Tough Interview Questions
No matter how good your resume and cover letter, you still need to be able to answer the tough questions during your interview. Here we show you some examples of tough questions with suggested answers.
How would you answer some of these tough questions? Please let us know if you have a good response to one of these inquiries. And if you have been asked a question that you're not sure how to answer, let us know and we'll try to find an answer that works for you.
Here are the Questions and Answers posted to our home page - most recent first. Click on each question to take you to its answer.
What least interests you about the position being offered?
What factors contribute to your sense of satisfaction in this job?
What is the most critical aspect of your job?
How would you describe yourself?
Why did you get into your field?
Are you good at taking orders and instructions?
What types of people annoy you the most?
Can you describe a situation where your work was criticized?
What qualities would you look for if hiring someone?
What was the last book you read?
Tell me about the problems, if any, you have living within your means?
What was the last sporting event you attended?
What are your short range objectives?
Can you work under pressure? Deadlines?
If you disagree with a supervisor, do you make your opinions known?
What do your subordinates think of you?
What do you plan to earn five and ten years from now?
How would you describe your own personality?
In your present position, what problems have you identified that had previously been overlooked?
What skills or areas of professional development do you want to improve at this time?
What would you consider a conducive job atmosphere?
How many hours do you work a week to get your job done?
Describe the best person who ever worked for you or with you?
On a scale of 1 to 10 (10 - the highest), how would you rate yourself on:
What are your long range objectives?
Why do you want to change fields now?
How have you changed the nature of your job?
What aspects of working with others do you find least enjoyable?
What do you feel is a satisfactory attendance record?
What kind of salary are you worth?
Have you ever cared for an injured person who is recovering?
Has a supervisor ever done something that you disliked?
What are your five biggest accomplishments in:
What most interests you about the position being offered?
Why aren't you earning more at your age?
What do you look for in a job?
How have you benefited from your disappointments?
Why should I hire you from the outside when I can hire someone from within the company?
Explain your role as a group/team member?
What will your references say about you?
How long would it take you to make a contribution to our firm?
What kind of decisions are most difficult for you to make?
How long would you stay with us?
How do you determine your priorities under tight time constraints?
How did your last boss get the best work out of you?
What new goals or objectives have you established recently?
Tell me something that you are not proud of?
If one of your co workers was having difficulty doing their job, what would you do?
Why are you leaving your current position?
Are you willing to take calculated risks when necessary?
If you could start your professional life again, what would you do differently?
This isn't a question you'll hear frequently, but on occasion, an interviewer will want to know something about a candidate's expectations for joining the company. The response to such an inquiry must be positive, relevant and appropriate. It's ok to say that you want your employer to provide needed information and resources, and you can get specific if you already expect the employer to have the tools you'll need. Tell the interviewer you hope tne company will provide a supportive team environment with continuous opportunities for growth and advancement, etc. You could also add that you expect fair compensation, but be prepared to provide an appropriate salary range because by saying this, you’re opening yourself up for the employer to ask what you believe is fair pay. But this is not the right time to instigate a discussion about benefits or unrelated-to-the-job issues.
What least interests you about the position being offered?
When an interviewer/employer asks you a negatively phrased question such as this, they could be probing several things. Among them: How honest and direct will you be? And: What fears or concerns do you have? Here’s one of those times where you don’t want to be too honest. If your negative feelings are strong about this new position, maybe this job isn’t the right fit for you. Some trepidation is to be expect, but you don’t want to appear too intimidated by the new position and its challenges. Turn their negative inquiry into a chance to show your optimistic outlook. Keep your comments positive. You can say that making a change to a new environment is always a little scary but that you look forward to the challenges and rewards, as well as the contributions you hope to make. Don’t express your honest dismay about the length of the commute, the hours, low pay. That will not get you hired!
What factors contribute to your sense of satisfaction in this job?
Here’s where the interviewer probes your priorities and your humility. Are you focused on job performance, quality work, seek personal and professional improvement along with awards and recognition, and want to make a difference? Or do you merely want to keep your head down and do what you are told without acknowledgement or accolade, collect a paycheck and go home? That’s your choice! But the best way to respond is to say that you focus on the quality of the work to be done, and know that your efforts will contribute to positive results. Answer the question with a positive answer, but don't mention monetary or material rewards. Tell your interviewer that you want to do your best work, solve problems and challenges, and contribute to the growth and development of your department and the company. Mention things like opportunity, challenge, cooperation, security, completing tasks, and earning the respect and cooperation of coworkers and supervisors, etc.
What is the most critical aspect of your job?
Here, your interviewer wants to know about how you perceive the work you perform, and how you prioritize the importance of your responsibilities. This question is particularly important to an employer when you are interviewing to do the same or similar work as you did for another company, but is also applicable when you apply for a new position so the employer can see that you have a clear picture of what must be done. Describe the functions and actions that require the most preparation, planning, cooperation, concentration, sensitivity, etc. and the ones that are most important to the successful completion of your tasks. Ultimately, expressing that you understand what is most critical in the eyes of the employer will be very important in answering this question with the most impact.
