Questions, Questions , Questions
Employers want only a few basic questions answered but may phrase those basic questions in many varying ways. Make sure you have the answers to these questions ready long before the interview:
Any employer wants to hear that you know something about the job and the company and that you have made an active decision that you want to work there and not anywhere else. Most of the time this isn’t the truth, of course, but stop and think. Where do you want to work? By now you should have made some decisions in this area; if you haven’t, then perhaps it’s not yet time to be interviewing. Have an answer ready for this question but don’t be too complimentary about the company. Be sincere.
What would your last supervisor say about you?
What did your last supervisor say when you left? Was it good? Yes? Then repeat those words in the interview. If it was bad, if you were fired, if you quit in a huff, think what good things are possible. Usually most employees are told at least something good in their stay at a company. Dig it out but don’t lie about circumstances. "Well, I was praised for my honesty but I found that one can be too honest." (I was too direct without using enough tact and it got me in trouble.) "I got along really well with my coworkers." (We all hated our boss: it brought us closer together, especially when he fired one of us.)
Learn to speak the truth without divulging information that can be detrimental to you.
What have you done before that will help you in this job?
Be ready to describe your skills with facts and figures here. Be sure your past experience is fresh in your mind. Review your career development writing assignment before the interview. Re-read your résumé. Be prepared. If you’re not sure about the job details, ask questions before answering this question. Don’t try to talk your way through your answer without solid knowledge of what this employer needs. One slip of the tongue could tell the employer that you don’t know enough about the job to know whether you want it or not. If you are making assumptions, ask if your assumptions are true. Confirm what you know and then proceed. However, don’t hesitate to throw in skills that the employer hasn’t mentioned if you are strong in another area. "I don’t know if this applies to this position or not, but I really enjoyed working closely with my supervisor on several projects that required…." You might be able to show the employer how useful you can be or how promotable you are or open up another topic for discussion. Remember you are trying to sell yourself.
What is your major strength or worst weakness?
Have several answers ready and choose the one that seems most positive and most appropriate for the particular job you are applying for. If you have trouble keeping your opinions to yourself, "My worst weakness is my honesty and directness. I’m not good at lying and I find that this can get me in trouble sometimes." What employer can complain about an honest employee? Here you’ve taken a "weakness" but portrayed it in such a light that it actually becomes a strength. "I tend to be so thorough that it slows me down" (very slow and ultra methodical). "I am so passionate about my work that I tend to forget other things" (I get so involved in the people side of my job that I’m simply not good at remembering all of those other silly details). Discuss the possibilities of this with teachers, family and other students. What is your one of your weaknesses and how can that be worded in a positive manner? Try to have several different answers prepared.
Are you really the best choice for the job? Are you sure of that? If you suspect it might not be so, how do you convince the interviewer? Hopefully, you meet the minimum requirements for the job. Do any of these other statements apply?
I have worked in this same position before and really loved it.
I just spent a year in school training for this exact type of job and I’m really excited about putting my skills to use.
My enthusiasm will more than make up for possible lack of knowledge or experience. I look forward to proving myself to you.
I understand how important customer service is. I will take care of your customers.
I can see how important this job can be in your company and I’m sure I won’t let you down.
I understand that my job is to make profits for you.
I will work hard to justify your investment in me.
I want your business to be financially secure so my job will be secure.
Note the self-confidence in these statements. Be sure to deliver these type of lines naturally. If you sound stilted, you don’t sound honest. Avoid bragging or sounding cocky; you must be quietly confident. The more specific you can be answering this question, though, the better off you can be. "Not only do I type more than your required speed and I have experience with the software you’ve listed, but I also understand the importance of a courteous telephone manner when dealing with clients."
The following are some possible questions that might arise.
Be prepared to answer as many of these as possible.
Tell me about yourself. (be brief)
What are you looking for in a job that you aren’t getting in your present job?
What courses in school did you like the best or the least?
Why did you choose this particular type of work?
Why have you had so many jobs?
Do you like to work alone or as a team member?
Do you work well under pressure?
What are some of the problems you encountered on your job?
What frustrates you the most?
Why did you leave your last job?
What did you like about it?
What were some of the minuses in your last job?
Do you consider your progress on the job representative of your ability? Why?
Compared to your other jobs, how do you rank your last one? Why?
How many hours a week do you feel a person should devote to a job?
Describe your supervisor to me.
What are some of the things you and your supervisor disagreed about?
What do you feel were your supervisor’s greatest strengths?
What areas do you feel your supervisor could have improved upon?
How do you feel about the way your supervisor treated you and the others in your department?
How has your supervisor helped you to develop?
What are some things y our supervisor did that you liked? How about those you disliked?
Do you feel your supervisor rated you fairly? Can you support that conclusion?
What kind of people do you like to work with?
What kind of people do you find it most difficult to work with?
Have you been successful in working with people you dislike? How do you do it?
What are some of the things in a job that are important to you and why?
What are some of the things in a job you dislike and why?
Aside from money, what do you want from your next job that you’re not getting from your present job?
What is your overall career objective?
Where do you see yourself 5 years from now?
What are you doing to reach that objective?
Are there certain things you feel more confident in doing than others? What are they? Why do you feel that way?
What are some of the things that motivate you?
Usually, the interviewer will ask if you have questions. Sometimes it may seem like he has covered all the possible topics and you feel no questions are in order. WRONG! Having some prepared, appropriate questions makes you appear more confident and interested. Don’t ask about vacations, sick leave or other benefits. Don’t ask whether you get your own desk. Ask questions that show some thought. Don’t save them for the end, either; try to interject them in the natural flow of conversation throughout the interview. Some examples are:
Have your questions written down and ready. Try to ask at least 3 to 5 questions if possible. The questions above not only will make you look good but will also help you obtain pertinent information that the interviewer hasn’t mentioned.