1. What do you know about our company?
Really Means: "How interested in us are you?" The more you know, the better off you'll be. Before the interview, read all the material you can about the company. Dip into Moody's or Standard Poor's. Ask the public relations department to send you the company magazine and the annual report. You should know in general how large the company is and what it does or makes.
2. Can you get recommendations from previous employers?
Really Means: "What are the circumstances under which you left your last company?" If you can get recommendations that would be favorable, then simply answer, "yes." If you can't get recommendations, be prepared to answer this question in a manner that will work toward your best interests. For example, "Yes, I believe my former employer will recommend me" then hedge by adding, "but I believe they have a policy against providing information on past employees other than that of confirming employment dates."
3. Of all the positions you have had, which did you like most? Why? Which did you like least? Why?
Really Means: "What was your relationship with your supervisors?" As you answer the question, the interviewer will be comparing your answer to his or her characteristics. Your response should be general in nature and should point up the positive characteristics of your former supervisors. Don't make any negative comments or perform any character assassinations on previous supervisors. If you do, a red flag will go up, and the interviewer will screen you out. About the last thing they want to hire is an individual who has had problems with supervisors.
A positive approach to answering this question would be for you to stress the best characteristics of your supervisor and to relate to the interviewer the positive things that you learned from him or her. In answering the question about the things you liked least about your former supervisor, you can turn the negative factors into positive ones. Say something like, "One of the things I liked least about my supervisor was the fact that he was too easy on his subordinates. I felt that he could have gotten a lot more productivity out of me and others if he had only pushed us a little harder. Other than that, almost all of my supervisors were fair and did a good job,"
4. What types of people seem to rub you the wrong way?
Really Means: "How do you relate with others?" In answering this question, try to define the kind of person you think would rub most people the wrong way. In other words, instead of supplying the interviewer with your subjective answer, be a little more objective. For example, most people don't like phonies. So you can tell the interviewer that you don't like "phonies." If, on the other hand, you tell the interviewer that you don't like politicians, you may have a battle on your hands. Politicians are a necessary evil, and many people have grown tolerant of them. So stick to clear-cut types that will keep you clear of any disagreements.
5. What type of atmosphere existed at your former company?
Really Means: "What's the best job atmosphere for you?" If the atmosphere was similar to that of the job you're interviewing for, you're in luck. However, if the atmosphere within your last company was, say, heavy on policies, demanded strict adherence to procedure and compliance to company rules and regulations, and that of the company that's interviewing you is a lot more permissive, then that kind of difference will be important for the interviewer. Here again, prior to answering the question, you should try to gain insight into the atmosphere that exists in the company. The closer you come to matching that atmosphere in your response, the better off you will be.
6. What kind of guidance did you get from your supervisors?
Really Means: "Are you a self-starter; do you take the initiative and work on your own? Or do you need close supervision, occasional coaching, or day-to-day guidance and control in order to do your job?" It would be definitely to your advantage to answer this question by indicating that you required little or no guidance in the performance of your duties; also, that you produced excellent results with a minimum amount of supervision.
7. What is the nature of your typical workday?
Really Means: "What's the amount of work you accomplish during a workday?" The interviewer wants to know what your energy level is-exactly what you accomplished during the day, and what the results of those accomplishments were in terms of productivity. Your answer should indicate a high level of activity with a resultant high output of work of high quality.
