interview questions...and how to answer

[almaty 19]

Too many job seekers stumble through interviews as if the questions are coming out of left field. But many interview questions are to be expected. Study this list and plan your answers ahead of time so you'll be ready to deliver them with confidence.

What Are Your Weaknesses?

This is the most dreaded question of all. Handle it by minimizing your weakness and emphasizing your strengths. Stay away from personal qualities and concentrate on professional traits: "I am always working on improving my communication skills to be a more effective presenter. I recently joined Toastmasters, which I find very helpful."

Why Should We Hire You?

Summarize your experiences: "With five years' experience working in the financial industry and my proven record of saving the company money, I could make a big difference in your company. I'm confident I would be a great addition to your team."

Why Do You Want to Work Here?

The interviewer is listening for an answer that indicates you've given this some thought and are not sending out resumes just because there is an opening. For example, "I've selected key companies whose mission statements are in line with my values, where I know I could be excited about what the company does, and this company is very high on my list of desirable choices."

What Are Your Goals?

Sometimes it's best to talk about short-term and intermediate goals rather than locking yourself into the distant future. For example, "My immediate goal is to get a job in a growth-oriented company. My long-term goal will depend on where the company goes. I hope to eventually grow into a position of responsibility."

Why Did You Leave (Or Why Are You Leaving) Your Job?

If you're unemployed, state your reason for leaving in a positive context: "I managed to survive two rounds of corporate downsizing, but the third round was a 20 percent reduction in the workforce, which included me."

If you are employed, focus on what you want in your next job: "After two years, I made the decision to look for a company that is team-focused, where I can add my experience."

When Were You Most Satisfied in Your Job?

The interviewer wants to know what motivates you. If you can relate an example of a job or project when you were excited, the interviewer will get an idea of your preferences. "I was very satisfied in my last job, because I worked directly with the customers and their problems; that is an important part of the job for me."

What Can You Do for Us That Other Candidates Can't?

What makes you unique? This will take an assessment of your experiences, skills and traits. Summarize concisely: "I have a unique combination of strong technical skills, and the ability to build strong customer relationships. This allows me to use my knowledge and break down information to be more user-friendly."

What Are Three Positive Things Your Last Boss Would Say About You?

It's time to pull out your old performance appraisals and boss's quotes. This is a great way to brag about yourself through someone else's words: "My boss has told me that I am the best designer he has ever had. He knows he can rely on me, and he likes my sense of humor."

What Salary Are You Seeking?

It is to your advantage if the employer tells you the range first. Prepare by knowing the going rate in your area, and your bottom line or walk-away point. One possible answer would be: "I am sure when the time comes, we can agree on a reasonable amount. In what range do you typically pay someone with my background?"

If You Were an Animal, Which One Would You Want to Be?

Interviewers use this type of psychological question to see if you can think quickly. If you answer "a bunny," you will make a soft, passive impression. If you answer "a lion," you will be seen as aggressive. What type of personality would it take to get the job done? What impression do you want to make?

[munchkins 0]

Well, I shall certainly have a good read of that, interviewing techniques seem different to what they are over here, so I think it will come in really useful.

If I follow it and don't land a job, I'll blame you

[Mand 1]

It's just good common sense to prep for any interview...look how much work we are all doing for the visa interviews! In my mind, any interview needs preparation, and especially job interviews. I actually don't mind interviews that much.

What I hate are those psychometric tests, especially the ones administered by Gallup for another company. Any one ever go through one of those?

[rbhigday 0]

Good advice

WOnder what they would think if you said a turtle

[almaty 19]

Well, I shall certainly have a good read of that, interviewing techniques seem different to what they are over here, so I think it will come in really useful.

If I follow it and don't land a job, I'll blame you

damn munchkins, blame monster.com.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

If You Were an Animal, Which One Would You Want to Be?

Interviewers use this type of psychological question to see if you can think quickly. If you answer "a bunny," you will make a soft, passive impression. If you answer "a lion," you will be seen as aggressive. What type of personality would it take to get the job done? What impression do you want to make?

Do you really want to work for the kind of clown who will ask a stupid question like this? This question is right up there on the asinine-scale with "If you were a tree, what tree would you be?"

[pax 0]

If You Were an Animal, Which One Would You Want to Be?

Interviewers use this type of psychological question to see if you can think quickly. If you answer "a bunny," you will make a soft, passive impression. If you answer "a lion," you will be seen as aggressive. What type of personality would it take to get the job done? What impression do you want to make?

Do you really want to work for the kind of clown who will ask a stupid question like this? This question is right up there on the asinine-scale with "If you were a tree, what tree would you be?"

My thoughts exactly. I've never been asked that in a job interview, and I've been on quite a few in my young life.

[almaty 19]

common in some large corporation..there is a several different types of psych profiles and pseudo tests..the way the person responds to the question, not the answer tells you about their personaility make-up...example: someone who jumps right in without asking any questions or saying "pardon" maybe too passive..

If You Were an Animal, Which One Would You Want to Be?

Interviewers use this type of psychological question to see if you can think quickly. If you answer "a bunny," you will make a soft, passive impression. If you answer "a lion," you will be seen as aggressive. What type of personality would it take to get the job done? What impression do you want to make?

Do you really want to work for the kind of clown who will ask a stupid question like this? This question is right up there on the asinine-scale with "If you were a tree, what tree would you be?"

i was once asked about the tree...' i made up a name of one ( to f##K with them) and told them a bs answer..of course, they told me that they were unaware of this tree..i said it was a rare tree in the steppes of siberia...those chopf##ks were impressed and i turned the job down later azz clowns

[Mand 1]

i was once asked about the tree...' i made up a name of one ( to f##K with them) and told them a bs answer..of course, they told me that they were unaware of this tree..i said it was a rare tree in the steppes of siberia...those chopf##ks were impressed and i turned the job down later azz clowns

Would loved to have been a fly on the wall

[Kajikit 65]

Job interviews SUCK... and I suck at them so bad I'm never going to do one ever again. I only ever had one 'good' interview and then I didn't even get the $#^$ job!

[onwa 6]

Now that I'm in a position to give interviews, the question that messes people up is when I ask them to explain their organization style. Its not a trick question. Plus, our company policy is to give the questions out beforehand so people can prepare.

[Jasman0717 9]