HR

Tell me a little bit about yourself

I have more than five years of experience as a technical project manager at top
Wall Street companies. Most recently, I led the development of an award-winning
new trading platform. Im a person who thrives in a fast-paced environment so
right now Im looking for an opportunity to apply my technical experience and
my creative problem solving skills at an innovative software company like this
one.
What relevant work experience do you have in this career field?
If you don't have specific career related experience speak about prior experience
that has helped you develop the specific knowledge and skills required for the
position you are applying for.
Do you consider yourself successful?
A goof explanation is that you have set professional goals and that you have met
some of these goals and are on track to meet more in the near future.
Yes, I do consider myself successful. I think my willingness to take on new
challenges and work hard sets me up for success. For example, I volunteered to
manage a project for my company, which involved managing 20 staff members. I
had never managed such a large staff before. However, due to my hard work,
effective communication, and clear goals, I effectively managed the team and we
completed our task ahead of schedule. I dont shy away from a challenge, and I
know this would set me up for success at your company.
What have you done to improve your skills over the past year?
You'll want to be prepare with some very specific examples of what you've done
over the last year and what you're currently doing to improve your professional
knowledge and skill set as well as anything else you're doing the shows selfimprovement.
Why do you want to work for this company?
Again be honest. The interviewer will be able to sense very quickly if you're be
disingenuous. Your answer should be based on your person reasons, career
aspirations as well as research you've performed on the company. The most
important thing you should do is make sure to relate your answer to your longterm career goals.
"Based on the research I've done, this company is an industry leader. When I
visited your Web site, I found some impressive information about future projects
you have planned. I was also impressed with the founders' backgrounds and the
current financial statements. This is the company I've been looking for, a place
where my background, experience and skills can be put to use and make things
happen."
I feel that my proven track record leading multi-functional teams makes me an
excellent match for the job requirements. Also, the role excites me because I

love the idea of helping to develop cutting-edge software products and I know I
could start delivering results from Day 1.
Well, I have great respect for your companys software products and I would
welcome the opportunity to work with the best in the business. At the same
time, I have friends in the industry who have told me about your companys
respect for employees and how you create a great environment for rewarding
innovation. I think my proactive style would fit in really well here especially in
this particular role.
What type of salary are you looking for?
This can be a very tricky question as the individual asking it is probably digging
for something other than a simple answer to the question. We recommend that
you don't immediately respond to the question directly. Instead, say something
like, That a difficult question. What is range for this position? More often than
not the interviewer will tell you. If the interviewer insists on direct answer you
may want say that it depends on the details of the job - then give a wide salary
range.
As I understand the requirements of this position, I would be expected to do/be
responsible for (examples). What is the normal salary range in this company for
this type of work?
How long do you want to work for us if we hire you?
Here being specific is probably not the best approach. You may consider
responding, I hope a very long time. Or As long as we're both happy with my
performance.
Did you consider yourself a team player?
Be ready to provide specific example of how you've worked as part of a cohesive
team to get things accomplished and how you've focus on team performance
rather than individual performance.
"Yes I am. An example of this was with my summer internship team, the Global
Standards Project, where we were all working together with a variety of
background and skills to produce a result which none of us could have achieved
individually. It's important to note that I joined an already established team, so it
was important to me to communicate with others and make sure I was on track
for delivering my part of the project. Although my deliverable was a small part of
the overall project, there were several team dependencies based on my ability to
deliver. So I not only kept everyone current during the weekly meetings, I also
worked closely with several key team members throughout the week to make
sure I kept my portion of the project on track. The end result is that I delivered on
time and within budget. The entire project met its deliverables and they are now
on to the next phase of the project."
The ability to communicate effectively with others
The ability to recognize and understand the viewpoints of others

If you had enough money to retire would you?

