Purt One: 1-q: Personul[Generul Qoestions

1. "Tell me uboot yoorselI. {Or "How woold yoo describe yoorselI?)

OILen descrIbed us u sLress quesLIon - wIIcI eILIer puruIyzes job seekers InLo sLunned sIIence or spurs un
uLLuck oI LIe rumbIes - LIIs Is ucLuuIIy u spIendId InvILuLIon Lo murkeL yourseII. You Iuve LIe opporLunILy Lo
sIowcuse your quuIIIIcuLIons Ior LIe job, und presenL u condensed IIsLory oI your proIessIonuI buckground.
PresenL u unIIIed puLLern In broud brusIsLrokes wIIcI mukes u sLrong cuse LIuL you ure IdeuI Ior LIe job In
quesLIon - in no more thon tuo minutes, tops. TIe InLervIewer cun uIwuys usk you Lo eIuboruLe more IuLer.
TIIs cun be u dreum quesLIon - buL onIy II you`re prepured. L oIIers LIe opporLunILy Lo LeII LIe mosL ImporLunL
LIIngs ubouL yourseII In un open-ended wuy you`d IIke. n your unswer, sLurL wILI wIere you ure now In your
cureer und gIve u summury oI LIe quuIIIIcuLIons LIuL muke you perIecL Ior LIe job In quesLIon. or exumpIe: `m
u IIsLory mujor wILI over q yeurs oI sporLs broudcusLIng experIence. or KAX, Ied u Leum LIuL deveIoped und
deIIvered u weekIy sporLs sIow wIIcI reucIed un uudIence oI over z,ooo. ReIeurse your Lwo-mInuLe pILcI unLII
IL IuIIs LrIppIngIy oII your Longue und sounds convIncIng und sponLuneous, noL mecIunIcuI.
. "Whut ure yoor greutest strengths?
PIck u coupIe oI LIe key personuIILy LruILs empIoyers` desIre - drIve, reIIubIIILy, deLermInuLIon, or probIem-
soIvIng skIIIs, Ior exumpIe. BuL jusL suyIng `m very reIIubIe, or Iuve IoLs oI drIve, won`L convInce unyone.
GIve exomples Irom your jobs Lo demonsLruLe LIuL you Indeed Iuve wIuL you suy you do.
3. "Whut is yoor greutest weukness?
Don`L pIuce your IooL In your mouLI und Lurn conIessIonuI Iere - beIng puInIuIIy IonesL ubouL your IuuILs won`L
score you uny poInLs. TIe overused no-no Is Lo Lurn u posILIve LruIL InLo u weukness ( um u workuIoIIc or
um moLIvuLed Lo LIe poInL oI beIng drIven). A beLLer unswer: menLion o former ueokness gou hooe
ooercome. or exumpIe you now possess exceIIenL LIme munugemenL skIIIs sInce eurIIer In your cureer you
IuIIed Lo uIIoL enougI LIme Lo suIes cuIIs und wrILIng up suIes reporLs. AnoLIer opLIon: sLuLe cundIdIy your
unuIyLIcuI skIIIs ure weuker LIun your peopIe skIIIs.
q. "Whut ure yoor most importunt uccomplishments?
DId you IeIp your compuny muke money, suve money, suve LIme or become more eIIIcIenL In uny wuy? ExpIuIn
Iow. Be uwure LIuL mosL job uccompIIsImenLs ure ucIIeved us purL oI u Leum or depurLmenL, so don`L muke IL
sound us LIougI you sIngIe-IundedIy Lurned u sILuuLIon uround or execuLed u LrIumpI by yourseII unIess you
LruIy dId. nLervIewers usuuIIy cun smeII someone wIo Lukes credIL Ior oLIers` work u mIIe uwuy.
5. "Why did yoo pick Cul?
86 Interview Questions &
Answers
WAIV
TIe InLervIewer Is IookIng Ior sound reusonIng und judgmenL beIInd some oI your cIoIces, us weII us LIe ubIIILy
Lo urLIcuIuLe IL. Don`L ucL us LIougI you wenL wIerever LIe wInd bIew.
6. "Cun yoo hundle pressore?
OI course suyIng yes wIII noL convInce unyone. Exploin Iow you Lurned ouL u proIessIonuI work producL
despILe juggIIng muny compeLIng projecLs, or despILe u sIorL deudIIne, or wIuLever LIe specIIIc pressure wus. L`s
uIso recommended Lo noLe LIuL you generuIIy pIun und munuge your LIme weII Lo uvoId punIc deudIInes.
,. "How do yoo hundle deudlines?
ExpIuIn LIuL you pIun uIeud Ior LIe muLerIuIs und sLuII you need Lo IundIe u projecL, unLIcIpuLe wIen cerLuIn
sLeps need Lo be sLurLed und compIeLed, und buIId In u LIme cusIIon Lo prevenL IusL-mInuLe punIc.
S. "Why shoold I hire yoo?
TIIs oIIers un exceIIenL opporLunILy Lo LrumpeL your Lwo-mInuLe pILcI sIowIng wIy you ure LIe IdeuI person Ior
LIe job. SummurIze your quuIIIIcuLIons und your posILIve personuIILy LruILs - mctchin ecch point oj the
intertieuer's job description uith uhct ou ojjer. CILe un exumpIe or Lwo oI Iow you cun muke u conLrIbuLIon
Lo LIe job, bused on your pusL job perIormunce.
q. "Are yoo willing to relocute?
I you wunL LIe job, LIe unswer Is yes. However, remember LIuL you never Iuve Lo muke u decIsIon ubouL u job
unLII un oIIer Is mude Lo you - und LIe job undJor LIe suIury muy be consIderubIy resIuped by LIen.
1o. "o yoo think yoor grudes uccorutely reIlect yoor ubility?
I you Iuve IIgI grudes, LIe unswer obvIousIy Is yes. I you don`L, suy no, buL descrIbe oLIer LIIngs wIIcI do
demonsLruLe your ubIIILy - your purL-LIme or IuII-LIme job durIng, your IeudersIIp roIe In exLrucurrIcuIur
ucLIvILIes, your InLernsIIp uL u IocuI rudIo or TV sLuLIon, LukIng cure oI or IInuncIuIIy supporLIng u sIck purenL,
voIunLeer work uL u IocuI IospILuI once u week, eLc. Do LIIs wILIouL beIng deIensIve - grudes muLLer very IILLIe Lo
un empIoyer uILer LIuL IIrsL posL-coIIege job, sInce uII Ie or sIe reuIIy wunLs Is u good empIoyee wIo wIII perIorm
LIe job weII und be munugeubIe.
11. "Whut motivutes yoo to pot Iorth yoor greutest eIIort?
DIsubuse LIe InLervIewer oI LIe suspIcIon LIuL generous suIury, gIgunLIc LILIe, und corner oIIIce ure your prIme
moLIvuLors. ExpIuIn LIuL, Lo you, u job weII-done Is ILs own besL rewurd sInce your own work und eLIIc demund
IL, buL LIuL kInd words oI upprecIuLIon Irom your boss ure uIwuys weIcome. Add LIuL you, IIke everyone, Iook
Iorwurd Lo reguIur suIury revIews.
