COMMON INTERVIEW QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Q1: Tell me about yourself (2mins)
A: Early years, Education, Work history, Recent career experience (focus your experience to the job description)
State general goals or skills; use a positioning statement as a start
Q2: What do you know about our company?
A: Discuss products/services, revenues, reputation, image, goals, management style, people, history & philosophy
Do not act as if you know all, give the impression that you want to learn more. Start with: In my job search, I’ve investigated a number of companies, yours is one of the few that interests me for these reasons......................
Q3: Why do you want to work for us?
A: My research has shown that the company is doing things you would like to be involved with or I would like to participate in the company’s project.
Q4: What can you do for us that some else can not?
A: Talk about your record of getting things done, relate past successes in solving employer problem which may be similar to those of the prospective employer, mention specifics from your resume or list of career accomplishments.
Say that, your skills & interest combined with this history of getting results make you valuable, mention your ability to set priorities, identify, problems & use your experience & energy to solve them.
Q5: What do you find most attractive about this position, what seems least attractive about it?
A: List 3 or more attractive factors of the job and mention just a single, minor unattractive one
Q6: Why are you leaving your present job?
A: Refine your answers based on your comfort level & honesty
Q7: Why should we hire you?
A: Relate your answer in terms of your ability, experience & energy (see question 4)
Q8: How would you evaluate your present firm?
A: An excellent company that afforded me many fine experiences; never tun down your employer anywhere.
Q9: What do you look for in a job?
A: An opportunity to use skills, perform and to be recognized for my contributions (keep answers oriented to opportunities at the organization)
Q10: Please give your definition to the position for which you are being interviewed
A: Be brief; think in terms of responsibilities and accountability
Q11: How long will u stay with us?
A: As long as we both feel I’m contributing, achieving, growing and so on, as long as am adding value to the company
Q12: How long will it take you to make a meaningful contribution to our firm?
A: Be realistic, say “while you would expect to meet pressing demands & pulling your own weigh from the first day, it might take 4 – 6 months before you could expect to know the organisation & it is very needful enough to make a major contribution.
Q13: Can you work under pressure and deadlines?
A: Yes once simply, it is a way of life in business
Q14: What is your weakness?
A: I get angry easily when people are not doing the necessary things or not responding
Q15: What are your strengths?
A: Organised, Good team leader, Enthusiasm – high level of motivation, Confident etc
Q16: Do you prefer staff or line work? (Line work is factory work while staff work is outside factory)
A: It depends on the job & its challenges
Q17: Your resume/CV suggest you may be too over-qualified for the job
A: Lay emphasis on your interest in establishing a long – term association with the company; say that, if you perform well in this job, new opportunities will open up for you. Suggest that since you are so well qualified, the company will get a fast return on its investment.
Q18: What is your management style?
A: They include being task – oriented i.e. I’ll enjoy solving problem, identifying what’s wrong, choosing a solution and implementing it
Q19: What do you look for when you hire people?
A: People who have the motivation to do it well or those who appear capable of moving up in the organization
Q20: What do you think is the most difficult thing about being a manager or executive?
A: Mention planning, execution and cost – control. The most difficult task is to motivate & manage employees to get something planned, completed on time & within the budget.
Q21: What is the salary for this position?
A: Ask them the payment of similar jobs in the company; if they don’t respond, say I understand that the range for this job is between ------ & -------
Q22: What are your long – range goals?
A: Relate your goals to the company being interviewed
Q23: What are your motivations?
A: I’ve always being motivated by the desire to do a good job at whatever position I’m in – I want to excel & be successful in my job, both for my own personal achievement and that of my employer.
I have always wanted to ensure that my company’s clients/customers get the best customer service I can provide
You can also say, “I am motivated to be part of a thriving team with a vision to accept daily challenges & also pursue my own personal goals”
Q24: What will your colleagues say about you?
A: Team player, a generally amenable person who works well with other person, organised, dependable, easy to get on with, renders assistance to colleagues when needed.
Q25: Where do you see yourself in 5 years time?
A: I’ve always been a very career minded & ambitious person. I would like to keep progressing up in the career ladder & I feel your organisation will be able to offer me that opportunity
Q26: Are you a good leader?
A: I am always firm but fair with people who work for me & find that I get a deal of respect by operating in that manner
