50 Common Interview Questions and Answers: 1. Tell Me About Yourself

50 COMMON INTERVIEW QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Review these typical interview questions and think about how you would answer them. Read the questions listed; you will also find some strategy suggestions with it. 1. Tell me about yoursel ! The most often asked question in interviews. You need to have a short statement prepared in your mind. Be careful that it does not sound rehearsed. Limit it to work related items unless instructed otherwise. Talk about things you have done and !obs you have held that relate to the position you are interviewing for. "tart with the item farthest back and work up to the present. ". W#y $%$ you lea&e your last 'ob( "tay positive regardless of the circumstances. #ever refer to a ma!or problem with management and never speak ill of supervisors$ co workers or the organi%ation. &f you do$ you will be the one looking bad. 'eep smiling and talk about leaving for a positive reason such as an opportunity$ a chance to do something special or other forward looking reasons. ). W#at e*+er%e,-e $o you #a&e %, t#%s %el$( "peak about specifics that relate to the position you are applying for. &f you do not have specific e(perience$ get as close as you can. .. Do you -o,s%$er yoursel su--ess ul( You should always answer yes and briefly e(plain why. ) good e(planation is that you have set goals$ and you have met some and are on track to achieve the others. 5. W#at $o -o/0or1ers say about you( Be prepared with a quote or two from co workers. *ither a specific statement or a paraphrase will work. +ill ,lark$ a co worker at "mith ,ompany$ always said & was the hardest workers she had ever known. &t is as powerful as +ill having said it at the interview herself. 2. W#at $o you 1,o0 about t#%s or3a,%4at%o,( This question is one reason to do some research on the organi%ation before the interview. -ind out where they have been and where they are going. .hat are the current issues and who are the ma!or players/
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5. W#at #a&e you $o,e to %m+ro&e your 1,o0le$3e %, t#e last year( Try to include improvement activities that relate to the !ob. ) wide variety of activities can be mentioned as positive self improvement. 0ave some good ones handy to mention. 6. Are you a++ly%,3 or ot#er 'obs( Be honest but do not spend a lot of time in this area. 'eep the focus on this !ob and what you can do for this organi%ation. )nything else is a distraction. 7. W#y $o you 0a,t to 0or1 or t#%s or3a,%4at%o,( This may take some thought and certainly$ should be based on the research you have done on the organi%ation. "incerity is e(tremely important here and will easily be sensed. Relate it to your long term career goals. 10. Do you 1,o0 a,yo,e 0#o 0or1s or us( Be aware of the policy on relatives working for the organi%ation. This can affect your answer even though they asked about friends not relatives. Be careful to mention a friend only if they are well thought of. 11. W#at 1%,$ o salary $o you ,ee$( ) loaded question. ) nasty little game that you will probably lose if you answer first. "o$ do not answer it. &nstead$ say something like$ That1s a tough question. ,an you tell me the range for this position/ &n most cases$ the interviewer$ taken off guard$ will tell you. &f not$ say that it can depend on the details of the !ob. Then give a wide range. 1". Are you a team +layer( You are$ of course$ a team player. Be sure to have e(amples ready. "pecifics that show you often perform for the good of the team rather than for yourself are good evidence of your team attitude. 2o not brag$ !ust say it in a matter of fact tone. This is a key point. 1). 8o0 lo,3 0oul$ you e*+e-t to 0or1 or us % #%re$( "pecifics here are not good. "omething like this should work3 &1d like it to be a long time. 4r )s long as we both feel &1m doing a good !ob. 1.. 8a&e you e&er #a$ to %re a,yo,e( 8o0 $%$ you eel about t#at(
