Job Interview Questions and Answers

Tag: job interview question

  • What were your responsibilities in your last position?

    With this job interview question the interviewer wants an idea of what you’ve done at a previous job as a measure of whether you can handle the responsibilities on the new job. Here are some keys to answering this question well.

    Be honest, don’t make something up for this answer. The interviewer or hiring manager may check with someone at your last job, and they may ask them about your responsibilities. You can be honest while selling your responsibilities as important – they were important to the company or they wouldn’t have had someone in the job.

    For example, if you did something as simple as bring the morning paper to the boss’ desk, here are some answers you might give.

    “I provided daily reports to my boss about the current business conditions” is technically true, but someone asking about it and hearing “he brought me the morning paper” won’t be impressed.

    A better answer is “One of the things I did was to bring the boss the paper every morning. She liked to read up on current events, so that got her day started on the right foot.”

    Be specific and positive about what you did whenever answering questions about previous positions.

    “I ran overnight reports that weren’t ever read by anyone, it was a waste of time.” Maybe it’s true, but why mention it if it was meaningless?

    “There were reports that needed babysitting every night to make sure they completed. It wasn’t glamorous work, but it was necessary. Sometimes the reports weren’t read, but if they were needed, I made sure they were run and were accurate.” The same situation, expressed that way, paints you as a dependable person who doesn’t question the boss or consider some work “beneath” you.

    Tie previous responsibilities to the new position. This shows that you understand the potential job, and have experience for it.

    “I maintained a mailing list and wrote a weekly newsletter to all our customers. It was an important part of our overall marketing and customer retention efforts. I see you have a weekly newsletter, I look forward to working on it too.”

    One job applicant seemed to not want the new job, and to not like work in general. “I started out with a lot of responsibilities, but over time I would fail so badly they’d give them to someone else. I loved that job – I ended up getting paid for doing nothing.”

  • There’s a fire, and you can only save three things. What are they?

    Short of starting a fire to see what you’d carry out with you, this is the one of the best ways the interviewer has of determining your values and priorities. It’s a similar question to “if you could choose one thing to have while stranded on a desert island, what would it be?”

    Two elements are important when answering this question in a way that reflects positively on you.

    • Items with more than monetary value
    • Explain the reason you’d save these items

    Some items are self explanatory:
    “I’d save my baby, my husband and my dog. My dog is part of the family.” Maybe something else would be more important than the family pet, but if an interviewer needs an explanation for why you’d save your baby or spouse, you might be looking for a job in the wrong place.

    Be prepared for a follow up if you mention people, like “Let’s say people and pets can make it out on their own, what things would you grab?”

    Here again, it’s best to mention items with more than just a hard dollar value.

    Heirloom:
    “My important files, a sweater, and the painting my mother gave us when we were married. It’s not worth much, and it’s not much to look at, but we always keep it in a prominent place because I loved my mother, god rest her soul.”

    Sometimes sheer practicality is the best answer.

    “Even if I could save three things, I wouldn’t. My priority is my family and myself. That’s what they say in fire safety courses, don’t worry about things, get yourself and your family out of there.” It may not stick to the spirit of the question, but with the explanation it shows preparedness and attention to expert advice.

    Some other good answers include:

    Good Health:
    “If I could save three items I’d grab my son’s medicine, his jacket, and a blanket for my wife and I.” Talk about a father thinking about the family.

    Nothing in the question suggests the fire has to be at home. For a fire at the office this answer works:

    “I’d grab my laptop, my business cards and the morning’s printed reports.”

    It’s OK to mention work items like a laptop in a home fire scenario, but unless the interviewer is a pretty callous work-a-holic they’ll consider personal things important over a 100% focus on work.

    Nobody’s sure if this guy got the job, but his answer made his hobby, or obsession, clear. “My easy chair, the big screen TV and the cable box, I don’t want to miss any games.”

  • What was your greatest professional accomplishment?

    There are a number of keys to answering this question well. Knowing the company and new job is important, so that you can choose the right accomplishment and relate it to the position. Elements include:

    • Be honest, it’s fine to spin a little, but choose a real accomplishment.
    • Provide details – what you did, how you did it, and the results.
    • Relate it to the position you’re seeking.
    • Keys interviewers like to hear – reduced expenses, increased revenue, solved a problem or multiple problems, increased the company’s reputation.
    • If there’s proof, even better, provide it.

    Even mundane accomplishments might be big ones, so keep track of what you accomplish on the job for the next job search.

    General relation to new job:
    “I was in charge of the weekly newsletter, emailed to our mailing list of 1000 users. We built the email by hand, then sent it out using our own mail server – it was really slow and didn’t allow tracking except for who opened the email. I found a service that charged only $100 per month, had automated tools that cut the build time in half, and allowed us to track clicks on specific items. Our sales went up 10% after a few months of using that service – it was well worth the money. I always keep an eye out for methods to increase results beyond a small initial cost. You can read about it in the May Business Journal, they did a case study on it, I brought a copy.”

