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Review these typical interview questions and think about how you wouldanswer them. Read the questions listed; you will also find somestrategy suggestions with it.
(Excerpted from the book The Accelerated Job Search by Wayne D. Ford, Ph.D, published by The Management Advantage, Inc.)
1. Tell me about yourself:The most often asked question in interviews. You need to have a shortstatement prepared in your mind. Be careful that it does not soundrehearsed. Limit it to work-related items unless instructed otherwise.Talk about things you have done and jobs you have held that relate tothe position you are interviewing for. Start with the item farthestback and work up to the present.
2. Why did you leave your last job?Stay positive regardless of the circumstances. Never refer to a majorproblem with management and never speak ill of supervisors, co-workersor the organization. If you do, you will be the one looking bad. Keepsmiling and talk about leaving for a positive reason such as anopportunity, a chance to do something special or other forward-lookingreasons.
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 goodexplanation is that you have set goals, and you have met some and areon 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 specificstatement or a paraphrase will work. Jill Clark, a co-worker at SmithCompany, always said I was the hardest workers she had ever known. Itis 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 organizationbefore the interview. Find out where they have been and where they aregoing. 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 widevariety 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 focuson this job and what you can do for this organization. Anything else isa distraction.
9. Why do you want to work for this organization?This may take some thought and certainly, should be based on theresearch you have done on the organization. Sincerity is extremelyimportant here and will easily be sensed. Relate it to your long-termcareer goals.
10. Do you know anyone who works for us?Be aware of the policy on relatives working for the organization. Thiscan affect your answer even though they asked about friends notrelatives. Be careful to mention a friend only if they are well thoughtof.
11. What kind of salary do you need?A loaded question. A nasty little game that you will probably lose ifyou 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 widerange.
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 ratherthan 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 likeit 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 youlike to fire people. At the same time, you will do it when it is theright thing to do. When it comes to the organization versus theindividual who has created a harmful situation, you will protect theorganization. Remember firing is not the same as layoff or reduction inforce.
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 thetype of answer that works best here. Short and positive, showing abenefit 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 typeof 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 sayingnegative things about the people or organization involved.
18. Explain how you would be an asset to this organizationYou should be anxious for this question. It gives you a chance tohighlight your best points as they relate to the position beingdiscussed. 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 notmention any other candidates to make a comparison.
20. Tell me about a suggestion you have madeHave a good one ready. Be sure and use a suggestion that was acceptedand was then considered successful. One related to the type of workapplied 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 withanything that irritates you. A short statement that you seem to getalong 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 abilityto work under pressure, Your ability to focus on projects, Yourprofessional 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 youare contending for is it, you strain credibility. If you say anotherjob is it, you plant the suspicion that you will be dissatisfied withthis position if hired. The best is to stay genetic and say somethinglike: A job where I love the work, like the people, can contribute andcan’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 willlabel 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 isno 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 supervisorBiggest trap of all. This is a test to see if you will speak ill ofyour boss. If you fall for it and tell about a problem with a formerboss, you may well below the interview right there. Stay positive anddevelop 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 didnot 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 anexample 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 wantanother 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 asuccess.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 ifyou think there is a chance it may come up. Do not say yes just to getthe job if the real answer is no. This can create a lot of problemslater on in your career. Be honest at this point and save yourselffuture 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 aboutthe 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 descriptionsdepending on which management expert you listen to. The situationalstyle is safe, because it says you will manage according to thesituation, 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. Makeit small, well intentioned mistake with a positive lesson learned. Anexample would be working too far ahead of colleagues on a project andthus throwing coordination off.
40. Do you have any blind spots?Trick question. If you know about blind spots, they are no longer blindspots. Do not reveal any personal areas of concern here. Let them dotheir 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 wellqualified 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 workingquick learner.
44. What qualities do you look for in a boss?Be generic and positive. Safe qualities are knowledgeable, a sense ofhumor, fair, loyal to subordinates and holder of high standards. Allbosses 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 techniqueand 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 toget 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. Showacceptance 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? areexamples.