Locke Paper Group, LLC
PO Box 141
Neenah, WI 54957-0141

Telephone: 920-558-4429
recruiter@lockepapergroup.com

Interview Tips

Interview Advice

  1. Each Interviewing Manager has a different area to address in meeting you. Here is HR versus Hiring Manager.

    • HR:

      • Purpose is to find reasons not to hire you.

      • Give overview of company.

      • Assess personality fit with company culture.

      • Light skills assessment.

    • Hiring Manager:

      • Heavy skills assessment.

      • Assess personality fit with group.

  2. ALWAYS ANSWER QUESTIONS USING EXAMPLES!

    • Avoid using vague words such as: a lot, stuff, good.

    • Be specific and quantitative:

      "60 percent of my time is devoted to GL"

      "I streamlined the process by decreasing the monthly close by three days."

      "As a result of my performance, my supervisor gave me a raise three months in advance."

  3. Answer questions in a positive manner.

    • NEVER BE NEGATIVE OR ANGRY ABOUT A PREVIOUS EMPLOYER.

    • Spin negative responses:

      "Because I have extensive experience in Lotus, I am sure I could learn Excel quickly."

  4. Be prepared for the question, "So, tell me about yourself."

    • Write out your answer in advance.

    • Be concise - DON'T RAMBLE!

    • Start with our first position and move forward getting more detailed as you approach you current position.

    • End the summary with, "Where would you like me to explain further?"

  5. If you have an opportunity, ask why the interviewer joined the company.

    • This puts the interviewer in a good mood and tells you what is important to him or her.

    • Tailor you interview to his/her response.

  6. Never talk about desired salary.

    • If asked what your current salary is, you must be honest! References will be checked.

    • Write open to negotiation on the application.

    • If asked what salary you want, just explain that at this point you are more interested in learning more about the opportunity.

  7. ALWAYS COME INTO THE INTERVIEW WITH 3-5 SUCCESS STORIES!

    • How did you impact the bottom line?

    • Did you save the company money or time? Increase profits? Increase proficiency? Perform crisis management?

  8. DRAW PARALLELS BETWEEN YOUR EXPERIENCE AND THE JOB DESCRIPTION.

    • Try to have 2-3 specific examples for each responsibility listed on the job description.

  9. Don't be afraid to repeat your questions and comments to different interviewers.

    • REMEMBER TO SELL YOURSELF TO EACH INTERVIEWER!

    • Don't let your enthusiasm dwindle as the day goes on.

  10. Don't mention promotion in the interview.

    • Keep things general.

      "I am looking for increased responsibility and increased challenges."

      "I am looking for an increased learning curve that will continuously grow."

  11. Be prepared with at least 5-7 questions.

    • Base questions on research, industry, company goals, skill requirements, impact of position on company, mergers, acquisitions, etc.

    • Don't worry about asking the same questions to different interviewers. You're just getting different points of view.

  12. Rehearse your answer to "Why are you looking/did you leave your current position?"

    • Give your answer and move on!

  13. People get hired for three reasons:

    • Qualified.

    • Rapport with the interviewers.

    • Desire to do the job and join the company.

  14. CLOSE THE INTERVIEW!

    • Thank them for their time.

    • Express desire for the position and reconfirm ability to do the job.

    • Ask if there are any perceived obstacles to your ability to do the job and alleviate their concerns using concrete examples.

    • Ask what the next step will be.

  15. Incorporate "power" words in your interview.

    Designed Engineered
    Implemented Completed
    Presented Managed
    Saved Earned
    Coordinated Organized
    Led Accomplished
    Reduced/Increased Developed
    Produced Authored
    Improved Created
    Troubleshoot Prioritized



Behavioral Interview

1. Never be "extreme" on either end. Keep an even-keeled attitude with your answers.

2. You may be doing the CBI interview with someone outside of the finance group. Make sure you clearly explain your answers, especially if they are finance related. That person may not understand the terminology that you are using.

3. Make sure to use "I", not "we" when explaining how you react in group situations.

4. Give a TON of detail when answering questions.

5. You can give examples that related to work, internships, outside activities that you are involved with (especially if you had a leadership role) and/or personal situations.


  1. Creativity

  2. Flexibility

  3. Eye for Detail

  4. Leadership

  5. Interest/Enthusiasm

  6. Interpersonal Skills

  7. Analytical Thinking

  8. Time Management

  9. Initiative

  10. Technical Skills



  1. Tell me about a time a high level executive disagreed with something you did.


  1. Give me situation when you were faced with a challenge.


  1. Tell me about a time when you had a personality conflict.


  1. Tell about a time when you had to take on work that was not your responsibility.


  1. Tell me about a time you made a change in policy/procedure. What steps did you take? How did you communicate the change? What response did you get?


  1. Tell me about a time you needed to get a group of people to follow your instructions.


  1. Tell me about a time you had to perform a complex and confusing task.


  1. Tell me about a time you completed a project from start to finish.


  1. Tell a time you resolved conflict on a project team.


  1. Tell me a time when your job position changed.


  1. Tell me a time you worked on a project under heavy deadlines and pressure.


  1. Tell me about a time you have been in a low morale situation.


  1. Tell me a time you had more work than you had time for.


  1. Tell me a time you were confused about an assignment.


  1. Tell me a time you had to live up to the expectations of a peer.