Download twenty commonly asked interview questions

TWENTY COMMONLY ASKED INTERVIEW QUESTIONS
These questions may be familiar to you. Interviewers ask them to assess intelligence and
attitudes, get information, and gauge communication abilities and to see how you think. The
wise candidate will formulate brief, articulate responses, which are relevant to their own
experience and philosophy and review them just prior to going to the interview.
1.
Why do you want to work here?
Because you have done your homework, you know exactly why you want to work there.
Organise your reasons into short, hard-hitting sentences. Stay positive – discuss the positives
of the company, not the negatives of your current employer.
2.
Why do you want to change jobs?
This is one of the first questions interviewers ask. Stay brief, stay positive and stay focussed. If
your present position has become routine, indicate that you feel the need for more challenge.
Handle interpersonal conflicts carefully. You don’t want to come across as a malcontent or a
troublemaker.
3.
Why should I hire you?
Don’t embark on a lengthy review of your CV. The interviewer already knows that material.
Instead, emphasise your common ground: You have the qualifications the company needs to
help them succeed; your work philosophy and the company’s are the same.
4.
What interests you most about this position?
Give a truthful, but brief answer like “The challenge”, “The future”, “The environment”, “The
competitiveness”. These responded will force the hiring official to probe more deeply and to
give you another opportunity to demonstrate your knowledge of the company.
5.
Would you like to have your Boss’s job?
By all means “Yes”! Ambitious, hungry people are always preferred over those who are
content to stay in one place. If you feel this response is threatening to the interviewer, add
“When I am judged to be qualified” or “If an opening should develop at the appropriate time”.
6.
Are you willing to go where the company sends you?
This is probably being asked because the company intends to relocate you at some point in
the future. If you answer “no”, you may not be hired. If your answer is “yes”, understand that
once you are a trusted employee, you may not be able to exert any type of leverage to avoid
those less desirable assignments.
7.
What kinds of decisions are most difficult for you?
Be human. Admit that not everything comes easily. However, watch what you do say. “I have
trouble deciding how many drinks to have at lunch” can be interpreted negatively. Try to stay
positive. “I find it difficult to decide which of two employees must be let go” reiterates that you
have had hiring/ firing authority, and are compassionate as well.
8.
How do you feel about your progress to date?
Never apologise for yourself. Something like “I think I have done well, but I need new
challenges and opportunities”. This says several positive things about you and your attitude
about your career.
9.
How long will you stay with the company?
A reasonable response would be “as long as I continue to learn and grow in my field.
10. Have you done the best work you are capable of doing?
This is best answered with some degree of self-effacement. No one wants to believe that
they’ve hit their peak already. Words to the effect that, “I believe I have always tackled
assignments with all my talent and energy” indicates a consistent level of excellent
performance.
11. What would you like to be doing five years from now?
Tread carefully. Be sure that your stated ambitions for the next five years are reasonable
goals. If you’re interviewing for the mailroom, you’re probably not going to be president in five
years. Your goals to move to another company, another department or to a hut on the beach
are best kept to yourself. “To be an even more valuable asset to this company” or the like is a
good answer.
12. What training / qualifications do you have for this job?
Deliver a short, fact-filled summary of your two or three most important, relevant qualifications.
“I have a background in accounting and I have demonstrated proven selling ability. I am also
capable of handling several projects simultaneously”.
13. Explain the time gaps on your CV
Be prepared to explain any time gaps. Put a positive spin on them, if possible. Educational
opportunities, family emergencies and the like are easy to explain, especially if they are nonrecurring.
14. Why have you changed jobs so frequently?
Unsatisfactory responses to this question are among the top reasons why a candidate is not
offered the position. If there is a clear pattern of problems (i.e. interpersonal conflicts, quality
or efficiency issues), be prepared to discuss what steps you have taken to improve yourself. If
the changes were youthful mistakes or changes in circumstances say so. Stay focussed and
concise.
15. Have you ever hired or fired anyone?
You are being asked this question for two very important reasons. First, the interviewer is
attempting to determine whether you are capable of performing this function. Second, the
interviewer is probing to see if your previous positions were at a high enough level to include
these responsibilities. If you have no experience in these areas, be prepared to convince the
interviewer that you can carry out these difficult duties.
16. How have you helped sales / profits / cost reductions?
Have your hero stories ready, but be willing to prove that you were indeed responsible for
improvements in these areas. Keep your explanations short and include figures if possible.
17. Why aren’t you earning more at your age?
This is a current favourite which can scare the daylights out of an unprepared candidate. One
of the following responses should cover your situation.
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I have been willing to sacrifice short-term rewards in order to gain valuable benefits.
I have received (or been promised) company stock in lieu of salary increase.
I have chosen to gain a reputation as a person who builds their career on solid, longterm achievement, not as a job hopper.
18. How many people have you supervised?
Similar to question 15, the interviewer is trying to determine the depth of your experience.
Don’t exaggerate!!
19. What are the reasons for your success?
It is best to keep this answer very general, permitting the interviewer to probe more deeply, if
he or she feels it necessary. Offer a brief list of the traits you believe are your best. These
could be:
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Strong work ethic
Ability to work with all sorts of personalities
Attention to detail
Integrity
Sense of humour
Articulate
Well-educated, well-read
20. What kind of experience do you have for this job?
Summarise four or five areas of your experience, which you know will enhance your ability to
perform well in your new position. Demonstrate how those traits mesh with the needs of the
new company.
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My experience in new product introductions will be helpful with your marketing
programs.
My attention to detail and knowledge base will maximise the money that this
company spends and minimise overspending.
We cannot over-emphasise the importance of thorough
preparation prior to a job interview.
You may feel foolish developing and rehearsing answers out loud, but if
those polished responses get you the job you want, then talk, talk, talk!
You’ll feel more relaxed and will be able to respond intelligently to
whatever an interviewer throws at you.