How To Get The Job You Really
Really Want - The Interview - More Questions?
Here are some more examples
of popular interview questions with suggestions for answers.
What is it about this job (or this particular market)
that interests you?
This question is nearly always asked, and this is the
time that all the research you have done can come into it's own.
Let 'em have it! Let them know you have researched the company and
tell them what you like. It is also an opportunity to get a good
conversation going. You can seek clarification on points you have
researched, or you can ask questions that probe deeper into
information you have been given. This is a good chance to show why
you are right for the job, and you should relate your skills to the
answer / discussion at every opportunity. This question may also be
phrased as "What do you look for in a job?" The same principles
apply.
Why do you want to join us?
Again similar answers to above. You have done your
research and this is another chance to show you have. From your
research you will have seen company literature / website, so use
their language and phraseology back to them (they will love
it!). You will probably have specific reasons that you can give.
For example "I have always admired your widgets, and my current
clients always speak very highly of them. I'm really excited about
the prospect of having them in my portfolio". You should also bring
out features of the company that appeal. For example, "I have
always wanted to work for the market leader." If you get through to
a third / fourth interview stage this question is likely to rear
it's head again as...
What do you think of our operation here then?
Obviously if you're through to this stage you will
have seen quite a bit of the company, but it is still an
outsiders view, so be very careful about how you answer this one!
My favourite way of handling this one is to err on the side of
caution. Something like, "Well, I haven't really had a chance to
look at the fine details, but with what I have seen so far, I'm
impressed". A bit of a cop out, I know, but it is probably the best
way out, because you don't really know enough to make a proper
valued judgement. Something you can add that will impress is, "
This is the sort of place I could be very happy in." They'll love
it, and it will win you major brownie points!
If you have noticed a few things you think need to be
changed, and it's your best estimate that you're likely to be the
one doing the changing, and only if you can add something positive,
it might be worth mentioning. However, you must be careful. No
matter how much the company wants you, if you go in gung-ho at
interview stating you are going to change the world, you will not
come away with the job. Something along the lines of, "It's
interesting to note you have a "such and such" situation. That's
similar to one I dealt with at ABC. Perhaps, once I'm on board, we
can look at some of the ways I tackled the situation there." The
golden rule here, however, is do not criticise. Beware,
though, this will probably prompt further probing, and you should be
prepared to talk the situation through.
What were your duties in your last job?
Easy! Be honest in your appraisal, and use this
question to demonstrate how your previous job makes you the ideal
candidate for the role on offer. Again, use the third party
principle wherever possible, and blow that trumpet!
This is a real high pressure job, why do you think
you are up to it?
This is an interesting question and it really doesn't
matter too much what you say, rather how you say it. It may be a
good idea to qualify what sort of pressure the interviewer means
before answering. You could ask "How do you mean?" or "What causes
the pressure?" Once you have the situation qualified it is probably
best to say you cope well under pressure and give an example of how
you coped with a previous pressure situation that is relevant to the
scenario you have been given. One of the best answers I have heard
to this question was recently. I was speaking with a high level IT
Manager before a final interview I had booked him into. We were
talking about pressure situations as far as the delivery of complex
IT solutions were concerned. We were discussing the extremely
stretching development programme he would be managing should he be
successful, and his words to me were as follows;- "Pressure? I'd
be bored without it!" Perhaps that's the best answer of the lot!
If you do use this answer, though, do be prepared to be probed
further, because the interviewer will want specific examples.
What were the most difficult or stressful things
about your last job? or What was the greatest frustration in your
last job, and why?
This is similar to the "pressure" scenario above, and
it is best to answer in a similar fashion. Yes, highlight a couple
of projects or tasks that were, shall we say, a little tricky, but
pick on successes. If you can demonstrate that you took hold of an
awkward situation and through your skills and persistence resolved
them, this will be a very powerful weapon in your armoury.
What would you say were your biggest contributions to
your last job?
Trumpet time yet again. I don't know, these
interviewers are good to you really, aren't they? Same as above
really, pick a couple of major success stories and relate them to
situations with the prospective employer.
Carry on to the next page for
more questions you might get asked!
Next Page -
Yet More
Interview Questions
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