Job Interview Questions and Answers

Tag: answers

  • How do you go about making important decisions?

    This is another common interview question that you may encounter. The interviewer genuinely wants to understand more about the steps that you undertaken when approaching a problem and making a decision. When you answer this question you need to make sure that you demonstrate your ability to carefully analyze the problem and thoughtfully arrive at a decision that is based on relevant information and all of the choices that are possible. This will show that you do not make rash decisions and also that you take all of the information into account before making a decision.

    Actually, using models for problem solving may be able to help you in formulating a response to this question. For example, you would first need to define the problem and the type of decision that would need to be made. The next step would be to gather relevant information that is necessary in order to arrive at a decision. You would then consider all of the possible choices and consider the outcomes for each of those possible choices. You would also consider how each of those choices relate to your own personal values and priorities. Based on the possibilities you would then choose an option that is aligned with your values and priorities and commit yourself to ensuring the success of that decision. Finally, you would evaluate the decision that you have made and if necessary you might change that decision if you see that it is not effective or is not working out as you thought.

    Remember that there is no real right or wrong answer to this question. This is a behavioral type question that is designed to find out how you handle different situations, in this case how you make decisions. In providing your answer you might also give some concrete examples of prior work situations in which you had to make a decision and the process that you used for arriving at the final decision. Always make sure that your answer remains positive. When preparing your answer to this type of question you may find it helpful to make bulleted lists to ensure that everything is covered fully. This process will ensure that the interviewer receives the information they need while also demonstrating your ability to make a sound decision based on the available information and in accordance to your own values and ethics.

  • Tell me about a time you had to work according to a policy you disagreed with?

    This is not one of the more common interview questions that you may encounter but it is one that you should be prepared to answer. The purpose of this type of interview question is to find out more information about your ethics as well as how you would handle a situation you did not agree with. This is important as this is the type of situation that you could very easily encounter in the workplace so you should be fully prepared to effectively answer this question.

    If you have experienced this type of situation in the past in a prior job then you will be better prepared to develop an answer to this question. On the other hand, if you have not experienced this type of situation then you would need to formulate your answer based on how you think you would react if you were asked to work under a policy that you did not agree with.

    There are different ways in which this type of situation can be handled. One way would be to say that you would not work under a policy that you disagreed with. There are certainly many employees that would take this approach if they were faced with a situation where they needed to work with a policy they did not condone. The problem with this type of answer is that it shows that you may not be flexible and could be difficult to work with. Instead of taking this type of approach you might instead talk about a situation in which you sought to learn more about the policy so that you could understand it better. You might still disagree with the policy, but at least you would understand more about it which may help you to feel better about the situation. Your answer might also be based upon the specific situation. For example, if the policy in question was something that was truly unethical then it very well might be something that you could not continue to work under.

    In answering this question you need to make sure that you are completely honest but you also need to demonstrate that you are able to be flexible when working in a situation that you do not entirely agree with as compromise is an important part of the workplace.

  • How would you define a good working atmosphere?

    When answering this question you need to make sure that you remain generic in your answer. Keep in mind that the reason the interviewer is asking this question is because they want to find out whether you will be a good fit for that department or that working environment. If you go into too much detail you run the risk of describing an environment that is the exact opposite of the type of environment in which you would be working if you are hired for the job you are interviewing for. Of course, that is something you do not want.

    As you describe the working atmosphere in which you would feel comfortable you may describe an environment in which you would be able to function as a contributing member. You might also mention that you would like to work in an environment that would allow you to hone your existing skills and gain experience to facilitate your career growth. This type of description is positive while at the same time remains generic enough that you do not have to worry that your answer will alienate the employer if it does not match the environment associated with the job you are applying for.

    As you interview for various jobs you will find that you will commonly run into several questions of this nature that require you to describe your ideal working environment, ideal boss, ideal job, etc. All of these questions are really designed to find out more about you, whether you will be easy to work with and whether you would be a good match for that particular job and working environment. Always remember that going into too much detail when answering these types of questions places you in danger of describing a situation that would not compliment the prospective job.

    When preparing for an interview it is always a good idea to practice answering several of these types of questions as it is quite likely that you will encounter at least one question of this type from time to time while searching for a job. Taking the time to practice these answers will help you to gain confidence and give you the ability to answer questions that can otherwise be difficult when they are posed to you during an interview.

  • Evaluate the best supervisor you’ve ever had?

    This is a question that you must be extremely careful with. The person who is interviewing you for the current job may very well be your future supervisor so they are looking for some critical information in your response to this question.

    Your answer needs to demonstrate that you have a solid understanding of what makes a good supervisor. By asking this question the interviewer is attempting to discover how you respond to supervision and what they can expect if they should hire you for the open position.

