15 common INTERVIEW QUESTIONS and how to ANSWER them
Let’s face it; no one likes the
interview process. Well, certainly
not the people being interviewed
anyway. If there was another way
around the interview process, most of us had gladly take it. For an interview, you have to be on your best behavior, you only get one chance to get it right, and it’s like taking your driving test all over again.
Let’s face it; no one likes the
interview process. Well, certainly
not the people being interviewed
anyway. If there was another way
around the interview process, most of us had gladly take it. For an interview, you have to be on your best behavior, you only get one chance to get it right, and it’s like taking your driving test all over again.
Remember, being interviewed is a
skill, and if you do the preparation
you should ace it every time. Here
are some 15 interview questions
and how to go about answering
them. Do you have any that you’d
like us to know, simply drop it in
the comment box with an
appropriate answer – never can tell who you’re helping out.
1. So, tell me a little about
yourself.
I’d be very surprised if you haven’t
been asked this one at every
interview. It’s probably the most
asked question because it sets the
stage for the interview and it gets
you talking. Be careful not to give
the interviewer your life story
here. You don’t need to explain
everything from birth to present
day. Relevant facts about education,
your career and your current life
situation are fine.
yourself.
I’d be very surprised if you haven’t
been asked this one at every
interview. It’s probably the most
asked question because it sets the
stage for the interview and it gets
you talking. Be careful not to give
the interviewer your life story
here. You don’t need to explain
everything from birth to present
day. Relevant facts about education,
your career and your current life
situation are fine.
2. Why are you looking (or why
did you leave your last job)?
This should be a straightforward
question to answer, but it can trip
you up. Presumably you are looking
for a new job (or any job) because
you want to advance your career
and get a position that allows you
to grow as a person and an
employee. It’s not a good idea to
mention money here, it can make
you sound mercenary. And if you
are in the unfortunate situation of
having been downsized, stay
positive and be as brief as possible
about it. If you were fired, you’ll
need a good explanation. But once
again, stay positive.
did you leave your last job)?
This should be a straightforward
question to answer, but it can trip
you up. Presumably you are looking
for a new job (or any job) because
you want to advance your career
and get a position that allows you
to grow as a person and an
employee. It’s not a good idea to
mention money here, it can make
you sound mercenary. And if you
are in the unfortunate situation of
having been downsized, stay
positive and be as brief as possible
about it. If you were fired, you’ll
need a good explanation. But once
again, stay positive.
3. Tell me what you know about
this company.
Do your homework before you go to
any interview. Whether it’s being
the VP of marketing or the
mailroom clerk, you should know
about the company or business
you’re going to work for. Has this
company been in the news lately?
Who are the people in the company
you should know about? Do the
background work, it will make you
stand out as someone who comes
prepared, and is genuinely
interested in the company and the
job.
this company.
Do your homework before you go to
any interview. Whether it’s being
the VP of marketing or the
mailroom clerk, you should know
about the company or business
you’re going to work for. Has this
company been in the news lately?
Who are the people in the company
you should know about? Do the
background work, it will make you
stand out as someone who comes
prepared, and is genuinely
interested in the company and the
job.
4. Why do you want to work at X
Company?
This should be directly related to
the last question. Any research
you’ve done on the company should
have led you to the conclusion that
you’d want to work there. After all,
you’re at the interview, right? Put
some thought into this answer
before you have your interview,
mention your career goals and
highlight forward-thinking goals
and career plans.
Company?
This should be directly related to
the last question. Any research
you’ve done on the company should
have led you to the conclusion that
you’d want to work there. After all,
you’re at the interview, right? Put
some thought into this answer
before you have your interview,
mention your career goals and
highlight forward-thinking goals
and career plans.
5. What relevant experience do
you have?
Hopefully if you’re applying for this
position you have bags of related
experience, and if that’s the case
you should mention it all. But if
you’re switching careers or trying
something a little different, your
experience may initially not look
like it’s matching up. That’s when
you need a little honest creativity to
match the experiences required
with the ones you have. People
skills are people skills after all, you
just need to show how customer
service skills can apply to internal
management positions, and so on.
you have?
