TOUGH QUESTIONS

When invited for a job interview, we expect to go through the familiar chronological set of
questions and we are generally well prepared for such a classic exercise. But what about those
unexpected and confusing type of questions such as:

"So...tell us about yourself"

Er!...about me!...sure I am a hard worker...there's nothing wrong with me...While this may be
seen as an easy one, quite a few solid candidates blundered on this simple question. The
reason is that we are not accustomed to sell our abilities and competence like a product. For
those who have given it some thought, this is the right opportunity to talk about your strengths
such as your enthusiasm, leadership, self-confidence and reliability, with a few anecdotes
supporting your points.

What would you say is your strongest quality?

You certainly have numerous qualities and since you have to choose only one be careful as it
will also reflect your values. Some might say honesty, others reliability or sense of leadership,
but whatever it might be, be ready to make reference to a situation where you have
demonstrated such a strength.

What interests you most about this position?

Your education, training and experience background as well as your accomplishments should
provide good references for answering that question. Do not hesitate to stress the fact that
this would represent a dynamic move, while giving you the opportunity to grow, to increase
your responsibilities, your know-how and possibly to reach new goals.

Do you work well under pressure?

Everyone will say yes but it would be more convincing if you could provide examples of
situations when you have remained cool under fire. Be careful not to choose a situation of
crisis for which you were the one responsible!

If you could change one thing about your personality, what would it be? Why?
Your answer to such a question could turn positive if you choose a feature related to your
attitude and determination. Comments such as "I am sometimes impatient with slow
performers" or "Being very demanding on myself I sometimes expect too much from others"
are good. Keep in mind that most interviewers will use the information you give to raise even
more incisive questions.

Interviews should never end leaving a doubt, a negative element, a failure or a "limited"
success. Every situation as regrettable or painful as it might have been, has served you
positively. Those lessons of the past have helped you developing your know-how and have
contributed in some way to your achievements.

Why do you want this job?

Think carefully about this question. Stress the positive aspects which have attracted you to
applying for this position. Do not mention the negative aspects of your current job or the job in
question.
What qualities do you think will be required for this job?
Their advertisement for the job may help you a little bit, but you should also think of the other
qualities that may be required. These may include leadership ability, supervisory skills,
communication skills, interpersonal skills, problem solving, analytical skills, etc.

What can you contribute?

This is your chance to shine. Tell them about your achievements in your previous position(s)
which are relevant to the new position you are applying for.

Why do you want to work for this company?

Emphasise the positive reasons why you want to join their company, but avoid aspects such as
more money or shorter hours. These would not endear you to a prospective employer.

What do you know about this company?

This is your chance to impress the interviewer with your knowledge of their company. Give
them a run down of their products/services, sales figures, news, company figures, customers,
etc.

What interests you about our product (or service)?

Again, your research into the company should aid you in answering this question.

What can we (the new company) offer that your previous company cannot offer?
Tread carefully here! Again do not mention money. Stress opportunities for personal growth,
new challenges, etc.

You have not done this sort of job before. How will you cope/succeed?
Say that you are the sort of person who aims to succeed at everything you do and that you are
very determined and will do whatever it takes to get the job done.

Why should we employ you?

The answer to this question will be based on your previous experience and achievements
which relate to the company. At the end you could add that you think there is a good fit
between you and the job, and do ask the interviewer for their opinion.

How long do you think it would be before you were making a significant contribution to the
team/company?
If you think that you could contribute from day one then say so. Then turn the question round
on them and say how soon would they expect it.

How ambitious are you? Would you compete for my job?

Depending on the position you are applying for you may want to sound fairly ambitious, but do
not look as if you are after the interviewer's position.

What do you like and dislike about the job we are discussing?
Likes: stress things such as a new challenge or the opportunity to bring fresh experience to the
company. Dislikes: Imply there is nothing to dislike about the job, which is why you are so
interested.
Why did you choose a career in …?
Be positive about your reasons. If you have changed careers make a logical argument as to
why you did so.

Why are you changing careers?

