Interview Questions.doc

Interview Questions: Work History

1. Name of company, position title and description, dates of employment:
A. Interviewers expect a candidate for employment to be able to review their work history in detail. Be prepared to tell the interviewer the names of the companies you worked for, your job title, your starting and ending dates of employment, how much you earned and what your job entailed
2. What were your expectations for the job and to what extent were they met?
A. There isn't a right or wrong answer to this question. The best way to respond is to discuss what you expected when you took the job and give examples of how the position worked out for you. If the job wasn't exactly what you expected, it's fine to mention that. However, you should focus on the job itself, not the company, your boss, or your co-workers (if they were a problem). Do be careful how you answer and don't focus too much on the negative. Instead, address the highlights of the job.
3. What were your starting and final levels of compensation?
A. Interviewers expect a candidate for employment to be able to provide the details of their compensation history. Be prepared to tell the interviewer how much you earned at each of your prior positions.
4.  What were your responsibilities?
A. The best way to respond is to describe your responsibilities in detail and to connect them to the job you are interviewing for. Try to tie your responsibilities in with those listed in the job description for the new position. That way, the employer will see that you have the qualifications necessary to do the job. Focus most on your responsibilities that are directly related to the new job's requirements.
5. What major challenges and problems did you face? How did you handle them?
A. During a difficult financial period, I was able to find the way/solutions to stick the hours within budget. This actions didn’t affect quality of the products or H&S.
6. What have you learned from your mistakes?
A. I have learned to give every person a second chance, because first impressions can often be misleading.
7. What did you like or dislike about your previous job?
A. I enjoyed the people I worked with. It was a friendly and fun atmosphere and I actually enjoyed going into work each morning. I felt the leadership team was great as well. They knew all of their employees on a first name basis and tried to make those personal connections.
8. Which was most / least rewarding?
A. This interview question can be tricky. You want to make sure that the things you say are least rewarding aren't responsibilities that are going to be a major part of the job you are interviewing for. For example, if the last job you had involved extensive customer service telephone work that you hated, and if being on the phone doing something similar is even a minor part of the new job, don't mention it. Instead, focus on the the tasks that were most rewarding and highlight those.
9. Questions about your supervisors and co-workers. Have you worked with someone you didn't like? If so, how did you handle it?
A. Yes, I've worked with someone whom I found difficult to like as a person. However, when I focused on the skills they brought to the job, their ability to solve problems and the two things I did appreciate, slowly my attitude towards them changed. We were never friends, but we did work well together. We don’t have to like each other but we need to work together as a team.
10. What was it like working for your supervisor?
A. The reason it's asked it to find out how you got along with your boss. Be careful how your answer. Interviewers don't like to hear too much (or much at all) about bad bosses because it could be someone from their company that you're talking about next time around. I once had a job applicant who spent 10 minutes responding to this question. She told me how awful her boss was and how her company was a terrible place to work. It so happened that her boss was a good friend and golfing buddy of my boss - our company's CEO - and the company was one of our biggest clients. Of course, she didn't get the job. Don't make the same mistake she did. Instead, accentuate the positive and minimize any difficult situations. Discuss the strengths your past supervisors had and how they helped you succeed in your positions.
11.  What do you expect from a supervisor?
A. I would like to be able to go my manager if I have an issue or idea and to be able to feel comfortable to expressing my thoughts. I would also expect my supervisor to be open and honest with me and to let me know if there is anything I could do to improve upon or do differently in my work.
12. What problems have you encountered at work?
A. I feel that the best way to deal with any challenges is to meet them head on. When I found that one of my colleagues was saying things that weren't true behind my back, I went to him and talked it through. It turned out that he had misunderstood what I had said, and I was able to set the record straight with him, and my supervisor.
13. Have you ever had difficulty working with a manager?
A. I would say that I have never really had a problem working with anyone. I try to find our common ground, and get along with everyone's different personality.
14. Who was your best boss and who was the worst?
A. I've learned from each boss I've had. From the good ones, what to do, from the challenging ones - what not to do.
15. Why are you leaving your job?
A. I found myself bored with the work and looking for more challenges. I am an excellent employee and I didn't want my unhappiness to have any impact on the job I was doing for my employer.

