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Review the Interview Preparation below and spend some time on the website studying the Law
Firm/Company’s Historical Perspective, Practice Areas/Services Expertise, News Coverage and Future
Growth prior to your interview.
FIRST IMPRESSION
This will distinguish you from the competition. You never get a second chance to make a first
impression. The first few minutes will have the greatest impact on the interview. Enthusiasm is one of
the leading reasons why people are hired!
A. Strong Vocal Inflections to show enthusiasm.
B. Strong Body Language to show interest firm handshake, maintain strong eye contact, sit up
straight, square off your shoulders to the person you are talking to, and most important SMILE!
C. Professional Appearance: dress and groom for success (Even if the office is casual). A leading
reason for not getting the job is often appearance. Shine shoes. No open toe shoes for females etc.
LISTEN, BUT REMEMBER TO TAKE AN ACTIVE ROLE IN THE INTERVIEW
Be proactive, rather than reactive (simply waiting for the next interview question).
A. Market yourself to the interviewer by providing specific attributes that they are looking for.
B. Uncover more details of the law firm/company, job and opportunity through inquiry, and more
importantly, what skills are important to the interviewer.
Examples of applicant questions that could be asked towards the beginning of the interview:
• “I am familiar with the position and job duties as explained by Rhumbline, but can you expand
on the areas of responsibilities?”
• “What skills do you feel are important to be successful in this position?”
C. Be prepared to answer the question with a Brief 30 second response:
• What do you know about the law firm/company?
• Tell me about yourself?
KNOW YOUR STRENGTHS/WEAKNESSES
Go to the interview with knowledge of your skills from which you can pull at any point during the
interview and speak confidently about yourself.
A. Be prepared to discuss 2 technical strengths. Examples: analytical skills, knowledge of the flow
of transaction within the G/L cycle, computer skills, etc. and 2 nontechnical strengths. Example:
team work, attention to detail, communication skills, organizational skills, etc. BE PREPARED to
support each strength with at least I work related example (or school related examples for a new
grad). Practice the presentation of your strengths and related examples similar to how you would
prepare for a speech. Develop 2 weaknesses or “areas of improvement”. Show how you have
attempted to overcome and improved over time.
KNOW YOUR RESUME
Review your resume and be able to answer all questions relating to what, why and when.
Don’t have it in front of you You should be the expert on you.
A. What did you do at each position you have held in the past?
B. Why did you choose your school? Your major? Why did you take this job? Why did you leave
this job? Why are you currently looking to leave your current employer’? Be positive about prior
experiences (don’t talk about negatives). Reasons for change should be positive and for professional
reasons. Stay away from compensation, commute, didn’t like your boss, etc. as reasons for change.
C. When did you work for each law firm/company and when did you attend school
(BA/JD/CPA/LLM)? Memorize the months and years of employment and education.
STANDARD INTERVIEW QUESTIONS TO BE EXPECTED
Prepare for the standard interview questions such as “Why are you looking?” “What are you looking to
do more longterm, say, 3 to 5 years?”
Respond to these questions with clear, positive, concise, well thought out answers with
business/professional motivating factors. Your responses to short term goals/movement should align
with the position you are applying for and the company you are interviewing with. Longterm movement
needs to be consistent with opportunities for movement within the law firm/company that you are
interviewing with.
MONEY
A. Leave discussion of money to the second interview. The First Interview should be in ‘SELL”
mode. On the application and in discussion, be open to salary based on responsibilities and that
“you are more interested in the opportunity and would consider a reasonable offer.” A salary too high
will immediately eliminate you from consideration and too low will cut into your potential. Try to
turn it back to them — ex: what is the range for the ideal candidate?
B. If asked about your current compensation, be honest and include all applicable overtime,
bonus, rewards, and other key fringe benefits.
YOUR QUESTIONS
Remember you are there to interview them as well and it is your responsibility to gather information
needed to properly evaluate the opportunity. Prepare questions related to: Position, Department,
Company, Opportunity, Company Direction and Interviewer’s Background.
