Interview Questions and Answers

Job Interview Questions and Best Answers
By Alison Doyle, About.com Guide
http://jobsearch.about.com/od/interviewquestionsanswers/a/interviewquest.htm

Job interviews are always stressful - even for job seekers who have gone on countless interviews. The best way to reduce the stress is to be prepared. Take the time to review the "standard" interview questions you will most likely be asked.

Then take the time to research the company. That way you'll be ready with knowledgeable answers for the job interview questions that specifically relate to the company you are interviewing with.

Interview Questions: Work History

Name of company, position title and description, dates of employment.
What were your expectations for the job and to what extent were they met?
What were your starting and final levels of compensation?
What were your responsibilities?
What major challenges and problems did you face? How did you handle them?
What have you learned from your mistakes? - Best Answers
What did you like or dislike about your previous job?

When you're asked what don't like about your previous job, don't be too negative. The reason is that you don't want the interviewer to think that you'll speak negatively about the new job or the company when you're ready to move on, if you get this job. Rather, it makes sense to talk about yourself and what you're looking for in a new role.

Sample Answer

I enjoyed the people I worked with. It was a friendly and fun atmosphere and I actually enjoyed going into work each morning. I felt the leadership team was great as well. They knew all of their employees on a first name basis and tried to make those personal connections. I also enjoyed that fact that the office tired to do community outreach with local organizations.

One of the reasons I am leaving is that I felt I was not challenged enough at the job. As a fresh face in the working world, the company offers a great opportunity for a good entry level position, however, after being there for so many years, I felt I was not able to reach my full potential because of the lack of challenge and there was no room for advancement in the company. While I did enjoy working there and appreciate the skills I developed while with the company, I feel my skill set can be better utilized elsewhere, where my capabilities are more recognized and there is the opportunity for growth.

Which was most / least rewarding?
What was the biggest accomplishment / failure in this position?
Questions about your supervisors and co-workers.
What was it like working for your supervisor?
What do you expect from a supervisor?

Sample Answers

I appreciate a work environment where supervisors try to make personal connections with their employees.
In my last job, I liked the fact that management did not show favoritism and they were understanding of employees needs, as well as their strengths. Of course, these things take time to know, but I would want my supervisor to try to know me in that way.
I would like to be able to go my manager if I have an issue or idea and to be able to feel comfortable to expressing my thoughts. I would also expect my supervisor to be open and honest with me and to let me know if there is anything I could do to improve upon or do differently in my work.

What problems have you encountered at work? - Best Answers
Have you ever had difficulty working with a manager? - Best Answers
Who was your best boss and who was the worst? - Best Answers
Why are you leaving your job? - Best Answers
Why did you resign? - Best Answers
Why did you quit your job? - Best Answers
What have you been doing since your last job? - Best Answers
Why were you fired? - Best Answers

Job Interview Questions About You

What is your greatest weakness?

When you're asked what your greatest weakness 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.
I would say that I can be too much of a perfectionist in my work. 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'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 it 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?

How will your greatest strength help you perform?
How would you describe yourself?
Describe a typical work week.
Describe your work style.
Do you take work home with you?
How many hours do you normally work?
How would you describe the pace at which you work?
How do you handle stress and pressure?
What motivates you?
Are you a self motivator?
What are your salary expectations?
What do you find are the most difficult decisions to make?
Tell me about yourself.
What has been the greatest disappointment in your life?
What are you passionate about?
What are your pet peeves?
What do people most often criticize about you?
When was the last time you were angry? What happened?
If you could relive the last 10 years of your life, what would you do differently?
If the people who know you were asked why you should be hired, what would they say?
Do you prefer to work independently or on a team?
Give some examples of teamwork.
More teamwork interview questions.
What type of work environment do you prefer?
How do you evaluate success?
If you know your boss is 100% wrong about something how would you handle it? -
Describe a difficult work situation / project and how you overcame it.
Describe a time when your workload was heavy and how you handled it.
More job interview questions about your abilities.
More job interview questions about you.

Job Interview Questions About the New Job and the Company

What interests you about this job?
Why do you want this job?
What applicable attributes / experience do you have?
Are you overqualified for this job?
What can you do for this company?
Why should we hire you?
Why are you the best person for the job?
What do you know about this company?
Why do you want to work here?
What challenges are you looking for in a position?
What can you contribute to this company?
Are you willing to travel?
What is good customer service?
How long do you expect to remain employed with this company?
Is there anything I haven't told you about the job or company that you would like to know?

Interview Questions: The Future

What are you looking for in your next job? What is important to you?
What are your goals for the next five years / ten years?
How do you plan to achieve those goals?
What are your salary requirements - both short-term and long-term?
Questions about your career goals.
What will you do if you don't get this position?

English Jokes

Here I got WitSense blog:

People, There is no problem so big that it cannot be run away from or laugh at!

Here are some jokes, people. Some might find it funny, some might not. Humor depends on so many factors, biases, whatever... But read them anyway. Hehe..