How would you describe yourself?
Here's another chance to toot your own horn! First, use words that express your competency for the job like "knowledgeable", "expeienced", "connected"; then maybe a few words about the way you work, like "organized", "responsible", "thorough", "creative", "committed", etc. Next, segue to words that describe your contributions such as "team player", "supportive" and "patient". After that, then sell your personality using words like, "sensitive", "honest", "observant", "sincere", etc. The objective is to answer with a focus on the job you're interviewing for, and maybe demonstrate a bit of humility. Convey that you are a hard worker who focues on getting the job done, and done right. That should cover your bases.
Why did you get into your field?
This is the kind of question that explores the origins of your participation in your field. Briefly and concisely tell your interviewer about your passion for, and what excited and inspired you to be part of your industry. Did you have a mentor or other primary influence? Did you receive training or have coursework that triggered a deeper interest? Talk about the knowledge, experience, and the successes you've had on the job, and where you developed your curiosity to learn more. Identifying the origins of your passion for your work can convey to a prospective employer that your interest is for the long term, that you are career oriented, and not just looking for a job.
Are you good at taking orders and instructions?
Yes, of course you can follow orders and take instruction! The interview might end rather abruptly if you answered No! You could end your answer here, providing a simple answer to a straight question. But if you want to say more, explain to your interviewer that you have no problems taking orders, but deserve to be treated with respect and dignity, and prefer that orders not be barked at you. You are always willing to do the best job possible for your superiors, your coworkers, your employer, and your self! When the boss says “Jump”, you will say, "How high?” But you want to work where integrity and professional ethics and conduct are held to a high standard, and don't want to be ordered or pressured to do anything imprudent or illiegal.
What types of people annoy you the most?
This question suggests your interviewer is looking for you to provide something negative, but don’t fall into that trap. Keep your comments as positive as possible. Let your interviewer know that you have a lot of patience and tolerance for others, that you thrive working with a diverse array of personalities, and you recognize that there will occasionally be some “characters” to contend with. But if you must get more specific, mention that you can get annoyed by excessively rude people, liars, and those who refuse to cooperate or follow instructions. Keep your answer generic and unrelated to specific bosses or coworkers, etc. Try to keep a positive spin on your comments, rather than reveal any true frustration with particular personality types.
Can you describe a situation where your work was criticized?
Here’s another one of those questions where your interviewer is trying to understand how you see yourself and the contributions you’ve made for your employer, and also to gauge how forthcoming you are about your past. How employees respond to criticism – whether they learn from it and improve their work, or become defensive and argumentative – directly impacts how managers and supervisors determine their potential for growth and advancement. But in truth, everyone has endured some criticism of their work. When discussing it with a prospective employer, the trick is to not come across as defensive. Your response, in part, will be influenced by how comfortable you are talking about any criticism you’ve actually received. If you choose to identify something that was criticized, whether major or minor, take ownership of the criticism and the reasons for it, and the positive changes you made and what you learned from the experience. Don’t place blame on someone else. Try to avoid going the philosophical route by saying “the subjective nature of another's opinion doesn't mean your work was inferior or warranted criticism, but maybe the other person simply disagreed about the process by which the work was to be done.” That will still come across as defensive, and sound like you don’t really want to answer the question. So don't be evasive!
What does the employer really want to know by asking this question? It sounds so simple, but point of fact, it is one question that most job applicants don’t answer properly. Even if you think your interviewer is being friendly by asking, personal information about you is not relevant to this conversation. You’re a devoted professional in your chosen field, who understands the challenges of this position, by this employer, and the industry. You have a very strong desire to make a positive, long-term contribution to this company by using your particular skills, and want to demonstrate your expertise which is needed to excel in the position you are applying for. The answer you provide should pertain only to your professional life and interests relating to the job you are seeking. Nothing more! This question is NOT an invitation to volunteer anything about your personal life, age, marital status, religion, hobbies or anything not work-related. Keep your comments relevant only to the job you are applying for. At this point in your job hunt, your personal life is none of their business. If the employer hires you, then they’ll get to know more about you.
What qualities would you look for if hiring someone?
When answering this question, show the employer you are considering their needs. Obviously you would want to hire someone with demonstrated competency, experience, and a willingness to learn. Those would be the basic considerations. But ask your interviewer to clarify the position you would hire for, then briefly address the particulars and specialties required of that job as best you can. Thsi conveys your understanding of the employer's needs, and your perceptions of what kind of candidate would be successful in that position. Your thoughtfulness in answering this question can also indicate you may have the leadership or management qualities and potential the employer is seeking by interviewng (and, hopefully hiring) you!
What was the last book you read?
