| Here are some great job interview questions and their | | | | We can all think of examples where you have been |
| model answers. | | | | given things to do which you did not know how to |
| The negative job interview questions are the worst | | | | perform. How did you resolve this. Well you asked |
| possible questions for an interviewee. How about this | | | | questions, studied documentation and picked things up |
| question and how would you tackle it?.... | | | | until you were competent. |
| Q. What would you most like not to do in this role? | | | | Everyone for example faces new technologies, |
| A. A dangerous question. The interviewer is probing | | | | processes and procedures when changing roles or |
| for things that you didn't previously like and then they | | | | jobs. |
| can ask a follow on question about why you didn't like | | | | Actually this is a positive for you because you are able |
| them. Beware of this trap. One negative question after | | | | to demonstrate that despite your lack of knowledge |
| another sets a negative mood and will seriously harm | | | | and experience in a particular area you were able to |
| your interview chances. | | | | overcome this quickly and effectively to become an |
| Turn the question round and give a 'model answer', | | | | asset to the organization. |
| which portrays no negativity.....'In an ideal world.....I would | | | | Try broadening your reply by stating 'Everyone is |
| like to avoid any bureaucracy or red tape which can | | | | faces a fast paced changing world where new skills |
| delay decisions. Like anyone I am always keen for | | | | need to be understood and learned. It is what makes |
| good progress to be made at all times and everything | | | | the possibilities of this role exciting for me! |
| to run smoothly'. | | | | Don't forget to list examples of this happening within |
| 'I would like to avoid the situation in the last role where | | | | your answer |
| we had tight deadlines and 3 of my staff went off on | | | | Don't forget if the job interviewer really was thinking |
| long term sick with the winter flu last year. Although | | | | you were not suitable then you would not be sitting |
| we achieved our targets it was only through hard | | | | there! |
| effort, team-work and long hours'. | | | | Q. What do you think the organization will expect from |
| See how these answers portray you in a good light | | | | you in terms of responsibilities? |
| and turn a negative into a positive. Make sure you | | | | A. The interviewer is looking for an answer which |
| have prepared an answer otherwise you could see | | | | includes personal skills such as hard work, enthusiasm, |
| yourself stumbling! | | | | professionalism, passion, honesty. Additionally you can |
| Another key point is that the length of the answer is | | | | express your enthusiasm for the companies products |
| sufficient to give the interviewer enough information. If | | | | and services and comment on how you see your |
| the answer is too brief the interviewer will feel that | | | | responsibilities as adding value or increasing sales |
| you have avoided the answer. If the answer is too | | | | profits/turnover. Of course your answer will need to |
| long then you are spending too long discussing | | | | be tailored to the situation. |
| something that is potentially negative. A second | | | | Close your answer by asking the interviewer if that |
| important point is that anyone who talks too much in | | | | was what they were expecting or asking what they |
| an answer can be perceived as lying. Of course that | | | | feel the main responsibilities are apart from those listed |
| would only apply to a question where you have | | | | on the job description. |
| something to hide. | | | | Q. What about the question that suggests you are too |
| Q. What do you bring to this role which make me hire | | | | good for the role........You seem to be over qualified for |
| you over the other candidates? | | | | this position. Are you going to find the role a bit |
| A. You need to avoid dwelling on the other candidates | | | | demeaning? |
| and take the opportunity to list the positive attributes | | | | A. This is a complement. Your skills are highly regarded |
| that you own and will bring to the new organization to | | | | and the interview is going particularly well. |
| add to their workforce. It is an absolute certainty that if | | | | A good trick is to smile, confirm this is a good thing and |
| you do not have an answer prepared then you will | | | | ask the interviewer to clarify why they are thinking. |
| suffer here. The interview is giving you the opportunity | | | | This gives you some time to compose yourself and |
| to list each one of your skills and traits that will secure | | | | also to set the interviewers concerns in context. |
| the role. | | | | The interviewer will probably say you could get bored, |
| In answering you can always do so in the 3rd party as | | | | you might not be challenged enough and look to move |
| this often sounds more modest and humble. For | | | | roles quickly if you get a better offer. This is a concern |
| example.....'my current colleagues would say that I am a | | | | for you. |
| great team player with strong organizational skills and | | | | The way to convince the interviewer is to express |
| attention to detail.' | | | | your desire to work for the company. The more you |
| Importantly you need to back up any statements with | | | | have takenthe trouble to understand the company its |
| examples which will clearly demonstrate what you are | | | | product ranges and shown enthusiasm for joining them |
| talking about. If you cannot think of anything to say | | | | the more convincing you will be. |
| attributes such as conscientious, reliable, | | | | You will want to focus on the challenges the company |
| knowledgeable in 'x', team-player, motivator, good | | | | will offer you and how they will provide a rewarding |
| customer relations, strong closing sales technique etc. | | | | career for you. This can mark a changing point in the |
| Of course adapt it to fit your particular circumstances. | | | | interview. The interviewer is saying that effectively you |
| Ask yourself what the interviewer is looking for from a | | | | are an excellent candidate more than capable of doing |
| successful candidate, use the job description as a | | | | the job. Your focus now is on convincing them that |
| basis for this and build a list woven into a proven | | | | you see the company as your next major career step. |
| prepared answer. | | | | If you can additionally add that you do have other |
| You could end the answer with a closing statement | | | | options for your career and this role is still your first |
| such as 'In your opinion are these the types of | | | | choice then so much the better. It reinforces what you |
| attributes that you are looking for?' It allows the | | | | are saying. |
| interviewer to discuss any gaps in your application or | | | | Q. What aspects of your job do you dislike the most? |
| confirm that you have the necessary skills. | | | | A. Do not say you love your job unconditionally and |
| The bottom line is to ensure the interviewer has no | | | | there is nothing you would change. Firstly because we |
| risks and is completely sure that you can do the job. | | | | know this isn't true and secondly then why are you |
| Such a question as this is a golden opportunity to shine | | | | applying for this position? |
| and cover this point. | | | | Alternatively saying you are motivated by money and |
| Q. A job interview will 905 of the time come down to | | | | additional benefits is being far too honest. The |
| the interviewer looking for weaknesses in the | | | | interviewer will frown on this. |
| candidate's application. A likely question that needs | | | | You could say you hate bureaucracy, lazy colleagues |
| rehearsing before the interview.....''Reviewing your | | | | whose work you have to do or lack of career |
| resume shows me that you have not actually been | | | | progression. These are perfectly fine but you need to |
| performing this role in previous employment. What | | | | end with a positive spin on these and they are |
| affect will this have on your application?'' | | | | predictable. |
| A. You have to admit this is a weakness and this | | | | Alternatively try to find something in the new role that |
| translates into risk for an employer. However why are | | | | the old role doesn't offer and which makes you dislike |
| you sitting there with an interview if you have not done | | | | it. For example the limited chance to travel. You love |
| this role before. The simple answer is because the | | | | traveling and the new role will afford you that chance. |
| interviewer sees something in your application that | | | | Or you like meeting customers and your present office |
| they like. | | | | based role doesn't allow this to happen. See how |
| Your reply needs to assimilate your current | | | | these answers completely eliminate any negative |
| predicament with previous roles you have undertaken | | | | sentiment and give genuine reasons for wanting the |
| where you have not had the necessary experience. | | | | new role. |