Interview Questions You Must Know By Heart…
Another one of many articles about presenting yourself as the best candidate. This time, the focus is on job interviews (any interview etc…).
I am writing with the hope that many of you will add to this as I believe interviews differ by job type and field. So here is what you should know like your ABCs…
Before the Interview
- Draw a line down the center of a piece of paper. On the left side, make a list of what the employer is looking for based on the job requirements. On the right side, make a list of the qualities you possess that fit those requirements.
- Research the company, their industry and their competition.
- Prepare your 60-second personal statement (your answer to the “tell me about yourself” question).
- Write at least five success stories to answer behavioral interview questions (“Tell me about a time when…” or “Give me an example of a time…”).
- List five questions to ask the interviewer about the job, the company and the industry
- Research salary data to determine your worth.
- Determine your salary needs based on your living expenses.
- Get permission from your references to use their names.
Basic questions you should know by heart
- Tell us about yourself.
- What do you know about this company?
- What are your goals?
- What are your strengths and weaknesses?
- Why do you want to work for this company?
- What has been your most significant achievement?
- How would your last boss and colleagues describe you? (If you worked before)
- Why should we hire you?
- What are your salary expectations?
In addition to the above, here is the four questions I think we should all ask during a job interview:
- What do you expect me to accomplish in the first 3 months of the job?
What you are saying: “I want to make a difference – right away” - What are the common attributes of your top performers?
What you are saying: “I want to be a great long-term employee”. - What are some of the things that really drive results for the company?
What you are saying: “I want to add value to the company – and so you want to know the secret”.
-
How do you plan to deal with…?
You did your research about the company right? So, there must be something a competitor is doing well which the company should do something about in order to remain at the top. Or a negative comment your read about the company online…
In addition to the above, here is a list of questions you can and should ask at every level of the interview and why. This is geared towards experienced jobseekers…
Questions to Ask the Recruiter/HR
How would you describe the culture of the company?
- Helps you get a feel for the company from an employee outside the direct organization you will be working for.
What do most people like about working here (the company)?
- Similar to the above question, helps you to get an impression on why you would want to work at this company.
What is the average length of time someone stays at the company?
- Can help you tell if this is a short term company people are using as a resume builder, potentially bad company where people don’t stay long, or somewhere you can expect to have the potential for a long career.
Why is the position available?
Will there be a hand over period so that I can best understand the role and process?
What are your training & development initiatives?
Questions To Ask The Hiring Manager
What can I expect to learn from you?
- Gives you a sense of how the manager sees him/herself and what skills they can pass on to you.
What is your biggest accomplishment?
- Can get an idea of what they feel is an accomplishment.
What do you value most in an employee?
- Helps you get an idea of what the manager is looking for.
- Helps you know if you fit those skills and can be successful or if possibly not a good fit.
What do you like most about working there?
- Further digging into the company and more specifically the individual organization you would be working for.
What is the most important thing I can do to ensure that you feel I have done a good job in my first six months?
- Helps to defines expectations of the position clearly so that you can determine if it’s the right pace and skill-set for you are you going to be able to meet those expectations to ultimately be successful.
Follow up Questions to Ask Dir. and up
What is your vision for the team?
- Helps to give you an idea of the direction the senior management/executives have for the team.
What do you like best about an employee?
What kind of accomplishments can I help the team make in the first year to make you feel like we are exceeding expectations?
- Similar to the question asked of the hiring manager, this gives an idea of what you will need to contribute to exceed their expectations and grow the team.
What do you see as the future of the company in the next 5 years?
- Let’s you know if the plan is to grow the company, move in another direction, some inclination of where you might fit in that plan.
What reservations do you have about me as a candidate right now that I might be able to address?
- Gives you a chance to address any concerns they may have right away before they dwell on them and make decisions on things you might be able to change.
After the Interview
- As soon as possible, write down what you are thinking and feeling.
- Later in the day, review what you wrote, and assess how you did.
- Write a follow-up thank-you letter/email. Please make sure to remind the interviewer of your qualities.
