercises such as reviewing every single job you have held in the past to demonstrate certain qualities. In addition to helping build a case for your suitability for the job, Fry believes exercises such as these will help you develop strong, convincing answers to the questions put before you. Unlike some of the other books profiled, this book places an emphasis on the importance of interviewees taking the time to really get to know themselves before attempting to sell themselves in an interview.