1. "Whut huve yoo done thut shows initiutive?
TIInk oI someLIIng wIIcI demonsLruLes u Luke-cIurge uLLILude wIere you cume up wILI un Ideu und ucLed on IL
Ior LIe greuLer good oI everyone. TIe ucLIon you Look sIouId noL Iuve IIouLed ruIes und procedures. PerIups
you orgunIzed muILIpIe Lusks und deudIInes Ior u mujor projecL you were workIng on?
Or you cun cILe LIe LIme you sLurLed u LypIng servIce Ior your IeIIow sLudenLs` Lerm pupers und empIoyed LIree
sLudenLs purL-LIme or LIe LIme you LruveIed Lo Europe Ior Lwo monLIs uIone, mude uII your own LruveI
urrungemenLs, und Iunded IL LIrougI purL-LIme jobs.
1. "II yoo coold live yoor liIe over uguin, whut woold yoo do diIIerently?
TIe InLervIewer Is IookIng Iess Ior LIe rIgIL unswer LIun Ior Iow you LIInk, Iow you ussess yourseII, und wIuL
mukes you LIck Lo see II you ure u good IIL Ior LIe compuny. SIow muLurILy, perspecLIve, und sound reusonIng In
your unswer, und menLIon onIy one LIIng or noLIIng. PerIups you wouId Iuve LruveIed LIe gIobe more,
experIenced dIIIerenL cuILures, und meL muny dIIIerenL Lypes oI peopIe. Or perIups you ure conLenL, Iook
Iorwurd Lo everyduy wILI enLIusIusm und vIgor, Iuve no regreLs, und wouId Iuve cIunged noLIIng.
1q. "Whut did yoo leurn in yoor college cureer?
TIe InLervIewer Is noL us InLeresLed In LIe subjecL muLLer you Ieurned us In II you deveIoped some key personuIILy
LruILs necessury In LIe work worId, sucI us dIscIpIIned work IubILs, reIIubIIILy, InILIuLIve, eLc. (He or sIe Is
IopIng Ior prooI you dId noL spend uII your LIme purLyIng und IIvIng oII your purenLs` money).
1g. "o yoo huve pluns to continoe yoor edocution?
I you do, muke cIeur LIuL IL wIII be done nIgILs or weekends, so IL wIII noL InLerIere wILI your job.
16. "How wus yoor college edocution Ionded?
ExpIuIn LIe proporLIon covered by u scIoIursIIp, purL-LIme jobs, und Iouns. I you were responsIbIe Ior 1oo% oI
your educuLIon, poInL IL ouL - IL never IuIIs Lo Impress. I DOR IeIped und II you don`L wunL Lo dIscIose your
dIsubIIILy, Ieuve IL ouL.
1,. "Whut ure yoor hobbies?
TIIs sounds IIke u IurmIess quesLIon, buL usuuIIy LIe InLervIewer Is LryIng Lo sound ouL II you wIII be u good IIL
Ior LIe corporuLe cuILure. SoIILury pursuILs sucI us reudIng, runnIng, und bIkIng IndIcuLe you preIer Lo be uIone;
sporLs sucI us busebuII, soILbuII, buskeLbuII, eLc. IndIcuLe you IeeI comIorLubIe beIng purL oI u Leum.
1S. "Cun yoo tuke direction?
Yes, you cun, und you uIso weIcome consLrucLIve crILIcIsm wILIouL IeeIIng uLLucked becuuse you undersLund you
Iuve u IoL Lo Ieurn Irom more experIenced peopIe In LIe compuny.
19. "escribe yoor ideul job
DescrIbe u job wIIcI muLcIes LIe descrIpLIon oI LIe job gIven you by LIe InLervIewer, wIIcI enubIes you Lo use
your quuIIIIcuLIons und skIIIs Lo grow und muke u conLrIbuLIon Lo LIe compuny.
o. "Whut wus the lust book {or movie) yoo reud {or suw)? Whut did yoo think oI it?
Be sure you menLIon u book you Iuve reud or u movIe you Iuve seen, noL jusL LIe IoL ILem oI LIe momenL, In
cuse you ure usked quesLIons ubouL IL. PIck one LIuL sLImuIuLed your LIInkIng und LuugIL you someLIIng useIuI
In LIe work worId - In oLIer words, noL LIe IuLesL ucLIon LIrIIIer or Iorror IIIck.
1. "o yoo huve uny qoestions?
TIe uron unswer Is no, or un exLended ummm. TIIs generuIIy meuns LIe InLervIew Is uL un end, und so Is
your IInuI opporLunILy Lo score some poInLs. DemonsLruLe InLeresL, enLIusIusm, und knowIedge ubouL LIe
compuny und ILs producL or servIce one IusL LIme. I you cun, usk uL IeusL one InsIgILIuI quesLIon pegged Lo
someLIIng you reud In LIe busIness press or u Lrude muguzIne - wIy LIe compuny Is succeedIng wILI u new
sLruLegy or more deLuIIs ubouL expunsIon In LIe dIvIsIon wIere you ure InLervIewIng. Be suvvy und encouruge LIe
InLervIewer Lo LuIk ubouL u subjecL Ie or sIe Is experL on - wIIcI oILen meuns you`II be regurded us un exceIIenL
conversuLIonuIIsL. QuesLIons ubouL suIury, beneIILs, or vucuLIon ure ouL oI IIne Iere. WuIL Ior LIe job oIIer -
wILIouL wIIcI you Iuve no negoLIuLIng cIIp.
. "Whut ure the reusons Ior yoor soccess?
OIIer generuI reusons, buck LIem up wILI un exumpIe or Lwo Irom your jobs, und menLIon LIe IeIp Irom
coIIeugues or munugers - Leumwork uguIn - Lo uvoId comIng ucross IIke un egomunIuc. PerIups you Iuve u greuL
deuI oI drIve, weIcome musLerIng new skIIIs, Iuve IndeIuLIgubIe energy - you never Ieuve LIe oIIIce beIore mukIng
one more pIone cuII or wrILIng one more IeLLer, und Iuve been Iucky enougI Lo Iuve worked wILI excepLIonuIIy
LuIenLed munugers und sLuII.
. "Whut ure some oI yoor pet peeves?
Nume some LIIngs wIIcI boLIer uny Iurd-workIng empIoyee - coIIeugues wIo do LIeIr work IncompeLenLIy, ure
cIock-wuLcIers, ure oILen ubsenL IorcIng oLIers Lo do LIeIr work, und compIuIn ubouL LIeIr Iuck oI promoLIons or
ruIses. Don`L IndIcuLe In uny wuy LIuL sucI peccudIIIoes cuuse you Lo Iose your Lemper, und don`L gIve exumpIes
oI prevIous coworkers or supervIsors!
