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 is 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 tells 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 future
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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