The Complete Interview Answer Guide

This question can be answered in several ways, but do your best to keep your answer short. Avoid being dishonest with this question, for whatever reason, your interviewer may spot it and believe there is something you are not saying. There are usually only a few reasons someone really wants to leave their job and, surprisingly, money does not rank at the top of the list.

On the other hand, you may not have gotten along with your manager or co-workers. Maybe you were never very excited to be there in the first place and only accepted the job to pay the bills. Maybe your reputation was tarnished by a formal reprimand and staying there is emotionally draining. Perhaps you are severely underpaid and just need more money. But to be clear, do not list any of these reasons for leaving your current job in an interview because the interviewer will not be impressed and you will probably lose any chance of getting the job.

Avoid making negative remarks about your past or present manager, your fellow employees, or the company you are working for - even if they are true! Don’t even hint at the fact that you hated your manager and avoid sarcastic remarks. Remember, the interviewer does not know your previous manager or fellow employees. If you start bad-mouthing them in the interview, you will immediately be flagged as having a negative attitude toward your co-workers. The interviewer will then assume you will act the same way at this company and be a bad influence. You will not get the job.

I don’t care how bad you hate your current company, manager, co-workers, salary - never bring that up in the interview. Instead, tell the interviewer something positive about your co-workers and previous company.

There is no right answer to this question, only wrong ones. You don’t need to make a book out of this answer, just something short and positive is best. After all, it really does not matter to the interviewer, if you don’t say something foolish. The point here is to convey to the interviewer that you are not leaving because you are mad, tired, bored, overworked, underpaid, or job hopping, just that you are leaving your job because…

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developed, it is time for me to move to a more progressive organization with more opportunities and new challenges.”

This is an easy question to answer even if it makes you nervous. This question is asked in a way that it requires a “yes or no” answer, but don’t just say “yes.” You should describe situations where you have worked under pressure at your job and had to meet deadlines that you had no control over.

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This is more of a follow-up from the previous question, and I doubt both questions will be directly asked to you, but both have slightly different answers. Saying no to this question may be an honest answer, but it is also a negative one. If you are a doctor, lawyer or in another demanding profession, answering no to this question will surely disqualify you for the position.

The interviewer will probably ask for an example, so be prepared with a situation or academic scenario from a previous job. It doesn’t even have to be from your most recent job, just a good example that demonstrates your ability to have a cool head when things are heating up.

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This is a pretty open-ended question and may or may not get asked directly, but some variation of it may come up. There is no right or wrong answer. The interviewer wants to see what you believe are your best strengths and that you can differentiate yourself from everyone else. If you trip up on this question, it does not mean the end of the interview, but if you trip up on a few of these types of questions, you can probably expect that you won’t go any further in the interview process.

This is a time to talk about your job skills, training, and project experiences that make you better than everyone else. Describe your role and how you have contributed to the company and projects on past jobs.

Don’t give a straight out answer, but now is a good time to brag about yourself and your abilities. Make sure you mention that you have the skills, training, and experience that are required for the job and describe how they will benefit the company by having you instead of anyone else. Differentiate yourself.

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It's one of the most frequently asked questions in an interview. The way you answer this question will set the tone for the rest of the interview. This can be a challenging question to answer if you are not prepared for it, but it’s really asked as an icebreaker.

This is an open-ended question, but the interviewer really wants to hear about your recent work experience, how you got started in your career and why you love it. Why don’t they just ask that question? Because they want to see where you will go with an open-ended question. Your answer tells the interviewer where your mind is. If you start telling him that you are a Cleveland Browns fan, then you are way off base with what your interviewer wants to hear and you just made your first mistake.

What do you want the interviewer to know about you when you leave, your work experience or your personal interests? I’m confident their hiring decision will be based on your work experience and your passion for your work. So save your personal interests for the water cooler after you get the job.

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Talk about what brought you to this point in your career and the related jobs you’ve held up to this point. But it’s important to keep your answer related to your career. For some people, they might start their story when they were 18 years old and realized they wanted to be a banker. So they would talk about why they enjoy finance and what it is specifically they enjoy and why they want to pursue banking as a career. Then they would talk about the different types of finance jobs or related volunteer work they have done to support their career goal.

For others, they may have realized they wanted to be a fireman when they were 6 years old and carried that dream their whole life until they were of age. For them, they would start their story from age 6, but quickly progress up to current times. It would be ideal for them to talk about why they want to be a fireman and any extracurricular activities they have done that support this passion.

Focus on your answer and talk about your accomplishments from your current or most recent job and lightly touch on your daily duties. These are the things an interviewer really wants to hear. Because if he thinks you were successful at your past job, then you will be successful at this job.

Even if you don’t feel that you accomplished anything, look deep and think of something you did that helped the company. Or better yet, describe an accomplishment that you contributed to the company, just make sure it’s in the same line of work. For example, don’t take credit for boosting sales revenue if your job is to fix computers.

• Briefly talk about your current employer. • Discuss 2-3 of your most significant accomplishments. • Talk about a few of your key strengths as they relate to the job for which you are applying and how they can benefit from your strengths. • Then discuss how you see yourself fitting into a position at their company.

1. Speak of how you completed projects on time and under budget. 2. Tell them how you increased sales revenues for two straight quarters in a row. 3. Describe of how you came up with a new procedure that saved the company money. 4. “I have been in the customer service industry for several years and most of my experience has been dealing with calls from our customers. I truly enjoy working with the people in this business as well as the challenges. In my last job, the good relationships I formed with my customers resulted in me holding the highest customer retention rate of everyone else in my department.” 5. “One of my best strengths is my attention to detail. When I set out to work on a task or project, I always make sure it gets done on time.”

This is a great question and is sure to come up during your interview and probably when you least expect it. Lack of preparation for this question could very well cost you the job. One of the most important things is to be honest, otherwise it will show. Ask yourself the question first, why do you want to work there?

If your answer is that you just need a job and paycheck, then dig a little deeper. If you still can’t come up with an honest answer, then read on and hopefully I’ll help you think of something. Make sure you have a clear understanding of why you want to work for them and that it’s more than “just a job” to you. Do you admire this company? Do you like their products? Do they have a great success story? The key here is what is important to you about this company.

The best way to prepare for this question is to research the company before you attend the interview and learn everything you can, past, present and future. Remember, the idea behind the interview is to find the best and most qualified candidate for the job and one that will best fit in with its culture. At this point, you should describe how your past experience has prepared you for this company.

Your answer should demonstrate your familiarity with the company and its products and by doing this the interviewer will recognize you as a serious candidate. Interviewers like to hear praise about their company because it further solidifies the company’s reputation in their own mind, but don’t overdo it because it will come out sounding fake and cheap.

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This is often the last question you will be asked in an interview. Prepare for it. This is your chance to restate the skills you possess that are most relevant to the position and to summarize your other qualities that make you the perfect person for the job. Outline your answer before you go in, so that you can answer clearly, concisely, and with confidence.

Your answer should be short and to the point. It should reflect your professional background as it relates to the current needs and problems of the position. Review the job description and tell how you are the right person for the job by matching up your skill set with each bullet point of the job description.

