Job Interview Questions and Answers

Job Interview Questions & Answers

  • Why are you interested in this role?

    This is an important question, both for you and the interviewer. Is the job really right for you? Is it what you want? Why do you want it? Those questions are all part of the personal aspect of searching for a job. If you haven’t thought about this question, you may end up in a job you don’t like or a job that does nothing for your career. Even “I need the money” is fine for an internal answer. Just don’t make it the complete answer to this question during an interview.

    For the interviewer it shows you’ve put some thought into the job search, and some thought into why the job is right for you and thus why you’re right for the job. When giving the answer include your qualifications and goals with the needs of the job and the company. That means having done research on the company and the position.

    Some good answers include:

    Perfect for Me:
    “This is a great career opportunity, but even more than that the job seems tailor made for my skills. I’ll be able to put my expertise in marketing to work here, and it will be challenging. I live for a challenge.”

    Good Team:
    “My skills really fit the job – I shaved 20% off my last company’s budget by eradicating duplicate efforts. I also love the team I’ll be joining – I think we’ll get along great and we can learn a lot from each other.”

    Exciting Company:
    “From your web site and what some friends tell me, your company is launching some exciting initiatives. I want to be a part of that growth.”

    Hone my Skills:
    “Now that I’ve graduated top of the class from business skill, I’m excited about putting those skills to work for a successful, growing company.”

    I Can Do It:
    “I want this job demonstrating products to the public because I’m good at communicating with people. I enjoy meeting them and helping them discover new, helpful products.”

    Applaud the Company:
    “So many companies are outsourcing for cheaper foreign labor, but you recognize the value of a better skilled, experienced work force. It makes me proud to be considered for a position with an organization like this one. I’ll be even prouder to work for you.”

    What should be avoided in an answer? Here’s one example. “I’m lazy. Your job listing was first in the want ads, so here I am.”

  • How do you handle it if you know your boss is wrong?

    This question is asked to determine how you deal with difficult situations. That means not only the scenario presented, that the boss is wrong, but also the question itself in the interview.

    Don’t be afraid of this question. It’s easy to give a strong response when you’re prepared for it.

    A good answer is “It depends on the boss and the situation,” followed by some examples.

    Newbie, Angry Boss:
    “My former boss was pretty new to the job, and very inexperienced. He didn’t really understand what his people did or what it took to do the job. But if anyone corrected him, or told him he was wrong, he got angry. To avoid arguments and to make things run smoothly, I avoided correcting him. No matter what he told me I agreed, then did it the right way if he was wrong. I delivered the results he wanted, without him ever knowing he was wrong or that I did something a different way than he suggested.”

    Newbie, Reasonable Boss:
    “My last boss had less experience than most of the people she managed. But she didn’t mind hearing that she was wrong, as long as the right way was explained. If I told her ‘it might work better if we try it this way,’ she’d say ‘ok, try it.’”

    The important thing is not to answer this in a way that shows you’re out to get the boss. The interviewer is likely going to be your boss, or one of your bosses. Everyone gets things wrong. A good boss would rather be told about a mistake in a way that doesn’t embarrass anyone.

    Help the Boss:
    “It was an important project, and the boss was dead wrong about the hardware needed to run a new Internet service. I went into his office armed to the teeth with all the proof, and convinced him about what needed to be changed. He had me accompany him to report the new hardware needs to his boss. We spun it as a better solution, not that the original solution was wrong. It was a win-win for both of us and for the company.”

    One job seeker was honest. He was probably a little bit too honest.. “I quit.” That answer didn’t earn points for landing the new job.

  • Describe the best job you’ve ever had?

    This is another question that’s not only designed to measure whether you’re a fit for the position and the company, but also to help the interviewer gauge how to best fit the job to your personality, skills and experience. Remember, there is flexibility in some positions, and companies are willing to work with people to maximize their efficiency.

    That’s why it’s important to be honest. But don’t be too honest. If the new job is for one thing, don’t answer the question with something opposite. For example, if the job is a technical position where you’ll be working in isolation, don’t answer with a non-technical job where you worked with a lot of people. Positions are flexible, but they can’t turn 180 degrees.

    Here are some examples of answers based on old jobs and the new job.

    Old – Mechanic, New – Garage Supervisor:
    “A few years ago I worked at a shop where the boss really trusted me. When he wasn’t around, I was in charge. I still had work to do, but I really enjoyed keeping an eye on things and making sure the shop ran smoothly.”

    Old – Software Developer, New – Software Sales:
    “I got a big kick out of solving problems, taking a blank sheet and turning it into software people can use. A salesman is on the other side of that, not only bringing solutions to people, but out in the field listening to people describe what they want. That turns into new features.”

