[JudyM]

Hi,

Hope you can help me with another interveiw questions that might come up for me in a phone interview that I'm going to have.

I know I've done this before since I've worked as an admin for ten years and also worked in putchasing for 10 years, but just not sure how to answer if this comes up so hope you can give me some ideas. I feel so stupid, guess thats why I hate interviews and probably blowing it.

One of the things they are strongly looking for in someone who is good with Excel, which I am. Then the sentence says, Possesses strong interpersonal skills, analytical and problem solving skills.

So any ideas for answers if they ask for an example of my analytical and problem solving skills? I've went over the Star Method interview, but just cant come up with an answer for analytical.

Any ideas?

[Lauren Elder]

Hi JudyM,

First of all, I think you're beating yourself up a bit. Interviews can be stressful for everyone and you are probably doing better than you think. Think about how lucky you are to have even gotten an interview! That's more than a lot of people can say.

As for the analytical question, Have you ever had to organize a lot of information and bring meaning to it? Or used reason and logic to consider all your options and make a decision? I think things like that showcase analytical ability.

[JudyM]

Yes, I always get so stressed before an interview and yes I am lucky to get interviews. Just always getting the "overqualified" rejections afterwards.

Anyway, does analytical have to mean a problem involving numbers? Working in Press Relations I always had to solve problems when coordinating corporate events for the media, but I'm just clueless in what an analytical and problem would be.

[wazabeth]

Originally Posted by JudyM

Hi,

Hope you can help me with another interveiw questions that might come up for me in a phone interview that I'm going to have.

I know I've done this before since I've worked as an admin for ten years and also worked in putchasing for 10 years, but just not sure how to answer if this comes up so hope you can give me some ideas. I feel so stupid, guess thats why I hate interviews and probably blowing it.

One of the things they are strongly looking for in someone who is good with Excel, which I am. Then the sentence says, Possesses strong interpersonal skills, analytical and problem solving skills.

So any ideas for answers if they ask for an example of my analytical and problem solving skills? I've went over the Star Method interview, but just cant come up with an answer for analytical.

Any ideas?

I am sure you are always solving problems. Think about a few problemed situation that have come up over the years and how you solved it or made suggestions to solve it. I have been told in some cases that you should make up a situational problem and tell them how you solved it. Sometimes, you just can't remember everything but I am sure you have solved problems that were significant either with customers, employees, same industry problems, boss problems, helped an employee solve their problems, college problem, etc. Good luck!

[Jodith]

Analysis doesn't have to apply just to numbers. Analysis is essentially the process of looking at all sides of a situation in order to make a decision. Most people like to break things down numerically because it makes things easy to see graphically, but not everything can be easily equated numerically.

If you have a problem you've solved, talk about the things you thought about in making a decision. Let's say you needed to buy a new office machine. One machine was less expensive, but was really hard to learn and difficult to work with. The more expensive machine is very easy to learn and very intuitive even for those who won't use it often. You can make a case that in the long run it is less expensive because you'll have less lost productivity from people trying to use the darn thing. You may not have clear cut numbers for the decision, but you can describe what you looked at and why you made the decision that you make.

[JudyM]

ohhhhh! Okay, now that makes more sense to me. Now I think I'll be able to come up with a couple of examples. Thanks so much for your help.

Happy Holidays!