Going to a job interview can be one of the scariest and most intimidating things one does in their life. There is much tension and fear, but surprisingly it can be much fun. If you play your cards correctly, the job interview questions and answers game can be used much to your advantage and he process will not need to be as lopsided as you might think.
In order to get in front of a potential employer to address the job interview questions and answers, you must first have a job interview in place. There are many types of job interviews and just because one is scheduled does not mean you have the job secured. The interview process in many cases can be incredibly lengthy and one that may take a long time for a decision to be made. The questions and answers exchanged in an interview can vary based on the type of interview.
Since not all jobs and organizations are the same, every interview process
can be different. Some companies might want to conduct a behavior interview
where they want to see how the interviewee reacts in certain scenarios. Some
companies might conduct their interviews as a group. There are some companies
that would prefer to host a video interview in case they need to fly you in from
an out of town location and they want to screen you before they take on the
cost.
With different types of interviews, comes different job interview questions and answers. Questions the interviewer might ask you but also questions you might want to ask the interviewer. Many employers think positively of potential candidates that show high levels of interaction in their interview. By asking the right questions, you are proving you have an interest in the company, you are thinking about the future of the company and you are the type of person the employer would look for.
Here is a sample list of the most asked questions by an interviewer with sample responses:
Q: Describe a typical work week for you?
A: Make sure to discuss in
detail and be prepared to review some of our day-today responsibilities. Make
sure to relate your answers to the job you are applying for. The more you can
show a connection between the job you are applying for and your past, the more
open the interviewer will be to discussing further with you.
Q:What motivates you?
A: Since the interviewer doesn’t know much about
you, they want to know how and why you were successful at your previous job.
Since your response will vary based on your previous experience and knowledge,
you can include the following factors as motivation:
You enjoy Challenges
Employer satisfaction is very important
Client
satisfaction is most important
Compensation to perform (if in a sales role)
Team accomplishments (if it is a team based environment)
Q: What interests you about this job?
A: Be truthful. Describe the
qualifications needed for the job. Tie the job description back to your own
skill set and explain why you would thrive in this position because of your
previous experience. If the job seems like a challenge, explain you are looking
to learn and improve your skills. Regardless of the situation, be excited about
the opportunity and how you can bring value to the organization.
Here is a sample list of Questions you should ask the interviewer (Make sure to take notes and pay attention throughout the interview so you do not ask a question that was already answered):
How would you describe the responsibilities of the position?
How would
you describe a typical week/day in the position?
Is this a new position? If
not, what did the previous employee go on to do?
What is the style of
management within the company?
Who does this position report to? If I am
offered the position, can I meet him/her?
How many people work in this
office/department? How many people are in the company
What are the prospects
for growth and advancement?
How does one advance in the company?
Overall the entire Job Interview Questions and Answers process is not terribly difficult, as long as you are prepared. Make sure to do your homework!!
Robert Krain is a renounced Human Resources Consultant and personal job / career coach. Mr. Krain has been conducting professional workshops and conferences in the greater NYC area for over 17 years. Robert Krain is passionate about helping others to achieve their career goals and has set up information on the world wide web to assist the general public with job interview questions and answers.
