English job interview Q&A

"What are your goals for the future?" or "Where do you see yourself in five years?"

Don't discuss your goals for returning to school or having a family, they are not relevant and could knock you out of contention for the job. Rather, you want to connect your answer to the job you are applying for.

最佳答案

    * My long-term goals involve growing with a company where I can continue to learn, take on additional responsibilities, and contribute as much of value as I can.

    * I see myself as a top performing employee in a well-established organization, like this one. I plan on enhancing my skills and continuing my involvement in (related) professional associations.

    * Once I gain additional experience, I would like to move on from a technical position to management.

    * In the XYZ Corporation, what is a typical career path for someone with my skills and experiences?

第一个问题一般都是这个 Tell me about yourself/ How would you describe yourself?

You walk into the interview room, shake hands with your interviewer and sit down with your best interviewing smile on. Guess what their first question is? "Tell me about yourself." Your interviewer is not looking for a 10-minute dissertation here. Instead, offer a razor sharp sentence or two that sets the stage for further discussion and sets you apart from your competitors.

Your Unique Selling Proposition (USP)说出你的卖点

Give them "your synopsis about you" answer, specifically your Unique Selling Proposition. Known as a personal branding or a value-added statement, the USP is a succinct, one-sentence description of who you are, your biggest strength and the major benefit that a company will derive from this strength. Here is an example of a Unique Selling Proposition: "I'm a seasoned Retail Manager strong in developing training programs and loss prevention techniques that have resulted in revenue savings of over $2.3Million for (employer's name) during the past 11 years."

What a difference you've made with this statement. Your interviewer is now sitting forward in her chair giving you her full attention. At this point, you might add the following sentence: "I'd like to discuss how I might be able to do something like that for you." The ball is now back in her court and you have the beginnings of a real discussion and not an interrogation process.

    “My background to date has been centered around preparing myself to become the very best financial consultant I can become. Let me tell you specifically how I've prepared myself. I am an undergraduate student in finance and accounting at _________ University. My past experiences has been in retail and higher education. Both aspects have prepared me well for this career.”

首先要明确他们想了解的是哪方面的内容Do they want to know about your career so far, about your hobbies or family life? If in doubt, ASK them to clarify what they wish you to talk about. Then give a short factual answer, ending with "is there anything else you'd like to know about me?"

* How would you describe yourself?

这个问题的答案应该是和他们的招聘广告上对于雇员的要求的基本一致，所以，看看你有哪些特质满足了他们的要求吧

      Try to think about what the interviewers are looking for and keep this in mind as you answer interview questions. Remember the job advert? Were they looking for initiative, a good communicator, someone with good attention to detail? Describe yourself in these terms. Start with "I am.." and not with "I think..." or "I believe.." so that you sound self aware and confident.

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When you're interviewing for an internal position within your company, you may be asked what you will do if you don't get the job. The interviewer wants to know whether you are concerned about just the advancement opportunity or the company. 内部职位竞聘常会被问到如果你没有得到这份工作的话你将会怎么办的问题。

最佳答案

I am committed to this company and its advancement so, should I not be selected, I will work with and support whoever might get selected. However, I do feel that my experience in the department and with the team would make me the best candidate

How would your boss describe you?

If you get the job, your interviewer may be your future boss so you need to answer this question carefully. Describe yourself as any boss would want to see you. You might say:

"My boss would describe me as hard working, loyal, friendly and committed. He would say that I work well on my own initiative and deliver what he wants on time and to a high standard".

Again, don’t use the term “I think my boss would say..” as it gives an element of doubt. Be positive and certain with the interview answer you give.

* What motivates you?

I am motivated by being around other positive people, we might question if working alone would suit them.

I am motivated by targets.

* What do you look for in a job?

This is really a question about suitability, though we've included it here.

Remember the advert? Focus on the advert criteria and you won't go far wrong. For example, if the advert called for someone to lead others, you might say:

"I like a job where I can lead and motivate others and enjoy seeing improvements in team performance".

If the advert called for a target-focused individual, you might say:

"I like having targets. They encourage me to stretch myself and beat them!"

