1. Tell me about yourself

Cover four areas in your life: your early years, education, work experience, and your current situation. Keep your complete answer to about 2 minutes; don't ramble or elaborate. This is your 2-minute self-introduction and you will be very accomplished at giving it by the time you are in job interviews. Because this question usually comes early in the interview, you will gain confidence by knowing you can answer it well.


2.
What can you offer us that other candidates can't?

If this question is
asked early in the interview, you might respond by discussing generally how your
skills and experience would benefit the company. To get more specific, you will
need to know something about the job situation they have in mind and that
subject is not usually discussed until the end of the interview. Resist the
temptation to frame an answer based on your assumptions about the position. If
the question is asked after the interviewer has described the position, only
then can you relate any of your accomplishments to the problems of your
prospective employer. This is an opportune time to discuss your problem-solving
abilities.


3. What are your strengths?

You should be able to
list 3 or 4 of your key strengths that are relevant to their needs, based on the
research and other data you have gathered about their company.


4.
How successful have you been so far?

Be prepared to define success for
yourself and then respond. Try to choose accomplishments that relate to the
company's needs and values.


5. What are your
limitations?

Respond with a strength which, if overdone, can be a
detriment and become a weakness. For example, you might. say, "My desire to get
the job done sometimes causes me to be overzealous and demanding of my
organization. But I am aware of this problem and believe that I have it under
control." Or deal with your need for further training in some aspect of your
profession. Do not claim to be faultless, but limit your answer to one specific
issue.


6. How much are you worth?

Try to delay answering this
until you have learned more about the job and can estimate, based on previous
research, the salary range this company endorses for similar positions. If you
feel obliged to answer, you might reply in this way. "You are aware of what I
have been earning at Ajax, and I would hope that coming to Acme would be a
progressive step. Perhaps, we can go into this question in more depth when have
a better idea of what the job responsibilities and scope would be."



7. What are your ambitions for the future?

Indicate your
desire to concentrate on doing the immediate job well - and your confidence that
the future will then be promising. You do not want to convey that you have no
desire to progress, but you need to avoid statements that are unrealistic, or
that might threaten present incumbents.


8. What do you know about
our company?

You've done your homework, and have studied all that is
publicly available about Acme and are thus aware of many published facts.
However, you might state that you would like to know more; then be prepared to
ask intelligent questions. Avoid a recitation of the facts, incorporate personal
remarks and specific questions to facilitate a lively exchange of information.



9. Why are you seeking a position with our company?

Indicate
that from your study of the company, many of the activities and problems are the
sort that would give you a chance to contribute to the company through your
experience and skills. If you honestly can, express your admiration for the
company and what it is that appeals to you.


10. What qualifications
do you have that you feel would make you successful here?

If this
question is asked after you have sufficient information about the position, talk
about two or three of your major skills (supported by accomplishments) which you
believe will be useful in the position. If the question is asked earlier talk
about two or three of your major skills and relate them to the extent that you
can to the company. Gauge the amount of detail for this and other answers by the
time frame set by the interviewer for your meeting and by his or her signals as
to how much information is enough.


11. What things are most
important to you in a job?

Use information developed in your knowledge of
the company and relate it to the position, if you know the details of the
position. If not, use a corporate" answer: "to be challenged," "part of the
team," etc.


12. How would you describe your personality?


Mention only 2 or 3 of your most useful traits. Remember that the
interviewer is trying to determine your "fit" in the company. Your ability to
accurately identify their corporate values will enable you to frame your
response appropriately


13. How long would it take you to make a
meaningful contribution to our firm?

Be realistic and speak in terms of 6
months to a year. Again, the timing of the question is important. Do you know
enough about the specific position to give a cogent response? (If it's a new,
undefined job, even 6 months to a year may be overly optimistic.)



14. Don't you feel you might be over-qualified or too experienced
for the position we have in mind?

Most of the time this question really
means: I am afraid you are willing to take this job because you need a job and
you will leave as soon as you get a better job offer. Your answer must address
this concern.

Example: "You could be right, but having taken a voluntary
early retirement from XYZ Company, I am in the fortunate position of being able
to do what gives me the greatest satisfaction; and what I enjoy doing most is -
(describe the contents of the job). The additional advantage to you if you hire
me is that extra qualification and experience will be available for you to use
when necessary."

