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How to Answer Ten More Tricky Questions you May be Asked in a Job Interview (Part 4 of 10)

Q31- Are you willing to relocate?

This is fairly straightforward but if the company has several locations you might at this point ask if they mean are you willing to relocate to this job, or des it refer to potential relocation with this company in the future.

Q32 – How do you feel about a government organization such as the EPA, FDA, or a particular religion, or other similar political, religious, ethnic issue?

The best strategy here is to turn the question around and ask the interviewer how this question relates to the job opening. These kinds of questions may be asked at a job interview but in my opinion they are out of place and I would think twice about joining a company that would be asking this kind of question.

Q33 – Do you like to work on 1 project at a time, or have several projects going on at the same time?

This is a rather tricky question. They are probably thinking about whether you are capable of “multi-tasking”. Your best answer here is that you are not uncomfortable with working on several projects at a time. While some jobs (like defusing a bomb) might require your total and undivided attention most jobs require working on more than one project at a time.

Q34 – If you are applying for a sales job, better answer extrovert A good general answer might be to tell the interviewer that you have no problems communicating with and relating to other people.

Q35- How much responsibility can you handle?

This is your opportunity to tell then interviewer what responsibilities you have on your present job, and that one of the reasons you are seeking another job is that you want the opportunity to handle more responsibilities.

Q36 – Are you more interested in working with numbers or with people?

This question could be another way of asking are you an introvert or an extrovert. Obviously if you are applying for a job as an auditor you should be very interested in working with numbers. A good general answer to this question is to say you are interested in both, and you realize that even though you may be working with numbers, you must be able to communicate these numbers to others and you can do that.

Q37- Why did you choose your field of work ?

Only you can answer this one but it’s a good idea to think about it and prepare an answer beforehand.

Q38 – Do you like the work you are doing, and if the answer is ‘yes’, then why are you looking for something else.? One of the best answers is “I like what I am doing but at my present company there is no room for growth and besides, I want to broaden my horizons by learning some new things.

Q39- Do you like all your coworkers at your present employer’s? Handle this question very carefully. Any indication that you have problems getting along with other people has negative vibes and will not help your chances. Indicate that you get along just with your coworkers just fine.

Q40-Do you have any hobbies? If not handled by your resume’, just be ready to answer. Most likely they are trying to check you for being “well rounded”

For more answers to questions, watch for part 5 of 10 in this series of articles.

Good luck at your next interview!

Ways to Answer Ten More Tricky Questions you May be Asked in a Job Interview (Part 9 of 10)

Q80 – Do you feel that you can deal with the general public? If you have never had a job dealing with the general public, you should indicate that you get along well with all the people you meet and it should be easy for you.

Q81 – Are you a joiner? Here the interviewer is trying to find out if you are a socializer and get along well with people. In most cases the interviewer should know from reading your resume’, but a positive answer here would be more helpful than a neutral or negative answer.

Q82 – How did you get our name? This question may be designed to help the company keep track of their sources of new prospects. If you answered an ad they will probably ask what newspaper or magazine. A straightforward answer is best.

Q83 – Where did you first hear about our company? As in Q82, they are probably tracking sources of new prospective employees. A straightforward answer is best.

Q84 – Do you consider yourself a “nice guy (or gal)? The old saw “nice guys finish last” is still believed by some. Best answer here is that you expect to be paid based on your performance on the job, and your goal is to do what it takes to be a high quality employee.

Q85 – What’s a nice girl (or guy) like you doing applying for work in a place like this? The best response to this one is to question the interviewer about what is so bad about this place that I should have to worry about applying here? Their answer may or may not give you second thoughts about trying for a job here.

Q86 – How is your health in general? This question may be designed to catch you off guard in case you have had recurring medical problems that may either impair your job performance, or may cost the company health providers with high expenses. You need to be truthful here.

Q87 – Ever had any back problems? This is a loaded question and a no answer is what they are looking for. If you have had problems, it may limit what jobs you can do and may also cost the company more for your health care.

Q88 – How’s your coordination? On some jobs this may be very important. Best answer is “normal”, but if you are really a “klutz”, then you might want to think twice about taking a job requiring super coordination.

Q89 – Do you get bored easily when doing routine and repetitive tasks? Most people would answer ‘yes’ to this. If you can truthfully answer ‘no’ then you might make a terrific assembly line worker.

