| Nearly everyone has had to go on a job interview at | | | | stating: I felt that I had reached my peak at mypast job |
| least once in their lives. But not everyone knows what | | | | and wanted to move into another position that had |
| to answer to questions fired at them during the | | | | growth possibilities. |
| interview. | | | | The interviewer is probing into what motivates you |
| This article lists sample answers to the top ten | | | | when he asks: When did you feel the most |
| questions interviewers are known to ask during a job | | | | satisfaction from your work? |
| interview. | | | | You could say: I derived a great deal of |
| But first, you have to realize that your job interview | | | | satisfactionfrom my work as a freelance writer |
| unofficially starts the moment you answer that call | | | | because I was able to practice what I learned through |
| from the organization you are applying to. Thus, you | | | | all my years as an amateur writer in my college |
| have to make a good impression on whoever is calling | | | | newspaper. |
| even if they turn out to be just a secretary orassistant. | | | | Try to summarize your skills, traits and experiences to |
| Treat the caller as though he or she is a VIP at the | | | | show your uniqueness when you answer this question: |
| organization because you never know if that person | | | | What makes you stand out from the other candidates |
| will help determine if you get the job or not. | | | | for this position? |
| The top interview question interviewers are likely to | | | | Answer: I have a strong background in writing about |
| ask is: what are your weaknesses? | | | | politics due to my years as a reporter for my college |
| You must remember to put less emphasis on your | | | | newspaper and I am good at conducting in-depth |
| weaknesses and stress your strengths when | | | | interviews. This combination permits me to create |
| answering this question. Also, try to emphasize your | | | | strong writing that truly digs deep into the heart of the |
| professional rather than personal traits. | | | | topic. |
| You could say: I recently took short courses in word | | | | Name three positive things your previous employer |
| processing for computers since I felt I was lacking in | | | | would comment about you. This is your opportunity to |
| that respect. | | | | promote yourself using quotes from your old boss: |
| Another leading question is: why should we hire you? | | | | The editor I had at the leading daily, said that my writing |
| You must consolidate all your years of experience into | | | | is excellent, that she can depend on me to meet |
| your answer, which might go something like this: I have | | | | deadlines, and that I get along well with my colleagues |
| been working as a freelance writer for many years | | | | at the paper. |
| and have a track record for meeting my deadlines. I | | | | You need to prepare in advance for this question |
| amconfident I can be a valuable contribution to your | | | | (What salary would you like to be paid?) by asking |
| organization. | | | | around for the going rate in your locale, and by being |
| You could be asked: why do you want to work here? | | | | aware of your walk-away point or bottom line. |
| This means the interviewer wants to know that you | | | | If the employer gives you a range first, well and good. |
| have thought carefully about your reason for joining his | | | | But if not, you might reply: I am sure you will pay me a |
| organization rather than having randomly selected it. | | | | reasonable amount when the time comes todetermine |
| You might say: I have chosen key organizations with | | | | that. Into what price range would you put me, |
| mission statements that coincide with my own values, | | | | considering my background? |
| whose activities are appealing to me, and this | | | | The last possible question you could be asked is: If you |
| company ranks highly on that list of organizations. | | | | could choose, what animal would you like to be? |
| What are your goals? This question requires you to | | | | This is the type of psychological question that |
| divide your answer into short-term goals and | | | | determines whether you can think quickly. The answer |
| intermediate goals instead of just pointing towards the | | | | to this depends on the impression you would like to |
| distant future. | | | | leave with your interviewer because you have to |
| You could answer: My short-term goal is to get hired | | | | determine what kind of personality would get the |
| by a growth-oriented organization. My long-term goal | | | | workdone at this position. |
| will hinge on whether the organization will let me grow | | | | By no means are these all the possible questions you |
| into a position of responsibility someday. | | | | could be asked by your interviewer. However, it is |
| Why did you leave your job? Or: why are you leaving | | | | always best to be prepared so study these questions |
| your present position? | | | | carefully and try to be ready with your answers |
| You must place your departure in a positive light by | | | | before the big day comes. |