In formulating your answer, be sure to address these areas:

1. Determine their goals for the position. This should come up during your research into the company and the position. If possible, talk to others who work for the company. If you are unclear on this point, include it in the questions you ask at the interview and be prepared to incorporate it into your answer.

2. Show you have the skills needed for the job. Based on the goals you have identified in step one, determine how your skills and experience support those goals. If necessary, refer back to your list of skills.

3. Articulate shared values. Again, this should come up in your research. Look at the company’s mission statement and regular business practices. Explain why these are in line with your own values and goals.

4. State your interest in the position. Be enthusiastic about the opportunity to work for this company and/or within a certain team. Be sure that the interviewer is clear about the fact that you want this job.

The most important aspect of this exercise is to make you comfortable in identifying and articulating the skills you possess. Even with a prepared answer, it is important to be flexible within the script itself. You may need to modify the specifics based on the situation.

If an important issue comes up during the interview, be prepared to adapt your answer accordingly. For instance, if the interviewer stresses the need for a certain skill, you will want to address that, even if it was not one of the skills that you included on your resume.

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This is a fair question and is sure to come up in almost every interview. A short answer is all that is expected. Don’t speak of being underpaid or that you did not like your co-workers or manager. One option is to tell the interviewer that in your current position, training and advancement opportunities are limited. Don’t mention that you were singled out from training opportunities, just that the company did not make them readily available.

By asking this question all they are doing is fishing for incompatibilities. Be careful of how you answer this question. We all have something we did not like about our last job; it could be the people, culture, your boss, internal politics, the drive, etc. Don’t start by rattling off any of these negatives. Be sure to keep your answer short and positive; no need to prattle on here because you are interviewing for a new job and are not here to spend time focusing on what you did not like about your last job.

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1. If you work for a small company and are interviewing with a large corporation you could explain that: “working for a small company lacked the necessary financial resources to provide new learning opportunities for me.”

2. If you are working for a larger company and interviewing with a small one, you could mention that: “my company is tangled in its own red tape and bureaucracy which makes new learning opportunities difficult to come by and get authorized.”

3. If you work for a small company and are interviewing with another small company, you could say that: “my company has not been profitable for several quarters and has limited travel and training expenses until further notice. Based on their current situation, I’m not sure if they will ever return to producing a profit which forces me to question how much longer they will keep me there.”

4. If you are working for a larger company and interviewing at another larger company, you could say that: “management positions are constantly shifting around and I'm never sure of who I am working for this week and that makes it very difficult develop a good working relationship with my boss. Plus, as a result of corporate shuffling, morale is low and my co-workers are constantly in a state of unrest about the company and I don’t want to be a part of that.”

5. You could also turn this question around and tell the interviewer there was nothing specific you did not like, in fact you liked everything about your last job and that you learned a great deal of things from your last or present employer. Basically, tell them what they want to hear. Tell them you feel you can’t make as great of a contribution to your current employer as you would like to and that you don’t feel there is adequate room for continued career growth.

It’s okay to brag here, but just a little. Don’t spend too much time with this answer as the interviewer is just looking for a short answer and is interested in what you have done recently. Make sure your answer is related to your career and not your personal life. Don’t give frivolous answers, like: “I fixed the copy machine when it was jammed,” or “I got all my work done in one day; the same day it was due.”

It is essential for you to explain how and why you made these accomplishments.

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If you are listing a specific accomplishment, make sure you say “to date, or so far.” That will leave the door open for more greatness to follow from you and tell the interviewer that you have much more where that came from.

This is a team player question and is asked to see how open and willing you are to being asked or told what to do. Are you someone who can follow directions? Can you accept criticism? Or, are you the type of person who does not like being told what to do or being criticized?

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This question is sure to come up and though the interviewer asked how “you” dealt with or solved the problem, he really wants to hear how you worked with a team of people to solve a problem. This is a problem solving question that tests your critical thinking skills and is looking for two pieces of information: Your definition of difficult and how you handled the situation.

This is a great question for showing that you are creative and capable problem solver. You should have at least one of these stories ready to go that will make you look good (it’s okay to brag a

little in an interview), but having a few of them will allow you to further expand on the question. Try to avoid co-worker related problems unless you had to fire someone.

The interviewer does not want to hear how you fixed a light bulb or un-jammed the copy machine. A good team player example is the best way to answer this question.

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Your story should be one which puts you in a tough position where you analyzed and discussed the problem and reached a conclusion where it was a win-win situation for the company. Look back to a problem that you were faced with and define the problem, the expected outcome, and possible solutions. Then talk about the people you had to work with and what was expected of them and how you tied it all together to reach your goal. Don’t feel bad if you were not the superstar in the real life problem, but for the purpose of answering this question to the interviewer, cast yourself in the spotlight and talk like you were the star.

This is a common question, but don’t dwell on it. The interviewer is looking for a job related answer, more like “What bothers you about your job or the people you work with?” If you dig deep and think of what really bothers you, you’ll find that it’s other people and their ideas, right? But don’t tell the interviewer that.

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This is another top 10 question you can expect to hear in any interview. Prepare yourself and make sure you can rattle off three to five of your strengths as they relate to your past or present job. For an optimal answer, align your strengths with the job description requirements. Though it’s something to be proud of, they don’t want to hear that you’re a good mom, basketball player or golfer. Be prepared and know your strengths and don’t tell the interviewer that you don’t have any, even if you don’t. The best answer is one where you relate your strengths to the job for which you are applying.

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Is there one particular area where your boss tends to criticize you the most?

I have never enjoyed this question as it basically forces you to tell the interviewer something negative about yourself. Don’t feel the need to reveal deep character flaws, but tell the interviewer you have a few faults that you are working to improve and then give a few examples. A good way to turn this question around and turn a weakness into strength is the best way to answer this question. Don’t actually tell the interviewer that you have a problem; though we all have something wrong with us, but don’t come right out and say it as it will sound like a weakness and a reason not to hire you.

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Basically, the interviewer is asking if you are a team player. If your answer is with others, then

the interviewer will think you can’t work alone and if you answer alone, then the interviewer may think you have some personality issues working with other people. Your response needs to show that you can work well in a team atmosphere and still shoulder individual responsibility, as well. Before you answer, make sure you know if the job requires you to work alone or not.

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This question is asked in a general sense and the interviewer is just throwing this question at you to see what you will say and how resourceful you can be with a good original answer. There is no right or wrong answer, just keep it short and positive and the interviewer will just nod and move on.

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The workplace is loaded with a variety of different people with varying personalities and the interviewer wants to know how you think you will fit in. You want to show the interviewer that it does not matter what kind of people you work with - just that work gets done. This shows the interviewer that you are more concerned with outcomes than personalities.

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personality types, other than your own, getting along becomes that much easier. I may not get it right on the first try, but once I learn more about that person and discover their hot buttons, I won’t have any problems.”

Give me an example of a project that didn’t work out well.