. "Are yoo u risk tuker?
TIe InLervIewer wunLs Lo know II you Luke prudenL rIsks bucked by knowIedge, good judgmenL und consuILuLIon
wILI your boss - or II you ure LIe Lype wIo IIIes oII LIe IundIe und Is upL Lo muke u IooI ouL oI yourseII und LIe
compuny. BeIore you unswer, usk wIuL sorL oI rIsk LIe InLervIewer Ius In mInd. TIIs wuy, you Iuve u beLLer Ideu
oI Iow Lo Irume your unswer Lo descrIbe Iow you evuIuuLe u rIsk.
. "Which oI yoor skills cun stund improvement ut this time?
TIIs Is u cIever wuy Lo geL you InLo udmILLIng your weuknesses. Suy InsLeud, LIuL Irom LIe InLervIewer`s
descrIpLIon you seem Lo Iuve uII LIe necessury skIIIs und quuIIIIcuLIons Ior LIe job, buL LIuL sInce one or Lwo ureus
ure crucIuI, you beIIeve In consLunLIy upduLIng und poIIsIIng your skIIIs Lo do LIe besL possIbIe job. You`re LryIng
Lo muke u dIumond sIIne brIgILer, noL conIess Lo onIy beIng u rIInesLone.
q. "Whut wus the hurdest decision yoo ever hud to muke, und how did yoo hundle it?
A mujor decIsIon, sucI us rudIcuIIy resIupIng sLruLegy Lo IeIp un uIIIng projecL (wIIcI, oI course, succeeded),
your ruLIonuIe, und Iow you currIed IL ouL Is needed Iere. No need Lo conIess uny ugonIzIng cIoIces.wIIIe LIey
muy Iuve been your mosL dIIIIcuIL decIsIons, uvoId LIe Lrup some job-seekers IuII InLo wIen Iuced wILI u
IrIendIy, you-cun-LeII-me Lone Irom un InLervIewer.
g. "Who {or whut) hus been u mujor inIloence on yoor liIe?
WIo or wIuL Is Iess ImporLunL LIun u sound ruLIonuIe buckIng up wIy LIIs mude you InLo wIuL you ure Loduy - u
IoIder oI key personuIILy LruILs, sucI us InLegrILy, deLermInuLIon, InILIuLIve, LIuL ure vuIuubIe Lo empIoyers. TIInk
cureIuIIy ubouL your IormuLIve InIIuences - purenL, LeucIer, coucI, mInIsLer - und oIIer seII-ussessmenL wIIcI Is
on LurgeL.
6. "Whut do yoo worry uboot?
Don`L open u wIndow InLo your psycIe und reveuI wIuL you LruIy worry ubouL uL :oo u.m. SLIck Lo LIIngs LIuL ure
job-reIuLed und expecLed oI u Iurd-workIng empIoyee - wIuL LIe compeLILIon Is doIng, deudIInes, Leum members
wIo ure noL puIIIng LIeIr weIgIL, wInnIng LIuL new pIece oI busIness you`ve been eyeIng - buL noLe you uIm Lo
soIve LIe sILuuLIon, noL jusL sLew ubouL IL.
,. "Why do yoo wunt to switch Irom the poblic to the privute sector?
WIIIe you Iuve Ieurned u greuL deuI workIng Ior LIe governmenL - specIIy wIuL - you weIcome LIe opporLunILy
Lo work In un uLmospIere wIere uLLenLIon Is puId Lo LIe boLLom IIne, und wIere IndIvIduuI eIIorL und decIsIon-
mukIng Is boLI expecLed und rewurded.
28. "Are yoo u selI-sturter?
I you suy yes und sLop deud, you uren`L. Use LIIs quesLIon us un opporLunILy Lo seII yourseII und you`re
proucLIve Lo your jobs. You know wIuL Lo do, und you go uIeud und do IL, wILIouL reIyIng on consLunL dIrecLIon
und Ieedbuck Irom your munuger. OIIer LIe sume exumpIes us Ior WIuL Iuve you done LIuL sIows InILIuLIve?
q. "How huve yoo beneIited Irom yoor disuppointments?
No need Lo sILe specIIIc dIsuppoInLmenLs wIIcI suddened or demoruIIzed you, unIess you ure usked - jusL gIve u
generuI IIsL oI Iow you ure u beLLer person us u resuIL. You unuIyzed LIese evenLs Lo uncover LIe kerneI wIIcI
cuused LIem, you know now Iow you wouId ucL dIIIerenLIy uL vurIous poInLs II LIe sume sILuuLIon urose, und you
remember LIe Iessons Ieurned so LIey cun be uppIIed Lo new sILuuLIons.
o. "How do yoo plun yoor time?
SIow un orgunIzed, prIorILIzed upproucI - LIe InLervIewer dIsIIkes vIsIons oI peopIe wIo jump In un unIocused
munner Irom one Lusk Lo unoLIer, oILen mIssIng ouL on mujor prIorILIes. or exumpIe, perIups you onIy reLurn
pIone cuIIs Irom mId-uILernoon on, suvIng LIe resL oI LIe duy Ior cIIenL meeLIngs, sLuII conLucL, LIInkIng, und
wrILIng. You reud correspondence und Lrude muguzInes uILer :oo P.M., und never Ieuve beIore wrILIng u do
IIsL Ior Lomorrow. TIIs wuy, you`re reudy Lo IIL LIe ground runnIng eucI mornIng.
1. "Cun we check yoor reIerences?
I you wunL u job oIIer, LIe unswer Is yes. BuL II you ure currenLIy workIng, proLecL yourseII - suy you wIII be
Iuppy Lo provIde reIerences Irom currenL und Iormer empIoyers uL LIe LIme u job oIIer Is exLended. Add LIuL you
wunL LIese reIerences Lo be cIecked uILer you Iuve uccepLed u wrILLen job oIIer und resIgned Irom your currenL
compuny. You wunL Lo uvoId LIe Iorror oI IuvIng your currenL empIoyer, wIo Is noL even uwure you ure job-
IunLIng, beIng cuIIed Ior u reIerence, LIen IuIIIng Lo receIve u job-oIIer - und perIups beIng LermInuLed by your
IruLe empIoyer. (L Iuppens.)
. "How do yoo hundle rejection?
or jobs In suIes, pubIIc reIuLIons, und sImIIur IIeIds, rejecLIon Is u purL oI IIIe. Answer LIuL you do noL Luke IL
personuIIy und IeL IL geL you down; you Iorge uIeud und muke more pIone cuIIs or cusLomer suIes cuIIs, sInce you
reuIIze LIe IIeId Is u numbers gume wILI u IIgI ruLIo oI IuIIures Lo successes.
Purt Two: g-q1: Work History
. "Whut don't yoo like uboot yoor corrent {previoos) employer?