* What is your personal mission statement or motto?

Not everyone has one, but because you might be asked, think what yours would be.

          "Just do it!"

          "Right first time, every time".

          "Less talk, more action".

          "Treat others as you'd wish to be treated".

          "Fortune favours the brave".

          "Quality, quality, quality...".

      Our advice: This is one of those times when we ask candidates to explain their answers to our interview questions. So, whatever you say, it's likely you'll be asked to give a reason or example so have one in mind. For most jobs, you want to sound positive and motivated, but possibly not ruthless or inconsiderate.

* What do you enjoy most about what you do now?

"I really enjoy the technical nature of the job and the speed at which I'm able to fix faults. I get a lot of satisfaction from getting people back to work as soon as possible".

If working as part of a team is mentioned as a requirement of the job, you might answer:

"I really enjoy being part of a team. I like it when the team pulls together to achieve something and everyone can take some credit".

* What do you enjoy least about your current role?

A good interview answer might go something like this:

"Actually, I enjoy everything about what I do. I suppose if I had to give something up, it would be..."

The 'something' depends on you, but it's best to mention something incidental to your job, like admin or paperwork. So you might say:

"I'm not sure (pause). I suppose if I had to pick something to give up it would be paperwork. I know it's important, and I do it well, but if someone else did if for me, that would be great!"

* Why do you want to leave your current job/company?

If you're applying for a more senior job, you might answer:

"I really enjoy what I do, but I'm ready for more responsibility and challenge which your job offers. Unfortunately, my current job/employer can't give me this."

      If this isn't the reason, use yours instead, but always be positive in your answers to tough interview question

    * What do you think of your current boss?

"My current boss is great. He sets the team challenging but realistic targets and motivates us to achieve them..."

"My current boss is very good. She deals with her team firmly but fairly and enjoys our respect because of this..."

      If your current boss is not great, and you are prepared to answer more interview questions about this, say so, but do balance each criticism with a positive point. Remember the need to appear positive in your answers to interview questions. You might say:

"My current boss has strengths and weaknesses. He is very good at listening to people but sometimes, in my view, doesn't deal with underperformers firmly enough. This affects team morale sometimes..."

* What will you miss about your present job?

People is the best interview answer here. Say anything else and you're suggesting the job you're applying for won't give you everything you had and more, and might even leave you wanting!

As you think about answers to interview questions, always have in mind the need to create a positive impression.

"Well I'm confident that the job you're offering will give me everything I have now and more so I don't think I'll miss anything about the job itself. But I'll miss some of the people of course..."

    * What can you tell me about XYZ Company?

      If you need to, start by saying "Is it ok if I refer to my notes?". When you get the nod, off you go.

      A good interview answer should include short factual statements covering such things as the Company's history, its products, staff numbers, turnover and future business objectives. Something like this is fine:

"I believe the Company began in 1967, with just one outlet, but now has 25. From what I've read, you sell A, B and C products across Europe and the States and have a turnover in excess of $5 million. You employ 125 staff. I beleive you hope to enter the Asian market by 2010".   "I've done some research and can tell you more if you like".

You will likely hear "No, that's fine. Thank you."

Your interviewers will be impressed that you prepared and made notes and you're off to a good start.

    * What do you think XYZ Company can offer you?

      There are two bits to this interview question, the role and the Company. Mention both. You might say:

"I'm told the Company has a firm commitment to individual training and development. This is great news for me because I'm keen to learn and advance in the Company. The role itself appears challenging and rewarding which I'll find very motivating".

    * If you're successful, what do you think you'll be doing day-to-day?

      You might start by saying "I understand that I'll be...". Then you could talk about the main role, any other activities and any targets you expect to be given.

What are your strengths/weaknesses?

IMPORTANT -- this common job interview question can be asked in many different ways, such as "What qualities do you admire in others that you would like to develop in yourself?"

Strengths should be easy enough to think about (keep the position in mind).

Talking about weaknesses can be harder but good interview answers are still possible. Many people choose to mention something which they've recognized as being a weakness but have overcome.

