1. What do you view as your risks and disadvantages with the position we are interviewing you for?A: I think that with the home office located halfway across the globe, there is a very small risk that one might not have the chance to

interact with the key decision makers as often as might be ideal. On the other hand, teleconferencing, email, faxing, and having a 24/7

work ethic will go a long way towards bridging the gap.

 

2. Are you telling me that, after earning years of experience in your field, you would be willing to start at an entry-level position just to get your foot in the door here?A: Sometimes you need to take a step backward to move your career forward. Starting in an entry-level role would allow me to learn

your business from the ground up. The career that I’ve been in is so different than yours that I would love the opportunity to start over

again in your field. The salary cut will be well worth it.

 

3. Why did you take so much time off from work, and why do you wish to get a job now?A: When I first had the twins, my husband was working 24/7, and I really needed to be there to raise the kids. But during that time, I

really missed working. Fortunately, I kept my hand in the business during those years by consulting for several of my ex-clients.

 

4. What is your biggest weakness that’s really a weakness and not a secret strength?A: I am extremely impatient. I expect my employees to prove themselves on the very first assignment. If they fail, my tendency is to stop

delegating to them and start doing everything myself. To compensate for my own weakness, however, I have started to really prep my

people on exactly what will be expected of them.

 

5. What would you do if you really wanted to hire a woman under you, and you knew the perfect candidate, but your boss really wanted to hire a man for the job?A: I’d recommend that we perform an on-site “test,” by hiring both candidates on a freelance basis for two weeks each.

 

6. Are you better at “managing up” or “managing down”?A: If you aren’t good at “managing up,” you rarely get the opportunity to “manage down.” Fortunately, I’ve always been quite good at

self-management. I’ve never had a deadline that I didn’t meet.

 

7. If you were running a company that produces X and the market was tanking for that product, what would you do?A: I would search for new markets for the product while I spurred the engineers to change the product to make it more marketable to its

original core audience.

 

8. When do you think you’ll peak in your career?A: I come from a long line of healthy, hardy, mentally active types and so I confess that I never even think about “peaking” in my career.

That having been said, I do think it’s important to have some self-knowledge, and to recognize when one is past one’s prime.

 

9. Will you be out to take my job?A: Maybe in about 20 years, but by then, I suspect you’ll be running the entire company and will need a good, loyal lieutenant to help

you manage this department!

Note that while most of these tough job interview questions are likely to appear on your job interview, the answers provided may not

specifically apply to you. The point of providing these sample answers is to give you a sense of the kind of responses you should give

to show them that you are the right person for the job.

Going on a job interview is always an unnerving experience.

Most job seekers dread the idea of facing interviewers and fear the possibility of giving the wrong answer to the questions they may

ask.  Fortunately, most companies use a standard set of interview questions and knowing these common questions allows you to

practice how best to answer them.  If you go through the questions and answers in your head even before you step inside the interview

room, you will have a better chance at giving the best answer and ultimately getting the job.

Here are some of the most common job interview questions and the corresponding suggestions on how to answer them. Remember

that your answers to these questions should be spontaneous, so you don’t risk sounding as if you memorized your replies on your way.

Question number 1: Tell us something about yourselfWhat makes this question very difficult to answer is that it’s too broad.  The question also sounds disarmingly informal which throws a

lot of job seekers off balance, enough to lose their concentration and begin rambling in their answers.  Most recruiters and employers

often use this question both as an icebreaker and as an opportunity to get to know you beyond what’s in your resume.

Suggested Answer: Highlight your Unique Selling Proposition or Personal Branding StatementThis is your opportunity to capture the interviewer’s attention by providing a short “synopsis” of your unique selling proposition or

personal brand.  Giving a one to two sentence description of who you are followed with a statement on your strongest personal strength

and how the company can benefit from the strength you have mentioned is an ideal structure to wrap your answer around.

Add more value to your answer by incorporating a monetary value to the strength(s) you bring to the table.  You are most likely to get a

follow-up question probing the scenario behind your answer so be prepared to talk about the details of your response.

If done correctly, your answer will pique the employer’s attention and they would want to know more.  This will help increase your

“recall” value that will also increase your chances of getting considered or possibly hired for the position.

Question Number 2: Why do you want this job?Interviewers are looking for a compelling reason about why you want the job and why they should give it to you. Answering this

question correctly helps move the interview forward as the question of how much you want the position is already answered.

Suggested Answer: Come Up with a Great Sales PitchThe Undercover Recruiter shares four key steps in selling yourself into the job:

Step 1: Flattery Will Get You SomewhereA little bit of flattery will get you somewhere. Start your answer with a short statement on why you’d like to work with the company and

what you really like about it. The only way you can answer the question without sounding insincere is when you research about the

company prior to the job interview. Use the internet to find out as much as you can about the organization, the culture, and the people

working for the company.

Step 2: Share Your Insights About the Job PostingImpress the interviewer by sharing what you know about the job posting. This shows that you are genuinely interested in understanding

the dynamics of the position and are willing to embrace the requirements of the job posting.