For more answers to questions, watch for part 10 of 10 in this series of articles.

Good luck at your next interview!.

How to Answer those Tough Questions you may be asked at a Job Interview – Part One of a Series of Ten Articles

When interviewing for a new job, whether it be your first or a job change, you will be asked lots of questions. The sometimes highly skilled human resources people and managers of your prospective employer want to find out as ,much as they can about you. Will you fit in? Will you stay or are you just looking for a parking place until you can find something else? Are you a team player? In most cases they won’t ask these questions in this way. rather, they will likely ask indirectly. The more people who interview you, the more questions you will be asked. A short manual written several years ago for use in conjunction with a resume’ service I ran contains a list of 100 questions. Ten of them are presented here.

Better to be prepared in advance than to fumble around for answers during the interview. The mere fact that you did or did not prepare ahead says something about you. Being prepared is one of the attributes that may win you the job. Do otherwise at your own peril. Having changed jobs several times during my career, I learned how to answer most of them with ease. To be successful you need to do the same. The answers I propose are not the only answers, but hopefully they will serve as a guide for you in your search for a job. Good luck (or as a friend of mine once said good skill) to you in finding your new job!

Q1 – What do you know about our company?

You should consider this question as an opportunity to let the interviewer know you are interested, and that you have done your homework. Use can now use this as a springboard to tell the interviewer how your experience and/ or education and training relates to what their company does, the products they make, etc.

Q2 – What do you want to be doing 5 years from now?

Answering this question gives you the opportunity to state your goals, career milestones you hope to achieve, etc. Hopefully you have thought about this and put it down on paper. If you haven’t done it be sure you do it before the interview. Vague answers like “I hadn’t really though about ” will be scored against you and lessen your chances of getting the job offer. An answer well thought out in advance will work in your favor.

Q3 – What is your greatest weakness?

This question is a little tricky to handle, but obviously you should not start spouting out all your bad points (we all have a few). Rather you should turn the question around on the interviewer, so that your greatest weakness is not really a weakness at all, but is really a strength, i.e. – You could say that your greatest weakness is that you talk too much, but that in most cases this helps you communicate better and you usually learn more than you would if you were quiet all the time. Another example: I’m afraid I’m a “workaholic.” While this might seem like a weakness because of all the material that’s been written about this “disease.”

On the contrary, most employers look at a “workaholic” as one who is “dedicated to their job.” Many great musicians, for example have become great by spending most of their waking hours practicing, and who can say this is really a weakness?

Q4 – Why should I hire you?

Answer this one with all the attributes, accomplishments, etc. that make you the best choice for this job. Tell them that you like this kind of work, or that you want to help contribute to your new employer’s success. If you have done something in the past that specifically relates to what they do, tell them about it in detail, then tell them you can do the same for them. The absolute WORST answer here is “I don’t know” Please don’t give that answer, rather go over this question in advance and be ready for it when asked!

Q5 – Why are you leaving your present job?

If you are presently employed, the best answer is that I haven’t left my present job yet, and I may not, but that depends upon the opportunity I am offered. Another acceptable answer would be that my present job has little opportunity for growth, and that I am looking for a job with more responsibility, or I want to broaden my experience, or a similar answer that is positive.

Q6 – What was your biggest problem with your last job (or the job you are in now)?

This is another question you need to turn from negative to positive. Example of a good answer – My biggest problem was that I wanted more responsibility and authority and then job you are offering looks like just what I was looking for.. Or – My present job is not challenging enough and your offering looks like it is more challenging.

Q7 – Do you make mistakes?

Best answer here is – I am only human but I don’t make any more than the next guy, and any mistakes I make are usually minor ones and I learn from them.. If true, you could also mention that you are a stickler for doing things right the first time, and you are able to do this almost all of the time.

Q8 – Are you afraid of being fired from your present job?

This question is probably designed to put you off balance or get you flustered. Don’t let it worry you. The best answer is that you have no reason to be afraid because..and then you can start telling about some of the contributions you have made, and that you consider your self an asset to your employer.

Q9 – If you had it to do all over again, what field would you go into?

This question is probably designed to find out if you really like what you are doing presently. If you give a negative answer, or say you wish you had gone into another field, you are asking for trouble. Best answer here is the simplest – I can’t think of any field I would rather be in.

Q10 – What do you dislike about your present employer?

The safest answer here is that you have nothing against your present employer, but what you are seeking is more responsibility, a more challenging job, etc.

