The 50 Most Common Interview Questions:

1. What are your strengths? 2. What are your weaknesses? 3. Why are you interested in working for [insert company name here]? 4. Where do you see yourself in 5 years? 10 years? 5. Why do you want to leave your current company? 6. Why was there a gap in your employment between [insert date] and [insert date]? 7. What can you offer us that someone else can not? 8. What are three things your former manager would like you to improve on? 9. Are you willing to relocate? 10. Are you willing to travel? 11. Tell me about an accomplishment you are most proud of. 12. Tell me about a time you made a mistake. 13. What is your dream job? 14. How did you hear about this position? 15. What would you look to accomplish in the first 30 days/60 days/90 days on the job? 16. Discuss your resume. 17. Discuss your educational background. 18. Describe yourself. 19. Tell me how you handled a difficult situation. 20. Why should we hire you?

21. Why are you looking for a new job? 22. Would you work holidays/weekends? 23. How would you deal with an angry or irate customer? 24. What are your salary requirements? 25. Give a time when you went above and beyond the requirements for a project. 26. Who are our competitors? 27. What was your biggest failure?

28.What motivates you? 29. Whats your availability? 30.Whos your mentor? 31. Tell me about a time when you disagreed with your boss. 32. How do you handle pressure? 33. What is the name of our CEO? 34. What are your career goals? 35. What gets you up in the morning? 36. What would your direct reports say about you? 37. What were your bosses strengths/weaknesses? 38. If I called your boss right now and asked him what is an area that you could improve on, what would he say? 39. Are you a leader or a follower? 40. What was the last book youve read for fun?

41. What are your co-worker pet peeves? 42. What are your hobbies? 43. What is your favorite website? 44. What makes you uncomfortable? 45. What are some of your leadership experiences? 46. How would you fire someone? 47. What do you like the most and least about working in this industry? 48.Would you work 40+ hours a week? 49. What questions havent I asked you? 50. What questions do you have for me?
Interview questions may vary but in essence they are all trying to establish the following: 1. Your skills and experience to do the job 2. Your enthusiasm and interest for the job 3. Whether you will fit in If you can answer these questions, using real-life examples to illustrate your points, then you should be able to answer most of the questions that arise including the following frequently asked questions.

Tell me about yourself? This question or something similar usually starts every interview. Your answer should be well-rehearsed, confidently delivered and last between 3-5 minutes. It should also: Focus on the areas of most relevance to the job in question Include some impressive achievements e.g. improvements made Convey your enthusiasm for the job Avoid personal or irrelevant information e.g. your children, un-related jobs What are your key skills/strengths? Focus on what you know they are looking for, even if it has been a smaller part of what you have been doing to date. The job advert or person specification form will give you the information you need about their requirements. What are your weaknesses? Choose a weakness that: Doesn't matter for the job e.g. languages for a UK firm. Is a positive e.g. "I like to make things happen and get frustrated if too long is spent sitting around discussing it without action" Used to be a weakness but which you have improved upon e.g. presentations Why did you leave your last job? Your answer should be positive and upbeat even if the circumstances were difficult. If you were made redundant, depersonalise it by talking about company restructuring rather than your individual circumstance. Never criticise a previous employer no matter how tempting. Why do you want this job? Your answer should reinforce why you are such a good fit for the job and then convey your enthusiasm for the role e.g. Good match between your skills and their requirements Interested in the product/market/sector Company's excellent reputation, exciting challenge etc. Do not say (even if it's true) that you just need a job, or you want it because it's local. Tell me about a difficult scenario at work and how you dealt with it They are testing how you cope under pressure as well as your problem-solving and communication skills. Good examples are where you: Helped resolve or improve a difficult situation Were resilient in adverse conditions Showed emotional intelligence and cool-headedness Avoid any examples which still feel sensitive, because in a high-pressure interview situation, old emotions can easily resurface and throw you off balance. Tell me about an achievement of which you are proud? Choose work-related examples that shows a tangible benefit to the business. Personal achievements should only be included if they are very impressive or prestigous. More experienced candidates looking for a specific roles eg Sales Director Jobs should focus on closely related areas eg driving an increase in sales or building a successful sales team What are your career goals? They are checking if you are likely to stay and if so, for how long. Reassure the employer that the role you are applying for fits your career plan and your longer term commitment to the company. What are your salary expectations? Salary negotiations are best handled at the job offer stage so try to avoid this at interview if you can. If forced to name a price, give a realistic but wide salary range and say that you feel that salary won't be an issue if you decide to work together. What do you know about our organisation? You need to know the following: Company structure, finances, products and services, key staff

 Customers and competitors Market trends and challenges -------------------Corinne Mills is Managing Director of Personal Career Management and author of the UKs no. 1 bestselling CV book Youre Hired! How to write a brilliant CV. Personal Career Management provide a range of career coaching and outplacement services that can help you: Assess your skills, values and career drivers Uncover and evaluate job options Identify your next ideal role Formulate an effective job search campaign Obtain your target role

As Reprinted from FOCUS Magazine -- January 5, 1983

The 25 most difficult questions you'll be asked on a job interview

Being prepared is half the battle.
If you are one of those executive types unhappy at your present post and embarking on a New Year's resolution to find a new one, here's a helping hand. The job interview is considered to be the most critical aspect of every expedition that brings you face-to- face with the future boss. One must prepare for it with the same tenacity and quickness as one does for a fencing tournament or a chess match. This article has been excerpted from "PARTING COMPANY: How to Survive the Loss of a Job and Find Another Successfully" by William J. Morin and James C. Cabrera. Copyright by Drake Beam Morin, inc. Publised by Harcourt Brace Jovanovich. Morin is chairman and Cabrera is president of New York-based Drake Beam Morin, nation's major outplacement firm, which has opened offices in Philadelphia.