Is this question really relevant to the job you're applying for? Perhaps! The employer may be trying to discover if you are into self-improvement or on-going learning, or staying current on literary trends. If the employer prides itself on having an up-to-date staff, your answer could imply how well you may fit in with your coworkers, and their environment. Your response is also an indicator of how you spend some of your free time. If possible, mention that you've recently read a new business or education title; for example a book on better time management, operations strategy or something by one of the well known sales gurus. You can also feel comfortable naming a current best seller. This shows dedication to your own self-improvement and your ability to relax with a good read. But, if the head of the company or other key player has recently published something, hopefully your research has revealed the title, and you can indicate that you've read that too.
Of course you should always, and without hesitation, say "yes" to this question! Any delay or indecision prior to your answering in the affirmative could be misconstrued that you have something to hide. "Yes, I can provide my references right now, if you'd like?" (You did remember to bring your list of your references with you to the interview, didn't you?) Most employers will not ask for your references unless they are considering you as a serious candidate for a position, although some will ask that your references be included with your application. It's easy enough these days for employers to do a cursory background check, even before you interview. And if you look closely on most formal job applications there is usually some statement that indicates that by submitting your application, you are giving your permission to the employer to look more deeply into your background. Before supplying your references, make sure you have permission from the people you want contacted, and give them an idea of what you'd like them to emphasize to the prospective employer. Provide your references in a neat and concise manner: Name, Title, Affiliation, Phone number and Email address. List the names of your references in alphabetical order. Print your resume using the same letterhead as your resume and cover letter, or make sure your contact information is clearly visible on the top of the page.
Tell me about the problems, if any, you have living within your means?
This question is truly a slippery slope. Like any question during an interview, you are expected to provide an answer, but be very careful about your response. Any major financial issues you do have can be discovered during a thorough background check, and if a check has been done before your interview (rare, but it does happen!) you may want to ask your interviewer if s/he is looking for something in particular. No matter your true circumstances, you don't want to project that you can't manage your own finances, particularly if the position you're applying for involves money, security or legal responsibilities. You really want to diffuse this question as fast as possible. Optimally, you should be able to confidently state that you have no problems taking care of your financial responsibilities. But if there are issues, or something has been uncovered in a background check, don't lie. Keep any explanation as brief as possible, and respectfully try to convey that the question is not relevant to your ability to do the job for the employer. Be careful! And as always, keep your answers relevant to the job you are applying for.
Not everyone has been in the position to hire or fire others on the job. But if this question does apply to you and your background, it is important that your answer illustrates your sensitivity, respect and tact. If the answer is "yes", be brief, concise and circumspect if/when asked to provide details. Do not mention anyone by name, and it may be a good idea to not get too specific about the circumstances that necessitated the firing. An employer would ask this question to see if you have the backbone to let someone go, and get an idea about how you will handle this kind of responsibility. If you have not fired anyone, admit it. But if you have any similar experience that might have required tact involving another form of rejection - say, denying someone services or activities for legitimate reasons, you may mention that to illustrate your ability to handle a difficult situation.
What was the last sporting event you attended?
Though it may not seem directly related to the job you're interviewing for, an employer could ask you this question for a number of reasons, among them:
To determine some of your interests outside of work;
To see if you are a participant or observer;
To convey that the company participates in one or more team sports;
To see if you have any interest in participating in any company teams;
To see if you have any community involvement coaching a local team, kids or adults;
May be merely making "small talk".
Yes, tell your interviewer of any recently attended sporting events, as participant or observer. If you haven't attended any professional or amateur sporting events, or have no real interest in sports, try to convey interest in the way people work together to get things done. Describe your participation in successful endeavors that required team-type cooperation and organization. Many positions necessitate the ability to work collaboratively and effectively in teams, and many companies participate in inter and intra-mural sports activities, such as softball, tennis, racquetball, golf, and bowling. as team-building exercise, health program and distraction. Sometimes these activities are part of a company's charitable efforts, so participation from employees is encouraged, and it makes good P.R.
What are your short range objectives?
When asked this question, consider saying something that involves the work and/or the team or department where you are applying. “I’m looking forward to jumping in with both feet, learning the ropes and making a contribution to this position as soon as possible.” Briefly describe what you will do to make that contribution. Be sure to insert something specific about the functions you expect to be performing, and substantiate your claims that you can do this job. Tell your interviewer that you are excited to use your relevant skills, as well as learn new ones from working with experienced professionals. If you need to complete any kind of certification or training program to qualify for this position, be sure to express confidence that you will finish on time, ready to apply new knowledge and skills.
Can you work under pressure? Deadlines?
Your interviewer is expecting you to say that you can work under pressure and deadlines, so your response to this question must exceed their expectations. You want to describe situations that effectively illustrate your ability to handle pressure, meet deadlines, etc. Use a PAR statement to demonstrate a past situation where you handled deadlines and/or pressures. Give detail about the problems you encountered, the actions taken, and the results achieved. (PAR = Problem, Action, Results or Resolution!) In your example, try to address similarities between pressures experienced in past work situations, and what you might experience in the position you are interviewing for. How are the solutions you applied in the past relevant to this prospective employer? And don't forget to ask your interviewer how frequently you can anticipate being under pressure and have tight deadlines, to learn more about what you might encounter on the job.
