Job Interview Questions About You
·
When you're asked what your
greatest weakness is, one 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.
·
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 and then 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.
·
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?" 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.
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.
Persistence
I work really hard, and I
don't give up easily. :)
—Guest mzjoe
It's Me
I am the strength of my
life because I have a sense of responsibility, confidence, self motivation, a
good work ethic and my smile.
—Guest Shankar
Team Work
My greatest strength is
creating friendly environment and creating an environment where the team can
concentrate to solve the problem on time.
—Guest divya
Peace of Mind
My greatest strength is
that I am calm and can maintain peace of mind even in times of distress.
—Guest AYUSHI
Devotion and People Skills
If I can find even one
thing I like about an environment, I find a reason to be dedicated to the
enrichment of that environment and all in it. I tend to be very good with
people, and more often than not I'm motivated and driven to succeed by positive
interaction with those around me.
—Guest Tiffany O
Hardworking Team Player
I am a hardworking team
player and a fast learner. I am bilingual, speaking both English and French. I
am a problem solver.
—Guest Jules
The first impression you make on a potential employer
is the most important one. The first judgment an interviewer makes is going to
be based on how you look and what you are wearing. That's why, in many cases,
it is still important to dress professionally for a job interview, regardless
of the work environment.
What's the appropriate dress code for an interview?
You'll want that first impression to be not just a good one, but, a great one.
In general, the candidate dressed in a suit and tie is going to make a much
better impression than the candidate dressed in scruffy jeans and a t-shirt.
Here's
more on what to wear to an interview for professional, casual and startup
companies, when you want to make the best impression.
How
to Dress for a Professional Interview:
Men's Interview Attire
·
Suit
(solid color - navy or dark grey)
·
Long
sleeve shirt (white or coordinated with the suit)
·
Belt
·
Tie
·
Dark socks, conservative leather shoes
·
Little or no jewelry
·
Neat, professional hairstyle
·
Limit the aftershave
·
Neatly trimmed nails
·
Portfolio or briefcase
Here are examples
of interview clothes for men:
·
Women's Interview Attire
·
Suit
(navy, black or dark grey)
·
The suit
skirt should be long enough so you can sit down comfortably
·
Coordinated blouse
·
Conservative shoes
·
Limited
jewelry (no dangling earrings or arms full of bracelets)
·
No jewelry
is better than cheap jewelry
·
Professional hairstyle
·
Neutral pantyhose
·
Light make-up and perfume
·
Neatly manicured clean nails
·
Portfolio or briefcase
What
Not to Bring to the Interview
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Gum
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Cell phone
·
Ipod
·
Coffee or soda
·
If you
have lots of piercings, leave some of your rings at home (earrings only, is a
good rule)
·
Cover tattoos
Interview Attire Tips
·
Before you
even think about going on an interview, make sure you have appropriate
interview attire and everything fits correctly.
·
Get your
clothes ready the night before, so you don't have to spend time getting them
ready on the day of the interview.
·
If your
clothes are dry clean only, take them to the cleaners after an interview, so
they are ready for next time.
·
Polish your shoes.
·
Bring a
breath mint and use it before you enter the building.
Additional
Interviewing Resources
How to Dress for Success
How to dress for an interview including advice on what, and what not, to wear on a job interview, appropriate interview attire, how to impress a prospective employer, business vs. business casual attire, and tips on dressing for success.
How to dress for an interview including advice on what, and what not, to wear on a job interview, appropriate interview attire, how to impress a prospective employer, business vs. business casual attire, and tips on dressing for success.
Interview Questions and Answers
The key to successful interviewing is to review these typical interview questions and prepare your answers. Also be ready with questions for the interviewer - here's a list.
The key to successful interviewing is to review these typical interview questions and prepare your answers. Also be ready with questions for the interviewer - here's a list.
Most Common Interview Mistakes to Avoid
Here are the most common interview mistakes job seekers make and how to avoid them.
