Job Interview Questions About You

What is your greatest weakness?

When you're asked what your greatest weakness is there are several different ways you can answer, including mentioning skills that aren't critical for the job, skills you have improved on, and turning a negative into a positive.
Non-Essential Skills
An alternative approach is to analyze the key skills and strengths required for the position you are interviewing for and then come up with an honest shortcoming which is not essential for success in that job. For example, if you are applying for nursing job, you might share that you are not particularly adept at conducting group presentations. In this case it will be critical to underscore your strength in one to one communication with patients while providing an example of your difficulty with presentations to large groups.
Skills You Have Improved
Another option is to discuss skills that you have improved upon during your previous job, so you are showing the interviewer that you can make improvements, when necessary. You can sketch for employers your initial level of functioning, discuss the steps you have taken to improve this area and then reference your current, improved level of skill.
If you use this strategy be sure not to mention anything that you improved upon that is related to the job for which you are interviewing. You don't want your qualifications for the job to be questioned.
Turn a Negative into a Postive
Another option is try to turn a negative into a positive. For example, a sense of urgency to get projects completed or wanting to triple-check every item in a spreadsheet can be turned into a strength i.e. you are a candidate who will make sure that the project is done on time and your work will be close to perfect.
Note that the term "weakness" isn't used in the sample answers - you always want to focus on the positive when interviewing.
Sample Answers
When I'm working on a project, I don't want just to meet deadlines. Rather, I prefer to complete the project well ahead of schedule.
Being organized wasn't my strongest point, but I implemented a time management system that really helped my organization skills.
I like to make sure that my work is perfect, so I tend to perhaps spend a little too much time checking it. However, I've come to a good balance by setting up a system to ensure everything is done correctly the first time.
I used to wait until the last minute to set appointments for the coming week, but I realized that scheduling in advance makes much more sense.
Sometimes, I spend more time than necessary on a task, or take on tasks personally that could easily be delegated to someone else. Although I've never missed a deadline, it is still an effort for me to know when to move on to the next task, and to be confident when assigning others work.
I had difficulty with calculus during college, but I persevered with tutoring assistance and extra effort and completed 2 levels with a B minus average.
I've learned to make my perfectionism work to my advantage at work. I am excellent at meeting deadlines, and with my attention to detail, I know my work is correct.
I used to like to work on one project to its completion before starting on another, but I've learned to work on many projects at the same time, and I think it allows me to be more creative and effective in each one.

What is your greatest strength?

"What is your greatest strength?" is one of the easier interview questions you'll be asked. When you are asked questions about your strengths, it's important to discuss attributes that will qualify you for the job.

The best way to respond is to describe the skills and experience that directly correlate with the job you are applying for.

Sample Answers

• When I'm working on a project, I don't want just to meet deadlines. Rather, I prefer to complete the project well ahead of schedule.
• I have exceeded my sales goals every quarter and I've earned a bonus each year since I started with my current employer.
• My time management skills are excellent and I'm organized, efficient, and take pride in excelling at my work.
• I pride myself on my customer service skills and my ability to resolve what could be difficult situations.

How Will Your Greatest Strength Help You Perform?
As a follow up to being asked about your greatest strengths, you may be asked about how your greatest strength helped your performance on the job. When you respond, relate your strengths to both the job description and your ability to perform at work. Here are sample answers.

How will your greatest strength help you perform?

As a follow up to being asked about your greatest strengths, you may be asked about how your greatest strength helped your performance on the job. When you respond, relate your strengths to both the job description and your ability to perform at work.
Sample Answers
My greatest strength is my ability to work with many different people. I enjoy learning from everyone I meet, and in this position I believe that will enhance my ability to perform on the team.
My greatest strength is my ability to focus on my work. I'm not easily distracted, and this means that my performance is very high, even in a busy office like this one.
My greatest strength is my ability to focus on the job at hand. I'm not easily distracted from the big picture.
My organizational skills are my greatest strength. I'm capable of keeping many projects on track at the same time.
One of my greatest strengths is my ability to manage my time well. I am able to effectively anticipate the time needed for a project, and complete on time or ahead of schedule.
My greatest strength is my ability to effectively delegate appropriate tasks to my team. I identify the strengths of the people on my team, and help them to utilize them to make the whole team work more efficiently.
My greatest strength is my listening ability. I pay careful attention to what I’m being told about everything, from specific information relating to current projects, to future projects, even to what my colleagues did over the weekend. I feel that by being a good listener, I am more effective at completing projects, as well as effectively motivating others.