15. What is your management style?

No doubt you
defined your management style as part of your assessment and have talked about
it with your consultant. You might want to talk about how you set goals and then
get your people involved in them. Also, describe the techniques that you like to
use to bring out the best in people, using the most appropriate style to fit the
situation. Your research may have given you a sense of whether the company
believes in a highly participative style, or is more authoritarian in its
approach. If you don't know the company's style, keep your answer "soft" and
situational.


16. Describe a situation in which you had a difficult
management problem and how you solved it.

Relate one of your
accomplishments, which had to do with this kind of situation. Depending on the
organization's culture and needs, highlight conflict management, team building,
or staffing.


17. As a manager, what do you look for when you hire
people?

Their skills, initiative, adaptability - whether their chemistry
fits with that of the organization." Responding in this way mirrors the
interviewer's need to determine what you can do, will do, and how you fit into
their organization.


18. As a manager, have you ever had to fire
anyone? If so, what were the circumstances and how did you handle it?

If
you have, answer in brief that you have indeed had experience with this problem
and that it worked out to the benefit of both the individual and the
organization. You followed the company's disciplinary procedures carefully
before proceeding to termination. (The company may be concerned about
discrimination and legal issues.) Don't go into the details unless the
interviewer asks for more information. If you have never fired anyone, say so,
but talk about how you would utilize progressive discipline before resorting to
termination to protect the company's best interests.


19. What do you
see as the most difficult task in being a manager?

Your answer might
address getting things done through others; getting things planned and done on
time; within the budget; or other management issues. Since budget management is
a valuable transferable skill, you might wish to work your abilities in this
area into the discussion if appropriate. Be guided by the interviewer's I-Speak
style and the needs and culture of the organization in determining what to
stress in your answer.


20. Describe some situations in which you've
worked under pressure or met deadlines.

Refer to your accomplishments.
Discuss one or two in which you were especially effective in meeting deadlines
or dealing with high-pressure situations.


21. Tell me about a work
situation that irritated you.

Talk about this type of situation in terms
of the skills you used to manage and improve it. Avoid describing a work
situation you know exists in your target company unless you want to emphasize
that you can improve or eliminate it Stress your ability to '' stay cool" under
pressure.


22. Tell me about an objective in your last job which you
failed to meet and why.

This question assumes that you failed to meet
some of your objectives. If you can honestly state that you met all your
established objectives, say so. If there was an objective, which you were unable
to meet for legitimate reasons, discuss it with an explanation of the obstacles
over which you had no control. Even better, discuss an objective which you
"renegotiated" when you realized it could not be met because of obstacles beyond
your control.


23. Would you describe a few situations in which your
work was criticized?

Describe only one, and tell how you have corrected
or plan to correct the issue. Do not go into detail. If the interviewer wants
more detail let them ask for it.


24. What have you learned from your
mistakes?

Discuss one or two situations where you successfully
transformed a mistake or error in judgment into a learning experience.Emphasize
the positive result, with the error as the learning catalyst.


25.
What important trends do you see coming in our industry?

Choose two or
three important developments to discuss. This is your chance to show that you
have thought about the future, the economics, the markets, and the technology of
the industry.


26. Why are you leaving your present job?

If
you had the opportunity to cover this in your 2-minute self-introduction,
there's a good chance the question will not be asked. Regardless of when it is
asked, it must be answered briefly. If it was a force reduction due to economic
circumstances, make that clear. If possible, explain how your termination was
part of a larger movement. When you have finished answering, let it go. Refrain
from analyzing any friction points with your boss.


27. Describe what
you feel would be an ideal working environment.

This is a place where
you can bring in some of your own values and personal experiences. But don't
make it sound too sublime or impractical. Downplay the negative.


28.
Looking back. How do you perceive your past employer? Be positive.

Refer
to the valuable experience you have gained. "It is an excellent company which
has given me a lot of good experience and opportunities to perform."



29. What have you done that helped increase sales or profit? How did
you go about it?

This is your chance to describe in some detail a
business accomplishment that is relevant to the proposed new job. Feel free to
dwell on this.


30. How much financial responsibility have you had to
account for?

You can answer this in terms of your budget or head-count
or the size of the project or sales that you directed


31. How many
people have you managed on your recent jobs?

Be specific - and feel free
to refer to those over whom you had influence, such as a task force or a matrix
organization.


32. Give examples of times when you were a
leader.

Draw examples from accomplishments, which demonstrate your
leadership skills.


