55 Most
Recently asked questions.
-
Tell me about yourself. Use “Picture Frame Approach”
Answer in
about two minutes. Avoid details, don’t ramble. Touch on
these four areas:
- How
many years, doing what function
-
Education – credentials
-
Major responsibility and accomplishments
-
Personal summary of work style (plus career goals if
applicable)
Prepare
in advance using this formula:
- “My
name is…”
-
“I’ve worked for X years as a [title]”
-
“Currently, I’m a [title] at [company]”
-
“Before that, I was a [title] at [company]”
- “I
love the challenge of my work, especially the major
strengths it allows me to offer, including [A, B,
and C]”.
-
Second, help the interviewer by focusing the
question with a question of your own: “What about me
would be most relevant to you and what this company
needs?”
-
Did you bring your resume?
Yes. Be
prepared with two or three extra copies. Do not offer
them unless you’re asked for one.
-
What do you know about our organization?
Research the
target company before the interview. Basic research is
the only way to prepare for this question. Do your
homework, and you’ll score big on this question. Talk
about products, services, history and people, especially
any friends that work there. “But I would love to know
more, particularly from your point of view. Do we have
time to cover that now?
-
What experience do you have?
Pre-interview research and
elixi.com will help
you here. Try to cite experience relevant to the
company’s concerns. Also, try answering this questions
with a question: “Are you looking for overall experience
or experience in some specific area of special interest
to you?” Let the interviewer’s response guide your
answer.
-
According to your definition of success, how
successful have you been so far?
(Is this
person mature and self aware?)
Be prepared
to define success, and then respond (consistent record
of responsibility)
-
In your current or last position, what were your
most significant accomplishments? In your career so
far?
Give one or
two accomplishment statements
-
Had you thought of leaving your present position
before? If yes, what do you think held you there?
Refer to
positive aspects of the job, advancement opportunities,
and what you learned.
-
Would you describe a few situations in which your
work was criticized?
Give only
one, and tell how you have corrected or plan to correct
your work.
-
If I spoke with your previous boss, what would he or
she say are your greatest strengths and weaknesses?
Be
consistent with what you think the boss would say.
Position the weakness in a positive way (refer to #12)
-
How would you describe your personality?
Keep your
answer short and relevant to the job and the
organization’s culture.
-
What are your strong points?
Present
three. Relate them to that particular company and job
opening.
-
What are your weak points?
Don’t say
you have one, but give one that is really a “positive in
disguise.” I am sometimes impatient and do to much work
myself when we are working against tight deadlines.” Or
“I compliment and praise my staff, but feel I can
improve.”
-
How did you do in school?
(Is the
person motivated? What are his/her values, attitudes? Is
there a fit?)
Emphasize
your best and favorite subjects. If grades were average,
talk about leadership or jobs you took to finance your
education. Talk about extra-curricular activities
(clubs, sports, volunteer work)
-
In your current or last position, what features did
you like most? Least?
Refer to
your satisfiers for likes. Be careful with dislikes,
give only one (if any) and make it brief. Refuse to
answer negatively. Respond that you “like everything
about my current position and have acquired and
developed a great many skills, but I’m now ready for a
new set of challenges and greater responsibilities.”
-
What do you look for in a job?
Flip this
one over. Despite the question, the employer isn’t
really interested in what you are looking for. He’s
interested in what he is looking for. Address his
interests, rather than yours. Use words like
“contribute,” “enhance,” “improve,” and “team
environment.” Fit your answer to their needs Relate your
preferences and satisfiers/dissatisfiers to the job
opening.
-
How long would it take you to make a meaningful
contribution to our firm?
“Not long,
because of my experience, transferable skills and
ability to learn.”
-
How long would you stay with us?
“As long as
I feel that I’m contributing, and that my contribution
is recognized. I’m looking to make a long term
commitment.”
-
If you have never supervised, how do you feel about
assuming those responsibilities?
If you want
to supervise, say so, and be enthusiastic.
-
Why do you want to become a supervisor?
“To grow and
develop professionally, to help others develop, to build
a team and to share what I have learned.”
-
What do you see as the most difficult task in being
a supervisor?
“Getting
things planned and done through others and dealing with
different personalities.” Show how you have done this in
the past.
-
You’ve been with your current employer quite a
while. Why haven’t you advanced with him?
Let’s assume
the interviewer has a point here. That doesn’t mean you
have to agree with the negative terms of the question.
Answer: “What I like about my present position is that
it’s both stable and challenging. But it’s true that
I’ve grown about as much as I can in my current
position. (This response also turns the issue of salary
on its head, transforming it from What more can I get?
to What more can I offer?)
-
Why are you leaving your present position?
Never answer
with negative reasons, even if they are true. However,
some companies have financial problems which may
preclude you from staying with them. Frame your answer
positively by answering why you want to move to the
target company instead of why you left or want to leave
your most recent job. For example, instead of answering,
“I don’t get enough challenges at [company],” respond,
“I am eager to take on more challenges, and I believe I
will find them at [hiring company]. ”I’m not unhappy (at
my present employer). However, this opportunity seems to
be particularly interesting and I am interested in
pursuing it further. Never personalize or be negative.
Keep it short, give a “group” answer (e.g. our office is
closing, the whole organization is being reduced in
size). Stick to one response; don’t change answers
during the interview. When applicable; best response is:
I was not on the market when Elixi contacted
me and explained what you are doing, it peaked my
interest.
-
Describe what would be an ideal working environment?
Team work is
the key.
-
How would you evaluate your present firm?
Be positive.
Refer to the valuable experience you have gained. Don’t
mention negatives.
-
Do you prefer working with figures, or with words?
Be aware of
what the job requires and position your answer in
that context. In many cases it would be both.