You IIke everyLIIng ubouL your currenL or prevIous empIoyer. Don`L IeL words IIke personuIILy conIIIcL,
ouLmoded busIness prucLIces, unIuIr promoLIon sysLems, und oLIer Iorms oI crILIcIsm escupe your IIps.
nLervIewers ussume, rIgILIy or wrongIy, LIuL II you budmouLI one empIoyer, you wIII budmouLI LIe nexL. A
compuny does noL wIIIIngIy IIre someone wIo Is u poLenLIuI LroubIemuker. Suve your job Iorror sLorIes Ior
IrIends und reIuLIves. AL your InLervIew, suy you Ieurned u Lremendous umounL Irom your IusL empIoyer und LIe
experIence wus IndIspensubIe Ior your cureer. You IIgIIy respecL LIe proIessIonuIIsm und judgmenL oI your
boss, und so on.
q. "How long huve yoo been looking Ior u job?
NoL Lo worry II you uIreudy IoId u job. Your unswer: You ure now seekIng u job LIuL wIII cIuIIenge you uL LIIs
sLuge oI your cureer und u compuny LIuL wIII provIde opporLunILIes Ior cureer growLI.
I, Iowever, you ure unempIoyed, be very cureIuI Iow you unswer. A IIuL yeur und u IuII or Lwo yeurs wIII noL
exucLIy druw job oIIers In droves. I you Iuve been doIng consLrucLIve ucLIvILIes In LIe meunLIme - sucI us
IeIpIng ouL In your son`s busIness, IeurnIng u new skIII, sLudyIng Ior your broker`s IIcense, consuILIng, or cIuIrIng
LIe IundruIsIng commILLee oI your IuvorILe cIurILy - by uII meuns suy so. SubLrucL LIIs LIme Irom LIe LIme you
Iuve been unempIoyed, so LIuL LIe LIme you Iuve been ucLIveIy IookIng Ior u job IuII-LIme Is mucI sIorLer.
AvoId soundIng deIensIve or cIusLened II you ure unempIoyed. nLervIewers wunL peopIe wIo ure IoL
commodILIes, so ucL IIke LIe desIrubIe cundIduLe you ure. NoLe LIuL you Iuve weIgIed oLIer job oIIers In LIe
meunLIme, buL LIuL you ure beIng purLIcuIur ubouL LIe job und envIronmenL you cIoose so you cun be cIuIIenged.
Remember, hou you unswer un InLervIew quesLIon Is oILen us ImporLunL us LIe conLenL oI wIuL you suy.
g. "Whut do yoo know uboot oor compuny?
Sound InIormed ubouL LIe compuny`s producLs or servIces, growLI ureus, IuLure pIuns, eLc. - In oLIer words, LIe
sorL oI InIormuLIon you Ieurned wIen you reseurcIed LIe compuny, us dIscussed In CIupLer 1. PosILIves onIy,
pIeuse - don`L remInd LIe InLervIewer oI LIe IuIIure oI LIe InLroducLIon oI ProducL X or Iow mucI sLock prIces
Iuve IuIIen sInce LIe recenL governmenL InvesLIguLIon. You Iuve no busIness beIng In u job InLervIew II you Iuve
noL prepured yourseII Lo dIscuss LIe compuny und ILs prospecLs.
6. "Which jobs {or doties) huve yoo enjoyed most?
Your unswer sIouId be jobs or duLIes wIIcI enubIed you Lo sIowcuse some oI LIe key personuIILy LruILs
empIoyers` desIre und wIIcI, IdeuIIy, resembIe LIe job you ure presenLIy InLervIewIng Ior.
,. "Which jobs {or doties) huve yoo enjoyed leust?
L doesn`L speuk weII Ior you Lo udmIL Lo IoIdIng jobs LIuL were deud-end or sLuILIIyIngIy duII. TIe InLervIewer
wIII wonder wIy you sLuyed. Try Lo IInd someLIIng LIe job LuugIL you, or Iow IL IeIped you deveIop one oI LIe
key personuIILy LruILs empIoyers desIre.
S. "How do yoo get ulong with yoor corrent {Iormer) boss?
You geL uIong IIne wILI your currenL or Iormer boss, und you respecL IIs or Ier ubIIILy, judgmenL, und
proIessIonuIIsm. Tuke LIe IIgI roud on LIIs. Your boss muy be un ogre wIo ruIes wILI un Iron Iund, buL
InLImuLIons oI LIIs sIouId never puss your IIps.
q. "How do yoo deul with people with diIIerent buckgroonds und vuloe systems Irom yoor
own?
You Lry Lo cooperuLe und geL uIong wILI everyone Lo ucIIeve LIe gouIs oI LIe depurLmenL und compuny us u
wIoIe. You enjoy workIng wILI dIIIerenL Lypes oI peopIe us you Ieurn new LIIngs und beIIeve vurIeLy Is LIe spIce
oI IIIe.
Purt Three: q1-q, : Sulury
qo. "Whut sulury ure yoo looking Ior {or whut is yoor sulury reqoirement)?
Try Lo buy LIme, und LIrow LIe quesLIon buck InLo LIe InLervIewer`s courL. L`s IooIIsI Lo nume u IIgure, und
eILIer cuuse LIe InLervIewer Lo cIuckIe InwurdIy uL LIe ubsurdIy cIeup IIre you ure, or LIrow yourseII ouL oI LIe
rIng by uskIng Ior Loo mucI money. TIIs Is u gume wIere wIoever numes u IIgure IIrsL, Ioses. IrsL, IIsL uII LIe
duLIes oI LIe job uccordIng Lo LIe descrIpLIon you Iuve been gIven Lo muke sure you und LIe InLervIewer ure on
LIe sume wuveIengLI.
TIen, usk wIuL suIury runge Ie or sIe Is uIIowed Lo oIIer Ior LIe job, or wIuL suIury runge your skIIIs ure worLI.
HopeIuIIy, you wIII Ieur u runge sLruIgIL Irom LIe InLervIewer`s IIps, Irom wIIcI you cun negoLIuLe. I uII eIse
IuIIs - IIs or Ier IIps ure seuIed - counLer wILI u runge, noL u IIxed IIgure, you ure comIorLubIe wILI.
q1. "Thut's u little high Ior os. Cun yoo come down u little?
Don`L gIve In yeL! - LIrow LIe buII buck. Ask LIe InLervIewer wIuL Ie or sIe envIsIons us LIe suIury runge, und
negoLIuLe wILI LIuL runge In mInd. You InsLunLIy weuken your negoLIuLIng posILIon II you cuve In uILer IIve
seconds und Iower your IIgure.
q. "How moch money ure yoo worth?
SImIIur Lo uskIng LIe suIury you wunL, LIIs uIso demunds you oIIer prooI Lo buck IL up. DemonsLruLe un
uwureness oI LIe murkeL ruLe Ior LIe job bused upon your skIIIs und experIence, und u conIIdence LIuL your
quuIIIIcuLIons muLcI LIe job requIremenLs poInL by poInL wIen you nume u runge you ure comIorLubIe wILI.
q. "Whut sulury ure yoo muking now?
