Years ago, I was interviewing for a job at TJ Maxx (to sell clothes), and I wore some olive green slacks that were way too tight (this was before the skinny jeans epidemic). I rocked some red suspenders with a button down dress shirt, and my shiny prom shoes! The interviewer asked me a question like, "Why should I hire you?" or "Why are you the guy for the job?"

I answered, "Because I'm a prayer warrior." She extended her hand, thanked me for my time, got up and walked away. I thought I nailed it! I figured that because my answers were so great, she didn't need to ask me any more questions. I left that interview on cloud nine. I was singing, feeling good about myself, knowing that I was about to get a J-O-B, and get P-A-I-D!!!

When I didn't hear from her after a few days, I called her to see what the hold up on the job-offer was. She told me that I didn't get the job. For the life of me I could not understand how she could pass on the "prayer warrior." LOL!

It wasn't until later, much later, that I realized how much I goofed up at that interview.

So, to save you some time, and some embarrassment, I want to share with you something that will help you for the rest of your life: When you are preparing for an interview, there are only three questions that you need to be prepared to answer. EVERY QUESTION THEY ASK YOU IN AN INTERVIEW IS SOMEHOW RELATED TO THESE THREE QUESTIONS: 1. CAN YOU DO THE JOB? 2. WILL YOU LOVE THE JOB? 3. CAN I WORK WITH YOU?

QUESTION 1: "Can you do the job?" This is a question about competence. It's another way of asking, "do you have the abilities, education, the background, and/or the experience to perform the tasks related to this job?" When you are applying for a job, first and foremost, you want to be able to do the job well. I used to think that doing your best was enough. But sometimes your best is not good enough. Just ask George Bush. Make sure that you think about your abilities, and match your abilities with the job. With every answer, be sure to give an example of how your past has prepared you for this position.

QUESTION 2: "Will you love the job?" This is a question about your motivation. Few things are worse than doing a job that you hate. Don't apply to a job that involves tasks that you do not like. People want to know that you will enjoy doing your job. You need to be able to explain your passions, your motivations, and your drive to the people interviewing you. They want to know that you would really have fun, or at least not complain about, doing the job.

QUESTION 3: "Can I work with you?" This is a question about compatibility. You want to be asking yourself, "do my values and my personality fit with these people/company?" That's what they are asking themselves about you. Sometimes you can do the job, and would even love the job, but if you can't work with the people at that company, or they can't work with you, then you are going to be miserable. There needs to be chemistry between you and the people you will be working with. Work on your people skills.

So there it is. 3 questions: Questions of Competence, of Motivation, and of Compatibility/Chemistry. So, when someone interviewing asks you, "why should I hire you?" or "tell me about yourself," don't start talking about that time you prayed so long you fainted, or how you've won every fist-fight you've ever been in, or that you can do the splits. Rather, explain to them how your past education, experience, and jobs have prepared you to do the job in question well; you need to be able to explain how your passion and values motivate you; and, you need to be able to convince them that you are someone who is easy to work with.

And, DO NOT! I repeat, DO NOT wear tight green slacks, suspenders, and prom shoes to your interview. You'll thank me later.

Do you agree that every question you've been asked in an interview can be boiled down to these three questions?