Describe A Time You Had To Make A Difficult Decision At Work
How to Answer: No matter what your position is, chances are, there has been a time when youve had to make a tough call. Perhaps you had to fire someone. Maybe you decided to confront your manager about something with which you disagreed.
Demonstrating your rationale for making this decision gives the interviewer insight into your judgment and thought process. Walk her through the pros and cons and the different aspects you considered before coming to closure to show that youre thoughtful and understand the ramifications and impact of your ideas.
Example: I was once tasked with firing someone for not fulfilling their responsibilities. While it is never easy to fire someone, I had to take the emotion out of it, understanding that I had to do my own job, too. Fortunately, I was able to quickly replace that person with someone else who has exceeded my expectations.
How To Answer Behavioral Interview Questions
This is more than just telling the tale and citing specific examples of challenging times in the workplace. Answer these questions in a tone that is confident and honest. Stay focused on the question being asked and try not to go on a tangent into a different topic that deviates from your strong answer.
Not all behavioral interview questions are going to leave off on a positive note. A great answer is going to be measured in the learning that came from whatever the situation in the previous role entailed. Sometimes that answer isnt going to be pretty, but that is all part of the relevant experience hiring managers are looking for in the role. Remember, these responses are meant to allow the interviewer to gain insight into your communication skills, time management skills, and other unique skills you posses.
You can prepare your sample answers based on the job posting. There may be some verbiage in the job description that mentions a need to solve problems or handle multiple projects at once. Knowing these key facts about the position will allow you to prepare your example answer to any question.
You can check out more examples of different interview questions here.
What Is Your Greatest Weakness
What They Want to Know: There are different ways to tackle questions about weaknesses. One is to turn a negative into a positive by sharing an example of how something you considered to be a weakness actually helped you on the job. The other is to speak about additional skills you now have because you worked on those that needed an upgrade.
Im an introvert, which I used to regard as being a weakness because I was always shy about reaching out to people. However, part of being an introvert is that Im a great listener, and I find this has really helped me as a Help Desk Technician. Im able to focus on our customers issues, ask the right questions to elicit information, and resolve their tech issues.
More Answers: Interview Question: What is Your Greatest Weakness?
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Why Are You Looking For A Job Or Why Are You Looking For A Different Job
This question might seem innocuous, but this is how interviewers weed out the people who are either a) just looking for any job b) were fired from their last position or c) might have a high turnover rate, meaning you wont be sticking around for too long. Focus on the positives and be specific. Think about why you are looking for a job: did you just graduate and this will be your first real job? Are you switching career paths? Are you leaving a current job for this one?
If you are currently working somewhere, you should also be prepared to answer, why do you want to leave your current job for this one?
Tell Me A Little About Yourself
If you’re the interviewer, there’s a lot you should already know: The candidate’s resume and cover letter should tell you plenty, and LinkedIn and Twitter and Facebook and Google can tell you more.
The goal of an interview is to determine whether the candidate will be outstanding in the job, and that means evaluating the skills and attitude required for that job. Does she need to be an empathetic leader? Ask about that. Does she need to take your company public? Ask about that.
If you’re the candidate, talk about why you took certain jobs. Explain why you left. Explain why you chose a certain school. Share why you decided to go to grad school. Discuss why you took a year off to backpack through Europe, and what you got out of the experience.
When you answer this question, connect the dots on your resume so the interviewer understands not just what you’ve done, but also why.
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How Would Your Colleagues Describe You
How to Answer: This question is a combination of a personality-fit and work-style question wrapped up in one. Its also an opportunity to showcase your interpersonal strengths if you have them and reflect on the way you add to the team in your current job. If you have a brief anecdote to paint this picture, now is the time to tell it.
Example: My colleagues would probably describe me as the leader in a time of crisis. After working on a stressful project to , I was able to get it together well before our deadline.
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?
