1. Why do you want to work in this industry?
Bad answer:
"I love to shop. Even as a kid, I spent hours flipping through
catalogs."
Tip:
Don't just say you like it. Anyone can do that. Focus instead on your history
with that particular industry, and if you can, tell a success story.
Good answer:
"I've always loved shopping, but my interest in retail marketing really started when I worked at a neighborhood boutique. I knew that our clothes were amazing, but that we weren't marketing them properly. So I worked with management to come up with a marketing strategy that increased our sales by 25 percent in a year. It was great to be able to contribute positively to an industry I feel so passionate about, and to help promote a product I really believed in."
2. Tell us about yourself.
Bad answer:
"I graduated four years ago from the University of Michigan, with a bachelor's in biology--but I decided that wasn't the right path for me. So I switched gears and got my first job, working in sales for a startup. Then I went on to work in marketing for a law firm. After that, I took a few months off to travel. Finally, I came back and worked in marketing again. And now, here I am, looking for a more challenging marketing role."
Tip:
Instead of giving a chronological work history, focus on your strengths and how they pertain to the role. If possible, illustrate with examples.
Good answer:
"I'm really energetic, and I'm a great communicator. Working in sales for two years helped me build confidence and taught me the importance of customer loyalty. I've also got a track record of success. In my last role, I launched a company newsletter, which helped us build on our existing relationships and create new ones. Because of this, we ended up seeing a revenue increase of 10 percent over two years. I'm also very interested in how companies can use web tools to better market themselves, and would be committed to building on your existing platform."
3. What do you think of your previous boss?
Bad answer:
"He was
completely incompetent, and a nightmare to work with, which is why I've moved
on."
Tip:
Remember that if you get the job, many of the people interviewing you will
someday be your previous bosses. The last thing they want is to hire someone
they know will badmouth them. Instead of trashing your former employer, stay
positive, and focus on what you learned from him (no matter how awful he really
was).
Good answer:
"My last boss taught me the importance of time management, didn't pull any punches, and was extremely deadline-driven. His no-nonsense attitude pushed me to work harder, and to meet deadlines I never even thought were possible."
4. Why are you leaving your current role?
Bad answer:
"I can't stand my boss, or the work I'm doing."
Tip:
Again, stay away from badmouthing your job or employer. Focus on the positive.
Good answer:
"I've learned
a lot from my current role, but now I'm looking for a new challenge, to broaden
my horizons, and to gain a new skill set--all of which I see the potential for
in this job."
5. Where do you see yourself in five years?
Bad answer:
"Relaxing on
a beach in Maui," or "Doing your job."
Tip:
There's really no right answer to this question, but the interviewer wants to
know that you're ambitious, career-oriented, and committed to a future with the
company. So instead of sharing your dream for early retirement, or trying to be
funny, give an answer that illustrates your drive and commitment.
Good answer:
"In five
years I'd like to have an even better understanding of this industry. Also, I
really love working with people. Ultimately, I'd like to be in some type of
managerial role at
this company,
where I can use my people skills and industry knowledge to benefit the people
working for me, and the company as a whole.
this company, where I can use my people skills and industry knowledge to benefit the people working for me, and the company as a whole.
6. What's your greatest weakness?
Bad answer:
"I work too
hard," or for the comedian, "Blonds."
Tip:
This question is a great opportunity to put a positive spin on something
negative, but you don't want your answer to be a cliche--joking or not.
Instead, try to use a real example of a weakness you have learned to overcome.
Good answer:
"I've never
been very comfortable with public speaking--which, as you know, can be a
hindrance in the workplace. Realizing this was a problem, I asked my previous
employer if I could enroll in a speech workshop. I took the class, and was able
to overcome my lifelong fear. Since then, I've given several presentations to
audiences of over 100 high-level executives--I still don't love it, but no one
else can tell!"
7. What salary are you looking for?
Bad answer:
"In my last job I earned $35,000--so now I'm looking for
$40,000."
Tip:
"If you can avoid it, don't give an exact number. The first person to name
a price in a salary negotiation loses. Instead, reiterate your commitment to
the job itself. If you have to, give a broad range based on research you've
conducted on that particular role, in your particular city."
Good answer:
"I'm more
interested in the role itself than the pay. That said, I'd expect to be paid
the appropriate range for this role, based on my five years of experience. I
also think a fair salary would bear in mind the high cost of living here in New
York City."
8. Why should I hire you?
Bad answer:
"I'm the best
candidate for the role."
Tip:
A good answer will reiterate your qualifications, and will highlight what makes
you unique.
Good answer:
"I've been an executive assistant for the past ten years--my boss has said time and time again that without me, the organization would fall apart. I've also taken the time to educate myself on some of the software I regularly use (but didn't really understand the ins and outs of). I'm an Excel whiz now, which means I can work faster, and take over some of what my boss would traditionally have had to do herself. What's good enough for most people is never really good enough for me."
9. What is your greatest failure, and what did you learn from it?
Bad answer:
"I never
finished law school--and everything that's happened since has taught me that
giving up, just because the going gets tough, is a huge mistake."
Tip:
You don't want to highlight a true major regret--especially one that exposes an
overall dissatisfaction with your life. Instead, focus on a smaller (but still
significant) mishap, and how it has made you a better professional.