    Online store:
    “My last company spent over $2 million dollars building their online store, and stocking it with all their products. When I started work there, our new team realized Amazon had all the same items, and a store front for a small % of each sale. It was a bottom line deal – the Amazon fee per item came out to less than the incremental maintenance costs. So we switched to Amazon – the added bonus is the system was easier so we were able to list items more quickly. Raw sales increased, profits increased, and cost decreased. That may not be the specific solution for your company, but it’s one of the options I have in mind. I emailed the Amazon merchant URL to you.”

    If the accomplishment was all you, then mention it as all you. But don’t hesitate to mention working with a group, as employers love team work.

    Some accomplishments don’t impress no matter how they’re spun. “I found a sale on baloney, and suggested to everyone at the office they should eat sandwiches to save money.” That is baloney.

  • What animal would you be if you were an animal?

    A new trend began in the late 80’s and early 90’s to ask stranger and stranger questions. The goal is to put a potential employee off stride, thus testing their ability to think and react under pressure. This specific question also gives an interviewer insight into how a person perceives themselves. It came into use as an interview question after people like Barbara Walters made it famous in her celebrity interviews.

    Avoid animals with negative connotations such as a snake (sneaky) or hyena (untrustworthy) unless of course the job requires those qualities. A salesman may not want to be perceived as a snake, but if you’re going for a job as a repossession agent, being sneaky is a positive.

    “I blend in, and then when they’re not looking, when they least expect it, I strike, the car is mine!”

    Cuddly animals may sound nice, but it’s not something needed on a job unless it’s a nurturing job.

    Teacher:
    “Students love me because, while I know how to teach, I’m approachable and often help them solve their problems. They can talk to me like a favorite stuffed teddy bear.”

    Research into the job allows you to relate the animal to the position in question. But the best animal answers denote qualities such as strength, intelligence or leadership.

    Strength:
    “I’m a lion, I let people do their own thing but my staff knows when to stop discussing and start listening, that’s my roar.”

    Intelligence:
    “I like to consider myself a dolphin, the smartest animal. There’s no problem I can’t solve.”

    Leadership:
    “I’m the lead elephant. When something needs to be done, I trumpet the charge into action.”

    Perseverance:
    “Big jobs don’t scare me, I take them one step at a time, pecking away at them like a woodpecker until they’re finished.”

    For certain jobs, such as those requiring hard, repetitive work, other animals are more appropriate.

    “I’m like an army ant, put me to a task with the team, and nothing can stop me. I put my head down and get the job done.”

    Good animals include:

    • Tiger – Intelligent / street smart
    • Monkey – Intelligent / nimble
    • Fox – Clever, but with a hint of dishonesty
    • Lion – Regal, commanding
    • Elephant – Leader, unstoppable, great memory
    • Ant – Hard worker
    • Dolphin – Intelligent

    Generally bad animals (at least for this question) include:

    ? Snake – Sneaky and dishonest
    ? Whale – Bloated
    ? Sloth – Lazy

    One poor answer given was “I think of myself as an apple, wait, is that an animal?”

  • What book is on your nightstand?

    With this question the interviewer isn’t trying to butt into your private life or into your cleaning habits, they’re trying to get an idea of what interests you. This question may be better phrased “What book are you currently reading?” or “What books do you read?” Be honest, but consider that even if you aren’t reading a book, answer by relating the types of books you read.

    A good answer involves reading that has to do with the job, company or profession. This could be specific books about the career or field, or business books in general. Some examples:

    Medical:
    “Some medical journal or another. I’m not a doctor, but working in the field I like to keep up with it.”

    General:
    “Forbes, there’s a lot of good material in there.”

    General:
    “100 Habits of Highly Successful People. I’ve already read it, but I like to re-read it once in awhile to refresh my mind and practice those habits.”

    There may be a particular hot book for your profession, or that pertains to business in general. If so, buy a copy and put it on the nightstand if you’re worried about not telling a fib.

    But a good answer doesn’t have to involve a business book, even though that’s the safest choice. If reading is a hobby, and you read interesting books instead of something like comic books, mention the latest thriller or non fiction.

    History:
    “I’m reading History of the Western World. You’d be amazed how our social and business practices today come from what people did thousands of years ago.”

    If you have children, maybe the book on the nightstand is a children’s book. Don’t worry about mentioning it, as long as you give the right explanation – you don’t want the interviewer to think you consider Dr. Seuss serious reading.

    “Outside of work my children take up a lot of my time, so usually their favorite book is on the nightstand, waiting for me to read their bed time story.”