This question will only be asked if you are making a radical change in your career. Always
stress the positive aspects of the change rather than the negative aspects of your previous
career - you do not want to come across as someone who is moving just because you hate
your old career. Say why you think you will be good in the new career - this should come from
your experience and achievements, stress the transferable skills you have, such as leadership
ability, etc.

How much does your last job resemble the one you are applying for? What are the differences?
The interviewer is trying to see how well you would fit in to the position you are applying for.
So you should stress the similarities rather than the differences. When it comes to discussing
the differences it will help your case if you can show that either you have done something
similar in the past or that you can quickly pick up the new skills.

What do you think of the last company you worked for?

You should stress the positive aspects of your last company saying that they were a good
company to work for. Tell them about the training you received or the work related experience
you gained.

Why did you join your previous company? Did they live up to your expectations? Why are you
leaving now?
Always be positive about your reasons for joining and leaving a company. Be very careful that
you do not say anything negative about your present employer. If you do, the new company
will wonder what you will say about them when you leave. You might want to stress that you
are looking for a new challenge and that you feel that the company who is interviewing you fits
the bill!

Explain the organisation structure in your last company and how you fitted into it?
This sort of question may be used to find out whether your old job is at a comparable level to
your new job. If the new job being discussed would be a step up the ladder you will need to
show that you are ready for a more demanding position. You may be able to show that you
have already had many of the responsibilities and the necessary skills which would be required
for the next step.

How would you describe yourself? / How would others describe you?
Pick your best attributes and achievements from your career.

Do you consider yourself successful?

You should say you do. Pick some work related achievements that are in line with the position
that you are discussing.

What was your greatest success? How did you achieve it?
You should pick an achievement which is related to their needs.
What has been your biggest failure?
Try to pick a failure which you were later able to correct or something that is not really
important.

How could you improve yourself?

Do not mention anything negative about yourself - the interviewer is looking for a chink in your
armour.

Did you feel you progressed satisfactorily in your last job?

If you progressed faster than normal you should say so. If growth was not as good as expected
then be careful how you phrase this.

Are you a leader?

State how you have successfully acted as a leader, giving examples of your successes.

How do you handle criticism?

Your answer should be along the following lines: "I always think that it is important to get
feedback on how I am performing so that I can improve any areas which my
manager/supervisor highlights. Do you have regular staff appraisals and a staff development
plan?"

What sort of manager are you? / What makes a good manager?

You should say that it is someone who listens to other people and can delegate whilst
maintaining overall control of the task at hand, bringing in the project on time and to budget.
Good planning skills are essential.

Do you work well with others? Or are you a loner?

Some jobs mean that you have to work very closely with other people whilst other jobs mean
that you are largely working on your own, so you need to say that you are happy in both
situations.

Do you need other people around to stimulate you or are you self-motivated?
You need to say that you are self-motivated.

Are you accepted into a team quickly?

Hopefully you can answer a resounding "Yes" to this question.

Can you act on your own initiative?

You should say that you can. You could ask how much responsibility you would have.

More questions

• Who or what has had the greatest influence on your life?

• What motivates you to put forth your best effort?
• How has your education prepared you for a career?
• What qualifications do you have that make you think that you will be successful in this
career?
• How do you define or evaluate success?
• What do you think it takes to be successful in a company like ours?
• What qualities should a successful manager possess?
• Describe your most rewarding college experience.
• Why should I hire you?
• If you were hiring a graduate for this position, what qualities would you look for?

Useless Interview Questions

• What are your future plans?

• What are your strengths? Weakness?
• If you could be any animal, what would it be?
• How can you contribute to this company?
• What kind of a manager would you be?
• Will you do anything necessary on the job?

Even if "useless" is an exaggeration, these questions cannot measure a candidate's

qualifications for a job.

Fifty Standard Entry Level Interview Questions

• Tell me about yourself.

