50
COMMON INTERVIEW QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
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
future grief.
37.
Are you willing to put the interests of the organization ahead ofyour
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
betweenothers.
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.
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