1. Tell me about yourself.

Since this is often the opening question in an interview, be extracareful that you don't run off at the mouth. Keep your answer to a minute or two at most. Cover four topics: early years, education, work history, and recent career experience. Emphasize this last subject. Remember that this is likely to be a warm-up question. Don't waste your best points on it.

2. What do you know about our organization?

You should be able to discuss products or services, revenues, reputation, image, goals,

problems, management style, people, history and philosophy. But don't act as if you know everything about the place. Let your answer show that you have taken the time to do some research, but don't overwhelm the interviewer, and make it clear that you wish to learn more. You might start your answer in this manner: "In my job search, I've investigated a number of companies. Yours is one of the few that interests me, for these reasons..." Give your answer a positive tone. Don't say, "Well, everyone tells me that you're in all sorts of trouble, and that's why I'm here", even if that is why you're there.

3. Why do you want to work for us?

The deadliest answer you can give is "Because I like people." What else would you likeanimals? Here, and throughout the interview, a good answer comes from having done your homework so that you can speak in terms of the company's needs. You might say that your research has shown that the company is doing things you would like to be involved with, and that it's doing them in ways that greatly interest you. For example, if the organization is known for strong management, your answer should mention that fact and show that you would like to be a part of that team. If the company places a great deal of emphasis on research and development, emphasize the fact that you want to create new things and that you know this is a place in which such activity is encouraged. If the organization stresses financial controls, your answer should mention a reverence for numbers. If you feel that you have to concoct an answer to this question - if, for example, the company stresses research, and you feel that you should mention it even though it really doesn't interest you- then you probably should not be taking that interview, because you probably shouldn't be considering a job with that organization. Your homework should include learning enough about the company to avoid approaching places where you wouldn't be able -or wouldn't want- to function. Since most of us are poor liars, it's difficult to con anyone in an interview. But even if you should succeed at it, your prize is a job you don't really want.

4. What can you do for us that someone else can't?

Here you have every right, and perhaps an obligation, to toot your own horn and be a bit egotistical. Talk about your record of getting things done, and mention specifics from your resume or list of career accomplishments. Say that your skills and interests, combined with this history of getting results, make you valuable. Mention your ability to set priorities, identify

problems, and use your experience and energy to solve them.

5. What do you find most attractive about this position? What seems least attractive about it?
List three or four attractive factors of the job, and mention a single, minor, unattractive item.

6. Why should we hire you?

Create your answer by thinking in terms of your ability, your experience, and your energy. (See question 4.)

7. What do you look for in a job?

Keep your answer oriented to opportunities at this organization. Talk about your desire to perform and be recognized for your contributions. Make your answer oriented toward opportunity rather than personal security.

8. Please give me your defintion of [the position for which you are being interviewed].
Keep your answer brief and taskoriented. Think in in terms of responsibilities and accountability. Make sure that you really do understand what the position involves before you attempt an answer. If you are not certain. ask the interviewer; he or she may answer the question for you.

9. How long would it take you to make a meaningful contribution to our firm?
Be realistic. Say that, while you would expect to meet pressing demands and pull your own weight from the first day, it might take six months to a year before you could expect to know the organization and its needs well enough to make a major contribution.

10. How long would you stay with us?

Say that you are interested in a career with the organization, but admit that you would have to continue to feel challenged to remain with any organization. Think in terms of, "As long as we both feel achievement-oriented."

11. Your resume suggests that you may be over-qualified or too experienced for this position. What's Your opinion?
Emphasize your interest in establishing a long-term association with the organization, and say that you assume that if you perform well in his job, new opportunities will open up for you.

Mention that a strong company needs a strong staff. Observe that experienced executives are always at a premium. Suggest that since you are so wellqualified, the employer will get a fast return on his investment. Say that a growing, energetic company can never have too much talent.

12. What is your management style?

You should know enough about the company's style to know that your management style will complement it. Possible styles include: task oriented (I'll enjoy problem-solving identifying what's wrong, choosing a solution and implementing it"), results-oriented ("Every management decision I make is determined by how it will affect the bottom line"), or even paternalistic ("I'm committed to taking care of my subordinates and pointing them in the right direction"). A participative style is currently quite popular: an open-door method of managing in which you get things done by motivating people and delegating responsibility. As you consider this question, think about whether your style will let you work hatppily and effectively within the organization.

13. Are you a good manager? Can you give me some examples? Do you feel that you have top managerial potential?
Keep your answer achievementand ask-oriented. Rely on examples from your career to buttress your argument. Stress your experience and your energy.

14. What do you look for when You hire people?

Think in terms of skills. initiative, and the adaptability to be able to work comfortably and effectively with others. Mention that you like to hire people who appear capable of moving up in the organization.