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Research The Company And Show What You Know
Do your homework and research the employer and the industry, so you are ready for the interview question, “What do you know about this company?” If this question is not asked, you should try to demonstrate what you know about the company on your own.
You can do this by tying what youve learned about the company into your responses. For example, you might say:
I noticed that when you implemented a new software system last year, your customer satisfaction ratings improved dramatically. I am well-versed in the latest technologies from my experience with developing software at ABC, and appreciate a company who strives to be a leader in its industry.
You should be able to find out a lot of information about the companys history, mission and values, staff, culture, and recent successes on its website. If the company has a blog and a social media presence, they can be useful places to look, too.
What Is Your Teaching Philosophy
This isnt a question solely for those applying to teaching positions. Employers may ask this of anyone who might be leading or teaching others. Your response will allow employers to gauge your personal skills and if you would be a good culture add. A good answer will concisely identify what you think teaching should achieve and include concrete examples to illustrate your ideas.
Example answer:When it comes to managing people, my teaching philosophy is to start by asking questions that hopefully get the person to come to a new conclusion on their own. This way, they feel ownership over the learning rather than feeling micromanaged. For example, in my last role, I was editing an article written by a copywriter I managed. The story didnt have a clear focus or hook.
In a one-on-one meeting, I asked her what she thought was the main point of the article if she had to sum it up in a sentence. From there, I asked if she thought the focus was clear in the article. She didnt think it was clear and instead thought she should rework her introduction and conclusion. As a result, the article improved and my direct report learned a valuable writing lesson that she carried into her future work.
Read more: Interview Question: What is Your Teaching Philosophy?
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What Are You Looking For In A Job
Answering the what are you looking for in a job question? with salary, working near home, or any other wants will only result in a lack of job offers.
Employers will score high interview answers that state a liking for the job criteria.
The three key things I look for in a job are More specifically I excel in . Because I am skilled at X, I always work well when .
What Do You Expect Me To Accomplish In The First 90 Days
If you weren’t asked this question, ask it yourself. Why? Great candidates want to hit the ground running. They don’t want to spend weeks or months “getting to know the organization.” They don’t want to spend huge chunks of time in orientation, in training, or in the futile pursuit of getting their feet wet.
They want to make a difference — and they want to make that difference right now.
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Where Do You See Yourself In 5 Years Time
Employer requirements, for a new member of staff, vary depending on the size of the organisation, the industry the employer is involved in, and the type of job being advertised.
Some employers will look for an employee who will grow and be promoted within the company, while others need a skilled applicant who will work long-term in the one role. One employer may require an innovative individual, while a second needs someone who will follow strict processes and procedures.
The answer to the 5 years time question will vary depending on the above criteria. This is why rule 1 of a successful job interview is, identify the job criteria. As knowing what is important to the employer will assist in the decision of what to reference during the interview.
In all cases, the employer is wanting to hear that the candidate is wanting to stay within their organsiation.
Before applying for the position I researched your company and found that . It was the companys that inspired me to apply because I am also motivated by . As I am passionate about and I feel this company is the perfect fit for myself, I can see myself working here, successfully collaborating with yourself to achieve .
What Should I Tell My Interviewer About My Hobby
Regardless of which hobby, interest, or activity you choose to talk about, you dont want to just state what it is and then stop speaking. And you dont want to just tie it back to the job description. So what do you say?
Start by giving a bit of detail about what your hobby looks like for you and perhaps how you got into it if theres a compelling backstory or anecdote you can share. You should also tell your interviewer why you do it and what you get out of it. Two different people can have the same hobby for two very different reasons, so it’s important to let the interviewer know why you care about your hobbies or activities, Fink says.
Your explanation can reveal a great deal about your interests, motivations, strengths, and values. For example, if you volunteer at an animal shelter you can talk about how good you feel knowing that the cats and dogs feel safe and cared for. Or if you run marathons, you might talk about how you value discipline and the satisfaction you get from achieving the goals youve laid out for yourself, Ravis says.