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This is serious. 2o not make light of it or in any way seem like you like to fire people. )t the same time$ you will do it when it is the right thing to do. .hen it comes to the organi%ation versus the individual who has created a harmful situation$ you will protect the organi%ation. Remember firing is not the same as layoff or reduction in force. 15. W#at %s your +#%loso+#y to0ar$s 0or1( The interviewer is not looking for a long or flowery dissertation here. 2o you have strong feelings that the !ob gets done/ Yes. That1s the type of answer that works best here. "hort and positive$ showing a benefit to the organi%ation. 12. I you #a$ e,ou3# mo,ey to ret%re r%3#t ,o09 0oul$ you( )nswer yes if you would. But since you need to work$ this is the type of work you prefer. 2o not say yes if you do not mean it. 15. 8a&e you e&er bee, as1e$ to lea&e a +os%t%o,( &f you have not$ say no. &f you have$ be honest$ brief and avoid saying negative things about the people or organi%ation involved. 16. E*+la%, #o0 you 0oul$ be a, asset to t#%s or3a,%4at%o, You should be an(ious for this question. &t gives you a chance to highlight your best points as they relate to the position being discussed. 5ive a little advance thought to this relationship. 17. W#y s#oul$ 0e #%re you( 6oint out how your assets meet what the organi%ation needs. 2o not mention any other candidates to make a comparison. "0. Tell me about a su33est%o, you #a&e ma$e 0ave a good one ready. Be sure and use a suggestion that was accepted and was then considered successful. 4ne related to the type of work applied for is a real plus. "1. W#at %rr%tates you about -o/0or1ers( This is a trap question. Think real hard but fail to come up with anything that irritates you. ) short statement that you seem to get along with folks is great. "". W#at %s your 3reatest stre,3t#(
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#umerous answers are good$ !ust stay positive. ) few good e(amples3 Your ability to prioriti%e$ Your problem solving skills$ Your ability to work under pressure$ Your ability to focus on pro!ects$ Your professional e(pertise$ Your leadership skills$ Your positive attitude "). Tell me about your $ream 'ob. "tay away from a specific !ob. You cannot win. &f you say the !ob you are contending for is it$ you strain credibility. &f you say another !ob is it$ you plant the suspicion that you will be dissatisfied with this position if hired. The best is to stay genetic and say something like3 ) !ob where & love the work$ like the people$ can contribute and can1t wait to get to work. ".. W#y $o you t#%,1 you 0oul$ $o 0ell at t#%s 'ob( 5ive several reasons and include skills$ e(perience and interest. "5. W#at are you loo1%,3 or %, a 'ob( "ee answer 7 89 "2. W#at 1%,$ o +erso, 0oul$ you re use to 0or1 0%t#( 2o not be trivial. &t would take disloyalty to the organi%ation$ violence or lawbreaking to get you to ob!ect. :inor ob!ections will label you as a whiner. "5. W#at %s more %m+orta,t to you! t#e mo,ey or t#e 0or1( :oney is always important$ but the work is the most important. There is no better answer. "6. W#at 0oul$ your +re&%ous su+er&%sor say your stro,3est +o%,t %s( There are numerous good possibilities3 Loyalty$ *nergy$ 6ositive attitude$ Leadership$ Team player$ *(pertise$ &nitiative$ 6atience$ 0ard work$ ,reativity$ 6roblem solver "7. Tell me about a +roblem you #a$ 0%t# a su+er&%sor Biggest trap of all. This is a test to see if you will speak ill of your boss. &f you fall for it and tell about a problem with a former boss$ you may well below the interview right there. "tay positive and develop a poor memory about any trouble with a supervisor. )0. W#at #as $%sa++o%,te$ you about a 'ob( Prashantkg123@gmail.com Page 4

2on1t get trivial or negative. "afe areas are few but can include3 #ot enough of a challenge. You were laid off in a reduction ,ompany$ did not win a contract$ which would have given you more responsibility. )1. Tell me about your ab%l%ty to 0or1 u,$er +ressure. You may say that you thrive under certain types of pressure. 5ive an e(ample that relates to the type of position applied for. )". Do your s1%lls mat-# t#%s 'ob or a,ot#er 'ob more -losely( 6robably this one. 2o not give fuel to the suspicion that you may want another !ob more than this one. )). W#at mot%&ates you to $o your best o, t#e 'ob( This is a personal trait that only you can say$ but good e(amples are3 ,hallenge$ )chievement$ Recognition ).. Are you 0%ll%,3 to 0or1 o&ert%me( N%3#ts( Wee1e,$s( This is up to you. Be totally honest. )5. 8o0 0oul$ you 1,o0 you 0ere su--ess ul o, t#%s 'ob( "everal ways are good measures3 You set high standards for yourself and meet them. Your outcomes are a success. Your boss tell you that you are successful )2. Woul$ you be 0%ll%,3 to relo-ate % re:u%re$( You should be clear on this with your family prior to the interview if you think there is a chance it may come up. 2o not say yes !ust to get the !ob if the real answer is no. This can create a lot of problems later on in your career. Be honest at this point and save yourself future grief. )5. Are you 0%ll%,3 to +ut t#e %,terests o t#e or3a,%4at%o, a#ea$ o your o0,( This is a straight loyalty and dedication question. 2o not worry about the deep ethical and philosophical implications. +ust say yes. )6. Des-r%be your ma,a3eme,t style.