Step 3: Relate Your Previous Achievements to the Job PostingInterviewers and employers alike will appreciate your efforts to relate your achievements to the job posting you are applying for. This

indicates you won’t have problems going through training, seminars and other activities you may need to attend to do the job well.

Step 4: Prepare a Rebuttal StatementExpect follow-up questions that may question your suitability to the job and be ready to fend off concerns about why you’re perfect for

the job. Always wrap your answers around the fact that you are genuinely excited to be working with them and that the skills you have

fit perfectly with the job requirements.

Question Number 3: Tell us about your Strengths and WeaknessesRecruiters, hiring managers, and employers ask this question to assess job seeker skills and assets that will prove most valuable to the

company once hired.  The question also allows them insights to job seeker traits that may be problematic for the organization in the

long run.

Suggested Answer: Highlight your Strengths while Downplaying Your WeaknessesHays Hong Kong Regional Director Emma Charnock suggests highlighting the skills you are good at and demonstrating a

competency relevant to the job applied for, such as report writing, time keeping or your ability to get things done on time. Review the job

advertisement for information on the skills required for the position and focus on these areas by using examples that demonstrate these

skills.

With weaknesses, Charnock suggests talking about things you find difficult doing and putting a positive spin to it. For example, you are

very thorough which can take time, but you’ve also found this means the quality of your work is always high.

Sample Answers:“My greatest strength is my ability to multi-task without sacrificing the quality of my work. I do this by keeping a daily calendar of the

things I needed done for the day and sorting them according to priority. I also make sure to follow-through with the schedule as much

as I can and in case I am unable to complete them that day, I make sure they’re first on my list the next day. My greatest weakness is

my tendency to over-think. I sometimes find myself taking too much time strategizing on how to go about a certain task and testing

several solutions before settling on something which was in fact one of the first things I thought of.”

“My greatest strength is my ability to work in a highly-organized manner. I like to plan my strategy from start to finish making sure to

anticipate any hiccups or roadblocks that I may encounter along the way. My weakness is related to my greatest strength, I am very

organized to a point that when things don’t go according to plan, I begin to worry and can be a bit inflexible.”

These are just three of the most common interview questions job seekers are likely to encounter in the course of the job search

process. Stay tuned as we answer more questions in our next article.

These are the ten most frequently-asked interview questions that you can expect to face:

1. What can you tell me about yourself?

2. Can you list your strengths?

3. What weaknesses do you have?

4. Why should I consider hiring you?

5. Where do you see yourself five years from now?

6. Why do you want to work here?

7. What is your salary expectation?

8. What motivates you?

9. What makes a good team player?

10. Is there anything that you would like to ask me?

It is fair to say that you might not be asked every one of these questions at an interview. You may even be asked other, more bizarre ones, like 'if you were an animal, which would you be?'

Such questions are designed to see how good you are at thinking on your feet so you cannot truly prepare for them. Just relax and say something sensible. For the other common interview questions, consider how you might answer them before you get face-to-face.

1. What can you tell me about yourself?

Talk about yourself in summary and avoid rambling. Your detailed work history can be found on your CV, after all, so focus on elements that you want to highlight rather than going through everything.

It is okay to discuss your personality and what ambitions you have. Ideally, you will give the interviewer a positive insight into how you would fit in as an employee.

 2. Can you list your strengths?

An exhaustive list of adjectives, such as 'capable', 'hard-working' or 'diligent', won't really portray you well because anyone can make such claims about themselves. Instead, think about three things that you do well and give concrete examples.

If you are a strong organiser, for example, then talk about a project that you coordinated, or a new procedure that you formulated. If you are good with numbers, then talk about your skills with spreadsheets or financial matters. 

3. What weaknesses do you have?

Never say that you have no weaknesses. Everyone who does this comes across like they have simply not prepared for the interview. Likewise, avoid giving yourself a back-handed compliment, such as, 'I work too hard.'

Remember that being able to identify a weakness is a strength. Focus on an area of your work that needs to be improved. You might have been trained in something that you'd like to take to the next

level, for example. Point out that this is a weakness, but something you have identified and are focussing on resolving. Interviewers want to understand that you have the ability to be honest about yourself and to seek self-improvement.

4. Why should I consider hiring you?

If you are highly qualified for the job you are applying for, then you should point this out, but don't forget that other people being interviewed may match or exceed your suitability. In such cases, focus on what else you can bring to the job, perhaps with your soft skill set, like being able to integrate well with existing members of the team, for instance.

Don't give up on an interview if you´re not fully qualified for the job. Appeal to the interviewer's desire to hire someone with drive. If you are not the finished article, then point out how keen you are to learn and be mentored. Accentuate the positive aspects of what you can do now and how quickly you will be able to progress with what you don't know if hired.

5. Where do you see yourself five years from now?

This is your chance to talk about your wider ambitions and goals. It is okay to say you'd like to progress on from the position on offer in most cases. Bosses want to hire people with determination so don't be shy about sounding ambitious or hungry for success. Ideally, try to contextualise your ambitions within the organisation that you are applying to join because this tends to go down better.