15. Have you ever had to fire people? What were the reasons, and how did you handle the situation?
Admit that the situation was not easy, but say that it worked out well, both for the company and, you think, for the individual. Show that, like anyone else, you don't enjoy unpleasant tasks but that you can resolve them efficiently and -in the case of firing someone- humanely.

16. What do you think is the most difficult thing about being a manager or executive?
Mention planning, execution, and cost-control. The most difficult task is to motivate and manage employess to get something planned and completed on time and within the budget.

17. What important trends do you see in our industry?

Be prepared with two or three trends that illustrate how well you understand your industry. You might consider technological challenges or opportunities, economic conditions, or even regulatory demands as you collect your thoughts about the direction in which your business is heading.

18. Why are you leaving (did you leave) your present (last) job?
Be brief, to the point, and as honest as you can without hurting yourself. Refer back to the planning phase of your job search. where you considered this topic as you set your reference statements. If you were laid off in an across-the-board cutback, say so; otherwise, indicate that the move was your decision, the result of your action. Do not mention personality conflicts. The interviewer may spend some time probing you on this issue, particularly if it is clear that you were terminated. The "We agreed to disagree" approach may be useful. Remember hat your references are likely to be checked, so don't concoct a story for an interview.

19. How do you feel about leaving all your benefits to find a new job?
Mention that you are concerned, naturally, but not panicked. You are willing to accept some risk to find the right job for yourself. Don't suggest that security might interest you more than getting the job done successfully.

20. In your current (last) position, what features do (did) you like the most? The least?
Be careful and be positive. Describe more features that you liked than disliked. Don't cite personality problems. If you make your last job sound terrible, an interviewer may wonder why you remained there until now.

21. What do you think of your boss?

Be as positive as you can. A potential boss is likely to wonder if you might talk about him in similar terms at some point in the future.

22. Why aren't you earning more at your age?

Say that this is one reason that you are conducting this job search. Don't be defensive.

23. What do you feel this position should pay?

Salary is a delicate topic. We suggest that you defer tying yourself to a precise figure for as long as you can do so politely. You might say, "I understand that the range for this job is between

$______ and $______. That seems appropriate for the job as I understand it." You might answer the question with a question: "Perhaps you can help me on this one. Can you tell me if there is a range for similar jobs in the organization?" If you are asked the question during an initial screening interview, you might say that you feel you need to know more about the position's responsibilities before you could give a meaningful answer to that question. Here, too, either by asking the interviewer or search executive (if one is involved), or in research done as part of your homework, you can try to find out whether there is a salary grade attached to the job. If there is, and if you can live with it, say that the range seems right to you. If the interviewer continues to probe, you might say, "You know that I'm making $______ now. Like everyone else, I'd like to improve on that figure, but my major interest is with the job itself." Remember that the act of taking a new job does not, in and of itself, make you worth more money. If a search firm is involved, your contact there may be able to help with the salary question. He or she may even be able to run interference for you. If, for instance, he tells you what the position pays, and you tell him that you are earning that amount now and would Like to do a bit better, he might go back to the employer and propose that you be offered an additional 10%. If no price range is attached to the job, and the interviewer continues to press the subject, then you will have to restpond with a number. You cannot leave the impression that it does not really matter, that you'll accept whatever is offered. If you've been making $80,000 a year, you can't say that a $35,000 figure would be fine without sounding as if you've given up on yourself. (If you are making a radical career change, however, this kind of disparity may be more reasonable and understandable.) Don't sell yourself short, but continue to stress the fact that the job itself is the most important thing in your mind. The interviewer may be trying to determine just how much you want the job. Don't leave the impression that money is the only thing that is important to you. Link questions of salary to the work itself. But whenever possible, say as little as you can about salary until you reach the "final" stage of the interview process. At that point, you know that the company is genuinely interested in you and that it is likely to be flexible in salary negotiations.

24. What are your long-range goals?

Refer back to the planning phase of your job search. Don't answer, "I want the job you've advertised." Relate your goals to the company you are interviewing: 'in a firm like yours, I would like to..."

25. How successful do you you've been so far?

Say that, all-in-all, you're happy with the way your career has progressed so far. Given the normal ups and downs of life, you feel that you've done quite well and have no complaints. Present a positive and confident picture of yourself, but don't overstate your case. An answer like, "Everything's wonderful! I can't think of a time when things were going better! I'm overjoyed!" is likely to make an interviewer wonder whether you're trying to fool him . . . or yourself. The most convincing confidence is usually quiet confidence.

10 Most Asked Interview Questions: How To Tackle Them

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How many of you had stumbled upon an interview question you havent prepared yourself for, and your mind drew a blank? Sensing that awkward silence, you blurted out whatever words you could find and desperately made sentences out of them. The interview ended moments later, and as you reflect back on what you had said, you dreadfully realized those words dont make much logical sense!

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Okay, if you are looking for a job now, then youre in luck. This is a guidance post of ten most common interview questions that you might be asked for your upcoming interviews. If youre still sending in your resumes to companies, Ive also posted an earlier entry that you can refer to: 7 Great Ways to Get Your Resume Noticed. Without further ado, here are the top 10 questions, lets get started!

10. "Tell Me About Yourself?"

