Review
these typical interview questions and think about how you would answer them.
Read the questions listed; you will also find some strategy suggestions with
it.
1. Tell me about
yourself:
The
most often asked question in interviews. You need to have a short statement
prepared in your mind. Be careful that it does not sound rehearsed. Limit it to
work-related items unless instructed otherwise. Talk about things you have done
and jobs you have held that relate to the position you are interviewing for.
Start with the item farthest back and work up to the present.
2. Why did you
leave your last job?
Stay
positive regardless of the circumstances. Never refer to a major problem with
management
and
never speak ill of supervisors, co- workers or the organization. If you do, you
will be the one
looking
bad. Keep smiling and talk about leaving for a positive reason such as an
opportunity, a
chance
to do something special or other forward- looking reasons.
3. What experience
do you have in this field?
Speak
about specifics that relate to the position you are applying for. If you do not
have specific
experience,
get as close as you can.
4. Do you
consider yourself successful?
You
should always answer yes and briefly explain why. A good explanation is that
you have set
goals,
and you have met some and are on track to achieve the others.
5. What do
co-workers say about you?
Be
prepared with a quote or two from co-workers. Either a specific statement or a
paraphrase
will
work. Jill Clark, a co-worker at Smith Company, always said I was the hardest
workers she
had
ever known. It is as powerful as Jill having said it at the interview herself.
6. What do you
know about this organization?
This
question is one reason to do some research on the organization before the
interview. Find
out
where they have been and where they are going. What are the current issues and
who are
the
major players?
7. What have you
done to improve your knowledge in the last year?
Try
to include improvement activities that relate to the job. A wide variety of
activities can be
mentioned
as positive self-improvement. Have some good ones handy to mention.
8. Are you
applying for other jobs?
Be
honest but do not spend a lot of time in this area. Keep the focus on this job
and what you
can
do for this organization. Anything else is a distraction.
9. Why do you
want to work for this organization?
This
may take some thought and certainly, should be based on the research you have
done on
the
organization. Sincerity is extremely important here and will easily be sensed.
Relate it to
your
long-term career goals.
10. Do you know
anyone who works for us?
Be
aware of the policy on relatives working for the organization. This can affect
your answer
even
though they asked about friends not relatives. Be careful to mention a friend
only if they
are
well thought of.
11. What kind of
salary do you need?
A
loaded question. A nasty little game that you will probably lose if you answer
first. So, do not
answer
it. Instead, say something like, That's a tough question. Can you tell me the
range for
this
position? In most cases, the interviewer, taken off guard, will tell you. If
not, say that it can
depend
on the details of the job. Then give a wide range.
12. Are you a
team player?
You
are, of course, a team player. Be sure to have examples ready. Specifics that
show you
often
perform for the good of the team rather than for yourself are good evidence of
your team
attitude.
Do not brag, just say it in a matter-of-fact tone. This is a key point.
13. How long
would you expect to work for us if hired?
Specifics
here are not good. Something like this should work: I'd like it to be a long
time. Or As
long
as we both feel I'm doing a good job.
14. Have you
ever had to fire anyone? How did you feel about that?
This
is serious. Do not make light of it or in any way seem like you like to fire
people. At the
same
time, you will do it when it is the right thing to do. When it comes to the
organization
versus
the individual who has created a harmful situation, you will protect the
organization.
Remember
firing is not the same as layoff or reduction in force.
15. What is your
philosophy towards work?
The
interviewer is not looking for a long or flowery dissertation here. Do you have
strong
feelings
that the job gets done? Yes. That's the type of answer that works best here.
Short and
positive,
showing a benefit to the organization.
16. If you had
enough money to retire right now, would you?
Answer
yes if you would. But since you need to work, this is the type of work you
prefer. Do not
say
yes if you do not mean it.
17. Have you
ever been asked to leave a position?
If
you have not, say no. If you have, be honest, brief and avoid saying negative
things about the
people
or organization involved.
18. Explain how
you would be an asset to this organization.
You
should be anxious for this question. It gives you a chance to highlight your
best points as
they
relate to the position being discussed. Give a little advance thought to this
relationship.
19. Why should
we hire you?
Point
out how your assets meet what the organization needs. Do not mention any other
candidates
to make a comparison.
20. Tell me
about a suggestion you have made.
Have
a good one ready. Be sure and use a suggestion that was accepted and was then
considered
successful. One related to the type of work applied for is a real plus.
21. What
irritates you about co-workers?
This
is a trap question. Think real hard but fail to come up with anything that
irritates you. A
short
statement that you seem to get along with folks is great.
22. What is your
greatest strength?
Numerous
answers are good, just stay positive. A few good examples: Your ability to
prioritize,
Your
problem-solving skills, Your ability to work under pressure, Your ability to
focus on
projects,
Your professional expertise, Your leadership skills, Your positive attitude
23. Tell me
about your dream job.