Everyone has a skeleton in his or her closet. Make sure you don’t place blame on you or your co- workers because that will only make you look bad. Your answer has no bearing on whether you will get the job or not. Think of a failure that happened early on in your career and discuss how you have bettered yourself since.

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1. Describe a project you worked on and what the expected outcome was. Then explain what really happened and that you learned from that experience. This takes what is expected to be a negative answer and turns it around into a positive one.

Use these positive faults to help explain the reason your project did not work out:

• “I have a tendency to take on a greater workload than I can always handle, but I’m working on this problem by delegating more of my task load.”

• “With closing deadlines, I can be impatient, so now I’m identifying holdups that could cause a missed deadline.”

What are some of the things that you and your supervisor have disagreed about?

Though it may sound like it, this is not a time to bad mouth your supervisor. Let’s take what is expected to be a negative answer and turn it around.

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Believe it or not, I have been asked this question. He was not an experienced interviewer, but very technical. It’s really just a trick question and has no other purpose than to embarrass you in front of the interviewer and for the interviewer to get a good chuckle at your expense. The question comes in many forms so beware. Don’t insult the interviewer by saying that is a stupid or inappropriate question for an interview.

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Don’t confess to any work-related weaknesses. The interviewer is simply trying to find out where you feel that you need improvement, but don’t confess to having any weaknesses. Instead, tell them of a weakness that is actually strength. Keep your answer very short and to the point.

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Would your boss describe you as a go-getter?

Share with the interviewer an example of a project that you worked on, perhaps you had to put in long hours and time on the weekend to meet a deadline and that in the end you completed the project or task on time and under budget and made your department or company look good.

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Are there any skills that you bring to the table that others in your field may not?

Tell the interviewer that you have been around the block a few times by reciting your skills, past employment record, and projects that you have worked on and that you can bring those experiences to this company and help them avoid costly mistakes. Just being able to show the interviewer that you have what they want and need is the key to answering this question.

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Why did you choose this particular career path or what led to your chosen profession?

Be specific and tell the interviewer what inspired you to take this career path while keeping your answer short and to the point. If you can, try to direct your answer so that it shows a logical progression between your profession and the company you are interviewing with. You really want to convince the interviewer that you are the right person for the job and that your education, dreams, and career goals match your profession.

Describe your thought process. Don’t say that you majored in English because you thought it would be easy. Be specific and justify your answer. I chose …. because …. “I chose architecture because I have always admired beautiful buildings” or “As a child I was truly inspired by a certain TV show doctor which ultimately led me to pursue a career in medicine.”

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No need to worry here if you did not complete your college work. Many people don’t finish and for a variety of reasons. Timing could be an issue for them, but they plan to revisit college in the future. If you are applying for an entry level job that requires a college degree, then you may have to demonstrate why you are still the best person for the job and demonstrate why your skills are just as good if not better than a college graduate.

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able to devote adequate time to my studies, that I would be better off postponing college until a later time.”

Have you made any special contributions to your past employers that were above and beyond the scope of your job?

The interviewer is looking to see what kind of employee you were and if you did things for the company that were outside your job description. This lets her know that you are happy in your work and generous with your time and that you enjoy where you work.

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This question is sure to come up, but I like to avoid it during the interview and ask it before I even go on the interview. Why waste time? If I am only willing to accept a minimum of $70,000/year and the salary for this position is $50,000/year, then why do I even want to waste my time by going on this interview?

If the original job posting that I replied to did not list a salary range, then I will ask this question on the phone when I am first contacted by the employer to schedule an interview. I will simply say “can you tell me the salary range for this position?” Usually they will, but sometimes the person calling me honestly does not know, so I accept the interview invitation anyway. Asking this question during your first contact with a potential employer can save you a lot of time.

We all want to make money and we always want to make more than we were making on our last job, but money is not everything. I have turned down jobs where I would have made 30% more than my current position, but I declined the offer usually because I did not want to travel.

Be honest here and tell the interviewer what you want to make. One time, I went to an interview where I did not find out what the position was paying until the interview was over and it was $15,000 less that I was willing to accept. So I felt I had just wasted 2 hours of my time. But to turn the things around, I politely told the interviewer what I needed to make and why I was worth it.

The interviewer was so impressed with me that he went to his boss to ask for more money and eventually offered the job to me and met my salary requirements. I even negotiated two weeks of up front vacation. It was a win-win situation for everyone.

Avoid quoting published salary guidelines for your position unless you know the interviewer is way off base. Usually, the interviewer knows the fair market value for the position at hand.

DON’T tell the interviewer that you can make more by going to a different company because it comes across as threatening and that you are giving them an ultimatum. You’ll quickly be out of the running for this position.

Don’t bring up any benefits at this point. Remember, the question was only about salary.

Bring up benefits after you get the job offer. And if you get the offer and they are not meeting your salary requirements, then try to leverage additional benefits, like extra vacation to make up for lack of salary. Or, though very difficult at this stage in the game, tell them they have not met your salary requirements and ask them if they can increase the salary offer. It’s a risky move at this point because if they say no, then you have to take what they are giving you or reject the offer.

At this point, it really depends on your posture. If you hold strong and stick to your guns and further educate them as to why you are the best person for the job and why you are worth more than they are offering, then you may get it.

If they just won’t budge on salary and you really want the job, ask them to make the additional amount contingent on your performance over the first 90 days of employment. This way they will have adequate time to evaluate your performance and see for themselves why you are worth the extra money.

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1. State a salary range and not just one specific number. You should have an idea of what the job pays and what you are worth in your industry. If you think the job pays $60K, then say $60 - 80K. If you don’t know what the job pays and you need $70K, then say $75K - 85K. This way when you arrive at the negotiation phase and they offer you less than you asked for, you can easily make a compromise.

If interviewing for a large company, then they most likely already have a salary range for that position and based on what they believe your experience to be, is what they will offer

you. If it is a smaller company, they will probably try to keep you at the lower end of the salary range, but try to make up for it with other benefits.

Don’t tell them your old boss was a loser even if it’s true. It just doesn’t look good. The interviewer is trying to see if you will be compatible with a new boss. Make sure that if your past boss is listed as one of your references, that you make an accurate statement. Professional references commonly include past managers and co-workers.

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Give a positive answer no matter what happened at your last job. Don’t mention that there are issues with management or their products as this is only your opinion. Don’t spend a lot of time on this question as you may give the interviewer reason to doubt your story. Don’t supply multiple reasons for leaving; just keep it to one simple reason.

If you are still working, it’s okay, just tell them. But if she asks why you did leave the job before this one and so on, then see the answer below. I’ve actually had one interviewer go through seven of my jobs and asked why I left each one. He was very inexperienced and was clearly looking to drag out the interview.

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Before you go on any interview, you should research that company on the Internet. Just go to their website and read about them. If you don’t have Internet access in your home, then try visiting your local library as most of them offer public Internet access.

Search the company out in Google or Yahoo and see what others are saying about them. See if they have any lawsuits against them. Find out who their competitors are. Read about all of their product offerings even if they have no bearing on the open position. If they are a public company, you can easily obtain their financials from the Standard and Poor’s website. Learn everything you can about them as it will only impress your interviewer.