Just be honest. If you would retire then say so. But since you can't retire, and the
interviewer already knows this, simply answer that since you can't this is type of
work you prefer doing. However, if you wouldn't retire if you had the money then
explain why. Work is an important element of happiness for most people and
many won't retire even when they can.
What is your philosophy towards work?
This is typically a straightforward question that merits a straightforward answer.
Do you have strong worth ethic? Will you do whatever it takes to make sure the
job gets done? Just say so in your response. Keep it short, direct and positive.
My philosophy towards work is: In every action there is a corresponding
reaction so if you do good things in your work there will be good outcome or
result of what youve working for nevertheless, if not you will lose your job.
How do you believe you would benefit our organization?
This is a great question that provides you the opportunity to put your best foot
forward, to tell the interviewer why he or she should consider hiring you for the
job. Make sure you're well prepared for this question as you won't likely get a
second chance to really shine.
JD mentions that you are looking for a candidate who can do x and y but not only
I can do x and y but also z. look at cv. I can contribute my discretion, loyalty.
Your company has long been a leader in strategic marketing, due primarily to
your usage of modern marketing technologies and current techniques for
reaching your target markets. When I worked at MarketTech, I worked directly
with those same strategies include the integration of social media marketing. I
also have a passion for new technologies that will allow me to adapt to the everchanging marketplace. I have a history of working directly with marketing
companies that focus on integration, using such products as Software Name 1,
Software Name 2, and Software Name 3, I am I am positive that these
experiences will help your company achieve its goals.

What is the most irritating thing you've experienced about your coworkers?
This question is designed to find out if you get along well on team, with other
and whether or not you'll be a fit with the interviewer's organization. It's a trap.
Think real hard but fail to come up anything that irritated you about your coworkers. A short positive response is best.
What do you consider to be your greatest strength?
There isn't any right answer. Just make sure to make your response positive and
true. A few good examples include: Your ability to solve complex problems, your
ability to work well on a team, your ability to shine under pressure, your ability to
focus in chaotic situations, your ability to prioritize and organize, your ability to
cut through the fluff to identify the real issues, your ability to influence other
positively. If your strength relates to the position in question that will be more

beneficial - but again be honest, don't create a strength for yourself just because
you think it will sound good.
"I have quite a few strengths (Pause to think)probably my greatest strength
is my reliability. Part of my reliability is consistently being there, I have a 100%
on time record at work and have had it for the last three years. But it's more than
that. People know that they can trust me to do what I say I will do, they trust me
to deliver. For example, my boss had a difficult project that needed to be
completed in a short amount of time. He asked me in a meeting with the rest of
our team to take on this project. After the meeting, he told me that he gave me
the project because he knows that I will deliver on time. He's right. I just
delivered the project yesterday, a day ahead of schedule. And it was right the
first time, no corrections needed."
I think one of my greatest strengths is as a problem solver. I have the ability to
see a situation from different perspectives and I can get my work done even in
the face of difficult obstacles. I also feel that my communication skills are top
notch. I feel just as comfortable presenting to senior executives as I do mediating
a conflict between junior team members. I worked as a programmer in the past
so I have that perspective of a developer and I think that they respect me for
that.
Why do you think you'll do well at this job?
Provide several reasons including skills, experience and interest. If you can show
how you've been successful in a similar career field or job position that will go a
long way to helping the interviewer believe you'll also be successful at this new
job.
What is your dream job?
A good response could be, A job where my work ethic and abilities are
recognized and I can make a meaningful difference to the organization.
How well do you perform under pressure?
This is a fair question, as potential employers want to know if you're going to be
able to get the job done even when things get a little bit stressful. You may say
that you thrive under pressure or that you're able to get the job done even when
things get a little bit stressful, just make sure to provide some real world
examples of your ability to work under pressure in a prior job.
"To tell you the truth, I think I work the same if there's pressure or if there's no
pressure. I try and take out negative emotional factors and work hard regardless
of down time or busy time. I always prioritize and organize my work, and from
there, work efficiently. If the situation involved pressure due to a lack of time,
then the only difference in my work would be the extra time I would need to put
in to meet the deadline on time. Since I believe my normal work is great work,
then I suppose I work well under pressure."
Working for a small start-up company the past few years has naturally been
quite a high pressure experience on occasion. Ive had to deal with numerous
conflicting demands on my time and often very limited resources. With careful
planning and organisation you can normally reduce the pressure you are under

but there will always be factors at play which are outside of your control.
Personally, while it makes a nice break to have a few pressure-free days, I
generally thrive under pressure. I use it to help channel my energies into
accomplishing as much as possible. Naturally, there are sometimes occasions
when the pressure Im put under is excessive and this can be stressful. However,
Im sufficiently experienced to appreciate that there is only so much you can
reasonably be expected to be capable of and the solution is not to panic but to
remain focused on delivering your very best.

