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The key is to give better answers than anyone else. To do this, you must:
(3) Practice!
Be enthusiastic and confident when responding to questions. Don't rush your answers, but don't
ramble on and on, either. Try to, um, avoid, like, using unnecessary words, right? And um,
repeating yourself or, like, annoying phrases, you know?
A good technique is to write out your answers to the questions you anticipate, then edit them to
make them more concise. Then practice your polished answers out loud, over and over. If you
can have someone help you do a "mock interview," that would be the best way to do this.
Most questions will relate either to your ability to do the job or to the type of employee you will
be. Here's one that is very commonly used to help the interviewer learn about both:
When responding to this request, you should focus on both your personal and professional
values. Always be honest, but talk about your best traits only, especially those that relate to the
position for which you are applying. Highlight experiences and accomplishments you are most
proud of. Here's an example:
Remember to tailor your response to the specific job. By studying the job announcement, you'll
get a good idea of the skills and experience being sought. Work those into your response.
Consider this your own personal commercial. If the interview consisted of only this ONE chance
to sell yourself, what would you say?
Choose one example from your past that was important to you and helped the company you
worked for. Give specific details about what you did, how you did it, and what the results were.
Try to pick an accomplishment that relates to the position for which you are applying. Employers
like to hear about accomplishments that reduced expenses, raised revenues, solved problems or
enhanced a company's reputation.
This is a great chance to highlight your best skills. Don't pick just one, focus on your top three or
four. Some examples are: leadership skills, team-building skills, and organizational skills.
Determine which strengths would fit best with the position for which you are applying. For
example, if the job announcement stresses the ability to handle multiple tasks, you could say:
"I'm good at organizational skills, prioritization and time management. But my greatest strength
is my ability to effectively handle multiple projects and deadlines."
Be careful with this one. Most interview guides will tell you to answer it with a positive trait
disguised as a weakness. For example, "I tend to expect others to work as hard as I do," or "I'm a
bit of a perfectionist." Interviewers have heard these "canned" answers over and over again. To
stand out, be more original and state a true weakness, but then emphasize what you've done to
overcome it. For example: "I've had trouble delegating duties to others because I felt I could do
things better myself. This has sometimes backfired because I'd end up with more than I could
handle and the quality of my work would suffer. But I've taken courses in time management and
learned effective delegation techniques, and I feel I've overcome this weakness."
IMPORTANT: Be sure the weakness you talk about is NOT a key element of the position!
Give some examples of stressful situations you've dealt with in the past. Tell how you use time
management, problem-solving or decision-making skills to reduce stress. For example, tell them
that making a "to-do" list helps. Site stress-reducing techniques such as stretching and taking a
break. Don't be afaid to admit that you will ask for assistance if you are feeling overwhelmed.
If it's true, say you actually work better under pressure.
"What is the toughest problem you've had to face, and how did you overcome it?"
Try to make this about a problem that faced your company and not just you or your particular
work group. The bigger the problem, the better. Give specific examples of the skills and
techniques you used to resolve this problem. Emphasize the successful results. Be generous in
sharing credit if it was a team effort, but be sure to highlight your specific role.
"Have you ever had to discipline a problem employee? If so, how did you handle it?"
This is a likely question if the position for which you are applying requires supervisory duties.
Explain how you used problem-solving skills, listening skills, and coaching skills to help the
employee. If those techniques turned the employee around, be sure to say so. If those techniques
failed, tell how you followed the company's policies and what the end result was.
Here's where your research about the company will help you stand out among the other
candidates. Explain how you've always wanted the opportunity to work with a company that...
provides a vital public service, leads the industry in innovative products, whatever... find
something specific about that company that you can tie in with your answer. Explain how your
qualifications and goals complement the company's mission, vision and values (use specific
examples). If you are applying for a position in a company for which you already work, explain
how you'll be able to apply and expand on the knowledge and experience you've gained from
your current position, and will be able to increase your contributions and value to the company
through your new responsibilities.
As with all other questions, be confident and enthusiastic when you answer this. Don't try to say
you are the best qualified person, because you don't know the qualifications of the other
applicants. Instead, emphasize several reasons why you should be hired. For example: "I've got
extensive experience in [name the appropriate field] and have the specific skills you are looking
for. I'm a fast learner who adapts quickly to change and will hit the ground running. I'm
dedicated and enthusiastic about helping your company meet its goals, and will provide top-
quality results with minimal oversite. I'm an outstanding performer who takes pride in my work.
