Monday, March 25, 2024

What Do You Look For In A Job Interview Question

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What Do You Expect Out Of Your Team/co

Interview Questions and Answers! (How to PASS a JOB INTERVIEW!)

This question is meant to understand how you work on a team and whether you will be the right cultural fit for the company. To prepare for this answer, make sure you research the company ahead of time. You can always tell a little bit about what a companys culture is like by looking through their social media profiles or reading their reviews on Glassdoor.

What Have Been Your Most Positive And Negative Management Experiences

Employers might ask you this question to understand what you like and dislike in certain management styles. This might help them decide whether or not you would be a good fit under a certain manager. You should answer this question honestly and as tactfully as possible.

Example:One of my past managers, while very talented, tended to manage our teams work closely with little flexibility on how things were to be done. It made me feel like I wasnt trusted and there wasnt much room for process improvement. My most recent manager was terrific at listening to my needs and helping me get the resources I needed to achieve my goals. I thrive under managers who create a collaborative, trusting team environment.

What Motivates You At Work

Number 13 of our guide to the most common job interview questions and how to answer them ‘what motivates you at work?’ This will often catch graduates off-guard so it’s important to make sure you are fully prepared to answer it.

Want to boost your employability and increase your chances of job interview success? Find out the best way to answer this interview question, example answers as well as what to avoid when answering…

How to answer what motivates you at work?

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What Are Your Greatest Strengths

In your answer to this question, share your most relevant technical and soft skills. While it may feel uncomfortable to talk highly of yourself, remember that this is your opportunity to tell your interviewers what makes you a great candidateand they want to hear it. To answer, follow the formula below:

1. Share one to a few positive qualities and personal attributes:“Ive always been a natural leader…

2. Back them up with examples:“…Ive exceeded my KPIs every quarter and have been promoted twice in the past five years. I look back at those successes and know that I wouldnt have reached them if I hadnt built and led teams composed of highly skilled and diverse individuals. Im proud of my ability to get cross-functional groups on the same page…

3. Relate them back to the role for which youre interviewing:“…Ive also regularly honed my management skills through 360 reviews and candid sessions with my team, and I know continuing to build my leadership skills is something I want from my next role.

Read more: Interview Question: What Are Your Strengths and Weaknesses?

Why Do Interviewers Ask What Challenges Are You Looking For

Interview Questions and Answers: 1. How would you describe ...

Every company wants to grow and become the best in their field, and to do, so they need people who are not just efficient but are also willing to go the extra mile to achieve their targets and are ready to grow according to the needs of the environment. Employees who view challenges as an opportunity and strive to be the best contribute to the growth and become an asset for the company in the long run.

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This question shows whether you are qualified for the position you are applying for, are ready for your role, and are aware of the challenges. It gives an insight to the employers about your personality and how you view challenges at the workplace. Hence, the interviewer analyses the following-

  • Your problem-solving skills, how you approach a difficult situation.
  • What is your motivation for the job?
  • If you have faced any challenges in your previous role
  • Your thoughts about the position you are applying for
  • If you are ready to handle responsibilities
  • What unique skills do you possess that can help the company in some way?
  • If your career goals align with the job you are applying for
  • If you are aware of the objectives and goals of the company and ready to learn new skills to achieve your goals.

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Why Do You Think You Can Help This Company Grow

How to Answer: Beyond perusing your prospective employers website, think about how you, specifically, can contribute to their mission.

Example: Because of my experience being on the journalism side, I can help this company grow its public relations efforts because I know how to communicate with reporters.

What Should Job Seekers Do

When networking, or in an interview, most job seekers respond to the What do you want question with answers usually focused on their own interests, ambitions, and desires whether or not those interests match the opportunity.

Should you give up pursuing the things you really want? Of course not!

Carefully targeting the kinds of companies, teams, and positions that interest you is a key part of creating a fulfilling career and an effective job search.

So, does that mean its best to be disingenuous, or make something up? Not at all!

You should think about which of your interests, desires, strengths, and abilities best match the opportunity at hand, and then help the employer connect those dots!

When you prepare your elevator speech, craft your interview answers, or have casual conversations with networking contacts in your job search, always think in terms ofWhat qualifications, experience, and desires do I have in a job that would potentially be of interest to the person Im talking with?

You can be sure that when they ask the question, employers are thinking

Is this person interested in anything I need, want, or know about?

If their conclusion from your answer is No, then its unlikely the networking discussion or the interview process will go much further.

