An interview is an important initial stage of any activity, since it depends on it whether you get a job or not. At the same time, there are tricky questions, the answer to which must be prepared in advance.
What are your three biggest strengths and weaknesses?
A fairly common question that needs a really good answer. Concerning strengths, then pay attention to the fact that companies need the following things: make money, save money and save time. As for weaknesses, try to point not to your character traits, but to certain skills. For example, you might mention that you didn't know how to use PowerPoint before, but you read a book about it, practiced a lot, and now you can even teach others how to use the program. Every time you talk about your weakness, also name the way you managed to overcome this weakness. You can also point out your weakness, which can then be turned into a strength. For example, you might say that you are very passionate about your work and give it your all. That is why if you see other people who do not work this way, you do not like it.
What keeps you awake at night?
Another way to ask about your weaknesses. The best thing to say is that, except for a few nightmares about upcoming interviews, you work really hard, so you don't have trouble sleeping. You know how important it is to plan your time, and with sleep you "recharge your batteries."
Describe your progress at a previous job
A great question if a company is looking for a specific type of candidate. In response, you can mention personal and business qualities. When you mention a previous job, speak positively about it. Say: the atmosphere at your previous job was great, you worked hard and saw good result. If you didn't have any promotions, then mention the responsible tasks that were given to you and which you performed with excellence. You can also talk about some difficult situations that you were able to overcome.
If you were a color, what would it be?
Enough frequently asked question. In this case, it's best to say that you'd rather be a rainbow. There are different types of personality, and you want to develop each of them in yourself. Sometimes, depending on the circumstances, you need to be red, sometimes green, sometimes black, and sometimes even pink. This response will please the employer and make him or her smile, which is also good for you.
How long do you plan to work in our company?
This is a great question that indirectly indicates that they want to offer you a place. However, this question can also be tricky. You can beautifully avoid such a response by redirecting it back to the employer. Say: you want to build a successful and long career in this company. Mention that you are coping well and looking for new opportunities to grow. After that, ask the employer how long he is willing to offer you such opportunities.
Describe how you are working on a major project
This is a great opportunity to showcase yourself as a manager. Strategic planning impossible without taking into account the resources you need, as well as specific dates and clear milestones. This will undoubtedly lead to a positive result.
How do you deal with stress?
The best thing to say is that you avoid stressful situations by planning your time properly. There is not much time in the day, so you want to make the most of it, while setting specific and clear goals. You exercise regularly, eat right, and get good sleep. Thanks to this, you manage to effectively deal with stress.
What will you do in your first 90 days at work?
Without knowing the details, it's best to give a general answer. Mention that you will build your goals according to company policy, and also believe that all of them will be successfully achieved. You define your goals according to your priorities, while taking into account the needs of the company at each specific stage.
What do you like and dislike about your current job?
The key here is to resist the temptation to say something negative about your current job. Even if you think your company is like a torture chamber, don't say it in an interview. Your employer expects a positive comment from you. Say that you are satisfied with your job, that the atmosphere there is positive, and that your boss is very supportive and acts as a teacher. After that, say that, for example, the company you currently work for is small, so you do not see opportunities for yourself to grow. If your company is large, then tell us what you are looking for small organization where you can make a more significant contribution.
What part of your job is the most important to you?
It is important here not just to start listing all sorts of tasks that pop up in your head, but to state the general situation, while presenting your positive character traits in a favorable way. Say that it is important for you to plan your time in stages, as well as to clearly define goals for each of the stages.
What do you think about overtime work?
The main thing here is not to say that you are not ready for overtime work, because you have a sick relative, a small child, or any other problems. It's best to say that you pride yourself on your ability to manage your time well and work quickly and efficiently, but you understand that sometimes you need to work overtime.
Describe your leadership qualities
Mention that you have a knack for persuading others to take action. Also say that you can motivate others, guide them, discuss and compromise, and create a positive work environment.
