 Step Five Interview: Questions
Exercise: Interview Questions Identification
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This exercise helps you translate employers' typical questions into
the "Big Seven" questions you've practiced answering. Write
the number of the appropriate "Big Seven"for each query below.
For example, "Have you ever worked without supervision?" relates
to Q3 (Will you really work at the job?), so you'd write Q3 on the line.
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____ 1. Tell me about yourself.
____ 2. What are your strengths and weaknesses?
____ 3. How do you define "being on time?"
____ 4. Describe a situation in which you were asked to do something
wrong. What did you do?
____ 5. What are your long-range objectives?
____ 6. How did you prepare for this interview?
____ 7. How would you describe yourself?
____ 8. Describe a time when you handled a stressful situation successfully.
____ 9. Tell me about a time when you solved a problem.
____ 10. Give me an example where you set and achieved a goal.
____ 11. How do you resolve conflict?
____ 12. Describe a time when you had to follow a policy you didn't
agree with.
____ 13. Describe an important document you wrote.
____ 14. Describe a situation where your job required you to go "above
and beyond the call of duty?"
____ 15. Describe a time when you had to prioritize because you had
too many things to do.
____ 16. Describe a time when you had to make a quick decision.
____ 17. Describe a time when you successfully dealt with someone you
didn't like (or vice versa).
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____ 18. What courses in school did you like / dislike?
____ 19. How do you count back change?
____ 20. Give an example of a time you showed initiative.
____ 21. Describe a recent situation where you dealt with an upset
customer or coworker.
____ 22. Tell me about your worst / best boss.
____ 23. Describe a situation where you planned ahead to avoid potential
problems.
____ 24. Why did you leave your last position?
____ 25. Why do you want to work for our company?
____ 26. How can you contribute to our goals?
____ 27. Explain your qualifications for this position.
____ 28. Where do you want to be in five years?
____ 29. How would your parents / teachers / former employers describe
you?
____ 30. Why should we hire you over other people?
____ 31. What do you do best?
____ 32. What are your long-range objectives?
____ 33. Tell me about your first / most recent paying job.
____ 34. How do you feel about overtime?
____ 35. If you were animal, what would you be and why?
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ANSWERS:
If you have questions about any answer, click on Texas Job
Hunter's Guide at http://www.cdr.state.tx.us/shared/JobHunters.asp. |
1. Q1
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7. Q1
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13. Q2
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19. Q2
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25. Q3
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31. Q2
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2. Q2
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8. Q2
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14. Q3
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20. Q3
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26. Q2
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32. Q5
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3. Q1
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9. Q2
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15. Q1
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21. Q4
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27. Q2
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33. Q2
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4. Q1
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10. Q2
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16. Q1
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22. Q4
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28. Q5
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34. Q7
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5. Q5
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11. Q4
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17. Q4
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23. Q2
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29. Q1
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35. Q1
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6. Q3
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12. Q1
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18. Q2
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24. Q5
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30. Q2
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HANDLING INAPPROPRIATE QUESTIONS
Employers cannot discriminate based on race, color,
national origin, religion, sex, age or disability status. Still, some
interviewers might ask related questions. If an employer asks if you
have children, for example, you can respond in three ways:
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Answer honestly. "Yes, I have two children."
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Refuse to answer. "You are not allowed to
ask that."
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Answer the underlying concern about whether you'll
show up for work. "You may wonder if my personal life may interfere
with work. In fact, I have an excellent attendance record. I was
at work 98% of the time at my last job."
Answer 3 addresses the employer's underlying question: "Will
you really work at the job?" It reassures the employer that you
will do the work required. It also shows that you can handle tough
questions with skill and tact.
Of course, if you find a question offensive, you may decide you don't
want to work for such an organization in the first place!
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