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Try to avoid labels. "ome of the more common labels$ like progressive$ salesman or consensus$ can have several meanings or descriptions depending on which management e(pert you listen to. The situational style is safe$ because it says you will manage according to the situation$ instead of one si%e fits all. )7. W#at #a&e you lear,e$ rom m%sta1es o, t#e 'ob( 0ere you have to come up with something or you strain credibility. :ake it small$ well intentioned mistake with a positive lesson learned. )n e(ample would be working too far ahead of colleagues on a pro!ect and thus throwing coordination off. .0. Do you #a&e a,y bl%,$ s+ots( Trick question. &f you know about blind spots$ they are no longer blind spots. 2o not reveal any personal areas of concern here. Let them do their own discovery on your bad points. 2o not hand it to them. .1. I you 0ere #%r%,3 a +erso, or t#%s 'ob9 0#at 0oul$ you loo1 or( Be careful to mention traits that are needed and that you have. .". Do you t#%,1 you are o&er:ual% %e$ or t#%s +os%t%o,( Regardless of your qualifications$ state that you are very well qualified for the position. .). 8o0 $o you +ro+ose to -om+e,sate or your la-1 o e*+er%e,-e( -irst$ if you have e(perience that the interviewer does not know about$ bring that up3 Then$ point out ;if true< that you are a hard working quick learner. ... W#at :ual%t%es $o you loo1 or %, a boss( Be generic and positive. "afe qualities are knowledgeable$ a sense of humor$ fair$ loyal to subordinates and holder of high standards. )ll bosses think they have these traits. .5. Tell me about a t%me 0#e, you #el+e$ resol&e a $%s+ute bet0ee, ot#ers. 6ick a specific incident. ,oncentrate on your problem solving technique and not the dispute you settled. .2. W#at +os%t%o, $o you +re er o, a team 0or1%,3 o, a +ro'e-t( Be honest. &f you are comfortable in different roles$ point that out. Prashantkg123@gmail.com Page 6

.5. Des-r%be your 0or1 et#%-. *mphasi%e benefits to the organi%ation. Things like$ determination to get the !ob done and work hard but en!oy your work are good. .6. W#at #as bee, your b%33est +ro ess%o,al $%sa++o%,tme,t( Be sure that you refer to something that was beyond your control. "how acceptance and no negative feelings. .7. Tell me about t#e most u, you #a&e #a$ o, t#e 'ob. Talk about having fun by accomplishing something for the organi%ation. 50. Do you #a&e a,y :uest%o,s or me( )lways have some questions prepared. =uestions prepared where you will be an asset to the organi%ation are good. 0ow soon will & be able to be productive/ and .hat type of pro!ects will & be able to assist on/ are e(amples.
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50 Common Interview Questions and Answers: 1. Tell Me About Yourself

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50 COMMON INTERVIEW QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS