What Questions Do You Get Asked In A Job Interview

Do You Prefer Hard Work Or Smart Work

8 Smart Questions To Ask Hiring Managers In A Job Interview

Smart work on the other hand, means doing the work efficiently. If you manage to get the job done in 2 hours instead of 5, with the same end-result, youre doing smart work.

Keep in mind, though, that by asking this question, the interviewer is looking to understand what your work ethic is like. Meaning, theyre looking for a healthy combination of both, not just one.

That is, they want you to be the candidate who not only thinks smartly but works hard as well.

So, your answer here shouldnt be one-sided…

Oh, I looove smart work. Thats when you come up with what to do, and make other people do it, right?

Instead, explain how you excel at both:

Sample answer:

I dont particularly have a preference – I believe that both hard and smart work is important to get the best results.

Smart work, on one hand, lets you figure out the best and most efficient way to get things done.

Hard work, on the other hand, means that youll do the job right. Even if theres no way to do it smart or efficiently, youll be willing to put in long hours of work to get it done.

Im the type that does both.

For an example of smart for, during my time at , I was in charge of the sales department. As a process improvement initiative, I migrated from an outdated, in-house CRM, to Pipedrive. This improved the departments productivity by around 20%.

What Was The Last Movie That Made You A Little Emotional

Some people will tell you about a tear-jerker such as Forest Gump or A Walk to Remember, others will say they dont watch movies, a few will just rattle off the last movie they saw whether it was emotional or not.

Then there are those who will share something truly insightful about a movie that touched them and speak passionately about it making themselves vulnerable by sharing in this way.

Candidates that can show vulnerability in this way can become some of the most engaging and communicative employees you have.

What Interests You Most About This Position

Sample Answer:

What interests me most about this position is the opportunity for me to work hands-on with the sales team.

Many other companies I have interviewed with for sales manager positions are too hands-off. They seem more focused on monitoring activity and pipeline than the actual development of the sales reps.

Training others and passing on my SaaS knowledge has always been a passion of mine, and I feel that ABC Company shares similar values.

I am confident that allowing me to train and mentor these sales reps will result in a huge increase in productivity and overall revenue gained.

Quick Tip: This question provides a great opportunity to sell yourself. Make it clear that you understand the position, and enjoy the work.

What Is Your Management Style Preference

This line of questioning will give insight into the type of managerial style they prefer working for and if it matches your current managers personality type and workflow.

Remember just because they may prefer a laid-back management style doesnt mean they wouldnt succeed under a more demanding type of manager.

You Dont Have The Experience/background For This Position How Could You Handle It

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Say youre confused by their comment, that youre quite confident that you DO have the experience and background for this position, and that youre a very strong match for the responsibilities.

Ask what specifically concerns them about your background whats missing in your experience? Re-state your qualifications as needed, tying your accomplishment stories to the employers requirements.

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A Cliche Interview Questions

You might have noticed that many of the common questions to ask in an interview are missing. These are questions were all familiar with such as Whats your greatest weakness? or Why should we hire you? The biggest problem with these questions is that theyre some of the most asked interview questions and candidates likely have prepared their answers ahead of time. There is plenty of content online for candidates instructing them how to answer these questions, meaning you may not get a truthful answer at all.

Plus, you cant be sure what exactly the answers to these questions indicate. Granted, if someone says I dont have any weaknesses or offers the covert brag of Im too hard-working, youll know they may not have the attitude youre looking for. But, most candidates will likely take the middle road naming a weakness thats small and unimportant. So, how do you compare answers of different candidates? You probably cant at least not confidently.

So, every time youre thinking of asking a well-worn, cliched question, consider a refreshing alternative not to catch the candidate off-guard, but to get a more genuine answer from them. Here are some examples:

Old question: Why should we hire you?

Better alternative: If you were hired, how do you think you could help with this project?

Old question: What is your greatest weakness?

Better alternative: Describe a time when you failed in your previous job.

Old question: Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Questions To Ask In An Interview

Because getting the job isnt just about your answers.

The central purpose of a job interview is hardly a mystery from an employers perspective: its to figure out whether or not a prospective job candidate is the right fit for the job.

However, thats not all there is to it. From an employees perspective, the job interview is about more than what the job entails it is also one of the best if not the very best times to decide whether or not the company at which he or she is interviewing is a good fit for them.

After all, just because someone offers you a job doesnt mean you have to take it. The interview process is very much a two-way street, and at the end of that street may well be a great new position, or, if youll permit us to extend the metaphor, it might be a fork in the road at which you and the company part ways.

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How To Answer 14 Most Common Interview Questions

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

These questions are the ones youre bound to hear at just about any job interview – whether youre an intern, or a senior professional with a decade of work experience.

All of these questions are used to learn more about you, both as a person and a professional.

You might have heard the popular idea that theres no right or wrong answers for job interview questions.

Well, while that might be true, there ARE a set of rules you need to follow when answering these questions.

If you understand what, exactly, the interviewer is looking for with each question, youll be able to give the right answer

In this section, were going to go through 14 of the most common job interview questions and answers. Were going to explain what the HR manager wants to see in you, as well as give you sample answers you could use.