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This is a very easy question to answer and you can just say about anything positive to answer it. But don’t respond with answers like: I was allowed to come in late and leave early. Or, we were

allowed to take long lunches and our manager did not care. Stay away from those type of answers. They may be true, but the interviewer does not want to hear them.

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This question is asked to see how goal oriented you are with your life and if you have a short or long term goal or plan for your career. Don’t say that you don’t know. This is a good chance to tell the interviewer how you progressed through your career, how you started and where you are at, today, and that you are right on track. Be specific and to the point. Again, this is a short answer question.

You can really turn this answer around any which way that works best for you. The basic idea that you want to get across to the interviewer is that you have a plan for where you are going. Most people don’t, they just wander around from job to job, but not you. For whatever position or qualifications you possess, identify the next logical step for that position and use that as your answer. Try to avoid job titles and focus on gaining experience and responsibilities.

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The interviewer may be asking this question to see if you reveal any character flaws. Another motive the interviewer may have by asking this question is to assume that your good friends share some of the qualities that you also possess and that you may reveal these good qualities about yourself where you may not have otherwise done so.

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This question is similar to the previous question, what your friends would say, but again, it is the intention of the interviewer to discover additional hidden qualities about yourself.

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The interviewer is trying to find out what kind of leader you are. Should you ever get placed in a management role, how will you delegate the workload or teach your co-workers.

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The interviewer is looking for work related examples of how you measure success when know you have reached accomplishment. Use a work related example and keep your answer short and to the point.

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This question is really just the opposite of your definition of success. What does failure mean to you and how do you know you have failed within a given timeframe? Failure is just a perspective.

What activities did you participate in at college?

The meaning behind this question is to find out if you participated in activities that were related to your major. For example, if your major was Math, did you work part time as a math tutor? Or if your major was Journalism, did you write for the school paper?

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Why are you looking for a job in a field that’s not related to your major?

It’s not uncommon for students to change their major and after four years of college, you may only then realize that you have no interest in your chosen career. Or, you may have majored in Economics because you had no idea what you even wanted to do. It’s okay, you can’t be expected to figure out what you are going to do for the rest of your life before going to college.

You can only expect this question if your major is way off base with the position at hand. For example, if you majored in Economics and you are applying for a computer programming position, this question is sure to come up.

Don’t panic, this is not a show stopper. Just explain to the interviewer that you have made some changes to your career goals and have decided to pursue another direction because you believe you are better suited for computer programming and then explain why.

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If you could start college all over again what would you do differently?

Keep your answer short. The interviewer is merely trying to uncover a planning or goal setting weakness. Don’t fall into the trap and tell them that you wish you would have majored in something else or taken additional classes. Tell the interviewer that you have no regrets and would do the same thing all over again. And by saying it this way, you are telling the interviewer that you are sure of yourself when you commit to something which demonstrates discipline and perseverance.

If you are applying for a position that does not match your major, you could then say that you regret majoring in Economics instead of Computer Programming.

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Of course you will only be asked this question if you are fresh out of college and have listed internships on your resume. If you can tie your internship experience to the position for which you are applying, then you will have a real edge over your competition.

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What were your weakest college subjects?

You will probably have to come clean on this one, especially if this position requires you to submit your college transcripts.

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If at all possible, tell the interviewer of a job that is similar to the one for which you are applying. Don’t tell the interviewer that you liked your last job because you could wear jeans everyday especially if you’re applying at company that has a formal dress code.

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You should answer No, even if you could not stand your boss and he was a complete idiot. They want to hear you say something good. If you start bad mouthing your boss, the only one who looks bad is YOU.

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Even if you did not have a favorite manager, just pick someone you worked for and build them up a little; they won’t mind. The interviewer wants to hear you say something good about one of your past managers and how you complement people you have worked with in the past.

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Do your homework and research the company and find out who are their competitors. This question will quickly reveal how well you conducted your research prior to the interview. If you did your homework, then you’re telling the interviewer that you are serious about this job and it’s that little extra effort that you show in the interview that will clearly separate you from your competition.

Now, if you are interviewing at General Electric, obviously they have thousands of competitors as they make thousands of products. So focus your research on a specific division.

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They are not asking if you keep a messy desk. Don’t reveal any organizational flaws you may have as that will be a strike against you and if you do have your act together, don’t come across as being a neatness freak either. Instead, speak of your ability to manage time and workload.

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Obviously, your answer should reflect that you are a self-starter and never put things off. They want to hear that you set goals for your work and how you prioritize them.

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We are a fast moving company and things are always changing, how do you think you will fit in with our ever changing and fast paced environment?

This question is best answered with an example from one of your past jobs that casts you in the spotlight showing and demonstrating your capabilities of handling change.

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So I researched the various technologies that would support our needs, tested several of them and after 3 weeks of hard work I presented my findings to the sales department and allowed them to make a decision on one of the three options. Once they accepted, I soon got to work and within two weeks every sales person could now retrieve their mail from their cell phone anywhere in the world.

It was a huge undertaking and we soon learned that sales went up 11% and that growth has been directly attributed to the success of this project because sales could now provide a faster response to our customers.”

You want to tailor your answer to match the job or their corporate culture. For example, if you’re interviewing to be an airline pilot, don’t tell the interviewer that you like to sleep on things before making a decision. Or, if you’re interviewing for a medical position, you don’t want to come across as one who makes decisions on a hunch.

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information and have weighed the risks of each possible outcome, I will make my decision.”

This question is basically asking if you panic when problems arise. So make it clear in your answer that you make all attempts to anticipate problems before they arise so you can deal with them in a more controlled environment.

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Most of us are a little of each, but be careful how you tailor your answer. If you come across as a risk taker, you may be prejudged as one who will disregard corporate policy in the future. It is best to come across as one who generally plays it safe, but is not afraid of taking risks as long as everything has been done to mitigate the risk.

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If you had the chance to start your career again, what would you change, if anything?

Interviewers love hypothetical questions, because they usually make you squirm and dig yourself into a hole. You need to make it clear to the interviewer that you would not change a thing, otherwise you are discrediting yourself and the profession you have chosen.

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When conflict arises between you and another co-worker, what do you do?

Keep your answer short and tell the interviewer that you keep a cool head in the heat of conflict and consider all aspects of the situation.

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This of course depends on the problem, but would be best answered with a past problem you had and how you dealt with it.

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I resolved this problem by making him responsible for specific tasks and told him that we need to have these done by the end of the day and that my progress is contingent on his work. I left him alone and he completed the work. It was as simple as that and I did not need to address his supervisor or ask him to stop making calls to our customers.”

Everyone has their strengths and weaknesses. You need to learn how to pull from someone’s strengths and downplay their weaknesses. Finding a balance in your co-workers talents is the way you will get the job done.

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It looks like you have been working at the same company for over 10 years, how do you think you will be able to adjust to a new and different corporate culture?

