BOLT President Joanne Sanders

Congratulations! Your resume has done its job. As you prepare for the next step, the interview, you need to be prepared to handle questions that could catch you flatfooted if you haven't thought about them before.

1. One standard that is both an ice breaker and a means to evaluate potential employees is, "Tell me about yourself." This is not an invitation to ramble through your hobbies and personal life. The best way to handle this is to focus on your work history and why you are interested in the job. Tell the story of what brings you to the in 

terview. For example, "I've always had a passion for the wine industry. I grew up in the area and attended local schools and I've always wanted to be involved in wine production. In my last position I worked in the tasting room and now I'd like to put my skills to work in your cellar. I'm eager to interview with you and learn more about this opportunity."
In addition to telling the interviewer about your work focus, the last sentence gently directs the conversation back to the interviewer and opens a dialogue, giving you a chance to demonstrate your listening skills.

2. Another standard is "Why did you leave your last job?" (Or, "Why do you want to leave your current job?")