Question: What importance do you attach to market research in your profession?

Answer: Market research considered key aspect in this role and researching is all important for a marketing manager. Based on research, the manager decides on strategies, marketing tactics, campaigns, pricing and promotion policies. Market research allows identifying new product trends, which allows introducing new services or products into the company product line. It also allows following recent developments and competitors. Question: How is the marketing managers related to product development? Answer: You can use this reply The marketing manager evaluates the financial aspect of development. He adjusts development with companys financial goals and means (budget). He also assesses the relevance of the product to the current market. If necessary, the marketing manager suggests changes to product development in order to optimize its success among current customers. Question: What are your qualifications as a marketing manager? Answer: List some key qualifications and add a brief example from your professional career. Marketing Managers are multitaskers. They are independent problem solvers and initiative researchers. But they are also great team players, coordinating their activities with other departments, senior management, customers, market leaders and suppliers. Question: What is the importance of team work in marketing management? Answer: Teamwork is important as the marketing managers does his research and makes his strategic decisions based on external resources as well as cross company personnel. He brings his team work to perfection resulting in product development, marketing initiatives, promotion, and advertising. He must know how to explain, lead and instruct. S/he must be able to understand the goals and means of the organization in order to adapt his own decisions for optimal effect. For example: marketing strategies may influence product shape and color and vice versa. Question: How do you participate in product development? Answer: Talk about coordinating actions and info with the development department at every stage. Give examples of how you marketing management influences product development and vice versa. Question: Have you ever conducted staff training or done presentations? Answer: It may be extensive training, but you may also mention any instruction of personnel regarding your strategies, research, possible changes, new production polices, etc. Such instruction often involves presentations. Presentations are also often used when reporting to senior management. Product Management: Interview Questions for Product Managers Give an example of a product lifecycle. Specify stages like market research, development, documentation, mass production, launch, marketing, branding, services etc. Take me through how youve defined and managed a product from start to finish. Describe a new product market research. Go thru its value proposition, target customers and competitive analysis to the products positioning strategy. How do you measure product success? How do you decide on the product pricing strategy? What are the factors you consider the most? Would you change product pricing according to market needs, competitors or profits/loss? How would you increase clients satisfaction? Give an example of an innovative idea/solution youve identified and implemented? Would you modify/correct business priorities for a product (features, marketing etc.) for any new condition arises that you havent considered before? What are the differences between Waterfall and Agile development techniques? Have you had a situation in which a product went over its budget and timeline? How have you handled this case and what did you learn? Tell us the steps you take to obtain feedback from clients and integrate relevant requirements into companys products. How to answer the above questions? The interviewer would want to learn about your experience on leading a product. He or she want to observe your skills and experience on taking a new product from the very beginning of a vision to the execution, leading it to success. You would want to present your leadership and management style the way you defined, influenced, managed and implemented the marketing process of a product. Therefore, the best way to answer the

above questions is to take examples of your favorite products and discuss their key mile stones. Dont forget to mention obstacles youve faced (and managed to overcome) and list your achievements. You would want to convince the employer on your abilities to: Thoroughly learn/understand the functional/technical aspects of a complex system. Thoroughly learn/understand the market needs thru performing market analysis. Supporting/Coaching other company staff, such as: R&D, Sales, Support/Service and financial/logistic departments. Being proactive, self motivated and goal oriented person. Manager Interview Questions and Answers Essential Guide business and management principles Feel confident and prepared by anticipating strategic planning manager interview questions based on the administrative procedures knowledge and core competencies (skills and operating systems abilities) commonly required for success in a read and interpret accounting and financial management job. reports The knowledge requirements will vary depending budgets on the employer, level and scope of the manager organizational planning tools job. However typical knowledge requirements for information processing applications managerial or supervisory jobs include: relevant software applications human resource management principles Manager interview questions around the knowledge requirements are answered by reviewing your resume or CV as they refer directly to your qualifications and work task experience. Anticipate and plan for questions that explore your training and qualifications and your task experience, with reference to the specific knowledge requirements listed. Examples include: "What methods have you used to evaluate employee's job performance?" "What experience do you have in setting budgets?" "What systems have you developed and implemented to improve operating efficiency in your department?" The interview will focus on questions that look for evidence of management-related competencies. You will be asked to provide specific examples of when you have demonstrated the required competency. You should reflect on your past experiences, select appropriate examples and plan your response using the following structure: Describe the specific situation or task you were involved in Detail the action and steps you took in the situation Outline the results and outcome of your actions. What happened, what was accomplished, what did you learn? Go through the manager interview questions that explore the essential competencies for a management or supervisory position. Use the answer guidelines to help you prepare your own excellent answers. Judgment and Decision-making "Tell me about a tough decision you had to make recently at work , how did you go about making the decision?" "Describe a problem you recently experienced with an employee who reported to you, how did you solve it?" Answer guidelines : Show how you are able to review the relevant facts, consider alternatives and decide on the most appropriate action. Discuss how you take into consideration the available resources and any possible constraints. Manager interview questions will also explore the competency of Delegation of Tasks and Responsibility "Tell me about an important assignment or task that you delegated. How did you ensure that it would be completed successfully?"

