Job Interview Questions and Answers

Tag: job

  • 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.

  • Describe the worst job you’ve had?

    This is the type of question that you will need to be very careful answering. This question is actually a lot like a question where you are asked to describe your ideal or dream job. Your response to this question should be similar to that of the dream job question for the same reasons. When you describe the worst type of job that you have ever experienced you do not want to mistakenly describe the type of job environment for which you are interviewing. For example, you do not want to say that the worst job you have ever had was one in which you had to work in a team environment and everyone on the team got on your nerves. If the job for which you are applying is one which you will have to work as a team it is likely that this type of answer could cost you the job.

    Unless you are very well versed about the job for which you are applying, it is better to stay away from specifics when answering this question. Instead, you should rely on providing an answer that is generic in nature. For example, you might state that the worst job you’ve ever had was one in which you were not able to contribute as much as you would like due to a lack of opportunity. Steer away from describing employment situations you hated because of the attitudes of the supervisor, co-workers or something specific that related to that job.

    You can easily find yourself in murky waters when answering this question if you do not prepare properly. One of the benefits about this question is that it is easy to practice and prepare your answer. There is no standard right or wrong answer to this question, but it is a good idea to practice so that you feel comfortable giving an answer that is detailed enough to provide the interviewer with the information they seek while at the same time remaining generic enough to ensure that you do not accidentally say the wrong thing.

    When you are preparing for an interview it is important to make sure that you practice a response to this question because it is one of the more common questions that are commonly asked during interviews so there is a good chance that you will encounter it at some time.

  • What other kind of positions have you been applying for?

    This is a very straightforward question that deserves a straightforward answer. When forming a response to this type of question, you should always make sure that you answer in complete honesty. You should never attempt to provide an answer that is deceptive. At the same time, this is not a question where you need to go into a lot of detail. In fact, the fewer details you give with this type of question, the better.

    The interviewer could be seeking to find out a variety of information by posing this type of question. It could be that they are really interested in hiring you and want to find out whether you have applied for a lot of other jobs and whether they might lose out on the opportunity to hire you. Also, they could be asking because they want to find out whether you would be a good fit for the position they are offering. If you are applying for a position as a waitress but you respond to this question by answering that you have applied for six other jobs as a receptionist, it will become very clear quite rapidly that your real interest lies in working in an office environment and not in a restaurant. As a result, the interviewer would typically assume that you are not really interested in working as a waitress and would be off to the first receptionist job you could find.

    The key to handling this question well is to make sure that you keep your response focused on the job for which you are applying and what you can do to benefit that company or organization. In other information that you provide can simply be distracting and that is something that should be avoided. If you feel that you must provide additional details you might simply state that you are applying for positions within the same industry or field and leave it at that. Another way to handle the question is to say that you are applying for jobs where you will be able to utilize your skills to benefit the employer. Since most people have a range of different skills this will easily cover you in the event that you are applying for jobs that are in different fields or that are vastly different from the one for which you are interviewing.

  • If coworkers are displaying improper behavior toward one another, what do you do?

    This is another situational question that can easily catch many applicants off guard if they are not prepared and cause them to stumble in their answer, resulting in an unfavorable opinion during the interview. You may not have ever thought about how you would respond in this type of situation unless you have been directly faced with it so when you are preparing for an interview it is a good idea to give it some thought.

    The best way to handle this type of question is to apply the situational guideline. This means that you would respond based on the given situation. In this case, your response to the situation might depend on the type of inappropriate behavior that is displayed. If two coworkers are involved in a physical altercation and it is in an area where customers could easily walk in then you might explain that your first response would be to make an attempt to bring the situation under control so that others are not injured and then report the behavior immediately to a superior.

    On the other hand, if the improper behavior that is displayed is more of a personal nature then you might explain that your response would be to talk to the individuals involved and explain that the behavior was not appropriate for the workplace and that it should stop. If the behavior did not cease at that point you might then report it to management.

    As you can see, a situational question can often result in a situational type answer. These types of questions can be very hard to predict because you never know exactly what the interviewer will ask, but you can be better prepared for handling such questions by taking the time to practice ahead of time and make sure you understand what it is that the interviewer wants to gain from your response to the question. In this case, it is likely that the interviewer wants to find out how you would handle potentially embarrassing or difficult situations and where your loyalties would lie if there was a problem with co-workers. In other words, would you cover up the behavior in order to remain on friendly terms or would you be loyal to the company and report behavior that could potentially harm the company in some way.

