Top 10 Interview questions
1.
What is your
greatest strength?
It is one of the easier
interview questions you'll be asked. When you are asked questions about your
strengths, it's important to discuss attributes that will qualify you for the
job. The best way to respond is to describe the skills and experience that
directly correlate with the job you are applying for.
· When I'm working on a project, I don't want just to meet deadlines. Rather, I prefer to complete the project well ahead of schedule.
· I have exceeded my sales goals every quarter and I've earned a bonus each year since I started with my current employer.
· My time management skills are excellent and I'm organized, efficient, and take pride in excelling at my work.
· I pride myself on my customer service skills and my ability to resolve what could be difficult situations.
2.
What is your
greatest weakness? –
When you're asked what
your greatest weakness is there are several different ways you can answer,
including mentioning skills that aren't critical for the job, skills you have
improved on, and turning a negative into a positive.
· Being organized wasn't my strongest point, but I implemented a time management system that really helped my organization skills.
· I like to make sure that my work is perfect, so I tend to perhaps spend a little too much time checking it. However, I've come to a good balance by setting up a system to ensure everything is done correctly the first time.
· Being organized wasn't my strongest point, but I implemented a time management system that really helped my organization skills.
· I like to make sure that my work is perfect, so I tend to perhaps spend a little too much time checking it. However, I've come to a good balance by setting up a system to ensure everything is done correctly the first time.
3.
How do you
handle stress and pressure? -
Stress is very important to me. With stress, I do the best possible job. The appropriate way to deal with stress is to make sure I have the correct balance between good stress and bad stress. I need good stress to stay motivated and productive.
· I react to situations, rather than to stress. That way, the situation is handled and doesn't become stressful.
· I actually work better under pressure and I've found that I enjoy working in a challenging environment.
Stress is very important to me. With stress, I do the best possible job. The appropriate way to deal with stress is to make sure I have the correct balance between good stress and bad stress. I need good stress to stay motivated and productive.
· I react to situations, rather than to stress. That way, the situation is handled and doesn't become stressful.
· I actually work better under pressure and I've found that I enjoy working in a challenging environment.
4.
Describe a
difficult work situation / project and how you overcame it. -
Give concrete examples
of difficult situations that actually happened at work. Then discuss what you
did to solve the problem. Keep your answers positive and be specific. Itemize
what you did and how you did it.
5.
How do you
evaluate success?
I evaluate success in
different ways. At work, it is meeting the goals set by my supervisors and my
fellow workers. It is my understanding, from talking to other employees, that
the company is recognized for not only rewarding success, but giving employees
opportunity to grow as well. After work, I enjoy playing softball, so success
on the field is catching the winning pop-up.
6.
Why are you
leaving or have left your job? –
Regardless of why you
left, don't speak badly about your previous employer. The interviewer may
wonder if you will be bad-mouthing his company next time you're looking for
work. I once interviewed a person who told me that her last employer was
terrible. They didn't pay her enough, the hours were awful and she hated the
job. That company happened to be my company's biggest, and most important,
customer. And there is no way I would have hired someone who felt that way,
justified or not, about our valuable client. So, she gave up any opportunity of
getting the job as soon as she answered the "Why did you leave?"
question.
7.
Why do you want
this job? –
This is not only
a fine opportunity, but this company is a place where my qualifications can
make a difference. As a finance executive well versed in the new stock options
law, I see this position as made to order. It contains the challenge to keep me
on my toes. That's the kind of job I like to anticipate every morning.
· I want this job because it seems tailored to my competencies, which include sales and marketing. As I said earlier, in a previous position I created an annual growth rate of 22 percent in a flat industry. Additionally, the team I would work with looks terrific
· I want this job because it seems tailored to my competencies, which include sales and marketing. As I said earlier, in a previous position I created an annual growth rate of 22 percent in a flat industry. Additionally, the team I would work with looks terrific
8.
Why should we
hire you? -
The best way to respond
is to give concrete examples of why your skills and accomplishments make you
the best candidate for the job. Take a few moments to compare the job
description with your abilities, as well as mentioning what you have
accomplished in your other positions. Be positive and reiterate your interest
in the company and the position.
9.
What are your
goals for the future? –
The best way to respond to the
interview question "What are your goals for the future?" or
"Where do you see yourself in five years?" is to refer to the
position and the company you are interviewing with.
Don't discuss
your goals for returning to school or having a family, they are not relevant
and could knock you out of contention for the job. Rather, you want to connect
your answer to the job you are applying for. Examples of good responses
include:
·
My long-term goals involve growing with a
company where I can continue to learn, take on additional responsibilities, and
contribute as much of value as I can.
10.
Tell me about
yourself. -
Give them "your
synopsis about you" answer, specifically your Unique Selling Proposition.
Known as a personal branding or a value-added statement, one-sentence
description of who you are, your biggest strength and the major benefit that a
company will derive from this strength