"When delegating a recent assignment, describe how you showed your confidence in the person's ability to do the job?" Answer Guidelines : Show how you assign tasks and responsibility to the appropriate people, how you clarify exactly what is expected, communicate confidence and ensure adequate resources are available for successful completion of the task. Include follow-up procedures and setting deadlines. Staff Motivation "Give me an example of when you successfully motivated your staff using incentives or rewards." "Describe a time you had to motivate a staff member who was reluctant to undertake an assignment. Answer Guidelines : Show how you determine the appropriate motivation strategies for your staff members by understanding their different needs and perspectives. Include the communication of goals and visions to your staff, gaining commitment to these, establishing appropriate reward and incentive structures and supporting and leading staff to success. Staff Development "Describe a time you had to provide training or coaching to different staff members on the same tasks." "Give me an example of when you had to provide feedback to a staff member who was performing poorly, how did you go about this and what was the outcome?" Answer Guidelines : Show how you have facilitated the development of knowledge and skills, how you adjust your approach according to the individual and provide support where needed. Discuss how you are able to assess the needs of your staff, establish a plan for improvement considering available resources and the individual requirements and gain agreement to this plan. Staff Communication "Give me a specific example of when you had to clearly communicate your expectations to a subordinate." "Tell me about the steps you took to establish rapport with a new staff member." Answer Guidelines : Show how you communicate information effectively to an individual or group, adjusting your approach according to the situation. Include your ability to see the other person's perspective and establish a constructive relationship. Work Management "Talk me through a short term plan you developed and implemented for your department." "What methods have you used to prioritize work assignments?" Answer Guidelines : Describe your ability to establish objectives, set priorities, plan proper assignment of tasks, allocate resources effectively, use appropriate organizational tools and follow up on work status. Expect manager interview questions that explore your motivation and commitment to a managerial position, such as: "What do you consider to be the most challenging thing about being a manager?" "What are the recent trends in management that you have come across?" "How would you describe your management style?" These manager interview questions are a good guide of what to expect in your manager or supervisor job interview. Prepare thoroughly and feel confident that you will stand out as the right candidate for the job! Click here to view more management interview questions and sample answers. Management Interview Questions and Answers Expect management interview questions that explore your personal management style. The questions that focus on how you interact with employees rather than the sort of work you can do. What management style have you found to be most effective? The interviewer is evaluating your ability to adapt your management style to different people and circumstances. Describe how you are able to employ different management styles and interpersonal skills to get the best out of the situation. Give reasons why you use a particular management style in a certain situation and why it works. For example: "I find that it is not effective to use only one type of management style, I have to adapt according to the individual I am dealing with and the situation. For example with inexperienced employees I use a management style that involves a high level of task instruction and close supervision. I find this effective

because the employee needs to be secure that they know exactly what to do and how to do it. They also require constant support to build their confidence. For a more experienced employee who is comfortable with the work, I delegate the task and expect them to come to me for help if they need it. This demonstrates my trust in their ability to do the job on their own." Work-force diversity has important implications. Managers need to be able to recognize employee differences and respond to those differences in ways that ensure effective working relationships. Management interview questions will include: What type of people do you work with most effectively? This is basically asking what type of employees do you get on with and what type of employees do you find it difficult to work with. This is an important question because it again evaluates the flexibility of your management style. Are you able to communicate and interact effectively with a variety of individuals? Are you able to establish good working relationships with a diverse group of employees? "I work well with people who are hardworking, competent and confident of their abilities. Obviously I have had to manage people who do not fall into this category. When this happens I set myself the challenge of developing the employee and helping them to use their skills to their fullest potential. My goal is to support them towards competence and confidence through guidance, direction and mentoring." What aspect of your management style would you like to change? No-one is the perfect manager so denying that you have any areas for improvement shows a lack of selfawareness and insight. Focus on an aspect of your management style that you're working to improve. Describe the steps you're taking and give evidence on your progress. "I have been trying not to give my employees the answers when they ask for help with a problem. They need to learn how to come up with the solutions themselves and I need to guide and facilitate this process. I have read up on how to do this and have put these facilitation skills into practice. For example, I allocate however much time is needed to sit down with the employee and work through the problem. We discuss it, I give my view of the situation and then ask the employee to go away and think about the best solution." The manager's relationship with his or her employees is determined by the management style employed. This relationship, because of the current economic downturn and downsizing, is more vulnerable than ever before. Expect tough management interview questions that explore your ability to handle diverse employees and changing work situations. Prepare insightful interview answers that highlight your ability to effectively do this. Management job interview questions are designed to explore the candidate's management-related competencies and personal management style. Popular manager interview questions are outlined with The manager interview focuses on six main areas of competence. These are the abilities or competencies that a successful manager displays, regardless of age, gender, industry or organization. Prepare for interview questions that explore your ability to make decisions, delegate, develop and motivate staff, communicate effectively and manage your work. practical answer guidelines. A manager interview uses behavioral interview questions to determine the candidate's level of competency in these areas. Prepare for your job interview by viewing these behavioral job interview questions with sample answers and guidelines at The Manager Interview Behavioral Questions and Answers Guide Expect interview questions that explore your personal management style. These questions look at how you relate to employees and how well you fit with the company. The interviewer is looking for a manager that can fit in with the team and complement the current management style of the company. Interview questions include: What management style have you found to be the most effective? What type of people do you enjoy working with? Is there anything about your management style you would like to change? Expert answer guidelines to these interview questions can be viewed at Manager Interview Answers