  • Describe a situation in which you had to deal with an irate customer. Did you rectify the problem?

    This is a very common question. Regardless of the type of job for which you are interviewing, there is a good chance that you will receive this question so it is a good idea to make sure that you have practiced it and thought about how you will respond. The good news is that no matter what type of background you have or where you have previously worked, you have probably experienced a situation with an angry customer so you can easily relate back to that situation.

    With this question, you must keep in mind what the interviewer is looking for. Primarily, they want to find out how you react when someone around you becomes angry and loses their temper. This can be extremely important in practically all positions, but can be crucial in service related industries. The interviewer is trying to understand whether you have the ability to work in an area where there is the potential for contact with the public and also the potential for situations where customers may become angry.

    The best way to respond to this question is to simply provide an example of a time when you were faced with someone who was being difficult and then explain how you handled that situation. Even if you have never encountered an angry customer, it is like you have experienced an encounter with someone who was angry. Make sure that your answer demonstrates your ability to be diplomatic in such a situation while also demonstrating your awareness of the feelings and needs of others.

    You might explain that when faced with this type of situation you always try to maintain a demeanor and voice that is even and calm in order to avoid further escalating the situation. You always strive to remain professional in such situations and focus on resolving the situation to everyone’s satisfaction. It is also important to make sure the interviewer understands that you are aware of the need to not let your own personal feelings enter into this type of situation.

    This type of answer will clearly demonstrate your ability to work with the public, meet the needs of customers and maintain a professional demeanor even when you are faced with a situation that may not be pleasant.

    This is a very common question. Regardless of the type of job for which you are interviewing, there is a good chance that you will receive this question so it is a good idea to make sure that you have practiced it and thought about how you will respond. The good news is that no matter what type of background you have or where you have previously worked, you have probably experienced a situation with an angry customer so you can easily relate back to that situation.

    With this question, you must keep in mind what the interviewer is looking for. Primarily, they want to find out how you react when someone around you becomes angry and loses their temper. This can be extremely important in practically all positions, but can be crucial in service related industries. The interviewer is trying to understand whether you have the ability to work in an area where there is the potential for contact with the public and also the potential for situations where customers may become angry.

    The best way to respond to this question is to simply provide an example of a time when you were faced with someone who was being difficult and then explain how you handled that situation. Even if you have never encountered an angry customer, it is like you have experienced an encounter with someone who was angry. Make sure that your answer demonstrates your ability to be diplomatic in such a situation while also demonstrating your awareness of the feelings and needs of others.

    You might explain that when faced with this type of situation you always try to maintain a demeanor and voice that is even and calm in order to avoid further escalating the situation. You always strive to remain professional in such situations and focus on resolving the situation to everyone’s satisfaction. It is also important to make sure the interviewer understands that you are aware of the need to not let your own personal feelings enter into this type of situation.

    This type of answer will clearly demonstrate your ability to work with the public, meet the needs of customers and maintain a professional demeanor even when you are faced with a situation that may not be pleasant.

  • When given new tasks or duties, describe how you adapt to them?

    This question is a type of organizational interview question. In forming a response to this question it may help you to understand what the interviewer is hoping to gain from your response. Ultimately, the interviewer would like to find how you organize your workload as well as how you respond to change and new experiences. Your answer to this question could be crucial to the success of the interview, so you must make sure that you give careful thought and consideration when forming a response.

    It would certainly be helpful when forming a response to this question if you have an idea of the duties or tasks that you will be expected to handle should you be hired for the relevant position. You may be able to gain this critical information by reviewing the job posting. Remember that even if you do not have complete information regarding the duties related to the position, you can still form a comprehensive response by reflecting on the manner in which you have previously adapted to new tasks or duties. Keep in mind that your answer should reflect the way you actually respond to new duties because if you get the job you will be expected to respond in the same manner.

    The key in forming a good response to this question is to focus on prioritizing the most important tasks, learning as much as possible about the way in which duties should be properly performed and meeting the expectations of supervisors. In addition, when answering this question you need to explain to the interviewer how you prioritize your workload and also the way in which you manage timeframes.

