Before attending an interview you should think about your responses to the following questions. Your answers may depend on the job or company in question, so you should definitely go through your responses before each interview.
The employer will not only want to know what your skills and abilities are, but will want to confirm that you do possess them. They will do this by asking questions that will quantify the breadth and depth of your knowledge and experience. They are not only looking to see what you can do, but they are also trying to find out how well you can do them. To best answer these questions be prepared to provide details and examples but be careful not to ramble on. Remember it is at this point that they are trying to find out what it is that they will be buying by way of the salary that they will be paying you. If it becomes apparent that you do not possess the skills and experience that is required for this job, then it is up to you to convince them of your potential to do so. Even if you feel that you fall short on this topic of the interview, you still have the rest of the interview to win them over. It is very rare that anyone proves to be a perfect match for a role when being interviewed. An experienced interviewer will always look to find the best possible match. Even if you do not have a core skill required for this role, this doesn't mean that you should give up hope. Don't you decide that you're not right for the role - that's the interviewer's job. You were called in for an interview after all.
- What did you do on a day to day basis?
Stress the positive things you did including your achievements. Even if some or much of it was paperwork, you can still show your interest in the way that it was tackled.
- How much does your last job resemble the one you are applying for? What are the differences?
The interviewer is trying to see how well you would fit in to the position you are applying for. So you should stress the similarities rather than the differences. When it comes to discussing the differences, it will help your case if you can show that either you have done something similar in the past or that you can quickly pick up the new skills.
- What qualities do you think will be required for this job?
Their advertisement for the job may help you a little bit, but you should also think of the other qualities that may be required. These may include leadership ability, supervisory skills, communication skills, interpersonal skills, problem solving, analytical skills, etc.
- What can you contribute?
This is your chance to shine. Tell them about your achievements in your previous position(s) which are relevant to the new position that you are applying for.
- How have you changed the nature of your job?
Explain how you have improved the efficiency, productivity, cost structure, etc. elsewhere in the past.
- In your present position, what problems have you identified that had previously been overlooked?
Keep it brief, keep it relevant to the role under discussion and don't come across as if you are bragging.
- Do you feel you might be better off in a different size company? Different type of company?
It is best to say that this depends on the job. If you choose to elaborate on this point, make sure that you are brief.
- How do you resolve conflict on a project team?
Explain that you know that communication is important and that you would first discuss the issues privately. Then you would seek everyone's agreement on the way forward.
- What was the most difficult decision you ever had to make?
Try to relate your response or example to the prospective employment situation.
- Are you too inexperienced for this job?
"No, I do not think so" is the correct answer you should give and then quickly state the reason why you believe this to be the case. If you have a lot of experience gained in a short time, tell them this. Say that your extra experience would enable you to make a bigger contribution to their company sooner than someone less experienced.
- You may be overqualified for the position we have to offer.
Strong companies need strong people. A growing, dynamic company is rarely unable to use its employees' talents. Emphasise your interest in a long-term association, pointing out that the employer will get a faster return on investment because you have more experience than required.
- Have you been responsible for implementing ISO9000/BS5750 or Total Quality Management
(TQM)?
If you have, state how you implemented it successfully. If you have not, you will need to show that you are used to working to company quality standards or that you have a methodical approach to carrying out work. (If you don't know what these concepts are you may want to make the effort to find out.)
- What do you think of the last company you worked for?
You should stress the positive aspects of your last company saying that they were a good company to work for. Tell them about the training you received or the work related experience you gained.
- Explain the organisational structure in your last company and how you fitted into it?
This sort of question may be used to find out whether your old job is at a comparable level to your new job. If the new job being discussed would be a step up the ladder, then you will need to show that you are ready for a more demanding position. You may be able to show that you have already had many of the responsibilities and the necessary skills that would be required for the next step.
- You have not done this sort of job before. How will you cope/succeed?
Say that you are the sort of person who aims to succeed at everything you do and that you are very determined and will do whatever it takes to get the job done.
- Why should we employ you?
The answer to this question will be based on your previous experience and achievements that relate to the company. At the end you could add that you think there is a good fit between you and the job.
- How long do you think it would be before you were making a significant contribution to the team/company?
If you think that you could contribute from day one, then say so. When it is your turn to ask questions later, then turn the question round on them and say how soon would they expect it.
- What do you like and dislike about the job we are discussing?
Likes: stress things such as a new challenge or the opportunity to bring fresh experience to the company.
Dislikes: Imply there is nothing major to dislike about the job, which is why you are so interested in it.
Say that you are mature enough to realise that no role is perfect.
- What are some examples of activities and surroundings that motivate you?
Relate some of your previous workplace activities that you enjoyed, but make mention of the fact that you tend to motivate yourself. Say that nice surroundings support you in a secondary capacity and that less pleasant environs have minimal effect upon your performance.
- Tell me how you handled an ethical dilemma.
A relevant ethical dilemma would be one of having to choose between violating a company policy or having to lose a good customer. Tailor your answer in this scenario to what you believe the interviewers would prefer to hear. You should have an idea already whether they would want you to toe the company line or put the customer first.
You could also say that the best way to handle such a situation would be to "go to a supervisor, explain the situation and ask for advice." If that doesn't seem appropriate nor have a positive effect, then offer a situation that you handled correctly. Otherwise you can explain how you learned from making an ethical (work related) mistake. Be sure to cite how you would handle this same situation the next time.
- Tell me about a time when you had to resolve a problem with no rules or guidelines in place.
The interviewer may be looking for situation requiring urgent action.
- Can you work under pressure?
You need to say that you can. You could ask later how much pressure the future job involves compared to being an air traffic controller, which is acknowledged as being the most stressful job in the world. You can then make your own comparison to how your present job relates to being an air traffic controller. Then you are able to more easily compare the two jobs when it comes to pressure and stress.
- How many hours are you prepared to work?
You would be prepared to work the necessary hours to get the job done on time.
- How do you make yourself indispensable to a company?
Once again you can mention your strongest skills and attributes. If you have already mentioned these earlier, then to emphasise them, add a little something extra like "I've yet to meet a harder-working person than myself."
Further questions for you to ponder are:
- What projects were accomplished during your time on the job?
- How were these accomplished?
- What experiences did you have when meeting deadlines for project completion?
- Can you tell me about your toughest job assignment?
- What life experiences have given you the greatest reward?
- What one experience proved to you that you would be a capable manager?
- Please elaborate on one of the work experiences listed on your resume.
- Please tell me about the duties/requirements of your last job.
- What did you see as your major strengths and/or weaknesses on this job?
- Please discuss some of your past leadership roles and your accomplishments in them.
- Please describe a frustrating experience from school or work, and tell me how you dealt with it.
- For you, what are some of the pros and cons of working on a team project?
- Have you ever supervised someone in a similar position with another organisation?
- How would you describe your supervisory style?
- How did you organise your time in school/work/play?
- What personal factors do you consider most important when evaluating yourself?
- In what organisational structure do you function best?
- What organisational techniques do you use on a daily basis to accomplish your academic, work and social goals?
- Please tell me about your communication skills, your personal skills relevant to work experiences, and your problem-solving abilities.
- What do you see as your greatest challenge when starting a new career?
- How would your friends describe you?
- How would others describe your weaknesses?
- How do you organise your time?