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A man with a violin case stood on a subway platform in The Bronx. He asked a conductor, "How do you get to Carnegie Hall?" The conductor replied, "Practice! Practice! Practice!"

Tests. That old joke holds good advice for people preparing for employment tests or interviews. The tests given to job applicants fall into four categories: General aptitude tests, practical tests, tests of physical agility, and medical examinations. You can practice for the first three. If the fourth is required, learn as soon as possible what the disqualifying conditions are, then have your physician examine you for them so that you do not spend years training for a job that you will not be allowed to hold.

How to prepare for tests:

You can't study directly for aptitude tests. But you can get ready to do your best by taking other tests. Look for tests or quizzes in magazines and school books. Set time limits. By taking tests, you learn about the testing process. This helps you feel more comfortable when you are tested. Brush up on job skills. For example, if you're taking a typing test, practice typing. If you're taking a construction test, review books and blueprints.

Get ready for physical tests by doing activities similar to those required for the job.

For literacy tests, review and do exercises in reading and math books or enroll in remedial classes. It's natural to be nervous about tests (some anxiety may even help you).

Here are some tips that will help you take most tests:

1. Make a list of what you need for the test (pencil, eye glasses, I.D., etc.). Check it before leaving.

2. Get a good night's sleep.

3. If you're sick, call and reschedule the test.

4. Leave for the test site early.

5. If you have any physical difficulties, tell the test administrator.

6. If you don't understand the test instructions, ASK FOR HELP before the test begins.

7. If there are strict time limits, budget your time. Don't linger over difficult questions.

8. Find out if guessing is penalized. If it's not, guess on questions you're not sure about.

9. If you have time, review your answers. Check to not misread a question or make careless mistakes.

10. You may be able to re-take the test. Ask about the re-testing policy.

11. Get a proper interpretation of your scores. The scores may indicate other career opportunities that should be pursued.

To practice for a test, you must learn what the test is. Once again, you must know what job you want to apply for and for whom you want to work in order to find out what tests, if any, are required. Government agencies, which frequently rely on tests, will often provide a sample of the test they use. These samples can be helpful even if an employer uses a different test. Copies of standard government tests are usually available at the library.

If you practice beforehand, you'll be better prepared and less nervous on the day of the test. That will put you ahead of the competition. You will also improve your performance by following this advice:

· Make a list of what you will need at the test center, including a pencil; check it before leaving the house.

· Get a good night's sleep.

· Be at the test center early--at least 15 minutes early.

· Read the instructions carefully; make sure they do not differ from the samples you practiced with.

· Generally, speed counts; do not linger over difficult questions.

· Learn if guessing is penalized. Most tests are scored by counting up the right answers; guessing is all to the good. Some tests are scored by counting the right answers and deducting partial credit for wrong answers; blind guessing will lose you points--but if you can eliminate two wrong choices, a guess might still pay off.

Interviews. For many of us, interviews are the most fearsome part of finding a job. But they are also our best chance to show an employer our qualifications. Interviews are far more flexible than application forms or tests. Use that flexibility to your advantage. As with tests, you can reduce your anxiety and improve your performance by preparing for your interviews ahead of time.

Begin by considering what interviewers want to know. You represent a risk to the employer. A hiring mistake is expensive in terms of lost productivity, wasted training money, and the cost of finding a replacement. To lessen the risk, interviewers try to select people who are highly motivated, understand what the job entails, and show that their background has prepared them for it.

You show that you are highly motivated by learning about the company before the interview, by dressing appropriately, and by being well mannered--which means that you greet the interviewer by name, you do not chew gum or smoke, you listen attentively, and you thank the interviewer at the end of the session. You also show motivation by expressing interest in the job at the end of the interview.

You show that you understand what the job entails and that you can perform it when you explain how your qualifications prepare you for specific duties as described in the company's job listing and when you ask intelligent questions about the nature of the work and the training provided new workers.

One of the best ways to prepare for an interview is to have some practice sessions with a friend or two. Here is a list of some of the most commonly asked questions to get you started.

· Why did you apply for this job?

· What do you know about this job or company?

· Why did you choose this career? Why should I hire you?

· What would you do if... (usually filled in with a work-related crisis?

· How would you describe yourself?

· What would you like to tell me about yourself?

· What are your major strengths?

· What are your major weaknesses?

· What type of work do you like to do best? "

· What are your interests outside work?

· What type of work do you like to do least?

· What accomplishment gave you the greatest satisfaction

· What was your worst mistake?

· What would you change in your past life?

· What courses did you like best or least in school?

· What did you like best or least about your last job?

· Why did you leave your last job?

· Why were you fired?

· How does your education or experience relate to this job?

· What are your goals?

· How do you plan to reach them?

· What do you hope to be doing in 5 years? 10?

· What salary do you expect?

Many job hunting books available at libraries discuss ways to answer these questions. Essentially, your strategy should be to concentrate on the job and your ability to do it no matter what the question seems to be asking. If asked for a strength, mention something job related. If asked for a weakness, mention a job-related strength (you work too hard, you worry too much about details, you always have to see the big picture). If asked about a disability or a specific negative factor in your past--a criminal record, a failure in school, being fired--be prepared to stress what you learned from the experience, how you have overcome the shortcoming, and how you are now in a position to do a better job.

So far, only the interviewer's questions have been discussed. But an interview will be a two-way conversation. You really do need to learn more about the position to find out if you want the job. Given how frustrating it is to look for a job, you do not want to take just any position only to learn after 2 weeks that you cannot stand the place and have to look for another job right away.

