Job Interview Questions and Answers

Tag: interview

  • 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.

  • Have you interviewed at other companies?

    Some people want to hide that they’re interviewing elsewhere, thinking it makes the employer think they’re very interested in the job. But on the flip side answering no can make it seem you’re conducting a poor job search. Also, if you have interviewed but say no, the interviewer might find out through connections. Lying in an interview is a black mark that, with rare exceptions, strikes you from the list instantly.

    Some people want to flaunt that they’re interviewing at many companies, as it creates a perceived demand for their services. That’s fine if you are interviewing at other companies, but if not don’t make up a list of companies where you’ve interviewed. That too could come back to the interviewer with a little research.

    Honesty is the best policy, as is a a combination of the two general ideas conveyed by each answer – your options are open, but you’re very interested in this opportunity. An answer as simple as “I am interviewing at a number of companies, but yours is my first choice” conveys both ideas well.

    There’s no need to get into a list of other companies. If the interviewer follows with “where have you interviewed” or “where else will you interview” the best answer is “right now that’s confidential.” Mentioning names could be messy for the future in a number of ways. For example one interviewer knows the other, and they compare notes on you. This could be good or bad – maybe one had a negative impression and convinces the other to change their opinion to the negative.

    Keep the answer short.

    I want this one:
    “Yes, but this is the job I want the most.”

    Open options:
    “I’m sitting for many interviews to keep my options open, but I hope I get this job.”

    Final one:
    “This is the last of a number of interviews, I’ve already been offered some jobs, but yours is the first I’d accept.”

    This is the first of many:
    “I have a number scheduled. Yours is the first, and if I’m offered the job, the last.”

    Will move for the right offer:
    “I found a few jobs that interest me, and I’ll interview at those if I don’t get this job. But I’m happy where I am right now, I’ll only move for the right offer.”

    Whatever you do, don’t use this answer given by a very unsuccessful job seeker. “Yes, but I wish I hadn’t. These interviews are a waste of time, do I have the job or not?”

  • How did you prepare for this interview?

    Many of the interview tips tell people to prepare for the interview – research the company, understand the job, and if possible learn about people at the company. There’s a practical reason, which is it allows you to shade your answers to the company’s needs. But it also shows the interviewer that you’re interested enough in the opportunity to have researched. If you can mention some information from other people, it also shows you’re “in” the profession with a strong network.

    Heard about the job, wanted to know more:
    “When I heard about this job I went right to the web site to learn about you’re company. One of my friends is a vendor here, and she tells me she loves doing business here.”

    If you didn’t like what researched revealed, then you probably shouldn’t take the interview. But if it’s a tough time and any job is better than none, try one of these two options:

    Spin it positively:
    “I did a lot of research about the company, and see you’ve closed a lot of stores. It’s more important than ever to make sure the work force is efficient. I look forward to helping turn things around.”

    Ask a question:
    “I talked to a lot of my friends in business, and there seems to be a lot of staff turnover here. I think I’m the type of worker who will stick around for a long time, but can you tell me why so many people have departed?”

    That’s a bad answer if good research would have revealed the follow up answer, such as “Low sales have forced the company to have a quick trigger when it comes to sales people who don’t meet quotas.” But if you’re confident in your information gathering skills, asking questions shows more interest in the company.

    Another good answer is to highlight your career and skills:
    “Qualifications and experience prepare someone for an interview. Of course I looked at your web site, and talked to some people about the company, but I think 10 successful years in this business has prepared me not only for this interview, but for the job as well.”

    If there’s a unique way you’ve prepared, such as a unique connection only you have, work that into the answer. Don’t brag, but don’t hesitate to highlight unique skills.

    Former Client:
    “I worked with one of your suppliers for a long time, so I’m very familiar with your company. I always thought I’d love to work here, and now I have the chance.”

    It’s best to avoid an answer like this. “I asked my wife to call after 30 minutes so I don’t waste too much time here, oh, there’s the phone.”

