Why You Must Ask Questions After An Interview
Nearly every interview ends with the same exact question. And yet many candidates make the same mistake when answering it.
So, what is this frequently mis-answered query?
Do you have any questions for me?
This may be the most important interview question you answer. And youd be surprised at the number of people who reply, Nope!
Thats a huge missed opportunity. You should never reply no to this question. Its your last chance to make a good impression, and its the interviewers way of gauging your level of interest in the job. If you dont have any good questions, it shows a lack of curiosity and engagement. After all, theres no way you could know everything there is to know about a new company and job opportunity after only one interview.
On the other hand, if you do have a few well-thought-out queries, you end the interview looking great. It lets them know youve done your research. Additionally, it gives the interviewer a chance to get to know you because the types of questions you ask can reveal a lot.
So, dont disappoint them. Its time to get asking.
How To Answer Retail Job Interview Questions
During a retail job interview, your interviewers goal will be to get a sense of your personality and work style. Thatll help reveal if you’re a good fit for the company.
Answer questions about yourself honestly, but be mindful of creating the best possible impression.
Youll also likely get questions about your customer service abilities since retail jobs involve being around many people each day. Look for ways to show in your responses that you will prioritize the customer and provide strong customer service . Keep your interviewers in mind while giving your responses. What do they want to hear? Your responses should cater to that.
How Do You Evaluate Success
What They Want to Know: Your answer to this question will give the interviewer a sense of your work ethic, your career goals, and your life goals. Tailor your response to fit what you expect to achieve if you were to be hired by this employer.
When I wake up each morning enthusiastic about going to work, then lock the clinic at night knowing that weve made a difference in peoples lives, I figure the day has been a success.
More Answers: Job Interview Question: How Do You Define Success?
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Frequently Asked University Admission Questions
Below you can find commonly asked interview questions during admission interviews:
Do You Have Any Serious Medical Conditions
When asking this question, the interviewer wants to learn if you have any medical conditions that could impair your ability to do the job correctly.
In most cases, youre not obliged to give an answer. If you do have a health condition, and it doesnt have anything to do with your career, you can simply choose not to answer, or to say No.
However, you might want to disclose anything that could potentially have an impact on how you perform.
For example, if the job requires you to lift heavy boxes, for example, and youre not able to do so because of a condition, you should let the HR manager know.
Possible answers:
I dont have any serious medical conditions
Im unable to lift heavy objects because of issues with my back, but it wont have any impact on how I perform at an office job
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From Ice Cream To Spirit Animals To Garden Gnomes This Is How To Prepare Your Answers To Offbeat Questions
Don’t get thrown by weird interview questions.
As you prepare answers to common job interview questions, you should also expect some curveballs. These weird interview questions won’t be about your skills and work experience. After all, there’s only so much of your personality a recruiter can absorb from asking you about your proficiency with PowerPoint.
From determining your spirit animal to which famous person you would choose to be for a day, hiring managers like to force you off the traditional path to see how you think and what that reveals about you. Don’t let these intentionally weird interview questions trip you up.
Monster asked almost 150 recruiters to tell us some of the most unusual questions they’ve asked job candidates, and why. The questions can be grouped into four main categories:
Let’s take a closer look at these categories and some examples of weird interview questions.
Communication Skills Interview Questions
Good communication skills are essential for workplace success. When you interview for a job, the hiring manager will ask about communication skills, including how you handle issues, how you handle difficult situations, what you expect as far as communications from management, and other questions related to your ability to communicate.
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How Do I Ace My Interview
How to Have a Successful Job Interview – Easy Step by Step Instructions Step 1 – Perfect Job Interview Preparation. Step 2: Try to improve your interpersonal skills. Step 3: Follow the instructions for the interview. 4th step. Pick the right job that you can actually find and enjoy. 5. Every detail counts. 6. Believe and succeed. Other articles that may interest you.
Why Havent You Gotten Your Masters Degree/phd
As a start, keep in mind that the interviewer isnt judging you for your decision.
After all, if they were looking for someone with a better degree, they wouldnt have invited you to an interview. The degree is not the dealbreaker here, but your answer to the question might be.
When asking this question, the interviewer is trying to see your reasoning for pursuing a career instead of getting another degree.
