20 Interview Questions
Q: Tell me about yourself?
- A: Nine times out of ten, the interviewer will open with this question. It gives the employer time to learn about you and get a brief understanding of your background. Have a concise answer prepared starting with where you are from, your education & work background, and your family. We like to call this the (60) second self television commercial.
Q: How much do you know about our company?
- A: This is a homework and preparation question. Most of the time there will not be in depth knowledge requested. However, make sure to do research prior to the interview. Topics to be able to discuss may include company products, news, sales, or people.
Q: What motivates you?
- A: Focus on your personal motivations: opportunity, personal & professional growth, team oriented environment, etc.
Q: What are your short and long term goals?
- A: Discuss goals that are within a period of five years and that may benefit the company's mission to create a win-win situation. Stay clear of unrelated goals.
Q: Why do you want to work for this company?
- A: Researching the company and the position will provide you incite on what you can contribute to the company and how you can best fit in its culture.
Q: Do you work good in a team environment?
- A: Teamwork is the correct answer at all times. However, make sure to discuss your abilities to take initiative and work alone while also being able to contribute to the team when called upon. Individual work still constitutes overall contribution to the team. Stay away from replying with "both" as a sole answer.
Q:How much money are you seeking?
- A: Don't reply with a specific amount. Remember, when it comes to discussing salary, he who speaks first loses. Replying with an exact dollar amount can either over shoot or under shoot the salary range.
- Rather, respond with the following, "To give you an appropriate dollar figure, I would have to know the range of the position and look at the total compensation package to include benefits." This is a direct yet, indirect answer to the question.
Q:Why are you changing careers?
- A: Base your answer on the opportunities the position has to offer. You may be seeking growth, increased responsibilities, further knowledge, or may have out grown your prior position.
Q: Does your current company know you are seeking another opportunities?
- A: This is a touchy subject and requires a well thought out answer. You may respond to this informing the interviewer that at your current position you have plateaued do not foresee any further opportunities. You may also add that if selected for another opportunity, you will provide appropriate notice and make a smooth transition.
Q: What have you been doing since you left your previous position?
- A: Be honest and know what you are going to say. If you have been doing various tasks and perhaps temp jobs, inform the interview that you have been involved in an interim project while seeking the opportunity that fits you best.
Q: How will you succeed when you have no experience in this field?
- A: Have your best achievements ready when posed with this question. Make sure these achievements and accomplishments show how you have taken on new challenges and how you were successful in them.
Q: What will your references say about you?
- A: Know who you will utilize as a reference and think about your professional relationship with the individual. Be honest and do not exaggerate.
Q: What are your strengths?
- A: Use your strengths that have brought you success in your past accomplishments. Direct your particular strengths to the interviewer that may be relevant to the position.
Q: What would you like to improve on?
- A: Everyone can always improve leadership, communication, technical, listening, and computer skills. Provide an answer that will not reflect negatively and prevent you from obtaining the position.
Q: Are you considering any opportunities at this time?
- A: Let the interviewer know that you are actively seeking employment opportunities. You do not have to provide specific details.
Q: How long have you been looking for a job?
- A: You do not have to give an exact time period. If it has been a long period, you can say that you have been involved in interim projects. A good answer is, "I have just actively began my career search."
Q: Do you consider yourself successful?
- A: Success is defined on how you personally see it and what makes and drives you. Increasing profit margins and sales along with anything else you may have had success with are good answers. Other good answers may include raising children, your family, personal accomplishments outside of work. Don't lose focus on who you are!
Q: What have you done to stand out amongst your peers?
- A: Make sure you have this question well prepared prior to the interview. When replying, you should respond with answers that you are able to quantify. Example, sales increases/increased revenues/saved money/increased work-flow.
Q: How far do you see yourself going in our company?
- A: Make sure your reinforce that your focus is coming into the position being discussed and contributing. Later if you are qualified for other available positions within the company, you are not opposed to taking on more responsibility. Reiterate the fact that you are seeking challenge and opportunity.
Q: Do you have any questions for me?
- A: Refrain from asking what is in it for me type questions. It is very wise to make sure the company will be a fit for you. Consider asking some of the following questions back to the interviewer:
- Who would I directly report to and what is his/her management style?
- Why should someone want to take this position?
- What separates your company from its competitors?
- Are their any additional costs or expenses to me that I should be aware of?
- Is their anything we discussed in this interview today that will prevent me from going to the next step?
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