How do you develop your talents?
This is another way to demonstrate your ability to work with people. Say that you are good at creating positive motivation for others and also that you always treat others the way you would like to be treated. To make it sound even better, give some examples of people you've hired or worked with, and mention how it made you feel.
Name your biggest achievement
Ask your employer what exactly he means: personal or professional achievement. If he asks you to name two options, then this is just fine, but if he asks you to choose one in terms of importance, then be sure to put your professional achievement higher. Do not mention that the greatest achievement in your life is the birth of your child, even if it really is (and should be). Remember, you are here to showcase your professionalism, so tailor your responses to that purpose.
Sell me this pen
A very common task when interviewing for the position of sales agents. This will test your sales and persuasion skills. The employer will look at how you can sell the product, taking into account the interests and needs of a particular potential buyer. Don't start talking about a product and its benefits until you know exactly what is important to your customer. Start by asking your employer what exactly is important to them when choosing a pen. Accurately listen to his answer and then act in accordance with this information.
Do you have more questions?
You should always have questions. Never answer that you do not have them and you understand everything. This is your last chance to leave a good impression. Come to the interview prepared and bring a notebook with at least five questions about the company. To do this, search Additional information about her and demonstrate that you are familiar with the peculiarities of her work. As an example, you can ask what employer sees the company in 5 years, or what skills he considers necessary for this job.
When you go to an interview, prepare for possible questions from the employer. Think about what the employer might ask and how to respond to it. As a rule, at a job interview, a standard set of basic questions is asked, as well as additional ones that depend on the specific position. Below is a list of frequently asked employer questions and answers. Use the answers provided as a template, edit them according to the specifics of the position you are applying for.
You were invited for an interview and you really want to get this position, but you are afraid of competitors, you are afraid to answer a tricky question incorrectly or just get confused? In this case, it is necessary to gather all your will into a fist and prepare for a responsible conversation with the employer. Be sure to think over the style of clothing, hairstyle, rehearse the speech, taking into account the possible options for the proposed answers.
We suggest that you familiarize yourself with the main questions that recruiters ask the applicant for the position at the interview. You will find all the correct answers in our article. How to respond to specific and non-standard tasks in order to stand out from the crowd of competitors?
Very popular at present in job interviews situational questions examples below (click to enlarge):
13 popular interview questions and answers
Question 1 Tell me a little about yourself A very popular one that recruiters ask first. How best to answer the question - tell us about yourself?
Answer. It is necessary to keep calm when answering, speech should be clear and confident. Tell what the interviewer wants to hear: where did you study, specialty, previous jobs, interests, hobbies, hobbies. Say what exactly interested you in the new position and be sure to focus on personal qualities. Among them, it is important to note stress resistance, quick learning, diligence and discipline, striving for the goal, constant work on oneself.
Answer examples:
The second most asked question in a job interview is why you left your previous job. How to respond to a recruiter?
Answer. In the answer, you should not talk about the conflict with the management, if it took place. Also, you can not speak negatively about the director and colleagues. The applicant may be suspected of being quarrelsome, inability to get along with people, work in a team. When answering this question, talk about former job in positive colors, remember the fun and pleasant moments. The reason for leaving can be called the desire to reveal one's potential, unique abilities, the desire for professional growth and a higher salary.
More examples of responses:
What to answer the question at the interview - why do you want to work with us? It will be asked by the employer - prepare for it.
Answer. It is worth mentioning the positive characteristics of the company, among them - stability, the ability to professional growth, well-coordinated team, interesting job decent salary. You can also add what attracts the work schedule, management policy aimed at subordinates and other important points.
In order to reasonably answer the reason for the desire to work in a particular company, read about it, look at the website, ask what the company does, what it produces, how many years it has been on the market.
What to answer the employer if he asks a tricky question about why it is necessary to hire you for a vacancy.