INTERVIEW CLOSE
You should proactively “close” any interview you are offered. Consider these areas in closing:
A. Remember to SMILE!
B. Express your interest for the position and why you’re interested! If you are interested in the
position, tell them so. This is also a good time to summarize why you believe this is the right
employment opportunity for you. Match your skills to what the interviewer is looking for.
C. Express “thanks,” “appreciation for their time,” and let them know that you look forward to
speaking with them again in the near future.
D. A timely thankyou letter or email is also a great touch. Make sure your letter of correspondence
and/or email does not contain any spelling, syntax or grammatical errors!
E. Be sure to ask for their business card before you leave!
CLOSING RECOMMENDATIONS
A. Be on time. Arrive 10 to 15 minutes early to the interview. This is an absolute – take into account
traffic congestion and locating parking.
B. Do some brief homework/research on the law firm/company (History, Practice Areas, Services,
News Coverage, Accolades, etc.)
C. Focus on questions being asked. Avoid Yes/No answers, but do not “tangent” your responses.
Keep your responses brief, but concise.
D. Relax Think of it as a conversation, not an interrogation. The interviewer is a person just like
you and me. Remain positive and show selfconfidence during throughout the interview process.
E. Do not have your resume in front of you during the interview. You should be the expert on your
resume. Don’t volunteer your resume, but always be sure to have a clean copy,
F. Please call me following the interview with your honest feedback. What did you like, what didn’t
you like?
G. Have a great interview and have fun with it.
HOW TO OVERCOME EIGHT INTERVIEW STUMBLING BLOCKS
Does the thought of going on a job interview cause your palms to sweat and your body to break out in
hives?
Stop itching; you’re not alone. The vast majority of job seekers admit to emotions ranging from mild
uneasiness to downright panic leading up to their interviews. The good news is there have been no
reported cases of job seekers who died of nervousness during a job interview. So relax and follow
these simple tips for keeping your anxiety at bay before and during your interview.
First, take the proper amount of time to prepare for your interview. Being wellprepared will boost your
confidence and lower your anxiety. Experts recommend that you spend at least three hours preparing
for each interview. You should draft answers to the most common interview questions and practice
speaking them out loud. You also should read up on the company with which you will be interviewing
and prepare some questions of your own. This lets the interviewer know that you are truly interested in
the company and the position. As a final step in your preparation, make sure you have good directions
to the interview site. Some job seekers make a dry run to the interview site to ensure the directions are
correct and to estimate the amount of time they will need to get to the interview on time.
Going into a job interview is often like entering the great unknown. Although every interviewer is
different and questions vary from industry to industry, there are some questions that are common
across the board.
Reading through the following questions and developing your own answers is a good place to start in
your preparation. Once you have done that, remember practice makes perfect! Nothing impresses a
potential employer like being ready for whatever is thrown your way.
1) Why should we hire you?
Here’s the chance to really sell yourself. You need to briefly and succinctly lay out your
strengths, qualifications and what you can bring to the table. However, Be careful not to answer this
question too generically. Nearly everyone says they are hardworking and motivated. Set yourself
apart by telling the interviewer about qualities that are unique to you.
2) Why do you want to work here?
This is one tool interviewers use to see if you have done your homework. You should never
attend an interview unless you know about the company, its direction and the industry in which it
plays. If you have done your research this question gives you an opportunity to show initiative and
demonstrate how your experience and qualifications match the company’s needs.
3) What are your greatest weaknesses?
The secret to answering this question is being honest about demonstrating how you have turned
it into a strength. For example, you ad a problem with organization in the past, demonstrate the
steps you took to more effectively keep yourself on track. This will show that you have the ability to
recognize aspects of yourself that need improvement, and the initiative to make yourself better.
4) Why did you leave your last job?
Even if your last job ended badly be careful about being negative in answering this question. Be
as diplomatic as possible. If you do point out negative aspects of your last job, find some positives
to mention as well. Complaining endlessly about your last company/law firm will not say much
for you attitude.