Management job interview questions will include those that investigate your understanding and knowledge of what management means in the context of today's changing business environment. Expect questions like: What do you consider to be the most challenging aspect about being a manager in business today? There are a number of complex challenges that managers now face including having access to fewer resources, managing more specialized and more diverse teams and having to operate within a constantly changing and highly competitive environment. Relate your answer to the knowledge you have of the job, the company and the industry. What are the most critical skills a manager needs to succeed in today's business climate? Refer back to the key behavioral competencies for a management position. Relate them to management tasks that are impacted on by current economic conditions, such as planning and executing, cost-control, developing and motivating employees and communicating and managing change. What important trends have you picked up in our industry? Be prepared with two or three trends that demonstrate your knowledge of the industry. Consider technological challenges and opportunities, current economic conditions and demands and growing competitiveness. Your approach to personal and professional development will be evaluated with manager interview questions like What is your favorite management book? Be prepared with a list of books you have read about management and show a proactive approach to self development. Expect common job interview questions in your manager interview. Get interview answer help and tips to interview questions that focus on your strengths and weaknesses, your greatest achievements and your career goals at Typical Interview Questions and Answers Interview questions with answer guidelines that determine you ability to handle conflict and deal with difficult situations can be found at Standard Interview Questions Project manager interview questions will include those that explore the most important competencies or behaviors that a project manager requires to be effective and survive in today's tough business environment. Interview questions that explore these behaviors include team building and team management, planning and organizing, negotiation, problem-solving, leadership and adaptability are discussed with interview answer guidelines at Project Manager Behavioral Interview Questions During the project manager interview you will be asked interview questions that focus on your training and experience with the efficient delivery of different projects. These are listed with answer guidelines at Project Manager Interview Questions. Standard Interview Questions and Winning Answers Behind standard interview questions there is usually a specific concern or requirement. A candidate needs to think about what the interviewers concern or need might be - why is the interviewer asking you this question? These job interview questions are likely to be asked in some form or other. Employers are looking for a person who can rise above conflict and problems and find win-win solutions. Use these guidelines to prepare and practice answers to these standard interview questions. How do you handle conflict? The interviewer wants to know how you react to conflict and how you manage it. Try to focus your job interview answer on the behavioral process that you use to resolve the conflict. Don't direct your answer at how difficult you boss or co-workers are and how hard it is to work with them. This portrays you as someone who does not get on easily with other people and employers want someone who gets on well with others. Use your interview answer to highlight your interpersonal skills, your maturity and your ability to stay calm in the face of difficulty. For example: "Everyone has to deal with conflict at some point. I have found that when there is conflict it helps to try and put yourself in the other person's shoes and understand their perspective. It is important

to ask questions and listen to their point of view. If you know what their interpretation of the situation is, then it is easier to work out a solution. For example.... ( give a specific example of a conflict situation and how you dealt with it)." Emphasize the techniques you use to diffuse conflict such understanding the other person's position, asking questions to find out the cause of the conflict, not conveying blame and not becoming too emotional. Demonstrate your ability to work collaboratively to reach an acceptable resolution. Here is another of those standard interview questions that is exploring a number of aspects at once. What has been the most difficult situation you have had to face? This job interview question is trying to determine two things - what your definition of difficult is and how you approach challenges and problems. Avoid discussing difficult situations that were directly caused by you. Make sure it is a situation that most people would consider difficult or tough. Think of specific problems that tested your skills and abilities and had positive outcomes. Highlight the way you analyzed the situation, the skills you used to professionally deal with it and what your particular contribution to resolving it was. Always try to end on a positive note Examples of difficult situations include having to discipline an employee, unreasonable goals and deadlines, unreasonable customers and clients, adapting to change and facing unethical work practices. Job skills that should be highlighted include common sense, perseverance, diplomacy, maturity, stress management and assessment skills. For example: "I have faced a number of difficult situations, but the one that comes to mind now is ...... ( describe the situation). I was able to deal with it by assessing the situation, determining the possible different approaches and deciding on the most effective one. I had to remain unemotional and objective and focused on a solution." Preparing your answers to job interview questions like these sets you up for interview success. Click on the table above to view more standard interview questions and good sample answers. What do you like most about your current or last job? The interviewer wants to evaluate your compatibility with the position you are interviewing for. Make your answer relevant to the job requirements. General reasons such as new challenges, interacting with people, growth and learning opportunities, using your initiative, working as part of a team and meeting set objectives and goals are usually applicable to most job opportunities. Highlight the reason and make it more specific by quoting an example. "I enjoyed having to use my initiative. I have implemented and improved a number of the systems including the order processing system." What do you like least about your current or last job? With typical interview questions like this be careful that the dislikes you talk about do not refer to specific characteristics of the job opportunity you are interviewing for. Stay away from reasons such as overtime and salary. Avoid criticism of your boss, management or co-workers. Be general and refer to the lack of or absence of what you seek in a job or work environment. For example, "There was very little opportunity for me to use my initiative. I regard this as one of my strengths and found it frustrating that I was unable to get past the bureaucracy of such a big company to implement any improvements. That is why I am enthusiastic about working for a smaller company like this which I know encourages employees to use their initiative." Or "There was a lack of growth opportunities in such as small company. One of the reasons I am so interested in your company is that it is a much larger organization with formal career planning structures in place." This way you emphasize why you are a suitable candidate for this job and company as well as turning it into a compliment to the company you are interviewing with. How to answer the question "What do you like and dislike about the sales job?" How would you describe your previous manager/boss/supervisor When answering typical interview questions about previous managers avoid saying anything that can be interpreted as negative. It sends up a red flag about your attitude to authority and supervision. Even if

