ANSWERING THE 20 TOUGHEST INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

1. Tell me about yourself and your family? This question is designed to give some insight into you. The interviewer wants to find out about you and whether you will fit in. Tell him/her as much as you feel comfortable with (where you are from, what you have done, and tell about your family only if you choose to). It is wise to give them some info to help build an image of yourself. You too want a match with the job and company.

2. If you could go back in time, what things would you change? A question designed to get you to talk about yourself and to give more insight into you. Be honest about some of the things you would do differently, but be positive that you are on target with where you are going in life. Do not dwell on past opportunities lost or time misspent. Dwell on WHERE YOU ARE GOING.

3. Who are the people who have influenced you the most in your life? Again, they are trying to understand you - who you are, what your aspirations are, the types of people you can work with, etc. Keep in mind what they are after. Be honest and sincere and it will show through. Cite the people who have had a POSITIVE INFLUENCE ON YOU.

4. Why do you want to work for us? This is a tough question that is usually asked. This is an opportunity to relate to them that you have done your homework. Indicate that you have talked with others who know about the company and they have a good reputation, that you feel there is opportunity for you with the firm, and that you see it as a place where you would like to cast your lot. TELL THEM THE THINGS THEY WANT TO HEAR, but do not overdo it. Essentially, state that they have a good product, a good reputation, and treat people well.

5. What kind of position or job are you looking for? Let them know why you are here. State your skills, but do not exaggerate them. Indicate the type of work you want if it is not already apparent by the fact you answered an ad, etc. DO NOT CLOSE THE DOOR ON ANY OPPORTUNITIES. Sometimes, this is where to indicate that you would work in another area until an opening came up that would be your primary interest.

6. If you could create the ideal job, how would you describe it? This is an attempt for the interviewer to see where you are headed. Describe the daily activities and projects that you would be involved in and/or what you would actually be doing on a day-to-day or hourly basis. If this ideal description would lead to other jobs down the line, indicate where it would eventually take you. This is your chance to see if you fit in and if they can make a match for you.

7. What is your greatest strength? The interviewer is still trying to see if there is a match between you, the job, and the firm. Identify special skills you can offer the company and how you can be of benefit to them. This is your chance to tell an employer WHAT YOU CAN DO FOR THEM.

8. What is your biggest need for improvement? This is an important question. You can show the interviewer that you are trying to improve, that you know what you need to progress in the field, and that you are making an attempt to do so. Indicate if you are taking any classes or by what method you are striving to get better. If it concerns personal relationships, indicate the steps you are taking. This is a general question and can relate to any area of improvement.

9. What do you consider your greatest accomplishment on your last job? This is your chance to toot your own horn and YOU SHOULD DO SO. You will not always get an opportunity to show what you have done. Take advantage of it and don't be shy. In fact, if you have more than one accomplishment, indicate some of them.

10. With hindsight, how could you have improved your progress in your last job? This is a loaded question. They want you to reveal mistakes and weaknesses and to see if you know what you would do differently the next time. Answer it after some thought and reveal that you can handle it better in the future. If you feel your progress was okay on your last job, say so. But, you might be wise to say that you see how you could have grown more - if possible. This is a chance to show that you are mature enough to state how you can improve.

11. Tell me about a time when you put your foot in your mouth? Do you have a humorous side to you? You are being tested by this question. This is another chance for the employer to see how mature you are and how you handle yourself under a little pressure. If you can make light of a difficult situation, it speaks well for you. Get one or two of these in mind and REVEAL HOW YOU HANDLED IT MATURELY.

12. What can you do for this company? If you cannot benefit them, why should they hire you. Here is another chance to indicate what you have to offer - HOW YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE IF THEY HIRE YOU. Tell them what you will be bringing to the firm.

13. In what ways are you attempting to improve your current skills? This relates to questions 8 and 10. Indicate how or what you are doing to maintain and upgrade the skills you are offering the potential new employer.

14. Of all the employers you have worked for, which did you like the best and why? This is another very loaded question. If you criticize your last employer, they will think that you will do so with your new one. A better way to answer this is to indicate the kinds of people you work best with. State that you have been most comfortable with people who - for example, let you make decisions, ask your opinion on things, are upfront with you, or are honest, etc. Do not bad mouth anyone. Describe your best working conditions in the terms expressed above.

15. Describe your relationship with your previous boss? If you had a good working relationship, tell why this was so. If it was not a good one, say that it would have been better if I were able to go to him or her with problems or whatever it was that you felt was lacking in the working relationship. The direction you take is to indicate how it could have been improved or what you would like it to be in your next job.

16. Would this job be a step down, a lateral move or a step up? –or- Are you over-qualified for this job? They are attempting to find out if you see this as entering a position where you might be bored. If you are not happy or they think you will not be happy after a short period of time, you will be unhappy and looking for a new job. THEY ARE LOOKING FOR A MATCH. If you are taking a step down and looking for a job with less responsibility, this is the time to tell them. UNDERSTAND WHY THEY are asking this question. Answer with thought and care.

17. How do you get along with difficult people? -or- Do you get along with others? This is another difficult and loaded question. A good answer would be that you would try to meet any difficult situation or people head on. You would go to them and discuss any situation in which you are in conflict and attempt to resolve the issue. If you cannot get it resolved, you would ask for your boss or supervisor to assist.

A follow-up question could be - What types of people have you needed to resolve conflicts with? If asked, tell them. They are looking to see if you have a method for solving problems.

18. What is an adequate reward for your efforts? You better have a handle on what the going rate or range is for people in your line of work. You can state what you believe the going rate or range is and then if you don’t know, ask: "What has it been here?"

19. How many hours per week do you have to work to get your job done? They could be trying to determine if you would work overtime or they want to see if you are a straight 8 to 5 person. One answer could be "WHATEVER IT TAKES TO GET THE JOB DONE." Also, I am willing to work overtime when it is needed. Answers along this line will suffice. This is a gray area and you cannot always be sure why it is being asked.

20. Tell me one of the biggest mistakes that you have ever made on the job and how you overcame it? This is a chance to show ingenuity. Have one in mind and tell how you solved it. Show your maturity by being able to talk about it.

Bob Raikes, National Certified Career Counselor