COMMON INTERVIEW QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

COMMON INTERVIEW QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

While the job interview can be nerve-wracking, there is a lot you can do to prepare. Knowing what to expect and planning your answers can help you make a winning impression.


Tell me about yourself
This is a common question—and sometimes the hardest. It is a broad, general question, and the worst thing you can do is giving a broad, general answer.

So how do you make the most of this question? Use it as a springboard to introduce the topics you want to discuss. Decide in advance what you want the interviewer to know: your favorite job experience, your most valuable activities in college, your goals and dreams. Focus your answer by picking one or two things and then use specific details to bring the topic alive.

Make a short, organized statement of your education end professional goals. Then, briefly describe your qualifications for the job and the contributions you could make to the organization.

You need to have a short statement prepared in your mind. Limit it to work related items. Talk about things you have done and jobs you have held that relate to the position you are interviewing for.
Example:
I am a hard worker and I think I generally have good organizational skills. In college, I led a team of designers to create the web site for each of the university's volunteer organizations.
Why did you decide to pursue this career?
Questions like this one do double duty. On the one hand, they allow you to foreground your most relevant and impressive achievements, such as honors coursework or special research projects. On the other hand, this kind of question also allows you to talk more generally about "what makes you tick"—what motivates you and how you make decisions. The key, as always, is to focus your answer by picking a few specific events and providing details so your answer does not become too vague.
Example:
I have always been interested in math, but I also wanted a secure career that had a strong practical bent. I did a little research and decided to look into accounting. By the time I applied to college, I was sure accounting was what I wanted. I attended State University because they have a really strong accounting program. I also had a great opportunity to serve as President of the Accounting Club.

What have you gained from your work experiences?
Since the employer has already read your resume, avoid simply listing your past jobs. Instead, pick one or two work experiences and think about them in detail. What were your duties? What particular activities, events or crises stick out in your memory? Use these specific details to think about what you learned while doing that job.
Example:
My work at the community pool really helped me develop my interpersonal skills and learn how to lead people. When I was teaching swimming, it was up to me to give my students a sense of confidence and motivation—and to keep them safe while doing it.
What difficulties have you faced on the job?
Even if you have had bad work experiences, you should never use the interview as a chance to lay blame or complain about a past job or employer. Instead, turn a negative into a positive. Describe problems as challenges, and focus on solutions rather than the difficulties.
Example:
While working at the daycare center, I had to balance a lot of competing demands—from the parents, the children, the teachers and the administration. It really taught me how to view all sides of any situation, and how to prioritize my time. I found that differences of opinion usually occur because two people cannot see both sides of the situation. I learned to see the other person's side and explain my position.


What is your greatest weakness?
The key to answering this question is the same as the last: turn a negative into a positive. Do not try to come up with a character flaw or personal weakness. Instead, rephrase the question for yourself: "How do I want to improve to become better in my career?" Identify areas in which you want more training or guidance.
Example:
I would like to get more experience as a manager. In the past, I have really enjoyed supervisory roles, but I know there is so much more I could learn to make me a better manager. I would like to build on that foundation and develop more skills.
Why do you want to work here or What about our company interests you?
Few questions are more important than these; so it is important to answer them. Answer them clearly and with enthusiasm. Show the interviewer your interest in the company. Share what you learned about the job, the company and the industry. Talk about how your professional skills will benefit the company.


Why did you leave your last job?
The interviewer may want to know if you had any problems on your last job. If you did not have any problems, simply give a reason, such as: relocated away from job; company went out of business; laid off, temporary job; no possibility of advancement; wanted a job better suited to your skills.
If you did have problems, be honest. Show that you can accept responsibility and learn from your mistakes. You should explain any problems you had (or still have) with an employer, but don't describe the employer in negative terms. Demonstrate that it was a learning experience that will not affect your future work.
What are your best skills?
If you have sufficiently researched the organization you should be able to imagine what skills the company values. List them, and then give examples where you have demonstrated these skills.

What is your major weakness?
Be positive; turn a weakness into strength. For example, you might say: "I often worry too much over my work, sometimes I work late to make sure the job is done well".


Do you prefer to work by yourself or with others?
The ideal answer is one of flexibility. However, be honest. Give examples describing how you have worked in both situations.

What are your career goals? Or what are your future plans?
The interviewer wants to know if your plans and the company's goals are compatible. Let him know that you are ambitious to plan ahead. Talk about your desire to learn more and improve your performance, and be specific as possible about how you will meet the goals you have set for yourself.
What salary are you expecting?
This is a question you should not answer directly. Instead simply state where you are currently giving your base salary and bonus. Tell the interviewer you are looking for a strong opportunity where you can grow.
You should always keep in mind that it is a nasty game that you will probably lose if you answer first. Try to avoid the answer and instead try to ask questions like "Can you tell me the range for this position?" If not say that it can depend on details of the job and then give a wide range.

What is your greatest Strength?
You should highlight your communication skill, problem solving skills, your ability to work better under pressure, your ability to focus on projects and your leadership skills.



What is your Dream Job?
Never talk of more than one job. Always be sure of the job, which you are being interviewed. If you talk and show interest in other jobs, you would plant the suspicion that you would be dissatisfied if hired.