Companies don’t like to hire job hoppers because the whole hiring process is expensive. It does not look good to an employer if you have had several jobs in the last five years and some employers are just as cautious if you have never changed jobs because you may lack initiative.

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positions and titles and worked at three different divisions in varying capacities. Working there was like starting a new and different job every three years and the experience I have gained is second to none and I’m confident that my experience at Dow Chemical has prepared me to adapt to any corporate culture.”

Your answer will vary based on your career. But try to speak about a skill that you are developing as it relates to your career.

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Be diplomatic. Don’t say you were glad to get rid of that big jerk. Tell them that everyone who works under you is held accountable for their job responsibilities and that firing someone is a last resort after several other attempts to rectify the situation have failed.

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If poor job performance persists, I will write them up and make it clear that they need to improve their job performance and that I will do anything I can to help them. But I usually find that these people don’t want to be helped. After six months of poor job performance and several warnings, I will discharge them and it will be no surprise to them.”

Have you ever been in the position to hire someone? Tell me about your selection process?

The interviewer is simply trying to evaluate your management possibilities.

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See this laptop battery on my desk? Sell it to me.

You might expect this question if interviewing for a sales position. It comes in many forms, sell me this paper cup, sell me this pencil, etc. If you’re not interviewing for a sales job and you get this question, you might just ask WHY?

But if you’re in sales, don’t get nervous, just play along and do what you do best, sell. Proceed to ask the interviewer about the laptop battery and his needs, and just continue to do this until you can match his needs up to the benefits of the battery.

Find out the features and benefits of the product and simply match them up to the needs of the interviewer.

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Are you on the clock right now?

If you are interviewing during normal business hours, the interviewer may question your loyalty to your current employer. If you are not loyal to your current company, then you won’t be loyal to a new employer. Play it safe and interview before or after business hours, unless of course you are unemployed. Another option is to schedule your interview over lunch and then make it clear to the interviewer that you are on your lunch break and you may score a few points by demonstrating your loyalty.

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An employer would rather hire someone who is already employed than someone who is out of work. It’s more psychological than anything, but there is some truth to the fact that it’s easier to get hired for a new job when you already have one. If you’re out of work for whatever reason, it raises a red flag to the interviewer that you may be unemployable.

If you are still working at your current job, then just tell the interviewer, “yes I am” and no more needs to be said. There are other questions that are answered in this guide that pertain to why you a looking for a new job.

If you are not working:

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Describe a typical day at your past or present job?

There is no harm here, just answer truthfully and you’ll be fine. But don’t start off by saying: “I usually get there 20 minutes late, grab some coffee and shoot the breeze with my buds. Then we run out and grab a smoke.” You get the point here, right?

Describing a typical day may be too difficult, so feel free to expand a bit and briefly describe a typical week, thus giving the interviewer a more detailed answer and more than he expected. Either way, it’s up to you.

Anticipate their needs and describe your current job responsibilities as they relate to the job description. After you answer this question, the interviewer should be thinking to herself that you are perfect fit for this job because you are already doing exactly what they need someone to do.

It is important that you tie in your daily job responsibilities to your experience and the position for which you are interviewing. The interviewer is looking for you to make this connection and it will make you a better candidate for this job. For example, if you are already a sales person and you are interviewing for a senior sales position somewhere else, then tell them what they want to hear by anticipating their needs.

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If you are working and looking for a job, tell the interviewer that you have been looking for no more than 6 months. If you tell them more than a year, they will question why it is taking you so long or maybe you are too picky or that you are not too serious. If you tell them a few weeks or more, and you are still working, they may think that you have more searching to do.

Compare this to shopping for a new car; would you buy a new car on the same day you started looking? Probably not, because you want to see what else is out there and you also need more

time to compare various models and prices. Looking for a job when you already have one is very similar.

If you are not working, just be honest and tell the interviewer how long you have been looking. On average it takes 120 days to find a job. If you have been looking for 6 months or more and you are out of work, you may want to trim off a few months from the actual number just so you don’t raise any eyebrows.

Don’t get into the reasons why you are looking for a new job, simply answer the question, though a common follow-up to this question is “why are you looking,” which is covered in this guide.

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This is more of a closing question the interviewer may ask. If she does, then it can be a very good sign that they are serious about you. It takes a lot of time and effort to generate a job offer, so the interviewer just wants to make sure that the likelihood of you accepting an offer is high. Even if you are expecting other offers or even have some on the table, there is not much to gain by mentioning them, unless you feel the need to push the interviewer into making an immediate decision.

I have tried to force the hand of a company into giving me an offer based on the fact that I already had one and it didn’t work. But under the right circumstances it could. Say for example, that a good friend of yours is trying to get you hired at his company and has given you his highest recommendation to management. Then dropping the bomb that you already have an offer that will expire in 3 days may be the ammunition you need to get your offer approved. Don’t lie about having another offer, as your plan is sure to backfire and you’ll end up with nothing in the end.

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Give me an example of an idea that you had at your last job that reduced costs and increased revenue?

Not everyone will be able to answer this question as it’s quite an achievement to come up with such a great idea and many employees are not in the position to do so. This question is similar to: what is your greatest accomplishment?

Be prepared to say something that casts you in the spotlight.

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Your boss went on vacation for a week and sent you an assignment.

You have some important questions that you need answers to before you can begin working on the assignment and you are unable to contact your boss.

Here is a typical scenario question that comes in many forms, but the meaning behind this question is to see how well you think on your feet when there appears to be no easy way out.

After reading this question the first time, you automatically paint yourself in a corner because you assume your boss is the only one who knows about the details of the assignment and that there is no way to get the answer, so you panic; right? Wrong. Just methodically break down the question and attack it from that angle.

Basically, you need to complete an assignment. You need answers to some questions. You can’t go to your boss.

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The person we hire for this position will be working with three senior level professionals who have been with the company for over 20 years. How do you think you will fit in with them?

How well you get along with your co-workers is the basis for this question. Having one bad apple on the team makes for an unproductive team. Explain that you were always well-liked by your previous co-workers and that you never have problems getting along with anyone.

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What would you say to your boss if he told you to do something that was wrong and you knew if you did it, there would be severe consequences?

Will you disagree with your boss and face a reprimand? Or, will you do as you’re told and then blame your supervisor when things go wrong? It’s a lose-lose situation which is why interviewers like to ask this question, but here is how NOT to fall prey to this question.

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Either he will allow me to further explain my case or have me continue as planned while acknowledging the risks I presented. If he pressed me to continue and I knew the risks were severe, then I can only assume that I did not fully explain my point of view. I would start my explanation all over again.”

How do you accept criticism, especially when you don’t deserve it? Do you blow up at your supervisor and tell him off? Or do you just sit there and take it and the negative marks that go along with it. Try to avoid correcting your supervisor in the company of others as this will make him look bad in front of his peers. If you need to discuss something with your supervisor, ask to speak with him privately.

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Are you ready for a management promotion? Are you eager to move up in the company? That’s where the interviewer is going with this. Be careful how you answer. If you say no, you are sending the signal that you are not interested in advancement. Simply saying yes is the best way to answer this question. Look at it this way, when your boss gets promoted to a higher position, the company would prefer to fill his position internally. And the interviewer wants to know if you are up for the challenge.