Hopefully if you’re applying for this
position you have bags of related
experience, and if that’s the case
you should mention it all. But if
you’re switching careers or trying
something a little different, your
experience may initially not look
like it’s matching up. That’s when
you need a little honest creativity to
match the experiences required
with the ones you have. People
skills are people skills after all, you
just need to show how customer
service skills can apply to internal
management positions, and so on.
6. How are you when you’re
working under pressure?
Once again, there are a few ways to
answer this but they should all be
positive. You may work well under
pressure, you may thrive under
pressure, and you may actually
PREFER working under pressure. If
you say you crumble like a pack of
cards, this is not going to help you
get your foot in the door.
working under pressure?
Once again, there are a few ways to
answer this but they should all be
positive. You may work well under
pressure, you may thrive under
pressure, and you may actually
PREFER working under pressure. If
you say you crumble like a pack of
cards, this is not going to help you
get your foot in the door.
7. What motivates you to do a
good job?
The answer to this one is not
money, even if it is. You should be
motivated by life’s noble pursuits.
You want recognition for a job well
done. You want to become better at
your job. You want to help others
or be a leader in your field.
good job?
The answer to this one is not
money, even if it is. You should be
motivated by life’s noble pursuits.
You want recognition for a job well
done. You want to become better at
your job. You want to help others
or be a leader in your field.
8. What’s your greatest strength?
This is your chance to shine. You’re
being asked to explain why you are
a great employee, so don’t hold
back and stay do stay positive. You
could be someone who thrives
under pressure, a great motivator,
an amazing problem solver or
someone with extraordinary
attention to detail. If your greatest
strength, however, is to drink
anyone under the table or beat
your opponent in a game of FIFA11,
keep it to yourself. The interviewer
is looking for work-related
strengths.
This is your chance to shine. You’re
being asked to explain why you are
a great employee, so don’t hold
back and stay do stay positive. You
could be someone who thrives
under pressure, a great motivator,
an amazing problem solver or
someone with extraordinary
attention to detail. If your greatest
strength, however, is to drink
anyone under the table or beat
your opponent in a game of FIFA11,
keep it to yourself. The interviewer
is looking for work-related
strengths.
9. What’s your biggest weakness?
If you’re completely honest, you
may be kicking yourself in the butt.
If you say you don’t have one,
you’re obviously lying. This is a
horrible question and one that
politicians have become masters at
answering. They say things like
“I’m perhaps too committed to my
work and don’t spend enough time
with my family.” Oh, there’s a
fireable offense.
I’ve even heard “I think I’m too
good at my job, it can often make
people jealous.” Please, let’s keep
our feet on the ground. If you’re
asked this question, give a small,
work-related flaw that you’re
working hard to improve. Example:
“I’ve been told I occasionally focus
on details and miss the bigger
picture, so I’ve been spending time
laying out the complete project
every day to see my overall
progress.”
If you’re completely honest, you
may be kicking yourself in the butt.
If you say you don’t have one,
you’re obviously lying. This is a
horrible question and one that
politicians have become masters at
answering. They say things like
“I’m perhaps too committed to my
work and don’t spend enough time
with my family.” Oh, there’s a
fireable offense.
I’ve even heard “I think I’m too
good at my job, it can often make
people jealous.” Please, let’s keep
our feet on the ground. If you’re
asked this question, give a small,
work-related flaw that you’re
working hard to improve. Example:
“I’ve been told I occasionally focus
on details and miss the bigger
picture, so I’ve been spending time
laying out the complete project
every day to see my overall
progress.”
10. Let’s talk about salary. What
are you looking for?
Run for cover! This is one tricky
game to play in an interview. Even
if you know the salary range for
the job, if you answer first you’re
already showing all your cards. You
want as much as possible, the
employer wants you for as little as
you’re willing to take.
You may want to say, “well, that’s
something I’ve thought long and
hard about and I think someone
with my experience should get
between X & Y.” Or, you could be
sly and say, “right now, I’m more
interested in talking more about
what the position can offer my
career.” That could at least buy you
a little time to scope out the
situation. But if you do have a
specific figure in mind and you are
confident that you can get it, I’d
say go for it.
are you looking for?