At the end of the day, conveying genuine enthusiasm and a sense of what role it serves in your life is more important than the specific activity you choose to talk about, Ravis says.
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I Have Trouble Saying No
Helping colleagues on projects and properly managing your workload is an artful balance. From an employers perspective, someone who accepts all requests seems dedicated and eagerbut can also be someone who doesnt know their limits and ends up needing help or deadline extensions to finish their work.
If youre so eager to take on new projects that you cant bring yourself to say no to, share how youre working to better self-manage by organizing your tasks and setting more realistic expectations with yourself as well as those around you.
Example:My greatest weakness is that I sometimes have trouble saying no to requests and end up taking on more than I can handle. In the past, this has led me to feel stressed or burnt out. To help myself improve in this area, I use a project management app so I can visualize how much work I have at any given moment and know whether or not I have the bandwidth to take on more.
Are You Applying For Any Other Jobs
Its rare that a career professional only applies for one position.
In truth, once a job hunter starts searching for positions they are likely to apply for at least 10 roles.
The number of other jobs interview question is asked to check if the applicant will have loyalty to the organization if the applicant is only applying for this one role, they must really want to work for the organization.
So, the reality and the employers ideal is a mismatch.
I have applied for a few positions. For each job, I come across I research the company to check if we could collaborate successfully together. I am always interested in . I was really excited to receive the job interview offer for this position because during my research I learned about the company, which helped me realise that this is the type of company I would want to work for above all the other vacancies I successfully applied for
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This Work Sounds Interesting
Everyone knows that the employer wants to see if you can do the work, but they also want to make sure this is a job youll actually like.
So saying something to indicate youre interested in this type of work is crucial, and one of the most important things to say in your job interview to get hired.
Heres why employers care about this
If you dont like the job, youll:
- be more likely to leave
- put in less effort
- have lower energy and a less positive attitude
No employer will hire you if they have those concerns!
So dont just show you can do the work show them that this type of work is something that excites you.
This is true about the specific job youre interviewing for, and also the type of work in general.
This is why interviewers ask why did you choose this career? or why does this career interest you?
What Would Your First 30 60 Or 90 Days Look Like In This Role
Your potential future boss wants to know that youve done your research, given some thought to how youd get started, and would be able to take initiative if hired. So think about what information and aspects of the company and team youd need to familiarize yourself with and which colleagues youd want to sit down and talk to. You can also suggest one possible starter project to show youd be ready to hit the ground running and contribute early on. This wont necessarily be the thing you do first if you do get the job, but a good answer shows that youre thoughtful and that you care.
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You Seem To Change Jobs Frequently
How to Answer: Average job tenure is growing shorter and shorter but that doesnt mean hiring managers dont get worried when they see someone that cant hold a job down without changing every year or two.
Its a big investment of time and money to hire someone new and they want to make sure that you are not fickle or immature about your choices. If you can provide context about inevitable job changes that werent your fault , that will put the interviewer at ease.
Example: While I loved my last few jobs, I had to move around the country due to my spouses work. Now that he opened his own business instead, we are loving being settled here.
Validity And Predictive Power
There is extant data which puts into question the value of job interviews as a tool for selecting employees. Where the aim of a job interview is ostensibly to choose a candidate who will perform well in the job role, other methods of selection provide greater predictive power and often lower costs.
Interview structure issues
As discussed previously, interviews with more structure are considered best practice, as they tend to result in much better decisions about who will be a good performing employee than interviews with less structure. Structure in an interview can be compared to the standardization of a typical paper and pencil test: It would be considered unfair if every test taker were given different questions and a different number of questions on an exam, or if their answers were each graded differently. Yet this is exactly what occurs in an unstructured interview interviewers decide the number and content of questions, rate responses using whatever strategy they want , and may score some applicants more harshly than others. Thus, interviewers who do not consider at least a moderate amount of structure may make it hard for an organization’s interview to effectively select candidates that best fit the work needs of the organization.
Interviewer rating reliability
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