Category Archives: Job Interview

Well, here they are! We don’t like to hear them, we don’t like to think about them, but of course, we have to answer them! Just to add a little twist, they are not just the hardest interview questions, they are also the most common!

1. Tell me about yourself.
2. What is your biggest pet peeve?
3. What can you tell me about our company?
4. Why do you want to work for us?
5. What can you do for us that someone else can’t?
6. Why do you want this position?
7. How are you qualified to fill this position?
8. Why should we hire you?
9. What do you look for in a job?
10. Do you want a job or a career?
11. What do you think your responsibilities should be?
12. How long will it take you to make a meaningful contribution to this company?
13. How long do you intend to stay with this company?
14. How long do you intend to stay at this position?
15. Where do you see yourself in 5 years? 10 years?
16. What is your biggest failure?
17. What do you think of your previous employer?
18. Why did you leave your previous position?
19. What do you think you are worth?
20. Are you successful?
21. What types of individuals do you have difficulty working with?
22. Are you a team player?
23. Do you prefer to work alone or be a part of a team?
24. How did you prepare for this interview?
25. Do you feel you are over or under-qualified?
26. How has your education prepared you for your career?
27. If you had to live your life over again, what would you change?
28. Describe yourself in five words.

Always have at least one good interview question to ask. Why?

Because if you have none, we think, as interviewers, that either:

* You think you know everything about the job and Company (though we know you don’t).
* You are perhaps not investing enough thought in your career or job choice (since you’d take the job without asking more about it).

So, even if there is nothing else you want to know, have a few good interview questions to ask. Ask a least one, perhaps about the Company, or the role for which you are applying.

It can be as simple as “Can you tell me about the Company’s plans for the next five years?” It can open up a good conversation and ends the interview on a nice positive note and gives a good last impression!

WHEN to ask good interview questions:

Some interviewers (us for example) will say to candidates, before beginning questions, that they are welcome to ask any questions as we go along, or wait till the end – whatever they prefer.

If you are told this, do whatever you prefer.

Sometimes, a relevant question will come to you during a conversation.

Don’t be afraid to ask it then.

Sometimes, asking a relevant question can spark a related conversation during which you can demonstrate more of what you have to offer (see below).

Keep general questions to the end, unless they crop up earlier.

You should ask a question if:

* You don’t understand a question asked of you.
* There is anything you still need to find out about the job, your training or the kind of person they are looking for.
* It enables you to describe strengths not yet covered by the interviewers’ questioning.
* You are unsure if your response to a previous question made sense.

WHAT interview questions to ask

Good questions to ask at interview include lots of open-ended questions which encourage the employer to talk. Questions like:

* “What is the Company’s Vision?”
* “What is the Company’s long term plan?”
* “How would you describe the Company culture or ethos?”

Asking some personal questions adds as a nice touch. It shows that you see your interviewer as a person, not just your interviewer. So ask the interviews/s questions in their capacity as an employee, like: “How long have you worked here?” and “What’s the best thing about working for the Company?”

Good questions to ask at interview are any about the role which will help you understand what is required of you, how you are measured and so on….

* “How will I be measured?”
* “Are these team or individual targets?”
* “What involvement will I have with others on a day-to-day basis?”

Questions about developing in the role can help determine if you have made the right long term career choice….

* “What will the scope for learning and development be?”
* “What are the opportunities for progression or promotion?”

Good interview questions to ask include those about the leadership. The answers can help you decide if the management style suits how you work….

* “What can you tell me about my boss?”
* “Can you tell me about the management/leadership style within the team?”

Getting it right at a job interview is crucial if you want to stand a good chance of getting the job. Chances are that there are multiple candidates being interviewed and you are “just another candidate” unless you do something to stand out. The good news is that there are some common job interview questions that 99.9% of employers will ask you. They ask you these questions for a reason and being prepared for them will give you a huge advantage. Also, knowing what they are will take away that element of surprise that can catch you off guard at the wrong moment.

Lets quickly look at some of the most common job interview questions and how to answer them well.

- “Can you tell me more about yourself?”
Obviously they don’t want to know about your grandmother, your problems or all the hardships in your life. You need to focus on aspects about your life that will illustrate you ability to do the job. Focus on your education, your leadership positions and your achievements and then tell it in a congruent story that it upbeat and interesting.

