To outshine other incumbents being interviewed for the same job as you, you must do your homework and be very prepared to stand out as the organized, prepared professional you are.
Here are a few of the tougher interview questions that are often flubbed, with the appropriate answers:
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1. “Tell me a bit about yourself.” Give no more than a 3 minute synopsis of your career to date. “I am a ______ with _____ years of experience. My most recent position was as __________ with _____ . Mention (relevant) education. My areas of expertise are: 1., 2., 3. and here are some examples of those areas.” Interviewers do not want to hear anything personal about you in this 3 minute period.
2. “Where do you want to be in five years from now?” I hope to still be working for this company, with newly acquired skills, and ongoing responsibility.”
3. “Why do you want to work for this company?” Don’t say, “Because there is an opening and I really need a job.” This is where you talk about what you gleaned from the research you have conducted on company and possibly mention a common shared value. Show excitement and passion in your voice and tone. “This job posting so closely matched my qualifications and as a client I really like the customer service I get when I call with a problem.”
4. “Why should we hire you?” This is a freeze up question. Mention the benefits you will bring to the position and to the company. Tell them you are going to save them money, increase productivity or free them up to do their job by taking care of everything else using the skills that you have. Do not rehash your skills, go for the benefits!
5. “What is your greatest accomplishment to date?” Try to use a recent example that is relevant to the position and the company that you are interviewing with, but it is not mandatory. Be sure to use the Situation, Action, Result format. Tell the accomplishment with pride, and smile.
6. “What skill do you believe needs development?” Don’t say, “I need to learn Spanish so when I go south each winter I can talk to the local senoritas.” No one likes to be asked the weakness question but when you are prepared for it it’s easier to address. There are a few different ways to answer this question. One example to tell them something you would like to be better at; you can do it now but you would like to excel at it. OR your weakness could be something that was a weakness but is now a strength. Whatever you say, be sure to always turn it around to sound positive.
7. “Why did you leave your last job?” This question is to determine fit. If you weren’t fired, then tell exactly what happened. If you quit due to conflict with a manager or colleagues, tell them that your values were not congruent with those of the new manager. Everyone can relate to this response because it is the truth. If you were fired you have to craft your explanation to be short, succinct and truthful but not totally disclosing. Stick to a one sentence answer.
8. “Is there any skill or knowledge area required in this job that you would not be able to perform?” This is not the time to mention that you had by-pass surgery eight years ago. As long as the answer is ‘no’ you are not obliged to share any personal or health issue with the interviewer. If you have a condition that needs special attention or accommodation as long as it doesn’t prevent you from carrying out the responsibilities as advertised you do not have to mention it until you have signed off on the offer.
Whatever you do be yourself, be honest and don’t feel like you have to over explain yourself. Remember that people remember stories they don’t remember words so give heart felt examples and practice, practice, practice.
Colleen Clarke
Career Specialist & Corporate Trainer
www.colleeenclarke.com
Author of Networking: How to Build Relationships That Count and
How to Get a Job and Keep It and
The Power of Mentorship: Visibility Networking
This is sound! Thank you.
Awesome! Thank you for the information.
This is really helpful I have struggled with interviews all my life. These are some of the best tips I’ve seen online to date.
Thank for this information, I got new ideas for my next job interview
This is a great deal of help. I have an interview on Tuesday morning and this advice has helped tremendously.
I once had an interview with two interviewees and the fire alarm went off while we were sitting there, so as we exited the building and were standing in the parking lot they continued the interview. When we got back in, I collected my purse and thanked them for an unusual interview. I was offered the position about 2 hours later.
I was wondering how to answer the questions like have you ever had conflict with a manager(supervisor) or another employee and how did I deal with that….I never know what to say, I dont like to mention union involvement or negitivaty. I really clam up on these types of questions. Do you have any advice on getting over the fear in interviews over this issue?
How about some up to date and relevant solutions. Interviewing has evolved into tough behaviour based questions. Why did you leave your last job? “I left my last job because I wasnt challenged”. Anybody can come up with that answer. What about “What were the results when you disagreed with a fellow worker on a project”?.