    Old – Financial Advisor, New – Pizza Delivery (In a bad economy, sometimes people’s careers take a dive.):
    “Taking someone’s money, investing it, turning it into something more, that was the most fulfilling work I’ve done. It was exciting too! But it was also hard work. I’m not afraid of hard work.”

    Old – Car Salesman, New – Fishing Expedition Captain
    “What I loved most was getting to see all the newest models. I love cars! And then helping people get one for themselves…what a rush! To my thinking, a lot of the people who come out here will be on a boat, on this boat, for the first time. I’ll get to live that excitement through their eyes.”

    Some keys to keep in mind for the answer:

    • Relate specific experiences from a specific job
    • If possible, tie it into the new position
    • Don’t hesitate to include emotions – make your voice sound the “!”

  • Describe a typical work week / day

    The interviewer asks this question to get an idea of how you spend your time during the work day or week. Before answering, take some time to consider past jobs and how tasks there relate to the new position. As with many interview questions, giving examples from an old job will earn a lot of points.

    One no-no is obvious. Don’t mention non-work activities or time wasting activities. These include:

    ? Long lunches to work out at the gym
    ? Driving a child home from school during work time
    ? Chatting at the water cooler
    ? Taking care of personal business such as taxes or bills

    Focus on work related tasks. It’s also a good idea to mention things that demonstrate organizational skills such as, “On Friday afternoon I make sure everything is ready to go for Monday . I clear up the voice mail, making sure I’ve answered all calls and messages. I check my appointments and make a list of top priorities for the new week.”

    Typical Work Week:
    “On Monday I begin by going over the list from the previous week, setting priorities. I review the progress of existing projects, then check the calendar to refresh my memory on the upcoming week. I like to meet with my staff early, mid and late week to discuss priorities, check progress, and then prepare for the following week. I want to make sure, as much as possible, that we can all dedicate to tasks that move projects forward, so I make habits out of organizational tasks for speed.”

    There’s no reason to go into too much detail about off the job activities. You may want to tell the interviewer how organized you are at home, but keep it short.

    Typical Work Day:
    “I make sure to be ready and out the door so I can get to work at least 30 minutes before ‘start time.’ That way if there are delays such as traffic I’m still on time for any meetings or important tasks. I check voice mail and the calendar, then plan my sit down work time around other things like meetings. Sometimes it’s hard to balance between being friendly and keeping on task, but people understand that I don’t like to chit chat during the day – I like to work.”

    The following answer, taken from a recent interview, can be filed under “disastrous.”

    “I spend a lot of time looking for ways to get out of doing work.”

  • What is your greatest weakness?

    Consider this a trick question. It’s not a good idea to list important weaknesses, because those become marks against you. This question is really designed to determine the candidate’s personality. Given that everyone knows this question will be asked, it’s important to answer it seriously, directly, and honestly.

    Whether it’s a good question or not, it is an opportunity to make a strong positive impression. If you know a little bit about the company, the job, and even the interviewer, it can help you answer the question. For example, if the job is software development, you might describe a weakness as mathematics that was met by studying extra hard in HS and college.

    A cliche answer is “my greatest weakness is that I work too hard.” That should impress them. But they might know you’re trying to impress them with a bogus answer. Avoid mentioning a strength disguised as a weakness. Avoid the cliche answers such as “I hate to talk about my weaknesses.”

    Avoid mentioning anything that would negatively impact your work in a concrete way. The best answer includes mentioning some real but minor flaw, along with a plan or action through which it is being addressed.

    Some good answers:

    Sometimes lose track of deadlines
    “I tend to get caught up in details so much I might lose track of time. But when I use my calendar I find I keep my appointments and keep on schedule.”

    Not the Smartest One
    “I’m not as fast as some people in grasping things, so I take a little extra time to study and prepare.”

    Not a Great Memory
    “Sometimes I forget things, so I take a lot of notes and make sure to maintain my calendar.”

    Mention how a past shortcoming was fixed.
    “I used to constantly interrupt people, but I focused on letting people finish. Now I’m considered a good listener.”

    Explain how the job is an opportunity to improve.
    This takes knowledge of the job and company. “I used to let “no” get to me, but I’ve improved my sales skills and plan to watch and listen here to learn as much as possible from my new associates.”

    Describe a good piece of advice someone gave you. “The CEO of my former company told me always to surround myself with the smartest people, that’s why I’d like to work here.”

    The funniest answer we’ve heard? “If I cut my hair, I lose my strength.”

  • Why Do You Want to Work Here?

    This is a question you should ask yourself during the job search. Why do you want to work at a company, why apply there? The answer might be perfect for the interview question. Equally as important, the answer guides your choice of companies and jobs. People are rarely happy in jobs that are nothing more than a pay check.

    Do research on the company to make sure you know about it – what is done there, the people, the environment, the owners or executive staff. Most of that information can be found on the company web site.