This is typically the first question the interviewer will ask once youve taken your seat. This is the opportunity for the interviewer to assess you as a person through what you say and how you deliver it. As they always say, first impression is at utmost important, so youve to make sure youve prepared yourself adequately to answer it. Keep it short and succinct, preferably within 2 3 minutes.

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How should you reply then? Like I said, you should have done your research on what the company expects from the candidates before heading for the interview. Your answer then, is to address how your qualities (e.g. qualifications, personalities and work experience) are relevant to the position in question. Therefore, you should only convey information applicable to what is required for the job, but not irrelevant ones pertaining to your family or personal events, for instance.

9. "What Are Your Weaknesses?"

At first glance, this seems tricky. On one hand, you cant reveal that you lack what it takes for the job; on the other, it will be an obvious lie if you claim you dont have any weaknesses. What should you disclose then?

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If you have thoroughly gone through the companys profile and such, you will by now understand what qualities are considered strengths, and what are not. Now, there are several ways to answer double-edged questions like this.

With your knowledge of what constitute as weaknesses that are frown upon by the interviewer, you can admit to those which you have that are impertinent to the job requirement. Secondly, you can mask strengths as weaknesses. For instance, you can say you are a very meticulous person who gets picky with details of a project (for this to work though, the job must be one that is particular about specifics). Last but not least, you can confess to past weaknesses but show how you had triumphed over them.

8. "What Is Your Greatest Accomplishment?"

Although the interviewer is asking you about your greatest accomplishment, you still have to choose one that is more professionally relevant. This is a good time to illustrate how you can contribute to the company if you are successfully recruited, so it will be to your advantage if you mention an achievement that applies to the position.

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Lets say you are applying for a position that requires a significant amount of problem solving and troubleshooting. You might want to talk about a time when you resolved a persistent problem that had plagued your company for years. You can explain how you initiated some research and made a useful suggestion that was eventually implemented to all departments. If possible, quantify your results in terms of savings made and increased productivity for instance.

7. "Why Did You Leave Your Last Job?"

There are various legitimate reasons for leaving a job. Yet, when it comes to interview, try to answer positively rather than complain about what made you unhappy. Talk in relation to your career goals and how the job you are applying provides a better environment for growth than your previous job. As always, angle your reply in such a way that what you had learned in your previous job had enriched you with valuable skills for the current position.

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Here, the interviewer is trying to gauge how much the job fits to your expectations. You had probably quit your last job because you were unhappy about something. The interviewer wants to make sure that you will be committed to the job and not leave because your expectations are not met again.

6. "Why Do You Want To Work With Us?"

More likely than not, the interviewer wishes to see how much you know about the company culture, and whether you can identify with the organizations values and vision. Every organization has its strong points, and these are the ones that you should highlight in your answer. For example, if the company emphasizes on integrity with customers, then you mention that you would like to be in such a team because you yourself believe in integrity.

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It doesnt have to be a lie. In the case that your values are not in line with the ones by the company, ask yourself if you would be happy working there. If you have no issue with that, go ahead. But if you are aware of the company culture and realize that there is some dilemma you might be facing, you ought to think twice. The best policy is to be honest with yourself, and be honest with the interviewer with what is it in the company culture that motivates you.

5. "Why Did You Apply For This Position?"

Even if its true to a large extent, dont give them the vibe that you applied for this job because you were retrenched from your previous company. Or for that matter, dont give the impression that you are here because you need to make a living. Any company wants someone who is committed to the organization and eventually developed a sense of belonging with it. It doesnt help claiming that youre here for the monthly paycheck.

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In fact, the best way to answer this question is to spend some time examining what you like or would like about your work and the company. It is likely you will find something, such as the culture, work environment, meaning of your work, etc. If you didnt find anything, then you should seriously consider if this is the right job for you.

Once you know why you want this job, you can then answer them in a manner thatll relate how well you fit with the position. For example, if you like the customer service work involved because you enjoy communicating with people, bring up that sociable personality of yours. Convince them that youll fit in very well here, and youll in turn convince the interviewer that youll be an asset to the company.

4. "What Would You Like To Be Doing Five Years From Now?"

Again, this question is asked to find out whether you are committed to the job. The fact is that there are people who hop from job to job, and that is because they dont really have a solid plan to follow.

Another reason for popping this question is to see whether you are someone who sets goals in life. Its undisputable that people who set long-term goals are more reliable than those who dont. I mean, knowing what you want in life says a lot about your personality, perhaps as a person who can lead and stay motivated.

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Your reply should assure the interviewer that your career progression goals are in line with the actual advancement route in the company. The interviewer wouldnt want to disappoint you in the next five years and end up with you resigning. As such, it is crucial that you do your homework on the companys prospects so that you know what to expect for yourself, and whether it will meet your long-term career objectives.

3. "Why Should I Hire You?"

This is the part where you link your skills, experience, education and your personality to the job itself. This is why you need to be utterly familiar with the job description as well as the company culture. Remember though, its best to back them up with actual examples of say, how you are a good team player.

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It is possible that you may not have as much skills, experience or qualifications as the other candidates. What then, will set you apart from the rest? Energy and passion might. People are attracted to someone who is charismatic, who show immense amount of energy when they talk, and who love what it is that they do. As you explain your compatibility with the job and company, be sure to portray yourself as that motivated, confident and energetic person, ever-ready to commit to the cause of the company.

2. "How Much Are You Expecting For The Salary?"