To see all 100 questions you need to be ready to answer at a job interview go to my website and click on the link for the book “How to Get a Job Anywhere, Anytime” part of which was the basis for this article. The rest is filled with lots of tips and how-to’s for hunting a first or a new job.

How to Answer Ten More Tricky Questions you May be Asked in a Job Interview (Part 2 of 10)

Q11- Can you tell me a little about yourself?

This commonly asked question is like an opener to get the interview rolling, Many people like to talk about themselves and after all this question does get at the purpose of the interview in the first place, which is to get information. The employer wants to learn as much as he/she can about you. It also gives the interviewer a chance to watch you in action, see your body signals, poise, etc. This is your golden opportunity to sell yourself by telling about your abilities, past accomplishments, future aspirations, etc. You also have an opportunity to tell about what contributions you think you can make to their company based on what you have done in then past. It also gives you some measure of control over the interview. You could, for instance, answer some of the questions you anticipate they will ask you, rather than just sit back and wait to be asked. Your interviewer should appreciate this because it tells him you are “cutting to the chase” and perhaps saving some time. By doing this you are also displaying your confidence in yourself, your way with words, and perhaps your assertiveness.

Think of the interviewer as a customer and you as a salesman (and the product being sold). Your job is to convince he/she that you are the best product to fill his needs as a customer. Be prepared for this question or some variation because it’s almost a certainty that you will be asked it.

Q12 – Why do you want to work for our company?

This question gives you the opportunity to show the interviewer that you have done your homework and are really interested in their company. Use the information you have gathered about the company to relate to what you have done. Now you can launch into what contributions you think you can make to their company.

Q13 – What position are you after?

The answer to this should be on the tip of your tongue. If you answered and ad, use the same words the ad used. If you aren’t sure what the position is this is a good opportunity to ask the interviewer what the position is and what it entails.

Q14 – What do you consider your outstanding achievements in school and on the job?

These should be on your resume’ in brief form but here you can expand upon them with more detail. Use specific numbers where you can. It’s lots more convincing to say “my suggestion to raise the temperature 10 degrees C. for making product X caused a 10.4 % increase in the production rate for this product and ended up adding $14,350 in additional profit to my company” than to say “I told them to raise the temperature on this one product and it made the company lots more money.

Q15- What is your greatest strength?

A good answer here will undoubtedly increase your chances for a job offer. Consider this another opportunity to tell your prospective employer what you do best. This is not the time to be modest. Just don’t go so far as to sound like a braggart. Here again be specific about why X is your greatest strength. Put numbers on it if you can.

Q16 – Do you plan to make this job your career?

If you are applying for a job as a mail boy to get your foot in the door, resist the temptation to reply with “yeah, I want to be a mail boy the rest of my life” Instead you could say you like what their company does and think you might fit in to one of several areas as openings develop. The absolute WORST answer you could be “I don’t know” Don’t do it.

Go over this question ahead of time and have an answer ready in case they ask.

Q17- What hours are you available to work?

Best answer is that you are flexible and will work whatever hours they need you to work. Any other answer may limit your opportunity to get an offer. Most employers expect their employees to work whatever hours they are assigned and also work overtime if it needed.

Q18 – What minimum salary would you accept?

The answer to this has to be a personal choice but if you think they are just shopping around for the cheapest employee, you might just answer that you are interested in the going rate for the particular position. Another answer is to turn it around and ask them that if they feel you are qualified for the job, to make you an offer.

Q19 – Will you work overtime if it is offered?

The only acceptable answer here is yes. Saying anything else will probably spoil your chances with just about any company.

Q20- Why did you leave your last job?

If you are still working for a company, the simplest answer is I haven’t left the job I have at present. If you are unemployed be sure you have a positive answer here. An answer like ‘I couldn’t get along with my boss’ won’t cut it here. If you were laid off, better have a good reason for it. One of the better answers is you are very ambitious and your previous employer just didn’t have enough opportunity for advancement.

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For more answers to questions, watch for part 3 of 10 in this series of articles.

Good luck at your next interview!.

• ISBN13: 9781605500508
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.

Product Description
Being highly qualified for a job isn’t enough to get the competitive edge in today’s job market—a candidate needs to ace the interview as well. Career planning expert Dawn Rosenberg McKay gives you the best answers to more than 200 of the toughest interview questions, such as:

What are your long-term goals?
How do you handle failure?
What does success mean to you?
Why did you leave your last job?

