August 8, 2006
The Interview Questions Everyone Hates
Here are the top ten questions that just about every company asks during a job interview. While they are the standard questions we’ve all heard a thousand times, many people still mess up the answers. Below each question are my thoughts on how to answer.
1. Tell me about yourself.
Since this is often the opening question in an interview, be careful that you don’t over do it. Be succinct. Hit the highlights from four main areas: education, special accomplishments or awards, work history, and recent career experience. You should sound enthusiastic and passionate. It’s your career. If you can’t get excited about it, why should someone else?
2. What do you know about our company?
Here are some areas to discuss: products or services, revenues, reputation, history and philosophy. Be careful not to act as if you know everything about the place. Let your answer show that you have taken the time to do some research, but make it clear that you want to learn more. A good way to approach this question is to say that you are fascinated by the company’s position on “X”. Then ask the interviewer for some perspective on the issue. You can do this by saying “I saw the article on your firm in XYZ paper did they get the story right”?
3. Why do you want to work for us?
The worst answer you can give is “Because I like people.” If you don’t like people, become a veterinarian.
Here, and throughout the interview, a good answer comes from having done your homework so that you can speak in terms of the company’s needs. You might say that your research has shown that the company is doing things you would like to be involved with, and that it’s doing them in ways that greatly interest you. For example, if the organization is known for strong management, your answer should mention that fact and show that you would like to be a part of that team. If the company places a great deal of emphasis on research and development, emphasize the fact that you want to create new things and that you know this is a place in which such activity is encouraged. If the organization stresses financial controls, your answer should mention a reverence for numbers.
If you feel that you have to concoct an answer to this question - if, for example, the company stresses research, and you feel that you should mention it even though it really doesn’t interest you- then you probably should not be taking that interview, because you probably shouldn’t be considering a job with that organization.
Your homework should include learning enough about the company to avoid approaching places where you wouldn’t be able -or wouldn’t want- to function. Since most of us are poor liars, it’s difficult to con anyone in an interview. But even if you should succeed at it, your prize is a job you don’t really want.
4. What can you do for us that someone else can’t?
Here you have every right, and perhaps an obligation, to toot your own horn. Talk about your record of getting things done, and mention specifics from your list of career accomplishments. Say that your skills and interests, combined with this history of getting results, make you valuable. Mention your ability to set priorities, identify problems, and use your experience and energy to solve them.
5. What do you find most attractive about this position? What seems least attractive about it?
List three or four attractive factors of the job, and mention a single, minor, unattractive item.
6. Why should we hire you?
Develop your answer by thinking in terms of your ability to create value for the company. Highlight similar value creation opportunities from your past.
7. What do you look for in a job?
Keep your answer focused on opportunities at this company. Talk about your desire to perform and be recognized for your contributions. Make your answer about opportunity rather than personal security.
8. How long would it take you to make a meaningful contribution to our firm?
Be realistic. Say that, while you would expect to meet pressing demands and pull your own weight from the first day, it might take six months to a year before you could expect to know the organization and its needs well enough to make a major contribution.
9. Why are you leaving your current job?
Be brief, to the point, and as honest as you can without hurting yourself. Refer back to the planning phase of your job search. where you considered this topic as you set your reference statements. If you were laid off in an across-the-board cutback, say so; otherwise, indicate that the move was your decision, the result of your action. Do not mention personality conflicts.
10. How long would you stay with us?
Say that you are interested in a career with the organization, but admit that you would have to continue to feel challenged to remain with any organization. Think in terms of, “As long as we both feel achievement-oriented.”
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[…] One of my former lab mates, who has been interviewing for a job, recently remarked that her interviews are typically boring because interviewers tend to ask identical questions. […]
Pingback by » Interviewing Candidates: Stale Questions Get Stale Answers » Right Attitudes - by Nagesh Belludi — October 4, 2006 @ 05:39
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View Dave Lorenzo's profile
It seems that these questions, slightly altered, are good ones for those who are considering creating their own blogs:
1. Who are you? What are your credentials?
2. What do you know about those you expect to be your readers?
3. What is your motivation for doing this?
4. What can you do for your readers that someone else can’t?
5. What do you find most attractive about writing this blog? What seems least attractive about it?
6. Why should anyone read you?
7. What satisfaction would you look for in this activity?
8. How long would it take your blog to make a splash?
9. Why is this better than employment?
10. How long would you do this?
Comment by jrharr — August 8, 2006 @ 15:42