there is something truly negative about your boss rather try to find something positive to focus on. The answer you give should be fact-based and not just your opinion. For example: "My manager was very experienced, he had managed a number of big call centers over the past 12 years. He liked his staff to be able to work independently and I had to learn quickly to become independent about analyzing problems and finding solutions." In this answer you are stating a positive fact about your boss, his amount of experience. You are also turning a possible negative about your boss, his lack of support, into a positive about you. You have not criticized your boss and you have taken the opportunity to highlight your ability to be proactive and deal with a situation. Use these sample answers to help prepare your own good interview answers to these typical interview questions. You will stand out as the professional and prepared job candidate. Prepare for other common interview questions using our recommended sample answers and interview answer guidelines. What are your strengths?" make your answer to this common job interview question relevant. Tailor your strengths to the job and highlight why they qualify you as the right candidate for the job opportunity. Don't make the mistake of frustrating the interviewer as you describe what a great athlete you are and list your latest sports achievements during your sales job interview. However, with some thought you can translate almost all of your strong-points into job-relevant attributes that will contribute to your success in the job. When answering this job interview question you can point out how the determination and discipline you need to be a good athlete are certainly important strengths in a sales position. Free interview answers include: "To achieve as an athlete I had to stick to a tough training program and make sure I kept myself motivated . I had to be disciplined and determined. I believe these strengths strongly contribute to my success in sales" Candidates often find it hard to verbalize their strengths, so spend some time thinking about this before the interview. What are your interests? Building beautiful doll house furniture may not immediately seem to have any relevance to that accounting position, but the attention to detail needed for this is definitely a jobrelevant strength. What have been your successes, what attributes did you have to demonstrate to achieve them? Ask your friends, colleagues and family to tell you what they appreciate about you. How will these attributes benefit a future employer? Don't just list your strengths, back them up with facts. An attribute is far more powerful if it is rooted in a relevant example. Sample free interview answers include: "I'm an adaptable person. I work for three different managers, they have very different management styles and expectations of me. I am able to adjust my approach to meet each of their needs" Avoid over-used, vague terms such as "people's person". Be specific and pertinent. "I am good with customers. I enjoy the challenge of turning a dissatisfied customer into a satisfied one. Just last week I had an experience when ......." and quote a specific example of how you successfully managed an unhappy client. Focus on three or four strengths. Good examples include organizational and planning skills, perseverance, persuasive ability, communication skills, leadership ability, stress tolerance, ability to learn and apply new information and skills, flexibility, independence, problem-solving, creativity, technical and professional knowledge, reliability, self-motivation and initiative. Suggested reading - How to identify Your Strengths for a guide to finding out what your strengths are.

Review the Free Interview Answers to Plan for this Tough Job Interview Question: "What are your weaknesses?" With this typical interview question the interviewer is assessing your self awareness and insight rather than your weaknesses. The ability to acknowledge a weakness is often seen as a sign of maturity and wisdom. Refer to a true weakness but then turn it into a positive by describing it as an area for development. In your job interview answer relate what steps you have taken to try and improve. "I'm impatient with people who don't work at the same pace as me but I'm learning to manage this. I make sure that they have the right resources for the job, I follow up to see that they are on track and I step in and help when needed" "I can be disorganized, I am aware of this and make sure I answer my emails and messages straight away. I update my calendar as soon as I have a new task or appointment, this really helps" A good guide is to acknowledge one or two weaknesses, describe the efforts made to overcome these and end your story on a positive note. "I've been reluctant to delegate. I have had to re-evaluate this as it was creating a big workload for me. I assign each person a specific, manageable task and then follow up to satisfy myself that it is being done properly, this seems to work well" Some weaknesses can be interpreted as a strength. Examples include: "I can be a bit aggressive in getting to my goals" "At times I can get too involved in other people's problems, trying to help them" These are two of the most difficult questions to answer in the job interview. Prepare using these sample free interview answers and stand out as the right candidate. Standard interview questions and answer guidelines about handling conflict, your ideal job, how you define success and what motivates you. The Behavioral Interview Guide provides free interview answers to common behavioral or situational interview questions. "Why should we hire you?" Review the job description and note down the job requirements. Refer to your skills and experience relevant to the job requirements and the company's needs. What benefits are you bringing to this job? Mention your previous successes and your goals for the future. Be straightforward and confident about your abilities. " I have the right combination of skills and experience for this job. I also bring the additional quality of strong analytical and problem solving ability as shown by my introduction of a more efficient work flow system at ABC Company. My commitment to excellent work standards will add value to the team. I am a fast learner, I had to learn a totally new operating system in my last job and I was up and running within a couple of weeks. One of the reasons I want to work for this company is your reputation for staff development, learning and growth are important values to me. I sincerely believe I am the right person for this job and for this company" When answering interview questions like this, don't try to say that you are the best qualified candidate, you are not familiar with the other candidates' skills and experience. Rather highlight the reasons why you are the right candidate for this job. "My abilities in sales really seem to fit this job. My success at ABC in achieving an annual growth rate of 25% support this. I have worked with a similar product line and have an in-depth understanding of the technical aspects. My experience as a member of a large team will contribute to your department and I am enthusiastic about the new challenges involved in this position" Be enthusiastic about why you want this job. "I really would like this job selling gift items and I strongly believe I will be good at it. I enjoy talking to customers and helping them find what they are looking for. I am meticulous about handling cash. I look

forward to having regular hours and I am very reliable. In fact, my reference emphasizes that as one of my strong points" For a good guide to identifying your strengths that will help you answer this interview question. What about answering interview questions such as "Why do you want to work for this company?" Use your background research to prepare for this question, this way you will differentiate yourself from the other candidates. "I understand this company is expanding, your website indicates that you are about to launch a number of new products. I would like to be a part of this exciting growth" "I have always wanted an opportunity to work with a company that provides such an important service to the community" "You are a small company with great opportunity for staff development" "Your company has a reputation for being innovative and open to new ideas" Find something specific about the company to hook into. Look at the company values, mission, vision and successes. How do you complement and contribute to these? "I know that your goal is to become the biggest provider of office supplies in the area. My knowledge and experience of the customer base can make a big contribution to this. I would really enjoy the challenge of growing this business" Focused research and planning before answering interview questions puts you on the path to success to your job interview! Standard interview questions and answer guidelines about handling conflict, your ideal job, how you In your answer highlight how your skills, knowledge and experience relate to the job and the company profile. Where you were born and grew up, or what pets you have is not likely to show the interviewer why you are a good candidate for the job opportunity. define success and what motivates you. The interviewer wants to know if you will fit in with the rest of the team, the department and the company. The interviewer is also trying to find out what motivates you and whether it is consistent with what the job and the employer offer. Refer to your background research and review the job requirements, focus on how you specifically meet these needs. For example, if the job requires you to work as part of a team, tell the interviewer about the projects you have undertaken as a team-member. Most jobs require an element of team work, so this is a good aspect to focus on when thinking about answers to this interview question Use this sample answer to help prepare your own good interview answer to this question: "In my previous 2 positions I worked as part of a team on a number of projects. A big project I was involved with at ABC company was writing a new safety policy. It was a really in-depth project so I put together a safety review committee. We worked together for a month to identify the safety needs of the various departments and what procedures would meet those needs. Our policy has been well accepted and safety problems have decreased in all areas" By pointing out to the Interviewer the specific benefits of hiring you for this job, rather than giving a rambling autobiography, you will be positively remembered and set yourself apart from the other candidates. The interviewer has probably already read your Resume or CV, so avoid just repeating that information during the interview questions and answers. For example, when talking about your sales experience, rather than telling the interviewer "I spent three years in sales at XYZ Company"

