Monitoring & Evaluation Specialist Interview Preparation Guide

You may say that you thrive under certain types of pressure. Give an example that relates to the type of position applied for.
Mention pressures you face on the daily, such as dealing with deadlines on a regular basis.
Try not to use an example where you created the pressure yourself, by waiting too long to start something, or by handling a task irresponsibly at the beginning. For example, working under pressure to meet a customer's deadline could be a good example, but not if you had waited too long to start the project.
Pressure is actually a catalyst to my work. When there is an imperative deadline, I refocus my energy into my work which in fact, has helped me to produce some of my best works. (Give examples) I guess you can say I thrive under pressure.

You have to relax during the interview and try to be friendly. You should put up a warm smile on your face occasionally and try not to be to formal and yet again too informal. Try to treat the interviewing panel like they are actually your work colleagues no matter how intimidating they may appear.

There is absolutely no harm in displaying some of your big achievements to the interviewing panel. More especially if it is really related to the kind of programme they intend to implement over the years. Take for example, if they are recuiting a Monitoring and Evaluation Officer for a gender programme they are about to implement and you were fortunate to have conducted a gender evaluation as a consultant months before the interview, why not show them your Evaluation Report.

Make sure you answer questions in a clear and confident way. Interviewers are interested in a Monitoring and Evaluation Officer who is able to communicate clearly. Why is this so important? Well when you will be called to do a powerpoint presentation on your Monitoring findings infront of a wide audience, you have to be able to communicate it in a clear but effective way. When the interviewers ask you questions, answer the question as it comes and don't include things that are not related at all to the topic. Be yourself.

I have been working with computers since 2001. I also have a degree in network support/computer repair. I have built my last 3 computers, have work with Dell as an employee. So I have around 15 years experience working with computers.

Usually interviewers want to test your intelligence by giving you a practical situation. If you are called to explain your experience in the Monitoring and Evaluation field, make sure you explain things in a practical way. For instance, imagine if the interviewers asked you whether you have conducted a Baseline Survey before in your life. You are not only going to say yes, but you will briefly explain how you did it and what were your findings. It is usually interesting if you conducted a Baseline Survey for a prestigious organization.

► Everyone should learn from his mistake. I always try to consult my mistakes with my kith and kin especially with elderly and experienced person.
► I enrolled myself into a course useful for the next version of our current project. I attended seminars on personal development and managerial skills improvement.

• How did you gain the technical knowledge you need to do your job?
• How long did you have to study before you took your [Name of Specific License] exam? How many times did you take the test?
• Give me an example of an especially difficult assignment or project. What was your role? What did you do?
• Have you received any commendations for your performance?
• It says on your application that you have used specialized computer software. Describe a typical project.
• What do you think is the most important development in your field today? What impact do you think it will have?
• How do you keep informed about what's happening in your field?
• To what job-related organizations do you belong?
• What job-related publications do you normally read?
• Have you recently attended any conferences or seminars in your field? What did you get out of them?

• You've probably had this experience: You worked hard on something, only to be told to change priorities and do it some other way. How did you handle that?
• Which supervisors have you found easiest to work with? Most difficult? Why?
• What kinds of problems have you had in switching from one job to another?
• How do you handle breaks in routine, interruptions, and last-minute changes?

• What are some of the most important documents you have written? What kinds of problems did you have writing them? What kind of reception did they receive?
• What is the most difficult writing assignment you have undertaken recently? Why was it so challenging? How did you handle it?
• Have you ever written instructions to be followed by employees or customers? What did you do?
• Recall an important report you had to prepare. How did you go about planning and organizing it?
• To what kind of audience do you address most of your written work? What level of language do you use?
• Have you ever had to write technical material for lay people? Please give me an example.