Right and Wrong Answers to 8 Classic Interview Questions If youre in the job hunt, your first goal is to land an interview. But what you say in the hot seat can impact whether you land the job -- or even a second interview. This article explores the right and wrong ways to answer eight common interview questions. 1. What is your dream job? Wrong answer: I want to be CEO of Apple Computers. Stay away from naming specific jobs. If you say the job youre interviewing for is your dream job, youll come off as disingenuous. If you name a job other than the one youre interviewing for, you may give the impression you wont be happy in the position if hired. What is your dream job? Right answer: My dream job is one in a team atmosphere that feeds my need for creativity . . . one with growth potential that allows me to fulfill my desire to keep learning. Instead of naming specific jobs or companies, discuss the qualities that you like in a job. Not only does this approach keep you in the running, it tells the interviewer a little bit about what you value 2. What can you tell me about yourself? Wrong answer: Um . . . well . . . I have 15 years of experience in the . . . uh . . . marketing industry, and in my spare time I really enjoy showing dogs and watching Dancing with the Stars. This is one of the most commonly asked interview questions, and theres a good chance youll be asked it. As a matter of fact, theres a good chance youll be asked this question over and over again. Theres no reason to be unprepared. Also, unless the interviewer asks specifically, dont delve into personal topics. What can you tell me about yourself? Right answer: Im a branding and marketing specialist with 15 years of global experience at the executive level, guiding high-growth specialty sporting goods companies. Ive been responsible for the successful launch of several new products over my career, including Product X and Product Y. Give yourself the leading edge by preparing a one- or two-minute statement that gives a synopsis of your professional life. 3. If you could compare yourself to any inanimate object in this room, what would it be? Wrong answer: The lamp. Because you turn me off. An interviewer who asks this type of offbeat question is less interested in your specific answer than in how you handle the question. He or she wants to see how you handle stress. Dont panic, and avoid answers that are angry, sarcastic, or defensive. If your reaction to stress is typically the use of humor, know that a bit of humor is good in any interview question, as long as you dont go overboard. If you could compare yourself to any inanimate object in this room, what would it be? Right answer: The lamp, because I enjoy shedding light and contributing to a brighter environment by sharing my skills, knowledge, and experience with others. Calm, thoughtful answers like this show you manage stress well, are creative, have quick reflexes, and can function well under the gun. If you get one of these stressful questions, take the time you need to think about your answer, then just be yourself and answer as honestly as possible. 4. What do you think is your greatest weakness? Wrong answer: Im an overachiever, and work long hours that leave me little time for anything else but serving the organization. Never, ever try to manipulate your answer by turning a so-called negative trait into a positive. Every interviewer in the world is hip to this trick. Everyone has something they need to work on. When it comes to self-appraisal questions, be cautiously honest! What do you think is your greatest weakness? Right answer: In the past Ive struggled with time management, but recently took a course that has resulted in significant improvement in this area. By using certain tools and technology, I find that Im able to manage my time well. This type of answer recognizes an area of difficulty, but also shows youve taken steps to improve in that area. Admitting your weaknesses, and showing that you are willing to change, shows the type of commitment to self-improvement that employers love. 5. Why do you want to work for this company? Wrong answer: Someone has to put food on the table, and my family needs health insurance. Leave your personal needs -- and those of your dependents -- out of your answer. Its a given that most people need to work for money and benefits, but there are plenty of jobs to choose from, so why this one? Why do you want to work for this company? Right answer: Im passionate and knowledgeable about the product you manufacture, and the position would allow me to use my skills and experience while expanding my knowledge. I like your company culture and philosophy, and feel it fits with my own. This type of answer focuses on passion, skill, knowledge, and experience -- things every company is looking for in an employee. Research the company -- search the web for press releases and news articles -- before your interview. The more specific you are, the better. 6. What kind of person do you find difficult to work with? Wrong answer: Thats easy! At my last job the woman on my left was absurdly competitive and stole my promotion, while the guy on my right was a total backstabber and took credit for everything I did. Mentioning the bad habits of particular co-workers will make you come across as trivial, judgmental, and difficult to work with. What kind of person do you find difficult to work with? Right answer: Thats a tough one. I cant remember working with someone Ive found truly difficult. Inevitably there are interpersonal challenges at work. None in particular come to mind, but as a general rule Ive learned from these situations and am grateful for them. Spend a little time thinking, acknowledge that workplace conflicts do occur, then state that no one particular co-worker really comes to mind. The goal here is to show that you are flexible, easy to work with, and not afraid to deal with conflict. 7. Why did you leave your last job? Wrong answer: “I hated my boss, and the organization was poorly run. I couldn’t run out of there fast enough.” Criticizing your boss, your organization, or your co-workers, or making reference to conflicts that couldn’t be resolved, will only make you look bad. Even if your circumstances were horrendous, don’t mention them. Why did you leave your last job? Right answer: I enjoyed my last job, but Im always looking for new growth opportunities that will help me advance in my career. I left my last job because I was given an opportunity that would help me meet my long-term goals. Focus on the positives of leaving, such as the opportunity to learn something new, the ability to work at a new organization or in a new industry, or the chance to increase responsibility and experience 8. Do you have any questions for me? Wrong answer: Uh . . . no. Well, actually, would I be able to use my vacation time right away? Not having any questions shows a lack of interest in the job, as well as in the organization. As a general rule of thumb, stay away from questions that ask how the organization will serve you. Right answer Do you have any questions for me? I have a couple. How soon would I start? What types of projects would I specifically be assisting on? In what ways, specifically, will my knowledge and experience be used to help the department? Prepare several questions that focus on how you will serve the company. You probably wont get to ask all of them, as some of the questions will have been answered previously