    The rules of thumb for this question:

    • Business books or publications are best.
    • Answer what books you like to read if nothing is on the night stand.
    • If reading is a hobby, or if you have children, mention the title with a short explanation.

    Some books you shouldn’t mention, even if you do read them:

    • Avoid Work for Dummies
    • 1001 Ways to Steal Office Supplies
    • Funny Web Site Browsing at Work

  • What did you dislike most about your last job?

    It’s best to be honest, so it’s best if you liked your last job so much there was nothing to dislike. That leads to an excellent answer.

    “I hated having to leave, but they had to downsize so a lot of key people were released.”

    Most people can find something they don’t like about a job, but now isn’t the time to expound on it, or even to mention it. Honesty includes steering the answer towards positives rather than negatives which reflect badly during an interview.

    Good boss:
    “I really can’t say I disliked anything about the job enough to talk about it, but I really learned a lot from my boss. I see the person I’d be working for here is a real pro too.”

    Liked Coworkers:
    “I never really thought about bad things there. It was an enjoyable experience to work with the people at that job. Everyone got along, knew their jobs, helped each other when someone needed help. I look forward to a similar experience here.

    The best answer to this question has a number of key elements:

    • Avoid negatives, mention dislikes to acknowledge the question while giving a reasonable explanation for not expounding on a dislike.
    • Include something positive in the answer.
    • Tie in the positive to the new potential job – research helps.

    If the last job was so bad that there’s nothing positive about it, look harder. Unless you worked under the whip, literally, every day, there must be something good, or at least not so bad about the job.

    Boss was a jerk, so spin it to having learned about management through observing what not to do.

    “I don’t take time to dwell about bad things, but I have to say I learned a lot about management at the last job. I intend to apply those lessons here.”

    Pay was too low, and often not on time. Spin it to lessons about the importance of enjoying work.

    “I can’t say there were a lot of negatives, at least nothing that stands out now that I think about it. What I do know is that the job taught me how important it is to enjoy work. Sure it’s a job to collect a check, but I can’t work for just money. One of the reasons I’m interested in this job is it’s something I’ll enjoy.”

    This answer, recently given at a job interview, is an example of what not to say. “I hate work in general, but a pay check is a pay check.”

  • What did you learn from your previous job (or school?)

    The interviewer asks this question for insight into your skills and job attitude, as these are based on the lessons you’ve taken from other experiences. If the job is customer service, but you talk about learning how to bake a pie, it won’t highlight you as a hot hire prospect.

    Stick to the qualities that fit the job, and include how your experience relates to the new position. For example:

    General Lessons:
    “My last boss told me experience isn’t doing the same thing over and over, it’s meeting new challenges or addressing the old ones in new ways. That’s how improvement happens. I strive to get the job done, but always have an eye out for a way to finish the job faster or better.”

    Effective Management:
    “I started out as a junior assistant, and through many bosses learned that I did my job better when they clearly defined goals, let me reach the goals with my skills, but stepped in when I asked for help – such as with removing a roadblock like red tape. As a manager I don’t want people who are hands, working as my brain directs them. I want people who can do the job, do it well, but who recognize when my experience, position or authority is needed to help them get things done.”

    Be ready for a follow up question, keeping in mind that your initial answer steers the discussion.

    Follow Up: You say hire people who can do the job, but what if you’re saddled with someone who can’t?

    Answer: “When I come in as a new manager I interview all the people in the department to get a good idea of their strengths and weaknesses. That helps avoid any surprises – I can assign work or shuffle people around based on their strengths and weaknesses. I’ll be more involved for the first few weeks, or projects, then give people more space as I become comfortable with their abilities.”

    Follow Up: It’s nice to say always look for new ways to do things, but this company has solid procedures based on long experience, I wrote some of those procedures myself.

    Answer: “It’s important to watch and listen. New suggestions or ideas have to be based on experience and respect for what works. If it’s not broken don’t fix it, but if it can be improved 10% without pain, improve it.”

    This woman may have made an answer that made sense to her, but it didn’t land her the job. “I learned not to answer silly questions.”

  • What kind of tree would you be if you were a tree?

    This is another example of the modern interview questions designed to get into your mind – your self image – and to throw you a curve to see how you react when not on safe ground.

    There’s really no wrong answer to a question like this, as long as there’s a good explanation for the selected tree. As strange as it sounds, making it fit to the position is a big plus.

    “Being in retail, I pride myself of always being available for extra shifts and not calling in sick. I’m an Evergreen, green and alive 365 days a year.”

    Some people take the purely pragmatic approach:

    “I’m not a tree, and I can’t be a tree, so please let’s move to the next question.”

    That type of answer, while acknowledging the seemingly silly nature of the question, won’t score any points with the interviewer. There’s a more productive way to say the same thing.