5) Describe a problem situation and how you solved it.
Sometimes it is hard to come up with a response to this request, particularly if you are coming
straight from college and do not have professional experience. Interviewers want to see that you
can think critically and develop solutions, regardless of what kind of issue you faced. Even if your
problem was not having enough time to study, describe the steps you took to prioritize your
schedule. Prioritizing will demonstrate that you are responsible and can think through situations on
your own.
6) What accomplishment are you most proud of?
The secret to this question is being specific and selecting an accomplishment that relates to the
position. Even if your greatest accomplishment is being on a championship high school basketball
team, opt for a more professionally relevant accomplishment. Think of the qualities the company
is looking for and develop an example that demonstrates how you can meet the company’s needs.
7) What are your salary expectations?
This is one of the hardest questions, particularly for those with little experience. The first thing to
do before going to your interview is to research the salary range in your field to get an idea of what
you should be making. Steer clear of discussing salary specifics before receiving a job offer. Let the
interviewer know that you will be open to discussing fair compensation when the time comes. If
pressed for a more specific answer, always give a range, rather than a specific number.
8) Tell me about yourself.
While this query seems like a piece of cake, it is difficult to answer because it is so broad. The
important thing to know is that the interviewer typically does not want to know about your
hometown or what you do on the weekends. He or she is trying to figure you out professional!
Pick a couple of points about yourself, your professional experience and your career goals and
stick to those points. Wrap up your answer y bringing up your desire to be a part of the
company. If you have a solid response prepared for this question, it can lead your conversation
in a direction that allows you to elaborate on your qualifications.
TWENTY TOUGH QUESTIONS & TOUGH ANSWERS
1. TELL ME ABOUT YOURSELF?
Just talk for 2 minutes. Be logical. Start anywhere, e.g. high school, college, or first position. Looking for
communication skills, linear thinking, also try to score a point or two (describe a major personal
attribute).
2. WHY ARE YOU LEAVING YOUR CURRENT POSITION?
This is a very critical question. Don’t “bad mouth” previous employer. Don’t sound “too opportunistic.”
Best when major problems, or buyout or shutdown. Also good to state that after long personal
consideration, the chance to make a contribution is very low due to company changes. Still attempt to
score points!
3. WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER TO BE YOUR MOST SIGNIFICANT ACCOMPLISHMENT?
This can get you the job. Prepare extensively. Score points. Tell a 2 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.
4. WHY DO YOU BELIEVE YOU ARE QUALIFIED FOR THISS POSITION?
Pick two or three main factors about the job and about you that are most relevant. Discuss for 2
minutes, with specific details. Select a technical skill, a specific management skill (organizing, staffing,
planning), and a personal success attribute for each to mention.
5. HAVE YOU EVER ACCOMPLISHED SOMETHING YOU DIDN’T THINK YOU COULD?
Interviewer is trying to determine your goal orientation, work ethic, personal commitment, and integrity.
Provide a good example where you overcame numerous difficulties to succeed, Prove you’re not a
quitter, and “that you’ll get going when the going gets tough.”
6. WHAT DO YOU LIKEIDISLIKE MOST ABOUT YOUR CURRENT POSITION?
Interviewer is trying to determine compatibility with the open position. If you have interest in position be
careful. Stating you dislike overtime or getting into details, or you dislike “management” can cost you the
position. There is nothing wrong with liking challenges, pressure situations, opportunity to grow, or
disliking bureaucracy and frustrating situations.
7. HOW DO YOU HANDLE PRESSURE? DO YOU LIKE OR DISLIKE THESE SITUATIONS?
High achievers tend to perform well in high pressure situations. Conversely, the question also could
imply that 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 stressful situation. Let the interviewer “feel” the stress by your
description of it.
8. THE SIGN OF A GOOD EMPLOYEE IS THE ABILITY TO TAKE THE INITIATIVE. CAN YOU
DESCRIBE SITUATIONS LIKE THIS ABOUT YOURSELF?