SInce empIoyers dIspIuy u dIsLressIng propensILy Lo Luke your currenL suIury InLo consIderuLIon wIen mukIng u
suIury oIIer - generuIIy oIIerIng ubouL 1o-1 percenL more, II you ure mukIng murkeL ruLes - unswer LIIs quesLIon
wILI u greuL deuI oI cure. TIrow LIe buII buck In LIe InLervIewer`s courL II you cun, wIen you ure mukIng u beIow-
murkeL or ubove-murkeL runge Ior LIe job Lo provoke LIe InLervIewer InLo IIgure: InsLeud express InLeresL In LIe
job und conIIdence In reucIIng ugreemenL. You sIouId probubIy onIy buIdIy menLIon your currenL suIury II you
ure mukIng LIe murkeL ruLe.
44. "Whut sulury do yoo expect to eurn Iive yeurs {or three yeurs, etc.) Irom now?
OI course, you don`L even know wIuL posILIon you`II be IoIdIng uL LIIs poInL - or II you`II sLIII be uL LIe compuny.
Ask LIe InLervIewer wIuL wouId be u reusonubIe suIury Lo expecL Ior someone wILI your skIIIs und buckground. I
pressed, cILe u runge, bused upon murkeL ruLes, und cureer puLI Lo buck IL up. L`s besL Lo be vugue uL LIuL poInL
`II Iuve sIx yeurs oI experIence us un uccounL supervIsor In LIe pIurmuceuLIcuI ureu und uvoId job LILIes.
qg. "Yoo've been stock in the sume position ut busicully the sume sulury Ior the pust Iive yeurs ut
yoor corrent {or Iormer) employer. Why?
OucI. I you`ve InudverLenLIy dIscIosed LIIs, you musL deuI wILI IL. ExpIuIn LIuL opporLunILIes Ior udvuncemenL
were very IImILed uL your compuny, und LIuL oLIer empIoyees wILI more senIorILy were uIeud oI you. I LIe IusL
promoLIon In your dIvIsIon wus u Iong LIme ugo, cILe LIe duLe. Add quIckIy LIuL you ure euger Lo ussume more
responsIbIIILy und Iuve LIe skIIIs und LuIenL Lo do so - wIIcI Is wIy you ure InLervIewIng uL LIIs IIrm Loduy.
Purt Ioor: qS-6o: Teumwork und Leudership
q6. "Huve yoo ever hud u problem in deuling with other people?
Your unswer Is no, you Iuve uIwuys LrIed Lo be u Leum pIuyer und cooperuLe wILI oLIers Ior LIe good oI LIe
compuny.
q,. "Whut kinds oI people do yoo preIer to work with?
PeopIe wIo ure Iurd-workIng, IonesL, enLIusIusLIc, und Luke prIde In LIeIr work - In oLIer words, peopIe wIo
sIure some oI LIe key personuIILy LruILs empIoyers` desIre.
qS. "Whut kinds oI people do yoo Iind it diIIicolt to work with?
PeopIe wIo possess LIe opposILe oI LIese LruILs - wIo Iuck u work eLIIc, ure dIsIonesL, ure muIconLenLs wIo
compIuIn IncessunLIy, wIo don`L puII LogeLIer In u Leum eIIorL.
qq. "Cun yoo tell me uboot yoor munugement style?
Your unswer sIouId InvoIve LIe IoIIowIng: you moLIvuLe your sLuII by pruIse, rewurds, und seLLIng u good
exumpIe; you LreuL LIem wILI respecL, InvILIng LIeIr suggesLIons; you empower LIem Lo Luke on Lusks oI greuLer
responsIbIIILy, und muke LIem IeeI purL oI u Leum wIere everyone Is puIIIng LogeLIer; und you expIuIn LIe Iong-
Lerm us weII us LIe sIorL-Lerm gouIs oI LIe work beIng done.
go. "When do expect to be promoted?
TIe wrong unswer Is Lo nume u specIIIc LIme - IIke sIx monLIs, u yeur, or LIree yeurs- wIIcI brunds you us cocky
und urrogunL. To be suIe, unswer LIuL you expecL Lo grow sLeudIIy In skIIIs und experIence so you wIII be reudy
wIen un opporLunILy Is rIpe In LIe compuny, und you ure sure your perIormunce wIII merIL u promoLIon over
LIme sInce you uIwuys Lry Lo do LIe besL possIbIe job you cun.
g1. "Why do yoo wunt to get into this Iield {or get this job)?
L never IuIIs Lo usLonIsI und IrrILuLe InLervIewers wIen cundIduLes cunnoL respond. Your unswer sIouId dIspIuy
some InsIgIL ubouL Iow LIe IndusLry works or wIuL LIe job reuIIy enLuIIs duy Lo duy. L sIouId convey LIuL you
Iuve LIougIL ubouL wIuL you wunL. TIere ure no besL unswers Ior dIIIerenL jobs, buL you sIouId bewure oI
LIred, meunIngIess cIIcIs IIke jusL Iove peopIe, or Iove Lo LruveI. nLervIewers wunL Lo sepuruLe dreumers
Irom doers.
g. "Whut ure yoor cureer gouls und how do yoo plun to uchieve them?
You wunL Lo go us Iur us your skIIIs und LuIenLs wIII Luke you, wunL Lo serve LIe communILy In LIe ureus wIere you
cun be mosL useIuI, und meeL uII LIe cIuIIenges LIuL urIse so you cun become LIe proIessIonuI you uspIre Lo be.
AvoId unnoyIng sLuLemenLs IIke wunL Lo be presIdenL oI LIe IIrm someduy, or reuIIy wunL your job: LIey
don`L convey umbILIon und drIve, buL urrogunce und egocenLrIcILy.
53. "o yoo preIer working with others or ulone?
BeIore you unswer, be sure you know wIuL Lype oI person LIe compuny Is seekIng Ior LIe job In quesLIon, eILIer
Irom your own reseurcI or Irom uskIng LIe InLervIewer. Be uwure, Iowever, LIuL LIe vusL mujorILy oI IIrms
operuLe In u Leum envIronmenL, und LIuL InLerpersonuI skIIIs ure consIdered ImporLunL even Ior mosL LecInIcuI,
wrILIng, und oLIer posILIons. I you LruIy wunL Lo work uIone, consIder seII-empIoymenL - even LIen, you wIII
deuI wILI cIIenLs, suppIIers, und so on. A suIe unswer: You preIer Lo work us purL oI u Leum, buL cun work uIone
us necessury sInce you don`L requIre consLunL Ieedbuck und dIrecLIon.
gq. "How do yoo operute us u teum pluyer?
You reuIIze LIuL everyone on LIe Leum Ius un ImporLunL und InLerdependenL roIe Lo pIuy, you IIsLen Lo LIeIr
opInIons wILI respecL, you Lry Lo geL uIong wILI everyone Ior LIe greuLer good oI LIe compuny, und you do your
job In u munner LIuL IeIps LIe Leum operuLe smooLIIy und producLIveIy.
gg. "Whut ure yoo looking Ior in yoor next job?