Salary negotiation is a tough and delicate matter. Preferably speaking, you should avoid going into this topic until the later stage of the recruitment when you are being offered the job. That said, some recruiters might be hoping that youd yield in to this question and be the first to give the number and set the benchmark. The repercussion? You might end up making less than what the position is worth!

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Hence, research on the salary range in your field to have a rough estimate of how much you should be earning. Give a large range rather than a specific amount if you have to answer it. An alternative is to pose the question back at the interviewer by asking what kind of salary does the position warrants. At other times, interviewers might just be testing you to see if money is the only thing that matters. So, do emphasize that your priority lies with the nature of the job and not the salary per se.

Remember that when the job is finally being offered to you, the interviewer would have to quote the salary. That will be the best time to negotiate your way because you will then become the one being sought after, and not the other way round.

1. "Do You Have Any Questions To Ask Me?"

This is normally the last question posed to you, so its your chance to finish the interview elegantly. True enough, your doubts about the job position might already been allayed by this time when the interview is almost done. Nevertheless, youve got to say something other than replying that youve got nothing to ask. Doing otherwise might leave the impression to the interviewer that you are not exactly keen to get the job.

Unless an employer is interested in recruiting a passive employee, the interviewer is likely to be attracted to proactive candidates who ask intelligent questions. If you must ask, do make sure that they arent those with obvious answers that you can get if you have done the research thoroughly. Yes, theres no such thing as a stupid question, except those that you ask for the sake of asking. Try to incorporate your knowledge of the industry and the company into a question that will address a genuine concern of yours. That way, you get to amaze your interviewer and assess for a final time whether the job aligns with your expectations.

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One of the best responses to this question is to find out about your chances of landing this job. Thank the interviewer for the opportunity and express your enthusiasm for the position before asking if there is any reservation for hiring you. This will be your final chance to address any concerns the interviewer might have of employing you. Stay calm and reply objectively rather than taking any criticism personally.

Of course, you are free to ask any questions in your mind. It is, after all, you who is seeking a right job for yourself. Gather as much information about the position and have a feel of what its like working there day in, day out. If they offer you the job and it is what you are seeking for, go for it!

How to Answer 23 of the Most Common Interview Questions

by Paul Michael on 4 October 2007254 comments

Photo: Marco Bellucci / Flickr

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[Editor's note: If you recently lost your job, take a look at Wise Bread's collection of tips and resources for the recently laid off.] Let's face it; no one likes the interview process. Well, certainly not the people being interviewed anyway. You have to be on your best behavior, you only get one chance to get it right, and it's like taking your driving test all over again. Over the years I've been to countless interviews. To get my first job out of college I attended some 15-20 interviews a

week. Whether it was in Britain or over here in the States, the questions never really seemed to change from job to job. Not only that, but the answers to them are usually the same, with your own personal interpretation of course. Here I present 23 questions you're likely to be asked, and how I have learned to answer them. Why 23? Because I had more than 20 and less than 25. Remember, being interviewed is a skill, and if you do the preparation you should ace it every time. (See also: 12 Unique Ways to Score a Job Interview) 1. So, tell me a little about yourself.

I'd be very surprised if you haven't been asked this one at every interview. It's probably the most asked question because it sets the stage for the interview and it gets you talking. Be careful not to give the interviewer your life story here. You don't need to explain everything from birth to present day. Relevant facts about education, your career and your current life situation are fine.

2. Why are you looking (or why did you leave you last job)?

This should be a straightforward question to answer, but it can trip you up. Presumably you are looking for a new job (or any job) because you want to advance your career and get a position that allows you to grow as a person and an employee. It's not a good idea to mention money here, it can make you sound mercenary. And if you are in the unfortunate situation of having been downsized, stay positive and be as brief as possible about it. If you were fired, you'll need a good explanation. But once again, stay positive. 3. Tell me what you know about this company.

Do your homework before you go to any interview. Whether it's being the VP of marketing or the mailroom clerk, you should know about the company or business you're going to work for. Has this company been in the news lately? Who are the people in the company you should know about? Do the background work, it will make you stand out as someone who comes prepared, and is genuinely interested in the company and the job.

4. Why do you want to work at X Company?

This should be directly related to the last question. Any research you've done on the company should have led you to the conclusion that you'd want to work there. After all, you're at the interview, right? Put some thought into this answer before you have your interview, mention your career goals and highlight forward-thinking goals and career plans.

5. What relevant experience do you have?

Hopefully if you're applying for this position you have bags of related experience, and if that's the case you should mention it all. But if you're switching careers or trying something a little different, your experience may initially not look like it's matching up. That's when you need a little honest creativity to match the experiences required with the ones you have. People skills are people skills after all, you just need to show how customer service skills can apply to internal management positions, and so on.

6. If your previous co-workers were here, what would they say about you?

Ok, this is not the time for full disclosure. If some people from your past are going to say you're a boring A-hole, you don't need to bring that up. Stay positive, always, and maybe have a few specific quotes in mind. "They'd say I was a hard worker" or even better "John Doe has always said I was the most reliable, creative problem-solver he'd ever met."

7. Have you done anything to further your experience?

This could include anything from night classes to hobbies and sports. If it's related, it's worth mentioning. Obviously anything to do with further education is great, but maybe you're spending time on a home improvement project to work on skills such as selfsufficiency, time management and motivation.