Here are the most common interview mistakes job seekers make and how to avoid them.
Job
Interview Tips
Interviewing
Advice
Interview Dining Tips:
·
Are you really nervous? Check out the restaurant
ahead of time. That way you'll know exactly what's on the menu, what you might
want to order and where the rest rooms are located.
·
Be polite. Remember to say "please" and
"thank you" to your server as well as to your host.
·
Is the table full of utensils? My British
grandmother taught me an easy way to remember what to use when. Start at the
outside and work your way in. Your salad fork will be on the far left, your
entree fork will be next to it. Your dessert spoon and fork will be above your
plate.
·
·
Liquids are on the right, solids on the left. For
example, your water glass will be on the right and your bread plate will be on
the left.
·
Put your napkin on your lap once everyone is
seated.
·
Remember what your mother spent years telling you -
keep your elbows off the table, sit up straight, and don't talk with your mouth
full!
During the Meal:
·
Don't order messy food - pasta with lots of sauce,
chicken with bones, ribs, big sandwiches, and whole lobsters are all dangerous.
·
Don't order the most expensive entree on the menu.
·
Do order food that is easy to cut into bite-size
pieces.
·
The polite way to eat soup is to spoon it away from
you. There's less chance of spilling in your lap that way too!
·
Break your dinner roll into small pieces and eat it
a piece at a time.
·
If you need to leave the table, put your napkin on
the seat or the arm of your chair.
·
When you've finished eating, move your knife and
fork to the "four o'clock" position so the server knows you're done.
·
Remember to try and relax, listen, and participate
in the conversation.
To Drink or
Not to Drink:
·
It's wise not to drink alcohol during an interview.
Interviewing is tough enough without adding alcohol to the mix.
After the Meal:
·
Put your napkin on the table next to your plate.
·
Let the prospective employer pick up the tab. The
person who invited you will expect to pay both the bill and the tip.
·
Remember to say "thank you." Consider
also following-up with a thank you note which reiterates your
interest in the job.
·
Electrician
Interview Questions
·
How many years have you been working in the
industry? How and where did you receive your training?
·
Describe some recent projects you have worked on.
·
Describe the electrical systems you have worked on
and are familiar with.
·
Do you specialize in any specific areas of
electrical work?
·
What do you do to protect yourself from electrical
accidents or injuries?
·
Describe a time when you had a problem you could
not figure out and you had to find a solution on your own.
·
If you were in a room with 3 light switches and the
room next door had 3 light bulbs, how would you find out which 3 switches
controlled the 3 bulbs if you could only go in the next room once?
·
What does "PPE" stand for? How important
is safety on the job?
·
What is CSA approval?
·
What does a fuse or breaker do? What are the
differences between the two?
·
What does "14-2" mean?
·
Engineer Interview
Questions
·
Tell me about the most challenging engineering
project that you have been involved with during past year.
·
Describe the most challenging written technical
report or presentation that you have had to complete.
·
Describe an experience with a difficult client. How
did you handle the situation? What would you have
done differently?
·
Tell me about your greatest success in using logic
to solve an engineering problem at a previous job.
·
Give me an example of a time when you applied your
ability to use analytical techniques to define problems or design solutions.
·
What checks and balances do you use to make sure
that you don't make mistakes?
·
Do you have any patents? If so, tell me about them.
If not, is it something you see yourself pursuing in the future? Why or why not?
·
What engineering skills have you developed or
improved upon during the past year?
·
Which software packages are you familiar with? What
is the most interesting thing you know how to do with one of these packages?
·
What are you doing to stay up-to-date with the
latest technology?
More
Interview Tips:
Job Interview Etiquette
Tips
Review these job interview etiquette tips for before, during and and after a job interview, to ensure that your job interview etiquette is up to speed and you're making the best impression on the interviewer.
Review these job interview etiquette tips for before, during and and after a job interview, to ensure that your job interview etiquette is up to speed and you're making the best impression on the interviewer.
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What motivates you? - Best Answers