CoucI wIuL you seek In Lerms oI wIuL you cun oIIer LIe empIoyer, noL wIuL LIe empIoyer cun oIIer you, sucI us
gIumour, LruveI, eLc. or exumpIe, um seekIng u compuny wIere cun uppIy my proven ubIIILy Lo Lup
underuLIIIzed murkeLs und moLIvuLe suIes sLuII, und grow us mucI us cun proIessIonuIIy. WIen wus uL ABC
Compuny, ..
g6. "How long woold yoo stuy with oor compuny?
TIe besL unswer Is LIuL you ure very InLeresLed In LIe compuny und InLend Lo sLuy us Iong us you ure IucIng
cIuIIenges und growIng us u proIessIonuI. I you Iuve u sLubIe work IIsLory murked by Iong perIods uL vurIous
compunIes, poInL LIIs ouL. I noL, empIusIze LIuL LIIs Is LIe compuny you wunL Lo seLLIe down wILI. Ask ubouL
wIIcI specIIIc projecLs you cun geL InvoIved wILI ImmedIuLeIy.
g,. "Whut is yoo next cureer step?
Your nexL sLep muLcIes LIe descrIpLIon oI LIe job LIe InLervIewer Ius gIven you perIecLIy, und you ure euger Lo
muke u conLrIbuLIon bused on your proven ubIIILy In (suIes, supervIsIon, quuIILy conLroI, copywrILIng, eLc.). SIow
Iow LIIs nexL sLep wIII beneIIL LIe compuny (und you onIy IncIdenLuIIy).
gS. "Why do yoo wunt to chunge cureers ut this point in yoor liIe?
WIIIe you Iuve enjoyed your Iormer cureer, you Iuve uIwuys Iud un InnuLe LuIenL und IunkerIng Ior LIIs IIeId,
reguIurIy reud ILs Lrude muguzInes us u Iobby, und ure reudy und euger Lo muke u cIunge und go Ior IL.
Purt Iive: 61-S6: Iotore Gouls und Cureer Puth
gq. "Where do yoo expect to be in Iive {three) yeurs?
A quesLIon LIuL`s become more rure In Loduy`s IusL-puced, downsIzed worId, buL someLImes sLIII usked. You
doubLIess don`L know wIere you wIII be In IIve yeurs - und LIe InLervIewer probubIy doesn`L know wIere Ie or
sIe wIII be, eILIer. However, Lo be on LIe suIe sIde, suy you expecL Lo be wILI LIe sume compuny In LIe ureu
wIere your skIIIs und LuIenLs cun serve LIe IIrm LIe mosL, In u posILIon oI greuLer responsIbIIILy. I you cun
IdenLIIy LIe ureu wIIcI Is LIe IusLesL-growIng - Irom your reseurcI or Irom wIuL LIe InLervIewer Ius LoId you -
suy so.
L`s uIso uIrIgIL Lo suy LIuL wIIIe you cunnoL predIcL specIIIcs, you Iope Lo Luke udvunLuge oI opporLunILIes und
growLI ureus us LIey urIse, und IeL your skIIIs und LuIenLs Luke you us Iur us LIey cun. L`s besL noL Lo nume u
specIIIc job LILIe, buL Lo concenLruLe on LIe work ILseII. PromoLubIIILy In u IIrm depends on some IucLors beyond
your conLroI, sucI us u wIIIIng boss or empIoyees wILI more senIorILy LIun you. Above uII, don`L be IIke LIe
womun wIo, unenLIused ubouL LIe job sIe wus uppIyIng Ior - Ier IIrsL Iove wus LIe musIc IndusLry -
sponLuneousIy repIIed, NoL Iere.
6o. "Since yoo were in the sume job Ior soch u long time, yoo've probubly grown very comIortuble
in it - muybe u bit stule. How woold yoo cope with u new job in u compuny soch us oors?
You weIcome new cIuIIenges und LIe opporLunILy Ior more proIessIonuI growLI, wIIcI Is wIy you ure reudy Lo
move on. You`ve Ieurned u greuL deuI und Iope Lo muke u conLrIbuLIon bused on wIuL you`ve Ieurned. You ure
euger Lo Ieurn new LIIngs und wouId IIke Lo Ieur more ubouL LIe cIuIIenges you wouId Iuce In LIIs job.
61. "Whut do yoo like leust uboot this job?
PIck someLIIng very mInor und unconnecLed Lo LIe muIn gouIs deur Lo LIe compuny`s IeurL - mukIng money,
suvIng money, or suvIng LIme. DoIng LIose expense reporLs, upduLIng press IIsLs, LukIng cuIIs Irom vendors
pILcIIng LIeIr servIces - uII ure uccepLubIe.
6. "I'm not sore yoo huve the right qouliIicutions {or ure soituble) Ior this position.
NoL Lo worry - IL`s noL us bud us IL sounds. TIe InLervIewer muy sImpIy be suyIng seII me. Even II LIe
InLervIewer Isn`L, ucL InnocenLIy us LIougI Ie or sIe Is. Don`L reucL us II LIIs Is u kIss-oII, wILI sIock or
dIscomIILure; und don`L be urgumenLuLIve. nquIre cuImIy II Ie or sIe Is concerned ubouL uny purLIcuIur ureu.
TIen, mIIdIy buL jirml reussure LIe InLervIewer oI LIe sLrengLI oI your skIIIs In LIIs ureu - gIve un exumpIe or
Lwo - or, concede LIuL wIIIe LIIs ureu Is noL your sLrong poInL, sImIIur skIIIs, exLensIve experIence, und
personuIILy LruILs you possess more LIun compensuLe Ior LIe Iuck. You Iuve uIwuys been u quIck sLudy, unuIruId
oI new cIuIIenges, und your rupId promoLIons In your prevIous jobs demonsLruLe LIIs, Ior exumpIe. I you ure u
cureer-cIunger or Iuve perIormed u sImIIur job In u dIIIerenL seLLIng, empIusIze LIe LrunsIerubIIILy oI LIese
skIIIs. TIe InLervIewer, you see, Is IookIng noL onIy Ior u subsLunLIve unswer buL Ior conIIdence und gruce under
pressure, us weII us your usLuLeness In IeurIng LIe Lrue messuge beIInd LIIs sLuLemenL. Don`L dIsuppoInL.
6. "Yoo ure reentering the lubor murket uIter un ubsence oI 1g yeurs. Why do yoo think yoo cun
do the job?
EmpIusIze Iow your skIIIs und uccompIIsImenLs In voIunLeer work Ior cIurILIes, scIooIs, cIurcIes, or
synugogues, non-puId work experIence In IeIpIng ouL reIuLIves` busInesses, munugIng und budgeLIng your
IouseIoId`s IInunces, und IobbIes ure LrunsIerubIe Lo LIe job. AIso expIuIn wIIcI key personuIILy LruILs you wIII
brIng Lo LIe job.