Heck, theres a chance that if you give them the right answer, theyre even going to like you more than someone with 3 Phds!
So, simply explain why you didnt think that another degree was the right thing for you at the time.
Dont say you were lazy or didnt feel like it, or that its a waste of money .
Instead, give compelling arguments, such as
- You wanted to see whether your field was the right one for you.
- You didnt have the financial resources at the time.
- You wanted to get some practical work experience before committing to another degree.
Possible answers:
- Sample Answer 1:
At this stage of my life, I decided to pursue my career instead of further education. On the one hand, I want to make sure that Marketing is what I want to do with my life.
On the other hand, I believe that in my field, practical work experience is a lot more valuable than academic.
So far, my decision has paid off pretty well – Ive already gotten a lot of experience doing online marketing for 3+ companies and delivering awesome results to boot.
- Sample Answer 2:
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Why Is There A Gap In Your Work Experience
In most cases, a gap in your work experience doesnt really mean anything. You probably have a very good reason for it.
The interviewer, however, will definitely ask about it, and you should answer adequately.
Theres no secret sauce to answering this question, just let the recruiter know about your situation, whatever that may be:
- Maternity leave
- Caring for a sick family member
- Time off to pursue further education
- Relocating to a different city
- Working on a personal project
Whichever the case may be, just explain the situation in brief and move on.
One thing to keep in mind, however, is that if you were laid off at work, or you quit and had trouble getting a new job, you should be very subtle about it.
If the interviewer knows that youre struggling to find a job, youre going to give them the upper hand in salary negotiations.
Possible answers:
I had a baby and had to take maternity leave.
- Sample Answer 2:
My father was sick, so I had to be the one to take care of him full-time over a few months.
Questions That Predict Behavior
Employers ask these questions to get an idea of how applicants have approached job challenges or duties. Employers may ask for specific examples that tell a story of how situations were handled, how conflicts were resolved or how goals were met.
- How do you handle a challenge?
- Have you ever made a risky decision?
- Provide an example of a goal you reached and how you achieved it.
- Provide an example of when a goal wasn’t met and how you handled it.
- How do you set priorities?
- How have you handled difficulties with coworkers?
- What do you do if you have a problem with a coworker?
- How do you handle deadlines?
- Tell me how you work under pressure.
- Do you ever postpone making decisions? Why?
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What Not To Ask The Admission Interviewer
Just like there are questions that are smart to ask, there are questions that you should avoid. Think of questions such as:
- Avoid asking questions that regard your chances of gaining admission.
- Dont ask too many questions that are not academically related.
- Dont ask questions of which the answers can be easily found online or through basic research.
In short, keep your answers and behavior professional. If your interviewer has experience at the school, you can ask them about their reasons for choosing the school. Avoid getting too personal and choose appropriate topics to discuss.
Can You Walk Me Through A Typical Day Here At Company X
Having the day laid out for you from beginning to end is a smart way to get a quick overview of what is expected of you outside the job description. I was hired for a job once where all the employees were expected to participate in a group physical activity before starting our day.
Had I not asked about a typical day I would have been completely unprepared for my first day and unable to participate. Not a great way to start out a new job!
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Why Do You Want To Leave Your Current Job
Let’s start with what you shouldn’t say .
Don’t talk about how your boss is difficult. Don’t talk about how you can’t get along with other employees. Don’t bad-mouth your company.
Instead, focus on the positives a move will bring. Talk about what you want to achieve. Talk about what you want to learn. Talk about ways you want to grow, about things you want to accomplish explain how a move will be great for you and for your new company.
Complaining about your current employer is a little like people who gossip: If you’re willing to speak badly of someone else, you’ll probably do the same to me.
What Should I Do To Prepare For A Job Interview
1. Research the company and its interviewers 2. Practice answering frequently asked questions in the interview 3. Research the job description 4. Answer the questions using the STAR method 5. Invite a friend to practice answering the questions 6. Prepare with examples of you. before work 7 Plan clothes for your job interview the night before at 8 pm.
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Why Are You Applying To Work Here
What They Want to Know: Your answer to this question will reveal if you feel positive about the company and its products, or just want any job. Obviously, interviewers know you need a job. You’ll have to express other reasons you are applying to work for their company in particular. The best responses are specific and focused on the company .