Answer. The applicant must give a clear, intelligible and reasoned answer, namely, to say that he is an excellent specialist, has invaluable experience, and is constantly improving in a particular area. It is necessary to prepare in advance in order to tell in detail about the field of activity of the company, about the industry in which you are going to work. No need to be shy about praising yourself, talking about your successes and talents.
Question 5 What are your shortcomings? Perhaps the most difficult thing to answer in an interview is what flaws you have.
Answer. It should be noted right away that this is a trick question. Spread as the spirit of their flaws is not worth it. Try to name your positive traits, pretending that you consider them your shortcomings. For example, they are too demanding of themselves, they don’t know how to switch off from work, they are pedantic, strict, scrupulous. You can also answer a tricky question that everyone has flaws, but yours do not affect professional qualities in any way.
Examples of shortcomings answers:
How to answer the interview question about your merits?
Answer. We’ll tell you right away which parties you shouldn’t name, because almost every job seeker talks about them:
- Punctuality.
- Easily connect with people.
- performance.
These are standard qualities, they are already tired of recruiters, so you need to be more inventive. Tell at the interview that you can easily find an approach to people, know how to inspire confidence, use the working day rationally, have experience in negotiations, and conclude profitable contracts. Managers should pay attention to such answers.
How to answer the question about the desired salary level?
Answer. A good specialist should know his own worth. Try to name a salary higher than your previous one by 10-15%. A middle ground is needed here, because if the salary is underestimated, I will think that a person is a bad worker, and if the salary is too high, that is too ambitious.
Usually this question ends the study of the candidate. How do you respond about where you see yourself in 5-10 or more years?
Answer. A stubborn person always sets high goals for himself, career advancement. At the interview, you need to emphasize that your dream is to work in this company and during this time to take a leadership position.
Do not say that you will live in a luxurious apartment surrounded by a crowd of children and a beautiful wife. The employer doesn't want to hear that.
Example of a good answer:
“In 5 years, I see myself as a mature specialist, perhaps a project manager (direction, division), who has significantly improved his level of professional training.”
Answer. It refers to overtime work. You need to ask how often there are processing, and understand for yourself whether you are really ready for them or this position does not suit you. If yes, then answer in the affirmative, say that you are ready to stay late at work and do everything for the good of the company.
Answer: Be sure to say that you crave new experiences and happily complete all the tasks, because you gain invaluable experience and skills.
Answer. This is also a tricky question, here the employer finds out whether the job is so important to the applicant. Therefore, ask in detail about the work schedule provided by the social. package, about the requirements for the employees of the company.
Any job interview is stressful. A person is nervous and even the simplest question can confuse him. Knowing what recruiters ask most often, it is possible to perfectly prepare and answer them correctly. You can answer any tricky question, the main thing is to be confident in your own abilities. Study our article, and boldly go to the interview, impressing employers with your erudition and excellent professional qualities.
Every person seeking to find appropriate place work, must know and understand the business schemes of interaction with potential employers. After the candidate has correctly compiled a resume and sent it to desired positions He is awaiting an invitation for an interview. If the resume is of interest to the employer, then he will definitely get in touch.
And when the invitation for an interview has come, the applicant must confirm the meeting, usually in a letter. And prepare for the cherished interview. How should you respond to an invitation for an interview? Should I reply right away or should I wait? We will tell you in our article.
Confirmation of the invitation is your official consent to the meeting and interest in cooperation. How to correctly answer so as to interest the employer?
To begin with, it is worth noting that you should not give consent instantly. Wait half a day before posting a response. The HR specialist will get the impression that you are a serious, busy person. Thus, if you received a letter during the day, then it is worth responding to an invitation for an interview in the evening. And if the invitation came at the end of the working day, give an answer the next morning. At the same time, you will have time to think again about whether you are really interested in this work. If something in the invitation is not clear to you, do not hesitate to call back and clarify.
How to issue an invitation confirmation?