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Know What To Say Ahead Of Time

If you’re worried that you’ll be a nervous wreck with a hiring manager staring at you and waiting for you to come up with smart answers to interview questions, know that it doesn’t have to be that way. A little preparation can go a long way. Could you use some help with that? Join Monster for free today. As a member, you can sign up to get interview insights, job search tips, and career advice sent directly to your inbox. Don’t sweat your way through the job search process we have expert info that can help you confidently tackle the challenge.

What Do You Think We Could Do Better Or Differently

Questions to ask at the End of an Interview | Career Interview Tips

This question can really do a number on you. How do you give a meaty answer without insulting the company or, worse, the person youre speaking with? Well first, take a deep breath. Then start your response with something positive about the company or specific product youve been asked to discuss. When youre ready to give your constructive feedback, give some background on the perspective youre bringing to the table and explain why youd make the change youre suggesting . And if you end with a question, you can show them youre curious about the company or product and open to other points of view. Try: Did you consider that approach here? Id love to know more about your process.

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What Are Your Greatest Strengths And Weaknesses

This common interview question can often catch candidates off guard, especially for those who haven’t come across it before in a job interview – you will be tested on your level of self-awareness, your skillset, as well as your composure and communication skills.

We have explored this interview question and how to answer effectively without sounding like you’re bragging or giving a cliché answer and trying to spin a strength as a weakness! Check out a top ‘what is your greatest strength’ and ‘what is your greatest weakness’ sample answer and what else you should avoid when answering one of the most common interview questions for graduates.

How to answer what are your strengths and weaknesses

What Not To Say

It’s good to be candid, and you definitely don’t want to lie, but there are just some things you shouldn’t say in an interview.

  • Dont get personal. No matter what, dont badmouth your former boss, colleagues, or company. How you answer this question offers a window into your on-the-job character and values.
  • Don’t ask about salary. Dont mention salary during the first interview unless the interviewer does first.
  • Try not to expand on your prepared answer. When you answer the question about why you’re leaving your current job, be as brief as possible and steer the conversation back toward the new position and why you’d be a good fit. You could easily get caught up in something you would rather not say, so dont expand on your prepared answer.

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How To Prepare For The Question

The points below will keep you headed in the right direction when preparing your answer to Why do you want this job? prior to the interview.

The company and the job: During your prep, match your skills to the role, understand how the role will benefit you and what the company has to offer. You might also want to think about what to expect in a job interview concerning the company and the industry:

  • What are the companys values or is the mission something you are passionate about? Have there been any recent changes to the companys services or product?
  • Do you have any industry-specific, specialist knowledge that applies to the role?

Tip: Check up on any upcoming industry regulations or changes that apply to the company too!

Your experience and achievements: The likelihood of getting the job can sometimes depend on your prior experience and what you have achieved in previous roles. This will provide the interviewer with insight into your skills which is incredibly important to relate back to the question. You can go into more details of your experience and skills when you answer for a job interview, such as:

  • Is there a recent achievement you can talk about or a challenge you’ve faced?
  • Do you intend to go on any learning or development courses that relate to the role?
  • How will this add value to the role, the team and the company?
  • Give an example of when youve had to show emotional intelligence or resilience?
  • How would you handle change with this role?

If You Were An Animal What Would You Be

Tips for Job Interview with Sample Questionnaire

You may occasionally be asked random brain teaser questions like this. The goal is to get you thinking on your feet. How quickly and creatively can you answer? If you can come up with an answer that ties back to the job, kudos to you, but donât stress too much about your answer. These types of interview questions are a personality gauge. If youâre having trouble thinking on the spot, bide yourself a little time to gather your thoughts with a response like âThatâs an interesting question. I think I would have to sayâ¦â

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Why Are You Currently Unemployed

How to Answer: Ok, we admit its unlikely the interviewer will put the point so bluntly. Typically, this question is asked in the following way: Tell me about why you left your .

What they really want to ask is: Were you fired and if so, why? People are reorganized and fired all the time for reasons that have nothing to do with their individual performance. On the other hand, some people are fired for cause as well.

Whichever category you fall into, be sure to spin the best story possible without being defensive. The more casual and confident you can be in your answer, the easier it will be for your interviewer to conclude what you want them to: Ok, no big deal.

Example: I took some time off to fully immerse myself in my studies. Now that Ive gotten my second degree in education, Im looking forward to putting it into practice.

Why Did You Decide To Leave Your Previous/current Job

When asking this question, the interviewer wants to learn:

  • Did you have a good reason for leaving your last job? The HR manager doesnt want someone that just jumps ship the moment things go bad.

Incorrect Example:

Oh, well, the company started bleeding cash and was on its way to bankruptcy.

Correct Example:

I felt like it was time – I got to a point where everything I was doing felt monotonous. I learned as much as I could at this position while delivering amazing results. It was, however, time to switch to something new.

