Q. How important to you is the opportunity to reach the top?
A. It's more a general goal than a constant ambition of mine. I know if I'm the best employee I can be, career advancement will take care of itself. Having a goal without hard work is like aiming at a target without ammunition. Working hard and enthusiastically is the best method for reaching the top. I complete my work to the best of my ability and trust that, if I prove myself to be an asset to my employer, I'll be rewarded. So while the opportunity to reach the top is important to me, I know that opportunity only presents itself to those who earn it.
Q. Why do you want this job?
A. Because of the challenge, and the opportunities at_ _. I'm well qualified for it, and this is exactly the kind of _ (competitive/creative/progressive/technically-oriented-use an appropriate adjective to the company and type of work) atmosphere I've been looking for. My career goal is_ _, and this job would allow me to develop my potential further while actively participating in that kind of work. I've been offered a number of other opportunities; but after evaluating those jobs and companies, I decided not to make a move. Making a job change is a major decision, a long-term commitment that I take very seriously. After researching the history and future plans of meeting people who work here, and seeing the kinds of jobs there are to be done, it seems like a perfect fit!
Q. How long will you stay with the company?
A. As long as I continue to learn and develop my capabilities. As with any marriage, I intend to fulfill my commitment and meet challenges as they come. It's my hope that as long as I perform well on the job and make contributions, I'll be considered a valuable employee. And as long as I'm making a contribution that is valued, I'll have no reason to leave. However, if for any reason I don't meet the company's expectations, I don't expect to remain on the payroll.I've always approached a job as an important part of my life. There's a saying: "Work is not only the way to make a living; it's the way to make a life." That says it all.
Q. What do you picture yourself doing (five/ten) years from now?
A. Five years from now, I see myself working for this company. My job will have increased at least one, probably two levels in responsibility and scope. I'll have made a significant contribution to the department, and will be working on new ways to_. Ten years from now, I will have progressed up the ladder into general management. I'll have gotten there by proving I'm a producer, a problem solver, and someone who can grasp the scope of a program while not losing sight of the details.
Q. What are your long-term career objectives?
(Give specific details about the field or profession first, and what level you hope to attain within it.)
A. Essentially, I have given my career and opportunities a great deal of thought, and from that process I've developed a plan for achieving my long-term objective. This position is an important step in that long-term plan.
Q. Are your present career objectives different from your original goals?
A. Slightly. I made my plans at an early age. However, I modified them as I progressed and learned more about my capabilities and the work. For a career plan to be useful like any business plan it must be flexible enough to respond to changes in the world of work. Career planning is an ongoing process, and several times throughout the years I have revised and updated my goals in response to new developments and opportunities.
Q. Would you consider a switch in careers at this point in your life?
A. Possibly. I'm very happy with my chosen field, have done well in it, and think there are things I can do even better as I progress upward. However, I believe in being flexible and open to new opportunities. If you have a position in mind for me in the company that is different from work I've been doing, I'd like to explore it. I'm always interested in seeing how my background and skills can contribute to my success at a particular job.
Q. Would you be willing to relocate in the future?
(If the answer is an unqualified "yes":)
A. Definitely, yes. When I have moved or relocated in the past, new worlds of opportunity opened for me. Any major change, while always containing some risk, is a chance to grow, learn, and advance. All I need is a few days' notice, and I'll be ready.
(If the answer is a "qualified yes":)
Yes, if that relocation provided opportunity for advancement or for making a greater contribution to the company. My family is very supportive of my career. They know I would base such a decision on whether the move would be advantageous for them, too. I would evaluate the opportunity carefully; and if it was good, I'd need a little time to complete my commitments-both on the job and at home-before getting settled somewhere else.
(If you would rather not:)
My family and I have established our roots here. It's a great place to live, and we've made many friends in our community. Stability and continuity are important for raising a family. I'd never reject a transfer without considering it seriously, however. I'd base my decision on whether the result would be a net gain-for the company, for my family, and for myself.
