The 10 toughest interview questions
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Sukumar.N
Nov 26, 2008, 5:59:26 AM11/26/08
to Kences1
Sitting through a job interview may very well be one of the most nerve-
wracking experiences of an adult`s life. But while every interview
(and interviewer) will be different, the questions asked often are
not.
You can give yourself an edge over the competition, and peace of mind,
by anticipating these 10 toughest interview questions - and preparing
your winning responses ahead of time.
While this may sound easy (how can you go wrong talking about
yourself?), this broad, open-ended question leaves room for endless
babble, without getting out what needs to be said. What needs to be
said?
Stick to your academic background, your professional highlights and
future career goals (including your desire to work at the said
company) - and keep it short. Thirty or 40 seconds should suffice.
This question has a definite hidden agenda (as do many interview
questions): did you do your homework about the company?
When answering this one, be sure you have in fact gathered information
about the company you are interviewing with. Highlight some reasons
why the company is poised in a good position in the industry and
offers you a unique opportunity that others do not. You can also
explain that part of the reason you want to work there is because your
qualifications so perfectly match their needs (and expand on how ).
There is an opportunity here for you to show your ability to overcome
hurdles, including your own vulnerabilities. Be honest and explain
your weaknesses (do you have a hard time staying organised? Not good
at remembering names? Lose your cool easily?), but be sure to counter
each one with steps you have taken to overcome it. Hard time with
organisation? Explain the ingenious filing system you implement to
keep things in order, and so on.
Stifle the desire to say what you may really be thinking on this one
(`The boss is a jerk!` may be an honest answer, but not an advisable
one). No matter what the reason was for your departure, focus on the
positive aspects. No one wants to hire someone who is holding on to
angry, bitter or resentful feelings, or who complains constantly.
This is your chance to be your own salesperson and let the interviewer
know what sets you apart from other applicants. Steer clear of generic
terms (like hardworking or motivated), unless you can back them up
with real-world examples. Now is the time to lay out all of your
strengths and how they mesh with the position you`re after.
It`s a good idea to think of a time (or two) in your past professional
career in which you really saved the day. This could be anything from
helping coworkers to communicate better to coming up with a way to
help the company operate more efficiently. Whatever it is, be sure to
focus on the steps you took to resolve the problem, as opposed to the
problem itself.
It is not appropriate to discuss salary at an initial interview,
unless the interviewer brings it up or you are offered the position.
Assuming the interviewer asks you this deal-breaker question, tell him
or her the salary range you honestly hope to earn in the position. The
key is to always say a range, rather than one set number, and be sure
to make it known that you`re willing to negotiate.
With a question like this it`s best to not lock yourself into anything
absolute. In other words, let the interviewer know that you hope to
find a position that allows you to grow with the company and as a
person.
This gives the interview a chance to get to know you, and whether you
would be happy in the position. You should describe the things you
liked most about your last job (working with customers, coming up with
long-term strategies, making sales pitches, etc.), then tie it into
the position you`re after (`I always loved interacting with customers,
which is why I was so glad to hear that it would be one of the primary
responsibilities in this position).
If you say `no` to this question, it shows a lack of interest,
motivation and curiosity about the company. You should come prepared
with a list of questions to ask the interviewer -- benefits, work
schedule, job responsibilities, company policies and procedures and
vacation time would all apply (but refrain from asking about salary at
this point).
N.Sukumar
Research Analyst
www.kences1.blogspot.com
wracking experiences of an adult`s life. But while every interview
(and interviewer) will be different, the questions asked often are
not.
You can give yourself an edge over the competition, and peace of mind,
by anticipating these 10 toughest interview questions - and preparing
your winning responses ahead of time.
While this may sound easy (how can you go wrong talking about
yourself?), this broad, open-ended question leaves room for endless
babble, without getting out what needs to be said. What needs to be
said?
Stick to your academic background, your professional highlights and
future career goals (including your desire to work at the said
company) - and keep it short. Thirty or 40 seconds should suffice.
This question has a definite hidden agenda (as do many interview
questions): did you do your homework about the company?
When answering this one, be sure you have in fact gathered information
about the company you are interviewing with. Highlight some reasons
why the company is poised in a good position in the industry and
offers you a unique opportunity that others do not. You can also
explain that part of the reason you want to work there is because your
qualifications so perfectly match their needs (and expand on how ).
There is an opportunity here for you to show your ability to overcome
hurdles, including your own vulnerabilities. Be honest and explain
your weaknesses (do you have a hard time staying organised? Not good
at remembering names? Lose your cool easily?), but be sure to counter
each one with steps you have taken to overcome it. Hard time with
organisation? Explain the ingenious filing system you implement to
keep things in order, and so on.
Stifle the desire to say what you may really be thinking on this one
(`The boss is a jerk!` may be an honest answer, but not an advisable
one). No matter what the reason was for your departure, focus on the
positive aspects. No one wants to hire someone who is holding on to
angry, bitter or resentful feelings, or who complains constantly.
This is your chance to be your own salesperson and let the interviewer
know what sets you apart from other applicants. Steer clear of generic
terms (like hardworking or motivated), unless you can back them up
with real-world examples. Now is the time to lay out all of your
strengths and how they mesh with the position you`re after.
It`s a good idea to think of a time (or two) in your past professional
career in which you really saved the day. This could be anything from
helping coworkers to communicate better to coming up with a way to
help the company operate more efficiently. Whatever it is, be sure to
focus on the steps you took to resolve the problem, as opposed to the
problem itself.
It is not appropriate to discuss salary at an initial interview,
unless the interviewer brings it up or you are offered the position.
Assuming the interviewer asks you this deal-breaker question, tell him
or her the salary range you honestly hope to earn in the position. The
key is to always say a range, rather than one set number, and be sure
to make it known that you`re willing to negotiate.
With a question like this it`s best to not lock yourself into anything
absolute. In other words, let the interviewer know that you hope to
find a position that allows you to grow with the company and as a
person.
This gives the interview a chance to get to know you, and whether you
would be happy in the position. You should describe the things you
liked most about your last job (working with customers, coming up with
long-term strategies, making sales pitches, etc.), then tie it into
the position you`re after (`I always loved interacting with customers,
which is why I was so glad to hear that it would be one of the primary
responsibilities in this position).
If you say `no` to this question, it shows a lack of interest,
motivation and curiosity about the company. You should come prepared
with a list of questions to ask the interviewer -- benefits, work
schedule, job responsibilities, company policies and procedures and
vacation time would all apply (but refrain from asking about salary at
this point).
N.Sukumar
Research Analyst
www.kences1.blogspot.com
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