job interviews blog

JOB INTERVIEWS

FAQ & Best Answers

First of all…

• Remember that all your answers need to be supported with GOOD EXAMPLES.

• As always, but specially here, you need to BE SPECIFIC

Personal queries

Tell me about yourself

Question #1

Tell me about yourself.

You need to mention:

• who you are AS A WORKER

• your biggest strength or achievement

• and how it may benefit the company.

Example:

• I'm a product designer specialized in the creation of furniture made of sustainable materials.

• My best ability is that of introducing low-cost new technologies into innovative designs that not only benefit the customer but also the environment.

• I have developed a wooden and organic cotton chair that detects muscular tension by means of electronic devices which has sold more than 100 units.

What is your greatest weakness?

• Remember:

Always turn the negative into POSITIVE.

Example

• Being organised wasn't my strongest point, but I implemented a time

management system that really helped my organization skills.

Example 2

• I like to make sure that my work is perfect, so I tend to perhaps spend a little too much time checking it. However, I've

come to a good balance by setting up a system to ensure everything is done

correctly the first time.

Example 3

• I used to wait until the last minute to set appointments for the coming week, but I

realized that scheduling in advance makes much more sense.

When was the last time you were angry? What happened?

Question #2

Tips

• Do NOT admit that you are likely to lose your temper.

• Do NOT tell anything about your personal life.

• LIE LIE LIE!!

Example:

• Anger to me means loss of control. I do not lose control. When I get stressed, I

step back, take a deep breath, thoughtfully think through the situation and then begin

to formulate a plan of action.

Describe a difficult work situation and how you overcame it.

Question #3

Tips:

• Problems meeting deadlines, unhappy customers, a colleague suddenly quits,...

• Be specific describing what you did to sort that out.

• Try to reflect your leadership skills in problem-solving situations.

Previous jobs

What did you like or dislike about your previous job?

Question #4

Like:

Make reference to:

Organisation

Colleagues

Atmosphere

Examples:

• I enjoyed the contact with the people I worked with.

• There was a friendly and fun atmosphere and I actually enjoyed going into work each morning.

Examples:

• I felt the leadership team was great as well.

• They knew all of their employees on a first name basis and tried to make those personal connections.

Dislike:

• Something related to being not challenged enough at the job.

• Remember to balance your answer. Do not show grudge or resentment.

Examples:

• I felt I was not able to reach my full potential because there was no room for

advancement.

• (Remember to say something positivepositive as well):

Although I enjoyed working there and appreciate ...

Who was your best boss and who was the worst?

Question #5

Examples:

• WORST: I've learned from each boss I've had. From the good ones, what to do; from the challenging ones - what not to do.

• BEST: Early in my career, I had a mentor who helped me a great deal, we still stay in touch.

What have you been doing since your last job?

Question #6

Tips:

• Talk about activitivies that prove you are dynamic even when unemployed.

• Have answers for predictable questions (e.g. if you’ve been unemployed for a long time, they’ll want to know why)

Examples:

• I worked on several freelance projects, while actively job seeking.

• I volunteered for a literacy program that assists disadvantaged children.

• I took some continuing education classes and seminars.

What was your biggest accomplishment in this position?

And your biggest failure?

Question #7

Accomplishment:

• Look for an example related with the job position you’re applying for.

• Don’t sound pretentious.

Tips:

• Give an example of something directly related to the job you are interviewing for.

Failure:

• Be sure that it's a minor one and turn it into a positive.

• Example:

If you were working on a project that was behind deadline, explain to the interviewer how you adjusted the workload and the timeline to get back on track.

What are your salary expectations?

Question #8

• Research standard salaries first.

• A sum based upon the position and the overall compensation package.

• Tell the employer you'd like to know more about the responsibilities and the challenges of the job prior to discussing salary.

Is there anything you would like to ask me?

Last question

Examples:• What is the company's management style?

• How much travel is expected?

• Is relocation a possibility?

• Would you like a list of references?

• If I am extended a job offer, how soon would you like me to start?

• What can I tell you about my qualifications?

• When can I expect to hear from you?