Q. Do you want to be president of this company?
A. Yes. I don't know too many capable, ambitious people who don't aspire to the highest management level within their companies. I aspire but I perspire, too. It gets better results. I also realize there are many other steps along the way where I can learn, contribute, and be rewarded in my work. I want to do the best job I can, moving on to the next challenge when I'm ready. If I continue to do that, I'll automatically rise to the top.
Q. When do you expect a promotion?
A. I would like my career to continue progressing as well as it has in the past. But I'm a realist. I know promotions aren't "given," they're earned. When I've mastered my present position, improved it with my ideas, prepared myself to take on new responsibilities, and trained someone to take over my job, I'll be ready for a promotion.
Questions about the target job: You suit it to a "t"!
If you've done your "phone-work," it's just a matter of matching your background to the requirements and duties of the target job. "Suitability" for a job is really just specialized use of certain learned information and practiced skills. Almost everything we do on the job (even a highly technical one) is common sense. Ask any supervisor and you'll find out how few employees specialize in that! To match your skills to the target job and sell the inter viewer on your suitability for it, do your job search research. Then, combine your unique background, experience, and qualifications with the interviewing skills you're learning here, and the job offers will follow. (Just don't flub your lines.)
Q. If we offer you a position and you accept it, how soon thereafter can you begin work?
A. After giving my present employer two weeks' notice. As long as I know what's expected of me, there's no reason I can't plunge right into the new job. Procrastinating has a way of draining energy, which I could channel into my new job. I have the enthusiasm and energy to get started. I'd also enjoy meeting the people I'll be working with so that we can develop a positive working relationship right away. Some people like to take a vacation between jobs, but a vacation should be earned. I may have earned a vacation on my last job, but I intend to prove myself here at the earliest opportunity.
Q. Would you be in a position to work overtime if required?
A. Absolutely. A job is a lot more than a paycheck-it's a responsibility. I can understand that some people like to leave their work at the office and finish it the next day. But when I'm given a task to complete, I do so as soon as possible, even if it requires that I work overtime. When I've been given the responsibility for a job, I take it seriously. I make sure what needs to get done, gets done. Whether I'm compensated for overtime or not, I derive personal satisfaction from the extra effort that results in success. Extra effort makes the difference between a good job and a better one.
Q. What do you know about our company?
(Do your job search research, and single out two or three positive facts about the company, like growth in recent years, increasing market share, and innovative breakthroughs. Print these facts neatly on "cue cards"-3-by-5-inch index cards-for rehearsing your script. Just don't take your cue cards into the interview. You might also want to include any other information you picked up during your research, such as:)
A. Most important, I've heard that _ (name of company) offers a challenging work environment that expects a great deal from people and gives them the opportunity to realize their potential. That's what I look for in an employer - an active, creative environment - where I am limited only by my capability, and where positive results are acknowledged.
Q. What do you know about the position we have open?
(Again, demonstrate your initiative by offering a few facts about the position you couldn't have learned from the advertisement.)
Q. Who do you think are our three major competitors?
A. I'd say_because - }
----- since_; and probably _, because_
Q. Do they have any advantages over our company?
(While you want to show you are aware of competitors and their products, be careful to balance any complimentary remarks about them with equally complimentary remarks about the employer. For example:)
A. I understand that_has a higher market share in the_line, but_'s recent introduction of_is already being received favorably and should surpass the competitive products within the next 12 months.
(Or:)
_is well established, large, and has a higher sales volume, but_has the advantage of being more aggressive, innovative, and-it appears-more efficiently managed. You've already made impressive inroads into their customer base. In the marketplace,_has the giants worried.
Q. What three trends do you see in the future for our industry?
(Take the time to prepare yourself for such a question, and be sure you can name three trends. Try to choose favorable ones. The following example would be suited to an employer in the communications industry.)