If you disagree with a supervisor, do you make your opinions known?
Of course you will occasionally disagree with a supervisor! No one expects you to be in agreement all the time. But the real question being explored here is if you are supportive of your superiors. Maybe you're in a good position where your supervisors seek out your input, and s/he respects differing opinions. Not everyone is that lucky; some workers have jobs where they are fully expected to just do as they are told. If this question is asked, tell our interviewer you'll provide your input only if the supervisor is interested in your opinion. You'll know if this is the case if you've been on the job with that supervisor for a while; you'll likely know if s/he listens openly to others’ opinions and ideas. If you are relatively new to a company, you may need to ask the supervisor if s/he would be willing to listen to another perspective. Generally, the supervisor has more experience on the job than yourself, so you might just defer to her/his knowledge, experience and judgment. However, if you truly think a supervisor's actions or ideas will contribute to personal harm or damage to property or the company, it is your responsibility to make your opinion known, and possibly take the matter to a higher authority in the company.
What do your subordinates think of you?
Your interviewer is again trying to determine how you believe others see you. This is particularly important if the position you are applying for involves leading others. Do you think others like you as a leader or manager? Do you think the people in your department see you as effective in coordinating projects and priorities? Do you believe others respond well to your communication skills, the way you try to engage and motivate them? Do you feel you've set a good example to others about how things should be done, and demonstrated successful strategies and policies? Provide examples and keep it positive! Talk about how you earned the respect of coworkers, and encouraged participation in successful cooperative endeavors. And don't forget to indicate your friendly personality and your clear and effective way of communicating with those who work with you.
What do you plan to earn five and ten years from now?
Here your interviewer is trying to determine your feelings about self worth, and job growth. Obviously, ten years hence you'd like to be making substantially more than presently, but don’t fall into the trap of stating an overly outrageous number. In part your answer will be determined by your industry and where you are in your career. In some careers and industries financial growth is higher and more rapid than in others. If you’ve been in the work force for 20 years your financial needs and expectations may be different than a recent college graduate. The uncertainty of the economy will also play into the realism of your answer. And you don’t want to sound greedy. So a conservative response could serve you well. Tell your inquisitor you motivations are creativity, challenge, stability, etc., and 10 years is a long way off. But hopefully in 5 years you’d like to earning 20% to 30% more than today, and in 10 years you hope be earning at least 50% to 100% more than you do at present.
How would you describe your own personality?
Here's another one of those questions that an interviewer will ask to try to determine how you see yourself. The focus of your answer could likely center around your self, your family or be work-related. There are a variety of traits that can be associated with each of these broad categories, and each will reveal different things about you. It is up to you to describe your personality traits that are most important to the employer. Certainly talk about the traits that make you good or excel at your job, and keep that your primary focus. This is not the place to put too much emphasis on the family or your recreational pursuits. Traits like hardworking, self-directed or motivated, being positive, focused, dedicated, and loyal, among others along the same lines, are all good areas worth mentioning.
In your present position, what problems have you identified that had previously been overlooked?
The interviewer is not interested in hearing negative feedback about your current (soon-to-be former) employer. On the contrary! With this question your interviewer is offering you an opportunity to toot your own horn, and talk about the actions you took to solve problems. Through the use of PAR's, accomplishment statements, even using the Humble Brag, tell your inquisitor how you found solutions, thought on your feet, made things better. Here is where you can illustrate your effectiveness on the job, your problem solving skills, your industry knowledge, intuition and insight. It gives the prospective employer a chance to learn more about the way you work, the things you pay attention to, your ability to take actions to solve problems, and your ownership of those actions.
Here, the employer wants to know how you might deal with an unexpected situation. Unforeseen things do happen on the job, and sometimes they are not within our areas of responsibility or expertise. They are also exploring if you are a team player. Tell your interviewer that if the situation warranted, you would notify a supervisor or the person responsible, particularly in an emergency or critical situation that something needed attention. Explain and clarify that you would assess the situation, and if correcting the problem was within your capabilities and not in violation of protocols, that you would step up and do what needed to be done, and then report it. Mention that you understand your own work would usually take priority, but that you would assist in any way you could, either hands-on or redirecting other personnel to see that the situation was properly resolved.
What skills or areas of professional development do you want to improve at this time?