Stay
away from a specific job. You cannot win. If you say the job you are contending
for is it,
you
strain credibility. If you say another job is it, you plant the suspicion that
you will be
dissatisfied
with this position if hired. The best is to stay genetic and say something
like: A job
where
I love the work, like the people, can contribute and can't wait to get to work.
24. Why do you
think you would do well at this job?
Give
several reasons and include skills, experience and interest.
25. What are you
looking for in a job?
See
answer # 23
26. What kind of
person would you refuse to work with?
Do
not be trivial. It would take disloyalty to the organization, violence or
lawbreaking to get you
to
object. Minor objections will label you as a whiner.
27. What is more
important to you: the money or the work?
Money
is always important, but the work is the most important. There is no better
answer.
28. What would
your previous supervisor say your strongest point is?
There
are numerous good possibilities:
Loyalty,
Energy, Positive attitude, Leadership, Team player, Expertise, Initiative,
Patience, Hard
work,
Creativity, Problem solver
29. Tell me
about a problem you had with a supervisor.
Biggest
trap of all. This is a test to see if you will speak ill of your boss. If you
fall for it and tell
about
a problem with a former boss, you may well below the interview right there.
Stay positive
and
develop a poor memory about any trouble with a supervisor.
30. What has
disappointed you about a job?
Don't
get trivial or negative. Safe areas are few but can include:
Not
enough of a challenge. You were laid off in a reduction Company did not win a
contract,
which
would have given you more responsibility.
31. Tell me
about your ability to work under pressure.
You
may say that you thrive under certain types of pressure. Give an example that
relates to the
type
of position applied for.
32. Do your
skills match this job or another job more closely?
Probably
this one. Do not give fuel to the suspicion that you may want another job more
than
this
one.
33. What
motivates you to do your best on the job?
This
is a personal trait that only you can say, but good examples are: Challenge,
Achievement,
Recognition
34. Are you
willing to work overtime? Nights? Weekends?
This
is up to you. Be totally honest.
35. How would
you know you were successful on this job?
Several
ways are good measures:
You
set high standards for yourself and meet them. Your outcomes are a success.Your
boss tell
you
that you are successful
36. Would you be
willing to relocate if required?
You
should be clear on this with your family prior to the interview if you think
there is a chance it
may
come up. Do not say yes just to get the job if the real answer is no. This can
create a lot of
problems
later on in your career. Be honest at this point and save yourself uture grief.
37. Are you
willing to put the interests of the organization ahead of your own?
This
is a straight loyalty and dedication question. Do not worry about the deep
ethical and
philosophical
implications. Just say yes.
38. Describe
your management style.
Try
to avoid labels. Some of the more common labels, like progressive, salesman or
consensus,
can
have several meanings or descriptions depending on which management expert you
listen
to.
The situational style is safe, because it says you will manage according to the
situation,
instead
of one size fits all.
39. What have
you learned from mistakes on the job?
Here
you have to come up with something or you strain credibility. Make it small,
well
intentioned
mistake with a positive lesson learned. An example would be working too far
ahead
of
colleagues on a project and thus throwing coordination off.
40. Do you have
any blind spots?
Trick
question. If you know about blind spots, they are no longer blind spots. Do not
reveal any
personal
areas of concern here. Let them do their own discovery on your bad points. Do
not
hand
it to them.
41. If you were
hiring a person for this job, what would you look for?
Be
careful to mention traits that are needed and that you have.
42. Do you think
you are overqualified for this position?
Regardless
of your qualifications, state that you are very well qualified for the
position.
43. How do you
propose to compensate for your lack of experience?
First,
if you have experience that the interviewer does not know about, bring that up:
Then, point
out
(if true) that you are a hard working quick learner.
44. What
qualities do you look for in a boss?
Be
generic and positive. Safe qualities are knowledgeable, a sense of humor, fair,
loyal to
subordinates
and holder of high standards. All bosses think they have these traits.
45. Tell me
about a time when you helped resolve a dispute between others.
Pick
a specific incident. Concentrate on your problem solving technique and not the
dispute you
settled.
46. What
position do you prefer on a team working on a project?
Be
honest. If you are comfortable in different roles, point that out.
47. Describe
your work ethic.
Emphasize
benefits to the organization. Things like, determination to get the job done
and work
hard
but enjoy your work are good.
48. What has
been your biggest professional disappointment?
Be
sure that you refer to something that was beyond your control. Show acceptance
and no
negative
feelings.
49. Tell me
about the most fun you have had on the job.
Talk
about having fun by accomplishing something for the organization.
50. Do you have
any questions for me?
Always
have some questions prepared. Questions prepared where you will be an asset to
the
organization
are good. How soon will I be able to be productive? and What type of projects
will I
be
able to assist on? are examples.
And
Finally Good Luck
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