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50
Practice Questions
The
Difficult Questions and Suggested Responses:
General
Questions
1. Tell me about you!
*
Keep your answer to one or two minutes; don't ramble.
* Use your "positioning statement" (resume
summary) as a base to
start.
2.
What do you know about our company?
*
Know products, size, income, reputation, image, goals,
problems, management talent, management style, people,
skills, history, and philosophy.
*
Project an informed interest, let the interviewer tell
you about the company, let them define their business
in their terms.
3.
Why do you want to work for us?
*
Don't talk about what you want; first talk about their
needs.
* You wish to be part of a company project.
* You would like to solve a company problem.
* You can make a definite contribution to specific
company goals: identify its management talent, etc.
4.
What would you do for us? What can you do for us that
someone else can't?
*
Relate past experiences which represent success in
solving previous employer problem (s) which may be
similar to those of the prospective employer.
5.
What about our position do you find the most attractive?
Least attractive?
*
List three or more attractive factors and only one
minor unattractive factor.
6.
Why should we hire you?
*
Because of knowledge, experience, abilities, and
skills.
7.
What do you look for in a job?
*
An opportunity to use skills, to perform and be
recognized.
8.
Please give me your definition of a .... (the position
for which you are being
interviewed).
*
Keep it brief, actions and results oriented
9.
How long would it take you to make a meaningful
contribution to our firm?
*
Very quickly after a little orientation and a brief
period of adjustment on the learning curve.
10.
How long would you stay with us?
*
As long as we both feel I'm contributing, achieving,
growing etc.
Experience
and Management Questions
11. You may be overqualified or too experienced for the
position we have to
offer.
*
Strong companies need strong people.
* Experienced executives are at a premium today.
* Emphasize your interest in a long-term association.
* The employer will get a faster return on investment
because you have more experience than required.
* A growing, energetic company is rarely unable to use
its people talents.
12.
What is your management style?
(If
you've never thought about this, it's high time you
did.) Open door is best....but you get the job done on
time or inform your management.
13.
Are you a good manager? Give an example. Why do you feel
you have top managerial potential?
*
Keep your answer achievement and task oriented,
emphasize management skills-- planning, organizing,
controlling, interpersonal, etc.
14.
What did you look for when you hired people?
*
Skills, initiative, adaptability.
15.
Did you ever fire anyone? If so, what were the reasons
and how did you handle it?
*
You have had experience with this and it worked out
well.
16.
What do you see as the most difficult task in being a
manager?
*
Getting things planned and done on time within the
budget.
17.
What do your subordinates think of you?
*
Be honest and positive...they can check your responses
easily.
18.
What is your biggest weakness as a manager?
*
Be honest and end on a positive note, e.g. "I
have a problem reprimanding people so I always begin
with something positive first."
Industry
Trends Questions
19. What important trends do you see in our industry?
*
Keep your answer to two or three trends.
If
You Are Leaving A Job
20. Why are you leaving your present job?
*
Refine your answer based on your comfort level and
honesty.
* Give a "group" answer if possible, e.g.
our department was consolidated or eliminated.
21.
How do you feel about leaving all of your benefits?
*
Concerned but not panicked.
22.
Describe what you feel to be an ideal working
environment.
*
Where people are treated a s fairly as possible.
23.
How would you evaluate your present firm?
*
An excellent company which afforded me many fine
experiences.
Quantifying
Your Experience, Accomplishments
24.
Have you helped increase sales? Profits? How?
*
Describe in some detail.
25.
Have you helped reduce costs? How?
*
Same as above.
26.
How much money did you ever account for?
*
Be specific.
27.
How many people did you supervise on your last job?
*
Be specific.
28.
Do you like working with figures more than words?
*
Be honest but positive.
29.
In your current or last position, what features did you
like the most? Least?
*
Same as above
30.
In your current or last position, what are or were your
five most significant accomplishments?
*
You could refer to the key accomplishments already
identified on resume.
Job
Search Questions
31.
Why haven't you found a new position before now?
*
Finding a job is easy but finding the right job is
more difficult. (You are being "selective")
32.
Had you thought of leaving your present position before?
If yes, what do you think held you there?
*
Challenge, but it's gone now.
33.
What do you think of your boss?
*
Be as positive as you can.
34.
Would you describe a situation in which your work was
criticized?
35. What other types of jobs or companies are you
considering?
*
Keep your answer related to this company's field
Your
Work Habits and Style
36. If I spoke with your previous boss, what would he
say are your greatest strengths and weaknesses?
*
Emphasize skills -- don't be overly negative about
your weaknesses; it's always safe to identify a lack
of a skill or experience as a shortcoming rather than
a personal characteristic.
37.
Can you work under pressures, deadlines, etc.?
*
Yes. Quite simply, it is a way of life in business.
38.
How have you changed the nature of your job?
*
Improved it...of course.
39.
Do you prefer staff or line work? Why?
*
Depends on the job and its challenges.
40.
In your present position, what problems have you
identified that had previously been overlooked?
*
Keep it brief and don't brag.
41.
Don't you feel you might be better off in a different
size company? Different type company?
*
Depends on the job -- elaborate slightly.
42.
How do you resolve conflict on a project team?
*
First discuss issues privately.
43.
What was the most difficult decision you ever had to
make?
*
Attempt to relate your response to the prospective
employment situation.
Salary
Questions
44. How much are you looking for?
*
Answer with a question, i.e., "What is the salary
range for similar jobs in your company?"
* If they don't answer, then give a range of what you
understand you are worth in the marketplace.
45.
How much do you expect, if we offer this position to
you?
*
Be careful; the market value of the job may be the key
answer e.g., "My understanding is that a job like
the one you're describing may be in the range of
$______."
46.
What kind of salary are you worth?
*
Have a specific figure in mind...don't be hesitant.
Personality
Questions
47.What
was the last book you read? Movie you saw? Sporting
event you attended?
*
Talk about books, sports or films to represent balance
in you life.
48.
How would you describe your own personality?
*
Balanced.
49.
What are your strong points?
*
Present at least three and relate them to the
interviewing company and job opening.
50.
What are your weak points?
*
Don't say you have none.
* Try not to cite personal characteristics as
weaknesses, but be ready to have one if interviewer
presses.
* Turn a negative into a positive answer: "I am
sometimes intent on completing an assignment and get
too deeply involved when we are late."
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