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199 Comments
Thanx guys this i great i wish those who have informatiom will come in number to help us ,can someone tell me if the interviewer ask me to tell them more about my self where my i stop ?
thanx guys for much information
Thank you for waiking me up, your information helps me a lot God Bless you.
This site helped me a lot,I would advice other people I know to use it…thanx to the creator
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Always remember to put God in whatever you are doing you will see progress, be passionate no matter how long it takes.
hi! guyz don’t give up in lyf no metter how difficult it is, if you need something you have to fight for it, and dont forget to call him everyday not only if you have difficulties god is not a spare wheel, wish you the best all of you guyz who is looking for job your day is coming just be passiant.
I just want to say thank you…….i realy learnt a lot from you guys ….God bless
Hi
I have a problem when it comes to interviews Im always serious than I find my self not smiling.
So like real what must be my facial expression in front of the panel?
Yebo, Guys please help me this 3 questions: what makes you think you’re the best candidate for this position, what are your strengths and weaknesses
This is a useful site,keep up sharpening us we’ll get these jobs one day.
Thank you.
Great site and subject indeed,keep up the good work guys. I think Karl:1. u must maintain a good conduct,professionalsm when interacting with collegues.Be honest with yourself and don’t ask 4 any favour. 2 Identify the problem not the outcome of it coz what we usualy cal a prblm is not d problm but d outcome of d problem. Find d source of it,subdivide it .what makes it to be complex. 3. Any project u have got involved in,what waz yo role,inputs? Queenton: sumtymz volunteering does give a bit of experience,especial in government sectors.
Hi I went to a learnership interview and they asked me dat what is my values and responsibilities? Eish I went so blank and I just told them to leave that question we will come back later they said ok bt when we finished they didn’t come back they allowed me to go. Bt me I was attempeted to remind them bt I couldn’t. So am I being rude if I remind them abt that question?
How 2 write de best cv i’ve bin trying diferet styles n atending sum workshops on job hunting n compiling cv by xpets, plz i nid yo help
Most interviewrs want people who do their research. They dont care how well you can speak english. Keep your answers simple.
1.What made you apply for the learnership?
yor answer “I am looking to study while getting expierence in my chosen career.” be practical.
2.Do you have a criminal record?
your answer-this should be yes or no,if it is yes wait for them to ask you why,if you start explaining right away well th term “thou doth protest too much” applies
SITE EDITOR
I would like to hear from you: I am in a position of a Grade A PSIRA security qualification and a Diploma in Security Management from Oxbridge Academy and this qualification is endorsed by South African Institution of Management, i have also received a Cum Laude Meritorious Certificate. Several times i had applied for internships and Security Management various positions in Government and in private companies, i have not called for even a single interview in all of my applications. Now i have also applied for an internship at the department of rural development for 2013 their requirements where Diploma in Security Management. I had lost my hope.
Don’t give up buddy. Give it all to God in prayer. Pursue him in prayer, alone. I understand it may seem easier said than done but trust me, God cares.
Thanks to everybody for giving us tips and guide for interviews really good and this site is very helpfull @everybody unity is the power
Hi everyone,
How would one answer the following questions (some examples would be much appreciated):
1) How would you interact with your colleagues?
2) How would you explain a complex problem to someone?
3) Have you done anything creative? (I haven’t done anything creative so how do I answer this one)
Good Luck to all attending interviews
Cheers!
1. “I would conduct myself in a polite, friendly , and proffessional manner”
2. “i would tell them the problem in detail, but only relaevant details”
3. this is a trick question. everyone has done one or other thing creatively. look at it from different perspective, maybe you outdid urself on a school project. or found a solution that was so simple it does count as being creative
Hi,guys.Does anyone know of any interview training that I can attend just to keep me used to interview room.I believe attending an interview very often will assist me in calming down my nerves unlike going for it maybe once or twice a year.
Dear editor
I have been asking this question around coz I came across it in June and still havent found its answer; The question is WHAT DO YOU SEE WHEN YOU SEE A CORRECTIONAL OFFICER/PRISON WARDEN?
What do you mean? What is the question for? Interview?
@ Mmolotsi,
They merely want you to talk about the responsibilies of correctional Officer or that.
They just moved from saying ‘ What do we mean by Correctional Officer’