In asking this question, the employer is probing your potential for growth in their company. Express that you are always interested in improving both your technological and managerial skills, willing to take classes, attend seminars and webinars, as time will allow. Mention any specific job-related skills you'll need for career growth. If you have recently taken courses related to your specialty, now is the perfect time to mention the nature of the coursework, and its relevancy to the job you're applying for. Always express an interest in improving job skills, performance, leadership and your overall personal development. When you've been asked this type of question, it can be a prompt for you to ask what type of continuing education opportunities are available from the company. Do they provide educational opportunities, in-service training, or reimbursement for enrollment or course fees. Expressing your interest in professional development tells the employer you want to grow in your field, as a person, and within their company.
What would you consider a conducive job atmosphere?
The essence of this question revolves around what you'll actually need to do your best work; hardware, software, environment, staff and management. If you've done some research about the company you're interviewing with, you might mention the importance of your having access to particular tools or tasks that enable you to do what you do best, and show your talents in their best light. You don't want to be overly specific and run the risk of alienating the employer because of resources they may not have! Mention that a conducive job atmosphere would be a place where resources are available to do the best work possible, to execute the job and responsibilities effectively, and where others are being supportive and productive. A place where individual and team efforts are respected, and there is appreciation for you and your team, and where individual and group efforts are recognized.
Here's a chance for you to provide your interviewer with information about what you know how to do well; to talk about your most relevant skills, and how you can apply those skills and experiences to what the employer needs done. Your research of the company should give you some idea of the areas to address so that you can emphasize your awareness and understanding of their needs, and explain that you have something to contribute to that particular area. Emphasize that you know the markets, the competition, and their products and/or services. Also convey that you respect the company's reputation, and can make a difference to their bottom line.
How many hours do you work a week to get your job done?
The interviewer is trying to determine your level of commitment to the company; and what they can expect from you. Can you complete your tasks in a timely fashion? Do you typically finish your "regular" work before the end of the business day? Do you typically need to work overtime to complete your expected duties? Can you be counted upon to work after hours to complete last-minute projects, or when meetings run late? Tell the employer that you are motivated, dedicated, hard-working and reliable, and have no problem putting in a full day’s work. Let the interviewer know that you are willing to take on other tasks if your regular work is completed. Confidently state that you do your best to finish tasks accurately and on time, and if more than 40 hours are required to do so, you do the work, period! Don’t be sheepish when you say this. Of course, no one wants to work overtime, but many salaried positions necessitate it. During the interview avoid providing the employer excuses why you can't work late, such as child care issues. You can negotiate this after you get hired.
Describe the best person who ever worked for you or with you?
Here's an opportunity to show that you can be generous in your appreciation for the efforts, knowledge, skills and generosity of others. Briefly talk about the quality of the other person's work, of their talent and the expertise they demonstrated. You can also mention their patience, diligence, understanding, and willingness to share ideas, insight and information. And if relevant, say something about the person's virtues as a leader or one to learn from, etc. I would advise, however, about saying too much; you don't want to give too much credit to another individual, accidentally putting yourself in a lesser light. After all, this interview is about you, and that's where the predominant focus should remain!
On a scale of 1 to 10 (10 - the highest), how would you rate yourself on:
b) Organization?
c) Memory?
This is another good question employers ask when they want to get a sense of your ego. Don't rate yourself a perfect score. Show a bit of humility by mentioning you are not perfect and are always looking to make improvements in yourself. Don't go into lengthy detail about why you think your "score" is as high or as low as you think it is! And if you really aren't strong in one or more of these traits, don't put yourself down. Fact is that in all these areas, people have good days and bad. Depending on your interviewer, you may be able to simply state that you always strive to do your best work. If you really think your inquisitor wants a rating from you, try not to give anything lower than a 7 or higher than a 9.5.
What are your long range objectives?
Keep your answers relevant to the job and industry. This isn't about your buying a house in the suburbs, starting your own business, raising a family or traveling. Your main objectives are to:
Grow with the company.
Help the company achieve its goals.
To continually learn, improve your skills, and grow professionally.
You might also state that you'd like to achieve some status within your industry and make a contribution that others will remember; that you hope to be in this business and industry - and hopefully this company - for a long time.
Why do you want to change fields now?
This is the type of question an employer or interviewer will ask when you have a lengthy track record in a particular industry. Depending on the circumstances of the economy or your age, the word "now" in the question could indicate that your inquisitor thinks "now" may not be the right time for such a transition. One could ask their interviewer why they feel now is not a good time to make a change, but that could come off as argumentative. Tell the employer that you have transferable skills, and mention a few, that are very applicable to this new pursuit. Stay positive about your reasons for wanting to make a career change. This could include that you feel you went as far as you could in your previous field, and although you are prepared to try something different you are confident that you can make a viable contribution to this new endeavor.
How have you changed the nature of your job?
Typically this type of question comes up when you are looking for a promotion, or when the interviewer wants to explore more deeply your effectiveness on your previous job and prepared you for the new position you are interviewing for. Here's a chance to discuss how your job evolved over time. How different is what you are actually doing now from what was in the original job posting? How is the job different from when you first took over the job assignment from your predecessor? How have you improved the process by which you accomplish things? Have you adopted Total Quality Management or Best Practices programs, or instituted other processes or reengineering strategies? Have you altered how things were done. How have you made things better, easier, more efficient, cost-effective, etc? Go ahead, toot your own horn, and tell your interviewer that things are better because of your contributions.