What motivates you at the work place?

Keep your answer simple, direct and positive. Some good answers may be the
ability to achieve, recognition or challenging assignments.
Different Motivational Profiles
Most people are motivated by some combination of two or three of the factors
below. Few, if any, people would be motivated by all of them.
Achievement
Achievement-oriented people like challenging tasks, clear goals, and specific
measures of success. They tend to prefer "project" jobs, in which tasks have a
clear beginning and end, rather than "process" jobs, in which the work is
continuous and ongoing. They want to be recognized for their accomplishments
and like working for a manager who appreciates their abilities. Opportunities for
ongoing skill development are important to them.
Interaction
Some of us are "people people", who enjoy frequent and friendly interaction with
others. These folks prefer jobs where the work requires face-to-face (or at least
voice-to-voice) contact with people. They value relationships with colleagues,
enjoy learning about their personal lives, and may extend co-worker relationships
into friendships. They want a friendly relationship with their manager and like
recognition to be personal.
Creativity
People motivated by creativity value jobs that involve varied duties and
opportunities to innovate. They get bored with repetition, like finding new ways
to do familiar tasks, and enjoy brainstorming sessions. Usually, they would rather
be the one to get a project started than the one to handle all the implementation
details. They work best for a manager who is open to new ways of doing things
and recognizes the value of their ideas.
Leadership
People who enjoy leadership roles like being put in charge of projects. They enjoy
making decisions and directing others' activities. Because they find power
interesting, they often seek out interaction with higher-level managers.
Promotional opportunities are important to them, and they want to be sure that
their title, salary, and perks appropriately match their position level. They prefer
a manager who provides a lot of autonomy.
Service
Some people are largely motivated by the opportunity to help others or make the
world a better place. For them, work is not a job, but a mission. They need to feel

that their activities or efforts ultimately have a positive impact on people. They
are often attracted to helping professions, causes, or advocacy groups. They
want to work for a manager who shares their values and beliefs.
Problem Solving
Tackling complex and challenging problems is a motivating factor for some
people. They get bored with work that is too easy and seek out mental
stimulation. They often enjoy providing advice and assistance to help others deal
with complicated issues. Being seen as the expert in a particular field is
rewarding for them, as they like to be recognized for their knowledge. They enjoy
working for managers who appreciate and use their problem-solving ability.

Building success with a great team

Coaching others and watching them succeed

Meeting or exceeding project goals

Meeting deadlines through organizational abilities

Securing or building business

Handling challenging projects where I can apply my XYZ skills

Offering excellent customer service and commitment

Developing innovative ideas that come to fruition

Streamlining projects

Saving the company money

I am motivated by meeting set targets within deadlines, as it gives me a sense
of accomplishment and it's something that I can look back on and say "I
achieved that". I'm also motivated by visible results for example, when I wrote
an article for my student newspaper, I got a sense of accomplishment from
knowing that up to 16,000 students would read it.

Are you willing to work overtime or odd hours?

Be completely honest. You don't want to lie to get the job if you're not going to
work the hours required.
How do you measure success?
There may be several good answers. Some include: you're able to set realistic,
yet aggressive goals that push you and you're able to achieve them, you go the
extra mile on all projects, client satisfaction is high, your boss is elated at your
performance on all projects, etc.
Describe your management style.
Try to avoid specific classifications, whatever it may be. Organizations usually
prefer managers who can adapt their skills to different situations.
Do you have any blind spots?

This question is often meant to trick candidates since acknowledgment of blind

spots would indicate they were aware of them. Also, do not disclose bad habits or
other personal concerns. Let the interviewer find out about your personal flaws
through the course of the interview without directly stating these flaws.
I would say everyone has blind spots and i would too. And that is why I believe in
teamwork because when you are a team you can point out other people's blind
spots and they will do the same for you.

Do you think you are overqualified for this position?

