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My Career
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How to Answer the Tough
Questions
Below are some questions you may be
asked in an interview, as well as some ways to answer
those questions. Some questions are harder than others.
We've included some here that are fairly tricky.
You may not be asked any of these, but we've included
them with some sample answers just in case.
Tell me about yourself.
This is a great opportunity to highlight some of
your strengths. Keep your answer under two minutes.
If at all possible, the information you give should
be pertinent to the job you are interviewing for.
Use your resume summary as a base to start, and don't
delve too deeply into any one area. "I've worked
in IT for the past seven years. I started as a programmer
at BizStart, a small software company that develops
business management tools. There I was involved in
developing a sales automation tool, which at the
time was quite innovative. The company's revenues
doubled in the first six months after the product
was released. Next, I worked at."
What do you know about the position?
Familiarize yourself with the company before the
interview. Find out about
products, revenue, reputation, history, etc. When
you've shown you know your stuff, ask the interviewer
to tell you more about the company. "I understand
you are looking for a data modeler with healthcare
experience to work on a data warehousing project
for a managed care organization. Could you tell
me more about your needs?"
What are you looking for in a job?
What are your goals? The answer should be tailored
to the position you are applying for. You might
mention how you will be able to use certain skills
you are interested in using in your new position;
you might discuss the specific responsibilities
and challenges the position will require.
What is your technical background, and what
kinds of projects have you worked on?
Use your resume to walk the interviewer step-by-step
through your technical-not work-history. Discuss
specific skills you have acquired and how you have
used them. Make sure you are prepared to discuss
this information-don't just wing it.
What are some of your most significant
accomplishments?
Tell a story about a couple of large, successful
projects you worked on, or about a time when you
overcame adversity to make a difficult project
or task work. Focus on specific technical or personal
skills you used.
In what areas do you need to improve technically?
Try to get the interviewer to clarify this question.
Is he or she asking about specific technology?
Platforms? This way you will better be able to
target your answer. If appropriate, talk about
a skill that is not required for the position.
Since this position will require you to use your
strongest skills, your weaker skill areas probably
are not required.
What did you like most and least about your
last job?
Do not ever criticize your former employer. Discuss
positive aspects of the company, the job, your
co-workers, or what you learned. Mention several
things you liked about your last position. Mention
ONLY ONE thing that you liked least-and that thing
can echo why it is that you are leaving the company. "The
company is large and stable, and I enjoyed that
environment. However, I am looking for a smaller
company environment where I can make a greater
contribution."
How do you handle pressure?
Discuss the skills you have acquired-organization,
prioritization, ability to communicate well with
others-that help alleviate the stress of pressure
in a job AND how you have used those skills successfully
in the past.
Do you prefer to work alone or on a team?
It's best to provide a dual answer here-something
that shows you are capable of operating independently
when necessary and that demonstrates you are a
team player when needed.
How would you describe your "ideal job"?
Cater your answer to the position and company you're
interviewing with. Your answer may include discussion
about your desire for an opportunity to use specific
technical skills, your desire to learn additional
skills, a specific work environment, etc.
If you were to hire someone to replace
you in your last job, what kind of person would
that be?
You want to turn this answer around to reflect
well on you. Discuss the kinds of skills the job
demanded-skills that mirror some of your strongest
skills. Discuss the temperament required of the
person in the position. Discuss the challenges
of the position.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
Answer this in general terms, and in reference
to the company and opportunities available to you
through this position. You might include comments
about where you would like to be as a professional-don't
limit yourself to growth within the company.
What kind of compensation are you looking
for?
Don't get into specifics about compensation-there
are many variables involved in achieving compensation
that's fair to you and your employer. The proper
and appropriate way to answer the question about
money is to say, "Mr./Ms. [Interviewer Name], I
am currently making [your present compensation],
however, what is most important to me is the opportunity
and the company. Based on what you have shared
with me so far, I am really interested in this
opportunity. If you are interested in me, I would
like to entertain your strongest offer."
What do you do when priorities change quickly?
Discuss your ability to adapt and to communicate effectively with your supervisor
and anyone you supervise. Talk about a step-by-step approach to examining new
projects and tasks, determining where they fall into the greater scheme of things,
rearranging current priorities, and getting buy-in from others involved.
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