Interview Questions and Answers
How to Effectively Answer Employer Questions During Job Interviews
Oct 21, 2009
The job interview is one of the most nail-biting life experiences for many candidates. How to dress? What will the employer ask? What if they pose difficult questions the person didn’t prepare for? What should the candidate ask the employer? Preparation is key, starting with some common types of questions designed to gauge the candidate’s overall employability.
Types of Job Interview Questions
Employers will ask a number of questions designed to gauge the candidate’s skills, experience, and fit for the position. One type of inquiry posed by the company is the open question which does not require a yes or no. For example, “Tell us a little about yourself.” On the other hand, the closed inquiry (e.g., “Have you worked with Microsoft Word?”) does require a yes or no answer.
The hypothetical question is common, for example, “What would you do if you saw your boss stealing from the company?” The leading inquiry is one that seems obvious or logical, for example, “This position requires strong communications skills. Do you have strong skills in this area?” Lastly, the behavioral interview looks at the candidate’s past experiences to gauge future behaviors. For example, “How well do you handle criticism?”
Common Interview Questions and Answers
Inquiries during a job interview are relatively predictable, though employers will often ask one or two unexpected ones to see how the candidate responds. “Tell us a little about yourself” is a very common introductory question to get an initial feel for the candidate. The person should respond not by citing hobbies and general interests (certainly nothing having to do with politics or religion), but rather by focusing in on core job skills and accomplishments.
“Why did you leave your last job?” is another common interview question. Here, the hiring manager is trying to get a feel for whether the person is a loyal worker, has a good attitude, and has not been fired due to bad performance. The individual should respond by staying positive. Say the position was a great opportunity and it was sad to leave such a good company. Never talk bad about former bosses. Other questions include:
- What is your greatest strength? Stay positive and focus on leadership, organizational, and problem-solving skills and the ability to work under pressure with tight deadlines. Cite not just one strength but several – all highlighting why the company should make the hiring decision.
- What are you looking for in a job? Answer in general terms such as, “A position where I enjoy the work and can contribute as a team member in a leadership and mentoring role.”
- What do your coworkers and your boss say about you? Of course, former coworkers have never said anything negative. They have praised the person’s organizational skills, strong work ethic, leadership qualities, and easy to get along with personality.
- Tell me about a problem with your supervisor. This is a question meant to trap the individual into saying something negative about a former boss. Don’t fall for it. Instead, stay positive, say good things about the person, don’t get emotional, and keep focused on how the problem was solved effectively using good communication skills.
- Where do you want to be in five years? This question has become cliché over the years and is not often asked these days. However if it is asked, answer in general terms citing career goals and interest in the company.
- Do you know about our company? A very effective technique (and one that impresses every hiring manager) is to print out a copy of the organization’s About page from their website and have it on the table at the beginning of the interview. When this question comes up, take notes in the margins and ask them about specific areas of their goods and/or services.
- What kind of salary are you looking for? Speak in terms of flexibility and provide a range, for example, between $45K-$55K per year.
- Do you have any questions for us? The answer should always be yes. If the candidate had been properly prepared, he or she would have written a list of questions to ask the hiring manager.
During the interview, always highlight strengths and job skills. Explain how these characteristics were acquired in previous jobs, and how they could benefit the company. Keep focused, maintain strong eye contact, and smile often. Always provide a direct answer – never try to play games or outsmart the employer by being coy or answering questions with questions. Be honest, genuine, and personable, and walk in to the job interview with confidence.
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