Use these questions as a guide as you prepare. But do not assume every question will show up, and do not try to memorize answers. Instead, use them to help you review your experiences and plan some possible answers. When you get to your interview, relax and draw upon your preparation as you respond to your interviewer. Hopefully, the last question you will have to answer is "When can you start

Conducting your Job Search on the Internet

Conducting Your Job Search on the Internet


I. Why the Internet?
A. Provides a specific search for the preferred job.
B. Less Messy
C. More up to date than the newspaper
D. Allows you to view the job posting date.
E. The majority of postings will allow you to electronically respond to the advertisement immediately via email.
F. Provides a variety of job search engines (different search sites), rather than one newspaper.

II. List of Job Search Engines
A. www.monster.com
B. www.headhunter.net
C. www.nettemps.com
D. www.hotjobs.com
E. www.dice.com
F. www.bostonworks.com
G. www.craigslist.com
H. www.brassring.com

III. Conducting a Internet Job Search
A. Open your internet access site
B. Choose the job search engine you would like to use
C. Type the address of the search engine on the top of the page in the “address line” (i.e. www.monster.com)
D. Double click on search jobs
E. You will now be in the “Monster Job Search” page.
F. You will see a window called “Enter Key Words”
G. Enter some of the skills you would like to use in your next position, or the position title you would like to have. (For example: If I were to do a job search for an administrative assistant, I might type the words “administrative, word, excel”)
H. Next you will be asked to “Enter Location”, here, is where you specify WHERE you would like to find a job. There are a couple of cities listed in each state, so choose the city that is closest to the town you would like your job to be located. (NOTE) If you want to search for a job in more then one area or state, hold down the Control Key “Ctrl” and click each area you are interested in. For example, if I was looking for a job within 25 miles of Woburn, I would click on “Massachusetts, Boston North, Boston, and Framingham/Worcester” .
I. Next, you will be asked to select a “Job Category”, you have two choices here… You may enter “select all” (this will list all the jobs that have the key words you have specified in the job description) OR you may select the types of jobs you are interested in. HOWEVER, if you decide to select a specific occupation or occupations (just hold the control key down), the jobs in your occupation will only show up in your search if they contain your “buzz” words. Sometimes it’s safe to just use “Select All”. If you have a numerous amount of Jobs come up in your search, then you can filter them down by selecting a Job Category.
J. Next you will be asked how you would like the computer to “Sort Results By”. You will be given the option of “Date” or “Key word Relevance”. ALWAYS choose “Date”. (this will list all the job postings in descending order from most recent to outdated)
K. Your last step… Double click Get Results.

A. Now you have your list of Job Results. (You will see that each job shows you the DATE it was posted, the JOB TITLE, the COMPANY, and the LOCATION of the position.
B. You may scan down your list of Job Postings and double click on each Job Title you are interested in.
C. Each of the Job Titles will be Blue in color.
D. Every time you click on a Job Title, a large description of the job will appear on the screen. Read the job description. If you are interested in the job, you may want to print it out for your keeping. Also, keep a log of your own of all the jobs you are interested in, the names of the companies, and the contact information.
E. This screen will also give you the option to Apply Now. You may apply to the position by double clicking the “Apply Now” button and filling out the required information. HOWEVER, you must be a member of Monster to Apply electronically. (We will go over this at the end of the seminar). But for now, just take the Company name, job title and Location, and start with that. A phone number, fax number or email address may be included in the description and this will make your company contact a little easier, but if they are not included… Befriend your yellow pages, www.yellowpages.com, or 411 to find the phone number of your company. When you call your company, ask for the name, number, and email address of the correct person to send resumes to for this position.
F. Once you see the description of one of your jobs, and you wish to go back to your list of job positions, simply click the button at the top left hand of your computer screen < BACK
G. At the bottom of the screen, you may see Page 1 –2 –ect….next, this simply means that there is more then one page of job listings to view, and once you have viewed all the listings on that particular page, click Next, this will bring you to the following list of jobs.
H. When you are done looking at all your job postings, click the X box at the top right hand of your computer screen.
I. You have completed your job search, Congrats!

HRLink Consulting Inc.

HRLink Consulting Inc.
Universal Human Resources Consulting & Staffing

HRLink Consulting is a Human Resources Consulting and Staffing firm operating its business since April 2005, started in Greater Boston Area and now serves in nationwide to leverage human resources expertise and best practice knowledge gained through higher education and practical business experience in more than 15 years. HRLink creates customized, high impact solutions and organizational strategies which minimize operational and financial risk and enhances bottom-line results for our clients.

Our HR Support Services:
RECRUITMENT
TEMPORARY & CONTRACT PLACEMENTS
SUCCESSION PLANNING AND TALENT REVIEW
360 DEGREE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION
HR OUTSOURCE
HR & MANAGEMENT COACHING
TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT (FROM CERTIFIED TRAINERS & FACILITATORS)
EMPLOYEE RELATIONS & MOTIVATIONAL EVENTS
EMPLOYEE RECOGNITION PROGRAMS
BUSINESS SUPPORT ON MERGERS, ACQUISITIONS & START-UPS

Our Career Planning Services:
INTERVIEW AND JOB SEARCH STRATEGIES
RESUME AND COVER LETTER WRITING / EDITING
JOB SEARCH CAMPAIGN PLANNING
CAREER COACHING
GROUP AND INDIVIDUAL CONSULTATIONS


Please contact for detailed information:

Esra Oziskender, MS/HRM
Founder / President
(845) 652-0694
esra@hrlinkconsulting.com


www.hrlinkconsulting.com

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