How would you describe yourself?

Review sample answers to the interview question "How would you describe yourself?" When you respond, keep in mind the type of position you are interviewing for, the company culture, and the work environment. Your answer should help show the interviewer why you're a match for the job and for the company.

Sample Answers

• I'm a people person. I really enjoy meeting and working with a lot of different people.
• I'm a perfectionist. I pay attention to all the details, and like to be sure that everything is just right.
• I'm a creative thinker. I like to explore alternative solutions to problems and have an open mind about what will work best.
• I'm efficient and highly organized. This enables me to be as productive as possible on the job.
• I enjoy solving problems, troubleshooting issues, and coming up with solutions in a timely manner.

Describe a typical work week

Interviewers expect a candidate for employment to discuss what they do while they are working in detail. Before you answer, consider the position you are applying for and how your current or past positions relate to it. The more you can connect your past experience with the job opening, the more successful you will be at answering the questions.
It should be obvious that it's not a good idea talk about non-work related activities that you do on company time, but, I've had applicants tell me how they are often late because they have to drive a child to school or like to take a long lunch break to work out at the gym.
Keep your answers focused on work and show the interviewer that you're organized ("The first thing I do on Monday morning is check my voicemail and email, then I prioritize my activities for the week.") and efficient.

Describe your work style.

When you are asked about how you work during an interview, it's important to impress the interviewer with your comptentency and accuracy, rather than just your speed.

Here are sample answers to the interview question "How would you describe your work style?"

• I am very focused on my work, and consequently, am able to work quickly.
• I keep a steady pace, and check my work as I go along, to prevent mistakes from snowballing.
• Because I am very organized, I am able to accomplish a lot in a limited amount of time.
• I'm organized and efficient and I'm able to multi-task very well.
• I'm always on top of my projects, but I do welcome input and will consult with team members to ensure we're all on the same track.

Do you work well with other people?

Hiring managers often mention that some of the interview questions which don't typically get the best responses from job applicants are questions about working with others. Companies want to know how you work well with other people and you'll need to say more than you enjoy working with others, which is the standard response.

Soft Skills

It's important because even if your role in the company doesn't require a lot of communication, you will still need to deal with those you work with in a professional and personable manner. Companies are as interested in your soft (people) skills as they are in your hard (quantifiable) skills. Here's more on hard skills vs. soft skills and what employers are seeking in applicants.

In addition, regardless of the job, employers don't want to hire people who are difficult to get along with because that will cause workplace issues and conflicts. It can make sense to screen out applicants who don't have strong people skills, even if they have solid qualifications for the job.

Expanding Your Response

Candidates often say that they "enjoy working with people" but don't explain or expand upon their response. Anyone can say that they work well with people, but it's important to show hiring managers how you accomplish it.

How can you avoid the pitfall of giving a lame interview answer, but still make a viable point about your suitability for jobs requiring lots of interaction with people - and even for jobs which don't? What do you do that makes you a good people person at work? That's what the interviewer wants to know.

What's important is to show your prospective employer the skills you have and how you have used them in the workplace, using real-life examples.

Keys to Responding to Questions

The first key is to specify the types of interactions with people which are attractive to you or at which you are particularly adept. In addition to specifying how you work well with managers, co-workers, customers, vendors and others, you should also speak to what you accomplish during those interactions. Here are some examples:

• Assessing the skills, personality traits and work ethic of candidates by applying behavioral interviewing techniques.
• Motivating subordinates to improve performance.
• Leading group discussions in a way that incorporates diverse views and draws consensus.
• Developing a comfortable rapport with clients and determining their preferences for products and services.
• Listening actively and emphatically to encourage clients to share their feelings and problems.
• Creating and delivering training sessions which engage the audience in active learning.
• Providing difficult news to employees targeted for layoffs.
• Mediating conflicts between employees or with clients.
• Resolving customer complaints with patience and creativity.

