Questions to Answer
Here are few of the more commonly asked interview questions. I've included sample responses for those questions job seekers sometimes need help in answering.
1. Tell me all about yourself.
This is probably the most commonly asked opening interview question. Most job seekers reply in the following manner:
"Well, I graduated in 1972 from Clifton University with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. My first position was with Samson Steel. While at Samson I was..."
There is nothing wrong with this conventional response except that it is a conventional, run-of-the-mill response. You have worked long and hard on your SOAR statements. Now's the time to SOAR, to begin taxiing down the runway:
"I have several strong points I am proud of Perhaps my greatest strength is my problem solving ability."
You have just begun a SOAR statement with "problem solving ability" being the subject of this statement. You continue on:
"We had a situation not too long ago..."
Now you have begun the overview section of the SOAR statement. Next, you relate the action you took followed by the results of this action. You conclude your response with a question, such as:
Is this the type of information you are looking for?"
By asking such an innocuous question at the top of the interview, you attempt to set the pattern for the interview. Bear in mind, the most productive interviews are dialogues, not interrogations.
2. Why should we hire you?
Here is another perfect opportunity to present a SOAR statement.
3. What are your career goals? Five years from now? Ten years? Ultimately?
4. What is your definition of success?
5. Tell me about yourself. What are your strong points? Here is a perfect opportunity for yet another SOAR statement. Just be aware that this is almost always part one of a two-part question; the other part being question #6.
6. What are your weak points?
7. Why did you go into_ (your career choice?)
8. If I called your last boss, what might he or she have to tell me about you?
What happens if you, like some of us, didn't get along particularly well with your most recent boss (or any boss)? You already know that you are never to confess nor com plain. You have to answer the question at hand in as positive a manner as possible.
9. What do you look for when hiring subordinates?
10. Why are you interested in working for our company? Unless you're responding to an ad or have been referred by a headhunter, you can't possibly answer this question effectively if you haven't done any homework about the employer and its products or services. And, if you have done your homework, now is the time to shine.
11. What were your most rewarding and disappointing educational or work experiences?
12. What have you learned from your work experiences?
13. What is your greatest accomplishment?
14. Why do you want to work for us?
15. What do you expect from an employer?
Be careful. It's better to show and ask the employer what you can do for him or her. Employers don't offer handouts just to keep employees happy-especially ones yet to be hired.
16. What have you done to advance in your field?
What if your answer is "nothing"? How do you think that will make you look? But you have to answer the question, even if you really haven't been doing anything to better yourself. You might try to respond in this way:
17. Why did you choose the major you did?
18. What was your class rank in college?
19. What types of activities are you involved in?
20. What do you do in your spare time?
21. What makes you think you are qualified for this position?
22. Is there anything else I should know about you?
23. How much money are you looking for?
If you can possibly avoid it, never discuss money or benefits until the end of an interview, or even better yet at a future interview. You will soon see why and how to try to avoid answering this question prematurely.
24. Who do you admire the most? Why?
25. What do you look for in a subordinate?
26. What is your operating style?
27. How do you handle problem employees or problem situations?
28. What do you do if you can't find the answer to a problem?
29. How soon can you start?
30. What is your definition of job satisfaction?
Pause to consider your answers. Keep your answers brief and to the point. Don't talk indiscriminately! Listen to what the interviewer is saying. Don't interrupt. Be careful when you are trying to change the subject. However, if the interviewer is hitting upon a weak area, you must try to lead him or her into greener pastures. This is another reason why asking questions is so important. If you have been asking them all along, it won't seem too obvious if you ask one or two more to try to subtly change the subject under discussion.