What aspects of working with others do you find least enjoyable?
This is another question where staying positive is key to providing your interviewers the right impression about you and your attitude. If you discuss your real pet peeves, you might reveal something about yourself best left unsaid. Try to stay with non-specific "safe" responses. Tell your interviewer that you genuinely enjoy working with others, that you are easy to get along with, and look forward to supporting or complimenting the efforts of those in your department. But if pushed to commit to saying something about what you really don't enjoy, say that you don't like needless, petty competitiveness. Do not mention that you dislike office politics and rumors, subversive behavior, or your commute.
What do you feel is a satisfactory attendance record?
Employers ask this question to help determine your level of commitment. Tell your interviewer that you never take off any more than allotted or scheduled vacation or sick days, and that you don't anticipate the need to take off extra personal time. (If you will need to take time off for religious observances, do not mention this during your interview; you can bring this up in a more timely manner after you've been hired, and give the employer at least a week's notice prior to when you need to be out. ) Explain that you'll make every effort to put in a full day's work every day, and ensure any absence doesn't interfere with project deadlines or overall productivity by planning ahead with other team members and arranging coverage of key responsibilities.
This is a good place to tell your interviewer that you are flexible and open to change, and look forward to all of the challenges involved with making this move. You can also mention that you don't see yourself as being rigid and don't believe others see you that way either. No matter whether the move to this new company is a lateral career move or one of advancement, you should express that working for this new employer is a step up from your last job, or it's an improved environment, and cite an example of why this is a better place for you and the advantages that your being with this new company afford them. Change is good!
What kind of salary are you worth?
This is not the same question as, "How much would you like to earn for this job?" For this question your interviewer wants to know how you see your value in the workplace and within your industry. In either case, the approach to your answer is essentially the same. Before you answer, assess if you have an inflated sense of self-worth, and if you know the salary ranges for people doing comparable work with similar experience in your geographic location. Try not to mention a specific dollar amount unless pushed to do so. If you give a number that is too high (compared to what is being offered), that tells the employer your ego is dictating what you think you are worth. If you state a salary that is too low, it says you do not know your real value in your market. It is always best to give a range of 8% to 15% below and above what you are currently earning, or made on your last job. A total range of about 25% to 30% maximum. By stating your desired salary as a range, you are more likely to be inclusive of the range the employer has to offer for that job.
Have you ever cared for an injured person who is recovering?
Though seemingly irrelevant to a job interview, this question explores your sense of humanity and compassion. How much of yourself do you give to others, and your ability to put the needs of others before your own are the key issues being explored. But this line of questioning could also be a fishing expedition to learn if you have any ill children or aging parents to whom you must currently attend. If you respond, "Yes," express that you will work hard to prevent these circumstances from interfering with your work. If you’re describing an older situation that has been resolved, clearly state so. If it is a current situation, convey that it definitely wont interfere with your work or responsibilities. Briefly discuss your role and functions, and convey your commitment in providing quality assistance and care, understanding the injury/illness and researching methods and sources of treatment.
Has a supervisor ever done something that you disliked?
All of us have at one time or another been unhappy with the decisions or actions of a supervisor. They may be memorable and worth talking about, but not in an interview! Because a positive attitude and outlook are criteria employers want to see, you should say nothing negative. If you feel compelled to talk about such an event, don't mention anyone by name. No one agrees with their superiors 100% of the time, and you recognize that you don't have to be happy with all their decisions. You have your job to do, and so does the supervisor. So you agree to disagree, and because you are patient and your primary responsibilty/goal is to do good work, you put the disagreement behind you as fast as possible.
What are your five biggest accomplishments in:
a. your present or last job?
b. your career so far?
This is a really good opportunity to indicate your growth, knowledge and understanding of your job, of your industry, and of your career. But be careful! This is a two-part question, and you must be sure to answer both parts, or your interviewer might think you’re not paying close enough attention. Be concise in your response! Provide brief and relevant anecdotal information. Don’t get too lengthy unless you’re asked to elaborate. It is ok to talk about academic accomplishments, if they weren't more than 5 years ago. Get to the facts using your prepared PAR's (Problem, Action Resolution statements) to illustrate your biggest successes, accomplishments, recognitions. If you can’t think of 5, have at least three prepared.
What most interests you about the position being offered?
Here's your chance to convey your enthusiasm and excitement about the work to be done. Talk briefly about being ready for the challenges the position offers you; the relevant skills, experience and knowledge that you have that will enable you to do the job well; and about the good reputation of the company, the quality of their people, products and services, etc. Because you have done your research about the company you should also be able to address the current projects or products that you'd like to see come to fruition with your participation.