No matter your previous job experience or educational background, be sure to
tell the interviewer you have the knowledge and skills to successfully execute
the job responsibilities.
How do you propose to compensate for your lack of experience?
The first thing you should do is discuss experience you have the interviewer is
unfamiliar with. Once that is detailed, tell the person conducting the interview
that you are able to learn new tasks and information in a reasonable period of
time and possess a strong work ethic. However, only state this if you can live up
to these expectations.
Experience is only valuable if it helps you do a better job than someone without
it. Yet I am confident I can handle the positions tasks competently, making any
experience in the field unnecessary and possibly irrelevant.

Tell me about a time when you helped resolve a dispute between

others.
Be sure to discuss a very specific example. Tell the interviewer what methods
you used to solve the problem without focusing on the details of the problem.
Do you have any questions for me?
Be prepared to ask questions during every interview, specifically questions
demonstrating your desire to benefit a potential employer. The following are
examples of good questions: What departments or projects would benefit most
from my skills and experience? What do you expect the learning curve to be
before I'm effective and efficient?
Why do you want to work here?
The employer is trying to figure out your motivations and whether you've given
serious consideration to your application. You need to show that you've done
your research and understand exactly what the job entails. Explain how it fits
your long-term career plans.
Your company clearly stood out when I was researching the leading electronics
companies in the country. I am aware of your dedication to the development of
innovative consumer products and I believe that this role would be the perfect fit
considering my strong design background.
Why do you think you are suitable for this role?

You need to describe how your skills, knowledge and experience match the job
outline, while also explaining your motivation and goals.
I have always wanted to work as an exhibition designer for a museum that
embraces cultural changes and provides a sensory experience for its visitors. My
degree helped to develop key artistic and organisational skills, while the
experience that I gained from working at my local museum has been the ideal
preparation for a career in this field. I would relish the opportunity to be part of
the team that works on the concepts for your upcoming exhibits and collections.
Briefly outline your relevant skills and experience
Even if you haven't had any direct experience, you can still highlight any
transferable skills that relate to the role. Turn your answer into a positive by
making it clear that you want the job in order to gain experience in the area.
Although I haven't had the chance to gain work experience at an advertising
agency yet, I have already created high level concepts that have been used by
leading brands such as Marks & Spencer. At university, I was the copywriter for a
number of students' union marketing campaigns and have generated interest in
my work through my website, which I designed myself.
Give an example of when you have worked under pressure
You need to prove that you've handled deadlines successfully in the past.
Describe how you overcame obstacles that you had no control over.
During my work placement last year I faced various conflicting demands on my
time due to the fact that my role was inter-departmental. One particular week,
the pressures did threaten to get overwhelming as a number of key staff
members were off sick. However, this allowed me to show that I could rise to the
challenge. I left the company with praise from my peers as I always gave my
best no matter what.
What is your greatest achievement?
Choose something outside of your academic life that's uniquely significant to
you. This is an assessment of your attitude and motivations, to find out if your
values are compatible with those of the organisation.
When my mother was diagnosed with a serious illness last year, it was obviously
a traumatic and stressful time for the whole family. Even though I hadn't done
any sport since school, I decided to sign up for a run and raise money to increase
awareness of the disease. I trained hard for a number of months and kept to a
strict eating regime. I managed to raise nearly 3,000 for the charity and
finished the race in a time I could never have dreamed was possible.
Give an example of how you made a positive contribution to a team and
what the outcome was
The employer is checking that you've experience of working in a cohesive team
environment. Describe a scenario where you had to draw on strengths and
qualities in order to accomplish a group task. Explain your particular role, how
weaknesses were overcome and what you learned.