Thank you, I already know all this information as I’m involved in hiring and firing, but now that I’m on the market it was good to remember those tough questions.
I think you have great advice and I thank you.
Very valuable tips. Let me add that sometimes the interviewer is not an expert and you have to lead the interview. So, “practice, practice, practice” also means build the whole story of yourself and be prepared to convey it in a monologo, and/or be prepared to ask questions as well.
Thank you for being so succinct in how to handle difficult questions. I’m going to use this as a sounding board when time I am interviewed.
Excellent we need share our feelings with other God will reward them who help others.Those who introgated other in un human attitude be aware one day you will be on the otherside of the table.
The tips are very helpful. they are practical and simply good. looking forward to some more helpful guidance. Thanks again.
Thanks for the tips it was very helpful . Still there is the question they always ask at the interviews: do u have any questions about the position or the company?
Also, the question about weakness that I hate most.. I wish if u can give some examples to use at the interviews.
This is great information for all jobseekers. I will be practicing these tips before any upcoming interviews. Thanks for the well written advice.
I like the tips on this, although I was wondering if there are tips with those who might have a difficulty with mental disorders like Bipolar, ADHD, OCD, or others. Those things alone can be harsh when being interviewed, because then most of the time, the impression given ends up leaving you without the job offer.
Like for myself, I have more than just one mental disability, so how would I be able to know what a person should know, or what a person shouldn’t when I’m in the interview?
Thank you very much for an excellent tips, please keep it coming
I am a matured job seeker. I have had many interviews and in most cases feel confident that I am qualified to do the job. I would most often leave the interview feeling that I have secured the position but would never get the position. I believe that there is age discrimination that cannot be proven. My question is, how should you handle an interview where the interviewer is younger than you and looking for someone the same age group or younger?
i think this is very helpful, i’m super shy, and i don’t have a clue what to say during interviews, i think its the reason why i never gotten a call back after an interview! thanks so much!!
Thank you so much! I have also read the article on the questions nobody should ask during an interview and that was great. What are some of the questions we SHOULD ask though?
Went for an interview 2 weeks ago and was asked questions 1 to 6. This is great sound advice. Thanks!
For hardcore HR people, everything must have a positive spin to it. It’s a matter of learning the rules of the game they play. Nothing negative, everything, no matter how stupid it is they ask will have a postive spin.
The best method of job searching is through networking and referrals. I was passed up recently for an IT Director position and was told it went to an extremely qualified person. I found he was a photographer and everything on his linkedin profile was for photography. I was obviously not the person with the right connections.
Ask if there are internal people interviewing for the position. More often than not, you’re only there because they had to legally advertise the position and have no intention of ever hiring you. It’s still good for the practice though. Also ask how long they’ve been looking for someone and what they’re looking for in an ideal candidate.
For recruiters ask how long they’ve been working with the client and what they’re looking for. If they’ve been looking forever they may have unrealistic expectations or so fussy they may not be good to work with later.
Questions:
Describe a goal you’ve set for yourself recently.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
- In 5 years I hope to be working with an employer in an increasingly responsible position What type of decisions do you have difficulty in making?
- Ones where based on the information you have seem to be equally good.
Do you want to move into management?
- Don’t say Yes. Say I have management potential, if I prove myself in whatever role I’m in, I’m sure if opportunities arise.
What is your management style?
- Don’t say a ‘type’. I don’t know if I can give it a title or description, but I that in the past I’ve created an environment where people feel like we’re all in this together.
How would you define your job as a manager?
- Reaching the goals and objectives of the company by hiring and motivating the right kinds of people.
How do you handle dishonesty?
- You don’t tolerate it.
How do you deal with disgruntled employees or subordinates?
- I’ve found that most of the time listening people, especially when they vent, helps to dissipate any frustrations How do you handle criticism?
- I appreciate constructive criticism.
Great article. Simple and very helpful.