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THE SUCCESSFUL 24 TOUGH QUESTIONS

1. WHAT CAN I DO FOR YOU? WHAT KIND OF WORK ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?


• These questions should never be asked because we will walk right in, shake hands, introduce ourselves and tell the position we are seeking.

2.WHY DON'T YOU TELL ME SOMETHING ABOUT YOURSELF?
• Why is this asked? Because employers want to know if they like you. On a separate sheet of paper write a thirty second commercial that includes positive personal information and work history.

3. I SEE YOU HAVE CIDLDREN.


• Why is this asked? Because the employer is afraid children will keep you from doing a good job. Suggestion: "Yes, and I m very proud of them. They are supportive of my going to work and I have excellent day care and reliable backup."

4. DO YOU HAVE TRANSPORTATION?


• Suggestion: "Yes, I have reliable transportation."

5. WHY HAVE YOU BEEN OUT OF WORK SO LONG?
• Example: "I've been in school", or "I chose to be a 'stay-at-home mom/dad."

 

6. DO YOU SMOKE? • If you smoke, DO NOT DENY IT!

 

Suggestion: "Yes, but I will follow your policy regarding the designated time and place to do so."

 

19. IF YOU KNOW YOUR BOSS IS 100% WRONG ABOUT SOMETHING, HOW WOULD YOU HANDLE THIS?


•ı It depends on the situation and the personality of the supervisor. My prior superviser ""as easy-going and if I told her you know, I think it might work better if I do what you asked in such and such a way," she say "okay, try it. However, If! were a new hire on ajob, I would probably not question a supervisor because he/she might think I didn't know enough about the process/procedure.

 

21. GIVE ME AN EXAMPLE OF A PROBLEM YOU FACED ON THE JOB, AND TELL ME HOW YOU SOLVED IT.


• DISCUSSION: This is a problem solving question that tests your critical thinking skills and a great question for showing that you are a creative and capable problem solver. The problem you select to use as an example should be as similar as possible to a problem you are likely to face at the job you are interviewing for.

I try to take a organized approach to problem solving and take the time to gather pertinent information and clearly define the problem or goal. It is important to clarify the problem first before you begin to come up with possible solutions.

FOR EXAMPLE, at my last job we had a problem where the situation was "X" ... the action 1took was "Y" '" and the positive outcome was "Z" ... I was commended for solving the problem

 7. WHO WILL GIVE YOU A GOOD REFERENCE?


• Call your references to be sure that they will give you a good reference. Suggest some strengths you would like them to emphasize.

 

8. WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT THIS COMPANY (JOB)?

• Be sure you know about the company you are applying with AND about the position you are applying for. STARTING SALARY?
• *Remember this: "

9. WHAT DO YOU HOPE TO BE DOING IN FIVE YEARS?


• Suggestion: "I'd like to be working for you in a position of responsibility."
(Who knows in five years?)

10. IF WE CALLED YOUR LAST EMPLOYER, WHAT WOULD HE/SHE SAY ABOUT YOU?
• List your GRAND SLAM STATEMENTS that apply to this position

11. WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR STRENGTHS?
Know your strengths and use your GRAND SLAM STATEMEKTS to prove them

12. WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST WEAKNESS?


NEVER ADMIT A WEAKNESS! Instead tum a weakness into a strength. Suggestion: "Some may think my lack of experience is a weakness (that's the weakness), however I am a quick learner and easy to train (that's the strength). Then give an example such as ... In my last job, I learned to run the cash register in a short period of time.
Identify your WEAKNESS and turn it into a STRENGTH then document your weakness
statement on a separate sheet of paper.

18. WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED FROM YOUR MISTAKES?


• DISCUSSION: Show that you can learn from your mistakes. Don't give any negative examples of your past performance. Illustrate your success and the maturity it takes to examine your own behavior that enables you to learn, grow and be a better employee.
Be brief: Although I've been successful with past jobs, I've had the normal ups and downs. I monitor my work habits/quality of my work so that I can constantly improve myself. FOR

 

EXAMPLE, It took me a while to get in tune with computers. Finally I took a computer class and am now proficient in most software programs. I realize I should have done this much sooner.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

13. WHAT CAN YOU DO FOR THIS COMPANY? WHY SHOULD WE HIRE YOU?


• Know your strengths and use your GRAND SLAM STATEMENTS to prove them!!!