You won't have any regrets when you hire me."
UNEXPECTED QUESTIONS
Interview questions and answers can only be predicted and prepared for to a certain extent. There
are endless variations and no way to know every question in advance. But that doesn't matter.
Because you know there will be unexpected questions, you will not cringe or freak out when
they pop up, as some applicants will. Instead, you will turn them into opportunities to shine even
more brightly.
No one knows you better than you. Memorize a list of your best features, your best selling
points. Use every opportunity and unexpected question to mention these.
Realize that sometimes what you say isn't as important as how you say it. Be confident,
enthusiastic, and remember to smile often.
Often the interviewer's last question is, "Do you have any questions for me?" Candidates who do
not have questions show a lack of initiative and give the impression that they have minimal
interest in the position. Stand out from those lazy job seekers by asking questions!
Have your questions ready in advance. Relate them to the company or its
accomplishments/challenges (your research of the company will show and further impress the
interviewer). Don't ask any question that shows that you have not done your research about the
company.
Do not ask questions related to you, such as "When will I be eligible for my first raise?" or
"How often will I be subjected to a performance review?" Don't bring up money. (You can do
that after you are offered the job.)
In addition to specific questions you develop based on what the company does, here are some
sample generic questions:
Be sure the person you ask actually works for the company. Some organizations, especially
public agencies, have interview panels in which employees from other agencies participate.
Is there anything I've mentioned that makes you think I'm not the best candidate for this
job?
If they do mention something that's bothering them about you, such as lack of specific
experience, this gives you a last-ditch effort to change their opinion about you. If you've thought
about your possible weaknesses in advance, you should have a prepared answer to those
weaknesses. For example, "I know I have limited experience in this field, but what I lack in
specific experience I make up for in enthusiasm and desire to excel. I'm a fast learner and I'll
work harder than anyone else to be a top producer on your team."
Be sure to ask that! Failure to do so may give the impression that you're not that interested, and
you need to know when to follow up.
50 COMMON INTERVIEW Q&A
Review these typical interview questions and think about how you would
answer them. Read the questions listed; you will also find some
strategy suggestions with it.
(Excerpted from the book The Accelerated Job Search by Wayne D. Ford, Ph.D, published
by The Management Advantage, Inc.)
7. What have you done to improve your knowledge in the last year?
Try to include improvement activities that relate to the job. A wide
variety of activities can be mentioned as positive self-improvement.
Have some good ones handy to mention.
16. If you had enough money to retire right now, would you?
Answer yes if you would. But since you need to work, this is the type
of work you prefer. Do not say yes if you do not mean it.
28. What would your previous supervisor say your strongest point is?
There are numerous good possibilities:
Loyalty, Energy, Positive attitude, Leadership, Team player, Expertise,
Initiative, Patience, Hard work, Creativity, Problem solver
32. Do your skills match this job or another job more closely?
Probably this one. Do not give fuel to the suspicion that you may want
another job more than this one.
33. What motivates you to do your best on the job?
This is a personal trait that only you can say, but good examples are:
Challenge, Achievement, Recognition
35. How would you know you were successful on this job?
Several ways are good measures:
You set high standards for yourself and meet them. Your outcomes are a
success.Your boss tell you that you are successful
37. Are you willing to put the interests of the organization ahead ofyour own?
This is a straight loyalty and dedication question. Do not worry about
the deep ethical and philosophical implications. Just say yes.
41. If you were hiring a person for this job, what would you look for?
Be careful to mention traits that are needed and that you have.
42. Do you think you are overqualified for this position?
Regardless of your qualifications, state that you are very well
qualified for the position.
45. Tell me about a time when you helped resolve a dispute betweenothers.
Pick a specific incident. Concentrate on your problem solving technique
and not the dispute you settled.
49. Tell me about the most fun you have had on the job.
Talk about having fun by accomplishing something for the organization.
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1,647 Responses
Might be a british but one of the questions I always get asked is my biggest weakness.
For me there are two approaches to this either something really obvious like lacking
experience (I’m a recent graduate) or the biggest interview cliche saying that you can
work to hard. But I’ve had both thrown back in my face in a couple of interviews so
what’s the answer should I just be honest?
Always respond with a weakness that is real/authentic (about self vs. business
processes) but always offer a way that you have overcome the weakness and now
have developed this into a strength…