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Do you have any questions for me?

This is a closing question you will get after your head is left spinning from a barrage of their questioning. You should have already prepared a list of questions you plan to ask. It’s a good idea to write down additional questions that pop into your mind while you are being grilled with their questions.

Take note as to which questions they may have already indirectly answered. For example, if the interviewer briefs you on their company history at the beginning of the interview and tells you how many employees they have and one of your questions is: “How many employees do you have?”

Make a note that they already answered this question so you don’t appear foolish by asking it again.

See Section III, Closing the Interview, page 109, for a list of potential question to ask employers.

What are you looking for in your next job that you don’t have in your current job?

The interviewer is trying to uncover your true reasons for leaving your current job. You may have already told him why you want to leave, but this is just another way of poking and prodding you to uncover the real reason you are leaving. Most people aren’t completely honest with why they are leaving because they fear their answer may disqualify them for the job.

You need to find out what this job or company offers that you do not already have. It could be many things, travel distance, training, promotion opportunities, etc. But don’t cite benefits as one of your reasons or reason. It would be rather shallow of you to say that my current company does not have a fitness center and I know that you do.

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I have told you everything I can about this position, what do you like and dislike?

Even if there is something you dislike about this position, like the fact that you may have to work Friday night once a month; don’t bring it up. If you do, it just sends a message to the interviewer that other conditions of the position will soon wear on you and that you’ll be complaining about half of your job.

The best way to answer this question is to briefly tell the interviewer that everything we have talked about sounds great and that you don’t have any issues with the position or job responsibilities.

If there are any issues that you feel strongly about that would prevent you from accepting the job, then cautiously bring them up but also offer a solution to your condition or issue otherwise you will create a barrier.

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This is just another way of asking what you dislike about your job, but with a little dig that forces your hand to speak negatively. But remember, the question asks how you deal with it, not what you don’t like about it.

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You don’t have all of the skills and experience for this job, how do you intend to make up for your shortcomings?

This question usually arises if you are fresh out of college or are crossing over into a different field. You need to explain and demonstrate to the interviewer that you are resourceful and a fast learner. Use an example from your past work experience to demonstrate your ability to handle unexpected and difficult situations.

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Don’t tell them you plan on retiring from here or they simply won’t believe you. And on another note, no matter how you answer this question, it offers little to no useful information to the interviewer unless you tell her that you are job hopping and you will only be here until you can find something better.

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What do you do to stay in good health?

Be honest. Don’t feel you need to have a membership to a fitness club and workout every day.

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Are there physical problems you have that may prevent you from performing all aspects of your job?

This position may require you to perform some occasional lifting or walking up and down the stairs. So just be honest. If you have a disability that will prevent you from performing this job, then now is an appropriate time to bring it up.

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How do you maintain a good and proper balance between your family and your job?

Most if not all companies want you to maintain a good balance between work and family. Because if you’re a workaholic, and spend minimal time with your family, then you will soon burnout and become less productive at work. So don’t feel the pressure to play down your family, in favor of work. Having a family demonstrates a wide variety of good moral attributes.

Depending on your situation, don’t be afraid to turn down jobs because you feel they will be too demanding of your time and impact your family life. Over my career, I have turned down several jobs because they required me to travel up to 25% of the time which was something I was not willing to do.

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The interviewer doesn’t really care if you had trouble, they just want to casually catch you off guard to see how you react to the question. Be positive here, even if you did have trouble. Even if it’s raining or snowing, don’t complain about the weather or anything else. Keep your answer short and positive.

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How old are you?

The interviewer is not allowed to ask you this question nor any other questions that would reveal your age. I’ve had inexperienced interviewers ask me my age before, but it never bothered me. Sometimes I will even volunteer this information. Your age should not be an issue.

To make this easy and because I want them to know, I usually just indirectly volunteer this information. I’m proud of my family and children and I want them to know. I also feel that it gives me an extra edge because if they know I have a family, they will probably think I am going to stick around longer than someone who is single. But being single has its advantages to an employer, in that you’ll probably work longer hours because you don’t have to take the kids to soccer practice after work.

Be honest here, if you can, then say so. But your answer should have little to no bearing on you getting the job unless the job requires weekend work. This is not the time to start asking for extra pay or compensation time for weekend work. Discuss that after you get the job and they ask you to work the weekend.

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Have you ever been convicted of a crime or a felony?

They are not allowed to ask if you have ever been arrested, but they can ask if you have been convicted of a crime. If you have not, then just say “no, I have not.”

Now, if you were convicted of a misdemeanor or felony, try to get it expunged from your record. This only works if you are a first time offender. You can find out more by contacting an attorney or the court house.

There are two ways to answer this question if you have been convicted: Yes or No. If you say yes, then you need to explain what happened.

This is completely up to you. You should respond by probing the interviewer further for the type and length of travel. You may only need to travel twice a year for training or you may need to travel weekly for your job. Find out the specifics and if you are willing to make that compromise.

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This is completely up to you. Be honest, but you should probe the interviewer for more details. Maybe the office location you will be working at is planned to be moved in the next two years and that is the reason for this question. Find out the details and make an informed decision.

Can we contact your current employer?

If I’m still working, I don’t want a prospective employer contacting my current employer because I’m sure to get fired over it.

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You should bring a copy of your references to the interview and be prepared to give them to your interviewer. This is a good sign if they are asking about references as it means they are interested in you. Interviewers don’t waste time by calling the references for everyone they interview, just the candidates they are most serious about.

Professional references commonly include past managers and co-workers, basically anyone who has worked with you at a past job. Listing your best friends will undoubtedly yield a biased opinion of you so try to keep it professional. Listing a past college instructor is also acceptable.

Be sure to personally ask each of your contacts if it’s okay to use them as a reference.

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This is a closing question that you hope they ask. If they do, then it means that you are probably in the running for the position, but you’re not home yet.

If you are not working, then you want to say: “immediately” or “tomorrow.”

But if you are working, tell them you need to give your current employer two weeks’ notice. Don’t burn your bridges with your current company and leave without notice, always give at least two weeks’ notice. If you feel that your employer will not honor your notice and let you go immediately, mainly because of the secure nature of the kind of work you do, then convey this to your new employer. This way, if your two week notice is not honored, you can arrange to start sooner with your new employer.

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If we offer this position to you, is there anything that may prevent you from accepting our offer?

It takes a lot of time and effort for an employer to assemble a job offer and the interviewer just wants to make sure they are not wasting their time should they decide to extend an offer to you. If they give you an offer, they expect you to accept it.

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We all makes mistakes and to answer this question, you need to cite an example from your past work experience that simply demonstrates a small mistake that you made and what you have learned from it. Put a positive twist on your answer and stay away from being negative. Keep your answer short and try to show the interviewer that you yourself realized the mistake and that you corrected yourself. In your answer, don’t say that your manager identified your mistake. You

need to show the interviewer that you are capable of evaluating yourself and making the necessary changes.

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Don’t worry about it if you have a gap in your work history of a few months or more. It’s really not that big of a deal unless you haven’t been working for over a year or more. There are many valid reasons why people have been unable to work and probably one of the most common is being laid off or fired from your employer.

On another note, you may have decided to leave your job and start your own business, but after 1-2 years of being on your own, you decided that you would rather work for someone else. The key factor in explaining any gap in your employment history, no matter what the reason, is to explain to the interviewer that you were bettering yourself while you were not working. Maybe you took off 3 years from work to go back to school for an advanced degree or just to finish up your undergraduate work. This is a valid reason for not working and noteworthy to mention to the interviewer.

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Thousands of people all over the world are getting fired every day; don’t let it bring you down.

Don’t try to cover up your tracks. If you only worked for an employer for three months before you were fired, then I would strongly suggest you omit that employer from your resume. Keep in mind that a resume is not a confession and you can put down as much or as little information about yourself. If asked, you could explain the employment gap as time you took off from work to better yourself or your career or cite personal reasons for your absence from the workforce.

Admitting that you were fired is a negative mark against you and depending on your circumstances; it could raise enough doubt to keep you from getting hired. Keep your answer very short, otherwise you may arouse suspicion.

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Special cases if you were fired: Explaining why you were fired can be a bit tricky sometimes. Over the years I’ve dealt with hundreds of clients on this topic alone and I have a lot of experience dealing with issues like this. Unfortunately, covering this question from all angles is nearly impossible to do in this book because there are too many factors and possible outcomes. If you would like to speak with me personally about your unique situation to help you figure out the best way to answer this question, then I encourage you to resister for my High Performance Coaching Program. This is where you and I will sit down to figure out the best course of action for you. Here is the link to read more about this program:

Your main goal here is to not appear as a job hopper because job hoppers actually cost companies a good deal of money. Now, there are many valid reasons for frequently moving around from job to job with contractor work being one of the most common. Contracting pays better and contractors usually make more than if they were directly employed by the company they are working at.

It would be very easy to answer this question and tell the interviewer that you have been a contractor for the last ten years and working somewhere for 1-2 years was the norm.

If you were job hopping and only worked a short time everywhere you went, then you will need to come up with a creative answer that clearly explains your past to the interviewer while validating the many jobs you have had.

The interviewer is ultimately trying to figure out if you will stick around if hired and prove to be a valuable asset to the company. If you don’t, then you are just wasting their time.

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have gained as a contractor has far outweighed the experience I would have received working as an employee. But after ten years of contracting, I have discovered what I like doing best and would like to focus my talents on a single company.”

Can you give me an example of how you set goals and the steps you go through to achieve them?

Are you a planner? Do you know how to set goals and more importantly, how do you follow through to meet your goals? That’s what this question is all about. You need to give the interviewer a work or career related example of how you set goals and then how you prioritize the steps leading to your goal. Avoid using personal goals, like saving up for a new car or dream vacation. Keep it work related.

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We put the plan into action. Our software vendor did all of the hard work, but I managed the project and kept our vendor in check. There were a few minor things along the way that I did not count on, but since we had such a solid plan, we stayed on track and completed the project on time and with no interruption to our users. It could not have worked out any better.”

How do you handle competition amongst your co-workers?

By asking this question, they want to see how competitive you are and how competition affects you. Does it make you mad or happy? Do you like to see everyone else lose? Do you hate to lose? It’s okay to be competitive; corporations want their employees to be competitive because it is good for their business and employee morale.

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I know this question opens the door for a humorous answer, but keep your answer serious and related to what you believe to be a healthy, productive and satisfying work environment.

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Have you ever had to utilize the resources of another department within your company to complete a project?

You need to demonstrate that you have good people skills and are able to work well with other people. No one can do it all and we always need to rely on the help of others to reach our goals. You need to answer this question with an example from your current or past job. Think of a time that you needed help from another department or if you worked for a really small company, and there were no departments, just use an individual in your example.

The bottom line here is: do you know how to ask and persuade others to help you? Remember, you are seeking help from another department and they owe you nothing and they don’t report to you or your manager. Treat them well and they will probably help you. Get snippy with them and they will surely put your request on the back burner.

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And if there is no real urgency tied to my request, I’ll just very politely ask them if they could find the time to squeeze me into their already hectic workload. It works every time and I usually get what I need quicker than they originally promised. Sometimes I think it’s easier to get things done from other departments than from my own.”

Can you give me an example of a situation in which you helped motivate other members of your team to complete a project?

This is a leadership question and they want to know if you have what it takes to get things done as a manager. To motivate people, you need to draw on their strengths and downplay their weaknesses. Managers can’t do it all and need to delegate project responsibilities to a Team Leader. Are you up for the task, can you take responsibility, motivate others and delegate tasks?

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get done.

I took the time to understand individual strengths and weaknesses and assigned tasks accordingly and for the most part everyone remained in their comfort zone. Instead of telling everyone what to do, I asked them, and by asking, they are agreeing and are more likely to make a stronger commitment to getting the task done. I treated everyone with respect and listened to them and made them feel like their work was the most important part of the project.

When they needed help, I rolled up my sleeves and did whatever I could. It made them feel good to see me get my hands dirty and further motivated them. I held weekly meetings and made everyone accountable for completing their work. I even bought lunch for the team every Friday, as long as the project was on schedule. I ended up buying a lot of lunches and we had a lot of fun.”

Difficult people are everywhere and we are all forced to work with them at one time or another or even every day! They want to know if your interpersonal skills are up to the challenge of dealing with difficult people or are you just as difficult and won’t even try. Are you the kind of person who just complains that Joe is a difficult person and you can’t even talk to him? Or do you find ways to bring out his strengths?

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If I go in there with the same attitude they have, then nothing will ever get done. So I try to ask questions about their personal interests, thus taking their mind off work and it does wonders. Once they see I like some of the same things outside of work that they do, the flood gates open and that’s all they can talk about. Thus, I build a personal relationship with them and consequently they are happy to work with me.”

What makes a good leader?

Give me an example of when you were placed in a leadership role and how you handled it.

Every company is looking for good leaders. The job you are interviewing for may not be a leadership position, but more than likely you will be faced with having to lead a team of your co- workers to complete a project. It is important that you know what qualities make for a good leader.

This question is best answered by citing an example from your past where you were cast into a leadership role.

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I also did my homework and tried to understand as much as I could about this project before meeting all of the players. Doing so gave me that extra edge and I was perceived as a knowledgeable and serious leader. I instantly gained the respect of all the players by demonstrating my vision and asking for their input and using their ideas as I saw fit. I made everyone feel good about their efforts and contributions toward the project and as a result we completed the project on time and under budget.”

How do you present ideas to a group of people with varying needs and personalities?

The focus here is on your presentation skills. Are you a good communicator? Can you understand the needs of your audience and relate to everyone in the crowd? You need to know exactly what the audience wants and give it to them in a way that they can understand and relate to while keeping it interesting and to the point. The best way to answer this question is to use a real life example.

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I decided to keep my presentation broad and explained the most popular features and benefits of the product, thus appealing to a wider audience. But I also understood all of the features and benefits of the product so I was able to speak intelligently when asked to go into more detail. I had a software engineer standing by to address more in depth technical questions. But overall, the presentation was a success – I captured their attention and related to their needs by explaining the benefits of the product.”

How do you handle it when others disagree with your ideas? Do you stick to your guns or compromise?

This question shows your willingness to compromise. Are you a hot head? Do you think you are always right? Employers want to hire people who are open minded to the ideas of others. Even if you know you are right about something, how will you react when someone pushes you to consider an alternate suggestion?

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Again, this question is related to your management abilities. A good manager will hand off certain tasks and responsibilities to capable individuals and allow them to delegate to other team members as necessary. A good manager also knows how to motivate members of her team and

make sure projects get accomplished on time. If you can get things done quickly and efficiently by delegating, then you have the makings for management. Employers are always looking for good leaders.

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You have been writing your whole life. Now is the ultimate test. Excellent documentation is a strong part of any company and employers document everything. Your ability to write well can be a strong asset for any job. If this question comes up in your interview, be sure to expand on it with real life examples. Maybe you were a publisher or editor for your school paper, or maybe you created product documentation at the last place you worked. If you can write well, your skills will be in demand.

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Have you ever been stressed out at work? How do you deal with stress in the work place?

Everyone gets stressed out at one time another. Don’t claim to be any different. Instead, focus your answer on how you deal with stress and what steps you take to avoid it. Stress is nothing more than an emotion and you need to demonstrate that you can keep your emotions in check while on the job.

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If you tell them you are over worked, you could be sending a message that you are a complainer. Conversely, if you tell them you are under worked, you could be sending the message that you are getting paid for nothing and blindly costing the company money. Your answer should describe a balanced workload, one with peaks and valleys.

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Are you a creative person? Tell me about some of the things you have done that you are proud of.

Creativity is a valuable asset in the corporate world. Competition is fierce amongst rivals and companies need to utilize every ounce of creative talent they have to remain competitive and profitable. Tailor your answer in a way that shows off your creative spirit and talents.

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I had only been working there for three months when I realized what was happening. I suggested a paid maintenance program for our customers with a monthly fee. Initially, they discarded my idea because they thought customers would never pay for this, but six months later they decided to give it a try. The network maintenance program was well received by our clients and they could not wait to sign up for it, because it basically guaranteed that experienced professionals would be watching their network 24 hours a day and making sure their systems were always ready for business.“

Can you describe what you think the relationship should be between a supervisor and an employee?

Show the interviewer that you are mature enough to build and maintain working professional relationships by using past relationships with your managers as examples.

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Try to avoid using financial incentives such as salary or bonuses as motivators and lean toward job commitment, self-satisfaction and competition. Nobody wants to beg you to get your job

done. The interviewer needs to know if you are a self-starter and can be productive without being micro-managed.

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Going that extra mile and doing more than expected will always make you and your company look good. Doing more than you were paid to do will clearly separate you from the competition and put you next in line for promotion.

Demonstrating to the interviewer that going beyond the call of duty is something you do often is telling them exactly what they want to hear. The workforce is a competitive place and if you have a tendency to give 110%, then the benefits of doing so are sure to follow.

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They were one of our best clients and I told them they could count on me to be there. Even though I had ball game tickets -- I passed them on to another co-worker. It was a win-win for everyone. The client was happy, a co-worker was thrilled with the tickets and my manager was thrilled. For my sacrifice, my manager gave me next Friday off and a $200 gift certificate to a fancy restaurant. I didn’t even ask for anything in return. What goes around comes around.”

How do you evaluate your success?

This is a goal oriented question and is basically asking how you know if you are successful or not. If you set goals for yourself and achieve them then it’s pretty safe to say that you are successful. Keep your answer focused as it relates to your job.

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What criteria do you need before you make a decision to resolve a problem?

This question targets your problem solving and management skills. You want to show the interviewer that you follow certain guidelines and consider all the facts before you make a decision. Don’t come across as being a hasty decision maker, because hasty decisions cost companies money. Instead describe a time at work where you had to make a tough decision, the criteria you used, and the final outcome.

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$500,000 for every hour our system was down. Any risk was unacceptable so we spent about $25,000 and 250 man hours creating a test environment and tested the new program update. We completely eliminated all elements of risk from the upgrade project and were sure the upgrade would work and downtime would be limited to 10 minutes during non-peak hours. The planning paid off and the upgrade project was a complete success.”

The best way to answer this question is to discuss how you set meaningful and specific goals for yourself and use a real life example in your answer. Don’t use an example where something good happened to you, like winning a new car, but focus your answer around an accomplishment you achieved.

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I enjoyed building attractive, intuitive and functional websites for my friends and even did some professional freelancing work. I just got so much satisfaction out of each website I created that I knew I had found my calling. I soon went to college to study all aspects of website design. Soon thereafter I landed a job with one of the top web design companies in the area. Working there for three years further refined my creative talents and sharpened my people skills. I am really proud of myself for getting so far.”

This is very similar to the “why do you want to work here” question, but with a little more focus. Your answer should focus on your desire for more responsibility and advancement opportunity. You are looking for an opportunity to further refine your current skills and develop new ones. If

you have not already done so, now is a good time to demonstrate your knowledge of this company and how you can contribute to its success.

Your interest in this position should be strictly professional. Don’t cite added salary, benefits or being closer to home as reasons for your interest in this company.

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You are allowed to have other interests outside of your career. If you’re an accountant, don’t tell the interviewer that you enjoy balancing your checkbook when you go home for the day. Show the interviewer that you are a well-rounded individual and that you enjoy doing a variety of things. You do not need to go into any detail, just keep it real short. I like fishing, biking and hiking. If the interviewer shares some of your same interests, then she may ask you more about your hobby. That would be great if she did as you would develop a stronger bond with her which may increase your chances of getting the job.

You may score extra points with your interviewer if you can show that your hobby complements your current job. For example, if you are applying at a music store and you enjoy playing piano, then you have a clear advantage over other applicants.

Remember, play it safe and use main stream hobbies and avoid controversial activities like hunting or politics. Don’t go into a lot of detail unless asked and you may want to avoid off-beat hobbies such as your Star Trek action figure collection.

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Is there anything that you would like to add that we have not already discussed?

Even if you think you have already discussed everything, think again. This is a closing question and it’s your big opportunity to sell yourself again. Summarize your experience and strengths to let them know you are right for the job.

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If you could take off 1 year from work and money was no concern, what would you do?

This is a very open ended question and usually comes near the end of the interview, if at all. The purpose of asking this question is to release you of work related responsibility and pressure and see what you would do. Even if you would go to Las Vegas and gamble away every last dollar, you would do well to shy away from answers of this nature. Instead, focus your answer on being with your family, starting a business or volunteering your time to an organization that you support. Be sure not to stumble around with your answer, like “maybe I’d do this” or “maybe I’d go here.” Be direct and believable.

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