    "I'd like to be more organized, like one of my colleagues. She doesn't have to try. But because I don't find it as easy as her, I use to-do lists and a diary to help me successfully manage my work".

On a final note, it's much safer to highlight your lack of experience or knowledge as a weakness than a fault in your personality. Employers can always give you experience but few want to help you overcome shortcomings in your personality! So avoid telling interviewers that you "get bored" or "too involved" or "frustrated"!

Why did you think you are suited to this job?

What they are really asking is "You know what we are looking for so can you tell us what you have done or what you have, that is relevant."

Why should we give the job to you above other applicants?

This is often our closing question. We want to know, in a nutshell, why you are the best candidate for the job. This is a chance to list your best attributes as they relate to the vacancy. Don't be cocky, but don't be shy.\

* How well do you work under pressure?

“I know that all jobs involve some sort of pressure at some time. I can work as well under pressure as I do at any other time but when I am busy, I prioritize activities so that my workload is manageable.”

If the interviewers focus on other pressure, such as pressure to meet targets, dealing with difficult customers etc, give an appropriate reply, mentioning past situations where you have coped under such pressure.

* What sort of people do you find it difficult to work with?

“I am an easy going person who seems to get on with everyone. If I have to pick a type of person that bothers me, it's the one who doesn't pull their weight or isn't worried about the standard of their work because it reflects badly on the rest of the team.”

* Sell me this pen!

In interviews for sales job, you may hear this, believe us! In fact, one of us had a non-sales interview and was asked this, unexpectedly. The object you are asked to sell could in fact be anything. Some interviewers like to see whether you focus on the benefits of the object or its features. The features of the pen might be that it's blue, with a roller ball and plastic coating. The benefits might be that it's reliable, easy to hold and leak proof.

* What key skills do you think you need to be successful in this role?

You got this far because your job application form or resume or CV matched the interviewers' criteria as specified in the job advert. Just expand on this in your job interview answers. List the skills you think are required, giving a little explanation as to why each is needed.

You might then be asked to give examples where you've used one or more of these skills. These are behavioural interview questions.

* Where do you see yourself in five years time?

      This can be a difficult job interview question to answer, especially if you've not thought beyond getting this job! When you answer, you want to sound ambitious enough to be motivated to do a good job, but not too ambitious in case your interviewers think you're only using this job as a stepping stone to something better.

I can be successful in this job and taken on additional responsibilities and be considered suitable for promotion.

* How does this job fit into your career plans?

      This is a similar job interview question to the one above really, except that it looks beyond five years. Be realistic. You might say something like this if you're going for a middle-management position:

"My ambition is to lead a department and be involved in strategic decision-making at a senior level. I expect the role I'm applying for to give me more experience of leading and some introduction to strategy so that I'm ready for a senior role in a few years time".

* Where did you think you'd be at this stage in your life?

Avoid saying further than you are now! It's better to show you've met or exceeded your ambitions than fallen short of them. Tell the interviewers that you are happy with your life and career, but are looking for more challenge as you like to stretch yourself to achieve more.

* If you could start again, what career decisions would you make differently?

You're on sticky ground if you start trying to think of hypothetical career changes that might have served you better in the past. Your answers to interview questions will suggest you're not happy with the way things are and no-one wants to hire an unhappy person.

“I wouldn't change anything. I am happy with my career as it is now but want fresh challenges.”

"I'm not the kind of person who looks back with regrets. I prefer to invest my energy looking forward".

* How would you approach a typical project?

If you're applying for a project based job, such as a project manager, you will be asked this job interview question. Don't give a long winded answer, but try to demonstrate that you would take into account the main components of effective project planning such as:

      - Planning the schedule backwards from completion

      - Working out what you need to get the job done effectively and on time

      - Budgeting -- costs, time and resources

      - Allowing a contingency

* How would you get the best from people?

      If you are applying for any management role, it is highly likely you'll be asked this job interview question. The kind of skills that we'd be looking for in a good applicant are:

      - Good communication

      - Teamwork skills

      - Recognizing what each person can bring

      - Setting a good example

      - Praising good performances