A proactive, resultsoriented 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 selfmotivation. Try to discuss at least one example indepth. The extra effort, strong
work ethic and creative side of you must be demonstrated.
9. WHAT’S THE WORST OR MOST EMBARRASSING ASPECT OF YOUR BUSINESS CAREER?
HOW WOULD YOU HAVE DONE THINGS DIFFERENTLY NOW WITH 20120 HINDSIGHT?
This is a general question to learn how introspective you are, 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’ve learned from them. This is a critical aspect of high potential individuals.
10. HOW HAVE YOU GROWN OR CHANGED OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS?
This requires thought. Maturation, increased technical skills, or increased selfconfidence are important
aspects of human development. To discuss these effectively is indicative of a well balanced, intelligent
individual. Overcoming personal obstacles or recognizing manageable weaknesses can brand you as
an approachable and desirable employee.
11. WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER TO BE YOUR MOST SIGNIFICANT STRENGTHS?
Be prepared. Know your 4 to 5 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 question. Describe how your skills have proven critical to your
success.
12. WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER TO BE 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 overtime. Better still, show how a weakness
can he turned into strength. For example, how a concentration on the details results in higher quality
work even though it requires much overtime.
13. DEADLINES, FRUSTRATIONS, DIFFICULT PEOPLE, AND SILLY RULES CAN MAKE A JOB
D1FFICULT. HOW DO YOU HANDLE THESE TYPES OF SITUATIONS?
Most companies, unfortunately, face these types of problems daily. If you can’t deal with petty
frustrations you’ll be seen as a problem. You certainly can state your displeasure at the petty side of
these issues, but how you overcome them is more important. Diplomacy, perseverance, and common
sense often prevail even in difficult circumstances. This is part of corporate America, and you must be
able to deal with it on a regular basis.
14. ONE OF OUR BIGGEST PROBLEM(S) MR/MRS CANDIDATE IS ___________. WHAT HAS
BEEN YOUR EXPERIENCE WITH THESE PROBLEM(S)? HOW WOULD YOU DEAL WITH
IT/THEM?
Think on your feet. Ask questions to get details. Break it into subparts. Highly likely you have some
experience with the subsections. Answer these, and summarize the total. State how you would go
about solving the problem, if you can’t answer directly. Be specific. Show your organizational and
analytical skills.
15. HOW DO YOU COMPARE YOUR TECHNICAL SKILLS TO YOUR MANAGEMENT SKILLS?
Many people tend to minimize their technical skills either because they don’t have any, or they don’t like
getting into the details. Most successful candidates possess good technical skills and get into enough
detail to make sure they understand the information being presented by their group. Try for a good
balance here if you want to be seriously considered for the position.
16. HOW HAS YOUR TECHNICAL ABILITY BEEN IMPORTANT IN ACCOMPLISHING RESULS?
Clearly, the interviewer believes he needs a strong level of technical competence. Most strong
managers have good technical backgrounds, even if they have gotten away from the detail. Describe
specific examples of your technical wherewithal, but don’t be afraid to say you are not current Also, you
could give examples of how you resolved a technical issue by “accelerated research.”
17. HOW WOULD YOU HANDLE A SITUATION WITH TIGHT DEADLINES, LOW EMPLOYEE
MORALE, AND INADEQUATE RESOURCES?
If you pull this off effectively it indicates you have strong management skills. You need to be creative.
An example would be great. Relate your toughest management task, even if it doesn’t meet all the
criteria. Organizational skills, interpersonal skills, and handling pressure are key elements of effective
management. Good managers should be able to address each issue, even if they were not concurrent.
Deftly handling the question is pretty indicative of your skills, too.
18. ARE YOU SATISIFIED WITH YOUR CAREER TO DATE? WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE IF YOU
COULD?
Be honest. Interviewers want to know if he can keep you happy. It’s important to know if you’re willing to
make some sacrifices to get your career on the right track. A degree of motivation is an important
selection criteria.
19. WHAT ARE YOUR CAREER GOALS? WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELF FIVE YEARS FROM
NOW? TEN YEARS?