1. Farmer Jack's special chicken which costs $1000 lays square eggs.
>That's an expensive chicken. Can it talk as well?
Sure, but it only says one thing.
>And what's that?
OUCH!

2. Crime in New York is very bad. Last week a man said to me.
>Do you want to buy a watch?
Let me see it first, I asked.
>Keep your voice down, he said. The man next to you is still wearing it.

3. Teacher: Your son almost got a black eye today, Mrs Smith.
Parent: Oh, what happened?
Teacher: I controlled myself.

4. An employee received $50 too much in his pay but didn't mention it to his boss. However the boss eventually noticed his error and the following week, he deducted the $50 from the employee's wages.
> Hey, said the employee. I'm $50 short this week.
You didn't say anything last week when you were paid $50 too much
>No, replied the employee. I can forgive you for making one mistake, but when it happens twice, it's time to speak up!

5. My husband is very upset about his weight
>Why?
Yesterday, he decided to weigh himself, so he stood on the talking weighing machine in the town center
>What did it say?
ONE AT A TIME, PLEASE.

6. Why are you looking so depressed
>I've just been to the doctor and he told me I would have to take a pill everyday for the rest of my life.
That's not too bad.
>He only gave me 25 Pills.

Haha.. For me, they are really funny!!

Tips Presentasi

When i wandered on some sites, i found this posting. It's really great and usefull for me. Well, i don't do the presentation very often but as a teacher yeah of course, right? Then i copy and paste it here.. You'd better read this..

Semua orang bisa menjadi presenter. Tinggal maju ke depan hadirin, menyapa tiap orang, cas-cis-cus dengan dibantu oleh Ms Power Point slides, lalu mohon diri. Tantangannya adalah bagaimana caranya menjadi pembicara yang menarik dan membuat orang yang menyaksikan presentasi kita get the point. Ada yang menyesal pernah datang ke seminar tertentu karena merasa bosan dan ngantuk setengah mati? *saya: ngacung*

Keuntungan menjadi freelancer adalah kita lebih bebas berekspresi dibandingkan teman-teman kita yang menjadi pegawai. Selain dalam hal berpakaian dan pengaturan jam kerja, keuntungan ini juga berlaku untuk teknis presentasi. Misalnya, kita tidak dibatasi dengan peraturan untuk berbicara formal atau didikte hanya boleh membeberkan topik tertentu untuk memberikan kesan baik terhadap instansi tempat bekerja.

Dari mengamati beberapa pembicara dan presenter favorit, saya menyimpulkan kalau tips menjadi presenter yang baik adalah: MANGAP. Apa itu MANGAP?

M enangkan hati hadirin. Selalu ingat kalau kesan pertama begitu menggoda. Awali presentasi dengan sesuatu yang mencuri perhatian, menyentuh, atau bahkan mengajak tertawa. Untuk rockstar yang sedang konser, biasanya ini adalah “Hello Jakarrrtah! Zelamadh mhalam.” Apapun sapaan yang Anda gunakan, pastikan itu terdengar tulus.

A lur cerita. Setelah berhasil memenangkan hati hadirin, ingatlah untuk mempertahankannya dengan menjaga tempo presentasi. Ketika menyusun materi, bayangkan posisi Anda sebagai pihak yang menyimak presentasi Anda. Kira-kira pola pikir mereka seperti apa, ya? Jangan lupa membuat alur presentasi yang berakhir dengan klimaks.

N ada bicara. Kelima indra perasa kita memiliki preferensinya masing-masing. Mata cenderung fokus pada warna yang mencolok. Lidah akan sadar dengan rasa masakan yang asing. Begitupun telinga para pendengar kita, mereka menikmati nada bicara. Presenter yang tahu kapan menggunakan nada tinggi, nada rendah, dan dapat mengatur volume suaranya akan mendapatkan perhatian penuh dari hadirin. Berbicaralah dengan jelas, jangan terlalu cepat.

G estur tubuh. Berdirilah yang tegak, busungkan dada, dan angkat dagu Anda dengan percaya diri dan nyaman. Sedikit gerakan tangan, kepala, sampai dengan posisi tubuh yang condong ke arah hadirin akan membantu menyampaikan pesan dalam presentasi kita. Perhatikan juga stage blocking. Sesekali berjalanlah dari sisi kanan ke kiri, tetapi jangan terlalu sering atau hadirin justru akan menilai kita annoying.

A ura positif. Optimisme dan pesimisme itu menular. Kalau Anda menjadi presenter, yang mana yang Anda ingin tularkan kepada hadirin? Tentunya optimisme, kan? :D

P eka terhadap khalayak. Sebab, kalau seseorang membuat grafik mood dan tingkat konsentrasi hadirin dari awal sampai akhir presentasi, dapat dipastikan grafiknya menurun. Sebagai presenter, kita harus jeli melihat kapan hadirin mulai jenuh dengan suatu materi. Ketika itu terjadi dan kita memang sudah terlalu lama bicara, segeralah beralih ke topik yang lain.

Semoga beruntung dengan jadwal presentasi terdekat! :)

wrten by July 14, 2011 / Shinta Yanirma