draw attention to your success during that time. "When working at XYZ I focused on growing the customer base in the Northeast and increased sales by 50% over a three year period" It is impressive to quantify your success wherever possible. Use your research on the company to emphasize how you fit in. For example your information indicates that the company has a strong responsibility to the community, you can point out why you value that, discuss any volunteer work you have done, underline why it is one of the things that attracts you to them. "I know that this company sponsors some of the local youth football teams. This is a particular interest of mine, last year I got involved in coaching. It is important to me that the company holds the same values" If you do not have enough information about the position to prepare adequately for this question beforehand, ask the interviewer "What areas would you like me to focus on?" and go from there. Refer to the specific job interview guides to know which interview questions to expect for positions from accounting to sales. Use the recommended guidelines to prepare for your job interview questions and answers. This interview question is often included in Group Interview Questions. Which interview question and answer are you looking for help with? Use the search box below to find the questions and answers you want to prepare for your interview. "What has been your greatest achievement to date?" Choose an achievement that is related to the position and is fairly recent. Review the job description, if you have it, or the job posting or ad. What skills are listed as necessary for the job?. This will guide you to the most relevant answer for this employment interview question. Does the position need superior sales ability, someone with keen attention to detail, strong management skills or excellent problem-solving ability? Reflect upon achievements that demonstrated this skill. Describe your accomplishment and highlight the job-related skills you used. Point out how the results benefited the company. If a requirement is problem-solving skills: "Recently I was asked to implement a new system to reduce our debtors days. I analyzed the problems with the current system, got input from all the stakeholders, and developed a faster way of getting the accounts out and monitoring follow up. Our debtors days reduced significantly and we are currently on target for collections" If a requirement is attention to detail: "I am responsible for taking the customer orders by phone. I listen carefully, ask for clarification and always confirm the order to make sure I have everything correct. In this past year I am the only person in my department who has not made an error on the orders. Errors are often costly and frustrate customers. It was really satisfying receiving that recognition and I was given a bonus by my supervisor" When asking employer interview questions about this, Interviewers particularly want to know about achievements that increased revenues, decreased expenses, solved problems, were innovative or improved a company's reputation. "My department manager asked me to investigate a bottleneck in the production line. I did some research and suggested a redesign of the department layout so that the production units were in a more efficient sequence. It worked so well, increasing production by up to 20 percent, that my layout design has been adopted by all our branches" If you have little or no work experience, refer to an accomplishment at school or in an outside activity. Just remember to relate the skills you used to the job in question. "I was part of the rowing team that recently won the championships. It was a particularly satisfying win as we had trained very hard, requiring a lot of discipline and perseverance, to come up from the bottom of the league. We also really had to work together as a team and keep each other motivated" It is often difficult to single out one achievement when answering this question.

"I believe I have had a number of successes to date. It is difficult to say which I think has been my greatest accomplishment as they were all important. I am going to focus on my recent achievements as being the most pertinent..." and go on to describe your relevant, recent accomplishments. Review your company background research to also highlight how your accomplishments fit in with the company mission, vision, goals and values. Aligning your achievements with the job and company needs, when answering employer interview questions like this, will emphasize why you are the right candidate for the job. Standard interview questions and answer guidelines about handling conflict, your ideal job, how you define success and what motivates you. Free behavioral interview questions and answer guidelines to help you with the common behavioral interview. "What do you see yourself doing in five years?" It is not easy to answer this interview question in terms of specific job or company expectations. One cannot accurately predict what the job or the company will look like in 5 years time. You can answer in general terms about the type of situation you would like to be in and the way you want to have grown and developed. Avoid giving specific time frames or job titles. Focus on realistic career opportunities you could expect in your industry and what you hope to have gained from these opportunities. "It is an uncertain world and one can't predict what is going to happen. However, my hope is that I will have contributed to the success of the company and grown both personally and professionally within my position"

Your interview answer should relate to the job you are being interviewed for in some way. The interviewer does not want to hear that you hope to have published your first novel or be running your own business. This interview question is designed to assess a number of things. How long are you likely to stay with the company? What is your motivation in applying for this position? Do you look ahead and set goals for yourself? Combine your personal growth strategies and goals with commitment to the job and the employer. For example: "I want to have developed new skills and abilities and to have made the most of my opportunities. This position will give me the opportunity to learn more about managing a work team, this is a goal of mine. I would like to be recognized as an individual who has really added value to the company" When faced with this job interview question and answer, avoid making over-ambitious predictions about your future potential. This indicates a lack of insight and maturity. Broadly discuss your work values and goals, not focusing on a specific career plan. "I want to have learned and grown within my work, to have increased my responsibilities and skills. I enjoy a challenge and would like to know that I am constantly meeting new challenges. My goal is to be the best at whatever level I am working at within the company" Demonstrate that you understand that reward (salary, promotion, responsibility) will be based on the quality and value of your contribution. "I want to make the most of my abilities and potential. By always doing my best I can ensure that there will be opportunities to increase my value and to grow in ways that benefit both the company and me" Align your success with the company's success. "I want to continue to gain experience and be a top -performing employee in a big company such as this one. I want to contribute as much as possible to the company's expansion and success"