Why aren't you earning more at your age?
This question presupposes that the interviewer suspects how old you are (it is illegal for an employer to directly ask your age during an interview), and thinks they know enough about your work history to question if you should be making more money, or that you may not be in touch with your value in the workplace. Tell the interviewer that you are motivated by the quality of your work, the challenges, opportunities, etc, rather than being motivated by money. You should also convey that you still expect to be paid a competitive wage for the position you are applying for. (And if you don't know how much you should be paid, do some research!!) Be careful to not show any negative emotion toward the interviewer for their assumptions about you. Don't make negative comments about your former employers, such as, "they were tightwads", or "the company couldn't afford to give us raises."
What do you look for in a job?
This question is frequently asked to determine if the applicant will fit in with the employer's particular environment. It is more important for the interviewee to address things like: a place to use specific skills, the opportunity to interact daily with creative and motivated coworkers, and other factors that relate to the work the applicant hopes to do or the functions they hope to perform. If the applicant mentions specifics about the location, commute or workplace interior (without advance favorable knowledge of these factors), the employer might wonder if the candidate will be happy and comfortable in their workplace.
How have you benefited from your disappointments?
Here's your chance to convey your positive attitude and outlook. It is ok to tell your interviewer that you consider yourself fortunate, that you have not had too many disappointments. But without going into the specific circumstances of any disappointments you may have experienced, you could say that you try to see the glass as half full. You know that occasionally things don't go exactly as planned, but you don't let disruptions to your progress stop you from moving forward. You recognize the value of turning each disappointment into a learning experience; and that by not dwelling on the negative, you are able to look forward.
Why should I hire you from the outside when I can hire someone from within the company?
Employers may ask this question to determine a candidate's confidence. While an applicant can not really know the particulars of his or her competitor's skill level or experience, he or she must confidently convey that they have the skills, experience, knowledge, drive, and that they are a professional, with the perspective to do the job and make profitable contributions.
Explain your role as a group/team member?
Here's where you get to talk about how you participated with others to fulfill various responsibilities, how you encourage and assist others. You can also describe succinctly how you demonstrated your initiative, used particular skills, all for the common goals of the team, the particular project and the company. Make certain that you keep the focus on yourself and your accomplishments. You might also detail how you enjoy the collaborative process, the diversity of people and ideas.
What will your references say about you?
Of course you’ll only provide contact info for references that will say completely positive things about you. So before you start going on interviews, make sure you openly discuss with your references what they will say about you, or what you need them to say. Doing so enables you to confidently tell an employer how effective others thought you were on the job, and how well you got along with coworkers, the software you know, your knowledge and experience, etc.
How long would it take you to make a contribution to our firm?
This questions can trip you up, so be careful! If you state a time period that is too short, you could be perceived as being unrealistic or unaware of company / department / project specifics on which to base an accurate estimate. Stating too long a time period could rule you out. One response might be: "I want to make a positive contribution as soon as possible, and my abilities as ____ and skills at ____ (relevant to this job) would enable me to get my feet wet quickly. I am driven and motivated to contribute to the success of department and the company" Keep your answers focused and relevant to the goals of the company and the work you'll be expected to perform.
What kind of decisions are most difficult for you to make?
Generally asked by interviewers to help determine your ability to think on your feet and how well you handle responsibility. State that you are generally very decisive, except when you don't have the proper information or tools on which to base an accurate or appropriate decision. Tell your interviewer that when you don't have the information or other tools that you need, you try to quickly pursue accurate answers, seek input and advice, do research, until you have the tools or information that allow you make a confident decision. Your answer will sound that much more convincing when you can site specific examples of when you had to gather more details or info before making an important work-related decision.
How long would you stay with us?
Avoid stating a specific number of years. You might say, "Being career oriented, I’ll be here for as long as I can make a positive contribution to the growth of the company (or serve my customers)”. Or, “I plan on being here to work toward the growth of the business, and my own professional development." Or, "I plan on being with the firm at least a few years." You should be careful when making comments about "revolving door environments" or business with high turnover rates to avoid sounding critical of this or other employers. Focus your answer on the benefits of staying with an employer for the long haul, and that you are hoping for a long relationship and career with that firm.
How do you determine your priorities under tight time constraints?
Start by explaining your strengths breaking larger projects or tasks into smaller objectives so that you are able to recognize all the components for thorough analysis, and determine what can be completed first and fastest. Convey how your organizational skills and knowledge of your work enable you to determine what it will take to complete each segment and then the whole project. Also mention that when possible you assign tasks to others so projects can be completed on time and on budget.
How did your last boss get the best work out of you?
Here's where you tell your interviewer that you are always motivated to do your best work, and that you take pride in the fact that you always put forth a full and dedicated effort. You are not doing the job because you seek reward or recognition. The quality of your work is its own reward! Your boss makes a contribution to your best efforts by providing appropriate resources and tools, through good communication, showing respect, being supportive and demonstrating appreciation of you, and your team, and by recognizing individual and group efforts.