during the interview. Asking questions shows you are interested in the job and have an inquisitive mind. A well-prepared response can open doors When it comes to landing your dream job, how you fare in your interview can mean the difference between doors that open . . . and doors that shut. Increase your odds of acing the interview by preparing great answers to some of the most commonly asked interview questions. How To Answer the Question: What Are Your Salary Expectations? By Melissa Llarena Here’s a scenario many of us are familiar with: You applied for a job you want and, after days of anxious waiting, you land an interview to discuss the role and your qualifications. During the discussion, you go over your professional background, why you’re interested in the position and what the job entails. Then, some variation of this question comes up: “What are your salary expectations?” Another common situation is when you’re going through a job application, and again, you come across a question about desired salary. Whether it’s during an interview or on an application, no one wants to answer this question, however it’s one that must be asked. Firstly, it’s a quick way for employers to eliminate candidates with overly high expectations. It also lets the employer know what they will need to offer you if they decide you’re the person for the job. Answering this question is tricky. If you say a figure that’s too high, you’re likely out of the running, but if you give a number that’s too low, you have undervalued your work and your potential contribution to the company. So how do you answer this question? On Job Applications Applications are tough because there’s no way to skirt the question, and if you leave it blank, some employers may not even consider you. In this case, it’s always best to write something down. A few tips: • Consider how competitive the market is for your skills and let that inform the number you put down. If the market is saturated then you don’t have as much to leverage. Do your research to understand how in-demand your skills are and what the typical compensation package looks like. • Look at your current salary and typical salary progression for the industry you’re in. If you’re switching industries, look at the progression within the new industry. You may have to aim lower or higher depending on what you’re looking to transition into. • Determine your walk away number and put down a salary 10-15% higher. That way, you know you’ll be okay with the lowest salary offered to you. • If there is an opportunity to list a range, do so but make sure the lower end of the range is a number you’re comfortable with. During Interviews In an interview, postpone answering the question by focusing on asking the interviewer for more details about the position and scope of responsibility. You should try to determine which goals you’re responsible for, whether you’re bringing in revenue, if you’re doing something that’s never been done before, whether you have direct reports or manage a budget and any other information that may influence compensation. If the interviewer keeps pressing you for a number, here are a few things to consider: • Similar to doing market research before writing down a salary expectation on a job application, you want to do your homework for interviews as well. In particular, look up salaries at the company you’re interviewing for. Sites like payscale, glassdoor and careerbliss, to name a few, provide detailed information on salaries for either the exact position you’re interviewing for or comparable positions. • What is the total compensation package? Try to find this information out before giving your salary expectations. Compensation is more than salary and you may find that you would rather focus on negotiating more vacation days or a flexible work arrangement than your paycheck. • Typically in an interview, you can and should provide a range instead of an exact number. But again, don’t say any numbers you’re not comfortable with because if the employer offers you a salary at the lowest end of your range, you don’t have much to negotiate with when it comes to getting a higher salary. • Don’t be too stubborn or cagey at this phase of the interview process. It may communicate to the interviewer that you’re too much of a hassle to be bothered with. Instead be confident but flexible until you reach the stage where an offer has been made. By then you will know what’s most important to you and what you can leverage to get your ideal compensation package. • Many people shudder at the thought of revealing their annual compensation during interviews. They fear they may seem to earn too much or are worried about underselling themselves. Both are reasonable concerns, but they shouldnt leave you stammering for a response. Instead, research average salaries in your field. Scour the employers job description for salary information before your interview, or ask the search firm they are using. Choose a response in which you are comfortable before your interview and rehearse it. • One way to respond to the compensation question is to divert it back to the interviewer. Say something like, I have a particular salary in mind for my next job. What is the salary for this position? This is not only an appropriate response but many interviewers actually expect you to answer this way. That way you dont volunteer a salary figure that is above or below what they plan to offer. Hiring managers usually have a salary budget for specific jobs, and they must stay within those budget parameters. • Companies often use compensation questions to screen applicants. They then eliminate candidates who expect too much money. Thats why delaying your response to this question is appropriate, according to Quintessential Careers. Say, I am very interested in the job, and know I could contribute to your companys success. But if its okay, Id like to wait to discuss salary after we both agree Im right for the job. Understating your salary can cost you thousands of dollars in compensation, especially if the company plans to pay more. The interviewer might eventually divulge the salary anyway, if you use the delayed response. • If youve done your research, you might know what salaries are being offered to those in your field. Therefore, provide a salary range that would be acceptable to you. Search similar jobs on sites such as Monster, Simply Hired or CareerBuilder, and check to see if any companies provide salary information. If certain salary ranges keep appearing, chances are the employer with which you are interviewing has a similar range in mind. Follow your salary response by saying, Based on my research, this is the salary range most companies are paying. Is that acceptable? Finding out if your compensation range is acceptable is crucial. You can then free to discuss your skills and accomplishments and convince the interviewer to hire you. • State your current compensation or the amount you want if you are adamant about it. You dont have to take the job if the salarys too low. This approach works better if you know the salary is negotiable, which some companies indicate in advance. Again, your salary expectation must be reasonable for the job title. After stating your salary, say, I am not as concerned with money as I am in finding the right job. Is my salary commensurate with the one you are offering?
Posted on: Fri, 31 Oct 2014 17:30:19 +0000
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