14. I'VE INTERVIEWED PEOPLE WITH MORE EXPERIENCE THAN YOU. WHY SHOULD I CHOOSE YOU?


•ı Suggestion: "I can't speak for others, but I am (list strengths/Grand Slam) and I REALLY WANT TO WORK FOR THIS COMPANY!"

15. WHAT DO YOU EXPECT AS A STARTING SALARY?


• *Remember this: " What do you pay someone with my experience?" or "What do you pay someone in this position?"

16. DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FOR ME?
• *Remember this: "Yes. What are you looking for in the person you wish to hire for this position?" or "What would a typical day on the job be like for me here?"

HAVE YOU EVER HAD A CONFLICT WITH A PEER OR SUPERVISOR? HOW WAS IT RESOLVED?


• Note that if you say no, most interviewers will feel you're not being honest. The key is how you behaviorally reacted to conflict and what you did to resolve it.

Example Answer: I've had minor conflicts in the past; differences that needed to be resolved. It helps to understand the other persons side, so I take time to listen to their viewpoint, and try to work out a mutual solution.

 

For example, A co-worker and I disagreed on whether to use color or black and white for a yearbook layout. After reasoning with each other we both agreed to use color and black and white. It was a win win situation for all involved.

20. WHAT DID YOU LIKE BEST AND LEAST ABOUT YOUR PREVIOUS JOB?


• DISCUSSION: This question reveals a lot about you. Give specific examples of how your last job allowed you to show your skills and maturity. Never make statements like "I like that my last company gave me a lot of vacation days," or something similar. When answering about what you liked least, keep it short and do not be negative. One thing I liked about my last job was that it allowed me to develop my leadership skills.

EXAMPLE, I was put in charge of a project that was behind schedule. I had to work with people from different departments in order to get things on track. Even though they did not report to me, they were eager to follow my lead. I was able to create a project vision that the team agreed on, and it enabled us to meet the project deadline.

 

 


What I liked least about my last job was the management style was pretty hands off.
This was fine for me because I am self-motivated. However, the lack of structure allowed some of my peers to slack off from time to time often resulting in extra work for other

 

22. DESCRIBE A SITUATION "'HEN WORKING \VITH A TEAM WAS MORE ~' PRODUCTIVE THEN WORKING ON YOUR OWN.

• DISCUSSION: This is a "behavioral interviewing" style of question. The Hiring i\lanager \yants to learn more about your thought process, and how well you can form examples to ans,yer this teamwork related question. You will want to show your ability to solicit ideas from others, listen carefully, and persuade people to your point of view.

 

FOR EXAMPLE, I enjoy working independently or on a team and I do both equally well. \Vorking with others has produced great results for projects I have worked on. The creativity of a group is always greater than that of one person. Working with others allows you to use other people's skills and experiences, get perspectives and ideas that you would not have on your own.

 

FOR EXAMPLE, at Job "X" I worked with many great people. I was able to "pick their brains" -so to speak -about the effectiveness of various techniques, estimates on how long it would take to get various things done, etc. -I would not have been able

23. DESCRIBE A TIME YOU WERE FACED WITH PROBLEMS/STRESSES AT WORK THAT TESTED YOUR COPING SKILLS. WHAT DID YOU DO?

• DISCUSSION: Workplace stress is an issue for everyone. Don't pretend thatyou never get stressed out. You want to show that you can deal with stress and cope with difficult situations. Show that you are calm under pressure, and kno'vY how to avoid stress in the first place through planning and time
management.

It is important to remember that stress effects everyone, and sometimes people are going to have bad days. That's why I try to give people the benefit of the doubt when they seem to have a short fuse. You can't always control what happens to you, but you CAN control your response. What I do is identify the cause of the stress before I respond and/or decide what I can do about it.

FOR EXAMPLE, on several occasions I have had to deal with very irate customers who actually yelled at me. I stayed calm and listened to determine what was at the root of their problem. Then I provided solutions. I do my best to be professional at all times and not get my emotions involved.o do my job as effectively without them.

24 WHAT IMPORTANT GOALS HAVE YOU ACHIEVED IN THE PAST YEAR?

• DISCUSSION: This question is geared to find out your level of motivation and tenacity. Give an answer that demonstrates real ambition that is also backed, not only by persistence, but by the desire to succeed.

FOR EXAMPLE, My goal has always been to learn to speak a second language. Although I have been out of school for 7 years, I enrolled in an online beginning Spanish class and found that I easily manage school, family and work. When I complete this class I plan to take a more advanced one. I realize becoming bilingual is an asset will help me be successful in my career

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