  • Did you leave on good terms? Meaning, did you go through the offboarding process, instructing your coworkers on how to take up your responsibilities? Or did you just say Adios and stopped showing up at work?

Incorrect Example:

Things started to get really boring, and the boss man was kind of mean. I totally deserve better, so I just ghosted them and now Im looking for a new company. Hi!

Correct Example:

I didnt feel like the companys values coincide with mine. The management was too controlling and micromanaging. I prefer to have some control over my work, and being able to contribute by going above and beyond my requirements.

Of course, I went through the off-boarding properly. Meaning, gave a timely resignation notice, and transferred all the essential company knowledge to my replacement.

  • Did you leave voluntarily, or were you fired?

Incorrect Example:

I got fired for missing work for a week without an excuse.

Correct Example:

Also Check: What Questions Should A Candidate Ask In An Interview

Tips For After The Interview

When the interview is over, give yourself the best chances of moving forward by doing the following:

20. Ask about next steps. After your interview, it is appropriate to ask either your interviewer, hiring manager or recruiter about what you should expect next. This will likely be a follow-up email with results from your interview, additional requirements like an assignment or reference list or another interview.

21. Send a personalized thank you letter after the interview. Ask for the business card of each person you speak with during the interview process so that you can follow up individually with a separate thank you email. If you interviewed in the morning, send your follow-up emails the same day. If you interviewed in the afternoon, the next morning is fine. Make certain that each email is distinct from the others, using the notes you took during the conversations.

What Do You Like To Do For Fun

JOB INTERVIEW questions and answers (Part 1): Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

This question is designed to reveal more about the candidate’s character. There is no wrong answer here, but the answers are revealing in that you will be able to understand their personality and cultural choices which will help you determine if they will be a good fit for your company.

Red flag: Since there are no wrong answers, use this question to learn more about the candidate’s personality and if they will fit in with your corporate culture.

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Whats A Time You Disagreed With A Decision That Was Made At Work

The ideal anecdote here is one where you handled a disagreement professionally and learned something from the experience. Zhang recommends paying particular attention to how you start and end your response. To open, make a short statement to frame the rest of your answer, one that nods at the ultimate takeaway or the reason youre telling this story. For example: I learned early on in my professional career that its fine to disagree if you can back up your hunches with data. And to close strong, you can either give a one-sentence summary of your answer or talk briefly about how what you learned or gained from this experience would help you in the role youre interviewing for.

Do You Have Any Interests Outside Of Work

If the interviewer asks you this question, take it as a good sign!

It means that they liked your professional background, and now theyre just trying to get to know you and see if youre a good fit for the company culture.

Its pretty hard to go wrong here, unless youre going to answer something like:

I have literally no hobbies.

or…

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Review The Job Listing

When preparing for an interview, review the requirements of the job listing. Then, make a list of your own interests and goals, making sure to take note of any overlap.

Seeing the commonalities between the two lists will help you craft a strong response to this question.

Use this as an opportunity to show the interviewer why you’re a good match for the job.

Your answer should emphasize your goals and interests as they relate to the job.

Tell Me About Yourself/your Work Experience

Longer Interview Responses

Begin your answer with an overview of your highest qualification then run through the jobs you’ve held so far in your career.

You can follow the same structure as your CV, giving examples of achievements and the skills you’ve picked up along the way. Don’t go into too much detail – your interviewer will ask you to expand on any areas where they’d like more information.

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Why Did You Decide To Apply For This Position

Through this question, the interviewers want to assess how passionate you are for the position. And no, the answer isnt:

Well, Im very passionate about not starving to death.

Well, I needed the money, and you guys tend to pay a lot.

What the interviewer is looking for here is to see how passionate you are about the job or the company. After all, job performance is directly linked to job satisfaction. The happier you are about your position at the company, the more productive youll be.

And heres the kicker – your passion will be very evident during the interview.

When youre talking to a person thats passionate about something, you can pretty much feel them glow as they talk. And if youre an HR manager whos interviewed hundreds of people, this is a very good sign to hire the candidate.

So, use this knowledge to your advantage.

When asked this question, your answer should include 2 things:

  • What motivated you to apply for this position, specifically.
  • Why this company? Have you heard of them before?
  • Sample Answer 1:

    Im very passionate about sustainability and renewable energy. In fact, I minored in Environmental Science at .

    Ive always wanted to put my engineering degree to a good cause – and the position as a Sustainability Coordinator at is just the right thing.

    Ive been following your company for the past few years, and I love how youre changing the renewable energy landscape in America.

    Possible answer 2:

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