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 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.
26. 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.
27. 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
28. 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.
29. 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,
30. 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.
31. 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
32. 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
33. 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.
34. 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 farahead of colleagues on a project and thus throwing coordination
off.
35. 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.
36. Do you think you are overqualified for this position?
Regardless of your qualifications, state that you are very well
qualified for the position.
37. 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.
38. 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.
39. 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.
40. 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.
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