The interviewer will respond positively if you present yourself, in this job interview question and answer, as a mature, insightful and self-motivated candidate who wants to make an important and constructive contribution to the company. "Why do you want to leave your job?" Be straightforward but avoid negative comments about past employers in the job interview. Don't bad-mouth the company, your manager or colleagues, it puts you in a bad light. Keep it positive and make the reason for a leaving a constructive one such as a new challenge, exciting opportunity, increased responsibility or learning possibility. Use this job interview question as an opportunity to focus on the future. "I have reached the ceiling in my particular job, and I am ready for more responsibility" "After a number of years in my last position I am now looking for a new experience where I can contribute and grow in a bigger environment" Avoid stating your salary as a prime motivator for change. However location is a perfectly acceptable reason for moving. "I am relocating to this area for family reasons and left my job to make this move" "I was spending hours each day commuting. I would prefer to be closer to home" When asked common job interview questions like this, relate how you worked hard in your last position and now you want to use your skills and experience to benefit this company. "I am interested in an opportunity to use the skills and abilities I have developed over the last couple of years in a new and challenging position" If there is an obvious issue with the company you were working for, such as layoffs, acknowledge and discuss this. "There is a great deal of uncertainty about the security of our jobs. I am looking for a stable company where there is the long term opportunity to grow and advance" Sometimes, it is just the wonderful opportunity offered by the new position that made you consider a move. "In all honesty I wasn't really looking to move jobs, but this looks like such a great opportunity to use all my skills and experience and I have always admired this company" Situations to be considered when asked common job interview questions along these lines include the following. You may have taken time out to raise a family. Use this as an opportunity to reassure the Interviewer that you are now ready to return to the workplace and detail the child care arrangements you have put in place. Point out to the Interviewer the efforts you have made to keep up to date in your particular field. Taking time off to study is a positive reason. Highlight how this has taken your skills and abilities to a new level, and how it demonstrates your desire for self-improvement and growth. A travel break can also be seen in a positive light. Emphasize how it has added to your life experience, enabled you to deal with a number of new challenges and increased your self- confidence. The reasons for deciding to spend time traveling should show you as an individual who is keen to learn and grow. "I believed that I had reached the ceiling in my previous job. I needed to make a career move and decided that I would take the opportunity to spend some time fulfilling my dream and travel before looking for a new position. I have discovered so much about myself and developed a number of skills dealing with all the challenges I faced. I am really excited about returning to the workplace and using all I have learned to contribute in a positive and constructive way" Make sure the reason you provide for leaving is congruent with the reason you have provided on your resume and the reason that will be given by your previous employer when a reference is done. Common Job Interview Questions Answering employer interview questions about remuneration are more straightforward for candidates with a career salary history than for a candidate who has not previously had a permanent job. We can look at each situation separately and provide salary advice for each. For candidates who have previously earned a salary these are the guidelines when responding to the job interview question: "What salary are you looking for?"

If this is asked early on in the interview process you could suggest that there is time to discuss it later in the interview process but that right now you are interested in learning more about the position and job responsibilities. Additionally, more information about the job tasks and responsibilities is necessary before being able to properly answer salary questions. If the interviewer presses you on the salary question you can ask if there has been an amount budgeted for this position or ask if there is a salary grade attached to the job and see if it fits your requirements. When there is no indication of salary and the interviewer continues to probe, you will have to respond with a number. If you don't, you may create the impression that it is unimportant what you get paid and any offer is acceptable. When responding to difficult interview questions about what salary you are looking for, rather than confining yourself to a specific figure, state a range: "The range for this sort of position is between $X and $Y." To determine the range consider what salary you want, your most recent salary and the market-related salary for the job. Don't undervalue yourself but continue to emphasize that the position is the most important factor. Money should not be perceived as the most important thing to you. "I am currently earning $..., I would obviously like to better that figure but my main interest is the actual position." Taking a new job does not automatically make you worth more money. Link any reference to an increase on your previous salary to increased job responsibilities and demands. Stick to the facts when stating your previous salary, it is within the rights of a prospective employer to request proof of your former salary. You have the right to decline the request but this is likely to be perceived negatively in the job interview. For candidates with no real salary history these are the guidelines to use when giving job interview answers to the question: "What do you feel this position should pay?" You could suggest a range to the the employer but your suggestions need to be based on good research to make sure they are industry-related. These are good resources for conducting salary research: NACE- the National Association of Colleges and Employers - collates and publishes comprehensive information on new graduate salaries based on regular surveys. You can go to the NACE website to view how to access this information. salary.com and salaryexpert.com are also useful research sites but be specific about the area you are searching for, the cost of living differs greatly between areas and is a critical factor in determining average salaries. This data helps you to confirm that your salary requirements and what you are being offered are in line with the industry averages in the particular geographical area. Back up your salary suggestion with details of how you got that figure, for example: "I have reached this figure through some extensive research, I have used the NACE stats and information from recent salary surveys in this area." Backing up your job interview answers with concrete data makes them both reliable and valid. Preparing yourself for the salary question by doing your research and thinking about what your financial requirements are enables you to deal professionally with this difficult question. Other difficult interview questions you may face in your job interview include explaining lay offs, being fired and gaps in employment. Click on the table for help in preparing your interview answers to these questions. How to answer common job interview questions Be prepared for those unexpected strange interview questions that can throw you in your job interview. Behavioral interview questions are frequently asked in job interviews. These can be difficult interview questions to answer if you are not properly prepared. Answering Interview Questions about Gaps In Employment

