Interview questions

[Fitnessfreakk366]

Calling all hiring managers! I need to get some answers to questions dealing with interviews memorized under my belt. I've been going to interviews and have yet to get a new job. I can't help but wonder it's because of the way I talk about myself when asked about knowing certain aspects of my job.

Can you come up with a few questions you might ask on an interview so I can come up with some logical answers and memorize them? I would really appreciate it.

I really need to find a new job fast. I'd appreciate any help you can give me.

Thank you!

 

[Winter]

I think you are competing with a lot of others so it may not be you. However I do have a few things that I look for in an interview and it has litte to do with some of the candidates responses to questions. You can say anything to dazzle someone in an interview.

What I look for:

Will you fit in with the current work force?
Do you have confidence and can find your way through a task with minimal supervision?
Are you personable?
Does your personality fit this particular position and who you will work with in this position?
Are you reliable?
I look at how you relate to previous employment - negative really turns me off to the candidate.
Do you know anything about this company? Did you bring the job description with you? Do you have any questions about this company? Questions about this company are important to me. I want a candidate that knows or inquires about our work culture so they can make informed decision to work here.

Try not to be nervous - it makes me nervous. Be yourself.

Hope that helps some.

Good luck.

 

[upnorthchick]

Calling all hiring managers! I need to get some answers to questions dealing with interviews memorized under my belt. I've been going to interviews and have yet to get a new job. I can't help but wonder it's because of the way I talk about myself when asked about knowing certain aspects of my job.

Can you come up with a few questions you might ask on an interview so I can come up with some logical answers and memorize them? I would really appreciate it.

I really need to find a new job fast. I'd appreciate any help you can give me.

Thank you!

Hi! Here are a couple that I like to ask:

1) Talk about a time you had a conflict with a coworker or boss? How was it resolved?

2) Describe a major challenge you faced at a job. How did you handle that challenge?

3) Professionally, where do you see yourself in 5 years?

4) How do you go about prioritizing your workload?

These are "old school" interview questions but I'm pretty "old school" when it comes to interviewing/hiring.

When I'm hiring, I'm mostly looking for people that can play nicely with others, can problem solve, and will fit in to the office and work group. I am willing to train people who may not be as qualified but have a good attitude and work ethic.

HTH! Good luck with your job search! I hope something comes along quickly!

 

[Jane A]

Debbie,

I ditto everything Winter said.

I would add that being frank and honest is extremely important. Don't try to pretend to know things you don't know. Just say you don't know. When prospective employees start talking about things they don't know about, I have to wonder if they are going to continue to be dishonest.

What I always want most is someone who is willing to learn, and who will fit in with my existing workforce without disrupting things. Yet, at the same time, they need to have enough self-motivation to take care of small things without asking, and to make suggestions for improvements. (Essentially, Winter's first 2 questions.)

If someone came in and told me about a previous job that they took on without much experience, but worked at and mastered, and could tell me about some of their accomplishments -- I'd be impressed.

HTH!

 

[Jane A]

Oh! One more thing.

At your interview, keep your true objective in mind at all times. I think it will help you relax and be yourself. Your true objective should be to create a "win-win" situation, where both you and the employer are happy with your deal. So don't worry about saying the "right" thing -- you don't want to fool or impress your way into a job.

 

[Fitnessfreakk366]

WOW! Thank you for so much feedback. You have no idea how helpful you are all being!! I just feel like I am not prepared when I go into an interview, even though I study the company I am interviewing with and what they do. I find myself stumbling with words and I know I need to memorize some things so I can just talk fluently. These questions and advice on how to act is very helpful.

Thank you so much!

 

[Davidj]

Also, read up on your employer on the internet...

Debbie,
I agree with the other comments in this thread.

One more thing, study up on your employer on the internet, and be prepared to ask questions back to your interview. One question a good interviewer always asks is "Do you have any questions you want to ask us?".

Don't ask about benefits or perks. Ask about futre plans about the firm or organization, the firm at large or the local office. The basic thing here is to start a back and forth discussion about what the firm does, and your place in it. A good interview is one where you can go with your interviewer for a cup of coffee, and have a 1/2 - 1 hr talk, where you both benefit from the talk.
-- David

 

[JT]

Also, I agree with everyone. Here is my question:

What have you done at your current position to improve the bottom line or to improve performance of your employer?

EG-Saved money by switching vendors, reduced performance/errors on some tasks, lead a project which resulted in new customers. Mine would be conforming processes of a product with all branches including supervisors. Help them save steps and time.

 

[LauraMax]

I have a standard form that I tailor to each position, but these are the Qs on it (some of which have already been mentioned):

· What are your strengths?
· What are your weaknesses?
· How would your current (or last) boss describe you?
· What's your opinion of him/her?
· Describe a typical day at your present (or last) job.
· How would your co-workers or subordinates describe you professionally?
· What is your most important contribution to your last (or current) employer?
· Why do you want to work for us?
· Why do you want to leave your present employer?
· Tell me about your accomplishments.
· What qualities or talents would you bring to the job?
· How do you perform under pressure? Give me an example.
· How do you react to criticism?
· Describe a conflict or disagreement at work in which you were involved. How was it resolved?
· What are two of the biggest problems you've encountered at your job and how did you overcome them?
· Give me an example of a risk that you took at your job (past or present) and how it turned out.
· What do you see yourself doing five years from now?

 

[Fitnessfreakk366]

You all have no idea how helpful this has been. The questions some of you have posted have been ones asked of me and when I'm asked something that I'm not prepared to answer I just stumble. So I think if I write all these questions out and come up with a good answer for all of them and study it, I should be good to go.

I really appreciate all this! Very helpful to me. Thanks so much!!!