Seven Castles

Dealing with Tricky Interview Questions

                                      

December 2, 2007

 

1. Can you tell me about yourself?

Your answer to this question sets the tone for the rest of the interview. Focus is the key - keep your answer to one or two minutes and avoid a rambling answer. Stick to what you have written in your resume summary. To answer this question well, you will need to start with a solid and concise resume summary. List five strengths you have that are pertinent to this job - experiences, traits, skills, etc. Practice your script until you feel confident. Your script will help you stay on track, but do not memorize it – you will sound stiff. Instead, aim for a natural and conversational tone.

 

2. What are your long-term goals?

This and other open-ended questions, like: "Where do you see yourself in five years?" can throw you off balance. The employer wants to check your self-awareness and communication skills here. If you are an organized type of person, answering this question may be a piece of cake. If not, you will need to give your answer some forethought. The best answers will come from you thinking about what you want. Most successful employers believe that a key success factor is the ability to set and achieve goals. So begin by setting short-term goals for yourself. Right now your goal may be to get a job. But, what kind of job? And, where do you go from there? No one can tell you exactly how to answer this question - it will come from what is important to you. However, the more focused and employer-centered you are about your goal, the better your chances of steering the interview in the right direction.

 

3. Why should we hire you?

This is another broad question that can take you down the wrong road unless you prepare thoroughly. This is about selling yourself as a product. Why should the customer buy? Develop a sales statement. The more detail you give, the better. This is not a time to talk about what you want. It is a time to summarize your accomplishments and relate what makes you unique. Start by looking at the job description or posting. What is the employer stressing as requirements of the job? What will it take to get the job done? Make a list of those requirements. Next, do a personal inventory. Think of two or three key qualities you have that match what the employer is seeking. Do not underestimate personal traits that make you unique - your energy, personality type, working style and people skills, for example. Like snowflakes, no two people are alike. Take some time to think about what sets you apart from others.

 

4. What do you know about our company?

Do your homework before the interview! Spend some time online or at the library researching the company. Find out as much as you can, including products, size, income, reputation, image, management talent, people, skills, history and philosophy. Project an informed interest; let the interviewer tell you about the company.

 

5. Why do you want to work for us?

Do not talk about what you want; first, talk about their needs: you would like to be part of a specific company project; you would like to solve a company problem; you can make a definite contribution to specific company goals.

 

6. What would you do for us?

What they really want to know is... What can you do for us that someone else cannot? Relate past experiences that show you have had success in solving previous employer problem(s) that may be similar to those of the prospective employer. Make sure you have a strongly worded Employment History section in your resume that you can refer to.

 

7. What about the job offered, do you find the most attractive or the least attractive?

List three or more attractive factors and only one minor unattractive factor.

 

8. What do you look for in a job?

This is an opportunity to use your skills to perform and be recognized.

 

9. Please give me your definition of the position for which you are being interviewed.

Keep it brief - give an action- and results-oriented definition.

 

10. How long would it take you to make a meaningful contribution to our firm?

Not long at all - you expect only a brief period of adjustment to the learning curve.

 

11. How long would you stay with us?

As long as we both feel I am contributing, achieving, growing, etc. 

【作者: zhangliping】【访问统计:】【2007年12月2日 星期日 05:36】【注册】【打印】