After the potential employer has sent you a letter with the date and time of the upcoming meeting, you need to acknowledge receipt of the letter and inform that you are ready for the meeting at the specified time. Your letter must be serious. Do not allow familiarity.
Sample
Hello Ivan Ivanovich!
Thank you for the invitation. I will be glad (a) to come to your office at such and such a time (indicate the dates and times that are convenient for you. If already offered, confirm the meeting at the appointed time).
Sincerely,
Full name, phone
Dear Sergey!
Your letter has been received and read by me. I am very grateful to you for the invitation. I will be at the interview at the appointed time.
date, signature
Hello… (sender's name)!
Thank you for the invitation to the interview. I have carefully studied the information provided about the company and the vacancy (if the letter was detailed description or links to the company's website and vacancy). I'm interested in your offer. I am ready to meet with you ... (insert the date agreed earlier).
Sincerely, (your name)! (telephone and other means of communication)
“Respect (th-th) (name, the one to whom you are writing the answer)! Your letter has been received. Appointment on (date, time) confirmed. Thanks a lot for the invitation. Sincerely, (your name, date, signature)
How to respond negatively to an employer for an invitation to an interview?
If you are not satisfied with one or more points in the job offer, then you should give a negative answer that you are refusing to meet. Don't leave in English. A letter of refusal will show your business side and perhaps the employer will offer you more profitable terms employment. One way or another, a well-mannered person will definitely answer that he is no longer interested in the offer.
Waiver Sample
“Hello, (name of the person to whom you are writing the answer),
I have received your invitation, but I cannot accept it at the moment. The fact is that I am not entirely satisfied with (Here, list all the points that cause you doubts). I am counting on (Here, list your conditions under which you are ready for employment). I look forward to our further cooperation. Sincerely, (Your name, surname, signature and date)"
If you change your mind, try to correctly indicate the reason for the refusal.
Good afternoon, (name of person contacting you)! I have carefully studied your proposal and at the moment I have to refuse the meeting, because:
I have made the decision to stay at my old job;
I have already received a job offer and I have given my consent;
At the moment, I don't need to look for a new job;
For personal reasons, my job search has been put on hold for the time being.
Be sure to clarify the following points:
Date, place and time of the interview;
What documents do you need to bring with you?
Who will the meeting be held with?
Specify the name and phone number of an employee who can be contacted in case of unforeseen situations.
If you are invited for a telephone interview
You received a long-awaited call from the company you wanted to work for. A recruiter may call you, not only to invite you for an interview, but also to conduct a telephone interview to begin with. During your telephone conversation the recruiter will probably ask questions about your professional experience, knowledge, and also understand how well you know how to conduct business conversations and the degree of your adequacy in general. If the answers suit the recruiter, you will be invited to a personal meeting. Please note that during the telephone conversation you also have the opportunity to ask questions. And it's worth using it. Be sure to write down all the information provided by the recruiter.
If you are called by an unfamiliar employer. It is worth listening carefully to the offer to begin with, asking how they learned that you are looking for a job, asking questions that interest you. Feel free to ask again if you don't understand something.
As a rule, HR specialists duplicate all the information voiced earlier in email. But just in case, check this point. After you understand that all the important criteria for you have been met and the proposals are of interest to you, you should give a positive answer about the meeting. You should not go beyond the agreed period, if such were announced.
And so now you know how to write an interview confirmation letter. Stock up on self-confidence and start preparing for the interview. And we wish you successful employment and the job of your dreams!
So you've been invited for an interview. Do you really want to work in this position and are very afraid of not being selected? Then you need to gather all the will into a fist and prepare for the conversation: think over the style of clothing and rehearse the speech, taking into account likely questions.
The 11 Essential Interview Questions and Smart Answers You Can Find Here. How to answer complex and non-standard questions in order to please the employer? What questions a recruiter will ask depends on what position the employee is being hired for, however, as a rule, there is a standard set of questions that are asked to all applicants, which will be discussed below.
