Ace Your Job Interview

(MoneyWatch) 

Whether you're an aspiring intern or a senior-level executive, it's important to set aside prep time before a job interview. Even those high up on the corporate ladder make gaffes that could easily have been avoided. And if it's been a while since you hunted for a new job, you may be surprised at the creative techniques employers are now using. Here's a collection of our top downloaded articles on job interviews to help you get through the process blunder-free.

These Interview Bloopers Could Cost You the Job

Source: Wall Street Journal

A lot of job hunters take time perfecting their cover letters and resumes but sabotage themselves by not preparing for the interview. Surprisingly, many of these people are senior-level executives who rest on their laurels and treat the interview as a formality. But no matter how experienced you are, you won't impress anybody if you can't articulate why you're right for the job. This article breaks down five common mistakes made in job interviews and how to avoid them.

Sharpen Your Job Interview Skills

Source: Harvard Knowledgebase

If you think sucking up is the key to a successful job interview, think again. You should have two goals during every job interview: Establish a basic trust with the interviewer, and give a few clear ideas about what you can do for the company. This article explains why these goals are important and how to achieve them.

Dealing Effectively with the Stress Interview

Source: Medzilla

Employers in all industries are now asking off-beat and stressful questions during job interviews. Many of these questions don't have a right or wrong answer: employers ask them to see how interviewees react to unexpected situations. This article discusses how to stay cool during the stress interview and what types of answers employers want to hear.

Fifty Behavior-Based Interview Questions

Source: The Ford Group

When you're preparing for a job interview, it helps to anticipate the types of questions an employer might ask. One of the most popular is the behavior-based question, designed to gauge how a potential employee might react in a specific scenario. For example: "Describe for me a time when you had to make an important decision with limited facts." If you prepare for them, such questions can be a great opportunity to demonstrate your strengths and experience. This list will help you get your answers ready.

Executive Recruiters' Favorite Interview Questions

Source: CFO Publishing

Executive recruiters often lace their interviews with tricky questions to gain insight into how you think and how you might fit within their company's corporate culture. Take this query, for example: "If you had to do it all over again, what would your career choice be and why?" Your mission is to grasp what the recruiter is really trying to judge and not take the question at face value. This article provides tips on how to handle unusual questions and what to consider before you answer them.