    Some good answers in this vain include:

    Learn from the executives:
    “In my career field the people who run this company are some of the best there are. I want to get into this environment so I can learn from their experience while working with them to make the company a success.”

    Personality match:
    “The environment here matches my personality. This is a company that likes creativity on the job. This is where I want to work.”

    Industry Leader:
    “My research showed me that your company is an industry leader. I saw some information on future projects here that got me excited – I want to be involved.”

    Even after all the research it may come down to nothing more than you need a job, you have to pay the bills. Then be honest about that, but spin it in a way that shows you will be an asset.

    “I have bills to pay, I need to work. I intend to work hard here so I can help the company and keep the job a long time.”

    A little humor doesn’t hurt.

    “I owe, I owe, so off to work I go. Look, people have to work. I need the money. You need a hard worker who can do the job and is willing to grow with the company. That’s me.”

    Beware of sounding desperate. The company is looking for employees to fill their needs. Good companies recognize that they have to fulfill employees needs too. Honesty is the best policy. If you need a job but don’t really intend to work hard, it will come out during the interview.

    The worst possible answer to this question we’ve ever heard? “Your office is next to the bank I intend to rob. I can study their security and the lay out during my breaks.”

  • Why Did You Leave (Or Why Are You Leaving) Your Job?

    Either you were fired, are about to be a number in a lay off, or you’ve chosen to leave the job. The answer to being laid off is a pretty easy one.

    “It was a numbers game, the company had to downsize and now I have an opportunity to get a fresh start, using my experience to help a new company.”

    But if you’ve been fired that can be a little bit of a touchy subject. Now is not the time to get your old boss by saying bad things about him or her. “My old boss didn’t understand what I did at the company, he was always harassing me.” Answers like that may feel nice, but they reflect poorly on the interviewee rather than on the old boss. Strong answers about getting fired include some basic elements:

    • Positive spin on why you were fired
    • How the firing actually helps you
    • How your skills help the new company

    Interviewers know that some people aren’t right for some jobs, or that circumstances change resulting in a firing. They want to hear an answer that reflects professionalism and a positive attitude.

    Mutual agreement:
    “Things weren’t working out so my boss and I agreed it was time for me to move on to a role that would result in a positive outcome for both of us. Here I am.”

    Mismatched:
    “It turned out my strengths and competencies didn’t fit what my previous employer wanted. But it looks like they’re more tuned to your needs. Are skills in marketing (or a skill fitting the job description) valued here?”

    Growth:
    “Although my last job didn’t work out, I’ve since taken classes and did well there. I probably didn’t fully understand my previous boss’ expectations or why he let me go before I had a chance to prove myself there.”

    For people who choose to leave the job, a brief and honest explanation is best. An interviewer will be worried that you’ll leave this job too. Mention why the new job is one you intend to keep.

    More challenges:
    “I was bored at the last job, so needed to move on to a more challenging opportunity. I didn’t want to negatively impact the last company with my unhappiness.”

    Opportunity:
    “Your company provides more opportunity for growth than my last employer.”

    Location:
    “I was spending too much time commuting. This office is closer to my home, so I can spend more time with my family and doing the job than driving back and forth.”

    Too good to pass:
    “I wasn’t considering a move but then a friend told me about this job. After doing some research I was intrigued by the company and the opportunities provided here.”

    Be positive, do some research, and this question is a snap.

    Here’s an actual reason given by one interviewee. “I’m looking for something a little less dangerous.” He was an animal handler at a wild life reserve who had lost his hand in an attack be an alligator.

  • What training do you need?

    This question is asked for a number of reasons. It determines whether you’re familiar with the job and career, for example knowing where you are in a career as a computer technician and how to move forward. It also helps the interviewer understand your desire to continue to improve in a general way – for example if you indicate a need for some formal training in communication. People who improve become more valuable to a company than people who remain stagnant.

    For all jobs, but particularly for those in professions with clear levels of expertise and requirements, make sure you’re familiar with the career program. Understanding where you are in the process, as well as where you have to go, will allow you to ace this question. Even if the particular job doesn’t require a certificate or certain level of education, expressing a desire to improve impresses a new potential employer.

    For this answer it’s best to incorporate thee elements:

    ? Training you’ve achieved to this point
    ? Training you need to move forward
    ? Value of the training to the organization

    Computer Programmer:
    “I realized early that not only are my prospects improved with training, but performance company-wide improves as more and more people gain training and certification. I’ve already achieved an MCSE, as you can see, in addition to my degree in software engineering. I’ve already enrolled in classes for an MCDBA. In fact, it was one of the reasons I was so interested in this position, because you provide a stipend for training and bonuses for achieving certifications.”

    General – Communications:
    “There’s no doubt this position involves heavy communication skills. It will help me sell more, and deal more effectively with my peers and superiors on the job. I minored in communication along with my business major in college, and now I’m taking a course on Web 2.0 community building. From what I see, I can implement some of that here as soon as I start the job.”