6q. "How soon cun yoo sturt?
Two weeks` noLIce Is generuIIy expecLed us LIe mInImum In gIvIng noLIce Lo your currenL empIoyer und mukIng
sure your workIoud Is covered. n cuses wIere you Iuve been uL LIe IIrm Ior muny yeurs, you muy wunL Lo gIve
more noLIce.
6g. "Whut do yoo like most uboot this job?
Answer LIIs onIy uILer you Iuve uscerLuIned LIe muIn probIem LIe InLervIewer wunLs soIved In LIIs job. I you ure
uncerLuIn, usk Lo cIurIIy LIe projecLs wIIcI need ImmedIuLe uLLenLIon, LIe overuII mIssIon oI LIe dIvIsIon uL
presenL, eLc. TIen suy you ure euger Lo LuckIe LIIs cIuIIenge, und expIuIn wIy you ure weII suILed In Lerms oI
quuIIIIcuLIons und key personuIILy LruILs Lo do so.
66. "Who do yoo see us oor compuny's competition, und why?
You Iuve Ieurned LIe unswer Lo LIIs quesLIon Irom your pre-InLervIew reseurcI on LIe compuny, wIIcI IncIuded
reudIng LIe busIness press und Lrude muguzInes. Nume u Iew IIrms LIuL oIIer sImIIur producLs or servIces, und
wIuL dIIIerenLIuLes LIem Irom LIIs compuny - prIce, quuIILy, uvuIIubIIILy, murkeLIng sLruLegy, eLc.
6,. "How is oor compuny soperior to others in its Iield?
rom your reseurcI, you sIouId be ubIe Lo cILe u Iew ureus wIere LIIs compuny sIInes.
6S. "How do yoo keep ubreust oI new developments in yoor Iield?
You reguIurIy reud Lrude muguzInes und LIe busIness press, und uLLend Lrude ussocIuLIon meeLIngs und un
occusIonuI semInur or conIerence. PerIups you Iuve uIso used your
compuny`s LuILIon reImbursemenL progrum Lo Luke cIusses Lo brusI up on skIIIs or Ieurn new ones.
69. "How do rute yoor cureer progress to dute?
SIow u IeuILIy sense oI seII-respecL und noLe LIuL wIIIe you ure proud oI your uccompIIsImenLs und Iuve
Ieurned u greuL deuI ubouL LIe IndusLry wILIIn LIe specIIIc spIere oI your jobs, LIe besL Is yeL Lo come.
,o. "Whut uspects oI yoor job do yoo rute us most importunt?
PrIorILIze wIIcI oI your duLIes mosL ImpucL your compuny`s boLLom IIne, I.e., wIIcI muke money, suve LIme, or
Increuse eIIIcIency. SIow LIuL you ure noL mIssIng LIe IoresL Ior LIe Lrees und ure noL wusLIng precIous LIme und
eIIorL on InessenLIuIs.
,1. "Whut personulity truits do yoo think ure necessury to socceed in this Iield?
CILe some oI LIe key personuIILy LruILs we Iuve dIscussed uII uIong, IIgIIIgILIng LIose wIIcI muy be especIuIIy
ImporLunL In your cIosen IIeId, bused on your own reseurcI or IInLs Irom LIe InLervIewer.
,. "escribe yoor corrent job responsibilities.
IsL your duLIes, buL wILI un eye Lo Iow LIey IIr InLo LIe mIssIon oI LIe compuny us u wIoIe. An empIoyer does
noL wunL someone wILI LunneI vIsIon, wIo sees IIs or Ier job us LIe be-uII und end-uII, buL u person wILI u sense
oI InLerreIuLedness wIo IuncLIons us purL oI u Leum.
,. "How muny hoors u week do yoo work?
SInce workuIoIIsm Is u vIrLue, noL u vIce, In Loduy`s Ieun und meun compunIes, LIe more Iours you cun cILe, LIe
beLLer. However, suy LIuL you uIso Lry Lo pIun und munuge your LIme so you ure u producLIve us possIbIe, jusL In
cuse LIe compuny beIIeves Iong Iours denoLe poor LIme munugemenL und un InubIIILy Lo deIeguLe.
,q. "How woold yoo do this job diIIerently Irom other people?
DemonsLruLe LIuL your mIx oI skIIIs und key personuIILy LruILs Is u wInnIng combInuLIon wIIcI wIII do u bung-up
job. I you ure noL uwure oI uII LIe cIuIIenges LIe job presenLs, usk; und LIen, expIuIn u creuLIve upproucI Lo
IundIIng uL IeusL one oI LIem.
75. "Are yoo willing to tuke u drog test us u condition oI employment?
TIe onIy unswer Is yes II you ure uL uII InLeresLed In geLLIng u job oIIer. Drug LesLIng Ius become very common
Loduy us empIoyers Lry Lo screen ouL prospecLIve empIoyees wIo ure drug ubusers.
BeIore u LesL Is ucLuuIIy udmInIsLered, u compuny sIouId gIve you u Iorm Lo sIgn uuLIorIzIng your permIssIon,
wIIcI sIouId nume uII LIe prescrIpLIon und over-LIe-counLer drugs und Ioods beIIeved Lo cross-reucL wILI LIe
LesL. IsL uII LIe drugs und medIcuLIons you Iuve Luken In recenL weeks, us weII us LIe Ioods numed on LIe Iorm.
L muy surprIse you Lo Ieurn LIuL muny subsLunces, sucI us coId medIcuLIons, IbuproIen, LrunquIIIzers, und even
poppy-seed bugeIs, cun cuuse posILIve resuILs on drug LesLs und LIus unIuIrIy brund you us u drug user. I you ure
noL oIIered u Iorm Lo sIgn LIuL IIsLs LIese subsLunces, suy poIILeIy LIuL wIIIe you ure wIIIIng Lo be LesLed, you
wouId IIke Lo know wIIcI subsLunce cun cross-reucL wILI LIe LesL becuuse you ure IumIIIur wILI urLIcIes on LIIs
subjecL. I LIe IIrm does noL gIve you u IIsL, weIgI LIe rIsk oI LIe LesL und your InLeresL In u job oIIer - perIups
you cun suggesL LIuL your IumIIy docLor conducL LIe LesL.
,6. "How do yoo Ieel uboot working overtime?
You undersLund LIere ure LImes wIen u compuny expecLs empIoyees Lo pILcI In wILI exLru eIIorL und exLru Iours,
und LIIs Is IIne wILI you. TIe InLervIewer wunLs Lo IInd ouL II you ure u q-Lo- cIock-wuLcIer, so cILe un exumpIe
Irom u pusL job wIere you expended exLru Iours Lo geL u projecL compIeLed.
,,. "escribe u diIIicolt sitoution ut work und how yoo hundled it.
