JOB INTERVIEWS
10 Tough Job Interview Questions and how to Respond to them.
I think that all of us can relate to this; you’re in a job interview when the interviewer asks you a question that gets your adrenaline going. In your mind you may panic a bit; you wonder how to respond but want to avoid being perceived as critical, non-specific, dodging the answer or missing the point of the question altogether.
My partner at Cardgigs, Rick Slifka, a veteran recruiter, provided me with this information and it’s a given that these are simply guidelines on how to respond to tough questions, but I think that common sense tells us to do some of your own research and formulate how this information best applies to your own situation, and adjust this information accordingly. That said – here are the questions:
1 – Tell me about yourself?
This answer should last about two minutes. Be logical. Start anywhere, e.g. high school, college, or first employment position. I know that it doesn't appear to be a tough question, but a lot of candidates don't know that the interviewer is looking for communication skills and linear thinking. Try to score a point or two perhaps by describing a major personal attribute.
2 – Why are you leaving your current position?
This is a very critical question. Don't "bad mouth" your previous employer. Don't sound "too opportunistic." Best is to relate to major industry problems, a buy-out or shutdown. Also good is to state that after long personal consideration, a chance to make a contribution is very low due to company changes. Still attempt to score points.
3 – What do you consider your most significant accomplishment?
This can get you the job. Prepare extensively. Score points. Tell a two-minute story, with details and discuss personal involvement. Make the accomplishment worth achieving. Discuss hard work, long hours, pressure, and important company issues at stake. Quantify your answers in actual sales figures, dollar amounts, percentages, names and numbers.
4 – What do you like/dislike most about your current position?
The interviewer is trying to determine compatibility with open position. If you have interest in position be careful. Stating that you dislike overtime or getting into details, or that you like "management" can cost you the position. There is nothing wrong with liking challenges, pressure situations, opportunity to grow, or disliking bureaucracy and frustrating situations.
5 – How do you handle pressure?
Do you like or dislike these situations? High achievers tend to perform well in high-pressure situations. Conversely, this question also could imply that the position is pressure packed and out of control. There is nothing wrong with this as long as you know what you're getting into. If you do perform well under stress, provide a good example with details giving an overview of the stress situation. Let the interviewer "feel" the stress by your description of it.
6 – The sign of a good employee is the ability to take the initiative.
Can you describe situations like this about yourself?
A proactive, result-oriented person doesn't have to be told what to do. This is one of the major success attributes. To convince the interviewer you possess this trait you must give a series of short examples describing your self-motivation. Try to discuss at least one example in-depth. The extra effort, strong work ethic and creative side of you must be demonstrated.
7 – What's the worst or most embarrassing aspect of your business career?
How would you have done things differently now with 20/20 hindsight? This is a general question to learn how introspective you are and to see if you can learn from your mistakes. If you can, it indicates an open, more flexible personality. Don't be afraid to talk about your failures, particularly if you learned from them. This is a critical aspect of high potential individuals.
8 – Why do you believe you are qualified for this position?
Pick two or three traits/characteristics about you and your career that clearly show that you can excel at this job. These can be education, experience, a technical skill, a specific management skill you have (e.g. organizing, staffing, planning), personal success attributes or achievements.
9 – What do you consider your most significant weaknesses?
Don't reveal deep character flaws. Rather discuss tolerable faults that you are working towards improving. Show by specific example how this has changed over time. Better still; show how a weakness can be turned into a strength. For example, how a concentration on the details results in higher quality work even though it requires much overtime.
10 – What do you consider your most significant strengths?
Be prepared. Know your four or five key strengths. Be able to discuss each with a specific example. Select those attributes that are most compatible with the job opening. Most people say "management" or "good interpersonal skills" in answer to this. Don't, unless you can describe the specific characteristics of management (planning, organizing, results, staffing, etc.) or how your relationship skills have proven critical to your success.
I’ll post more questions/answers soon, but for the time being, take a bit of time and form an overall strategy with this information in mind. You have to be 100% on your game when interviewing; it is clearly all about how you answer the tough questions. Being able to breeze through these questions with accuracy and impact will very likely make the job yours.
Source: Exec-Links.com