Be Prepared

9. Interviewing

D. Interview Questions

Practice Interview Questions From Interviewer

General Questions

1. Tell me about yourself!

Limit your answer to one or two minutes; don't ramble. Use your resume summary as a base to start.

2. What do you know about our company?

Do your homework before the interview! Spend some time online or at the library researching the company. Find out as much as you can, including their products, size, income, reputation, image, management talent, people, skills, history and philosophy. Project interest; let the interviewer tell you about the company.

3. Why do you want to work for us?

Don't talk about what you want; first, talk about their needs: You would like to be part of a specific company project; you would like to solve a company problem; you can make a definite contribution to specific company goals.

4. What would you do for us? What can you do for us that someone else can't?

Relate past experiences that show you've had success in solving previous employer problem(s) that may be similar to those of the prospective employer.

5. What is it about the position that you find the most attractive? Least attractive?

List three or more attractive factors and only one minor unattractive factor.

6. Why should we hire you?

Make sure your answer relates directly to the needs of the position and how you can meet those needs.

7. What do you look for in a job?

An opportunity to use your skills, to perform and be recognized.

8. Please give me your definition of a _________ (the position for which you are being interviewed).

Keep it brief -- give a results-oriented definition.

9. How long would it take you to make a meaningful contribution to our firm?

Not long at all -- you expect only a brief period of adjustment.

10. How long would you stay with us?

As long as we both feel I'm contributing, achieving, growing, etc.

Experience and Management Questions

1. You may be overqualified for the position we have to offer.

Strong companies need strong people. A growing, energetic company is rarely unable to use its employees' talents. Emphasize your interest in a long-term association, pointing out that the employer will get a faster return on investment because you have more experience than required.

2. What is your management style?

"Open-door management" is best ... And you get the job done on time or inform your management.

3. Are you a good manager? Give an example. Why do you feel you have top managerial potential?

Keep your answer task-oriented; emphasize management skills -- planning, organizing, interpersonal, etc.

4. What do you look for when you hire people?

Skills, initiative and adaptability.

5. Did you ever fire anyone? If so, what were the reasons and how did you handle it?

Give a brief example of a time when you faced this, and stress that it worked out well.

6. What do you see as the most difficult task in being a manager?

Getting things planned and done on time within the budget.

7. What do your subordinates think of you?

Be honest and positive...they can check your responses easily.

8. What is your biggest weakness as a manager?

Be honest and end on a positive note, e.g. "I don't enjoy reprimanding people, so I try to begin with something positive first."

If You Are Leaving a Job

1. Why are you leaving your present job?

Refine your answer based on your comfort level and honesty. Give a "group" answer if possible, e.g. our department was consolidated or eliminated.

2. How do you feel about leaving all of your benefits?

Concerned but not panicked.

3. Describe what you feel to be an ideal working environment.

One in which people are treated as fairly as possible.

4. How would you evaluate your present firm?

It's an excellent company that afforded me many fine experiences.

Quantifying Your Experience and Accomplishments

1. How have you helped increase sales? Profits?

Explain in some detail, citing figures and specific examples.

2. Have you helped reduce costs? How?

Describe with specifics.

3. How much money did you account for?

Give examples of your responsibilities. Explain how the budget was determined, and your role in overseeing your department's portion.

4. How many people did you supervise on your last job?

Explain the structure of your department and your role as manager.

5. Do you like working with figures more than words?

Be honest but positive.

6. In your current or last position, what features did you like the most? Least?

Be honest but put a positive spin on your least favorite duties.

7. In your current or last position, what are your five most significant accomplishments?

Refer to the key accomplishments already identified on your resume.

Job Search Questions

1. Why haven't you found a new position before now?

Finding a job is easy; finding the right job is more difficult. Stress that you are looking for the right fit.

2. Had you thought of leaving your present position before? If so, what do you think held you there?

Explain that your job is no longer challenging and that you feel your talents are best used elsewhere.

3. What do you think of your current boss?

Be as positive as you can.

4. Describe a situation in which your work was criticized.

Be as positive as you can and emphasize what you learned from the situation.

5. What other types of jobs or companies are you considering?

Keep your answer related to this company's field, and don't give out specific company names.

Your Work Habits and Style

1. If I spoke with your previous boss, what would he say are your greatest strengths and weaknesses?

Emphasize your skills, and don't be overly negative about your weaknesses. It's always safer to identify a lack of a skill as an area for improvement rather than a shortcoming.

2. Can you work under pressures, deadlines, etc.?

Yes, it's a way of life in business. Be sure to cite examples of your success.

3. How has your position changed since you started your job?

Explain how you have improved the efficiency, productivity and the like.

4. Do you prefer staff or line work? Why?

It depends on the challenges of the particular position.

5. In your present position, what problems have you identified that had previously been overlooked?

Keep it brief and don't brag.

6. Do you feel you might be better off in a company of a different size or type?

Explain why the company you’re interviewing with is the perfect fit for you.

7. How do you resolve conflict on a team project?

Focus on your communication and conflict resolution skills and give an example of when you were successful in resolving conflict with another individual.

8. What was the most difficult decision you ever had to make?

Try to relate your response to the prospective employment situation.