8. Where else have you applied?

This is a good way to hint that you're in demand, without sounding like you're whoring yourself all over town. So, be honest and mention a few other companies but don't go into

detail. The fact that you're seriously looking and keeping your options open is what the interviewer is driving at.

9. How are you when you're working under pressure?

Once again, there are a few ways to answer this but they should all be positive. You may work well under pressure, you may thrive under pressure, and you may actually PREFER working under pressure. If you say you crumble like aged blue cheese, this is not going to help you get your foot in the door.

10. What motivates you to do a good job?

The answer to this one is not money, even if it is. You should be motivated by life's noble pursuits. You want recognition for a job well done. You want to become better at your job. You want to help others or be a leader in your field.

11. What's your greatest strength?

This is your chance to shine. You're being asked to explain why you are a great employee, so don't hold back and stay do stay positive. You could be someone who thrives under pressure, a great motivator, an amazing problem solver or someone with extraordinary attention to detail. If your greatest strength, however, is to drink anyone under the table or get a top score on Mario Kart, keep it to yourself. The interviewer is looking for work-related strengths.

12. What's your biggest weakness?

If you're completely honest, you may be kicking yourself in the butt. If you say you don't have one, you're obviously lying. This is a horrible question and one that politicians have become masters at answering. They say things like "I'm perhaps too committed to my work and don't spend enough time with my family." Oh, there's a fireable offense. I've even heard "I think I'm too good at my job, it can often make people jealous." Please, let's keep

our feet on the ground. If you're asked this question, give a small, work-related flaw that you're working hard to improve. Example: "I've been told I occasionally focus on details and miss the bigger picture, so I've been spending time laying out the complete project every day to see my overall progress."

How To Ace The 50 Most Common Interview Questions

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How to prepare for common job interview questions: Do your homework. One of the biggest complaints of hiring managers is that many job interview candidates know very little about the company theyre interviewing for, says Andy Teach, author of From Graduation to Corporation: The Practical Guide to Climbing the Corporate Ladder One Rung at a Time, and host of the YouTube channel FromGradToCorp. Google the company youre interviewing with and read some of the articles that pop up; study the companys website; know the companys mission, its products and services, its locations, and who their top executives are. Go to the Public Relations tab on their website and print out some of their latest press releases. Study them so that you can talk in the interview about whats going on with the company now, he says. Prepare a list of likely questions. Shweta Khare, a career and job search expert says getting a list of common questions for an interview is easier than ever before. You can never underestimate the importance of preparation. Its the first step and the most important, she says. Identify what the organization wants and needs. While the focus of Why should we hire you? (and other similar interview questions) is on you, the interviewee, its important to remember the answer isnt all about you, says Miriam Salpeter, job search coach, owner of Keppie Careers and

author of Social Networking for Career Success and 100 Conversations for Career Success. The most successful interview responses focus on the hiring managers needs. Framing replies that demonstrate you understand their problems, or pain points, makes a big difference when competing with many other qualified candidates.

What to Notice Around the Office When You Go For a Job Interview
Jacquelyn SmithForbes Staff

The Most Oddball Interview Questions of The Year

SmithForbes Staff

Jacquelyn

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Photos: 10 Questions You Should Never

Ask In A Job Interview

18 Ways Job Seekers Have Impressed Prospective Employers

Jacquelyn SmithForbes Staff

Prepare by identifying the skills employers are looking for. Use their indepth job descriptions, view videos the employers post about their organization, and visit their Facebook page and Twitter feeds, she suggests. Google yourself. Find out what the company knows about you, Teach adds. See what they see. If theres anything negative about you, have a response ready as to why its negative but dont get too defensive. Respond and then move on. Interview yourself for the position. Before every interview, ask yourself: Why am I a good fit for this job? I tell my clients to post the question, Why should we hire you? on their bathroom mirror, refrigerator or anyplace they will see it during the day, Salpeter says. I instruct them to answer, out loud, keeping different companies in mind each time. Rehearsing this way will help you hone in on what you have to offer. Identify what is unique or special about you. How have you gone above and beyond the call of duty? What did you accomplish that no one else managed to do? Did you volunteer to tackle a problem and solve it? Dont underestimate the value of looking at yourself, your skills and your accomplishments and outlining the key points you will want to share with a prospective employer. Practice and plan. Role play answering typical interview questions with a friend, colleague, or coach, says Anita Attridge, a Five OClock Club career and executive coach. Be prepared for the typical interview questions by

thinking about what your response would be to them before the interview, she adds. If you are a college student, set up an appointment with your career center and have them conduct a mock interview with you. Even if youre a recent graduate, many college career centers will conduct mock interviews to help alumni, Tech says. Request that your interview is filmed so that they can critique you and you can study the film. Dont worry if youre nervous or you screw up. Youre much better off screwing up in a mock interview than in the real thing. You dont necessarily want to memorize responsesbut try to have a general strategy for answering common interview questions. Today many organizations are using behavioral interview questions to better understand what you have done, Attridge says. They usually begin with, Tell me about a time when She suggests briefly describing what the situation was; how you handled the situation; and what the result was. To prepare for these, youll want to think about workplace experience stories that describe your accomplishments or show how you dealt with a tough situation, Khare says. If you dont have any stories that you can recall now, set aside a few hours to think and write down at least two or three stories. A simple question like, Tell me about a time you made a mistake, can take you off-guard and it is not easy to recall unrehearsed. Having a repository of work experience stories written down before an interview will make it easier to recall. Reflect on previous interviews. Keep a computer or paper record of your interviews, Teach says. Keep a record of the time of your interviews, how long they are, your impressions of the hiring manager, and perhaps most importantly, what questions were asked of you, what answers you gave, and record any questions they asked you that you felt could have been answered differently. Study these elements and your interview skills will improve, he says. Figure out how to articulate your goals. Most of the commonly asked questions during an interview either dig into your previous experience or