From preparing for the first interview to… More >>

The Everything Practice Interview Book: Make the best impression – and get the job you want!

It appears that now than ever before college students are filling out online job applications following graduation with anticipation of getting a job interview. Before students graduate college they need to have an extraordinary resume. Most colleges offer some type of resume writing seminar and students should be able to write a good resume most of the time. With that being said, the first step of getting a job interview includes having a great cover letter and an extraordinary resume.
Preparation is the key for answering hard interview questions once a job interview has been scheduled. A good amount of people do keep this in mind and prepare for answering hard interview questions. A lot of people prepare by practicing responding to interview questions so that they can sound confidence while answering them. Because the job market is very competitive with the current economic climate, employers have developed a way to separate applicants to find the brightest stars. Companies will ask interview questions that are tricky, which will make job applicants nervous and be hard to answer.
Hard Interview Questions You Can Expect
We will take a closer look at some hard interview questions you could be asked and what your response should be:
• What is your biggest weakness? – Of course nobody wants to answer this question. Why answer a question that reflects negatively on you? Be clear and confident in communicating to the potential employer what you feel your biggest weakness is. Use this simple strategy: Turn a negative into a positive. Explain how you made your biggest weakness into a goal to overcome and how you did it.
• Have you ever had time that you didn’t agree with a supervisor or college professor? – How did you resolve the conflict? When you answer this question, make sure you don’t reveal to the interviewer that you hold a grudge against your former supervisor or professor. You want to keep everything positive as can be with an interview. Never say anything bad about your former employer or teachers. To answer this question accurately, you need to display that you are able to see the other person’s view in the disagreement, consider all options and then act logically. That is what the potential employer is looking for. The potential employer really wants to know how you handled yourself and the situation.
• How would friends, employers, and professors describe you? – This is a good time to incorporate some of your key strengths and skills into your answer. i.e. Passionate, Driven. Inform the job interviewer that you have references for their review to support your comments. By the way, LinkedIn.com is a great tool for references.
• What motivates you to be successful? This question is normally asked to see how driven you are to be successful for the position that you are interviewing for. There no correct or incorrect answers. Obviously, in order to answer this question, you need to first write down what motivates you professionally and think of some examples that display these attributes.
• You have no experience. Why should I hire you? – You need to be persuasive. Mention your ability to overcome various challenges. Also, mention how you increased your knowledge through education, internships and your past employers. Explain how your core competencies would have a positive impact on the organization’s bottom line.

Product Description
Picking up where his bestseller (over 55,000 sold) 201 Most Frequently Asked Interview Questions left off, Matthew DeLuca along with Nanette DeLuca take job seekers to the next level of job-search effectiveness by arming them with more valuable lessons, tips, and rules for acing any interview. Emphasizing the interpersonal aspects of the interview process, they draw on their unique experiences as job placement professionals to provide powerful insights into what int… More >>

More Best Answers to the 201 Most Frequently Asked Interview Questions

In teacher interviews you need to know how to put your best foot forward and to impress as the best candidate for the teaching position. Follow these seven steps to secure the teaching job you want.

Do your Homework

Research the school district before your interview. Use the internet,  many school districts have their own web site. You can also get literature about the school district from your local library. Contact the school district office and ask for available material  to be sent or collect it personally. Find information on aspects such as the demographics of the school population, the district’s education philosophy, curriculum guides, school initiatives and employees. Use this information to prepare relevant teacher interview answers and to develop a list of appropriate questions to ask in your interview. The more you know about the school district, its students, and its curriculum, the better prepared you will be to demonstrate that your skills and abilities match their particular needs.

Take your Teacher Portfolio

Your teacher portfolio is a key tool in your teacher interview. The portfolio, filled with sample lesson plans and student work samples, provides hard evidence to support what you are telling the interviewers about yourself as a teacher, your teaching style and abilities and your achievements. Your portfolio should be well organized with relevant documents that highlight your competency as a teacher. A clear table of contents makes it easy to find what you need during the interview.

Prepare for Frequently Asked Teacher Interview Questions

Almost all questions asked in teacher interviews explore the following competencies and skills- your instructional and planning skills, your classroom management and disciplinary ability, your relationships with students, colleagues and parents, your subject knowledge and use of technology and your personal motivation and qualities. Prepare specific examples of your experience and skills in these areas.