    Therefore, it is critical to carefully prepare an answer to this type of question. Remember that you never want to say anything negative about a former supervisor because the interviewer will naturally assume that if you are willing to discuss a former boss negatively that you might do the same to them if they should hire you for the job. Instead, you want to focus on discussing the good qualities of a former supervisor that you performed well under. For example, you might say that he or she was a good supervisor because they had an open door policy and supervised staff with a balanced and fair approach.

    It can be difficult to know what the supervisory policy is in the company where you are interviewing and exactly what they are looking for in your response, so to some degree your response to this question should be somewhat generic. You should not go into a lot of details when you are answering this question because becoming too detailed in your response can lead you into trouble.

    Instead, focus on describing a supervisor that you felt was fair and supportive. Keep in mind that you never want to leave the impression with your response that you carry a grudge or that you assess blame in any way. The key is to make sure that you indicate what you were able to learn from a supervisor. This reflects well on you and demonstrates to the employer that you are willing to listen and have a desire to learn in order to improve your abilities. Ultimately, the interviewer is not seeking information about your former bosses but more importantly information about you. Keep this in mind and you will be able to handle this question without any problems.

  • In your last job, how many times were you promoted and why?

    This is a very straightforward question. While there is no way to provide a generic answer to this question and you will need to provide an answer that is honest, it does give you the opportunity to really play up your skills and experience and what you can do for the company if they should decide to hire you.

    The biggest problem with this question occurs when you were never promoted in your prior position and you feel the need to explain that. If that is the case you must be extremely careful in how you respond to this question. Under no circumstances should you talk in a negative fashion about your prior supervisors or lay the blame for a lack of promotion at your old job. This will provide the prospective employer with a bad impression and make it seem as though you have a habit of bad mouthing your supervisors.

    Instead, if you were not promoted during your prior position you can simply state that there was not an opportunity for advancement, which is something that you look forward to if you should be hired for the position that you are interviewing for. At that point you should then go on to correlate how your skills and experience relate to the required qualifications for that job.

    Of course, if you were promoted in your last job, this is a golden opportunity because it allows you to discuss your skills and experience as well as achievements that you may not have been able to fit on your resume. This is an opportunity that you should never pass up but should instead make the best use of in order to make the best impression possible during the interview.

    Remember that when you respond to this type of question you should never give any information that is not absolutely true. With this form of question it is too easy for the employer to check up on your answer when checking references and find out if you were indeed telling the truth. The best policy is to always tell the truth and try to put it in the best light possible in order to highlight your skills and experience and how they relate to the requirements of the job that you are interviewing for.

  • What do you know about our company?

    While it may be surprising to learn, many applicants never take the time to find out what they can about a company they are interviewing with. This is becoming a standard interview question which you should fully expect to receive, so it makes sense that you really should make an attempt to find out as much as you can about the company prior to the interview. There are several important reasons for this.

    One reason that the employer may ask this question is to find out whether you are willing to take initiative to do things on your own. This can be quite important to many employers who do not want to feel as though they need to babysit or hand hold a new employee. If they feel that you have the initiative to do things on your own they may feel that you are better suited for the job than someone who is not willing to put forth the effort to do research on their own prior to the interview.

    In addition, the employer may also want to ensure that you have educated yourself about the company and feel you will be a good fit. If you have not taken the time to find out some basic information about the company it can be hard to know whether you will be a suitable match.

    There are many ways that you can find out information about a company prior to an interview. Begin by researching the business online and review their website, including the About Us section that most sites have. You should also research other information about the company online, if it is available, in blogs, social networking sites and discussion boards. If you know anyone who works for or who has worked for the company in the past you might also make a point of meeting with them prior to the interview. This will give you an insider’s view of the company and the ability to obtain information that you might not be able to access anywhere else.

    Before the interview, compile all of the information you have uncovered and be sure to review it carefully. This will help you to make an excellent impression when the time for the interview arrives.

  • What entices you most about the possibility of this job?

    When you are asked why you are interested in the position for which you are interviewing, the best way to answer is to refer back to the qualifications requested in the job posting and then show how those qualifications are related to your own experience and skills. This will allow the employer to clearly see that you understand the job, which is not something that can be said about all applicants. In addition, it also demonstrates that you have the required qualifications for the job.

    For example, suppose that you are applying of a job in human resources where you would be the manager and be responsible for recruiting as well as training and orientation. In that case, you would want to make certain that you discuss your responsibilities in prior positions that relate to those duties and why you would like to continue developing your experience in the field of human resources.

    Along the same lines, if you were interviewing for a position as a programmer, you would want to be sure that you discuss your interest in learning more about new technologies as well as your experience related to programming and how much you enjoy problem solving.

    Regardless of the type of position the job entails it is critical to make sure you demonstrate your enthusiasm for the opportunity along with your ability to perform the job. This will be very important as the employer will not only want to be assured that you have the skills and abilities to perform the job well but also that you have an interest in the job as well. This is because smart employers know that employees who have a genuine interest in the work they perform tend to perform their jobs better and are more productive. They also tend to remain with their jobs longer than employees who have no real interest in the work they are performing. Therefore, it is quite important that you not only relay your experience and skills when discussing what interests you about the job but also your enthusiasm for that type of work as well. Finally, make sure that you stick to how you can benefit the company and avoid any mention of being interested in the job because of the perks, benefits, salary, etc. This can be a distraction that could cost you the job.