want to explore your future goals, Khare says. Prepare and articulate your goals, and remain honest here. Inconsistent answers wont get you the respect and credibility that is a must to impress an interviewer. Be positive. When preparing for an interview and anticipating likely questions, plan to answer all questions positively. Even if you were in a bad situation, think about how you can talk about the situation positively, Attridge says. You always have a choice. It is much better to talk about a glass being half full then to talk about it being half empty. Its all about your perspective, and in an interview being positive counts. Never say anything negative about your prior employers or bosses, either no matter how bad the situation may have been. A negative answer actually is a reflection about your judgment and business acumen, and not about the employer or manager. Get comfortable. Preparation and practice aside, the most important tip I would like to suggest to job seekers is to feel comfortable with the interview process, Khare says. You can read all the advice in the world about acing the interview, but none of the tactics will work out of you are not yourself during the process. Feeling comfortable and relaxed positively influences your confidence. And interviewers always appreciate a relaxed and confident candidate, as opposed to a heavy promoter and edgy one, she adds. Practice calming your nerves, and focus on how you can prove youd be a valuable asset to the company.

Top 10 Interview Questions and Sample Answers

Published May 15, 2012 |

1. Tell me about yourself. Be brief! Keep this answer to 30-45 seconds max or you will lose the employers attention very quickly. Remember, tell me about yourself doesnt mean they want your life story. Summarize your skills and experience in a way that make you stand out and show why you are the best person for the job. Sample Answer: Hello, my name is Brian Murphy. I am a law enforcement professional with a degree in criminal justice and active Top Secret security clearance. My qualifications include fifteen years of experience in international and homeland security and outstanding leadership capability managing large security teams. My experience also includes knowledge of patrol, search and rescue

and investigative and criminal procedures. I am a sharpshooter with expert marksman qualifications as well. I would like to discuss how I can bring these skills and experience to your company. 2. What about this job interests you? The interviewer is listening for an answer that indicates youve given this some thought and are not sending out resumes just because there is an opening. Be clear about why you are interested in the job and the value you can bring to their organization. Sample Answer: Ive applied to companies where I know I can get excited about what the company does. Your company is one of my top choices. This job is really attractive to me because it combines my interest and experience in logistics and security with work in a more global business environment.

3. What are your career goals and where do you see yourself five years from now? The key here is to focus on your achievable objectives and what you are doing to reach those objectives. Sample Answer: Within 5 years, I would like to become the very best mechanic your company has on staff. I want to work toward becoming the expert that others rely on. Hopefully, this will allow me to take on greater responsibilities with the company if the opportunity arises. I am also working towards additional certifications in the field to enhance my career potential.

4. Why are you leaving the military? or Why are you leaving your current job? When answering this question, always focus on the positive: You are looking for a new challenge, more responsibility, more experience or a change of environment. Never be negative about your former or current employers or talk about negative experiences you had there. Sample Answer: I feel that the time is right for me to transition the outstanding skills and experience I obtained during my last four years in the military to the civilian job market. I received great training and/or education in the Army and have been given job assignments that have enhanced my technical skills, leadership ability and taught me how to meet deadlines and multi-task in a very fastpaced and often stressful environment. I can bring these same skills to your organization.

5. What are your strengths? This is one question that you know you are going to be asked so be prepared! Concentrate on discussing your main strengths. List three or four proficiencies such as your ability to learn quickly, determination to succeed, positive attitude, your ability to relate to people and achieve a common goal, etc. Sample Answer: I have very good organizational and time management skills, but my greatest strength is my ability to effectively handle multiple projects and deadlines. Sample Answer: My strength is my flexibility to handle change. As a front line manager at my last job, I was able to turn around a negative working environment and develop a very supportive and productive team.

6. What are your weaknesses or areas you would like to improve? This is another frequently asked question. Everyone has weaknesses, but when answering this question in a job interview, stay away from personal qualities and focus on professional traits. Describe what steps you taken to overcome your weaknesses so that you can demonstrate areas of improvement.

Sample Answer: I am always working on improving my communications skills to be a more effective presenter. I recently joined Toastmasters which I find very helpful. Sample Answer: Sometimes I have trouble delegating duties to others. This has sometimes backfired because Id end up with more work than I could handle. Ive since taken courses in time management and learned more effective delegation techniques and Im happy to say that my last several team projects were a great success.

7. What are your salary expectations? Do your research and know your bottom line. Research the industry standard for the positions you are applying for in your geographic area. Whenever possible, try to defer the salary question on the first interview so that you dont under or over sell yourself. If pressured, be prepared to give the employer a salary range. Sample Answer: Im sure that your company offers a fair, competitive salary for someone with my education / training, skills and experience. I am also willing to negotiate for the right position. Sample Answer: I will need more information about the job and the responsibilities before we can discuss salary, but it would be great if you could give me an idea of the salary range you have budgeted for this position.