• What do you want to do with your life?
• Do you have any actual work experience?
• How would you describe your ideal job?
• Why did you choose this career?
• When did you decide on this career?
• What goals do you have in your career?
• How do you plan to achieve these goals?
• How do you evaluate success?
• Describe a situation in which you were successful.
• What do you think it takes to be successful in this career?
• What accomplishments have given you the most satisfaction in your life?
• If you had to live your life over again, what would you change?
• Would your rather work with information or with people?
• Are you a team player?
• What motivates you?
• Why should I hire you?
• Are you a goal-oriented person?
• Tell me about some of your recent goals and what you did to achieve them.
• What are your short-term goals?
• What is your long-range objective?
• What do you see yourself doing five years from now?
• Where do you want to be ten years from now?
• Do you handle conflict well?
• Have you ever had a conflict with a boss or professor? How did you resolve it?
• What major problem have you had to deal with recently?
• Do you handle pressure well?
• What is your greatest strength?
• What is your greatest weakness?
• If I were to ask one of your professors to describe you, what would he or she say?
• Why did you choose to attend your college?
• What changes would you make at your college?
• How has your education prepared you for your career?
• What were your favorite classes? Why?
• Do you enjoy doing independent research?
• Who were your favorite professors? Why?
• Why is your GPA not higher?
• Do you have any plans for further education?
• How much training do you think you'll need to become a productive employee?
• What qualities do you feel a successful manager should have?
• Why do you want to work in the _____ industry?
• What do you know about our company?
• Why are you interested in our company?
• Do you have any location preferences?
• How familiar are you with the community that we're located in?
• Will you relocate? In the future?
• Are you willing to travel? How much?
• Is money important to you?
• How much money do you need to make to be happy?
• What kind of salary are you looking for?

Interview Questions You Can Ask

• Why is this position open?

• Where is the person now who was previously in this position?
• Would you describe a typical work day and the things I'd be doing?
• What duties are most important for this job? Least important?
• How would I be trained or introduced to the job?
• Where does the position fit into the overall organizational structure of the company?
• What are the department's goals for the year?
• Who are the other people I'd be working with and what do they do?
• Can someone in this job be promoted? If so, to what position?
• How will I get feedback on my job performance?
• If hired, would I report directly to you, or to someone else?
• Has the company had a layoff in the last 3 years? How long was the layoff? Was everyone
recalled?
• Is this company owned by another corporation?
• What major markets does this company compete in?
• Could you give me a tour? I'd enjoy seeing where your people work.
• What could I say or do to convince you to offer me the job?
• Who will be my boss if I get the job?
• May I see a written job description for this position?
• What specifically do you need me to accomplish in the first 30/60/90 days?
• What do you like best about working there?
• What do you like least about working there?
• What are the company's goals for the next 2 years? 5 years?
• How is success measured in this corporation?
• What is the best track record of (title of position you are applying for)?
• Why is the position open?
• What are the prior problem areas in this position?
• Where do you see this position leading over the next 2-3 years?
• What are the next steps in this interview process? How many people do you plan to hire?
• To whom would I be reporting to if I am hired? Tell me about the organizational structure.
• How are people evaluated in your organization?
• What role does your company play in developing the employees? What type of training is
available for someone in my potential position?
• What did you like most about the person who previously held this position?
• What are the greatest challenges facing the person in this position?
• What kind of support does this position receive in terms of people and finances?
• How will my performance be measured and how is successful performance usually
rewarded?
• Can you describe your organizational culture?
• What do people seem to like most/least about working here?
• Would it be possible to meet the people who work in the department?
• Do you encourage participation in community or professional activities?
• How does the company intend to remain competitive?

Behavioral Interview Questions

Tell me about a time when you...

• Worked effectively under pressure.

• Handled a difficult situation with a co-worker.
• Were creative in solving a problem.
• Had to deal with an irate customer.
• Surmounted a major obstacle.
• Prioritized the elements of a complicated project.
• Lost (or won) an important contract.
• Had to fire a friend.
• Missed an obvious solution to a problem.
• Persuaded team members to do things your way.
• Anticipated potential problems and developed preventive measures.
• Were forced to make an unpopular decision.
• Were tolerant of an opinion that was different from yours.
• Were disappointed in your behavior.
• Were unable to complete a project on time.
• Had to make an important decision with limited facts.
• Had to adapt to a difficult situation.
• Delegated a project effectively.
• Set your sights too high (or too low).
• Got bogged down in the details of a project.
• Made a bad decision.