Salary Questions

1. How much are you looking for?

Focus on the position; emphasize your interest and how you fit. Share that compensation is one of the factors in making your decision and that you’d like to complete the process before negotiating salary. Try not to commit to a $$ figure. Too high and you may not be considered. Too low, and you may miss out on $$. And, you need to consider all related compensation and qualitative factors in reaching a decision.

2. How much would you expect, if we offer this position to you?

Be careful; the market value of the job may be the key answer, e.g., "My understanding is that a job like the one you're describing may be in the range of $______."

3. What kind of salary are you worth?

Have a specific figure in mind…don't be hesitant.

Personality Questions

1. Do you generally speak to people before they speak to you?

It depends on the circumstances.

2. What was the last book you read? Movie you saw? Sporting event you attended?

Talk about books, sports or films to show that you have balance in your life.

3. What is the toughest part of a job for you?

Be honest. Remember, not everyone can do everything.

4. Are you creative?

Yes. Give examples that relate to your current job.

5. How would you describe your own personality?

Balanced is a good word to use, but remember the type of company you are interviewing at. Some companies want people who are aggressive and go-getters.

6. Are you a leader?

Absolutely! Cite specific examples, using your current job as a reference point.

7. What are your future goals?

Avoid, "I would like the job you advertised." Instead, give long-range goals.

8. What are your strengths?

Having identified what the position requires, stress those strengths that relate directly to those requirements.

9. What are your weaknesses?

Don't say that you have none. For a weakness, share something not very important and not personal - such as a lack of experience in an area that is not key to the position but still relevant. Then, give an example of how you are learning in this area, and/or how you are resourceful and have learned something else in the past.

Your Career Goals

1. If you could start your career again, what would you do differently?

Nothing ... I am happy today, so I don't want to change my past.

2. What career options do you have at the moment?

"I see three areas of interest..." Relate those to the position and industry.

3. How would you describe the essence of success? According to your definition of success, how successful have you been so far?

Think carefully about your answer and relate it to your career accomplishments.

Tough Questions and Possible Responses:

1. Tell me about a situation in which you faced conflict and how did you handle it?

Describe a situation and how you resolved that situation. The question is looking for your judgment and conflict resolution skills.

2. What is your greatest accomplishment?

P.A.R. story - relate the response to the position and the requirements.

3. What is your greatest failure?

Use an example that does not identify a major weakness, and take the opportunity to illustrate how you have learned from your previous failure.

4. Tell me about how you added to revenues or reduced costs?

P.A.R. story - relate the response to the position and the requirements.

5. Tell me about a situation in which you made a mistake and what did you do to improve yourself.

Similar to the question above regarding a failure.

6. What did you like/dislike about your current/previous employer?

Focus on the positives (likes) and avoid any negatives. Instead identify what you are looking for in a new position.

7. Why are you looking to change jobs? Why did you leave a previous job?

Similar to question 11. Comment on what you learned from your current/previous position, and then focus on what you are looking for.

8. What did you like most about your previous manager (or job)?

Similar to question 11 - focus on the positives and comment on the kind of manager and management style you are looking for.

9. What did you like least about your previous manager (or job)?

Same as question 14.

10. What are your goals?

Start with a focus on the position under discussion - how you intend to learn and contribute in the role. If you know the career path, you can relate directly to that. If not, then refer to a specific long-term goal (if you have one) or be less specific and express your desire to gain in responsibility and make greater contributions to the department and the company. Then ask (if you have not already done so) what is the career path, and what the expectations are.

11. What motivates you?

This is an opportunity to share your interests, especially as they relate to the position and the company.

12. What do you not like to do?

This can be a tricky question to see if you will share something that would disqualify you for the position. Do not mention anything negative. Instead speak to how you handle all tasks and responsibilities with professionalism and a positive attitude.

13. Describe your ideal position.

This can be a tricky question if you describe a position that is different from what you are applying for. Better to focus on what you are looking for and how your interests relate to the position.

14. What would you like to avoid in your next position?

Similar to question 19. If there is something that you absolutely cannot live with, then mention it. Otherwise, try to bring the discussion back to the positives.

15. Where do you see yourself in three to five years?

Same as question 17. Add that after a couple of years with the company, you would have a better idea where your experience, skills and interests would fit in long-term.

16. Tell me about a problem you had to face and how you handled it.

Similar to previous questions relating to situational issues. The key is not the problem you faced, but how you resolved it. Your interviewer is looking for judgment and problem-solving skills.

17. Tell me about a situation where you did not agree with your manager.

Choose a situation that was minor, and focus on how you resolved your differences. Looking for conflict resolution, judgment, and maturity.

18. Tell me about a time when you were unsuccessful in completing a project.

Similar to the question about failure. Focus on what you accomplished, what prevented completion, and what you learned from the experience to avoid a similar problem in the future.

19. What would your previous manager say about you – strengths, needs for improvement?

Similar to question about strengths and weaknesses.

20. Tell me about a situation in which you made a quick decision and were successful.

An opportunity to describe a situation when you were successful. Focus on the steps you took, the skills you utilized, trying to match them to the specific requirements and responsibilities of the position you are applying for.

21. Tell me about a situation in which you made a quick decision and were not successful.