·                      There isn't room for growth with my current employer and I'm ready to move on to a new challenge.

·                      I'm looking for a bigger challenge and to grow my career and I couldn't job hunt part time while working. It didn't seem ethical to use my former employer's time.

·                      I was laid-off from my last position when our department was eliminated due to corporate restructuring.

·                      I'm relocating to this area due to family circumstances and left my previous position in order to make the move.

·                      I've decided that is not the direction I want to go in my career and my current employer has no opportunities in the direction I'd like to head.

·                      After several years in my last position, I'm looking for an company where I can contribute and grow in a team-oriented environment.

·                      I am interested in a new challenge and an opportunity to use my technical skills and experience in a different capacity than I have in the past.

·                      I recently received my degree and I want to utilize my educational background in my next position.

·                      I am interested in a job with more responsibility, and I am very ready for a new challenge.

·                      I left my last position in order to spend more time with my family. Circumstances have changed and I'm more than ready for full-time employment again.

·                      I am seeking a position with a stable company with room for growth and opportunity for advancement.

·                      I was commuting to the city and spending a significant amount of time each day on travel. I would prefer to be closer to home.

·                      To be honest, I wasn't considering a move, but, I saw this job posting and was intrigued by the position and the company. It sounds like an exciting opportunity and an ideal match with my qualifications.

·                      This position seemed like an excellent match for my skills and experience and I am not able to fully
16. Why did you resign?
A. I resigned because there were limited opportunities for advancement and I wanted to further my career.

·                      I graduated from college and resigned in order to find a position where I could use my education and related experience.

·                      To be honest, the position wasn't a fit and I decided it made sense to resign and to refocus my career path.

·                      I resigned because the position required me to be on-call evenings and weekends and it was difficult to arrange child care on short notice.

·                      I resigned because the position was part-time and my personal situation has changed so I need full-time employment.

·                      My skills weren't a good match for my previous employer's needs but it looks like they'd be a terrific fit for this position.

·                      I resigned from my job because I am interested in a new challenge and an opportunity to use my skills and experience in a different capacity than I have in the past.

·                      My family relocated to this area and my previous employer doesn't have an office here.

·                      I've been working as a temp, but I'm seeking a permanent position, so I resigned from the temp agency's staffing roster.

·                      I resigned for personal reasons, however, at this point in time, I am excited about moving into a new position.

·                      I'm seeking a a new challenge and to grow my career and it was difficult to job search while working.

·                      I resigned due to family circumstances, however, I have regained the flexibility I need to work effectively in a full-time job.
17. Why did you quit your job?
A. I resigned to focus on finding a job that is closer to home and will use my skills and experience in a different capacity.

·                      I don't have room to grow with my current employer and I'm ready to move on to a new challenge.

·                      I'm looking for a new challenge and to grow my career and I couldn't job hunt part time while working.

·                      I have been volunteering in this capacity and love it. I'm seeking to turn my passion into the next step of my career.

·                      I was laid-off from my last position when my job was eliminated due to downshizing.

·                      After several years in my last position, I'm looking for an company where I can contribute and grow in a team-oriented environment.

·                      I am interested in a new challenge and an opportunity to use my skills and experience in a different capacity than I have in the past.

·                      I recently achieved certification and I want to utilize my educational background and technical skills in my next position.

·                      I am interested in a job with more responsibility, and I am very ready for a new challenge.

·                      I left my last position in order to spend more time with an ill family member. Circumstances have changed and I'm more than ready for full-time employment again.

·                      I was commuting and spending an hour each day on travel. I would prefer to be closer to home.