Most importantly, be realistic. Blue sky stuff brands you as immature. One or two management jumps in
35 years is a reasonable goal. If your track record indicates you’re in line for senior management in 10
years it’s okay to mention. However, if you’ve had a rocky road it would be better to be introspective.
20. WHY SHOULD WE HIRE YOU FOR THIS POSITION? WHAT KIND OF CONTRIBUTION WOULD
YOU MAKE?
This is a terrific chance to summarize all salient points made previously during the interview. By now
you know the key problems. Restate and show how you would address those problems. Relate to
specific attributes and specific accomplishments. Qualify responses with the need to gather information.
Don’t be too confident. Demonstrate a thoughtful, organized, strong effort kind of attitude.
HOW TO OVERCOME EIGHT INTERVIEW STUMBLING BLOCKS
Does the thought of going on a job interview cause your palms to sweat and your body to break out in
hives?
Stop itching; you’re not alone. The vast majority of job seekers admit to emotions ranging from mild
uneasiness to downright panic leading up to their interviews. The good news is there have been no
reported cases of job seekers who died of nervousness during a job interview. So relax and follow
these simple tips for keeping your anxiety at bay before and during your interview.
First, take the proper amount of time to prepare for your interview. Being wellprepared will boost your
confidence and lower your anxiety. Experts recommend that you spend at least three hours preparing
for each interview. You should draft answers to the most common interview questions and practice
speaking them out loud. You also should read up on the company with which you will be interviewing
and prepare some questions of your own. This lets the interviewer know that you are truly interested in
the company and the position. As a final step in your preparation, make sure you have good directions
to the interview site. Some job seekers make a dry run to the interview site to ensure the directions are
correct and to estimate the amount of time they will need to get to the interview on time.
Going into a job interview is often like entering the great unknown. Although every interviewer is
different and questions vary from industry to industry, there are some questions that are common
across the board.
Reading through the following questions and developing your own answers is a good place to start in
your preparation. Once you have done that, remember practice makes perfect! Nothing impresses a
potential employer like being ready for whatever is thrown your way.
1) Why should we hire you?
Here’s the chance to really sell yourself. You need to briefly and succinctly lay out your
strengths, qualifications and what you can bring to the table. However, Be careful not to answer this
question too generically. Nearly everyone says they are hardworking and motivated. Set yourself
apart by telling the interviewer about qualities that are unique to you.
2) Why do you want to work here?
This is one tool interviewers use to see if you have done your homework. You should never
attend an interview unless you know about the company, its direction and the industry in which it
plays. If you have done your research this question gives you an opportunity to show initiative and
demonstrate how your experience and qualifications match the company’s needs.
3) What are your greatest weaknesses?
The secret to answering this question is being honest about demonstrating how you have turned
it into a strength. For example, you ad a problem with organization in the past, demonstrate the
steps you took to more effectively keep yourself on track. This will show that you have the ability to
recognize aspects of yourself that need improvement, and the initiative to make yourself better.
4) Why did you leave your last job?
Even if your last job ended badly be careful about being negative in answering this question. Be
as diplomatic as possible. If you do point out negative aspects of your last job, find some positives
to mention as well. Complaining endlessly about your last company/law firm will not say much
for you attitude.
5) Describe a problem situation and how you solved it.
Sometimes it is hard to come up with a response to this request, particularly if you are coming
straight from college and do not have professional experience. Interviewers want to see that you
can think critically and develop solutions, regardless of what kind of issue you faced. Even if your
problem was not having enough time to study, describe the steps you took to prioritize your
schedule. Prioritizing will demonstrate that you are responsible and can think through situations on
your own.
6) What accomplishment are you most proud of?
The secret to this question is being specific and selecting an accomplishment that relates to the
position. Even if your greatest accomplishment is being on a championship high school basketball
team, opt for a more professionally relevant accomplishment. Think of the qualities the company
is looking for and develop an example that demonstrates how you can meet the company’s needs.
7) What are your salary expectations?