Here are some questions for you to ask the interviewer.

· What would a day on this job be like?

· Whom would I report to? May I meet this person?

· Would I supervise anyone? May I meet them?

· How important is this job to the company?

· What training programs are offered?

· What advancement opportunities are offered?

· Why did the last person leave this job?

· What is that person doing now?

· What is the greatest challenge of this position?

· What plans does the company have with regard to...? (Mention some development of which you have read or heard)

· Is the company growing?

After you ask such questions, listen to the interviewer's answers and then, if at all possible, point to something in your education or experience related to it. You might notice that questions about salary and fringe benefits are not included in the above list. Your focus at a first interview should be the company and what you will do for it, not what it will pay you. The salary range will often be given in the ad or position announcement, and information on the usual fringe benefits will be available from the personnel department. Once you have been offered a position, you can negotiate the salary. The job hunting guides available in bookstores and at the library give many more hints on this subject.

At the end of the interview, you should know what the next step will be: Whether you should contact the interviewer again, whether you should provide more information, whether more interviews must be conducted, and when a final decision will be reached. Try to end on a positive note by reaffirming your interest in the position and pointing out why you will be a good choice to fill it.

Immediately after the interview, make notes of what went well and what you would like to improve. To show your interest in the position, send a follow-up letter to the interviewer, providing further information on some point raised in the interview and thanking the interviewer once again. Remember, someone is going to hire you; it might be the person you just talked to. If you are-- involved in counseling others about job opportunities, -- thinking about a career, -- contemplating a career change, -- involved in education planning, -- involved in worker training, or displaced worker retraining, -- or simply interested in knowing about the world of work and how it is likely to change, you should examine these two job outlook publications.

Probably the most widely used career resource; found in 9 out of 10 secondary schools. Updated every 2 years, it describes what workers do on the job, where they work, how much they earn, the training and education they need, and job outlook for about 200 occupations.

It helps to keep you informed about changing career opportunities, and provides practical, "how-to-do-it" information on choosing and getting today's and tomorrow's jobs. If these publications aren't available in your local public library or high school media center, you may want to purchase them for your own use. Here's how to order:

Send orders to:

Bureau of Labor Statistics Publications Sales Center

P.O. Box 2145

Chicago, IL 60690

or to:

Superintendent of Documents

U.S. Government Printing Office

Washington, DC 20402

Please Note:

Subscription orders and credit card orders must be sent directly to the Superintendent of Documents.

Most hiring decisions are made at the first interview. How you come across in that interview could be as important as your experience and job talents.

Here are some interviewing tips that will help you get the job you want.

Before The Interview

· Learn as much as you can about the company salary and benefits. Friends, neighbors and relatives who work for the company are good sources of information. Libraries, local chambers of commerce, etc. are also helpful.

· Learn everything you can about the job and how your previous experience and training qualify you for the job.

· Write down the things you will need to complete applications: your background and experience list (contains names of former employers, schools, training, etc.).

· a resumé or summary of your work experience.

· samples of your work (if practical). Also include any work-related or community service awards that you have received.

· Be sure to bring your social security card, driver's license, union card, military records, etc.

The Interview:

· Dress for the interview and the job. Don't overdress or look too informal.

· Always go to the interview alone. Arrange for baby sitters, transportation, and other pitfalls ahead of time so that you can be on time and relaxed in the interview.

· Find common ground with the employer. Pictures, books, plants, etc., in the employer's office can be conversation.

· Express your interest in the job and the company using information you gathered to prepare for the interview.

· Let the interviewer direct the conversation.

· Answer questions in a clear and positive manner. Show how your experience and training will make you productive in the shortest time with minimal supervision.

· Speak positively of former employers and co-workers no matter why you left even if you were fired from your last job.

· Let the employer lead into conversations about benefits. Your focus on these items can be a "turnoff." But, don't be afraid to ask questions about things that you really need to know.

· When discussing salary, be flexible--avoid naming a specific salary. If you're too high, you risk not getting the job. If you're too low, you undersell yourself. Answer questions on salary requirements with responses such as, "I'm interested in the job as a career opportunity so I'm negotiable on the starting salary." Negotiate, but don't sell yourself short.

"Closing" the Interview:

· If the employer does not offer you a job or say when you will hear about it, ask when you may call to find out about the decision.

· If the employer asks you to call or return for another interview, make a written note of the time, date and place.

· Thank the employer for the interview and reaffirm your interest and qualifications for the job.

For some jobs, you may need to take a test. Usually, the job announcement or ad will say if a test is required. There are several types of selection and job fitness tests:

· Aptitude tests predict your ability to learn and perform job tasks.

· Job knowledge and proficiency tests measure what you know and what you can do in a job (for example, word processing speed for a secretary job, knowledge of street names and routes for a fire fighter job, etc.)

· Literacy tests measure reading and arithmetic levels.

· Personality tests help identify your personal style in dealing with tasks and other people. Certain personalities can be well suited for some jobs and not-so well suited for other jobs. For example, an outgoing person may be well suited for a sales job.

· Honesty and Integrity tests evaluate the likelihood of stealing and trustworthiness of applicants.

· Physical ability tests measure strength, flexibility, stamina and speed for jobs that require physical performance.

· Medical tests determine physical fitness to do a job.

· Drug tests show the presence of illegal drugs that could impair job performance and threaten the safety of others.

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