ANSWERING THE TWENTY TOUGHEST INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

by Bob Raikes

1. Tell me about yourself, your family. This question is designed to give some insight into you. The interviewer wants to find out about you, will you fit in. Tell him/her as much as you feel comfortable with. Where you are from, what you have done, TELL ABOUT YOUR FAMILY IF YOU CHOOSE TO. It is wise to help build a picture 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 different, but be positive that you are on target 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 get a handle on you. Who you are, what are your aspirations, 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. Site 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 their company has a good reputation, that you have queried others who know about the company, that you feel there is opportunity for you with the firm, and that you see it as a place that you would like to cast your lot with. TELL THEM THE THINGS THEY WANT TO HEAR, but do not over do it. Essentially, you have a good product, good reputation, treat people okay.

5. What kind of position or job are you looking for? Let them know why you are here.

Indicate your skills, do not exaggerate them, and indicate the 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 the place to indicate that you would work in another area until an opening came up that would be your primary interest.

6. If you 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 are involved in, what you would actually be doing on a day-to-day basis or hour-to-hour 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. Indicate 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 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 current job? Go for it.

This is your chance to toot your own horn and YOU SHOULD DO SO. Not always in an interview do you receive an opportunity to show what you have done. Take advantage of it. It fact, if you have more than one accomplishment, indicate so. Don't be shy.

10. With hindsight, how could you have improved your progress in your current or 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 different next time. Answer it after thought and reveal that you can handle it better and different in the future. If you feel you progress is okay on your last job indicate so, but you might be wise to indicate 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, 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? Well put. 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? Relates to questions 8 and 10. Just said differently. 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? Why? This is another very loaded question. If you denigrate your last employer they will think that you will denigrate your new one. A better way to answer this is to indicate the KINDS OF PEOPLE YOU WORK BEST WITH. Indicate that you have been most comfortable with people who for example who: let you make decisions, ask your opinion on things, are up front with you, or are honest etc. Do not bad mouth anyone. Describe your best working conditions in terms expressed above.

15. Describe your relationship with your current boss. If you have a good working relationship tell WHY THIS IS SO. Rather than criticize directly if it is not good, say

IT WOULD BE BETTER IF I COULD GO TO HIM OR HER WITH PROBLEMS, or whatever it is that you feel is lacking in the working relationship you currently have. The direction you take is to indicate HOW IT COULD BE IMPROVED OR WHAT YOU WOULD LIKE IT TO BE IN YOUR NEXT JOB.

16. Would this job be a step down, lateral move or a step up? They are attempting to find out if you see this as entering a position in which you would be bored or not. Are you over qualified for the job could have been the question? 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 again. 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? They could have asked; 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 situations in which you are in conflict. You would attempt to do conflict resolution. If you cannot get it resolved that you ask for your boss or supervisor to assist. A follow up question could be: What types of people have you had conflict resolution with? Tell them if asked. What they are looking for is that you have a method of resolving conflicts.

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 range or rate 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? Could be seeking if you would work overtime, or wants to see if you are a straight 8 to 5 person. One answer could be WHAT EVER IT TAKES TO GET THE JOB DONE. Also I am willing to work overtime when it is needed. Answers along this line 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 over come it. Chance to show ingenuity. Have one in mind, tell how solved. Show your maturity being able to talk about it.