Before conducting an interview, the employer usually invites the applicant to fill out a special questionnaire, a sample of which can be viewed.
Recently, situational questions have become very popular, when the employer describes the situation and invites the applicant to choose the right behavior in this situation.
Top 11 Interview Questions with Answers
1. What to answer the question - Tell us about yourself at the interview.
When answering this question and other questions from the interviewer, remain calm and speak in a confident tone. Tell what it will be important for the employer to hear: place of study and specialty, work experience, knowledge and skills, interest in this particular job and personal qualities- Stress resistance, learning, diligence. This point is considered in more detail in, where an approximate story of the applicant about himself is given, as well as recommendations are given on how best to answer.
2. What to answer at the interview to the question - Why did you quit?
When asked why you left your previous job, don't talk about conflicts at your previous job or speak badly about your boss or co-workers. You may be suspected of conflict and inability to work in a team. It is better to remember the positive moments from past experience, and the reason for leaving is the desire to fully realize one's abilities, the desire to improve the professional level and pay.
3. What to answer the question - Why do you want to work with us?
Start with good points in the work of the company - stability and a professional, well-coordinated team, interest in the field of activity, and then add what attracts the position and work schedule, proximity to home, decent pay labor.
4. Why do you think you are suitable for this position?
What to answer the question - why should we take you? Here you must clearly and convincingly prove that you the best specialist in this region. Tell us about the work of the company and the industry in which you are going to work, do not hesitate to praise yourself, tell us about your achievements.
5. How to answer the question about the shortcomings at the interview?
The issue of disadvantages is a tricky one. Spreading your cons as a spirit is not worth it. Name such “disadvantages” that look more like advantages. For example: I am picky about my work, I do not know how to step back from work. And it is best to say neutrally: I, like everyone else, have shortcomings, but they do not affect my professional qualities in any way.
6 secrets of a successful interview
6. What are your strengths?
- sociability;
- learnability;
- punctuality;
- performance.
These are standard examples of advantages that are included in almost every one; for the employer, they are not of particular importance, and do not distinguish the applicant from others in any way.
It is better to talk at an interview about professional merits that will be useful and interesting to the employer:
- I have experience in negotiations at various levels;
- easily conclude important agreements and contracts;
- I can rationally organize my working day, etc.
Such answers will attract attention and stand out among other answers.
7. What salary do you expect?
Services a good specialist cannot be cheap. There is an option - name the amount above average salary or focus on the salary that you received at your previous job and overestimate it by 10 -15%. Stick to the golden mean, otherwise they may think that either you bad specialist or too ambitious.
8. Where do you see yourself in 5-10 years?
Persistent and purposeful people set long-term goals for themselves, plan their personal and career growth. If you have not thought about this question yet, then do it before the interview. Emphasize your desire to work in the same company, but during this time to climb the career ladder.
Do not hide the place of the previous work, be prepared to give phone numbers of former colleagues and managers. If, when answering this question, you hesitate or even evade the answer, then the employer may feel that you want to avoid negative reviews.
10. Are you ready for a professional workload?
The employer can hint at processing in this way. In this case, ask how often they are possible: how many times a month or for how many hours. If you are ready for such conditions, then confirm your readiness for stress.
11. Do you have additional questions?
It's time to find out the details of future work: starting from the schedule and social. package, up to the requirements for the employees of the company. A person who doesn't ask questions after an interview is showing their disinterest. So there must be questions, and it is best to think them over in advance.
Examples of great, good, and bad answers to interview questions:
Video - uncomfortable interview questions
"What is your motivation?" - sometimes asking to answer such a question can take you by surprise. Especially if you didn't think about the answer before preparing for .
In order not to get into such an uncomfortable situation, it is better to prepare an answer, what is your motivation for working in advance. Such preparation will allow you to answer this question correctly, as well as appear before a potential boss as a qualified and professional person who knows exactly what he wants.