Give Examples

The next key to interview success is to give examples of situations at work where you have used these people skills. Prepare concrete examples to convince employers that you actually possess those strengths.

Your examples should convey how, when, and where you applied your skills or interests and the outcomes. Personalize your examples so they reflect your skills and experience as they relate to the job for which you are applying.

Do you take work home with you?

Do you take work home with you is a tricky question, be ready. The longer the answer, the bigger the hole you've dug. Don't waffle and don't give an overly detailed answer with lots of ifs, ands, or buts.
Best Answer
When I need to, no problem. I realize the importance of meeting deadlines and getting work done on time.

How many hours do you normally work?

Interview questions about how much you work can be tricky. Be careful before you answer questions about how many hours a week you work. You don't want to be construed as a slacker or as someone who works too many hours. At some companies, the norm is a 40 hour week and everyone goes home on time. At others, everyone might work 50 or 60 hours a week.

However, working a lot of hours isn't necessarily a good thing - it could mean you're not productive enough to get the job done in a reasonable amount of time.

So, unless you're sure about the company culture and expectations, the safest answer is not to mention a certain number of hours. Rather, mention that you work as much as necessary to get the job done.

Your response will show the employer that you're willing to work hard, without committing to an exact number of hours per week.

How would you describe the pace at which you work?

When you're asked to describe the pace at which you work, be careful how you respond. This is another question where faster isn't necessarily better. Most employers would rather hire employees who work at a steady pace. Someone who is too slow to get the job done in a reasonable time frame isn't going to be a good hire. Neither is a candidate who works frenetically all day.
Options for answering this question include saying that you work at a steady pace, but usually complete work in advance of the deadline.
Discuss your ability to manage projects and get them done on, or ahead, of schedule. If you work at a job where you have set criteria (i.e. number of calls made or responded to) that measures accomplishments, discuss how you have achieved or exceeded those goals.

How do you handle stress and pressure?

A typical interview question, asked to get a sense of how you handle on-the-job stress, is "How do you handle pressure?" Examples of good responses include:

• Stress is very important to me. With stress, I do the best possible job. The appropriate way to deal with stress is to make sure I have the correct balance between good stress and bad stress. I need good stress to stay motivated and productive.
• I react to situations, rather than to stress. That way, the situation is handled and doesn't become stressful.
• I actually work better under pressure and I've found that I enjoy working in a challenging environment.
• From a personal perspective, I manage stress by visiting the gym every evening. It's a great stress reducer.
• Prioritizing my responsibilities so I have a clear idea of what needs to be done when, has helped me effectively manage pressure on the job.
• If the people I am managing are contributing to my stress level, I discuss options for better handling difficult situations with them.
• I find that when I'm under the pressure of a deadline, I can do some of my most creative work.
• I'm not a person who has a difficult time with stress. When I'm under pressure, I focus, and get the job done.
• I find it exhilarating to be in a dynamic environment where the pressure is on.
• I find a past pace to be invigorating, and thrive when the pressure is on.
• I've done some of my best work under tight deadlines, where the atmosphere was very stressful.
• I'm the kind of person who stays calm under pressure, and handles stress fairly easily.

It's a good idea to give examples of how you have handled stress to your interviewer. That way, they get a clear picture how well you can work in stressful situations.

What motivates you?

There isn't a right or wrong answer to interview questions about what motivates you. The interviewer is trying to understand the key to your being successful in the job he is interviewing for, and wants to make sure it's a good fit. Consider, in advance of interviewing, what actually does motivate you and come up with some specific examples to share during the interview.
Sample Answers
Your response will vary based on your background and experiences, but, you will want to share your enthusiasm and what you like(d) best about your job. Here are some examples:
I was responsible for several projects where I directed development teams and implemented repeatable processes. The teams achieved 100% on-time delivery of software products. I was motivated both by the challenge of finishing the projects ahead of schedule and by managing the teams that achieved our goals.
I've always been motivated by the desire to do a good job at whatever position I'm in. I want to excel and to be successful in my job, both for my own personal satisfaction and for my employer.
I have always wanted to ensure that my company's clients get the best customer service I can provide. I've always felt that it's important, both to me personally, and for the company and the clients, to provide a positive customer experience.
I have spent my career in sales, typically in commission-based positions, and compensation has always been a strong factor in motivating me to be the top salesperson at my prior employers.