During my time in the university film society, we decided to run a series of

workshops for the local community. My role involved planning the daily activities,
ensuring that the intensive course covered everything we wanted to include.
While some tasks did overrun, the event was a resounding success with
attendees remarking on how well it had been organised.
Describe an occasion when you've had to communicate complex
information
This is a test of your ability to analyse complicated information effectively, and
communicate it in a way that the audience can understand. Set the scene and
describe your thinking process in a step-by-step way.
For my scientific research project, I had to present the ideas behind my thinking
to the rest of the class. While presentations were common at university, this was
a particularly complex proposal. I had to filter the relevant information and
summarise my work, delivering this at a level the other students could
appreciate and understand.
Tell us about the biggest challenge that you've faced and explain how
you handled it
The employer will be looking to find out about your attitude to change, as well as
your ability to problem-solve and overcome obstacles, so you need to provide a
significant example that demonstrates your adaptability in this area.
In my summer job working in a busy aftersales department I inevitably had to
deal with some tough customers. This was my first real job, and I had to learn to
successfully negotiate and interact with many people throughout the working
day. On many occasions, I was the only staff member manning the desk so I had
to cope with the pressure that this role demanded. I now feel that I am better
equipped to handle whatever challenges come my way.
What are your greatest strengths and weaknesses?
Describing your strengths may come more naturally, but when it comes to your
weaknesses, it is important to be honest and reveal things you are genuinely
looking to improve on. Your answers need to be well-considered and tailored
towards the role you are applying for. Show them that you are actively looking to
learn and grow.
I'm a driven person who works hard to attain my goals. The ability to overcome
obstacles and follow things through to completion has always been a strong
point of mine, which is why I've managed to thrive in such a competitive degree
subject. However, I am aware that as a perfectionist my delegation skills could
be improved. I would welcome training in conflict management as well as any
other opportunities to develop in this area.
Tell me about a time when you failed to complete a project on time
Your response should adequately justify the reasons for missing the deadline.
While there are various ways to approach this, you'll need to give a good
explanation and demonstrate that you've learned from this setback. The

employer is looking to determine whether you'll manage your time effectively in

the future.
In my first year, I failed to hand a history assignment in on time as I had
underestimated how long it would take to complete the project. I got carried
away with the gathering of information and left the write-up to the last minute. I
lost marks on my final grade, but fortunately still managed to pass the year. This
has never happened since, as I've made a point of allocating sufficient time to
each task. I certainly learned a valuable lesson from the experience.
You Are Overqualified for This Position, Why Would You be Interested?
At this stage of my career, it's more important for me to use my skills in an area
that interests me than to maintain my past salary level.

Describe a typical work week for you.

Interviewers expect a candidate for employment to discuss what they do while
they are working in detail. Before you answer, consider the position you are
applying for and how your current or past positions relate to it. The more you can
connect your past experience with the job opening, the more successful you will
be at answering the questions.
It should be obvious that its not a good idea talk about non-work related
activities that you do on company time, but, Ive had applicants tell me how they
are often late because they have to drive a child to school or like to take a long
lunch break to work at the gym.
Keep your answers focused on work and show the interviewer that youre
organized (The first thing I do on Monday morning is check my voicemail and
email, then I prioritize my activities for the week.) and efficient.

"You shouldn't hire me if you are looking someone who thrives in an

environment where management strictly prescribes how each task should be
performed. I work better when given some general guidelines with a desired
outcome and then am allowed some leeway regarding how I would carry out that
task".

"You shouldn't hire me if an extrovert wouldn't fit in well at your company or in

this job. I thrive on interaction with colleagues and customers. I can stay on
task, but building positive relationships with people is my clear priority."

"My work style is X, that makes me bad at Y and I compensate for that with Z"
For example:

I like managing complex work and smart people. I let each person take
ownership on my team, which means I don't micromanage and I don't delve too
deeply into details. I often joke that I have the memory of a goldfish, because I
bounce so quickly from topic to topic. I've learned that that means my
knowledge of the details is very weak, I don't trust myself with remembering
things. I've learned do two things to compensate - I take a LOT of notes, and I ask
my team for help as soon as we get to the details of a major plan. And when I
encounter a detail I don't know, I don't guess, I admit it and take action to follow
up. I keep good awareness of who does know all the details, so I can get help
when I need it."
"If I understand the position correctly, you need someone who will do X" and
then go from there. So this question could be asked with the intent that you'll
disclose what you think the position entails, and then that will give them the
insight if your vision of the position doesn't line up with the actual job duties.

Weakness
"Some people would consider the fact that I have never worked in this field
before as a weakness. However, being highly trainable and open minded, I have
no pre-conceived notions on how to perform my job.
(Recovery)"Working with your organization will give me the opportunity to learn
the job the way you want it done, not the way I believe it is done. In addition,
although I have no former on-the-job experience, I do bring with me extensive
hands-on training and experience which can only enhance my ability to learn
extremely quickly."