Answering Questions
The following questions are presented only as interviewing guidelines. They are meant to help you prepare for the interview. Some questions may or may not be appropriate for your interviewing situation. By practicing your responses to some of these questions, hopefully you will not be taken off guard if asked similar questions.
Be prepared to respond to the question, “Tell me about yourself,” by
creating a 15-30 second “elevator speech" (sound bite) that describes your professional
background and strongest skills in two or three sentences. Vary your
response according to the specific job opportunity and offer a brief
description of why you would be a good fit for the position. One of the
best ways to prepare for an interview is to rehearse with a tape
recorder and then critique your answers.
Employers who ask this question are usually looking for a short
synopsis of your experience. Be sure to demonstrate how you've
developed professionally and be objective when listing your strengths
and weaknesses.
Hiring managers tend to ask this question in order to gauge your level
of enthusiasm for the work that you do. They're also looking for a
direct connection between your current position and the one for which
you’re applying.
This question seems straightforward, but it can sometimes be difficult
to answer if you haven't thought about it beforehand. There are two
important factors to include in your answer. The first is to use your
knowledge of the company to show your sincere interest. Second, give a
specific reason the position for which you're applying appeals to you (
other than the fact that you need a job).
It’s imperative to be as diplomatic as possible when answering this
question. Avoid becoming too personal; instead, focus on your previous
supervisor’s management style and the manner in which he or she
communicated. The interviewer is looking for some indication as to how
well you would get along with your future boss, if you were hired.
Many employers ask this question to see what kind of balance you are
looking for between your personal and professional lives. While it’s
good to list one or two activities, be careful not to list too many
activities as the employer may wonder if outside interest will
interfere with your work.
Avoid mapping out a detailed plan when answering this question.
Instead, describe what you feel is the next logical step or steps in
your career path.
- Please explain your salary history?
- Do you work well under deadlines or pressure? Please provide an example.
- Describe your management style.
- Do you have your reference list with you? (Do not provide unless requested)
- Have you kept up in your field with additional training?
- How did you do in school?
- How does this opportunity fit in with your overall career plan?
- How long would it take for you to make a meaningful contribution?
- How much do you expect if we offer you this position?
- How would you describe yourself?
- How would your boss describe you?
- How would your colleagues describe you?
- If you took the job what would you accomplish in the first year?
- What are your career goals?
- What are your strengths?
- What are your weaknesses? And, how do you compensate for your weaknesses?
- What might you do for us that someone else can't?
- What distinguishes you from other candidates for the position?
- What do you believe is the most difficult part of being a supervisor of people?
- What do you know about our company?
- What do you look for in a job?
- What do you think of your present or past boss?
- What education or training qualifies you for the job?
- What five qualities make you a good candidate?
- What hobbies or outside interests make you a better candidate?
- What is your salary expectation? (State you expect to be fairly compensated for the position and for your skills. If pressed, provide a salary window/range.)
- What kinds of hours are you used to working or would like to work?
- What other positions are you considering?
- What position do you expect to have in 2 to 5 years?
- What skills or experiences qualify you for the job?
- What was wrong with your current or last position?
- What were the five most significant accomplishments in your career thus far?
- What was the most significant accomplishment in your last role?
- What were your key accomplishments during school and/or in your past positions?
- Why are you looking for a new job/career?
- Why do you want to work for us?
- Why should the company hire you?
- What questions didn't I ask that you expected?
- Do you have any question for me? (See Asking Questions , be prepared to ask at least two questions.)