1.
Tell me something about yourself.
Most people shudder when asked this question, however this provides
you with an excellent opportunity to discuss how you meet the
qualification they are looking for. This question is aimed at
finding out what kind of person you are, not merely about your
job skills. You may wish to emphasize your personal strengths,
interests and abilities. Try to keep the examples you use work
related. Don't get carried away telling them only about your personal
life and your recreational activities.
This question is asked so often that we suggest you prepare your
answer ahead of time and practice it.
2. What are your greatest strengths/weaknesses?
Highlight your most positive attributes (i.e., skill, reliability,
experience, enthusiasm...) Make sure to use examples to illustrate
your positive qualities and how they apply to work. Do not describe
any weaknesses that may be important to doing the job. Avoid making
negative comments. Talk about things that you have improved and
the steps you took to do so.
3. What five words would you say describe you best?
When asked to select words to describe yourself, select only
positive aspects.
4. Have you ever done this kind of
work before?
The interviewer is asking this question to try to find out if
you have the necessary skills and experience to do the job. Never
say "no" to this type of question. Since no two jobs
are the same, what the interviewer wants to know is whether you
can learn to do the job in a reasonable amount of time.
Mention skills that are transferable, also known as Employability
Skills - skills that you can apply to any work situation.
Discuss your education/training and non-paid experiences in
relation to this job.
Employability skills are developed in any life situation; don't
forget about volunteer work. Describe how quickly you have learned
that type of work in the past.
5. What are your long-range goals?
The interviewer is trying to find out whether this position fits
in with your long-term plans. The items to stress are that you
like the company/organization, you hope to become a valuable employee,
and that you hope you will be in a role which challenges you and
enables you to make an effective contribution to the company.
Be careful about making statements concerning your desire for
promotion. Being too eager for a promotion may show you do not
want the job you applied for.
6. Why do you want to work here?
When an interviewer asks you this they are trying to learn if
you will be satisfied with your job and are likely to stay. It
is also a way to see whether or not you have done any research
on the company.
Your answer can separate you from the other candidates who did
not bother to research the company before the interview. Mention
as many positive features about the job, company or organization
as you can.
7. Why did you leave your last job?/ Why do you want
to leave your job?
When the interviewer asks you why you left your last job or why
you want to leave your present job, they are trying to find out
if you had difficulties that may also arise with them. The employer
may be afraid that you don't get along very well with other people.
In describing your last job, say as many positive things as you
can about it even if it had many downsides - all jobs do. Try
not to say anything negative about the company or your supervisor,
only that your needs did not fit with the job. Never criticize
the company or your supervisor- you never know who knows who.
If you speak negatively about your last job or supervisor, the
interviewer will think you will do the same to them. On the other
hand, they will like to hear you speaking in a positive way about
your old company. They will feel that you are likely to be saying
the same things about them.
8. How much were you absent from your last job?
This question is asked to determine whether you are dependable.
If your past attendance record was good, this question should
be a breeze.
However, if you missed a lot of work in your last job due to
illness or personal reasons, you made need to reassure the employer
that you are well now or that these issues have been resolved
and you don't expect regular attendance to be a concern in the
future. You need to assure the employer that you will be reliable
and committed to the position you are applying for.
9. What was your last employer's opinion of you?
The best answer to the general question about your last employer's
opinion of you is to have an open letter of recommendation from
your last employer, which you can then summarize and show, to
the interviewer. If you do not have such a letter list the positive
things they would say about you. Suggest that the interviewer
contact your employer, and express your assurance that they will
speak highly of you. Supply the interviewer with a list of references,
including phone numbers.
10. What kind of salary are you expecting?
When you are asked about your salary requirements in an interview,
the interviewer is trying to find out if your expectations are
too high for them. Of course, you want as much as the company
is willing to pay. However, by naming a salary at the interview,
you can only harm yourself.
If the interviewer insists on an answer, give a range rather
than a specific number. If you know what the salary range is,
mention something at the top of the range. If you have a good
idea what the going rate for a job like this is, again mention
something at the top of the range. If you don't know what the
salary range is, add a reasonable increase to your current salary.
Whatever you do- do not state this as a solid figure. Let them
know the salary you mentioned is negotiable. The real negotiations
will start after you have been offered the job.
11. Why should we hire you instead of someone else?
When you are asked this direct question, the interviewer is asking
you, in a sense, to make their decision for them. If you have
to hesitate or can think of only one or two reasons, then they
will feel that the reasons are not too obvious or not sufficient.
You should quickly list your skills and positive characteristics.
12. What kind of machines/software can you operate?
If the interviewer asks this question, then, obviously, skill
in this area is very important, and you should detail your experience
and skills. Be as clear as possible about your expertise- it show
you know what you are talking about. If the interviewer asks about
equipment you haven't had experience with, describe what types
of similar packages/machines you have worked with, and convey
your confidence that you can learn quickly.
13. Can you work under pressure or tight deadlines?
This question indicates that your job will involve working under
pressure and deadlines, so reassure the interviewer by giving
examples of paid or unpaid activities that involved deadlines/pressure.
Mention several examples, stressing how capable you were in rising
to the occasion, that you did not mind the stress, and possibly
even enjoyed it!
14. What would you do in this situation? (Then
the employer goes on to describe a work-related situation).
Panic time! So much to think about and so little time to think.
Keep your cool, analyze the question and often you will find you
have the necessary background to answer. Take your time. Answer
carefully. The interviewer is trying to gauge your ability to
function under pressure, and to analyze and solve problems using
sound judgement.
Ask for further details or explanations where necessary. Don't
trust your memory in a stressful situation, jot the question down
(on the paper and pen you brought with you to the interview and
any details they give you. Refer to your notes when you have completed
answering the question to be sure you really answered what they
were asking you. Keep in mind the general steps of problem solving:
Collect information (ask for clarification from the interviewer)
Analyze the information (think through before answering)
Classify it by order of importance (what are the most important
things to talk about)
Reach a decision (be clear with your answer - a clear, confident
response which is wrong is better than a response which is vague
and muddled.)
Communicate the decision (speak clearly, confidently, and concisely)