    Finally, you need to explain whether you feel more comfortable with jumping right in to new tasks or duties or whether you feel the need to take time adjusting to the new tasks before you tackle them. Be sure to explain why you respond in the way that you do so that the interviewer will be able to gain a good understanding of the way in which you work. Your answer to this question can be crucial in the final outcome of the interview, so you should ensure that your answer is completely forthcoming and honest, but also that you give a good explanation for the way in which you respond to new duties and assignments.

  • How long have you been looking for a job?

    Sometimes interviewers ask negative questions designed to pull out an explanation for some negative quality they suspect. In this case, something on the resume may have tipped them off to a problem. Or, their own research may have found some negative in your background. It may be a long gap between the last job and the current job search.

    Don’t waste time or effort trying to figure out what they know, what they’ve heard, or how to address some negative. Maybe there is a negative, maybe you know it, but maybe you’re wrong. If you explain some weakness, it may tip off the interviewer to that weakness. “I was in jail because my boss pressed charges after our fight, but he threw the first punch.” In his mind the interviewer thanks goodness you revealed that important piece of information.

    Be honest, but remember to stick to positives and to a positive spin on events.

    Laid Off:
    “My last company had to downsize, and it was last in first out. I managed my money well, and had specific goals, so I’ve taken my time to find the right position. That’s why I’m here, this job looks like a fit.”

    It’s best to avoid health issues, but if it’s something you think they’ll find out, or for which some special accommodations are needed, then it makes a good answer.

    Sickness:
    “My health was getting poor, and I didn’t want to continue working without being able to give 100%. I focused on solving that issue, and now it’s under control and I’m ready to return to the working world.”

    People change jobs, in the current job market sometimes a lot. Companies don’t like employees that move quickly from job to job. For one thing, any time spent on training is wasted if the employee soon leaves. If you have made frequent changes, you can still spin it positively.

    Changing Jobs A Lot:
    “Unfortunately the last few positions didn’t work, but we always parted on good terms. I know what I want in a job, what I bring, and found some good prospects quickly.”

    Confidence:
    “It takes a lot of work to find the right job, so I took my time with this search. Depending on the timing of your process, I won’t be looking for much longer.”

    One woman gave a completely honest answer. She looked at her watch then replied “About 20 minutes.”

  • What’s more important to you — the work itself or how much you’re paid for doing it?

    What’s more important to you — the work itself or how much you’re paid for doing it?

    The answer to this one is a balancing act. You don’t want to come across as someone running to the biggest pay check, but you don’t want to come across as phony either. It’s best to skew towards loving the work, but to recognize the importance of money too. “I’d do this work for free” is fine if you’re independently wealthy, but interviewers know people have to pay bills.

    The answer also depends on the job. For example, if they ask the question at a summer job that involves shoveling manure, they’ll know you’re shoveling onto them if you try to play it as job satisfaction. That isn’t to say you can’t mention satisfaction with a job well done, such as “Let’s face it, this is a menial summer job, not a career. But I’m hard working and there’s a certain satisfaction in an honest day’s work for an honest day’s pay.”

    Knowing the job and company can help with this question. That, of course, means a little research.

    Great Offer:
    “There’s no doubt I really love this work, so that’s the most important thing. But I know your company pays near the top of the industry, for top people of course. I love the field, which has made it a lot easier to become an expert who can help an organization.”

    Opportunity:
    “I have bills to pay just like the next guy. As long as the salary is in range with the position and my experience, that kind of takes care of itself. I’m more excited about the opportunities to grow here. This company has quite a reputation for molding the top people in this industry. I’m ready to work hard to get there.”

    Pay is More Than Salary
    “I tend to look at the whole package. Sure, salary is a part of that. But if there’s a choice between a great paying job with a rotten environment and an average paying job with a great environment, I’ll go with a little less money. I can’t sit in an office day after day doing what I don’t like, in a negative environment. That’s why I’m here. You have a great reputation for treating employees well, and the job is exactly what I enjoy doing, and I do it well.”

    Avoid this answer, related by a woman who no doubt didn’t land the job. “If I can get paid for doing nothing, wow!”