-
What kinds of people do you find difficult to work
with?
Use this
question as a chance to show that you are a team player:
“The only people I have trouble with are those who
aren’t team players, who just don’t perform, who
complain constantly, and who fail to respond to any
efforts to motivate them.” The interviewer is expecting
a response focused on personality and personal dislikes.
Surprise her by delivering an answer that reflects
company values.
-
How would your co-workers describe you?
Refer to
your strengths and skills.
-
What do you think of your boss?
If you like
him or her, say so and tell why. If you don’t like him
or her, find something positive to say.
-
Why do you want to work in a company of this size.
Or this type?
Explain how
this size or type of company works well for you, using
examples from the past if possible.
-
If you had your choice of jobs and companies, where
would you go?
Refer to job
preferences. Say that this job and this company are very
close to what best suits you.
-
Why do you want to work for us?
You feel you
can help achieve the companies objectives, especially in
the short run. You like what you’ve learned about the
company, its policies, goals and management: “I’ve
researched the company and people tell me it’s a good
place to work.”
-
What was the last book you read? Movie you saw?
Sporting event you attended?
Think this
through. Your answer should be compatible with accepted
norms.
-
What are you doing, or what have you done to reach
your career objectives?
Talk about
formal courses and training programs.
-
What was wrong with your last company?
Again,
choose your words carefully. Don’t be negative. Say that
no company is perfect, it had both strengths and
weaknesses.
-
What kind of hours are you used to working?
(Does the person match
job and criteria?)
“As many
hours as it takes to get the job done.”
-
What would you do for us?
Relate past
success in accomplishing the objectives which are
similar to those of the prospective employer.
-
What has your experience been in supervising people?
Give
examples from accomplishments.
-
Are you a good supervisor?
Draw from
your successes. Yes, my people like and respect me
personally and professionally. They often comment on how
much they learn and develop under my supervision.
-
Did you ever fire anyone? If so, what were the
reasons and how did you handle it?
If you
haven’t, say so, but add that you could do it, if
necessary.
-
How have you helped your company?
Refer to
accomplishments.
-
What is the most money you ever accounted for?
Largest budget responsibility?
Refer to
accomplishments. If you haven’t had budget
responsibility, say so, but refer to an accomplishment
that demonstrates the same skill.
-
What’s the most difficult situation you ever faced
on the job?
Remember,
you’re talking to a prospective employer, not your best
friend. Don’t dredge up a catastrophe that resulted in a
personal or corporate failure. Be ready for this
question by thinking of a story that has a happy ending
– happy for you and your company. Never digress into
personal or family difficulties, and don’t talk about
problems you’ve had with supervisors or peers. You might
discuss a difficult situation with a subordinate,
provided that the issues were resolved inventively and
to everyone’s satisfaction.
-
Describe some situations in which you have worked
under pressure or met deadlines?
Refer to
accomplishments. Everyone has had a few of these
pressure situations in a career. Behavior-related
questions aim at assessing a candidate’s character,
attitude, and personality traits by asking for an
account of how the candidate handled certain challenging
situations. Plan for such questions by making a list of
the desirable traits relevant to the needs of the
industry or prospective employer and by preparing some
job-related stories about your experience that
demonstrate a range of those traits and habits of
conduct. Before answering the questions, listen
carefully and ask any clarifying questions you think
necessary. Tell your story and conclude by explaining
what you intended your story to illustrate. Finally, ask
for feedback: “Does this tell you what you need to
know?”
-
How do you handle rejection?
Rejection is
part of business. People don’t always buy what you sell.
The tick here is to separate rejection of your product
from rejection of yourself: “I see rejection as an
opportunity. I learn from it. When a customer takes a
pass, I ask him what we could do to the product, price
or service to make it possible for him to say yes. Don’t
get me wrong: You’ve got to makes sales. But rejection
is valuable, too. It’s a good teacher.”
-
In your present position, what problems have you
identified that had previously been overlooked?
Refer to
accomplishments
-
Give an example of your creativity.
Refer to
accomplishments.
-
Give examples of your leadership abilities.
Draw
examples from accomplishments.
-
What are your career goals?
Talk first
about doing the job for which you are applying. Your
career goals should mesh with the hiring company goals.
-
What position do you expect to have in two years?
Just say you
wish to exceed objectives so well that you will be on a
promotable track.
-
What are your objectives?
(How does
the person handle stress? What is their confidence
level?)
Refer back
to question #48 on goals.
-
Why should we hire you?
This may
sound suspicious, negative, or just plain harsh.
Actually, it’s a call for help. The employer wants you
to help him/her hire you. Keep your response brief.
Recap any job requirements the interviewer may have
mentioned earlier in the interview, then, point by
point, match your skills, abilities and qualifications
to those items. Relate a past experience which
represents success in achieving objectives which may be
similar to those of the prospective employer.
-
You may be over-qualified or too experienced for the
position we have to offer.
“A strong
company needs a strong person.” An employer will get
faster return on investment because you have more
experience than required.
-
Why haven’t you found a new position before now?
“Finding the
right job takes time. I’m not looking for just any job.”
-
If you could start again, what would you do
differently?
No need to
be self-revealing. “Hindsight is 20/20; everyone would
make some changes, but I’ve learned and grown from all
my decisions.”
-
How much do you expect if we offer this position to
you?
Be careful.
If you don’t know the market value, return the question
by saying that you would expect a fair salary based on
the job responsibilities, your experience and skills and
the market value of the job. Express your interest in
the job because it fits your career goals – Receptive to
a reasonable and competitive offer – don’t talk $’s.
It’s always best to put off discussing salary and let
Elixi handle that. ANSWER: I’m open to a
competitive offer. I’d prefer to discuss the opportunity
and allow my recruiter to handle any salary questions. |