Run for cover! This is one tricky
game to play in an interview. Even
if you know the salary range for
the job, if you answer first you’re
already showing all your cards. You
want as much as possible, the
employer wants you for as little as
you’re willing to take.
You may want to say, “well, that’s
something I’ve thought long and
hard about and I think someone
with my experience should get
between X & Y.” Or, you could be
sly and say, “right now, I’m more
interested in talking more about
what the position can offer my
career.” That could at least buy you
a little time to scope out the
situation. But if you do have a
specific figure in mind and you are
confident that you can get it, I’d
say go for it.
11. Are you good at working in a
team?
Unless you have the I.Q. of a
houseplant, you’ll always answer
YES to this one. It’s the only
answer. How can anyone function
inside an organization if they are a
loner? You may want to mention
what part you like to play in a team
though; it’s a great chance to
explain that you’re a natural leader.
team?
Unless you have the I.Q. of a
houseplant, you’ll always answer
YES to this one. It’s the only
answer. How can anyone function
inside an organization if they are a
loner? You may want to mention
what part you like to play in a team
though; it’s a great chance to
explain that you’re a natural leader.
12. Would you rather work for
money or job satisfaction?
It’s not a very fair question is it?
We’d all love to get paid a Trump-
like salary doing a job we love but
that’s rare indeed. It’s fine to say
money is important, but remember
that NOTHING is more important to
you than the job. Otherwise, you’re
just someone looking for a bigger
paycheck.
money or job satisfaction?
It’s not a very fair question is it?
We’d all love to get paid a Trump-
like salary doing a job we love but
that’s rare indeed. It’s fine to say
money is important, but remember
that NOTHING is more important to
you than the job. Otherwise, you’re
just someone looking for a bigger
paycheck.
13. Would you rather be liked or
feared?
The genuine answer should be
“Neither, I’d rather be respected.”
You don’t want to be feared
because fear is no way to motivate
a team. You may got the job done
but at what cost? Similarly, if
you’re everyone’s best friend you’ll
find it difficult to make tough
decisions or hit deadlines. But when
you’re respected, you don’t have to
be a complete bastard or a lame
duck to get the job done.
feared?
The genuine answer should be
“Neither, I’d rather be respected.”
You don’t want to be feared
because fear is no way to motivate
a team. You may got the job done
but at what cost? Similarly, if
you’re everyone’s best friend you’ll
find it difficult to make tough
decisions or hit deadlines. But when
you’re respected, you don’t have to
be a complete bastard or a lame
duck to get the job done.
14. So, explain why I should hire
you.
As I’m sure you know, “because I’m
great” or “I really need a job” are
not good answers here. This is a
time to give the employer a laundry
list of your greatest talents that just
so happen to match the job
description. It’s also good to avoid
taking potshots at other potential
candidates here. Focus on yourself
and your talents, not other people’s
flaws.
you.
As I’m sure you know, “because I’m
great” or “I really need a job” are
not good answers here. This is a
time to give the employer a laundry
list of your greatest talents that just
so happen to match the job
description. It’s also good to avoid
taking potshots at other potential
candidates here. Focus on yourself
and your talents, not other people’s
flaws.
15. Finally, do you have any
questions to ask me?
I’ll finish the way I started, with
one of the most common questions
asked in interviews. This directly
relates to the research you’ve done
on the company and also gives you
a chance to show how eager and
prepared you are. You’ll probably
want to ask about benefits if they
haven’t been covered already. A
good generic one is “how soon could
I start, if I were offered the job of
course.” You may also ask what
you’d be working on. Specifically, in
the role you’re applying for and
how that affects the rest of the
company. Always have questions
ready, greeting this one with a
blank stare is a rotten way to finish your interview. Good luck and happy job hunting.
questions to ask me?
I’ll finish the way I started, with
one of the most common questions
asked in interviews. This directly
relates to the research you’ve done
on the company and also gives you
a chance to show how eager and
prepared you are. You’ll probably
want to ask about benefits if they
haven’t been covered already. A
good generic one is “how soon could
I start, if I were offered the job of
course.” You may also ask what
you’d be working on. Specifically, in
the role you’re applying for and
how that affects the rest of the
company. Always have questions
ready, greeting this one with a
blank stare is a rotten way to finish your interview. Good luck and happy job hunting.
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