6.What relevant experience do you have?
Ans:
Hopefully if you're applying for
this position you have bags of related experience, and if that's the case you
should mention it all. But if you're switching careers or trying something a
little different, your experience may initially not look like it's matching up.
That's when you need a little honest creativity to match the experiences
required with the ones you have. People skills are people skills after all, you
just need to show how customer service skills can apply to internal management
positions, and so on.
7.If your previous co-workers were here, what would they say about you?
Ans:
Ok, this is not the time for full
disclosure. If some people from your past are going to say you're a boring
A-hole, you don't need to bring that up. Stay positive, always, and maybe have
a few specific quotes in mind. "They'd say I was a hard worker" or
even better "John Doe has always said I was the most reliable, creative
problem-solver he'd ever met."
8.Have you done anything to further your experience?
Ans:
This could include anything from
night classes to hobbies and sports. If it's related, it's worth mentioning.
Obviously anything to do with further education is great, but maybe you're
spending time on a home improvement project to work on skills such as
self-sufficiency, time management and motivation.
9.Where else have you applied?
Ans:
This is a good way to hint that
you're in demand, without sounding like you're whoring yourself all over town.
So, be honest and mention a few other companies but don't go into detail. The
fact that you're seriously looking and keeping your options open is what the
interviewer is driving at.
10.How are you when you're working under pressure?
Ans:
Once again, there are a few ways
to answer this but they should all be positive. You may work well under
pressure, you may thrive under pressure, and you may actually PREFER working
under pressure. If you say you crumble like aged blue cheese, this is not going
to help you get your foot in the door.
11.What motivates you to do a good job?
Ans:
The answer to this one is not
money, even if it is. You should be motivated by life's noble pursuits. You
want recognition for a job well done. You want to become better at your job.
You want to help others or be a leader in your field.
12.What's your greatest strength?
Ans:
This is your chance to shine.
You're being asked to explain why you are a great employee, so don't hold back
and stay do stay positive. You could be someone who thrives under pressure, a
great motivator, an amazing problem solver or someone with extraordinary
attention to detail. If your greatest strength, however, is to drink anyone
under the table or get a top score on Mario Kart, keep it to yourself. The
interviewer is looking for work-related strengths.
13.What's your biggest weakness?
Ans:
If you're completely honest, you
may be kicking yourself in the butt. If you say you don't have one, you're
obviously lying. This is a horrible question and one that politicians have
become masters at answering. They say things like "I'm perhaps too committed
to my work and don't spend enough time with my family." Oh, there's a
fireable offense. I've even heard "I think I'm too good at my job, it can
often make people jealous." Please, let's keep our feet on the ground. If
you're asked this question, give a small, work-related flaw that you're working
hard to improve. Example: "I've been told I occasionally focus on details
and miss the bigger picture, so I've been spending time laying out the complete
project every day to see my overall progress."
14.Let's talk about salary. What are you looking for?
Ans:
Run for cover! This is one tricky
game to play in an interview. Even if you know the salary range for the job, if
you answer first you're already showing all your cards. You want as much as
possible, the employer wants you for as little as you're willing to take.
Before you apply, take a look at salary.com for a good idea of what someone
with your specific experience should be paid. You may want to say, "well,
that's something I've thought long and hard about and I think someone with my
experience should get between X & Y." Or, you could be sly and say,
"right now, I'm more interested in talking more about what the position
can offer my career." That could at least buy you a little time to scope
out the situation. But if you do have a specific figure in mind and you are
confident that you can get it, I'd say go for it. I have on many occasions, and
every time I got very close to that figure (both below and sometimes above).
15.Are you good at working in a team?
Ans:
Unless you have the I.Q. of a houseplant, you'll always answer YES to
this one. It's the only answer. How can anyone function inside an organization
if they are a loner? You may want to mention what part you like to play in a
team though; it's a great chance to explain that you're a natural leader.
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