·                      To be honest, I wasn't considering a change, but, a former colleague recommended this job to me and was intrigued by the position and the company. It sounds like an exciting opportunity and an ideal match for my qualifications.

·                      This position seemed like an excellent match for my skills and experience and I am not able to fully utilize them in my present job.

·                      The company was downsizing and I thought it made sense to seek another position before my job was eliminated.
18. What have you been doing since your last job?
A. My aging parents needed a temporary caregiver and I spent time looking after them.

·                      I spent time being a stay-at-home mom and volunteering at my daughter's school.

·                      I took some continuing education classes and seminars.
19. Why were you fired?
A. My competencies were not the right match for my previous employer's needs but it looks like they'd be a good fit in your organization. In addition to marketing and advertising, would skills in promotion be valued here?

·                      Although circumstances caused me to leave my first job, I was very successful in school and got along well with both students and faculty. Perhaps I didn't fully understand my boss's expectations or why he released me so quickly before I had a chance to prove myself.

·                      The job wasn't working out so my boss and I agreed that it was time for me to move on to a position that would show a better return for both of us. So here I am, ready to work.

·                      After thinking about why I left, I realize I should have done some things differently. That job was a learning experience and I think I'm wiser now. I'd like the chance to prove that to you.

·                      A new manager came in and cleaned house in order to bring in members of his old team. That was his right but it cleared my head to envision better opportunities elsewhere.

·                      Certain personal problems, which I now have solved, unfortunately upset my work life. These problems no longer exist and I'm up and running strong to exceed expectations in my new job.

·                      I wanted my career to move in a different direction, and I guess my mental separation set up the conditions that led to my departure. But by contrast, the opportunity we're discussing seems to be made for me and I hope to eventually grow into a position of responsibility.

·                      I usually hit it off very well with my bosses, but this case was the exception that proved my rule of good relationships. We just didn't get on well. I'm not sure why.

·                      My job was offshored to India. That's too bad because people familiar with my work say it is superior and fairly priced.

·                      I outlasted several downsizings but the last one included me. Sign of the times, I guess.

·                      I was desperate for work and took the wrong job without looking around the corner. I won't make that mistake again. I'd prefer an environment that is congenial, structured and team-oriented, where my best talents can shine and make a substantial contribution.


Job Interview Questions About You

1. What is your greatest weakness?
A. Being organized wasn't my strongest point, but I implemented a time management system that really helped my organization skills.
2. What is your greatest strength?
A. 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.
3. How will your greatest strength help you perform?
A. My greatest strength is my ability to work with many different people. I enjoy learning from everyone I meet, and in this position I believe that will enhance my ability to perform on the team.
4.  How would you describe yourself?
A. I'm a creative thinker. I like to explore alternative solutions to problems and have an open mind about what will work best.
5. Describe a typical work week?
A. Keep your answers focused on work and show the interviewer that you're organized ("The first thing I do on Monday morning is check my voicemail and email, then I prioritize my activities for the week.") and efficient.
6. Do you take work home with you?
A. When I need to, no problem. I realize the importance of meeting deadlines and getting work done on time.
7. How many hours do you normally work?
A. Unless you're sure about the company culture and expectations, the safest answer is not to mention a certain number of hours. Rather, mention that you work as much as necessary to get the job done.
8. How would you describe the pace at which you work?
A. Options for answering this question include saying that you work at a steady pace, but usually complete work in advance of the deadline. Discuss your ability to manage projects and get them done on, or ahead, of schedule. If you work at a job where you have set criteria (i.e. number of calls made or responsed to) that measures accomplishments, discuss how you have achieved or exceeded those goals.
9. How do you handle stress and pressure?
A. 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.

·                      From a personal perspective, I manage stress by visiting the gym every evening. It's a great stress reducer.

·                      Prioritizing my responsibilities so I have a clear idea of what needs to be done when, has helped me effectively manage pressure on the job.

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