Are you a self motivator?

Review sample answers to the interview question "Are you a self motivator?" When you respond, keep in mind that companies are seeking motivated and enthusiastic employees.

• Absolutely. I am a very active person, and I enjoy my work. I'm always looking for new and innovative ideas to bring to a project.
• I believe I am a self motivator. I give my all to a project, and am always looking ahead to the next one at hand. Successfully completing one and moving on to the next is very exciting for me. I am passionate about my work, and truly enjoy working toward the next big goal.
• I have always been self motivated. Coming from my background, not very much was expected of me after I finished High School. I always wanted more, and put myself through College and Grad School with very little support from my family. In the workplace, I bring that same drive to managing projects and deadlines.

What are your salary expectations?

Before you start talking pay (and salary negotiations) with a prospective employer, you need to find out how much the job (and you) are worth. You will need to take the time to research salaries. That way you will be prepared to get what you're worth and to get a job offer that's realistic and reasonable.

Salary Negotiations

Once you know what you should be earning, how do you go about getting it? Start by being very patient. When interviewing for a new position, do your best not to bring up compensation until the employer makes you an offer. If you're asked what your salary requirements are, say that they are open based upon the position and the overall compensation package. Or tell the employer you'd like to know more about the responsibilities and the challenges of the job prior to discussing salary.

Another option is to give the employer a salary range based upon the salary research you've done up front. Once you've received the offer you don't need to accept (or reject) it right away. A simple "I need to think it over" can get you an increase in the original offer.

And if you're ambivalent about the position a "no" can bring you a better offer too. I turned down a position I knew I didn't want, regardless of salary, and received three follow-up phone calls upping the compensation package. Be careful though, if you do definitely need that new job there's a risk that the employer may accept your declining the position and move on to the next candidate.

Here's more infomation on how to evaluate a job offer.

Salary and Paycheck Calculators

When you're considering a job offer, it's important to know the bottom line - how much your net pay will be. You can use these free salary and paycheck calculators to estimate how much you'll bring home in your paycheck:

• Salary and Paycheck Calculators

Negotiating a Raise

If you are currently employed and want a raise, start by being prepared. Gather your salary survey information, recent performance appraisals that document the job you're doing, and any other relevant information. Be aware of company policy regarding compensation. Some employers are limited by budget constraints and can only give raises at certain times of the year, regardless of the circumstances.

Have a clear idea of what you want. Determine the salary range you're looking for and justification for the increase and have both ready to review with your supervisor. Be flexible. Would you consider an extra couple of weeks vacation instead of a raise? I know someone who has regularly taken time-off instead of money and now has six vacation weeks a year... Then, ask your supervisor for a meeting to discuss salary. Present your request, supported by documentation, calmly and rationally. Don't ask for an immediate answer. Your boss is mostly likely going to have to discuss it with Human Resources and/or other company managers.

Despite your best efforts, there may simply not be enough money in the budget to increase your salary or compensation package offer. The company may also not want to create inequities by paying one person more than others in a similar position. In that case, you can at least know you tried. Plus, if this is a job you really think that you're going to love, consider whether the company culture, the benefits, and the job itself are worth it - regardless of the salary.

Tell me about yourself.

