Pre Employment Screening Interview Preparation Guide

Typically, an employer is able to match the personal characteristics of an applicant with respect to the job requirements, with the help of this tool. The five most important personality traits are: Extroversion, Emotional Quotient, Openness, Conscientiousness and Flexibility. The test could range from a brief written test to a long psychological test. However, an applicant should remember that there are 'NO RIGHT ANSWERS' and each answer is as true as the other. Further, an applicant should try to be honest and not tamper with the answers, for an evaluator can easily gauge inconsistency in answers vis-a vis the interview observations.

A skills test is used to evaluate an applicant on the basis of the skills required for the job. A skills test may require a candidate to demonstrate the skills that play a key role in the job profile under consideration. Some examples of skill tests are: A written test, typing test, etc

An aptitude test enables an employer to check if the applicant has an appropriate aptitude to carry out the job effectively and efficiently. An applicant is judged on the 'Intelligence Quotient' be requiring him to undergo numeric tests, analytical tests, reasoning tests etc.

These tests enable an employer to ascertain if the applicant has the right ethics to work in the organization or not. An applicant may be tested on caste study type of questions that prompt him to state his action concerning issues related to confidentiality, drugs, alcohol, 'white-lies', company property etc.

Pre-interview questionnaires allow employers to gather more information about you than is provided on your resume, cover letter, and letters of recommendation. The goal of the questionnaires is to find out if you are a good fit for both the job and the company, as well as to ask questions that might not be asked during the interview.

☛ What are your key strengths?
☛ What are some of your weaknesses?
☛ What job responsibilities do you excel at?
☛ What knowledge areas and technical skills are your strongest?
☛ What team and leadership skills are your strongest?
☛ Do you have any additional skills or experiences that you did not include in your resume that we should know about?
☛ Can you provide us with a sample or demonstration of your best work?

☛ What are the key motivators that encourage you to perform at your best?
☛ What makes a job fun?
☛ What types of management style frustrate you the most? What types of management style help to motivate you?
☛ Why specifically did you quit your last job?
☛ Describe a time when you were asked to work overtime without compensation?
☛ How did you manage the situation?
☛ Where do you expect to be in two years? Five years?
☛ Are you interested in further professional development?
☛ How does this position fit in with your long term goals?

☛ Where did you see our posting?
☛ Would you be willing to participate in a telephone interview?
☛ What is the minimum starting yearly salary that you will accept for this position?
☛ What are your minimum expectations?
☛ Is there anyone that you would like to meet or talk to during your visit for an interview?
☛ What decision criteria will you use to decide whether you will accept this job offer, if it is offered to you?
☛ What other companies have you applied to recently?
☛ What is your availability? When could you begin work?
☛ Can I contact the references you listed on your resume?

Before you send back or submit your questionnaire be sure to proofread your responses to make sure there are no typos or grammatical errors. Also be sure the information you submitted matches your resume and/or your job application. Discrepancies will be a red flag for an employer and could cost you the interview.

In addition to interview about you, employers often include information that will be necessary for the upcoming interview in the questionnaire. This information may include details on what to wear to the interview, security clearances you will have to go through, and materials you will need to bring.