Develop a List of Good Questions to Ask in the Interview

Prepare a list of insightful questions to ask. The questions provide an opportunity to highlight your professionalism and knowledge as well as a means of getting the information you need to decide if this is the right teaching job for you. Make sure your questions are not those that you can get the answers to by simply doing your background research such as “How many students in the school district?” Rather use your background research to prepare more astute questions such as “With an enrollment of 1500 students what is the average class size?” Thoughtful questions will make a lasting impression.

Dress for Success

It is worth remembering that teachers do not get jobs because of what they wear to the interview, however a number of candidates derail their chances of success by dressing inappropriately. A personal sense of style is an asset but align your dress to the situation. You want to come across as professional, neat and tidy. What you choose to wear should convey that you are organized, respectful and self-confident. A more formal and conservative look is the safest option. Remember it is better to overdress for the initial interview situation. Pay attention to details -  consider your nails, your hair, your accessories, your shoes. Nothing is less impressive than a pair of scuffed or dirty shoes teamed with a crisp and smart suit!

Send a Positive and Enthusiastic Message

Enthusiasm is essential to successful teaching. During your interview smile, speak positively, and use your body language to express your enthusiasm for the position. Your posture should be upright but not stiff, leaning slightly forward towards the interviewer sends the message that you are interested and involved. Relax your hands on top of your teacher portfolio and use eye contact to establish rapport with the interviewer.

Follow up with a Thank You Letter

Be sure to thank the interviewer or interviewers by sending a well written thank you letter within 24 hours of the interview. Your letter should express your appreciation for their time and convey your enthusiasm for the position.

Employment is tight. To shine in teacher interviews you need to come across as the most prepared and professional candidate. Take these seven steps to interview success.

For a complete guide to the teacher interview, including sample teacher interview questions with answer guidelines, interview tips and techniques and questions to ask visit Your Teacher Interview Guide.

• ISBN13: 9780910627504
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.

Product Description
For anyone who hires employees this is a must have book. It is also essential for anyone searching for a new job. This new book contains a wide variety of carefully worded questions that will help make the employee search easier. These questions can help you determine a candidate’s personality type, the type of work he or she is best suited for, and if the person will mesh with your existing employees and workplace. Once you learn the right questions to ask, you

Best way to Answer Ten More Tricky Questions you May be Asked in a Job Interview (Part 10 of 10)

Q90 – What kinds of machines can you operate? In and office and some industrial shop environments, experience on specific machines (or computer platforms) may be helpful and if you have such skills you should bring them out here.

Q91 – Do you think you would be a good salesperson? Better answer yes if you are going into the sales field (and back it up with any experience data) After your ‘yes’ answer the follow-up question will likely be: Why? . Be prepared to back up your answer.

Q92 – How are the company politics where you work now? This is a loaded question. A positive or neutral answer is called for here. Anything negative will probably hurt you.

Q93 – Ever had any safety problems? Your best answer is that you always work safely, but if you have had problems with former employers you should be ready to explain any past problems.

Q94 – Ever been subjected to disciplinary action such as time off without pay? If you have anything on your record, you should be prepared to give your side of the story and answer any follow-up questions you may get.

Q95 – Have you ever been fired from a job? If you have, you need to be well prepared for questioning. Most companies understand that in company buyouts, difficult economic times etc. that people are fired through no fault of their own. Be prepared with all the circumstances, etc.

Q96 – Have you ever been laid off? If you have, be prepared to outline the circumstances, etc.

Q97 – Have you ever collected unemployment? This question is designed to find out if you have been laid off, and also to determine if you have been “chronically unemployed” because of a long record of unemployment. If this is the case with you, be prepared to explain all the circumstances.

Q98 – Are you the kind of person who ‘gets things done’? If you answer ‘yes’, be prepared with evidence to back it up. your best answer is ‘yes’ but the question is really a leading question designed to learn about what you have gotten done and how you did it.

Q99 – Can you maintain your concentration on the job no matter what is going around you, or are you distracted easily? This is a loaded question that is probing to find out whether you can work in a noisy office (or factory, or shop). The fact that they are even asking such a question should be a clue to you that this company does have a noisy environment, and if that bothers you then you should weigh this and other factors to decide whether you really want to work for this company.

This concludes this series of interview questions.

Good luck at your next interview!