Step Five Interview: Questions

The "Super Seven" Questions You Need to Know

If you feel comfortable answering these seven questions, you can handle anything that employers ask you. In the end, all other questions are really just different ways of asking these seven.

Q1. Are You Trustworthy?

What kind of person are you? Are you honest, responsible, dependable, trustworthy?

Concern: The employer doesn't want to hire someone she can't depend on or who will steal from her.

Key words: Personal qualities; "who you are"

Response: Respond honestly. Make good eye contact. If you're genuine and your appearance, words, tone and body language all match, you'll be trusted.

Q2. Can You Do the Job?

Are you technically competent? Do you have the skills, knowledge and abilities to do the job well?

Concern: The employer doesn't want to hire someone who is incompetent or unprepared.

Key words: Skills, abilities, strengths, situation

Response: Focus on your skills and how you can help the organization and employer immediately and in the future. Tell stories from your past experiences that relate to the job at hand.

Q3. Will You Really Work at the Job?

Are you a hard worker? Are you willing and eager to work?

Concern: The employer doesn't want to hire anyone who's lazy, has a bad attitude or won't work.

Key words: Initiative, attitude

Response: Show your enthusiasm and eagerness to work. Tell stories about your good work ethic.

Q4. Will You Fit In?

Will your personality and work style mesh with the company's? Can you get along with others?

Concern: The employer doesn't want to hire someone who will become unhappy and leave or who will antagonize others.

Key words: Relations, coworkers, boss, customers

Response: Describe positive interactions you have had with supervisors, coworkers and customers in the past. Get along well with the interviewer!

Q5. Will You Leave Soon?

Will you stick around or will the employer need to go through this whole process again in six months?

Concern: The employer doesn't want to invest time and money (see Employer Questions) in someone who'll soon quit.

Key words: Future, plans, goals, objectives

Response: Say that you want to build a career at the company and plan to be there for the forseeable future if that is the case. If the job involves extensive on the job training, you should stick around long enough for the employer to recoup the investment of time and money in you. This is how you, as CEO of Me, Inc., fulfill your obligations to your customers.

Q6. Are You Safe?

Can you manage your temper and control your behavior? Will you hurt customers or coworkers?

Concern: The employer doesn't want to hire someone who may harm any person or property.

Key words: Conflict, stress

Response: Few questions directly address this concern. You have to show that you are safe. Always be friendly. Don't try to intimidate. Keep your appearance neat, professional and relaxed.

Q7. Can I Afford You?

Are the salary and benefits within range?

Concern: The employer doesn't want to waste time if he can't afford you. In addition, he may want to pay you the minimum possible and wants to see if you will accept that.

Key words: Benefits, salary, over-time, compensation

Response: Answer such questions with "Are you offering me the job?" If "yes," begin negotiating (See Negotiations). If "no," say you want keep talking about whether you're a good fit for the job before discussing compensation.