Most Common Job Interview Questions and Answers
Job Interview Questions and Answers PART 2
While some job interviewers take a reasonably unusual approach to interview questions, most job interviews involve an exchange of common interview questions and answers. (Including a number of the foremost often-asked behavioral interview questions.) Here are a number of the foremost common interview questions, along side the simplest thanks to answer them:
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Job Interview Questions and Answers PART 1
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6. "How did you learn about the opening?"
Job boards, general postings, online listings, job fairs ... most people find their first few jobs that way, so that's certainly not a red flag.
But a candidate who continues to find each successive job from general postings probably hasn't figured out what he or she wants to do -- and where he or she would like to do it.
He or she is just looking for a job; often, any job.
So don't just explain how you heard about the opening. Show that you heard about the job through a colleague, a current employer, by following the company ... show that you know about the job because you want to work there.
Employers don't want to hire people who just want a job; they want to hire people who want a job with their company.
7. "Why do you want this job?"
Now go deeper. Don't just talk about why the company would be great to work for; talk about how the position is a perfect fit for what you hope to accomplish, both short-term and long-term.
And if you don't know why the position is a perfect fit ... look somewhere else. Life is too short.
8. "What do you consider to be your biggest professional achievement?"
Here's an interview question that definitely requires an answer relevant to the job. If you say your biggest achievement was improving throughput by 18 percent in six months but you're interviewing for a leadership role in human resources ... that answer is interesting but ultimately irrelevant.
Instead, talk about an underperforming employee you "rescued," or how you overcame infighting between departments, or how so many of your direct reports have been promoted....
The goal is to share achievements that let the interviewer imagine you in the position -- and see you succeeding.
9. "Tell me about the last time a co-worker or customer got angry with you. What happened?"
Conflict is inevitable when a company works hard to get things done. Mistakes happen. Sure, strengths come to the fore, but weaknesses also rear their heads. And that's OK. No one is perfect.
But a person who tends to push the blame -- and the responsibility for rectifying the situation -- onto someone else is a candidate to avoid. Hiring managers would much rather choose candidates who focus not on blame but on addressing and fixing the problem.
Every business needs employees who willingly admit when they are wrong, step up to take ownership for fixing the problem, and, most important, learn from the experience.
10. "Describe your dream job."
Three words describe how you should answer this question: relevance, relevance, relevance.
But that doesn't mean you have to make up an answer. You can learn something from every job. You can develop skills in every job. Work backward: Identify things about the job you're interviewing for that will help you if you do land your dream job someday, and then describe how those things apply to what you hope to someday do.
And don't be afraid to admit that you might someday move on, whether to join another company or -- better -- to start your own business. Employers no longer expect "forever" employees.
11. "Why do you want to leave your current job?"
Let's start with what you shouldn't say (or, if you're the interviewer, what are definite red flags).
Don't talk about how your boss is difficult. Don't talk about how you can't get along with other employees. Don't bad-mouth your company.
Instead, focus on the positives a move will bring. Talk about what you want to achieve. Talk about what you want to learn. Talk about ways you want to grow, about things you want to accomplish; explain how a move will be great for you and for your new company.
Complaining about your current employer is a little like people who gossip: If you're willing to speak badly of someone else, you'll probably do the same to me.
12. "What kind of work environment do you like best?"
Maybe you love working alone ... but if the job you're interviewing for is in a call center, that answer will do you no good.
So take a step back and think about the job you're applying for and the company's culture (because every company has one, whether intentional or unintentional). If a flexible schedule is important to you, but the company doesn't offer one, focus on something else. If you like constant direction and support and the company expects employees to self-manage, focus on something else.
Find ways to highlight how the company's environment will work well for you -- and if you can't find ways, don't take the job, because you'll be miserable.
Job Interview Questions and Answers PART 2
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Oleh
MEROUANE ATIK