Good answer:
"When I was in college, I took an art class to supplement my curriculum. I didn't take it very seriously, and assumed that, compared to my engineering classes, it would be a walk in the park. My failing grades at midterm showed me otherwise. I'd even jeopardized my scholarship status. I knew I had to get my act together. I spent the rest of the semester making up for it, ended up getting a decent grade in the class. I learned that no matter what I'm doing, I should strive to do it to the best of my ability. Otherwise, it's not worth doing at all."
10. How do you explain your gap in employment?
Bad answer:
"I was so
tired of working, and I needed a break," or "I just can't find a
job."
Tip:
Employment gaps are always tough to explain. You don't want to come across as
lazy or unhireable. Find a way to make your extended unemployment seem like a
choice you made, based on the right reasons.
Good answer:
"My work is important to me, so I won't be satisfied with any old job. Instead of rushing to accept the first thing that comes my way, I'm taking my time and being selective to make sure my next role is the right one."
11. When were you most satisfied in your job?
Bad answer:
“I was most satisfied when I did
well, and got praised for my work.”
TiP:
Don’t give vague answers. Instead, think about
something you did well and enjoyed that will be relevant at this new job. This
is an opportunity for you to share your interests, prove that you’re a great
fit for the job and showcase your enthusiasm.
Good answer:
I’m a people person. I was always happiest — and most satisfied — when I was interacting with customers, making sure I was able to meet their needs and giving them the best possible customer experience. It was my favorite part of the job, and it showed – I was rated as “Good or Excellent” 95% of the time. Part of the reason I’m interested in this job is that I know I’d have even more interaction with customers, on an even more critical level."
12. What did you like least about your last job?
Bad answer:
“A lack of stability. I felt like the place could collapse around me at
any time.”
TiP:
Try and stay away from anything that draws on
the politics, culture or financial health of your previous employer. No matter
how true it might be, comments like these will be construed as too negative.
Also, you don’t want to focus on a function that might be your responsibility
in the next role. So think of something you disliked in your last job, but that
you know for sure won’t be part of this new role.
Good answer:
“There was nothing
about my last job that I hated, but I guess there were some things I liked less
than others. My previous role involved traveling at least twice a month. While
I do love to travel, twice a month was a little exhausting — I didn’t like
spending quite so much time out of the office. I’m happy to see that this role
involves a lot less travel.”
13. Describe a time when you did not get along with a co-worker.
Bad answer:
“I’m easy to get along with, so I’ve never had any kind of discord with
another coworker.”
TiP:
Interviewers don’t like these types of ‘easy
out’ answers. And besides, they know you are probably not telling the truth.
Think of a relatively benign (but significant) instance, and spin it to be a
positive learning experience.
Good answer:
“I used to lock
heads with a fellow nurse in the INCU ward. We disagreed over a lot of things —
from the care of patients to who got what shifts to how to speak with a child’s
family. Our personalities just didn’t mesh. After three months of arguing, I
pulled her aside and asked her to lunch. At lunch, we talked about our
differences and why we weren’t getting along. It turns out, it was all about
communication. We communicated differently and
once we knew that, we began to work well together. I really believe that
talking a problem through with someone can help solve any issue.”
14. What motivates you?
Bad answer:
“Doing a good job and being rewarded for it.”
TiP:
It’s not that this answer is wrong — it’s just
that it wastes an opportunity. This question is practically begging you to
highlight your positive attributes. So don’t give a vague, generic response —
it tells them very little about you. Instead, try and use this question as an
opportunity to give the interviewer some insight into your character, and use
examples where possible.
Good answer:
“I’ve always been
motivated by the challenge of meeting a tough deadline — in my last role, I was
responsible for a 100% success rate in terms of delivering our products on time
and within budget. I know that this job is very fast-paced, and deadline-driven
— I’m more than up for the challenge. In fact, I thrive on it.”
15. How would your friends describe you?
Bad answer:
“I’m a really good listener.”
TiP:
While being a good listener is a great
personality trait, your employer probably doesn’t care all that much. It’s unlikely
that they’re hiring you to be a shoulder to cry on. You’ll want to keep your answer
relevant to the job you’re interviewing for — and as specific as possible. If
you can, insert an example.
Good answer:
“My friends would probably say that I’m extremely persistent — I’ve
never been afraid to keep going back until I get what I want. When I worked as
a program developer, recruiting keynote speakers for a major tech conference, I
got one rejection after another – this was just the nature of the job.But I
really wanted the big players — so I wouldn’t take no for an answer. I kept
going back to them every time there was a new company on board, or some new
value proposition. Eventually, many of them actually said “yes” — the program
turned out to be so great that we doubled our attendees from the year before. A
lot of people might have given up after the first rejection, but it’s just not
in my nature. If I know something is possible, I have to keep trying until I
get it."
Good answer:
"My last boss taught me the importance of time management, didn't pull any punches, and was extremely deadline-driven. His no-nonsense attitude pushed me to work harder, and to meet deadlines I never even thought were possible."
Title
15 toughest interview questions
By Rosalind Van Aalen Grant
15 toughest interview questions
- 441