What type of people do you find it difficult to work with?

What other companies are you interviewing with?

What do you think will be your biggest challenge in this role?

How did you hear about this position?

Describe a time you lead your team by example

What project management software can you use?

Job Interview Tips: What is your greatest work accomplishment?

Job Interview Tips: Do you prefer to work independently or in a team?

Job Interview Tips: How to explain the employment gap on your CV?

The latest employment figures reveal that 6 million U.S. workers have been unemployed 6 months or longer. Needless to say, the job market is saturated with many qualified candidates. Many resumes are showing employment dates that must be addressed during the job interview. Every candidate should expect questions surrounding their previous employment. Sending out resumes and having a few job interviews is not enough when you are competing with so many talented candidates. I have heard several experts provide advice on how to address this gap in employment. Some of this advice I would question and would not recommend to job candidates. Please do not lie or attempt to mislead when listing employment dates on your resume. Being unemployed will not prevent you from landing a new job, but lying to a prospective employer during the interview certainly will.

Honesty and integrity will carry you far in life. When asked why you are no longer with your previous employer be truthful and explain the circumstances surrounding your separation. Many companies had to lay off solid performers and oftentimes the circumstances surrounding their unemployment were unavoidable. What future employers look for are specific skills for their job vacancy. How do you keep your marketable skills sharp during unemployment?

My recommendations to candidates we represent is to list and explain activities, committees and organizations you have been involved with during your period of unemployment. Your resume should depict this time frame and you should speak to it during the interview. One of our candidates volunteered at his daughter's school for a back to school event. He organized the event, assembled a staff of workers, established fund raising and made sure the event was conducted as planned. Rather than being defensive during a recent interview he confidently shared his experiences during this timeframe and really impressed the employer. These skills are certainly the type of skills employers' value in professional talent.

This approach allows you to take what could easily become an uncomfortable interview moment and replace it with positive affirmative information about your relevant skills. Employers know that you have mailed resumes and have had a few job interviews, but what have you been doing to improve your marketability? Your interview is an extremely important part in gaining employment. Don't allow the inability to explain your unemployment or the gaps in dates on your resume cost you the job.