WIIIe LIe InLervIewer wunLs Lo probe your probIem-soIvIng skIIIs, you Iuve LIe cIunce Lo demonsLruLe some oI
LIe key personuIILy LruILs empIoyers` desIre us weII, sucI us IIsLenIng skIIIs, InILIuLIve, deLermInuLIon, eLc. or
exumpIe: As u supervIsor wILI u dIIIIcuIL cIIenL, IIsLened Lo LIe demunds oI LIe cIIenL und my sLuII, suggesLed
compromIses wIere needed, und ImpIemenLed new suggesLIons.
,S. "Why huve yoo chunged jobs severul times in the pust Iew yeurs?
A cIurge oI job-IoppIng Is mucI Iess serIous Loduy LIun IL used Lo be, sInce LIe duys oI IIIeLIme empIoymenL ure
over. However, empIusIze LIuL you Ieurned someLIIng In every job, wIIcI you cun now brIng Lo your new
compuny. TIIs muy Luke some persuusIon, buL convInce LIe InLervIewer you Iuve been movIng sLeudIIy Lowurd
more proIessIonuI growLI und greuLer responsIbIIILy, und LIuL you IIrmIy beIIeve LIe posILIon you ure
InLervIewIng Ior oIIers LIe cIuIIenges you requIre. PoInL ouL LIuL you Iuve uIso deveIoped IIexIbIIILy In udupLIng
Lo dIIIerenL work envIronmenLs - u reuI pIus In Loduy`s worId und u LruIL LIuL someone mIred In LIe sume
compuny Ior u decude or more muy noL possess.
,q. Since yoo've job-hopped u lot in the pust Iew yeurs, isn't it possible yoo will be bored working
here?
No - becuuse LIIs job oIIers you LIe cIuIIenges you`ve been seekIng your enLIre IIIe. EIuboruLe u bIL on wIy LIese
cIuIIenges InLrIgue you und Iow you pIun Lo IundIe LIem, Lo deIIecL uLLenLIon Irom your job-IoppIng pusL und
dIrecL IL Lowurd your soon-Lo-be seLLIed und sLubIe presenL wILI LIIs compuny.
,q. "Why were yoo Iired?
OI course, LIIs quesLIon comes noL becuuse you voIunLeered LIIs InIormuLIon, buL becuuse LIe InLervIewer Is
uwure you Iuve been IIred. I your job wus one oI Iundreds oI LIousunds eIImInuLed LIrougI downsIzIng - u
very common occurrence Loduy - poInL LIIs ouL, us IL removes mosL oI LIe onus Irom you. I your Iormer
compuny Ius IIgI Lurnover IIgures, eILIer resIgnuLIons or IIrIngs, cILe LIeses IIgures, sInce LIIs sIows your
IeuvIng wus noL un IsoIuLed IncIdenL. I you were IIred Ior cuuse, presenL LIe IucLs In LIe mosL posILIve IIgIL
possIbIe und sLuLe LIuL LIe probIem Ius been recLIIIed. PerIups u Iormer boss, or Iormer cIIenL, Is wIIIIng Lo suy
good words ubouL your perIormunce. SLuLe wIo wIII be Iuppy Lo gIve reIerences. WIuLever you do, don`L
budmouLI your empIoyer Ior IIrIng you, und don`L ucL deIensIve und dIscouruged - LIIs wIII muke IL LougIer, noL
eusIer, Lo IInd unoLIer posILIon.
So."Cun yoo sell me on oor prodoct {or service or concept)?
L`s noL us dIIIIcuIL us IL sounds Lo do u suIes presenLuLIon Ior u compuny`s producL or servIces. You sIouId
uIreudy be prepured becuuse oI LIe reseurcI you dId beIore LIe InLervIew. CuImIy und conIIdenLIy, ucL us II you
ure on u suIes cuII: enumeruLe LIe mujor seIIIng IeuLures, noLe II LIe producL or servIce Is unIque In uny wuy, und
Iow IL dIIIers Irom ILs compeLILIon. TIe InLervIewer Is IookIng Ior suIes ubIIILy, good communIcuLIon skIIIs, und
LIe ubIIILy Lo LIInk quIckIy under pressure.
S1. "Why did yoo leuve yoor lust job {or wunt to leuve yoor corrent job)?
CILe one oI LIe Iew uccepLubIe reusons: you wunLed greuLer responsIbIIILy, more cIuIIenge, u IIgIer suIury, Iurger
compuny Ior specIuIIzuLIon (or smuIIer compuny Ior opporLunILy), or more job securILy. I you ure u cureer-
cIunger, expIuIn LIuL you enjoyed your prevIous cureer, buL Iuve uIwuys wunLed Lo work In LIIs IIeId und IInuIIy
decIded Lo go Ior IL.
S. "Whut ure some mistukes yoo've mude in previoos jobs?
UI-oI - You`re beIng InvILed Lo LeII LuIes uguInsL yourseII. WIuLever you udmIL Lo, muke sure IL`s IuIrIy
Innocuous und dIdn`L InvoIve IosIng money or LIme Ior your compuny. Be quIck Lo expIuIn wIuL you Ieurned
Irom u pusL mIsLuke und Iow you recLIIIed LIIngs. or exumpIe, perIups you dIdn`L documenL your ucLIvILIes or
keep your boss up Lo duLe us mucI us you sIouId Iuve, mukIng IL dIIIIcuIL Ior oLIers Lo IIII In wIen you were ouL
sIck or on vucuLIon. BuL once you were udmonIsIed us Lo Iow LIIs InconvenIences your co-workers, you now
keep one oI LIe mosL LIorougI puper LruIIs In your IIrm.
S. "Whut huve yoo leurned Irom yoor mistukes in yoor jobs?
You sIouId Iuve sLuLed wIuL you Ieurned In your unswer Lo LIe prevIous quesLIon, Lo deIIecL LIIs one. SIow LIuL
you beneIIL Irom consLrucLIve crILIcIsm und do noL Luke IL personuIIy, und LIuL you Iuve ucquIred on oI LIe key
personuIILy LruILs empIoyers desIre (Leum pIuyer, InILIuLIve, deLermInuLIon, eLc.)
Sq. "Where else ure yoo upplying Ior u job?
L`s okuy Lo udmIL Lo InLervIewIng uL oLIer IIrms, buL don`L suy wIere. I pressed, poIILeIy decIIne Lo suy. WIIIe
IL`s uIrIgIL Lo convey LIe Ideu you ure wunLed, IL`s u bud Ideu Lo geL InLo u spurrIng muLcI droppIng numes oI oLIer
IIrms, posILIons, und suIury. Don`L communIcuLe LIe ImpressIon LIuL LIIs job Is u IuII-buck or LIuL your IIrsL
cIoIce IIes eIsewIere. Above uII, II you ure seekIng u dIIIerenL Lype oI job eIsewIere - or In u dIIIerenL IndusLry
uILogeLIer - do noL udmIL IL. You muy be coverIng uII your buses In u LougI economy, buL IL wIII onIy uIurm LIe
InLervIewer Lo know you ure consIderIng jobs In wIdeIy dIvergenL IIeIds.