  • Why were you late for the interview?

    The best answer for this question is not to have to answer it. An interviewer knows if you can’t manage to make the interview on time, you’re a big risk for being late to work, missing deadlines, and mismanaging time in general. But, if something happens that makes it impossible to be on time, be prepared to explain it well.

    Overslept:
    “The alarm clock didn’t go off. I just overslept. It usually doesn’t happen.” The next thing most interviewers will say to this is “thanks for coming…Next!!!”

    Traffic Accident:
    “There’s a huge accident on the highway, a plane actually crash landed right across all the lanes, and all the alternates routes were jammed as a result. I left on time to get here an hour early, but there was no beating this traffic.”

    Any traffic excuse better relate to very unusual circumstances. Employers don’t want to hear about heavy traffic or accidents, no matter what. But if a bridge crumbles, or there’s a fire, an earthquake, or a real disaster, then there might be an excuse. But if there is, a call ahead is in order.

    “Hello, I’m scheduled for an interview at 9AM this morning. I wonder if we can move that back to 10AM. I’m on the train, and the tracks are blocked by a stalled semi truck. Word is it’s all about 45 minutes behind schedule.”

    In such situations it may even be better, if possible, to move the interview to another day or much later time, such as afternoon when an interview was scheduled for the morning. One important element of time management is respect for the other person’s schedule. Leaving a client hanging, or being late for a sales meeting, destroys sales.

    Miscommunication in time is a decent excuse, as long as the mistake was on the interviewer’s part.

    “I have the email on my phone, you wrote that our interview is for 10AM, not 9AM. I’m sorry we got crossed up.”

    Allowing for others’ mistakes shows a positive attitude, especially in a situation in which you gain by not embarrassing the other person.

    “Darn it, I thought you said 10AM, sorry.” Watch for eye rolling after an answer like this.

    If there isn’t a good reason, something out of the ordinary, this situation can’t be spun. Don’t make up stories, apologize and hope the interview turns better.

    This answer, given on a recent interview, is a loser. “I’m always late, get used to it.”

  • What are your hobbies?

    Knowing about the job, the company, and maybe even some of the interests of those in charge can help frame this answer. The purpose of the question is to determine if you’re a well rounded individual. It’s OK if your hobbies aren’t the same as the interviewer or the boss. But if you learn you share some interests, now is the time to exploit that.

    Be honest. It’s OK to exaggerate how often you participate, a little bit, but if you make up an interest just to impress the boss, it could spell trouble in the future. Made up interests often turn out to be the passion of the interviewer or boss and can lead to some sticky situations. Trying to ride a horse, or sky dive, or run 10 miles when you’ve never done those things is the first step to disaster.

    Running:
    “I enjoy running every day, usually I do 10 miles.” That’s a good answer even if you only do a 10 mile run every week. It’s a bad answer if you’ve never run more than a few steps, or even a mile.

    Golf:
    “I enjoy walking in the sunshine. I golf every week – usually shoot a 90 on my weekly 18.” That’s fine if you’re a good golfer, but it might be best to avoid mentioning the score.

    Reading:
    “I try to read a book a week.” It shows you do more with your off time than watch television, and that you’re willing to learn new things. Don’t mention that the book is a comic book.

    It’s best to mention hobbies that show both a cerebral side and a physical side, unless it’s a complete fabrication. This can include two hobbies – a sport and a thinking hobby – or a hobby that combines both.

    Sport and Thinking:
    “I enjoy writing poetry and playing softball, sometimes I write about the game.”

    Combination – Carpentry:
    “I like to build things, from the planning stage to the hands on work. Watching something I’ve designed come to life by my own hand is exhilarating.”

    If you don’t have hobbies, don’t lie. The interview isn’t the time to pretend, but it’s a good idea to participate in some hobbies to improve yourself in general.

    Avoid the transparent “My hobby is work.” It makes a person seem like a real dud, and employers know that if people work all the time they burn out in a short time.