- “Tell me more about your previous position?”
This is an important question because they are trying to establish exactly what you did, how much responsibility you can handle and what your real world skills are. Its important that you are brutally honest here but make sure to paint your responsibilities in a positive light. Focus on how you contributed to the company’s success, their growth and their overall mission. This shows that you are a team player.

- “Why do you want to leave your current job?”
This is a tough question and one that you will be asked. Its really important that you don’t slag off your current employer. It will put you in a bad light. Always come up with positive reasons like wanting to advance your career or seeking new challenges and opportunities.

- “Why should I give you the job?”
This is a tough question to answer for many people because we don’t like to talk ourselves up. Its important that you answer this by focusing 100% on what you can offer the company and not on what you will get from them. Think about how your unique skill and experience can help them.

- “What is your salary expectations?”
Its important that you don’t sell yourself short. Its also important that you don’t have a too high expectation because it can scare off potential employers. The safest way is to aim slightly above the standard salary for someone in your position and level of experience. You can also add that you are willing to proof yourself and settle for a starting salary that is slightly below your expectation.

These are just a few of the most common job interview questions that you will almost certainly be asked. Prepare for them and make sure you are ready with good answers.

Q1. What did you not like about your last employer?

A. OK, so the interviewer has asked you to say something negative about your ex-employer. You need to turn this round so that it makes it sound like the negative is in fact a positive!

Remember you will not get any credit for complaining or describing a negative situation without adding a positive ending. Here are some examples of what you should say if you are faced with this question…

Start with “Actually there are a lot of good things to say about my ex-employer, however if I needed to highlight one area……

“I used to get a bit annoyed when I noticed inefficiencies in the processing workflows and controls. A number of times I made suggestions as to improvements that could be made which would have saved money but the ideas were effectively ignored.”

or

“I always tried my utmost to make sure that all customers were treated fairly and honestly but I noticed a malaise creeping in which meant that some staff didn’t always try their best to meet the exacting standards required. I feel this reflected badly on everyone.”

Q2. I see from your resume that you have never actually been in this role in any of your previous companies. How are you going to manage?

A. Firstly this is an obvious weakness. Weakness means risk to an employer and they are looking for re-assurance that you will adapt to the new environment.

Relate your previous experience to similar situations where you moved departments and had a new role or were faced with new technology which you had to learn quickly.

Turn this into a positive about ‘how you are able to adapt to changing circumstances and have a flexible approach. How you pick up new skills quickly. How you enjoy the challenge of the ever changing technology’.

Try to broaden the answer by saying ‘we are all faced with a fast moving and changing environment which constantly presents new challenges. I have always been able to rise to these and perform effectively despite tight deadlines and little support’.

Importantly, then go on to list examples of similar experiences where you have demonstrated such skills. This should close the issue in the interviewers mind and paint a positive picture.

Q3. What is your typical working week in hours?

A. Whatever it takes to get the job done. However be careful not to suggest you work long hours purely because you are inefficient.

“I like to think I am and effective and efficient worker who gets through a full workload each week. However there are times when I need to work late and weekends and this is fine. This is often due to uneven demands on my time. I will put whatever effort it takes to complete my role.”

Q4. How long would it take for you to start making a real contribution to the organisation?

A. There is no point in blurting out an answer here because the contribution could be anywhere and you could go off in the wrong direction. Bat the question back to get a more precise idea and allow yourself some time to think.

“In what particular area of my responsibilities did you have in mind?”

“Of course there will be a short learning curve while I get up to speed but in the past I have prided myself on being a quick learner who can make an effective contribution in a short space of time. I see this opportunity as no different although I accept it will be a challenge.”

Prepare an example of how you had a similar situation where you had to learn a new skill quickly.

Q5. What have you learnt most from your past career?

A. A truly open ended question and the opportunity to talk positively. But you need to keep your answer at a high level.

“I have learnt many things as you can imagine. But one point always rings true. Every one needs to be treated with respect, their opinion should be valued and they should be encouraged to contribute to the good of the organisation.”

Q6. What would you most like not to do in this role?

A. Dangerous question. The interviewer is probing for things that you didn’t previously like and then they can ask a follow on question about why you didn’t like them. Beware of this trap.

Turn the question round and give a ‘model answer’…..

‘In an ideal world…..I would like to avoid any bureaucracy or red-tape which can delay decisions. Like anyone I am always keen for good progress to be made at all times and everything to run smoothly’.

……….or perhaps you have an example such as this….