So, lets get started!

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‘have I Answered All Your Questions’

Before you begin asking your questions, find out if there’s anything they’d like you to elaborate on. You can do this by saying something like: “Yes, I do have a few questions for you but before I get into those, I am wondering if I’ve sufficiently answered all of your questions. Would you like me to explain anything further or give any examples?”

Not only will they appreciate the offer, but it may be a good chance for you to gauge how well you’re doing, says Bill York, an executive recruiter with over 30 years of experience and the founder of the executive search firm Tudor Lewis.

If they say, “No, you answered all of my questions very well,” then this may tell you you’re in good shape. If they respond with, “Actually, could you tell me more about X?” or “Would you be able to clarify what you meant when you said Y?” this is your chance for a redo.

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Ask Questions To Close The Sale Or Uncover Objections

Use your judgement about the interviewer and the situation. Some interviewers will like this approach and the confidence you are demonstrating by asking these questions, but others may not.

Do what feels comfortable and appropriate to you.

If you had to choose your finalists for this position today, would I be included?

Based on our conversation today, do you believe I can excel in this position or do you have areas of concern?

OR, the least challenging, but still useful

Do you have any other questions for me?

These can be tough questions to ask, but hearing their responses allows you to respond and overcome any objections they might have. If you do not do this, and they do have objections, then you will be one of those who gets the rejection letter.

If they answer these questions , those answers will give you an indication of how well you did in the interview and perhaps an opportunity to clarify a question they might have about your qualifications to do the job.

If You Were An Animal What Would You Be

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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Best Questions To Ask An Employer In An Interview

What do you believe someone must know to do this job well?

Could you describe the people I would be working with?

How is the company organized? Would you draw me an organization chart?

What makes you different from your competition?

What are the biggest problems confronting your company and the industry?

In what ways do you expect the company to change?

How do you market, and how do you sell your product or service?

How are employees trained? Who trains them?

Where does this position take me if I do an outstanding job?

Where does your job take you?

How do you recruit people? Within the company or outside the company?

If someone does an outstanding job, how are they rewarded?

What do you expect from this person?

Who are your biggest competitors?

Do you personally make the final hiring decision? Do you consult with others? Who else do you consult with?

What do you like or dislike about some of the people who have worked for you in the past?

What is your management style?

What kind of boss are you? Could you give me an example?

Remember that each interview is unique and you will need to tailor your questions appropriately. You most likely do not need to ask all 18 questions but you will find there are other questions you should ask based on how the interview is going.

What Did You Like Most About Your Last Position

Tie your answer to the company’s needs. Focus on highlights of your track record at your last job and be as specific as possible.

Example:What I liked most about my last position was the opportunity to collaborate with other teams. We once worked with a client who was relying on us to solve a critical issue. After I recommended a plan for our team to resolve the issue, we took time considering the pros and cons of the solution. When we implemented it, it worked better than everyone expected. The client was very pleased.

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What Has Been Your Biggest Obstacle Or Problem At Work And How Have You Overcome It

Use an example that relates to the job you’re going for.

Good: A customer at the record store you worked at was not happy the store had sold out of a new album and was threatening to buy it online. You solved it by asking the manager to order extra copies, and suggested that in future the manager could order extra stock of the latest top five releases.

Bad: Don’t say that you’ve never had an obstacle. Everybody has.

How Do I Follow

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

Be sure to send the employer a thank you note not only will they appreciate the gesture, but it will keep you on the companys radar. Then try and sit tight until decision day. If you still havent heard back by the agreed date then it might be time to put in a personable, professional call or email.

If theres still no word, chances are the recruiter or employer are still deliberating, so badgering them for feedback wont do you any favours. Even if you got on famously, dont be tempted to get in touch before the agreed date or to send your interviewer an invitation via LinkedIn.

If you’re wondering when to follow up after your interview, check out our guide here.

Feeling nervous? Check out our our advice on how to keep calm before your interview.

Dont have an interview lined up? Well help you get one!

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.

Whats The Most Interesting Project Youve Worked On In A Past Position

Ask this interview question to determine if the applicant would likely enjoy the work available at your company. Do the types of tasks they find fulfilling align with the job description for your position? Making sure employees find their work professionally satisfying is one of the most important factors in retention.

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What Are Three Positive Things Your Last Boss Would Say About You

It’s time to pull out your old performance appraisals and boss’s quotes to answer the question, “What are three positive things your last boss would say about you?”. This is a great way to brag about yourself through someone else’s words: “My boss has told me that I am the best designer he has ever had. He knows he can rely on me, and he likes my sense of humor.”

How To Respond When We Can Start

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Regardless of how you respond when you can begin, your response should be honest and straightforward. The specifics of your answer will depend on several factors, both personal and professional:

Take into account your current professional situation

Think about free time

Understand the needs of the interviewing company

Respond with Confidence

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Do You Have Any Questions For Me

What They Want to Know: The last question at a job interview is usually one about what you want to know about the job and the company. Be ready with a list of questions to ask. You may seem disinterested if there isn’t anything you want to learn more about.

Do you have a formal schedule and mechanism for performance reviews? How soon after hiring would I receive my first review?

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