8. Have you ever had a conflict with a superior or colleague? How did you handle it? Almost everyone has been in this situation. If you say no, intervieweres will usually dig deeper until you can give then an answer. The key is to show how you reacted to the conflict and what you did to resolve it. Sample Answer: I think that everyone at some point has had a conflict at work whether its with a supervisor or co-worker. Ive found that when Im in a difficult situation, it helps to communicate with the other person, understand their perspective and try to work out a collaborative solution whenever possible.

9. Why should we hire you? Be prepared for this question because this answer will sell your story. Know clearly what you bring to the organization such as your knowledge, skills, experience, education/training and personal qualities that demonstrate why you are the best person for the job. Be able to show how you add value to the company. Always qualify your answers with quantifiable results you have achieved in previous jobs or assignments. This will add tremendous credibility! Sample Answer: I think I am a great match for this position. My degree in management coupled with more than 10 years of experience managing 100+ employees and delivering top notch training, helped me to improve staff productivity by 30% and reduce employee turnover. I believe that I can do the same for your organization and would be a great addition to your team.

10. Do you have any questions? Always be prepared to ask the interviewer a few questions as well. This helps to demonstrate your preparation and interest. Sample questions might include: How would you describe a typical week/day in this position? Is this a new position? If not, what did the previous employee go on to do? How would you describe the companys management style?

Who does this position report to? If I am offered the position, can I meet him/her? How many people work in this office/department? Is travel expected in this position? If so, how much? What are the prospects for growth and advancement? What would you say are the best things about working here? Would you like a list of references? If I am extended a job offer, how soon would you like me to start?

What do you think it takes to be successful in this career? Sample Excellent Response: I believe successful salespeople put forth that extra effort that turns potential clients into first-time customers. Salespeople who attend to the details by doing whatever it takes to win over a prospective customer distinguish themselves from the countless others who don't go to any extra effort. Second, I think that if you label success as an attainable goal, you will never consistently remain successful. You can only succeed if you learn all there is to learn about your product, your competitors, and personal selling. Since this learning process is continuous, it's an unattainable goal. With good reason, salespeople should not consider success an attainable ending point but an objective that will always linger slightly beyond their reach.

What has been your most rewarding accomplishment? Sample Excellent Response: A recent satisfying accomplishment occured when I was sent to one of our branch banks that were notorious for not growing their loan base. The branch had logged $75,000 in new loans in an 18-month period prior to my arrival. Having a reputation as a "hired gun" when it came to loan production I was successful in the solicitation and booking of $700,000 in my first six months.

Are you more energized by working with data or by collaborating with other individuals? Sample Excellent Response: I like the validity of information and also like the energy that comes with working with people. The best thing about working in a group is combining the great minds from different perspectives and coming up with something extremely great, compared with when you're working alone. At the same time, information can generate vitality in the project you're working on. No matter how many heads you've got together, without information, you can't go very far. The perfect situation would be a combination of working with information and people, and I'm confident of my abilities in both areas.

Would you describe yourself as goal-driven? Sample Excellent Response:

Yes, and I demonstrated my goal orientation as president of the local Jaycees, a community service organization. I am very proud of the fact that I set a goal of signing 50 new members by the end of the year, and I accomplished that.

Given the investment our company will make in hiring and training you, can you give us a reason to hire you? Sample Excellent Response: I sincerely believe that I'm the best person for the job. I realize that there are many other college students who have the ability to do this job. I also have that ability. But I also bring an additional quality that makes me the very best person for the job--my attitude for excellence. Not just giving lip service to excellence, but putting every part of myself into achieving it. In college and at my previous jobs, I have consistently reached for becoming the very best I can become. I think my leadership awards from my college, and my management positions are the result of possessing the qualities you're looking for in an employee.

What do you see yourself doing in ten years? Sample Excellent Response: Ten years from now I see myself as a successful consultant for a world-class firm like yours. I want to have developed a wonderful bond with my employer I will have proven myself a highly competent systems analyst and will represent my company in helping others find solutions to their information-systems needs in a professional and timely manner.

Would you say that you can easily deal with high-pressure situations? Sample Excellent Response: Yes. My past experience as an Administrative Coordinator required me to deal with many serious situations since I held emergency on-call duties as a supervisor. One example was when I was called by a Resident Assistant to deal with an attempted suicide on her residence hall floor. The situation required that I think clearly and quickly in this lifeand-death situation. I had to weigh the many tasks that needed to be completed. I had to assign RAs to call 911, make sure that EMS could get into the locked building, while at the same time applying first aid, and ensuring that the rest of the residents on the floor were OK. I also had to make sure the privacy of the resident in need was respected. I basically prioritized and dealt with each task by its importance. I delegated responsibility to RAs for things that they were capable of handling because I could not physically be in many places at once. Once the resident was taken to the hospital, I was responsible for paperwork and follow up to make sure the staff members, residents, and the resident-in-need adjusted back to "normal" life. I know this is an extreme example not found in the financial consulting field; however, it shows just how well I can deal with extreme pressure.