CareerJournal.com prepares jobseekers with helpful tips for tough interviews

Job candidates can prepare for even the most difficult interview questions, according to report on CareerJournal.com, The Wall Street Journalís executive career site.

It’s possible to answer any interview question that comes your way, says CareerJournal.com, Being prepared and knowing how to direct the conversation to the topics you want to cover are the keys to a successful interview.

ìMost people donít realize that they donít need to wait for the right questions to be asked,î says Gail Griffin, general manager, CareerJournal.com. ìDevelop two or three key messages and make sure your points are delivered.î

Diligent preparation also is necessary to effectively answer any interview question. Try to find out what the company is seeking and its key challenges. Learn as much as you can about a job’s responsibilities and the attributes the company wants before job interviews. From your research, you can determine what types of things a company might want to know about you and think of corresponding anecdotes. And, make sure your answers demonstrate your potential value to an employer.

CareerJournal.com offers these interview tips:

Study hard. Learn as much as you can about the job, the employer and its executives beforehand. Use this information to answer direct questions and to then segue into a discussion about your qualifications and fit.

Have anecdotes ready. Many interviewers ask questions that require candidates to provide examples of how they handled a difficult challenge or other work situation. If you know what challenges the company is facing, you can tailor your response to what the company is dealing with and how you can help.

Be positive about the negative. Count on being asked about a past mistake or blemish on your career record, and don’t try to dodge the issue. If you have vulnerability, you need to be prepared to answer the question and move on.