    Carpentry:
    “I’ve already apprenticed and passed my state certification. I look forward to gaining my master carpentry status after some time on this job. Then you can put me on the bigger jobs and bill more in general for my time.”

    Truck Driving:
    “I already have my CDL, of course. But I’m just starting a truck driving safety course, which I notice many of your drivers have already completed. That will give you a discount in insuring me while driving your trucks.”

    Whatever you do, don’t make up training you’ve already had. Don’t try to dodge the question with some bogus training such as needing to learn to tone down an obvious strength. “I’m learning how to control my desire to work – I’d never leave the office if someone didn’t remind me I have to go home.” Interviewers will see through that in a second.

    It’s also a good idea to add some non-job specific training at the end of the answer. Such training won’t necessarily apply directly to the job, but might improve you as a person, which is a benefit to an employer.

    • Achieved a brown belt, going for black. This shows a care for physical fitness and mental sharpness.
    • About to begin SCUBA certification courses. Employers like hobbies that show a well rounded employee.
    • Have enrolled in a CPR class at the local hospital.

    Unfortunately, as one job candidate didn’t seem to realize, some training is just too specialized. “I train in my spare time to become an astronaut.”

  • Do you have questions about the job / company?

    Remember that a job interview isn’t a one way street. It’s also your assessment of the employer and job, as well as an opportunity to learn more about them. Be prepared for this question. Even if it isn’t asked, have some questions ready. What you ask shows the interviewer interest. A person who doesn’t bother to be curious about the job and company isn’t going to come across as interested.

    Some good questions to ask include:

    * How do you describe the job and its responsibilities?
    * Can you tell me about the owner, something that isn’t on the web site?
    * How many people work in the department, group or office?
    * Is there travel? If so, how much?
    * Is it possible that the company will pay for relocation?
    * What typical hours are expected in a work week? Is overtime expected on a regular basis?
    * What are the opportunities for growth and advancement?
    * Does the company pay for any ongoing education?
    * Are there examples of people who have moved upwards in the company?
    * What do you like about the job/company?
    * What don’t you like about it?
    * What things would you change if you could?
    * If I am offered the job, when would be the earliest you’d want me to begin work?
    * Can I tell you any other information about my qualifications?
    * What is the process from here – when will I hear from you and via what method?
    * What is the dress code?
    * Will there be additional interviews?
    * Do you have additional questions for me?

    Asking questions is a positive. It shows real interest in the job and the company. Not only will it reflect well during the interview, but it serves you well when making a decision. It may be hard to ask more questions after a long interview. But even if you’re itching to get out the door, take the time.

    Don’t ask questions that a candidate should know, such as information that can be found on the web site. Questions to avoid include:

    * What does the company do?
    * How long have you been in business?
    * Anything exciting happening around here?
    * Can you tell me about the history of the company?
    * Do I have the job?
    * Can I bring my pet snake to the office? (A job candidate actually asked this question.)

  • Tell me about a tough work situation / project and how you solved it?

    Job interview questions like this are behavioral questions. They operate on the theory that how you responded in the past determines how you’ll respond in the future. The interviewer wants to know how you’ll respond if you get this job, so they ask you about other jobs.

    Make sure to focus on positives. Give concrete examples, not general stories, about real work situations. Then describe how you solved the problem. Be specific, give a list of steps you took.

    To answer this type of question make sure to spend some time, prior to the interview, recalling past work experiences. Prepare stories in advance.

    You’ll have your own stories, but here are some good responses:

    Key Person Departs:
    “Just before a deadline one of my co-workers had to take a leave of absence after her husband died. Half the project was in her head. It was a tough situation, but she was willing to sit down with me to go over the details. Luckily my boss was willing to hire a temp to take care of the more mundane tasks while I took care of the heavy lifting. We made it, but barely.”

    Crime:
    “Right in the middle of one of our marketing events a guy held up a gun and started shooting. Everyone panicked, there was screaming. I hit the deck and dialed 911. The police were there really quickly. Nobody was hurt.”

    Computer Crash:
    “Just when we needed it most, our busiest time, our server crashed. I always say the time to deal with a crisis is before it happened. We had recently moved from self hosting to a hosted facility. They had a backup of all the data and an instant hot swap. All I had to do was read an email that there had been a problem, and tell the boss the hosting had saved us some serious down time.”

    Flaky Developers:
    “The company had spent over two million dollars developing a custom web store. After two years of constant problems, we needed something that worked. I found an online affiliate situation that met all our needs. All we had to do was pay a small portion of every sale, which ended up saving us a lot of money both in up time and no more development costs.”

    Here’s one from the book of what not to say. “I locked myself inside my car one morning. My boss had to call the police. I opened the window, gave them the keys, within seconds I was out of the car.” Don’t call us, we’ll call you after that answer.