    “I like to keep my mind in the real world, so instead of thinking about the type of tree I would be, let’s just say like a tree with strong roots I’m firmly grounded.”

    In fact, trees in general have a number of positive aspects, any one of which make a good answer to the question.

    “I can’t think of only one, but I like to compare my curiosity to the trees’ leaves. Just as they spread out to gather the sun, I spread my mind to gather a lot of different information – I’m always learning new things.”

    When choosing a specific tree, stay away from those with negative connotations like the weeping willow. Everything about it, from its look to its name, denotes drooping or weakness. Choose strong trees, or trees with long life spans such as:

    • Oak
    • Sequoia
    • Pine

    In the answer, include the reason for choosing the tree.

    Strong:
    “I’d be an Oak, strong and steady.”

    Flexible:
    “Pines aren’t as strong as, say, an Oak tree. They’re the kinds of trees that bend but don’t break. That’s me – flexible and resilient.”

    Another good strategy for this question is to choose a specific tree.

    That old tree:
    “I recently read about a pine tree in the UK that’s over 4,500 years old. It’s the oldest living tree in the world. I’d be that tree – see and experience a lot, but always be around when needed.”

    The question is whimsical, so don’t take it too seriously like this candidate did. “I’m a tree after a forest fire, I’ve been burned, and I hope you don’t plan to do the same.”

  • Would you rather be liked or feared?

    If ever there was a trick interview question, this is it.

    “Liked” may be a positive sounding answer, but in a business setting it can sound weak without the right spin. Managers, for example, may have to push people to work, or even fire people who aren’t doing the job. If this is your answer, it’s a good idea to qualify it.

    “Of the two I’d rather be liked, but at work being liked isn’t the only concern. The job has to get done, and if getting the job done means someone may not like me, I’ll do my best to resolve the situation but not worry about it too much.”

    “Feared” is nothing but a negative. Usually this pertains to bosses or managers, but it can pertain to co-workers too – the lady nobody wants to talk to because she always criticizes, or the guy people don’t question because he carries a grudge and reports the smallest thing to the boss. No matter the spin, feared carries negative connotations and should not be the answer.

    Task Master:
    “People in my department know better than to fool around. Some people don’t understand work isn’t supposed to be fun, that’s why it’s called work. I’m always watching, ready to pounce if they aren’t keeping their nose to the grindstone. If I don’t yell at someone at least once a day, I’m not doing my job.”

    The Scrooge management method went out of style a long time ago, Employers don’t want this type of manager, because it makes it hard to keep employees. Constant turnover costs money.

    Snitch:
    “Do your job and you’re fine around me. But people know I carry a notebook, ready to jot down whatever infraction they commit.”

    This type of employee creates conflict in the work force, and overall a negative working environment. Companies and managers don’t want conflict and strife, they want goals met and people happy at work.

    The best answer combines shades of “liked” and “feared” with other positive, desirable qualities. Memorize this question and answer – it’s the most set in stone answer of all the interview question answers.

    “I don’t want to be liked or feared, I want to be respected.”

    One young man gave perhaps the worst answer ever given for this question. “Why, do you have a problem with me?”

  • Tell me more about yourself?

    Interviewers often begin with this question in order to break the ice, and also to get an initial understanding of you as a candidate and potential employee. Make this answer short and honest, touching on details you want to highlight such as skills or attributes that would help with the particular job. Some research helps here – know the company and the job.

    “I always loved drawing, the land around New England where I grew up was beautiful, so I drew that. When it was time for college I decided on art instruction. The New England Art Institute had a great reputation, so that was my choice. My goal from that time was to become a professional artist, and that’s why I’ve chosen advertising art – pay the bills and do what I love. I love skiing, my wife and I try to ski at least twice a year, so when this opportunity near Denver arose, here I am.”

    Don’t worry about too many details. They can ask for more information if needed, and throughout the interview they’ll ask a lot of questions that delve into your background and career. A good answer includes:

    • Where you were raised
    • Where you attended school
    • A hobby
    • One detail about your life, or recent event
    • Recent prominent career choice or move

    This answer sets the tone for the remainder of the interview, so be prepared for it. When mentioning details, avoid negatives. Even if you’re talking about a bad employer or co-worker, mentioning it reflects badly on you, not them.

    Another good answer:

    “There wasn’t much to do in Wisconsin in winters, so I spent a lot of time at the computer, that’s where I learned programming. I was in the computer club in HS, so an IT degree was a natural. I served an internship at IBM when I was in HS, and learned there that experience was more important than a degree from a fancy college – so I took night classes at the local community college while I kept working. I was more of an at home person, but my husband likes adventure, so when I saw this job with travel I thought once in awhile we could spend some extra personal time in other places.”

    This man gave what he thought was a clever answer, but he didn’t get the job. “I’m Batman!”