Your Motivation: What drives you to run to work?
Why do you work and what is your work motivation? You will definitely hear this question at the interview. Why? An employer or a headhunter wants to get a predictable employee, understanding his focus on achieving the goal (and in general, whether he has such a focus!), As well as the motives that drive him. So, going to a job interview, you are likely to be faced with the question, what is your motivation in work, in achieving career heights and so on. It is important for you to have a clear wording of the answer to the question about your motivation at work, so as not to be misunderstood.
What is your motivation? What is behind the question
When you are asked what your motivation is, they are not trying to ask why you wanted to apply for this particular position. You are, however, not very much expected to lay out a long-term program for your own career development. So surprise your interlocutors! When you start answering the question about your motivation, tell them what exactly motivated you to come to this particular company, try to add why you associate working here with your own career expectations.
Usually, when trying to get an answer to a question about your motivation, a headhunter or employer just wants to know what else inspires you in this life to get up in the morning and go to work, besides the alarm clock.
The best answer to the question "what is your motivation?"
Your motivation. The best answer to the question The best way to answer the question, what is your motivation for success or work, is to answer it honestly. Based on the position you are applying for when you come in for a job interview. The answer to the question should show your potential employer how strongly you are motivated to take this particular position. For a recruiter (an employee of the personnel department), your answers to the question about motivation will help to understand the following:
- what do you value and what do you like to do?
- what makes you sad and what happens when you get angry?
- how much are you?
- how will you feel in the team and what can others expect from you?
What is worth mentioning when answering the question “what is your motivation?”
Each person can have many things that motivate him. It is hardly wise to think of all of them when talking to a potential employer. You need to make sure that the answers to the question of what is your motivation:
- did not have negative consequences for you personally;
- fit for the position you are applying for;
- in equally take into account your interests and the interests of your potential employer;
- would not reflect negatively on the person or business of your potential employer.
No matter how psychologists try to tell us that people are motivated not only by money, the “not” particle in this sentence is the main one. Money is often the biggest motivator. It is for this reason that most people go to work every day in exchange for a paycheck. At the same time, for some reason, it is considered impolite to mention money as the main motivating factor. You'll have to think of a more streamlined answer if you want to get the position you're applying for without offending the employer, and at the same time not lying to yourself or him.
The main parameters of your motivation It is desirable that, depending on the position for which you are applying, you would talk at the interview about factors such as challenges, new information that will help you look at production problems in a new way, finding solutions to such problems, and so on. And one more thing: do not forget to demonstrate to the employer exactly how your motivation will benefit his business.
Your motivation. Main settings
Your motivation may have parameters that are common to people of a certain age or one social group. Yes, at different levels. career ladder, motivation can also be different.
For example, people over the age of 30 attach more importance to independence. Those who have just crossed the milestone of 20 years are mainly motivated to learn through work and receive new information which may be useful to them in building their future careers.
Think about your motives and think about where and how you can mention each of them, or those that would be most appropriate for the position you are applying for.
Here is a sample list of motives:
Your motivation. Examples of specific answers
In this paragraph, we give examples of answers to the question to which the article is devoted. You can either come up with your own answers or adapt ours to suit your situation.
Option 1.
In truth, I like stability and predictability more than unbridled creativity. I have the necessary skills that I can apply within my official duties and enjoy your work. Once I've learned how to complete my current tasks, I like to do them every day without the risk that I'll ever lose the motivation to do what I need to do.
Option 2.
I have always had a desire to ensure that the company's customers receive the best service with my participation. I understand that this is vital, both for the company and for me, because along with the conscientious performance of my duties, I get invaluable positive experience.
Option 3.
I was responsible for various projects for which I developed algorithms and managed the development teams of such projects. The efficiency of my work in many cases reached almost 100%. In my new position, I would like to manage projects that I can complete ahead of schedule and lead teams again to achieve my goals.
Anna Voloshina, HR
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