All my life I’ve been a big reader. That’s a solo activity mostly, but I love to make recommendations to friends and family. I’d love to work at ABC Bookstore to be able to help customers find bookswhether it’s a specific title they can’t find on the shelves or a just-right title for a celebratory occasion.
The 25 Best Interview Questions
How many golf balls can you fit in a limousine? Who would win in a fight between Batman and Superman? Who’s your favourite Disney Princess?
Some of today’s hiring managers rely on some pretty unconventional questions to identify talent.
Google’s famous interview questions have inspired a generation of interviewers who try to outsmart and confuse candidates with complex brainteasers.
This style of interviewing is going out of fashion though, and even .
It still pays to be a little creative when you’re speaking to applicants though, as you need to dig deep and ask interview questions to determine skill, cultural fit and intelligence.
With this in mind, we’ve put together a collection of 25 top interview questions that will show you whether any candidate is a fit for you.
Some of these might seem boring, but they serve a purpose. They’re the perfect way to ease candidates into the interview and get the background information you need to move up a gear.
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B Illegal Interview Questions
This goes without saying. Using one of these illegal interview questions to ask the interviewee can damage your employer brand at best and, at worst, you might actually run afoul of the law or even get sued.
The problem with illegal questions is that they often crop up in an interview without the interviewer being aware that theyre illegal. But, often, these questions are also personal and not job-related, so its easy to learn to steer clear of them. Here are some examples of illegal questions:
- How old are you?
- Are you a native English speaker?
- Do you plan to have children?
- Are you married or plan to get married soon?
- Have you ever been arrested?
- Have you ever used any drugs?
- When did you graduate?
These interview questions have the potential of illegally disadvantaging a protected group. For example, in the United States, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission warns against making decisions based on arrest records because this may cause you to unwittingly discriminate against protected groups. Similarly, in the UK, age is one of the protected characteristics of the Equality Act 2010. This means that a direct question about age, or even an indirect one might get you in trouble.
Tips To Prepare For An Interview
Here are some tips you can try to prepare for your next interview:
- Do your research. Take steps to prepare for the interview by reviewing the job description and researching the company. Prove to the interviewer that you have industry knowledge, understand the company’s mission and highlight the skills and experience that match the job requirements.
- Rehearse your answers. For most interview questions, you can prepare your answers ahead of time. Study interview questions and have a general idea of how you will answer. Focus on the information you want the interviewer to have.
- Take your time. After you’ve been asked a question, take a moment to think about your answer. Listen closely to the question to determine whether it seeks a personal, behavioral, abilities, knowledge or qualification answer.
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Why Do Customers Shop At This Store
What They Want to Know: Interviewers want to assess your understanding of the company’s brand and the shopping experience the company seeks to provide. This is your opportunity to show off any company research you’ve done, so if you’ve visited the store and noticed something meaningful, share it in your response.
It’s all about the experience. For instance, at my local store, there’s always a candle burning. Other branches I’ve been to have fresh flowers. And I’ve noticed how the clerks give me a cheerful greeting and personalized recommendations. No one ever seems like they’re aggressively selling to me. From start to finish, I think customers enjoy the experience of stopping in at ABC Companyit’s like a treat.
Top Questions You Should Ask In An Interview
An interview is a moment to sell yourself in a way that highlights the necessary skills that make you a qualified candidate for the job. You’ll need to practice responses to questions that may relate to the job posting and the qualifications listed for the position. Also, you must come prepared with questions to ask the interviewer to show your interest in the position.
In this article, we discuss the types of questions you should ask when you’re interviewing with a hiring manager.
Read more:How To Sell Yourself in an Interview
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+ Questions To Ask In A Job Interview
Job interviews should feel like a conversation, with two people asking and answering questions. You should follow the lead of your interviewer and prioritize giving them information about yourself, but know that interviewers expect you to ask questions, too. When you do, it shows that you have enthusiasm for and genuine interest in the job.
In this quick video, Indeed recruiter Linda gives examples of questions you can ask your interviewer.
Your opportunity to ask these questions typically comes at the end of the interview. Its a chance to learn more about the company culture, the challenges and opportunities the organization is facing, and what being in this job is really like.
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