  • How old were you when you obtained your first job?

    This can be a very difficult question to answer. The reason for this is that this question actually borders on a touchy topic because it involves the subject of age. Many employers today are so concerned about breeching requirements regarding the avoidance of any question that pertains to age that they steer clear of all age related questions. While you could certainly tell the interviewer that you do not feel that is an appropriate question because it involves your age, which is irrelevant to the requirements of the job, a better way to handle the question would be to present an answer that demonstrates your professionalism and experience without indicating your age.

    For example, instead of saying that you were hired for your first job when you were 12 in 1968 you might instead say that you have always had an interest in being independent and that translated into first performing odd jobs around the house for your parents and grandparents and then working your way through college. Keep in mind that when you answer this type of question you are in no way obligated to indicate your age or any dates that would indicate your age. Your age is not relevant to your ability to perform the responsibilities related to the job in most cases. The only matter that should be of interest to the interviewer is your skills. Therefore, you should make sure that you keep your answer to this question focused on your skills and experience and your ability to perform the job for which you are interviewing.

    An interviewer’s reasons for asking this type of question could be numerous. He or she may be making a veiled attempt at trying to discern your age and are hoping that this type of question will cause you to say how old you are. They may also be trying to find out whether you have a sufficient amount of professional experience, drive and motivation to handle the job in question. Regardless of their own motivation for answering this question, you should make sure that your answer deflects attention from your age and keeps the attention focused squarely on your skills and experience and what you can do to benefit the company. This is the best way to show that you are the right person for the open position regardless of age.

  • In your past positions, have you had to deal with any kind of cultural diversity?

    Your answer to this question should be extremely well thought out. This is an area where you need to be very careful. In today’s global workplace it is becoming increasingly likely that you may encounter cultural diversity, if not on a daily basis, then at least on occasion from time to time. Smart employers know that they must hire staff that is able to handle cultural diversity with respect. Not only might employees face cultural diversity among coworkers but you could also encounter it among clients, vendors and customers as well. If a business is to be successful, everyone employed there must have a good grasp of how to handle cultural diversity so that everyone is respected.

    If you have worked in an environment in the past where you encountered cultural diversity then you may be able to use that experience to form your answer to this question. If not then you will need to relate another situation where you had to handle cultural diversity, if possible. Perhaps while you were in college you roomed with someone who was of a different culture than you or you had a close friend who had a different cultural background.

    With this type of question you must keep in mind what it is that the interviewer is looking for. In asking this question, it is important for you to remember that the employer or interviewer wants to make sure that you are able to approach cultural diversity with respect and ensure that everyone is provided with dignity. There are many different ways that you can demonstrate your understanding of this to the interviewer. You might relate a prior experience in which you faced this type of situation and the specific steps that you took to ensure that others in your work environment were respected even if their own culture was different from your own. If you have truly never encountered this type of situation in the past, either in the workplace or in school or some other situation then you will need to make sure you demonstrate your awareness of the need for sensitivity and respect regarding cultural diversity. The key to succeeding with this question is to keep your response focused on your ability to effectively handle cultural diversity so that everyone feels respected.

  • How would your past coworkers describe you?

    This is a question that must be answered carefully because you do not want to reveal anything unflattering. You should always remember that the person who is interviewing you could be your future supervisor, so you should definitely take care in describing how you believe former coworkers would describe you. The key is to describe yourself in the way that any supervisor would want to see a new employee. For example you might say that former coworkers would describe you as committed, loyal, friendly, professional, etc.

    When answering this question make sure you avoid the use of the word ‘think.’ You should sound as though you are confident regarding what others would say when describing you. When you use the word ‘think’ it sounds as though you re not sure and casts some doubt onto the subject. This is something that should be avoided. You should always strive to sound as though you are confident, positive and certain regarding how others would describe you.

    It may also be helpful when answering this question if you can provide a direct quote from a former coworker. For example, you might say that a particular coworker once told you that you are the hardest working person on the team. Of course, if you do share something like this when in an interview, you should be certain that you tell only the truth. Do not just make up something that a coworker might have said about you because you think it sounds nice. You never want to place yourself in a position where you tell something that is not true in an interview and it is discovered later.

    Also, when relating how coworkers would describe you, do make sure you focus on descriptions that would be appropriate for the workplace. Even if you socialize with coworkers outside of work, you should not steer into personal territory. Even if the coworker who sat next to you said that you were the life of the party when a group of you went out after work for a few drinks, this is not something to reveal in an interview. Stick to professional qualities. The interviewer wants to find out how you function in a professional work environment. Providing a clear and confident answer regarding traits others would see in you while at work will accomplish this goal.