You walk into the interview room, shake hands with your interviewer and sit down with your best interviewing smile on. Guess what their first question is? "Tell me about yourself."
Do you "wing it" and actually tell all manner of things about yourself? Will you spend the next 5 minutes rambling on about what an easy-going, loyal, dedicated, hard working employee you've been? If this is the case, you stand a good chance of having bored your interviewer to death thus creating a negative first impression.
Tell Me About Yourself - Best Answers
Because it's such a common interview question, it's strange that more candidates don't spend the time to prepare for exactly how to answer it. Perhaps because the question seems so disarming and informal, we drop our guard and shift into ramble mode. Resist all temptation to do so.
Your interviewer is not looking for a 10-minute dissertation here. Instead, offer a razor sharp sentence or two that sets the stage for further discussion and sets you apart from your competitors.
Your Unique Selling Proposition (USP)
Give them "your synopsis about you" answer, specifically your Unique Selling Proposition. Known as a personal branding or a value-added statement, the USP is a succinct, one-sentence description of who you are, your biggest strength and the major benefit that a company will derive from this strength. Here is an example of a Unique Selling Proposition: "I'm a seasoned Retail Manager strong in developing training programs and loss prevention techniques that have resulted in revenue savings of over $2.3Million for (employer's name) during the past 11 years."
What a difference you've made with this statement. Your interviewer is now sitting forward in her chair giving you her full attention. At this point, you might add the following sentence: "I'd like to discuss how I might be able to do something like that for you." The ball is now back in her court and you have the beginnings of a real discussion and not an interrogation process.
Be Specific
The key is that you must lead with your strongest benefit to the employer. Be specific and don't wander about with some laundry list of skills or talents. Be sure to put a monetary value on your work if at all possible and be ready with details when you're called upon. Give an estimated value to the $$ you've either helped to make or save for your employer.
Be Prepared
When you walk into an interview, remember to always expect the "tell me about yourself" question. Prepare ahead of time by developing your own personal branding statement that clearly tells who you are, your major strength and the clear benefit that your employer received. The advantages of this approach are that you'll quickly gain their attention and interest them in knowing more. You'll separate yourself from your competitors. You'll also have a higher chance of being positively remembered and hired.

 

What do you find are the most difficult decisions to make?

There is no right or wrong answer to questions like "What are the most difficult decisions to make?" or "Describe a difficult work situation / project and how you overcame it." These are behavioral interview questions designed to discover how you handled certain situations. The logic behind these types of questions is that how you behaved in the past is a predictor of what you will do in the future.
Give concrete examples of difficult situations that actually happened at work. Then discuss what you did to solve the problem. Keep your answers positive ("Even though it was difficult when Jane Doe quit without notice, we were able to rearrange the department workload to cover the position until a replacement was hired.") and be specific. Itemize what you did and how you did it.
The best way to prepare for questions where you will need to recall events and actions is to refresh your memory and consider some special situations you have dealt with or projects you have worked on. You can use them to help frame responses. Prepare stories that illustrate times when you have successfully solved a difficult situation.

What has been the greatest disappointment in your life?

Your response to the question "What has been the greatest disappointment in your life?" will help the interviewer determine know how easily you are discouraged.
Best Answers
If possible, tell about a personal disappointment i.e. the early death of a parent, child, or school friend. Believe it or not, it is okay to have not had a "greatest" disappointment.
My biggest disappointment is that I wasn’t able to follow my dream of being a professional dancer. I was injured as a teenager during a performance, and was never able to move quite as fluidly again. Even though I was disappointed at the time, I realize now that if I had taken that direction, I would not have my advanced degrees and a career I love.
My biggest disappointment is that my dad passed away just before I graduated from college, and got my first job. He was a pioneer in the technology industry during his time, and he was so proud of me following in his footsteps at such an exciting time.
I have had many disappointments, like most people, but I believe that we learn from all the experiences we have in life, and that the disappointments as well as the accomplishments make us stronger and better able to deal with many different situations.
Of all the disappointments in my life, the greatest one at the time was when I wasn’t able to go straight to college out of high school. I think the two years I spent working helped to focus me on what I really wanted to study, and ultimately made my college experience much better. Having a little extra time to figure things out, I was much better prepared to make decisions about what I wanted to study and how that would prepare me for my career.

What are you passionate about?

When you're asked what you're passionate about during a job interview it's a good opportunity to share what is important in your life. It's also an opportunity to show your dedication and what's important to you.

Your response doesn't need to be work focused, but do be sure that what you share isn't something that could potential cut in to your working hours.

For example, you don't want to say that you're a mountain climber with the goal of climbing Mountain Everest or that you're getting ready for the Tour de France or looking to spend the winter skiing in Aspen.