Likewise, if the gap occurred a number of years ago and has been followed by solid employment it is generally ignored. However long and recent periods of unemployment require a properly thought out job interview answer. These gaps in employment can raise concerns in the minds of potential employers about the candidate's reliability and commitment and need to be clarified. The more extensive your job history the more likely you will have some gaps in your employment. Short gaps and obvious periods of study or job transition usually require no explanation in the job interview. Reasons such as taking time off to travel, further your studies or to have children are usually straightforward explanations that can be given in the job interview. However personal reasons can prove difficult to discuss. Giving the interview answer "for personal reasons" to questions about why you were not working for a period of time is usually insufficient. It is open to all sorts of misinterpretation, it also leaves the interviewer in the dark and with the perception that you may be hiding something. This makes it difficult for the interviewer to mentally move onto the more positive aspects of the job interview. If you took time out to care for an ill family member emphasize how you had evaluated the situation and concluded that you would be unable to give the commitment you wanted to your position as well as look after the family member. You can end the discussion by assuring the interviewer that the reason has now resolved itself and you are able to recommit yourself completely to your career. "I stayed home to look after my sick mother. I knew I would be unable to devote myself properly to my job and to being the care-taker, so I resigned. The situation has now changed and I am ready to re-enter the work force. I am excited about making a positive contribution to your company." If you took time out to recover from an illness such as depression this can be addressed in the job interview if the employment gap is queried. Prepare a short but straightforward explanation that you feel comfortable with. Highlight how you have met the challenge and overcome your problems. In your interview answer refer to the skills you gained in your previous jobs and how they make you the right job candidate. Impress upon the interviewer your readiness and eagerness to assume new responsibilities and challenges. "I went through a difficult time emotionally following the ........., and I took some time out to deal with this. It was a difficult period for me but I worked hard and succeeded in overcoming it. I am a stronger person for it and now I am a hundred percent ready to tackle a new job. I feel that the experience I gained at my previous company can really benefit this position in the following ways ....." Avoid sounding defensive. Acknowledge the interviewer's concern. "I fully understand that you need to know what I was doing during that time, and I would like to discuss this with you." Appear composed and unapologetic, this will reassure the interviewer that you are comfortable with your reasons and that they should be too. If you have been looking for a job for a long time and this is queried during the interview, you can discuss how you are looking for a long term prospect and not just a paycheck. Use your interview answer to explain that you want to be sure that the job is right and go on to describe why you feel this is the right position and company for you. Focus on the efforts you have made while you have been unemployed. Discuss any classes you have taken or any volunteer work you got involved in. Even attempts to improve your fitness or cooking skills can be viewed in a positive light! Taking on part-time and temporary work at whatever level during your job search shows a strong work ethic and flexibility. Show how you have kept up to date in your industry and job knowledge. Taking time out to travel contributes to personal development. "I was fortunate enough to be able to take a year out to travel extensively. I was presented with a number of challenges that taught me a great deal about myself and helped develop my abilities. I am really excited about putting these to good use in my new job."

A reference check will confirm dates of employment so it is not possible to misrepresent these in either your CV or during the job interview. The best strategy is a simple and honest interview answer that clarifies any concerns the interviewer has and highlights your ability to handle difficult situations and challenges by focusing positively on the future. If you were clearly dismissed from your job and not laid off because of a retrenchment-type process then it is best to be open and honest in giving the reasons for your employment dismissal. It is also likely that this will be explored in an employment background check or a verbal reference check, so the situation should not be misrepresented in the job interview. Try to present the dismissal in neutral terms. What if you were fired from a previous position? It is very difficult to know how to answer interview questions around the topic of dismissal. Recommended interview techniques for handling this tough interview question emphasize the importance of demonstrating that you are able to look at the dismissal objectively. For example, if the problem was a conflict with your manager, discuss it using the pronoun "we" to show that you accept joint accountability for the problem as in the example below. "We were unable to work effectively together." Show how you have taken time to critically evaluate what happened. You want the interviewer to view you as a candidate who has learned and grown from your mistakes. For example: "I have thought about this a great deal and I can understand now what went wrong. I did not have a clear understanding of the task expectations. I should have asked for further clarification. I have learned from this and am positive about being able to make a valuable contribution to this organization." It is advisable to avoid playing the blame game. Bad-mouthing your previous employer or manager portrays you as a bitter ex-employee who is not able to move forward. The ability to take accountability and to adapt demonstrates a maturity and professionalism that the interviewer is looking for in the successful job candidate. When considering how to answer interview questions about being fired prepare a response that you feel comfortable with. Practice saying it calmly and confidently and rewrite it if necessary. Be aware of your tone and body language. Avoid crossed arms, hunching down in your chair, looking down and not making eye contact. These all give a defensive, closed message to the interviewer. Spend the minimum amount of time when you answer interview questions on this topic, but make sure that you have clarified the issue for the interviewer. Once you have completed your explanation, end with: "I trust that I have addressed your concerns." Acknowledging that the interviewer has a genuine concern but suggesting that you have now dealt with this allows you to continue with a more positive line of questioning. Trying to defend yourself usually results in an an awkward and prolonged discussion on a negative issue that can compromise the whole job interview. Deal with it in an honest and neutral way and move on. Spend your time in the job interview discussing the contribution you can make to the position and company. Everyone can improve somehow. Some very successful people have been fired during the course of their careers. Knowing how to answer interview questions about this by emphasizing what you have learned from the experience and believing in yourself as the right candidate for the job will help convince the interviewer to believe in you too. Explaining Layoffs Often people have been laid off for reasons that are beyond their control, there is usually an acceptable explanation. Company layoff policies are often perceived as unfair but this is not the place to discuss that. Many people have been personally affected by a layoff, or know of someone who has. Employers understand that layoffs are a fact of life and do not automatically indicate a problem with the candidate. In answering job interview questions about being laid off, the key is your attitude to the layoff rather than the layoff itself. Your attitude will be evident in how you communicate it to the interviewer. Prepare a statement that explains it in a concise and factual way that you feel comfortable with. Give the reason such as downsizing, restructuring, a merger. Ensure that you highlight what you managed to accomplish during your time at the company. For example:

"The broad-based restructuring at the company resulted in my position being eliminated. However during my time there I was successful in ......." Steer clear of criticizing your ex-employer, this can be perceived as having a negative attitude. You can move on to how the layoff has opened up new possibilities for you. "I am able to bring the following skills to this position ....... I'm excited about having the opportunity to meet new challenges." Be aware of the tone you use when you answer job interview questions about being laid off. Avoid an apologetic type of response or a defensive tone. Be sure your body language communicates confidence and transparency- arms uncrossed, sitting upright but not rigid, looking directly at the interviewer and making relaxed eye contact. Be prepared to explain both why you were laid off and what you did after that. Account for the time you may have spent being unemployed since the lay off. Focus on what constructive steps you took during this period. Any classes you have taken, the workrelated information you have accessed and read etc. Make sure you are not inappropriately focusing on your layoff. If the interviewer asks "Why do you want this position?", your answer should focus on the job tasks, job responsibilities and the company, not that you need a job because you have been laid off. How do you define success in your job? The best way to handle this job interview question is to provide an accepted definition of success and then support this with good examples of your success. One of the well-accepted definitions of success is goal attainment. Achieving a challenging goal or set of goals would be considered success by most people. It is important to relate your job interview answer in some way to the position you are interviewing for. Measurable and specific examples of success are more convincing. You can use this sample answer to help prepare your own interview answer for this question. "Success means the achievement of a challenging and measurable goal that I have set for myself or that has been delegated to me. In my previous position I had specific sales targets to meet every quarter. I set myself the goal of been up on my monthly targets by 5 percent. I managed to exceed my quarterly targets by 8 percent on average. That, for me, was success!" How would your co-workers describe you? The interviewer wants to find out if you have a good understanding of how you are perceived and how your behavior impacts on others. Your answer should demonstrate an objective view of your strengths and areas for improvement in terms of teamwork and your interpersonal skills. In your job interview answer describe the good points and perceptions but also discuss one or two areas that you are aware need attention. Emphasize what you have done to improve on these areas. This makes your answer both real and insightful. When you refer to the positive characteristics, support your answer with a quote or paraphrase from one or two of your colleagues. For example, "I know they considered me to be hard working. In fact, the other team members often thanked me for the extra hours I put in." Then move on to the areas for improvement. "I know that I was initially considered intolerant if I felt they were not putting in the same amount of effort as I was. I realized it was better to encourage them to meet our deadlines by offering help where needed. This has worked much better for all of us." Use work-relevant words like good communicator, reliable, decisive, resilient, energetic, team member when answering top interview questions like this. What motivates you in your job? This is a personal trait, there is no right or wrong answer. However, you need to prepare for this job interview question and note down some specific examples. It is often difficult to verbalize your motivation properly in the stressful context of a job interview.

Other interview questions will determine whether you have the skills for the job - can you do the job. With this question the interviewer is exploring whether you will be a good motivational fit with the job opportunity - will you want to do this job? What does motivate you will depend on your background and work experiences, but try to make your motivation relevant to what this job can provide. For example if the job is a fairly isolated one do not give "working with other people" as a motivation! You can use this preparation as an opportunity to think about whether this position is really suitable for you in terms of motivational fit. Here are some sample answers to top interview questions about your motivation to help you prepare your own answers: "I am motivated by the challenge of difficult tasks and projects.My previous manager gave me more and more responsibility as I proved myself, I found this very motivating." "It is important for me to meet the customers needs. I give them the best service and when I exceed their expectations or get positive feedback it motivates me." "I like to know that I am growing as an employee. Learning and using new skills is a big motivator for me." There are many different motivators. Challenge, achievement, recognition, learning opportunities, increased responsibility, coaching or mentoring others, team involvement and interaction, task complexity and variety are all possible answers to top interview questions about motivation. What interests you most in this job? Common Interview Questions & Answers including "What are your strengths and weaknesses?", "Why do you want this job?" and "Why should we employ you?" Prepare for Typical Group Interview Questions. What skills are the the most critical to this position? Prepare by listing the tasks given in the job description and identifying which skills are key to successful task performance. Consider the technical skills specific to the position such as knowledge of accounting principles and practices for an accountant position, human resource management principles for a HR position, understanding the sales cycle for a sales position etc. List the competencies required for successful job performance. Competencies or behaviors commonly required in the workplace include problem-solving ability, use of initiative, resilience, adaptability, organizing and planning and team work. Describe to the interviewer how your experience is relevant to these requirements and how you have successfully demonstrated these skills in your previous positions. "After carefully reviewing this job I would focus on these key skills as the most essential to success. The company is going through considerable restructuring and as a manager I would need to properly manage any changes with my team. My communication, motivation, negotiation and conflict management skills are key to this. In my last job I had considerable experience in these areas when ................." Free interview questions and answers include other typical job interview questions that explore your suitability for the job. Click on each question to view good sample interview answers. Employers want to explore your commitment and motivation for the job. One interview question that prospective employers like to ask is: What interests you most about this job? Point out the new challenges and experiences you look forward to in the position and why you are qualified to handle them. Align your interests with the attributes they are looking for in the right candidate. For example: "I want the challenge of selling a new product. I consider strategy development one of my key skills and I would like to be able to use it to the fullest in developing strategies for selling this product.." "I get great satisfaction from training new staff members and helping them develop and succeed. I am excited by the sort of training programs I would be running in this position...." For more free interview questions and answers that deal with your motivation, your interpersonal skills and your work goals click on each of the standard interview questions listed in the table below.