33. How do you think your subordinates perceive
you?

Be as positive as you can, referring to your strengths, skills and
traits, remember to be honest. References are easily checked.


34. In
your last position, what were the things that you liked most? And liked
least?

Respond with care to this question. You'll have the information
from your satisfiers/dissatisfiers, but you'll want to emphasize the positive
and not talk at length about the negatives.


35. In your recent
position, what were some of your most significant accomplishments?

Since
you have already selected the specific accomplishments you want to talk about,
this question will be easy for you. Be ready to describe three or four of them
in detail. When possible, try to relate your answer to the nature of the new
challenges you might be facing.


36. Why haven't you found a new
position after so many months?

You may find this question offensive, but
do not take it personally. Simply give a brief answer, "Finding just any job is
not too difficult, but finding the right job takes care and time," and move on.



37. What do you think of your previous boss?

Be as positive
as you can, and avoid becoming embroiled in this issue. This is a loaded
question because most bosses avoid a contentious or difficult subordinate. If
you like the individual, say so and tell why. If you don't, think of something
positive to say.


38. If I spoke with your previous boss, what would
he or she say are your greatest strengths and weaknesses?

Be consistent
with what you think he or she would say. Position any weakness in a positive
way. Your old boss will probably want to give you a good reference, so recount
some of the good things you did for him or her.


39. In your most
recent position, what problems did you identify that had previously been
overlooked?

Refer to accomplishments listed on your resume. Keep answers
brief and include how the accomplishment was obtained.


40. If you
had your choice of jobs or companies, where would you land?

Talk about
the target job and what is attractive in the company that is interviewing you.



41. What do you feel you should earn in the proposed
position?

You may want to answer this with a question, such as, "What is
the typical salary range for similar jobs in your company?" Or, "I consider
myself to be a better than average, so I would expect to receive an offer that
would be better than the midpoint of the salary range for the position." If
there is no range in the company, give the range that you had in mind. But
qualify it by saying you hope to learn more about the job responsibilities and
scope.


42. If we were to offer you this position, what changes would
you make in your organization?

The timing of this question is critical,
since you can't give any specific answer without knowing some details about the
position, organization and culture. Even if you do, be careful about describing
sweeping changes you might want to make. Unless the interviewer has specified
critical problem areas that you feel comfortable addressing, limit your answer
to explaining the need to study the current organization, talk with staff, and
fully assess the implications before recommending any changes.


43.
Do you have any objections to taking our battery of psychological
tests?

"No, none at all." (This is an indication that you are a serious
candidate.)


44. What other types of jobs or companies are you
considering at this time?

Don't feel obliged to reveal details of your
other negotiations. If you are interviewing elsewhere refer to your campaign in
a general way. But concentrate mainly on the specific job for which you are
interviewing.


45. What sort of outside reading do you do?

Be
honest. If possible, mention some of the things you read in order to keep
yourself up-to-date in your professional field. However, it is okay to show
balanced interests by mentioning your recreational reading as well.



46. What motivates you the most?

Use the results of your
career anchors and career assessment, but keep your answer fairly general: the
satisfaction of meeting the challenges of the position, developing teams and
individuals, meeting organizational goals. (Only if you are in sales would you
mention money as a motivator.)


47. Give one or two examples of your
creativity.

Refer to accomplishments that relate to the company and the
position, if possible.


48. What are your long-range
goals?

Relate your answer to the company you are interviewing with,
rather than give a very broad, general answer. Keep your ambitions realistic.
Talk first about doing the job for which you are applying, then talk about
longer-range goals.


49. What sort of relationships do you have with
your associates, both at the same level and above and below you?

This is
a very important question, so you will want to take the time to answer it in
logical steps. When talking about your relationships with subordinates, be
prepared to state your management philosophy, particularly with regard to
performance issues. When speaking of bosses, indicate your keen interest in
understanding your boss's expectations, so that you and your organization can
build your goals in a way that will support his/her goals. You may also want to
talk about how you would keep your boss informed. Stress your team-building,
mutually cooperative approach with peers.


50. What are some of your
outside activities or recreations?

Hopefully, your answer can show that
you lead a balanced life. But avoid mentioning so many activities that it casts
some doubt on how much time you will have for the job. Remember that your
hobbies and recreation activities can be quite revealing as to your own
personality and values.