6. Why do you want to work here?

This is your chance to show that you have researched the company you are applying to work with. Avoid saying anything negative about your current employer which makes it seem you are simply after any job at all.

Typical things you might say are that the company operates in your chosen sector, that it provides a clearly structured career path and that the organisation has a good reputation. Don't simply trot these ideas out, though. Do your research!

7. What is your salary expectation?

This is one of the most troublesome questions for many interviewees. For some people, however, it causes no bother at all. It will depend on your personality as to how you feel talking about salary expectations. That said, there are some tips to help you deal with the question.

Firstly, it is okay to talk about pay in terms of ranges and not to be specific about a particular number. It is also okay to include other benefits, like healthcare, pensions and time off within the context of salary. Make sure you have looked at other, similar jobs being advertised in other organisations so that you have an idea of the pay rate in the market.

8. What motivates you?

Motivation is personal, so there is no wrong answer that you can give. It might be down to your desire to succeed and build a career, but it might also be because you want to provide for your family – both perfectly good answers if you choose to give them. In some professions, caring or vocational motivations might be worth mentioning, too.

9. What makes a good team player?

Many people say in their CV that they are good at working cooperatively or are team players, but few say what this actually means. Think about examples from your past that demonstrate your ability to build bridges, form networks or simply get on with people. This needn't be from your professional life. You could cite any examples from clubs or organisations to which you belong.

Answering this question well is especially important for people who want to be team leaders or to manage a department.

10. Is there anything that you would like to ask me?

Always have at least one question prepared in advance. This is your chance to drill down into an area of the business that might not have been covered in the interview. Alternatively, you may simply like to ask for feedback on how you have done in the interview.

A good tip is to pick up on something that has been mentioned in passing by the interviewer about the job. Ask him or her to expand on this. Not only does it make you appear interested, but it shows that you have been listening attentively to what has been said. It should leave the interviewer with a good final impression of you.

These ten questions are certainly not the only ones that can be posed, but they are the most common ones. Remember thatyou don't need to answer all questions at an interview if you feel they are too personal or you are not comfortable with them. Getting yourself prepared for common questions is necessary prep work before attending an interview.

Don’t make the answer come across as rehearsed; rather, just remember the gist of your answer and then let the sentences flow freely during the interview, which gives the interviewer a much better impression of you. Good luck!

Too many job seekers stumble through interviews as if the common questions are coming out of left field. But many interview questions are to be expected. Study this list and plan your interview answers ahead of time so you'll be ready to deliver them with confidence.

1. What are your weaknesses?

This is the most dreaded question of all. Handle it by minimizing yourweakness and emphasizing your   strengths . Stay away from personal qualities and concentrate on professional traits: "I am always working on improving my communication skills to be a more effective presenter. I recently joined Toastmasters, which I find very helpful."

2. Why should we hire you?

Summarize your experiences: "With five years' experience working in the financial industry and my proven record of saving the company money, I could make a big difference in your company. I'm confident I would be a great addition to your team."

3. Why do you want to work here?

The interviewer is listening for an answer that indicates you've given this some thought and are not sending out resumes just because there is an opening. For example, "I've selected key companies whose mission statements are in line with my   values , where I know I could be excited about what the company does, and this company is very high on my list of desirable choices."

4. What are your goals?

Sometimes it's best to talk about short-term and intermediate goals rather than locking yourself into the distant future. For example, "My immediate goal is to get a job in a growth-oriented company. My long-term goal will depend on where the company goes. I hope to eventually grow into a position of responsibility."

5. Why did you leave (or why are you leaving) your job?

If you're unemployed, state your reason for leaving in a positive context: "I managed to survive two rounds of corporate downsizing, but the third round was a 20% reduction in the workforce, which included me."

If you are employed, focus on what you want in your next job: "After two years, I made the decision to look for a company that is team-focused, where I can add my experience."

6. When were you most satisfied in your job?

The interviewer wants to know what motivates you. If you can relate an example of a job or project when you were excited, the interviewer will get an idea of your preferences. "I was very satisfied in my last job, because I worked directly with the customers and their problems; that is an important part of the job for me."

7. What can you do for us that other candidates can't?

What makes you unique? This will take an assessment of your experiences, skills and traits. Summarize concisely: "I have a unique combination of strong technical skills, and the ability to build strong customer relationships. This allows me to use my knowledge and break down information to be more user-friendly."

8. What are three positive things your last boss would say about you?

It's time to pull out your old performance appraisals and boss's quotes. This is a great way to brag about yourself through someone else's words: "My boss has told me that I am the best designer he has ever had. He knows he can rely on me, and he likes my sense of humor."

9. What salary are you seeking?

It is to your advantage if the employer tells you the range first. Prepare by knowing the going rate in your area, and your bottom line or walk-away point. One possible answer would be: "I am sure when the time comes, we can agree on a reasonable amount. In what range do you typically pay someone with my background?"

10. If you were an animal, which one would you want to be?

Interviewers use this type of psychological question to see if you can think quickly. If you answer "a bunny," you will make a soft, passive impression. If you answer "a lion," you will be seen as aggressive. What type of personality would it take to get the job done? What impression do you want to make?