This is one of the hardest questions, particularly for those with little experience. The first thing to
do before going to your interview is to research the salary range in your field to get an idea of what
you should be making. Steer clear of discussing salary specifics before receiving a job offer. Let the
interviewer know that you will be open to discussing fair compensation when the time comes. If
pressed for a more specific answer, always give a range, rather than a specific number.
8) Tell me about yourself.
While this query seems like a piece of cake, it is difficult to answer because it is so broad. The
important thing to know is that the interviewer typically does not want to know about your
hometown or what you do on the weekends. He or she is trying to figure you out professional!
Pick a couple of points about yourself, your professional experience and your career goals and
stick to those points. Wrap up your answer y bringing up your desire to be a part of the
company. If you have a solid response prepared for this question, it can lead your conversation
in a direction that allows you to elaborate on your qualifications.
TWENTY TOUGH QUESTIONS & TOUGH ANSWERS
1. TELL ME ABOUT YOURSELF?
Just talk for 2 minutes. Be logical. Start anywhere, e.g. high school, college, or first position. Looking for
communication skills, linear thinking, also try to score a point or two (describe a major personal
attribute).
2. WHY ARE YOU LEAVING YOUR CURRENT POSITION?
This is a very critical question. Don’t “bad mouth” previous employer. Don’t sound “too opportunistic.”
Best when major problems, or buyout or shutdown. Also good to state that after long personal
consideration, the chance to make a contribution is very low due to company changes. Still attempt to
score points!
3. WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER TO BE YOUR MOST SIGNIFICANT ACCOMPLISHMENT?
This can get you the job. Prepare extensively. Score points. Tell a 2 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.
4. WHY DO YOU BELIEVE YOU ARE QUALIFIED FOR THISS POSITION?
Pick two or three main factors about the job and about you that are most relevant. Discuss for 2
minutes, with specific details. Select a technical skill, a specific management skill (organizing, staffing,
planning), and a personal success attribute for each to mention.
5. HAVE YOU EVER ACCOMPLISHED SOMETHING YOU DIDN’T THINK YOU COULD?
Interviewer is trying to determine your goal orientation, work ethic, personal commitment, and integrity.
Provide a good example where you overcame numerous difficulties to succeed, Prove you’re not a
quitter, and “that you’ll get going when the going gets tough.”
6. WHAT DO YOU LIKEIDISLIKE MOST ABOUT YOUR CURRENT POSITION?
Interviewer is trying to determine compatibility with the open position. If you have interest in position be
careful. Stating you dislike overtime or getting into details, or you dislike “management” can cost you the
position. There is nothing wrong with liking challenges, pressure situations, opportunity to grow, or
disliking bureaucracy and frustrating situations.
7. HOW DO YOU HANDLE PRESSURE? DO YOU LIKE OR DISLIKE THESE SITUATIONS?
High achievers tend to perform well in high pressure situations. Conversely, the question also could
imply that 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 stressful situation. Let the interviewer “feel” the stress by your
description of it.
8. THE SIGN OF A GOOD EMPLOYEE IS THE ABILITY TO TAKE THE INITIATIVE. CAN YOU
DESCRIBE SITUATIONS LIKE THIS ABOUT YOURSELF?
A proactive, resultsoriented 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 selfmotivation. Try to discuss at least one example indepth. The extra effort, strong
work ethic and creative side of you must be demonstrated.
9. WHAT’S THE WORST OR MOST EMBARRASSING ASPECT OF YOUR BUSINESS CAREER?
HOW WOULD YOU HAVE DONE THINGS DIFFERENTLY NOW WITH 20120 HINDSIGHT?
This is a general question to learn how introspective you are, 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’ve learned from them. This is a critical aspect of high potential individuals.
10. HOW HAVE YOU GROWN OR CHANGED OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS?
This requires thought. Maturation, increased technical skills, or increased selfconfidence are important
aspects of human development. To discuss these effectively is indicative of a well balanced, intelligent
individual. Overcoming personal obstacles or recognizing manageable weaknesses can brand you as
an approachable and desirable employee.
11. WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER TO BE YOUR MOST SIGNIFICANT STRENGTHS?
Be prepared. Know your 4 to 5 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 question. Describe how your skills have proven critical to your
success.
12. WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER TO BE 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 overtime. Better still, show how a weakness
can he turned into strength. For example, how a concentration on the details results in higher quality
work even though it requires much overtime.
13. DEADLINES, FRUSTRATIONS, DIFFICULT PEOPLE, AND SILLY RULES CAN MAKE A JOB
D1FFICULT. HOW DO YOU HANDLE THESE TYPES OF SITUATIONS?
Most companies, unfortunately, face these types of problems daily. If you can’t deal with petty
frustrations you’ll be seen as a problem. You certainly can state your displeasure at the petty side of
these issues, but how you overcome them is more important. Diplomacy, perseverance, and common
sense often prevail even in difficult circumstances. This is part of corporate America, and you must be
able to deal with it on a regular basis.
14. ONE OF OUR BIGGEST PROBLEM(S) MR/MRS CANDIDATE IS ___________. WHAT HAS
BEEN YOUR EXPERIENCE WITH THESE PROBLEM(S)? HOW WOULD YOU DEAL WITH
IT/THEM?
Think on your feet. Ask questions to get details. Break it into subparts. Highly likely you have some
experience with the subsections. Answer these, and summarize the total. State how you would go
about solving the problem, if you can’t answer directly. Be specific. Show your organizational and
analytical skills.
15. HOW DO YOU COMPARE YOUR TECHNICAL SKILLS TO YOUR MANAGEMENT SKILLS?
Many people tend to minimize their technical skills either because they don’t have any, or they don’t like
getting into the details. Most successful candidates possess good technical skills and get into enough
detail to make sure they understand the information being presented by their group. Try for a good
balance here if you want to be seriously considered for the position.
16. HOW HAS YOUR TECHNICAL ABILITY BEEN IMPORTANT IN ACCOMPLISHING RESULS?
Clearly, the interviewer believes he needs a strong level of technical competence. Most strong
managers have good technical backgrounds, even if they have gotten away from the detail. Describe
specific examples of your technical wherewithal, but don’t be afraid to say you are not current Also, you
could give examples of how you resolved a technical issue by “accelerated research.”
17. HOW WOULD YOU HANDLE A SITUATION WITH TIGHT DEADLINES, LOW EMPLOYEE
MORALE, AND INADEQUATE RESOURCES?
If you pull this off effectively it indicates you have strong management skills. You need to be creative.
An example would be great. Relate your toughest management task, even if it doesn’t meet all the
criteria. Organizational skills, interpersonal skills, and handling pressure are key elements of effective
management. Good managers should be able to address each issue, even if they were not concurrent.
Deftly handling the question is pretty indicative of your skills, too.
18. ARE YOU SATISIFIED WITH YOUR CAREER TO DATE? WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE IF YOU
COULD?
Be honest. Interviewers want to know if he can keep you happy. It’s important to know if you’re willing to
make some sacrifices to get your career on the right track. A degree of motivation is an important
selection criteria.
19. WHAT ARE YOUR CAREER GOALS? WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELF FIVE YEARS FROM
NOW? TEN YEARS?
Most importantly, be realistic. Blue sky stuff brands you as immature. One or two management jumps in
35 years is a reasonable goal. If your track record indicates you’re in line for senior management in 10
years it’s okay to mention. However, if you’ve had a rocky road it would be better to be introspective.
20. WHY SHOULD WE HIRE YOU FOR THIS POSITION? WHAT KIND OF CONTRIBUTION WOULD
YOU MAKE?
This is a terrific chance to summarize all salient points made previously during the interview. By now
you know the key problems. Restate and show how you would address those problems. Relate to
specific attributes and specific accomplishments. Qualify responses with the need to gather information.
Don’t be too confident. Demonstrate a thoughtful, organized, strong effort kind of attitude.