What new goals or objectives have you established recently?
This question can be very revealing .... in the wrong way. Keep your answer focused on self improvement activities, or general personal or professional goals. Be careful not to answer with anything that indicates your commitment to new or additional financial responsibilities such as buying a home or having a family. This information is not relevant to what you can do for that employer. And its none of their business!! Focus your answer on your efforts to repeat or exceed your biggest professional success, or how you plan to attain job-related goals, such as sales targets, or organizing your department, making improvements. You could also address recent completion of a continuing education class, or how you are learning new skills, finishing a degree, etc. are also appropriate responses.
Tell me something that you are not proud of?
An employer or interviewer may toss this question out to see how honest or revelatory you are about your life. This will be one of the few interview questions where your answer does not pertain to your work. Be brief and concise, leave out excessive details, and describe something that had nothing to do with your job, and most importantly from which you learned something. State it all in a positive manner, and present it as a learning experience. “I once parked in a handicapped zone.” Or, “I got a ticket for not fully stopping at a traffic signal before turning.” Any reply that indicates no one was hurt by your actions should be a reasonably safe response.
If one of your co workers was having difficulty doing their job, what would you do?
Here's one of those questions where your interviewer wants to learn about your skills beyond what is called for by the position. Are you a team player? Can and will you support the efforts of others in your department or on your team? First you want to find out if the difficulty the coworker is having is a personal or procedural issue. If it is a personal issue that is affecting performance, you might offer to be a sounding board for your coworker, and give them a chance to vent during lunch or a break, or after work. If there is a procedural issue, explain to your interviewer that you would try to understand the difficulty being experienced by that coworker, that you would demonstrate how to proceed, provide encouragement, allow time for task acclamation and skill development, and try to motivate the coworker with the satisfaction to be gained having learned something or completing the task. Emphasize that you wouldn't complete the other person's tasks for them.
This question has been known to make many an interviewee nervous. It is meant to help reveal how you see yourself. How well do you talk about yourself? Sound confident but not cocky, when you say you learned how to be self motivated, self-reliant, and dedicated to completing tasks on time and when promised. Be assertive and not aggressive as you talk about how you learned the importance of putting your ego aside, to be humble, and how to appreciate and respect others for their talents, contributions and perspectives; You found your confidence and feel that you can accomplish anything that you set out to do. But keep in mind that your interviewer could be assessing more than your verbal answer; they'll be trying to interpret your ego, attitude, shyness, body language, posture and other personality attributes.
Why are you leaving your current position?
First of all, say nothing negative about coworkers or employers, present or past! Explain to your interviewer that you feel that your skills or expertise aren't being utilized to their fullest potential where you presently work. Confidently convey that you can make a bigger contribution working for an employer who understands your specialized knowledge or specifically needed talents. If you can, identify to the interviewer how your skills match that employer's needs. You can also say that you are seeking new opportunities because you want to take your current skills to the next level, and take on bigger challenges. If there's a lack of career growth opportunities or little potential to learn something new from your current employer, you can explain that as well. And then try to discuss with your interviewer what you would like to learn or accomplish with this new job.
Are you willing to take calculated risks when necessary?
Explain to your interviewer that you recognize that some risks are a necessary part of doing business, but that you are smart and professional enough to know that foolish, and unnecessary risks are to be avoided. Ask your intervewer if your position requires you to make decisions based on calculated risks and find out how much risk the company is willing to tolerate, and still support your efforts for taking them. Knowing that your employer will back you up will add to your security in this job. Are the risks common for this position and within your industry? Knowing about the potential risks in advance, along with your own level of comfort in taking risks, will aid you in providing the most complete answer.
"No," is the best answer, even if you do have children. You don't want the employer to believe that your outside-of-work duties and familial responsibilities will collide with your job. But, if you say, "Yes," be careful you don't imply how much interference those responsibilities may actually influence your time and your attention away from your work. If the question was simply “Do you have any outside responsibilities that might interfere with … “ (leaving out the “children”, the question would have required a simple "No" response. If the employer is made aware that you have young, school-age children, infirmed parents or a disabled spouse, they will assume - possibly incorrectly - that there will be distractions that will impact your productivity and attendance.
If you could start your professional life again, what would you do differently?
Although your professional pursuits might possibly remain the same, thoughtfully explain to your interviewer that through hindsight, if given the chance to start again, there are probably a few things that you would do differently. If you were starting again suggest that maybe you would pursue different course work or another college major, or even a different school. Maybe you would learn more about other facets of your industry. You recognize that other kinds of training might help you achieve your goals.
Another possible direction for your answer might be that you wouldn't change a thing. You are proud of the way your career has progressed, the accomplishments you have achieved, and the opportunities you have in front of you. Be careful not to sound glib, cavalier, or insincere, and say anything negative about yourself, past employers or anyone else!