A. First, as our economy has developed away from manufacturing and toward service jobs, the urgent need for better communication between people has become obvious. While the volume of paper increased steadily, communication-meaningful inter action-decreased. Second, communication companies provide an indispensable service to people everywhere, helping them understand each other better. In the business environment increased communication results in a better understanding among associates, employees, and customers. There's a definite trend toward more use of the services of companies such as_by all kinds of businesses to help them identify their needs and enhance their ability to meet them. There's a great potential for growth. Third, the trend to desktop publishing should streamline operations in companies like this, decreasing cost and improving turnaround time to the customer. While some believe customers will invest in their own equipment and render our industry obsolete, there's little evidence this is happening. In fact, there's a trend toward increased use of outside service companies like _, to avoid the high cost of full-time employees. All in all, the future looks very bright for this industry. That's why I'm here.
Q. What interests you about our company?
A. I've been very impressed in all the reading and research I've done about_. It projects an excellent image, and its message is persuasive. Internally, it's a sound operation, with ambitious goals and realistic plans for achieving them. I see great potential for growth here, and I want to be part of it. I have many ideas that I know could be implemented here better than anywhere else.
Q. What single thing about our product or service interests you most?
(As before, you must be prepared for this one. Know something about the company and what it does, such as;)
A. I understand your computer systems have the least maintenance downtime of any on the market. For an account executive, that's an important sales advantage. You're offering them more value and efficiency for their investment.
(Or:)
You just introduced an innovative life insurance package, and you're the only company in the industry that offers benefit flexibility like that. I'd like to be able to work with a creative organization whose products offer its customers the "leading edge" in life insurance protection.
Q. Why would you be happy doing this type of work?
A. Because it's the kind of work I've always enjoyed doing. All the tests I took early in my career said I was best suited for this kind of work. I agreed, and made my career plans accordingly. Someone who likes his or her work demonstrates enthusiasm, initiative, and energy that others can't match. There's a great law of life that few people realize: We like most what we do best, and we do best what we like most!
Q. What specific ways will our company benefit from hiring you?
A. It will be getting someone whose skills and training most closely match the job requirements. Further, it will be getting the benefit of my experience at_, _, and_. My background relates directly to the position being considered and is a primary reason why it will take me less time to produce than someone who hasn't had as much direct experience. Further, I'm dedicated and learn quickly. I try always to excel at what I do; so, when you hire me, there's little risk you'll be interviewing for the job again soon.
Q. What do you believe are your special qualifications for this job?
(Begin by mentioning any specific training and experience that apply to the position. Then:)
A. As a result of my background, I have direct insight into the requirements of this job and know how to increase_ _(efficiency/productivity/sales). Further, I'm driven to achieve, to surpass my most recent record, so you'll never see me turn in a merely "acceptable" performance. I really think from all you've told me that the position could use someone with my attributes. There are a great many challenges to be met, and the right person-someone who approaches them with energy and determination will achieve results greater than anyone thought possible. I believe I'm that right person.
Q. How do you manage to interview while still employed?
A. I'm using personal time I've earned, since I rarely take sick leave. I manage my interview schedule, and I try not to be away from my job more than one day at a time. Sometimes it means working extra hours, but I take my responsibilities seriously. No one has to cover for me. In addition, I check in through the day for messages and to see if any situations need attention. I've developed a system for the work flow. As a result, no order sits on my desk, and nothing is delayed in my absence.
Employees do themselves and their employers a disservice by getting themselves overloaded or in a position where they are the only ones who can do a job. If you take care of the little things, the big ones take care of themselves. A little organizing, self-discipline and prioritizing go a long way.
Q. Do you feel you are ready for a more responsible position? Tell me why you think so.
A. Yes, definitely. When you cease to be challenged, you stop growing. I've gone as far as I can go in my present job. My manager is very pleased with my work, but the_ (size of the company/present economic environment) limits additional responsibility in the foreseeable future. I know I am capable of greater achievements, which is why I'm interviewing for this position. There's a challenge offered here that I'm ready to meet.