Sample Answers: What Are You Passionate About?

• One of my greatest passions is helping others. When I was younger, I've enjoyed helping mom with household repairs. As I grew older, that habit grew and I desired to help others as well. I like helping people find solutions that meet their specific needs.
• I'm passionate about painting. I take an evening art class once a week and try to find time each weekend to paint. Painting is a good way for me to relax and even though I don't have much talent, I do it enjoy it.
• I lost my father to pancreatic cancer and ever since then, I have spent time volunteering to help raise awareness and funding for cancer research. I volunteer for PanCan, the advocacy group, and I'm part of their volunteer network. One of the things I'm passionate is to assist in finding a cure, however I can.
• I'm passionate about making a difference. When I'm involved with a project at work I want to do my best to achieve success. I feel the same way about what I do in my personal life.
• I'm an avid skier and I like to spend weekends and vacations on the ski slopes.

What do people most often criticize about you?

The interview question "What Do People Most Often Criticize About You?" is asked to find out how sensitive to you are and how you accept criticism.
Best Answers
There's no on-going criticism. I'm open to personal and professional growth and welcome the opportunity to improve.
If humor is appropriate, this is a good time to use it. Example: I have a teenage daughter - few things I do are okay on her radar screen.

If you know your boss is 100% wrong about something how would you handle it?

The question "If you know your boss is 100% wrong about something, how would you handle this?" is asked to find out how you deal with a difficult situation.

Best Answers

An answer that works well is: "It depends on the situation and the personality of the supervisor." To elaborate, give examples:

My present supervisor does not like to have his authority questioned. He's fairly new on the job and almost all of the people he supervises have been on the job longer than he has. He's never bothered to learn the procedures, how things are done or how the computer system works. But if any of us tell him that how he wants something done won't work, he gets extremely angry. So, I never tell him he's wrong. Never. Whatever he tells me to do, I smile and say "okay." Then if I know a way to get it done that will work, I do it that way, give him the results he wants and never tell him I didn't do it the way he told me to. He got the results and is happy. I saved myself the stress of being yelled at and gave him what he wanted, so I'm happy.

My prior superviser was more easy-going and if I told her "you know, I think it might work better if I do what you asked in such and such a way," she say "okay, try it."

If I were a new hire on a job, I would probably not question a supervisor because I might think I didn't know enough. Except on the new job I'm going to. The director has admitted that she's new on the job and there are alot of things that a secretary does that she doesn't know how to do, so she will be depending on me to know how to keep the office running.

Describe a difficult work situation / project and how you overcame it.

There is no right or wrong answer to questions like "What are the most difficult decisions to make?" or "Describe a difficult work situation / project and how you overcame it." These are behavioral interview questions designed to discover how you handled certain situations. The logic behind these types of questions is that how you behaved in the past is a predictor of what you will do in the future.
Give concrete examples of difficult situations that actually happened at work. Then discuss what you did to solve the problem. Keep your answers positive ("Even though it was difficult when Jane Doe quit without notice, we were able to rearrange the department workload to cover the position until a replacement was hired.") and be specific. Itemize what you did and how you did it.
The best way to prepare for questions where you will need to recall events and actions is to refresh your memory and consider some special situations you have dealt with or projects you have worked on. You can use them to help frame responses. Prepare stories that illustrate times when you have successfully solved a difficult situation.

Describe a time when your workload was heavy and how you handled it

A typical interview question to discover how you manage your work is "Describe a time when your workload was heavy and how you handled it."

Sample Answers

While at the HKL plant, we were faced with a sudden order increase for the j-ball bearing. It was for a new customer. I immediately sat down with the production supervisor, our materials/supply manager, and the union steward. We were able to lay out a workable plan that maximized hourly costs, guaranteed materials were available and, with only a slight adjustment, meet the production deadline. While it was challenging and involved long hours, the pay-off was a signed contract with a new customer.

When I was working on a software implementation team at ABC Company, we took over another company and had to transition many clients to a new product in a short amount of time. It took a lot of planning, time, hard work, and effort, but we were able to complete the project in a timely manner.