‘I would like to avoid the situation in the last role where we had tight deadlines and 3 of my staff went off on long term sick with the winter flu last year. Although we achieved our targets it was only through hard effort, team-work and long hours’.

See how these answers portray you in a good light and turn a negative into a positive.

Q7. What would your job references say about you?

A. Try to make sure that any job references have been sought and written before you go interviewing. This is not always possible but would allow you to repeat their positive comments.

Where you do have job references then you can say you have references and they are very complimentary around a number of aspects of your work.

It is not a problem if you don’t have references and the question implies that you would probably imagine what they would say.

Effectively the interviewer is therefore asking to list your strengths. Take the time to list your job strengths and behavioural qualities. Start the sentence in the 3rd party with……’My references would say….’

Any time you are able to reply in the 3rd party it sounds like someone else is endorsing your candidacy which in effect references do. Everyone will say they will receive good references but if you say this using a 3rd party endorsement then you add greater credibility to your statement.

Q8. Why should I hire you?

A. This is one question which you should have prepared for thoroughly.

You need to have a personal pitch of 3 – 4 sentences pre-prepared. This needs to relate to the job description which you need to go through line by line. Then add in the additional personal qualities that you bring to the role. Apply these to the personal summary statement.

It is always worth using a qualifying phrase such as ‘colleagues have said of me…I am a great motivator/team-builder/technician etc.’. It sounds better if there is a 3rd party endorsement. It doesn’t sound like you are bragging but a colleague is speaking on your behalf.

In addition you will need to have relevant examples which you can offer to expand on. The personal qualities for the role will be attributes such as hard-working, motivating, good communication skills, desire to succeed

You should end your answer with a statement such as ‘do you think these qualities are what you are looking for from a successful candidate?’

It plants a seed in the mind of the interviewer that they are.

If they reply that they were expecting other qualities then discuss them and offer examples of how you have these and examples of them in action. You need to leave the interviewer in no doubt you have the skills and can demonstrate this with relevant examples.

Q9. Why do you want to leave your current job?

A. Negative connotation and expectancy that you will say something negative about ex-employer or ex-employee. Resist the temptation and keep the answer upbeat concentrating on the advantages of what the new job would offer. You could mention the increased salary but do not dwell on it, emphasise the other benefits first.

“I enjoy my previous job and as I have demonstrated I make a solid contribution which is appreciated. However I am looking for more experience, a greater challenge / increased responsibility / more dynamic organisation that this role offers.”

Make sure you have a list of reasons for joining this company.

You need to reply using one or a combination of the following five replies:

Challenge: You need a new career challenge

Travelling: The commute to work was taking too long or I was constantly being asked to travel with work

Career: I had reached the likely top and there was no room for advancement until someone else above me left.

Money: You feel you were not being paid what you were worth.

Security: The organisation was unstable and my role may have been at risk.

Q10. Why as an organisation can we offer that is better than your current employer?

A. It is asking for a direct comparison between your current employer and your future employer.

An interviewer wants to hear that you are a valued member in your current / previous role. You have worked for an organisation that has trained you to a high level and you have been providing a strong contribution to their skilled workforce. They hope to leverage these skills in their organisation.

A typical answer which deals with such a comparison should read…….

‘My current organisation has been a great career move for me I have learned many new skills eg. x. There is a great team ethic and I feel I have made a strong contribution to their sales team / office / project team etc.

However I see your organisation and the role on offer as a new challenge which can leverage my skills and allow me to challenge myself set new goals and further my career in a way that the current organisation perhaps doesn’t offer.”

Of course this answer needs to be tailored to meet your particular circumstances. Start by listing what you like about your current organisation and the experience you have gained. Compare this with the list of skills and benefits you expect to find in the new organisation. Use this list to tailor your answer.

Stay clear of talking about money. The sub text of this question and so many others like it is the interviewer is asking ‘What’s in it for me?’

You should be replying “I am making a contribution and this is how………” include examples of how you can make the contribution, which backs up your claims.

By saying you want to leverage your skills in the new role and show how you can make a strong contribution is precisely what the interviewer wants to hear.

If you say or even imply the reason for the new job is that you are looking for more money or additional benefits, then this does not imply you are making a contribution to the new organisation.

You are in fact saying this is “what is in it for me” and does not address the interviewers needs!

I hope you learned a lot from this article and it really made you think about your job interview technique. There are other articles on a similar topic all for free on this site.